nomtek

BACKGROUND

We are a historic barbell company that manufactures top of the line equipment for professional weightlifting, powerlifting, and other types of functional strength training. Our mission is to provide the world’s best lifting equipment and education. My title is Project Leader–New Business Development and I am responsible for completion of new initiatives to support the company and lifter sport in general.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

We wanted to create a user friendly and reliable form check tool for weightlifters.

SOLUTION

Our goal was an app that could help weightlifters improve their technique, by watching tutorials, but also getting immediate feedback through a split-screen video function. We sources 20-plus developers worldwide based on a good track record and good reviews. There were many good choices, but we felt an immediate connection with the enthusiastic and intelligent developer we spoke to from nomtek. The developer got back in touch with us unprompted 24 hours after our conversation, with a proof of concept for the most challenging app feature. We felt nomtek was a company with both integrity and competence we could trust.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

We are very satisfied with both a great working relationship and a great app. The project was technically complicated and our spec was developed in an agile manner, demanding a lot of flexibility from the developer. If we could give future nomtek clients any advice it would be to have as clear a picture as you can, ask questions and raise concerns early, and trust in your working relationship.

BACKGROUND

I work for a software-as-a-service firm based in Helsinki, Finland, with offices in San Francisco, Calif., and Warsaw, Poland. We are still in the startup phase with about 50 employees. We offer a unique cloud service for mobile game and app developers with 500 real devices in the cloud for optimizing, debugging, and testing.

I am the CEO and responsible for general management of the firm.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

Our client wanted to create a resource exchange system for companies from the metallurgic industry. We contracted nomtek for this week to deliver to our end client.

SOLUTION

We needed them to provide development resources using the agile SCRUM methodology. We worked in sprints. We selected J2EE for the back-end system because we needed a stable and safe solution. This system catered to our business needs while being scalable enough for future improvements. 

We cooperate with nomtek on various levels and share a history with their CEO. It was only natural to choose a company that we know personally. nomtek assisted us in developing the back-end and front-end part of our system as well as consulted us on design from a user-experience perspective.

The cost of the project is confidential, we completed in the second quarter of 2014.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

The whole project was completed as arranged. No delays or any other complications. They are very communicative and involve their client in the process. We were able to take an active role whenever we chose to or leave everything to them if we wanted them to drive the projects. They are professionals to the bone. 

I don’t think any improvements are necessary. The scope was clearly understood and the project flow was transparent. We got exactly what we wanted.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company.

We are an on-demand recipe building kit service that’s live in Germany. Our product is a website, an iPhone app, and a production center where we prepare the boxes to send the ingredients and recipe cards out to people.

What is your role and responsibilities?

I’m the owner.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What was your goal for working with Nomtek?

We wanted to launch an iPhone app simultaneously with our website. The goal was expressively to have our product inside people’s pockets, [such as] on their phone. 

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their work.

I had prepared everything for the design, we had all the wireframes ready, and we had all the flows ready. I had most of the user specs ready, and then I went to Poland and spent a few days with the team that was going to take the project on, to go through the flows again.

We had to create new stores of things that we’d missed, and talked about corner cases and fallbacks, and stuff like that. So, they just did the development. They did give some little recommendations on some usability issues also, they had some good ideas. Halfway through we had a change, and there were some problems arising from that, and there was a collaborative user experience issue that we had to address.

What was your process for selecting Nomtek with which to work?

I knew Nomtek already. I was in a company five years ago, and we were one of their first clients. Then they were recommended to us by another contact we know, who is kind of a middleman between technical companies in Berlin and Poland. Since then, I’d always been in monthly correspondence with their CEO, Krzysztof [Choma]. When this project came up, they were one of the first firms I spoke to.

Can you provide a ballpark dollar figure for the size of the work that they’ve done for you?

I’d say about 500 hours by now. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the results of the project?

The work is still ongoing. You know, nothing’s completed in my world, but we’ve actually hired our own person in-house, and she’s starting on November 1, [2014]. So now, they’re just preparing the next build, and then we do a handover where we’ll be sending the iOS developer to Poland to work with them for a week, and then that’s pretty much it for now. You never know what will happen with our startup, there might be a new project needed.

I’m very satisfied with their performance. They’re right up to par with any other developers I’ve worked with.

Do you have any statistics or metrics to track improvement from the project?

We can’t disclose that information. As far as general feedback, we’re happy with the end product. We only launched about six weeks ago. We haven’t found the right channels yet, so we’re testing a lot. With a new product, a new concept, you need some time to get some traction.

We’re not getting really good feedback from people, but we’re not getting bad feedback from the users. In general, the app is good and is well-thought through for a first release. We’re happy with it.

Is there anything unique about them that really makes them stand out, compared to other companies?

They have good communication. I think that even the process within the company, they’re not so dogmatic like some companies who say that they have to use this process, and they have to use Scrum. Whatever makes the project work, they’ll do it.

If there’s something that needs to be discussed on a high level, the CEO is always available to take calls or respond by email. They’re good developers, and they also have multiple levels, from junior up to the very experienced senior managers. They have a lot of knowledge sharing and collaboration within their team. They’re extremely good at communication. For companies looking to outsource work, this is one of the main elements that you need.

Looking back on the work so far, is there any area that you think they could improve upon or something that you might do differently?

In general, outsourced developers just think of the corner cases and focus on what’s ahead as opposed to focusing on what’s happening now, but that’s not a Nomtek issue whatsoever. That’s just an issue with a lot of people working in this business. Some developers offshore who are a bit more junior tend to over-complicate things.

BACKGROUND

We are one of the biggest online media companies in Poland. We have more than 500 employees and are based in Krakow. We also own sites for blogging, online dating, video sharing, and business services. We also run market-leading sites in Poland for sports, news, weather, automobiles, and business.

I am the project manager for the mobile app project with Nomtek. I am responsible for development, business strategy, and launching our mobile applications. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

We wanted to simplify the development process by hiring a professional firm that were experts in mobile app development and design. Our goal was to create a beautiful, user-friendly and simple weather application. We wanted to have at least a four-star rating in the App Store.

SOLUTION

The project included graphic work and UX/UI [user experience/user interface] design by Nomtek. The final stage was development, which they also handled. They still provide ongoing development support when needed. We used the Agile and SCRUM development models. 

We asked Nomtek to create a native application for iOS and Android so Java and Objective-C were used as programming languages. We decided to go native because we wanted to achieve a natural look and feel for both platforms. Nomtek was responsible for the whole project scope, [including] native mobile implementation, UI/UX design, and graphics design, except for the backend part, which was done in-house.

We initially met during the Apps World conference in London [in 2012]. To assess their expertise, Nomtek was asked to prepare several quotes for other projects before we started cooperation.

We focused on quality, industry knowledge, client references, portfolio and their approach before engaging. Nomtek displays the ability to deliver on expectations. They excel with the speed and quality of their work.

The application went live on the Apple App Store at the end of March of 2014 and on Google Play in June of 2014. The cost is confidential. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

The application received a 4.5 out of 5 from more than 150 users. Everything during the project was successful. 

Nomtek is unique at focusing on delivering solutions that truly matched our expectations. They were very proactive in managing the functional scope to reach optimal efficiency on the visual and business logic side. We felt the project was safe in their hands at all times. We also value the communication skills of the Nomtek team. They were always responsive and professional in every aspect.

We truly believe that we were offered the top quality service so I cannot think of any areas that may need some improvement.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company.

I work for a mobile application startup in Denmark. We offer a mobile app for iPhone that is similar to a Michelin guide. The app is free of charge and very dependable since it can be used offline. It offers the user a city guide depending on personalized preferences. We want people to use it on the go from various cities. We want to grow the user base.

What is your role and responsibility?

I am of the founding partners and the creative director. I was responsible for developing the app with Nomtek. I was one of the main leaders for that project.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What was the business challenge that you were trying to address for the work with Nomtek?

We are a small startup without the in-house capability to develop for iOS. At the time, I was working in Western Poland, in the same city as Nomtek. We decided to look at some local companies and see if they could handle the work.

Nomtek clearly filled the need that we had. We wanted to develop the app quickly, it was complicated at times. Nomtek fit our need because they are willing to work very closely with the client and cooperate at all times.

SOLUTION

Can you describe the scope of Nomtek's work?

Nomtek was responsible for development of the app for iPhone. We gave them a prototype and let them design it and make sure the quality was strong. They also helped us create the APIs [application programming interfaces]. In general, they worked very closely with us.

Why did you select iPhone as the platform?

I selected iOS because it is the most commonly used phone in this market. iPhones are popular in Europe, so it seemed like the best platform to use.

What was your process for selecting Nomtek?

