MobileFolk

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Product Manager of a digital health company

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Develop digital health interventions for chronic mental health disorders

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire MobileFolk to accomplish?

• Develop internal data collection app (mobile app)
• Develop closed beta release app (mobile app)
• Develop initial market offering (mobile app)

SOLUTION

How did you find MobileFolk?

Referral

Why did you select MobileFolk over others?

• Referred to me
• Company values aligned
• Other

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Mobile Folk developed three mobile application projects for Android 11 and 12. Alex and the team worked with us from wireframes and user-facing technical requirements to develop test and final builds according to our definition of done.

Mobile folk worked with our CTO and 2 other product and engineering leads to clarify requirements and at times, suggest work arounds for implementation challenges. In one case, the mobile folk team adapted a developer-only SDK of a consumer product to meet our requirements for the program.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

• Projects delivered on time
• Willing to take on new development challenges
• Comfort working with agile development process to adjust scope with new customer information, and not "price gouging" for scope changes

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Mobile Folk was very responsive to requests for updates or reports of bugs and other concerns. In most cases, it was easy to get their leads on a quick call to resolve an issue with our build. We could rely on the project manager for our projects to co-ordinate their staff to the highest priority items.

What was your primary form of communication with MobileFolk?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Alex (the owner) was about clear about their past projects and areas of expertise, but also not afraid to take new opportunities to help us test and develop emerging technology. Mobile Folk is quite effective at managing a distributed team to help their clients achieve their product goals with pricing that was easy to scale with our needs and budgeting.

Are there any areas for improvement or something MobileFolk could have done differently?

Initial invoicing for work didn't include itemized billing, which required some clarification on why work had been billed under different rates (day vs hourly). This also was not requested specifically in the contract by either party prior to beginning the engagement. After asking for itemization, a detailed breakdown of rates was regularly and accurately included on all invoices moving forward.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CTO and co-founder of LyricFind Inc, and I’m in charge of our technology products and structure. We’re the world leader in digital lyric licensing for digital platforms.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with MobileFolk?

We hired MobileFolk to tackle our development projects.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

If we are understaffed or if we don’t have the ability to hire enough people to do the work we need to do, MobileFolk is our go-to outsourcing firm. Their work involves creating our web development projects, both for mobile and desktop platforms, and they mainly use Java in developing our solutions.

Usually, we talk about the requirements of their deliverables or we give them an outline of our projects. Then, they give us their quote. They also give us information on how many people they need to hire on their side to finish the project as well as their timeline. After that, we assign a lead on our side that will ensure that they’re doing things right. 

We still have ongoing projects with them. One of the projects they have with us is both a development and resource project. We don’t have an end date because we keep expanding and adding features to our product.

What is the team composition?

I work directly with 2–3 people from MobileFolk, but I’ve met their teams in Toronto, San Franciso, and Vietnam. I’ve also talked to Alex (CEO).

How did you come to work with MobileFolk?

I knew that they had good web development skills because we worked together multiple times in the past. They built things that were reliable and had worked very well. With other outsourced firms, that wasn’t the case. 

As a result, we decided to hire MobileFolk because they were very easy to collaborate with, especially in the planning stages. More importantly, it was very easy to get the requirements across to them and make a plan.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working with them for years and we continue to collaborate.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I’ve known them for a very long time, and we’ve worked with them on many projects. They’ve built a platform that our end users are now using. We measure the success of their work based on the throughput of our employees such as the number of lyrics they’re able to create daily, the quality of their lyrics when it comes to synchronization, and more. Overall, we’ve been happy with what MobileFolk has produced for us.

How did MobileFolk perform from a project management standpoint?

We have weekly meetings and feedback sessions with MobileFolk. They deliver reports, and we review those. After that, we let them know what they need to change.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re good people, and they’re honest. We’ve never felt cheated by them.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Everyone could improve something. However, I don’t have any qualms about their work because they produce excellent results.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Get to know MobileFolk and get a feel of what they do. The team puts their skills to things they know well, and they won’t work on projects they aren’t experts in.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder of Lets Vacay Inc, a startup.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with MobileFolk?

We hired them for iOS and Android development services.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Our first call involved us discussing what I was trying to accomplish and determining a timeline and scope. We also talked about follow-up meetings and what everything would require. After a couple of months, we finally figured out what we needed to build. We slowly began working on an MVP to get to our end goal.

I had an idea of what I wanted the app to contain, but their team helped me find the right designers to finalize the UX/UI and complete this journey. They provided me insight into what I should know, what I should be aware of, and other industry insights.

What is the team composition?

