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Smart technology that delivers business results

5.0
1 review

We build brilliant custom technology solutions that make work more effective, productive, and profitable. Experts in FileMaker, WordPress, mobile, GIS, HIPAA security, and Apple.

 
$1,000+
 
$150 - $199 / hr
 
10 - 49
 Founded
1986
Show all +
Minneapolis, MN
headquarters
  • 5155 East River Rd Suite 405
    Minneapolis, MN 55421
    United States
    612-564-1626

Portfolio

Key clients: 

Target Corporation, Ameriprise, Prime Therapeutics, Minnesota State Fair, Abbott Northwestern, Meritas Law Firms, University of Minnesota Technology Leadership Institute, United Health Group, US Bank, RSP Architects, BlueCross BlueShield, AllinaHealth, Honeywell, The Wedding Guys, JT Mega, Apple, Martin Williams, Mayo Clinic, Medtronic, Wilderness Inquiry, Twin Cities Public TV2, etc.

Reviews

5.0
1 review
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Database Development for a State Fair

“Our workflow has become more automated and less redundant, saving us time and money in the long run.”

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
4.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$200,000 to $999,999
 
2008 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

For over a decade, LuminFire has been compiling disparate databases into one large system. They also integrated new formatting into the database and enabled remote entry for competition results.

The Reviewer
 
51-200 Employees
 
St. Paul, Minnesota
Jill Nathe
Competition Director, Minnesota State Fair
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

LuminFire is hard working and positive, providing phenomenal customer service and doing their best to quickly find solutions to problems. Their work has resulted in reduced process times, making them quicker and more efficient.

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the competition director for the Minnesota State Fair, one of the largest state fairs in the US. We have competitions for livestock, jams, rugs, etc., all of which I oversee.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with LuminFire?

We get over 30,000 competition entries every year, and each entry includes a name, address, phone number, and other information. We needed a partner to develop a customized database to better manage all that information. We had a mix of numerous disparate database systems and wanted to combine them all into one large system.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Over the past 10 years, LuminFire has migrated our databases all onto one platform to make it easier to access and manage all the different competition entries. They also upgraded the system to enable us to enter results remotely as well as display them online and on our screens across the fairgrounds. Before that, we did everything on paper, but now we use Wi-Fi enabled iPads. That upgrade allowed us to broadcast the results in real time, which was something we’d never been able to do before.

Another project they did was to integrate all the different rules and regulations for our competitions into the actual database design. So, instead of having to refer to a separate Word document to determine the format of how things should be entered, the database was set up to automatically have the format ready.

What is the team composition?

We interact with one main developer, but there’s a whole team available.

How did you come to work with LuminFire?

They were recommended by our employment department, who’d worked with them before.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent between $200,000–$1 million.

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been partners since 2008.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

For every project they’ve worked on, we’ve seen a significant reduction in the amount of time it takes to accomplish that task. Our workflow has become more automated and less redundant, saving us time and money in the long run. The way they’ve structured our system allows us to easily change or modify a portion without having to interfere with anything else, which is incredibly convenient.

How did LuminFire perform from a project management standpoint?

They have tremendous customer support—I know I can contact them whenever I need anything. We use Basecamp to track the project, and we’ve never had any major problems.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They took time to learn our business and become passionate about it, even though they may not be deeply interested in state fairs. They’re positive and enthusiastic, always seeking solutions and implementing best practices.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Their sales staff can be a bit pushy.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

Be open about what you want and your limitations (including budget and resources). The more you can share, the better the partnership will be.

5.0
Overall Score
  • 4.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer