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Digital Ideas Accelerated

4.7
21 reviews

An industry veteran of over 17 years, MentorMate meets complex business challenges with native, hybrid and custom software development. We think big, design smart and develop fast for all screens, projects and teams accelerating digital ideas with end-to-end technology services.

 

With seven offices in Minnesota, Sweden and Bulgaria, our strategists, designers, architects, developers and quality assurance engineers blend onshore flexibility with offshore economy delivering value for clients near and far.

 

We scale quickly and manage all stages of the software lifecycle, including ideation, architecture, design, development and quality assurance. We amplify your team’s custom software development capabilities for as long or little as you need. Our software team — 400-strong — helps our clients build effectively and deliver robust experiences while managing total cost-of-ownership. With over 40% of our business in healthcare, we work confidently across diverse regulatory environments.

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$50,000+
 
$50 - $99 / hr
 
250 - 999
 Founded
2001
Show all +
Minneapolis, MN
headquarters
  • MentorMate
    3036 Hennepin Ave S
    Minneapolis, MN 55408
    United States
    +1.877.959.2390
other locations

Portfolio

Key clients: 

AstraZeneca, Thomson Reuters, Foss Swim School, Fluke, Staywell, Questar, Trane, blackriver, WeVest, POPS! Diabetes Care, Jostens, Spok, Braun Intertec, NASA, InBox Dollars

The Great Northern

GOAL: Promote cultural programming on a dynamic a digital platform that flexes with a growing organization’s needs.

EVOLVE STRATEGIC MISSION WITH A FLEXIBLE PLATFORM: Administrators using The Great Northern’s new responsive web application benefit from a CMS that supports a high degree of customization and control so its digital presence remains fresh and engaging throughout the year. The Great Northern has the polished and flexible platform that can reliably support its evolving mission

TECHNOLOGIES/SERVICES: UX/UI, QA, Cloud, Frontend, Backend, Web Development, Strategic Consulting

Homes for Heroes®

GOAL: Streamline payment processing and serve a growing user base with a mdern digital platform.

SCALE PLATFORM AND IMPROVE PAYMENT PROCESSING: We built a custom responsive web application that combines content management, customer management, workflows, and a new payment system. The application securely increases engagement and improves the buying and lending experience for Homes for Heroes' real estate agents, lenders, home buyers, and home sellers.

TECHNOLOGIES/SERVICES: Web, UX/UI, QA, PHP, Project Management

U of M IGDILab

GOAL: Use software to track literacy development and facilitate research initiatives therein.

CAPTURE DATA TO IMPROVE LITERACY: We worked with U of M researchers to build an application that measures young children’s literacy levels and language skills more effectively, but also equips teachers with data that can inform more effective lesson plans and assessment strategies. The software makes the work of research more efficient, as it supports more rapid and less costly testing of hypotheses.

TECHNOLOGIES/SERVICES: Backend, iOS, Bluetooth, Mobile

POPS! Diabetes Care

GOAL: Develop a mobile app that empowers people to manage their diabetes  on their own terms

SIMPLIFY HIPAA-COMPLIANT DATA SHARING: Our solution syncs the user's smartphone to a glucose meter through a mobile app interface. User data is shared with healthcare professionals through a cloud-based, HIPAA-compliant network. Users may choose to share their data with family members to reinforce the management of healthy habits in a holistic way.

TECHNOLOGIES/SERVICES: Mobile, Web, UX/UI, iOS

Kaviva

GOAL: Create a platform solution that improves health management, benefits awareness and enrollment by connecting insurance companies, providers and employers with members.

TARGETED CONTENT USERS NEED: The app allows employers, benefits companies and health plans the ability to deliver curated content users seek; with push notifications, banner ads, SMS or email. After a brief questionnaire, Kaviva automatically promotes well-being through gentle guidance, education and feedback.

TECHNOLOGIES/SERVICES: Android, Backend, Database, iOS, Mobile, Software Testing, Java, Web

READ THE CASE STUDY 

FOSS Swim School

GOAL: Ease class registration, survey completion, and enable a deeper engagement with customers with a new digital platform. 

TOOLS THAT REDUCE BARRIERS TO LEARNING: Our experts collaborated with FOSS to design and deliver a robust web experience that supports communications between customers and staff. iPad-based questionnaires provide outlets for parents to share comments and concerns in real time.

TECHNOLOGIES/SERVICES: backend, database, strategic consulting, UX/UI, iOS, AngularJS, .NET, SQL Server

InboxDollars

GOAL: Build upon internal developers' capabilities to satisfy mpre users via mobile screens.

ENGAGE MOBILE USERS: Leading the technical strategy behind the InboxDollars mobile applications, our developers built and continue to refine application layout and design, security recommendations, SDK integrations, and their positioning on app stores. 

TECHNOLOGIES/SERVICES: Dedicated team, frontend, iOS, Android

READ THE CASE STUDY 

Spok

GOAL: Create a customized HIPAA-compliant messaging system for providers and their teams.

COORDINATING CARE THROUGH INTEGRATED COMMUNICATIONS: We designed software that allows teams to customize their communication preferences so messages reach them on their preferred devices. Smartphones or tablets can be used to receive secure code alerts, view patient updates, check lab results, prioritized two-way administrator messaging and more.

TECHNOLOGIES/SERVICES: Android, iOS, Microsoft .NET, Software Testing, UX/UI, Web

READ THE CASE STUDY

 

Adventium Labs

GOAL: Leverage technology to increase student-to-student collaboration and information retention in the classroom.

TECHNOLOGY INSPIRES COLLABORATIVE LEARNING: iNeuron, a collaborative app for iPads, offers expertly-designed, self-paced lessons in neuroscientific concepts via an interactive, learning-oriented game.

TECHNOLOGIES/SERVICES: Mobile, iOS, Backend

OperaDDS

GOAL: Give dentistry professionals access to a communication dashboard they can access from a smartphone or a computer.

RAPID ON-DEMAND CARE: OperaDDS allows users to send HIPAA-compliant messages to their team members. The platform includes several components. The online collaboration portal, Chorus, enables secure email communication, patient progress tracking and lab data review. Chorus ensures team cases and conversations are always efficient and always available.

SINGLE-TOUCH MESSAGING: The Pager functionality gives teams the ability to send single-touch messages. Members can customize their communication preferences and even select messages from preset options.

WeVest

GOAL: Put the computing and predictive power of a financial planner into the hands of consumers

PERSONALIZING INVESTMENT GUIDANCE: We partnered with WeVest to build a responsive web app and proprietary algorithms that provide recommendations to save against short and long-term goals.

TECHNOLOGIES/SERVICES: Backend, Database, Financial, LAMP, Marketing, Software Testing, Strategy, UX/UI, Web

READ THE CASE STUDY

blackriver

GOAL: Create a tool to bring the data-driven and social elements of the cycling experience together

A PLATFORM TO ENHANCE EXPERIENCE: We worked with blackriver to design an app that helps users find, track and curate social cycling experiences. blackriver is as much a place to share photos and find cycling inspiration as it is a tool that facilitates connections between riders and the local shops they support.

TECHNOLOGIES/SERVICES: Android, iOS, Microsoft .NET, Mobile, UX/UI, Web

Twin City Outdoor Services

GOAL:  Build a centralized, cloud-based solution to help property managers catalogue and maintain their investments.

MANAGING WORK VISUALLY: We built an app and desktop tools allowing property managers to view a map of a given building and log Points of Interest, or problem areas, by touching the screen of their smartphone.

STREAMLINE COMMUNICATIONS: 1Spot is also designed to eliminate wasted time and simplify workflows.  Using geolocation, site layouts and issues can be viewed at any given time. 

TECHNOLOGIES/SERVICES: Backend, Database, Microsoft .NET, Mobile, Software Testing, Web

READ THE CASE STUDY

Venture Solutions

GOAL: Increase digital relevancy with a white label SaaS solution.

A DIGITAL SOLUTION TO SUSTAIN PROFIT: We helped Venture Solutions modernize its business by developing a mobile compatible and web responsive software concept that gives end users access to financial planning features.

TECHNOLOGIES/SERVICES: UX/UI, Web

EVINE Live

Goal: Integrate the streaming broadcast with online access for viewers seeking a complete shopping experience.

MULTI-SCREEN CONTENT ENGAGEMENT REALIZED: EVINE Live, wanted to facilitate multi-screen content consumption enabling viewers to watch, shop, chat about and share their purchases without jarring or distracting their customers. To do this we designed an interactive shopping portal that combined streaming and online media to create an integrated user experience. 

TECHNOLOGIES/SERVICES: Android, iOS, Software Testing, Strategy

READ THE CASE STUDY

NativeX

GOAL: Engage new users on mobile devices with a better platform.

CAPTIVATING IN-APP ADVERTISING: We designed a new advertising platform, several websites and apps with predictive analytics capabilities, helping NativeX make an impact and crack the mobile advertising market.

TECHNOLOGIES/SERVICES: Android, JAVA, Microsoft .NET, Mobile, Web

Early Learning Labs

GOAL: Build a digital tool to optimize early childhood assessments and supports kindergarten readiness.

HARNESSING DATA TO SUPPORT STUDENT ABILITY: We developed a technology suite that improves student performance monitoring and helps educators and administrators can make more data-based decisions for classrooms and districts. Long term progress goals can be met and education practices can be better understood.

TECHNOLOGIES/SERVICES: LAMP, Mobile, Strategy, Testing, UX/UI, Web

Trane

GOAL: Building operators need to respond quickly to customer calls.

EVOLVING TO SATISFY TODAY’S CUSTOMERS: The Trane Tracer BAS Operator Suite mobile app we built transforms HVAC system management providing a platform for data-driven services for monitoring and high-performance buildings.

FULL-ACCESS REMOTE CONTROL: The Trane Tracer Building Automation System Operator Suite mobile app places the controls in the hands of building operators, allowing for quick and efficient adjustments, from monitoring equipment and temperatures to managing alarms.

TECHNOLOGIES/SERVICES: Android, Java, iOS, Mobile

READ THE CASE STUDY

Venture Solutions

GOAL: Design software solutions so consumers can easily manage multiple finances.

CONCEPTUALIZE, ARCHITECT A WHITE LABEL, MULTI-TENANT SAAS SOLUTION: We designed software to give users the ability to see and interact with mortgage statements. This solution allows users the ability to pay statements on a month-by-month basis or set up a recurring payment schedule. Users can also manage multiple mortgages at once, view their current month and historic months along with viewing escrow and tax payments.

TECHNOLOGIES/SERVICES: Strategy, UX, Web

READ THE CASE STUDY

 

Little Peanut on the Go

GOAL: Create an app to organize childcare information and streamline parents’ ability to share it.

FULL-STACK MOBILE DEVELOPMENT: Little Peanut on the Go, available in Google Play and the Apple Store, allows parents to create profiles for each child including medication emergency contacts and necessary instructions. Parents can create packing lists and care schedules, then share those with caregivers as many times as they need. While parents are away, they can check the app to view status posts caregivers have left cataloging progress throughout the day.

TECHNOLOGIES/SERVICES: Android, Backend, Database, iOS, Microsoft .NET Mobile, Software Testing, UX/UI, Web, Xamarin

READ THE CASE STUDY

Jostens SchoolWay™

GOAL: Simplifying school-­to-­home communications by transforming the smartphone into an updates and resource hub.

RELAYING SPECIFIC UPDATES OR CRITICAL FACTS: The Jostens SchoolWay™ app features real-time push notifications sent by administrators and a feed that gathers customized news for users. The statuses can be text-­based but also support the distribution of multimedia content including photo galleries and documents.

TECHNOLOGIES/SERVICES: Android, Marketing, Mobile, Software Testing, Strategy, UX/UI

READ THE CASE STUDY

Agile Frameworks

GOAL: Help multi-disciplinary engineering firms realize the benefits of the MetaField software program.

IMPROVE PROCESS & QUALITY: Agile Frameworks saw an opportunity to use smartphones on job sites to help reduce time and errors.

REAL-TIME DATA INTEGRATION: The app needed to interface with a variety of client systems, including accounting, CRM and project management. MentorMate teamed with Agile’s internal development staff and provided supplementary resources. Components of the solution included experience mapping, mobile application design, mobile application development, mobile app infrastructure integration, platform applications and back-end web platform development.

Escali SmartConnect™

GOAL: Integrate kitchen and bathroom management into holistic health regimens while keeping track of recipes and nutrition.

WELLNESS MANAGMENT: Escali saw an opportunity to combine the proactive awareness of a smart kitchen scale with the ability to track results on a smart body weight scale in an app.

TRACKING + ANALYSIS: The Escali SmartConnect™ Body Scale allows you to track weight and BMI (Body Mass Index) with the same simple app. It also sends weight measurements to the Escali SmartConnect™ app, which analyzes 35 nutrients from a selection of more than 8,000 food items. Users can create a food journal along with viewing measurements conversions to better proactively manage health.

MyMeds

GOAL: Help patients remember, track and understand their prescriptions.

TRACKING PATIENT PRESCRIPTION INFORMATION CAN BE COMPLICATED: Patients are often hospitalized because they fail to follow medication instructions properly. This care and cost can be prevented.

IMPROVING DOSAGE ACCURACY WITH MHEALTH: The MyMeds patient medication manager available for iOS and Android devices with added web functionality allows a user to make up to ten profiles for themselves and family with customized medication reminders. All records are stored on a HIPAA-compliant server.

TECHNOLOGIES/SERVICES: Android, iOS, Mobile Software Testing 

READ THE CASE STUDY

France 44

GOAL: Customer loyalty is critical to liquor and charcuterie distributor France 44. The challenge is mirroring an artfully crafted customer experience in a mobile app.

BUILDING AN APP AND BRAND LOYALTY: We created an app that allows customers to explore the wines, spirits and beers available at France 44, mark their favorites, write tasting notes and find recommendations based on personal tastes and preferred selections. Customers can create shopping and wish lists or organize their favorite drinks by style, mood or occasion.

TECHNOLOGIES/SERVICES: Android, Backend, Database, iOS, Mobile, LAMP, UX/UI, Web

READ THE CASE STUDY

MobCon

GOAL: MobCon US, a top mobile and strategy conference, needed a next-generation digital campaign and app to build community.

A MOBILE EXPERIENCE BUILT FOR INTERACTION: By selecting from a list of breakout sessions, users can create a personalized agenda and view the full list of available activities, sponsors, speaker bios and session description.

CONNECTING THROUGH NETWORKING: The app also includes a lead retrieval feature. Users can also connect their Twitter account and tweet directly from the app. 

TECHNOLOGIES/SERVICES: Android, Java, Lamp, Mobile, Software Testing, Strategy, UX/UI

READ THE CASE STUDY

NASA Quick Analysis Tools©

GOAL: Allow thermal engineers working for NASA and other technical staff to run numerical simulations without being confined to desktop applications.

IMPLEMENTING AN EFFICIENT PROCESS: To approve any changes to the design, the plan must be sent to the thermal engineer. Then the engineer must update the model and run simulations to evaluate impact on performance. They needed a more cohesive process.

TECH-SUPPORTED ANALYSIS: Features built into the app include rapid, web-based thermal system evaluation tools, high-resolution spacecraft modeling—from component to bus level and thermal optimization algorithms. Now users can produce and analyze meaningful results from anywhere with an Internet connection. Engineers can also use the tool to chart and compare the sensitivities of various output parameters.

Reviews

4.7
21 reviews
Sort by

Web Dev & Design for Creative Arts Festival

"MentorMate never lost focus of our business objectives and found creative solutions to keep us on schedule."

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$50,000 to $199,999
 
Oct. 2017 - Jan. 2018
Project summary: 

MentorMate designed, developed, tested, and launched a custom responsive website under a very tight timeframe. The site features a custom CMS and navigable schedule of events, all built using a scrum method.

The Reviewer
 
1-10 Employees
 
Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota
Kara Carmichael
Executive Director, The Great Northern
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

The new website saw a 68% increase in page-visits compared to the site it replaced. With team members located on site and overseas, MentorMate was able to extend the workday and finish a six-month project in half the time.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the acting executive director of the Great Northern, a winter celebration in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota that began in 2017.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with MentorMate?

We launched our original website very quickly on Squarespace, but we needed to really expand our functionality. We bring together several different partners throughout the Twin Cities area and really wanted to find a more compelling and visual way to showcase all our different events.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

MentorMate planned, designed, built, tested, and launched a custom responsive website for us. When we originally went into conversations with MentorMate we were pretty focused on building a mobile app, but after conversations and reflection, we decided to focus our investment on a responsive website. They used a scrum development process that allowed us the flexibility we needed to make course corrections and build a platform that we could grow for years to come.

We worked with a creative design partner here in Minneapolis that helped identify the look and feel of the site based on our brand guidelines, and MentorMate then made all the wireframes. The site showcases the schedule of events in a visually compelling and easy to navigate way that allows users to discover and share with family and friends. They also created a custom CMS system allowing for internal administrative control of our content, including a system that puts a spotlight on signature events on our home page.

What is the team composition?

We had around 10 people working on the project divided between the main team here and a development team in Sofia, Bulgaria.

How did you come to work with MentorMate?

We had originally approached a bigger agency in Minneapolis but found they were cost prohibitive for us to work with. This agency really felt passionate about what we were doing, so they recommended MentorMate as an alternative. At the same time, one of our board members was involved in his own personal technology business that had worked with MentorMate and had a really great experience with them.

How much have you invested with them?

We have spent $50,000–$100,000.

What is the status of the engagement?

The entire project lasted from October 2017–January 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Before we began working with MentorMate, our Squarespace site generated just over 31,000-page views for the entirety of 2017. Then, in January and February 2018 alone we had over 53,000-page views. That is a 68% increase in just two months.

Overall the website is easy to use and has great visuals. MentorMate was very professional and thorough in debugging the site. As far as I know, we never had a crash, and they really thought through worst-case scenarios to have plans to address any issues in advance.

How did MentorMate perform from a project management standpoint?

They were great. We had daily stand up meetings on Google Hangouts and used Jiro to keep track of each sprint.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I really felt that MentorMate never lost focus of our business objectives and found creative solutions to keep us on schedule and on budget. We took a very long time to make a decision about whether we were going do a mobile app or a responsive website, and that put a lot of pressure on MentorMate. We did this project in less than three months, and to be able to develop this custom build in that timeframe was unbelievable. I think it speaks to the passion and dedication of their team. Originally I had some reservations about having a split team here in Minneapolis and overseas, but I was so pleased with how connected the team was. Plus, it actually helped us expand the workday because the team in Bulgaria had already started work before we were even awake.

They also had a really creative approach in tackling something that seems as simple as a schedule of events, but quite honestly was very challenging due to all of the variables. They were very clever about doing a two-phased approach that allowed us to spotlight different partners at different times all on the backend so that I wasn't worried about switching over content manually. It was a huge timesaver and a very positive experience.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, they were wonderful and I have nothing negative to say about the experience.

5.0
Overall Score
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    They did something in three months that would normally take six.
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    We have a great platform we can build on for years to come.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    I would highly recommend them, especially to a new organization that needs a bit more advice on this process.

Web Dev for National Real Estate Network

“A reliable and hardworking partner, they’ve met us halfway during each challenge we've faced.”

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3.5

Quality: 
2.0
Schedule: 
3.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
4.0
The Project
 
Confidential
 
Mar. 2016 - July 2017
Project summary: 

MentorMate provided staff augmentation to scale up efficiency, capacity, and production. The team engineered a new backend system, payment process, and assignment algorithm, and redesigned the frontend UX/UI.

The Reviewer
 
201-500 Employees
 
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Senior Director of Technology, Real Estate Company
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

The site deliverable has a sleek new layout, minimal bugs, and has never gone offline. MentorMate is a deeply involved, responsible, and technically proficient development partner. Seamless integration with the internal team and exceptional project managers facilitated a smooth, efficient workflow.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I lead the shared services area at a national real estate network, which includes technology work. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with MentorMate?

At the time, we needed to revamp and upgrade our site’s entire backend. We hired MentorMate to mitigate internal capability limitations and expedite the timeframe. We could have acquired or executed the requisite support in-house but had to prioritize our existing responsibilities.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

MentorMate assessed the initial scope of rebuilding our current platform on a new stack. They led the entire analysis and design effort in conjunction with our internal teams. Specifically, they developed both the platform and payment processing arm for our program's membership option. They revamped the payment portal's UX/UI to make it more accessible. The backend is built on a PHP Laravel platform and the frontend website uses WordPress tools.

Potential customers often find our company through online marketing channels. They generally use our program to buy, sell, or refinance a home. MentorMate helped us create an assignment algorithm to match new users with one of the thousands of realtors in our network. While they don't provide traditional marketing services, they designed our site to produce increased conversions.

What is the team composition?

MentorMate contributed 12-15 resources including architects, engineers, and testers. Their teams always include a project manager to facilitate engineering tasks and monitor performance. We've scaled down to two or three support personnel since the post-conversion period of June 2017 plus 60 days.

How did you come to work with MentorMate?

We found MentorMate through word-of-mouth. A member of our board might have recommended them.

What is the status of this engagement?

We first started working with MentorMate in March 2016. They completed the bulk of the project in July 2017. From a production support standpoint, they’ve worked as an extension of our internal tech team and provided ongoing maintenance ever since.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our partnership has worked extremely well. They seamlessly collaborate with our internal teams. MentorMate contributed an expansive skill set that helped us deliver more efficiently. A reliable and hardworking partner, they’ve met us halfway through every challenge we've faced. Their dedication was especially apparent during the conversion phase.

Notably, the site has yet to crash since it launched. We've only had to resolve minor bugs along the way. Throughout the support stage, they’ve accurately implemented all our requests on the first try (with maybe one exception). That's a significant qualitative metric from my perspective.

How did MentorMate perform from a project management standpoint?

Their resources are easy to work with and flexibly accommodate a fluctuating volume of responsibility. Our two project managers were effective and disciplined. Their headquarters are also located in Minneapolis, which we found appealing.

We mainly stayed in contact via email. Since we're not co-located, we also used the Google suite of tools, including Hangouts and Chat. The majority of development is done in conjunction with their offshore team in Bulgaria. Despite some misunderstandings, those resources exhibited phenomenal responsiveness and availability.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their greatest asset is disciplined project management. Past vendors often had to try multiple project managers before finding a functional dynamic. MentorMate’s two management resources excelled at their roles from the very start.

Are there any areas they could improve?

We experienced communication challenges with the offshore engineers. They’re amazingly talented but tend to take directions at face value rather than fully thinking them through. We’ve learned to take a broader perspective when laying out requirements and requests.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Before hiring a contractor, any client organization should know what they need both broadly and explicitly. Don't expect them to help define your objectives. That's never a fair expectation for a vendor.

3.5
Overall Score
  • 3.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    It was in line with my other experiences.
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    They were extremely competitive.
  • 2.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    The design and architecture deliverables were lacking.
  • 4.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    They were above average.

Web Dev for Employment Matching & Assessment Tool

"They've gone above and beyond to ensure deadlines are met, regardless of scope changes."

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5.0

Quality: 
4.5
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$50,000 to $199,999
 
June 2017 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

MentorMate designed and built a web tool that helps employers assess the work style of potential employees. They’re currently developing a customer-facing model.

The Reviewer
 
1-10 Employees
 
Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota
Kara Rios
Founder, deltPRO
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

MentorMate functions as a full-service consulting partner, offering dependable technical expertise for a startup. Their team cleanly organizes projects and produces quality results on time, despite scope changes. They place extra focus on affordability.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the CEO of deltPRO. We’re creating a recruiting tool to help employers identify the working style of potential employees prior to the interview. We have an objective, technology-based assessment grounded in psychology to give employers that data point early in the hiring process.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with MentorMate?

We're a startup and needed to build our web tool. With a background in finance, I needed reliable technology experts to help guide me through the development process.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We started with a six-week rapid ideation session to determine the necessary functionalities and produce wireframes. I paused the project at this point to gauge interest among potential clients. Once I was ready, we began work on a beta version.

They created an inward-facing version of our tool that allows me and my team to administer the program for our customers. MentorMate is currently developing a customer-facing version so clients can self-administer the assessment. This model will include an e-commerce function for online purchase.