I’m currently working with two people: Alex (Founder) and Lloyd (Project Manager). Alex serves as the project lead, while Lloyd is the lead developer.

How did you come to work with MobileFolk?

I researched different mobile app development companies before inquiring. A friend referred them to me after I saw the app that they built for him. I liked the design and flow of the app.  I also asked my friend about how they were as a company. I reached out to them in January, and they were happy that I did.

How much have you invested with them?

I’ve spent $20,000–$25,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in January 2020.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’re currently reworking the initial development work that will be sent to the designers. We’ve built a great relationship. If it’s 3 a.m., I can ping them on Slack, and they’ll get back to me as soon as they can.

The collaboration is great. It’s not just me paying them to build something for me. I can reach out to them and brainstorm the right approach. Alex and Lloyd always want us to be on the same page to not to waste money or time.

How did MobileFolk perform from a project management standpoint?

We’re heavily in touch with each other daily, and we meet weekly to catch up. We used Notion for the MVP and Slack for communication between the different teams. Notion allows us to track our scope and what we want for the MVP. The designers use Marvel for prototyping the wireframe.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I’m impressed with how down-to-earth they are. It’s not a relationship where I tell them to do something, and they do it. They give me the right amount of pushback, providing context through their experiences in the industry. They care about what I’m working on, not just the dollars I’m providing them. Their team-first mentality stands out to me. They’re also completely accessible.

Are there any areas they could improve?

In this business, timeframes are complicated. It was tough to give me a timeline for the end date because of all I wanted to accomplish in the app. I had to learn to be more adaptable to timelines and be cautious about the routes that we take. They’ve been really helpful in pushing me forward.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Reach out to Alex and have a conversation with him. Get a feel for him to understand if you’re going to be on the same page. Be upfront. I would recommend anyone that works with them to have that conversation before beginning a project.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of URSafe, a personal safety app.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with MobileFolk?

We were looking for assistance with marketing strategy and a technical partner to actually develop the app.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The app was developed for Android and iOS. It has a follow-me functionality, Google integration, voice activation, and 911 functionality. There’s a lot of heavy lifting they did to get it into the App Store and Play Store.

First, they fleshed out an MVP. Because it was excellent, we hired them to build the project. We’ve brought them back to build additional features and add functionalities into the app.

What is the team composition?

Alex (CEO) is the main person we deal with. We had a project manager too who served as our technical lead.

How did you come to work with MobileFolk?

A consultant recommended MobileFolk. From our initial conversations, they immediately understood what we were trying to build.

How much have you invested with them?

Their pricing is amazing. It’s over $200,000. They’re doing so much for us.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started work in May 2019 and are still together.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We knew it was successful based on feedback. All they’re responsible for iis an excellent app, and they delivered that. The feedback has been universally positive.

How did MobileFolk perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re incredibly responsive. If there’s a problem, and we call them at 3:00 AM, they’re there for us. They bought into our idea, and it’s like they’re part of the family.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re a great group to work with. They’re excellent.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, it’s fantastic. The quality of the work that MobileFolk produces will blow you away.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

If they give you a recommendation, take it. You’ll be happy you did.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

We are an independent investment manager based in Toronto, Canada. I am Senior Relationship Manager on the Sales and Marketing team.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire MobileFolk?

We used MobileFolk on a monthly as well as project based arrangement to help maintain and improve our website.

What were your goals for this project?

Ensure smooth functionality on our website and make changes when needed. With no inhouse technical capabilities we wanted a team that was responsive and able to execute.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We looked at a number of providers before deciding on MobileFolk. Off the back of a referral we met with MobileFolk and it was clear that they were able to do what we were looking for and gave us confidence that they could do it competently in a timely fashion.

Describe the project in detail.

They helped build web pages, update existing pages, work on technical projects, ad hoc assignments and troubleshooting.

What was the team composition?

MobileFolk worked directly with the 3 members of the Sales and Marketing team.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

MobileFolk helped ensure our website was running smoothly and coupled with our efforts to drive traffic to the site helped grow our business.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

MobileFolk integrated well into our team acting almost as an internal partner

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They were very quick to get tasks completed with excellent communication and did not require a lot of hand-holding to complete.

Are there any areas for improvement?

The only issue was that there was no design capbilities so we had to use another vendor to do design work.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the founder of ShowSlinger, LLC, an entertainment platform.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire MobileFolk?

We hired MobileFolk to build a web-based app that could also be used on iOS and Android devices.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goal was to create a functional product based on wireframes that we’d made.  