Since I happened to be in the same city as Nomtek at the time, it was a logical decision. They had a strong and lasting reputation as experts that would deliver a high-quality app. I actually met their company and the owner years ago when I worked for a different firm. I kept them in mind for this app and called them first. I made the right choice.

Can you provide a sense of the size of the initiative with a personnel work hour figure?

It took the Nomtek group about 300 hours of work to complete the project. It was a major undertaking that took months to complete. They put a lot of time and attention into the work. We were in constant communication, and they were great about asking us for our requirements at each stage.

When was the project completed?

It was completed at the end of June of 2013.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the results of the project? Do you have any statistics or metrics you can share to demonstrate the success?

We are very happy with the result since the app is functioning very well. They produced a high quality app that people are using. I am really happy with their approach to the project. They were always open to feedback and committed to satisfying us. They were always open to changes and very flexible. They finished the project on time and didn't make any mistakes.

What else is unique or special about Nomtek that stands out compared to other IT firms?

Their cooperation ability really stands out. They always want to talk to the client and do it the right way. They aren't afraid to give advice and suggest alternative ways to complete the project.

Looking back on the project, is there any area that you think they could improve upon or something you would do differently?

No, I really have nothing to report. They did a great job. I can't complain. Nomtek has a very professional approach, and they always answer our questions.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company.

We're a mobile marketing technology firm. We provide client services and agency services. We run promotions, and we develop mostly B2B products that generate leads, gain customers, and get attention.

What is your role and responsibilities?

I’m chief innovation officer, and am responsible for all product development, most of the technology development, timelines, planning, and so on.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What was your goal for working with Nomtek?

We’ve done a few projects with them. We had some overflow work that we needed to have done. We were referred to Nomtek. We needed a team with a diverse skill set, specifically in terms of application development. We needed a team who had the ability to build apps in multiple ways – native apps and hybrid apps. That is not the easiest thing to find, and they had personnel with different capacities with the specific skill sets we needed. That is one of the criteria we used to vet them.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their work.

We did all the specifications, and they took the project from specs to life, essentially. What they did that was above and beyond is, they helped us understand everything they were doing, which a lot of firms don’t do. They gave us all the source code, which was great, and they were helpful in making product improvements as they were building it for us. They were active in making suggestions, such as pointing out that the specs weren’t the best option. That helped, and there is always an opportunity for improvement when you’re developing a product from black and white to a living thing. That was unanticipated, and they were helpful in suggesting a fair amount of improvements as they went along.

What was your process for selecting Nomtek?

One of my partners is a native of Poland. I’m not sure how he met Krzysztof [Choma], who is the CEO of Nomtek, but he recommended them. They had done some work in the past, and I looked at their capabilities, documents, and had a conversation with Piotr Mezyk. I felt comfortable with him at that point. We had a few other companies that we would have potentially worked with, but we liked their availability and hours. They don’t just work European time; they have coverage later in the day, which is helpful. Their communications are perfect. Their English is better than half the people I know in America, which is admirable. From the beginning, we wouldn’t go two or three hours without an email response, even at 9 o'clock Eastern time.

Can you provide a ballpark dollar figure for the size of the work that they’ve done for you?

We’ve done probably four or five engagements with them. It's about $40,000 or $50,000 worth of work in 2013. We started talking to them in late 2012.

When was the latest milestone completed for that work?

We kicked off our first project in early 2013. We’ve done four projects; one was sizeable, and the others were reasonably small in comparison. It's an ongoing engagement. We wrapped up one project with them in November, and we have another one that will begin in the second or third week of January 2014.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Do you have any statistics or metrics to track improvement from the project?

It went very well, even with multiple change orders and clients changing their minds, they were very flexible, and able to stack resources. In one specific project, a lot of changes came back in the last two weeks of the project. We went from one full-time developer to three full-time developers on their side to get the product right, which helped greatly.

It's difficult to quantify it, but we had significant success in the project in terms of app downloads and app usage. I don’t have any benchmark or baseline to quantify against, but the two major projects we did were successful, in the eyes of the client in terms of customer usage. I don’t know that we had any usage expectations for either product because they were both reasonably new. One was event-based, so it was only used for a week at a trade show. That went very well; the second one is still in use, and it's receiving praise. They certainly exceeded our expectations in terms of not just being a vendor, but being a partner.

Is there anything unique about them that really makes them stand out, compared to other companies?