What is the team composition?

There are between six and eight people and I communicate with the whole team directly, including a project manager, the Minneapolis-based staff, and the developers in Bulgaria.

MentorMate does a good job of recognizing the workload and adjusting the team size accordingly. We changed the scope to include a mobile component, for instance, and they added a quality assurance person to ensure the deadline wasn’t affected.

How did you come to work with MentorMate?

They have an excellent reputation in the Minneapolis area, so I was already aware of them. The company I worked for previously hired them to develop a custom web tool, so I contacted them and a number of other firms after deciding to start my own business.

Unlike their competitors, MentorMate really understands the needs of startup, so it was a no-brainer. Their process is designed to complete projects efficiently while keeping costs down. The small price point offered me the flexibility to start and stop the project as needed, allowing me to keep my options open.

How much have you invested with them?

I’ve spent around $75,000 so far, though this includes a rapid ideation session for a separate business idea.

What is the status of this engagement?

I contacted them in June 2017 and our relationship is ongoing. We started beta development in November and they’re currently developing the customer-facing version.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We only have a handful of customers at this time, but the tool works exactly as designed. I’ve received positive feedback about the intuitiveness of the consumer-facing component of our current model.

How did MentorMate perform from a project management standpoint?

They use Jira to coordinate the project. I had no familiarity with this tool, but it helps me keep track of items I need to approve and monitor the developers’ progress. We also have daily, 15-minute phone calls to go over any questions they have or concerns on my end, and they’re flexible enough to work around my schedule.

I was worried that I would be unable to articulate my technical needs to their Bulgarian team, but this has never been an issue. They communicate effectively and provide more than mere development, offering proactive suggestions for improvement.

MentorMate also helped me with documentation, writing detailed business requirements based on our meetings. As a startup, this saved me a ton of time and ensured that the requirements were written correctly.

They produced deliverables on time, even after a significant scope change.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They have an incredible team. As a startup, I handle most of the work related to my business, so it’s helpful knowing that I can depend on MentorMate. They’re an extension of my team and go out of their way to help improve the product and create the best solutions for my business. Most consulting partners only try to bill as many hours as possible, but I plan to remain loyal to MentorMate because they take affordability into consideration and provide a good value.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I’m not tech-oriented, so I felt they could have done a better job of explaining certain components so that we could make early decisions together. The mobile solution, for example, was added mid-project because they assumed I wasn’t interested in it. We had to go back in and make our encryption more robust for a similar reason. We could have avoided these problems by talking through the development more thoroughly.

Still, they were highly receptive when I raised these concerns and have demonstrated an effort to improve their process.

5.0
Overall Score My only recommendation would be to improve explanations for less tech-savvy clients.
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    They've gone above and beyond to ensure deadlines are met, regardless of scope changes.
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    They’re a much better value than their competitors.
  • 4.5 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    They're responsive, easy to work with, and produce quality results.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    I recommend them all the time.

Mobile App Dev for Online Loyalty Rewards Platform

“We felt like we could work with them for many years, and subsequently we have.”

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4.5

Quality: 
4.5
Schedule: 
4.5
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$1,000,000 - $9,999,999
 
June 2013 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

MentorMate built native iOS and Android apps for a rewards platform. They developed the first version of the app from scratch and, several years on, continue to work on new versions of the apps.

The Reviewer
 
51-200 Employees
 
Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota
Director of Product, Online Rewards Club
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

They are trusted, flexible, and communicative partners. The apps have over one million downloads, and bugs are always fixed promptly. MentorMate has become a long-term partner because of their high-quality work and prompt responses and adaptations to strategy changes.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I work as the director of product at a loyalty rewards platform designed for people who want to make some extra cash for doing various online activities like taking surveys, trying new products, watching videos, etc.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with MentorMate?

We already had a desktop website and a mobile website but didn’t yet have an app. We were interviewing various consulting companies to help us develop our initial mobile app presence for iOS and Android.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We did this project from scratch. MentorMate's team is responsible for all of the programming and most of the QA for the development of our iOS and Android apps, from version one through to today, and over the course of 100 different versions of the app.

They don't develop our internal server logic, our database, or our application layer, but they do build the apps themselves, which is a pretty substantial contribution. Both the Android and iOS apps are native.

They assisted in strategy and design, but we lead those fields. They helped us with the app store process. Whether they facilitate the release independently or we will participate in the release, is up to us. They will take that process as far as we request them to go.

A key feature that they've helped us to develop over the years is a video product which rewards members for watching video content, monetized with video advertising and display advertising. It required MentorMate to get a better understanding of advertising technology, specifically related to video ad tech.

What is the team dynamic?

They essentially are our iOS and Android development team, and we work with them in that capacity. Although the development team of MentorMate is based in Bulgaria off-site and is a consulting company, we work very closely with them and consider them an external extension of our team. 

We communicate directly with the developers. The outsourced Bulgaria team usually consists of six individuals, two iOS developers, two Android developers, and two QA engineers. We also worked with two local Minneapolis-based individuals, one project manager, and one solutions architect. In general, we usually work with eight people.

How did you come to work with MentorMate?

Through networking and word-of-mouth within the Twin Cities. Our decision to go with MentorMate primarily came down to a combination of two different things. Firstly, their pricing is competitive, especially because they outsource the development to Bulgaria. Secondly, they were interested in partnering with us and working closely. We got the impression that they took our project seriously and wanted to work with us long-term, not just for the initial release of the app. We felt like we could work with them for many years and, subsequently, we have.

How much have you invested with them?

We pay them $30,000–31,000 a month.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in June 2013.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We've had well over one million downloads on each platform and maintained a rating of over four stars on both app stores during that period of time. That speaks to the quality of the work fairly well.

The quality of the work is high. On occasions where there are issues or bugs, they are very quick to help us resolve them. We can usually minimize the impact of those bugs substantially. If we find an issue, we can probably have it resolved within one or two business days, which is pretty quick with app releases. That's the most important thing from my perspective because mistakes are almost always going to be made.