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We learned about MobileFolk through a mutual business contact. At the time, we were using a variety of different firms, and we eventually moved all development to MobileFolk.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

MobileFolk handled the full development lifecycle for the project. They provided backend support, database management, frontend design, and iOS and Android implementation. Each element was built to our specifications, and they made sure to explain relevant information while we were making design choices.

What was the team composition?

The team consisted of a project manager and two developers.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’ve reached over 100,000 users in just a few years, and we expect that number to rise.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Our main point of contact was Alex (Founder, MobileFolk). He was experienced with all aspects of our business, which made for a smooth collaboration. He was also very friendly and responsive to our needs. Overall, their team was efficient and concise.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They perfectly executed my vision, sometimes using nothing more than my verbal feature descriptions. They also worked quickly, meeting deadlines with no issues or problems. The product that MobileFolk delivered is sophisticated, especially considering how affordable they were. Their excellent insights and knowledge of my industry were also impressive.

Are there any areas for improvement?

We can’t find any areas for improvement. They addressed all of our concerns rapidly and effectively. We plan to continue to do business with them.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the CEO of Shuffle Ventures. We develop mobile communications apps that allow individuals to connect with the world while protecting their personal privacy. Our main product is an app that allows users to create multiple phone numbers and email aliases so they don’t have to share their private contact details with strangers.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire MobileFolk?

We needed to optimize our iOS app’s UX, build out new functionality, and secure ongoing maintenance.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to optimize our app and have it run flawlessly.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

A business contact of mine recommended them. 

Can you go into detail about the services they provided and the scope of the project?

They provide mobile frontend development using Objective-C and Swift and backend development with Ruby on Rails.

What was the team composition?

We have 5–7 people working on the project at any given time.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They've implemented our new functionality successfully and fixed bugs in a timely manner. The app is operational at all times.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

It’s quite impressive. I work closely with Alex (CEO, MobileFolk), and they always over-deliver on milestones.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Alex's hands-on approach and constant availability are outstanding. Their entire team is highly approachable and pleasurable to work with.

Are there any areas where they can improve?

I don't have any suggestions since I’ve had a great overall experience.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Sr. Product Manager

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire MobileFolk, and what were your goals?

We hired MobileFolk to build our LyricIQ Microsite. An interactive environment for customers to see what our data represents on a more visual side.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

Previous relationship and trust with them.

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and technologies used.

A custom build site. Technologies used, unsure. That was determined by our DEV Director, and the MobileFolk team accommodated his requests

How many people from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

I worked Closely with Alex and Lloyd. As well as some of their remote DEVs Mostly Viet.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?

No measurable outcomes to speak of yet, as the site has not been shared on a global scale yet. But we internally are happy with the product delivered.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

We had a weekly video touch base, and daily communications over Slack and Trello. Response times were excellent

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

I was impressed with their speed in developing the product.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

I would love to have a bit more QA on their part, especially on minor things. Flag some items like when there are copy/layout or grammatical errors. We are always open to feedback and suggestions

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the President of a full service MSP that works with assorted clients and customers offering a full rang of services. We have been in business for 25 years.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire MobileFolk?

Alex was hired to design a secure, authenticating Web Based Client Portal for purposes of managing Clinical Database Reviews. He conducted extensive investigation, research and design/functionality testing, review and revisions to deliver the portal/database.

What were your goals for this project?

To move from an inaccurate, slow, low-security manual system to a secure, dynamic web based system. Also, to allow for revisions and modification as the scope of the project changed and evolved.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

A prior vendor who moved on to another position recommended him. We couldn't have been happier. Alex is a pleasure to work with, extremely knowledgeable, creative and patient.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

Alex was hired to design a secure, authenticating Web Based Client Portal for purposes of managing Clinical Database Reviews. He conducted extensive investigation, research and design/functionality testing, review and revisions to deliver the portal/database. It took several month and included extensive testing and review. Also, revisions and modifications as needed. Alex was steady and delivered throughout.

What was the team composition?

Numerous client representatives from Clinical Studies, IT members and QA members and staff along with Alex as the Database design lead.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Thanks to the hard work and knowledge Alex provided, the project has been a complete success. We have done two revisions to the site for additional functionality and security and those revisions were also a success and accommodated the evolving needs of the project.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

I was the overall PM working as a liaison between Mobile Folk and the client. I think it was an effective collaboration.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

There are many strengths: Knowledgeable, great communication skills, great documentation, able to listen and take notes, make changes, explain concerns be it with functionality or security. Patient and pleasant to work with.

Are there any areas for improvement?

None. I literally have no complaints. They are a pleasure to work with on all fronts. This project took some time to get off the ground but that had nothing to do with Mobile Folk but rather getting the requirements from the client.