MobiDev Corporation

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the head of product management for itnetX, an IT service provider company. We do consultancy and system integration for Microsoft datacenter platforms in Switzerland.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with MobiDev?

We’ve been developing a software product that allows customer to have a self-service experience for ordering IT services, and we needed a partner to augment our internal team. We reached the capacity limits for our own resources and needed more developers.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

MobiDev collaborates with our in-house team to build our product, using Angular 5 for the frontend and .NET languages for the backend. The program uses the latest cloud technologies for Microsoft, such as microservice architectures and Service Fabric. They also provide quality assurance testing and some project management.

What is the team composition?

They have a developer, QA engineer, and project manager.

How did you come to work with MobiDev?

We found them on Upwork. We posted our project and got dozens of responses. We wanted a company, not individuals, because we knew we may need to expand the team later. MobiDev made a good first impression, and they were a fair price, so we hired them.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent between $50,000–$100,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working together in April 2018, and the work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Software development isn’t our main skill, so they’re a great supplement to our internal team. They challenge us in a good way and help make the best products possible.

How did MobiDev perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re professional and integrate well with our existing team, providing lots of open and honest feedback. We mainly communicate via Microsoft Teams, Skype, and Azure DevOps.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They respond quickly to resource requests, usually fulfilling our need within 10 business days.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No. At the beginning, it took a while to figure out how to work with one another, but the cooperation is perfect now.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

Don't always look at price. They weren’t the cheapest option, but that’s not always the best way to pick a partner.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the co-founder of CERS - Creative Europe Reporting Software. We created a software that allows cultural corporation projects to account their financial expenses and report to the EU.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with MobiDev?

These cultural organizations are spread all over Europe. When they tried to record their expenses and put together reports, they had trouble putting everything together in one place. They sent Excel sheets from each organization to the next and had complete chaos. It took a lot of time to create these reports. We wanted to create a solution to simplify and expedite these processes.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We had a clear vision and spent six months of hard work on wireframing. We developed every frame and function, totaling about 80 screens. The handbook was more than 50–60 pages. We handed these ideas and wireframes over to them. We needed it to be secure and developed quickly.

They understood what we were talking about within 1–2 weeks and then started development. The software is a Ruby on Rails project with a normal database behind it.

They continue to maintain it, adding new features and reacting to user requests to change things.

What is the team composition?

There were 2–3 developers, a project manager, and a QA specialist. My main point of contact was Nina (Client Care Manager, MobiDev). She is a great woman.

How did you come to work with MobiDev?

I found them on Upwork.

How much have you invested with them?

$40,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

It took four months to develop. We started working together in September 2017 and the work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

This is the best project I’ve had done. We get great feedback. We sell this piece, and we’re looking forward to the future.

How did MobiDev perform from a project management standpoint?

We collaborated closely with them, and they understood our complex requirements quickly. We had a close connection to the project manager, who is a genius. We were able to get the product to the finish line. I visited them in the office, and we had weekly calls. We used Redmine and email.

What did you find most impressive about them?

It was great to have somebody who made a strong effort to understand our project. They took their time to understand what we wanted.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the CEO and product owner at Comcash Inc. We develop ERP software for the retail industry, focusing heavily on grocery stores and wine and liquor retailers.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire MobiDev?

We needed a development partner to assist us with some immediate projects, then continue to support our future efforts.

What were your goals for this project?

For the initial project, we wanted to complete an ERP product in one year.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We extensively searched online for Eastern European vendors with proven development capabilities and a focus on mobile solutions. We found MobiDev and reviewed their business. They were skilled across a variety of disciplines, and they offered a good price. The team was responsive from the start, so we chose to work with them.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

MobiDev helped us develop and release a comprehensive retail ERP product within a tight timeframe. They worked with PHP, React.js, .NET, and Xamarin technologies to build iOS, Android, and web-based versions of the solution. In addition to development, they also provided graphic design services. We continue to work with the team on additional projects.

What was the team composition?

We work with about 10 people with various specialties.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any information that demonstrates the impact that this project has had on your business?

We released the product on time, and it’s been very successful. We have a next-generation solution to offer as an upgrade to our customers, which increases their loyalty. We’ve also attracted new and notable clients that would’ve never considered using the older, outdated product.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

I work closely with the assigned project manager, who leads a team of resources. During this project, we’ve had two different managers—each of them is helpful, smart, and effective. We communicate daily, sharing updates and solving any challenges that arise. They’re always available to assist with urgent matters.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

We were able to staff a completely new team from MobiDev in the middle of the project. This allowed their developers to take on new challenges, and we got a renewed sense of excitement from the new resources working on our project. It was a smooth process, and the change was refreshing. I would’ve never been able to do this with an internal team because it generally takes years to train for certain tasks.

Are there any areas for improvement?

As partners, we’re always working to improve our inter-team operations through incremental changes. However, there aren’t any standout weaknesses overall.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the founder of Vision Del Mar, LLC, San Jose, CA. We design and build innovative healthcare, education, and lifestyle solutions.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire MobiDev?

Creativity and innovation are our strengths, but we lack an internal development team. A reliable, high-quality outsource developer is a must for our operation. Specifically, we rely on outside coders to build software for iOS and Android devices.

What were your goals for this project?

We created a unique solution in emotional wellness management for families and doctors. We designed all features and functions internally and built prototypes to demonstrate them. Our goal was to build a market-strength software for release on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. To achieve that, we needed to find an outsource developer.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I contacted a few developers we worked with before, and also searched online for new possibilities. During that search, I met the CEO of MobiDev at a trade show in Santa Clara. I was impressed by his willingness to go over the technical details and the reasons we wanted to create this app. He understood our passions and submitted the best proposal from among the vendors who applied.