Our company moves fairly quickly, and our strategy shifts fairly quickly. We do push MentorMate's team to get changes out quickly. What's most important to us is that they can very quickly respond, whether it’s to bugs or strategy changes.

How did MentorMate perform from a project management standpoint?

Over the last two years, they've been using JIRA for project management. Before that, they used a tool called Pivotal Tracker, but they've moved away from Pivotal to JIRA. 

We work with two different individuals: a project manager and a solutions architect. We work very closely with the solutions architect. They actually come on site to our office roughly every other week, and sometimes weekly. Having that one-on-one, in-person contact really helped facilitate good communication between us and the team at MentorMate.

The project manager mostly works behind the scenes. Other than two phone calls a week, we don't really work directly together. He manages the team of six individuals, making sure that they're on task for the expected timeline and objectives.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their flexibility and willingness to partner with us long-term. As things change, I can always communicate to them and explain what has changed for our business. They're always readily available to accommodate those changes. They've been there long-term. We have an established long-term relationship with them and they definitely see it that way too, which is much appreciated.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don't have anything at this time.

4.5
Overall Score We would like more direct meeting of deadlines and the highest quality code without bugs.
  • 4.5 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    There have been a few circumstances where we have missed deadlines.
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    The cost is one of the primary reasons we continue to work with them.
  • 4.5 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    We had some issues with QA quality on some releases, but they were quickly resolved.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    We've worked with them for four years. That speaks for itself.

iOS Mobile App Development for Digital Health Company

"On a daily basis, their project manager was one of the best I’ve ever worked with."

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5.0

Quality: 
4.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
4.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$200,000 to $999,999
 
Oct. 2016 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

MentorMate developed an iOS mobile app that will soon extend to Android. They created a secure connection to a cloud database through Amazon Web Services and also built an additional web interface.

The Reviewer
 
1-10 Employees
 
Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota
Lonny Stormo
CEO, POPS! Diabetes Care, Inc.
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

The project was finished on time and on budget. The look and feel of the app has received positive feedback, and the design is very high quality. MentorMate’s project manager listens well and manages her internal team efficiently and effectively.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of POPS! Diabetes Care. We are a digital health company working on a combination device, mobile app, and backend system application that allows people to manage their diabetes better, hopefully reach their goals, and reduce healthcare costs.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with MentorMate?

We had developed a concept app and system. We wanted to partner with a firm that knew how to develop software in an FDA regulated way. We also wanted them to take our technical view of how the system should be done and put more creativity to it. We wanted an interface that would excite our users.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

To begin, they worked on a mobile app for iOS. We intend to expand to Android in the future. They created a secure, HIPAA [Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act] compliant connection to a cloud database. Together with MentorMate, we decided to use Amazon Web Services for this. They then created an additional web interface to allow healthcare professionals to log in and look at the data in different ways. MentorMate created all the software elements of our system.

We needed the work done in a controlled design process that we could document appropriately for an FDA submission. They did all the right documentation and testing so that we had what we needed.

MentorMate helped us to take our concepts and put them into a user design that really made sense. We had daily stand-up meetings, and there were probably around 10 people on the calls every day.

How did you come to work with MentorMate?

We did a thorough search and spoke to other people with similar projects. We became aware of MentorMate through the Mobile Conference (MobCon) that they’ve sponsored in the past. We took quotes from four vendors and visited each of them. We selected MentorMate as our best prospect after doing that search.

How much have you invested with MentorMate?

We’ve invested between $250,000 and $500,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working with them in October of 2016, and the relationship is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or the impact of the engagement?

We’re not at the point where we have good metrics, but I can comment anecdotally. I was very impressed that we started the project in October and finished it in March. That was on the schedule that they provided at the beginning. They accurately figured out the time they needed, and they lived up to it. We came out within 10% of the original projected cost. They were very good at understanding the project’s requirements, doing an estimate around that, and then executing and getting it done.

Since we started showing the system to people, we’ve gotten very positive feedback about the look and feel of it. We demonstrated the product to people at a glucose manufacturer that develops apps in-house, and they were very complimentary of our design. It’s been a very good outcome in that respect.

How did MentorMate perform from a project management standpoint?

They accurately estimated both time and cost, which was a very good sign to me. On a daily basis, their project manager was one of the best I’ve ever worked with, and I’ve been in the software development industry for 30 years. I was very impressed with her ability to listen and to efficiently manage a mixed team of onshore and offshore developers. She knew when to say, “This is the way we’re going to do it.” I believe that’s the reason the project ran on time. I give her much of that credit.

We primarily used JIRA for communication, and the daily stand-ups were with Google Hangouts. We never had issues with language or time barriers. Even though part of the team had a six or seven-hour time difference, we were still able to get very timely responses to anything we asked. There was no verbal communication issue either. One of our partners is in Taiwan, and we were initially worried about the communication. However, the team in Bulgaria communicated directly with the team in Taiwan without our help.

What did you find most impressive about MentorMate?

It was the best software project management that I’ve ever experienced.

Are there any areas MentorMate could improve?

The jury is still out in terms of how many bugs we find in the software. As we finished up, we probably found a few more bugs than I would have liked, but they were easily worked out. I hesitate to say that because software is never perfect and you can find bugs forever. You have to weigh the cost of testing for bugs forever versus actually using the product.

5.0
Overall Score I was very happy with the collaboration.
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    We told them what we needed, and they said that they could meet that. They put the right team on it, and it actually happened.
  • 4.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    They were very competitive with the other bids we received, and they came in within 10% of that bid.
  • 4.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    The service and design are great. I don’t know yet if we’ve done a good enough job from a bug perspective.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer

iOS Application Development for Education Startup

"The team [MentorMate] is efficient, which is always desirable when working with limited government funding."

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
4.5
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$50,000 to $199,999
Project summary: 

MentorMate was brought in to deliver an iOS app due to their experience building scalable products. This has been a successful partnership that will extend on to new products and platforms.

The Reviewer
 
1-10 Employees
 
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Martin Michalowski
Technology Lead, Andamio Games
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

The app MentorMate developed has been downloaded almost 100,000 times and have been used in over 40 classrooms throughout the US.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Andamio Games is a startup company which develops educational applications and games for high school kids, teaching them difficult concepts via mobile apps. Our company was founded in 2014 and we have a team of 4 people, including myself.