Yes. It's really the personnel they have. It relates to their availability and getting emails at 4 or 5 a.m. Polish time. Technology is a commodity, and a hundred shops can build an app, but there are very shops that care about it and think about it. There are even fewer shops that go out of their way to make themselves available to you based on your schedule and changing needs, and absorbing extra hours when they can. They don’t just stick us with change order after change order. They act as a partner and don’t overanalyze scopes; they do what it takes to make the product right.

Looking back on the work so far, is there any area that you think they could improve upon or that you might do differently?

I don’t have any complaints about them. As proof, we're still using them a year later almost exclusively. We have one partner that we use for overflow work, and they’re a U.S.-based firm. I’m perfectly content with their work. It would be cool if they could fly over and visit us; I’d like to meet them finally.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company.

We are a mobile development firm based in Munich, Germany. We have about 12 live applications on the primary iOS App Store. We’re focused on our own development rather than doing project work. Nomtek was our partner in terms of technology programming. We’ve spent the last two-and-a-half years together and have a trustful relationship.

What is your role and responsibilities?

I am the CEO. My role is to coordinate the outsourcing partners as well as the designers. Our clients are dispersed around the world because our primary clientele is found on the App Store and we generate about 60 percent of our downloads from the U.S.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What was your goal for the work with Nomtek?

The main reason we chose to work with them is that I have a very trusting relationship with one of the programming leads there. All of our work is in iOS.

SOLUTION

Can you provide a sense of the size of that initiative in dollar terms?

The programming costs will range from $10,000 to $40,000 depending on several factors.

When was the last project they did for you completed?

It was probably one month ago.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

How have they performed so far?

Pretty good. I have stuck with them because I’m satisfied. As far as cost, they have a good cost-to-performance ratio.

Do you have any statistics or metrics that you can share about the project?

They were major drivers in the development of our apps that led to a profit of $3 million.

Is there anything unique or special about them that stands out compared to other developers?

I guess it very much depends on the person you’re working with. Their pragmatism is an asset. I think that makes them stand out. I’ve been working with Ukrainian developers and they are far clearer.

Looking back on their work, is there anything that you think they could improve upon, or something you would do differently?

I think they are growing strongly. That’s something I would probably consider a problem. When we started working together, they were rather small and not bureaucratic. Now it starts to be a bit more bureaucratic with project managers being involved and personal planners being involved. That is a very minor criticism.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.
I am the VP Engineering of Monster Worldwide
Describe what your company does in a single sentence.
Monster is a global leader in connecting people and jobs.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

• To lead the revamp of the native iOS and Android application

SOLUTION

How did you find nomtek?
Online Search
Why did you select nomtek over others?

• High ratings
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from nomtek were assigned to this project?
14
Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.
iOS & Android application development - supporting & transforming existing application, ongoing product evolution.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

1. high ratings on App Store and Google Play 
2. old version migrated to the new one before the deadline
3. App redesign 
4. new features according to the roadmap

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?
nomtek has provided a project manager specialist who has been acting as a delivery leader and scrum master from the Monster's program perspective, closely collaborating with Monster's product management team and other stakeholders. There were also technical iOS and Android team leaders responsible for the quality of deliverables, which has proven to be an optimal overall team composition that ensured on-time delivery and seamless communication.
What was your primary form of communication with nomtek?
Virtual Meeting
What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

• Proactive approach 
• Commitment 
• Transparency 
• Technical skills 
• Honest collaboration

Are there any areas for improvement or something nomtek could have done differently?
No, nomtek has been an excellent partner, and we value their collaborative and product-focused mindset.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Sr Director Software Engineering of an information technology company

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Our company seamlessly integrates the digital into the physical world to amplify human potential.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

• Help build applications

SOLUTION

How did you find nomtek?

Other

Why did you select nomtek over others?

• Pricing fit our budget
• Good value for cost

How many teammates from nomtek were assigned to this project?

1 Employee

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

This was a staff augmentation project. There were many various deliverables which included: 

• Application Development in AR. There was a lot of UX/UI work done which needed complicated 3D math and interaction design. 
• Manual and Automated testing of the delivered UX/UI features.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The team is able to deliver more features in the same amount of time.

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

Project items were delivered on time. If there was any delay this was communicated early and any mitigations, if possible were made. They were very responsive.

What was your primary form of communication with nomtek?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

The quality of the work that the company provided is excellent.

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

None