Describe the project in detail.

The project started with our detailed product specifications. MobiDev then assigned a team, held video conferences with us, and began an email exchange to refine the scope. We chose a fixed-price project, so they sent me a refined scope document, a schedule, and the cost. Once we agreed on everything, we entered an iterative cycle of development. It was a fairly typical process, but they moved very quickly.

What was the team composition?

The team consisted of a client account manager, a project manager, and various graphic designers, Java programmers, and QA engineers.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

The final product was delivered on time and at the agreed price. It met all our requirements and performed exactly according to specifications. This project is very much a success. 

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

They provided constant updates, were very communicative and responsive, and did a very good job overall. 

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They cared about us and always wanted to show us how they were doing. They were always mindful of our needs and added back functions that we initially wanted but were out of scope due to budgetary constraints. When they found extra time, they implemented those functions at no extra cost.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I can't find any areas they should improve.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Inevitable Digital has a product called StayGo, which is a relationship and dating support application. It’s for people who are dating or are in relationships that want a little scientific guidance and feedback as to whether their relationship is on the right track and whether they should stay in the relationship. I’m head of operations.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with MobiDev?

We didn’t have an in-house development team or an external development consultant. We have worked before with two different companies based in India. In working with companies out of India, the conversations weren’t about what our business objectives were, what our priorities were, or what was most important to focus on. I’d worked with developers in New York and the West Coast as well where I had the same experience. MobiDev had a mission and goal approach as opposed to tactics and strategies.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The app is cross-platform. It was developed using PhoneGap for iOS and Android. We wanted to be on both primarily mobile delivery systems. We also optimized for particular tablets and for desktop, but it wasn’t our primary consideration.

We leaned on them heavily for design. They created our stylebook. We gave our feedback on that, but we went through the same process that you would go through with a creative agency. Marketing isn’t something they offer, but the added benefit was a client service meets strategic support component.

What is the team dynamic?

Our team was made up of three developers, a project manager, and a part-time designer. They could ramp up or down as needed, but the team was pretty consistent over a year. We also had a client services manager assigned to us who was a non-billable person and made regular check-ins to make sure things were on track. They asked us for feedback and asked questions to be sure everything was running smoothly. They have a whole team of these people that reach out to clients.

How did you come to work with MobiDev?

I posted a job on Upwork. I got responses from 40 - 50 companies and individuals. Someone from Upwork looked at the list of applicants and recommended that I pay particular attention to MobiDev. He told me they were the number one rated software company in the world. I narrowed the list down to 5–6, and MobiDev’s approach was really different. The questions they asked were probing and helpful to me in shaping the approach we were going to follow.

The typical vendor would say they’re ready to take on the project right away and want to move forward. MobiDev put forth a customized presentation. They invested the time to do a legitimate presentation that looked super professional. It included questions that they wanted to follow up with. They were the only company that didn’t give an immediate budget. MobiDev let me know when their questions were answered they could give me an estimate. They had a set of processes for how a client gets brought onboard which was very different from the other companies I was looking at.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them at the end of 2015. In the middle of 2016, we moved forward with the full application. They continue to support the app. We are now evaluating a new module that we intend to build. They’re helping us by going through the same analysis process we went through the first time. They’re acting more as consultants now.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We did a test phase and did less than $1000 in marketing, and within less than two weeks, our StayGo application in the iTunes Store was ranked in the top 100 lifestyle apps out of 140,000 apps. People reviewed the app from Australia, Ukraine, USA, etc. We got a lot of credit for the content, the user experience, and ease of use. They built a great app.

How did MobiDev perform from a project management standpoint?

Skype has been our primary communications platform. We’ve used various kinds of software for sharing information and imagery for evaluation approvals and deliberation.

MobiDev is in eastern Ukraine and I was concerned initially about the time issues. Having worked with India, I found that I was regularly sleep deprived. I either had to get up early or start work at night in order to get anything done. I was also doing a lot of micromanaging. What I noticed with MobiDev was they did some time shifting with us because we’re in Los Angeles. We were getting calls mid-morning and I never had to lose sleep or stay up late at night. I noticed MobiDev was accommodating people on the East Coast through lunchtime, and people on the West Coast almost to lunchtime. That way quite a bit could get done in real-time communications, which was great for staying in sync. There was also the added benefit of waking up in the morning to find work that had been done while you were sleeping.

What did you find most impressive about them?

What made MobiDev different from the very first conversation and exchange of written information was that they were analyzing our business. In doing that early analysis of whom we are and what we wanted to accomplish, they were really focused on what the software strategy would be.

The quality of their team is also impressive. They have a super high technological intellect and skill. Whatever is the most contemporary, state-of-the-art tech stack that you could bring to a project, MobiDev appears to have that at their fingertips. That probably is a result of the people they hire. We double-checked some of their work and it seemed like the options they suggested were the most efficient, scalable, and cutting-edge technology. We would not just have momentary progress, but the progress could be built on going forward. We’ve gotten to know a good number of their people including Oleg, the founder and CEO. We’ve noted that every person that works at MobiDev has an incredible level of passion about what they do. The two designers we worked with were very good. Even the person who runs QA has a level of animation and excitement about what his purpose is that is really different than how other people would define that position. He sees himself as the final protector of the mission of the client. He doesn’t see himself as the bug fix-it guy.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They did a great job for us. I don’t have even a minor criticism. Anyone would be stupid not to have MobiDev on his or her short list of companies to talk to. Even if they don’t hire them, you can never lose by picking the brains of the really smart people at MobiDev. For any new startup or large enterprise, I think MobiDev should be on their list.