I am the technology lead of the company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with MentorMate?

We had proposed and won government funding from the National Institutes of Health, in order to develop a mobile-based application called iNeuron for teaching neuroscience. We needed to find a company that could develop software at a commercial level. We are researchers at heart, mainly developing apps at a proof-of-concept level, but we needed a partner with experience in developing mobile applications that are used by thousands of people.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

MentorMate developed an iOS application which ended up splitting into 2 apps, based on our proof-of-concept work. They redeveloped our software from the ground up using Swift. MentorMate was brought on board when the transition to Swift was taking place.

iNeuron is an application meant to teach neuroscience to kids. MentorMate also built a teacher dashboard, allowing them to customize content, as well as interact with students and monitor their activity. The app can extract trends and provide helpful information and grading.

How did you come to work with MentorMate?

When we were writing the grant, we knew that we needed someone with commercial-level experience. We knew MentorMate's owner, but we also spoke to some of their past clients. We called MentorMate, talked some things through, and decided that they were the company we should go with.

How much have you invested with MentorMate?

The cost of MentorMate's work was between $50,000 and $200,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them 2 years ago. We're continuing our relationship with MentorMate for additional products.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or the impact of the engagement?

The apps have been downloaded almost 100,000 times and have been used in over 40 classrooms throughout the US, mainly in Minnesota. We've seen extremely positive feedback from teachers and students. The success of this app is what allowed our company to grow and tackle subject matters beyond neural science.

How did MentorMate perform from a project management standpoint?

Rather than being a subcontractor, MentorMate became a part of our team. It was easy to work with them and get on the same page quickly.

What did you find most impressive about MentorMate?

From a development point of view, MentorMate's process and quality of work were extremely high. The team is efficient, which is always desirable when working with limited government funding. We were able to accomplish more than what was initially proposed.

Are there any areas MentorMate could improve?

Because we were working with government funding and needed to adhere to regulations, the development needed to be done in the US, which meant that we paid a bit more than other companies that have hired MentorMate and were able to work with their Bulgarian developers. This was a minor detail which we resolved during bidding. There isn't a lot that I was unhappy with. It's been an extremely positive experience.

5.0
Overall Score MentorMate has been great to work with.
  • 4.5 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    Almost all deadlines were met, with a few exceptions. Things got pushed out either because of scheduling issues, or because we were a little late delivering critical material to MentorMate.
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    MentorMate accomplished everything promised, and even a bit more within the same budget. They were slightly more expensive than expected, but that was because we needed to keep development in the US.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    We've worked within multiple classrooms, with varying environments, which were susceptible to things breaking. Both of our apps have worked better than expected. They're extremely solid, with minimal requirements for updates.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    I would happily refer MentorMate to anyone, and I have done so already. We have also gone back to them for our own additional work.

App Development for Large Advertising Agency

"[W]e were extremely happy with the work that MentorMate provided to us."

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5.0

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

MentorMate developed apps for both the Android and iOS platforms as part of a larger project that the client was delivering to a customer.

 
The Reviewer
 
1001-5000 Employees
 
San Diego Metro Area
Project Manager, Advertising Agency
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

MentorMate maintained open communication with the client throughout the build process and worked well within the overall project scope. The client notes that MentorMate’s iOS team was particularly strong.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your organization.

We are a full-service digital advertising agency.

What is your position?

I'm a producer and project manager.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What business challenge were you trying to address with MentorMate?

We were working on a very large project that consisted of many different products for our final client. One of the asks was to do both iOS and Android apps. We reached out to MentorMate to help us out with the development of those apps. 

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their involvement in detail.

MentorMate delivered applications for both iOS and Android.

How did you come to work with MentorMate?

I was not part of the discussion or decision-making process to bring on MentorMate.

Could you provide a sense of the size of this initiative in financial terms?

The applications combined were a $200,000-plus project.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any statistics or metrics from this engagement?

The end client hasn't provided many quantitative metrics to us, but we were extremely happy with the work that MentorMate provided to us.

What distinguishes MentorMate from other providers?

MentorMate's developers were very open and easy to work with. They were all very strong especially their iOS team. We didn't run into problems.

Is there anything MentorMate could have improved or done differently?

No. Not that I can think of.

5.0
Overall Score
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    They were open to putting in extra work to get things done.
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    They were good. The scope changed quite a few times.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer

App Platform Development for Healthcare SaaS

"[H]aving worked with lots of teams in the U.S. and around the world, I would put MentorMate at the top."

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5.0

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

MentorMate assisted with the development of apps for both the android and iOS platforms, as well as a web portal. They maintain a continuing partnership with the client.

The Reviewer
 
11-50 Employees
 
Houston, TX
Gary McSwain
CIO, Sensei
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

MentorMate provided the initial business analysis, product roadmap and development, initial prototypes, designs, beta, final product, and production support. The client felt that MentorMate’s entire team was highly qualified and professional.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your organization.

Sensei is a mobile app and software platform company for the healthcare industry.

What is your position?

I’m the Chief Information Officer.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What business challenge were you trying to address with MentorMate?

We have a very expensive product development roadmap, and we partnered with MentorMate for our native iOS, Android, and portal development.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their involvement in greater detail.

It’s been going on for two years, and it will continue in the future.

How did you come to work with MentorMate?

We developed a very robust vendor scorecard, did extensive interviews with a number of firms onshore and offshore, and we selected MentorMate off of a 26-scaled matrix. They are experts in the full software development life cycle. They cover everything from the initial business analysis, product roadmap and development, initial prototypes, designs, beta, final product, and then production support.

Could you provide a sense of the size of this initiative in financial terms?

In total, this project is close to $1 million.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any statistics or metrics from this engagement?

I wouldn’t know how to give you metrics. I know that our client count is increasing. Our user base is increasing. We just went to South by Southwest, and the organizers said it was the best presentation and app that they have ever seen. We must be doing something pretty good.

What distinguishes MentorMate from other providers?

The quality of the MentorMate team stands out, having worked with lots of teams in the U.S. and around the world, I would put MentorMate at the top. Everybody is super qualified for their job. Everyone is an expert at what they do. They’re 100% professional. Everybody comes dialed in and strapped in every day, and they work hard. They have not just skills, but are true professionals.

Is there anything MentorMate could have improved or done differently?

No, nothing comes to mind.

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

Video Creation App for Media Production Company

"[MentorMate] demonstrated a thorough understanding of what we were trying to achieve and how we wanted to achieve it."

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4.5

Quality: 
4.5
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$200,000 to $999,999
Project summary: 

MentorMate developed an app for the iOS platform and a web app. The client felt that their internal team was not equipped for the scale of the project and sought a development partner.

The Reviewer
 
11-50 Employees
 
Minneapolis Metro Area
CTO, Media Production Company
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

MentorMate collaborated with the client to meet every deadline on their aggressive timeline. They created an open dialogue and were always willing to find a way to make the client’s ideas a reality.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your organization.

We are a whiteboard animation company. Our first application is the building blocks of a vocal visual language so it allows you to draw, tag, and to play different games with drawn images that animate. The second application that we have is actually a video creation software.

What is your position?

I’m the Chief Technology and Implementation Officer.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What business challenge were you trying to address with MentorMate?

Because of our timeline, we knew that an intro development team wouldn’t have been able to wrap up as quickly as we needed to because of the scale we wanted to hit. Therefore, we were looking for an experienced development partner.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their involvement in greater detail.

Today, MentorMate has provided an iOS and web application for us.

How did you come to work with MentorMate?

We interviewed a number of partners and MentorMate fit the bill the best. Their understanding of our vision was huge. They demonstrated a thorough understanding of what we were trying to achieve and how we wanted to achieve it, and they helped us paint a picture of how they would help us achieve it and be part of this life cycle of development. That was one of the biggest deciding factors that lead us to work with MentorMate.

Could you provide a sense of the size of this initiative in financial terms?

Our partnership spanning both projects with MentorMate has been over $200,000.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any statistics or metrics from this engagement?

We’re live in the app store and we haven’t missed a deadline, and that’s fantastic. We had a very aggressive timeline for our road to launch and entry into the market, and MentorMate has made sure that we’ve done everything we can and been in a position to achieve every one of those milestones.

What distinguishes MentorMate from other providers?

They’re very open to our thoughts. They’re actively looking for our feedback on everything that we’re doing. In doing so, they’re also very willing to share their thoughts on information and input that we have. If there’s something that makes a ton of sense, they’re going to tell us that. If it’s something that makes a ton of sense but it’s going to take a lot of work, they’ll also tell us that. I really appreciate the open dialogue. It’s never something that is a non-starter to a conversation. It’s always “let’s have a conversation and figure out what this is really going to entail”. I’ve always appreciated that because I have run into partners that always end up saying they can’t execute our big ideas. MentorMate always encourages our ideas, and when they’re not in scope, they’ll propose a meeting to figure out what we need to do to make that a reality, and how it’s going to fit in and impact the whole process. I really love that approach.

Is there anything MentorMate could have improved or done differently?

I think overall MentorMate has been great. There’s always small things along the way that could have been improved. I think our expectations from a design perspective were not met initially. We’ve now gotten to a place where they are being met. What would have been appreciated is an acknowledgement of that earlier on. An acknowledgement did come later and we did appreciate that. 

4.5
Overall Score
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
  • 4.5 Quality
    Service & deliverables
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer

App Development for Manufacturing Firm

"It felt like our business mattered to [MentorMate]."

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
4.5
Cost: 
4.5
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$200,000 to $999,999
Project summary: 

MentorMate developed an app for the Android and iOS platforms, expanding on the client’s previous web-based software offerings for their customers.

The Reviewer
 
1001-5000 Employees
 
Minneapolis Metro Area
Program Manager, Manufacturing Firm
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

MentorMate identified both the business and technical requirements necessary to deliver an all-around high quality product. Their transparency and communication have led to a strong partnership with the client.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your organization.

My company is a manufacturer of test and measurement equipment.

What is your position?

I’m a program manager within the company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What business challenge were you trying to address with MentorMate?

In conjunction with the products that we offer, we also offer companion software and previously had only offered it as a native desktop option specifically for Windows. We wanted to branch out into consumer devices, specifically iOS and Android. We didn’t have in-house expertise in that area so we looked to partner with a firm that had that capability, and also just in general the experience and background to help us navigate through the app development process.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their involvement in greater detail.

MentorMate provided us both an iOS and Android application.

How did you come to work with MentorMate?

I was reviewing MentorMate and a competitor of theirs locally. I went through the same process with both. I did some research and reached out, had an initial requirements gathering session, went and did a meet and greet, and ultimately got some proposals back. Both were comparable in terms of what I could view as capabilities, services, and experience, but I chose MentorMate because of a gut feeling and intuition. It felt like our business mattered to them.

Could you provide a sense of the size of this initiative in financial terms?

This was a larger project for us and we have over $200,000.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any statistics or metrics from this engagement?

We average 2,500 downloads a month, which for us is decent for the volume of customers that we serve. We feel that we have pretty good market penetration and utilization of the app.

What distinguishes MentorMate from other providers?

From end to end - identifying the requirements, both business and technical, MentorMate did a great job. They helped us understand what’s important and what’s not from a user experience/design perspective; they had those services as well. They became an extension of our team. From a development perspective, they deliver high-quality all the way around. They did a good job with the project management of the team. 

Some of the team members transitioned over throughout the course of the project and we understand that that happens when outsourcing work. It’s wasn’t an egregious amount of turnover but there was some. They were pretty good about it. It wasn’t seamless in terms of changing out team members, but it was reasonable and certainly within expectations. They did a good job serving us. The project management was outstanding - keeping us in the loop, keeping our team on task, as well as theirs. They’re very transparent with the status of the project as well as with the financials of it. It was all very well done.

Is there anything MentorMate could have improved or done differently?

Nothing comes to mind. We had a positive experience with MentorMate and their team. One nice thing is that we had an opportunity to use onshore or offshore resources which was important to us. Sometimes we used onshore and sometimes we used offshore, and both were done with quality and were relatively seamless to work with.

5.0
Overall Score They were great.
  • 4.5 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
  • 4.5 Cost
    Value / within estimates
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer