NS804

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the president of True Home Reviews. We provide data analytics to new construction builders to improve quality and customer satisfaction scores.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with NS804?

We engaged NS804 to build a mobile application to collect data points in the field. Our current system of gathering these data was falling short of our standards and not meeting our needs.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

NS804 first listened to our requirements. We use iPads in the field to collect data so they agreed to build the application in iOS. Our current data system sometimes lost data if a team member forgot to back up the information or backed it up incorrectly. NS804 integrated a database tool called Realm into the new application; it saves data immediately as we collect it and streamlines data validation—an important process for our business. On the frontend, the team recreated the prior app’s layout to make the system changeover easier.

What is the team composition?

I worked closely with a sales representative; he answered most of my questions. I also communicated with the project manager, a design team, and the backend architect of our database structure.

How did you come to work with NS804?

We found them through a Google search. I wanted to find a local vendor who I could meet face to face. I interviewed multiple agencies, but I chose NS804 because they demonstrated a quick understanding and a diligent work ethic. I felt nervous about engaging an outside vendor for this work, but they made me feel assured that they would perform quality work while ensuring a smooth collaboration.

How much have you invested in them?

We spent about $30,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked with them from April–November 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The application is complete and we’re using it internally before launching it. The app has received positive feedback from our team members for letting us record and store data more efficiently with fewer mistakes.

We’re now getting ready to develop a second version with advanced features and additional layouts. NS804 is building a web portal and dashboard that will link up to the app and be accessible to us and our clients. They’re also helping us add more optimizations to the system where possible.

How did NS804 perform from a project management standpoint?

They told me that I could reach out to their CEO as needed. I never did because my main point of contact was so prompt in getting back to all my inquiries. We communicated via text messaging and a few phone calls as needed. NS804 delivered layout screens through InVision, which let us give feedback directly on each screen and collaborate more easily with the design team. I found that feature highly valuable.

What did you find most impressive about them?

NS804 made the collaboration relaxed while remaining professional and delivering high-quality products. I felt that I could reach out to them at 2 AM and they would get back to me within minutes.

Are there any areas they could improve?

As they grow, I hope that they will balance delivering a high level of customer service to every client without over-extending themselves. I have been in businesses myself where we have grown too quickly and communication suffered as a result.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of Whystle, an application that monitors users’ purchases and lets them know of any safety issues or product recalls.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with NS804?

We wanted to create an app that could import people’s purchases and connect product recalls along with safety information. Nothing like that had ever been done before, so there were a lot of challenges.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They developed the app for iOS. We will expand it to Android at some point, but wanted to start with just iOS due to budget constraints.

They took care of everything from frontend design to full backend development. They worked in sprints, which were 1–2 weeks in length depending on the complexity of what they were working on. We had an initial sprint when we started to do all the mockups and design. Afterwards, they started developing the backend and then moved on to the app.

What is the team composition?

I’ve primarily worked with Nick (CEO, NS804). I’ve also worked directly with a UI/UX developer who has taken care of some of the frontend design work. Jeff (Developer, NS804) has been absolutely incredible as well.

How did you come to work with NS804?

I did some searching, went to a class, and talked to a lot of people. I interviewed seven companies, but I felt like they were all just going to take what I said and do it without question. I didn’t really know what I was doing myself, so that was concerning.

Before we even met with Nick, he really thought about our objectives and invested himself in the process in order to give suggestions. I felt he would be more of a partner than the others I talked to and his price was also better. It made the most sense to go with NS804 and I’m very happy that we did.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in April 2017 and the relationship is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our initial ad campaign with screens has been very positive. We’ve done a lot of user testing and the app has been ranked highly. I thought we would need to do a lot more beta testing, but all the testers thought it was ready for launch. I’ve been surprised at how positive everything is.  

How did NS804 perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re extremely responsive. Nick always gets back to me immediately whenever I email him. The team is very communicative. Sometimes we disagree on the way we should do things, but Nick is very good and always explains his perspective. If I decide it’s not the way I want to go, he’s extremely easygoing and pleasant to work with. He tells you if he thinks something is a bad idea. It’s been a very good working relationship.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They solidified my first impression that they would invest themselves in the project. It’s been a very complicated project due to product recalls and because we’ve had to try and figure out how to present the information. It hasn’t been just me directing the project and telling them what to do. They’ve delivered an end product that is wholly different than what we envisioned. It’s actually much better because they’ve really thought things through and done user testing in order to find out what people really want. Their level of involvement and ideas have both been really incredible.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I’ve been really happy. We went over budget, which I was fine with, but I think they could’ve communicated a bit better.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am an independent product developer working on a new social mobile app called Simpatico. It connects people based on commonalities and interests, leveraging a relational database and location services to find users within 10 miles of each other if they share the same profiles.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with NS804?

This was my first experience working on a project like this. I hired NS804 after interviewing several development partners.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

NS804 developed my app for iOS. As the idea person, I wasn't too involved on the software side, so NS804 had to bring my vision to life. The app incorporates standard industry security functionalities, and once connections are made between individuals, users can accept each other and communicate within the app.

What is the team dynamic?

I worked with Nick [CEO, NS804] and Chelsea [UX/UI developer, NS804].

How did you come to work with NS804?

I was impressed with NS804's professionalism and interest. They had an idea of what I was trying to do, so I decided to move forward. I visited their office instead of doing everything over email and phone. As it was my first time undergoing this type of project, I wanted to sit down face to face. We had a session talking through the idea. NS804 provided additional ideas, supplementing what I already had.

Nick was honest with me about what we could and couldn’t do and guided me in that area. The other people I interviewed didn’t really challenge me with questions. It seemed to be a one-way conversation, with them saying, “We can do it.” I wasn’t comfortable hearing this without follow-up queries.

How much have you invested with them?

The cost of the project has been $25,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

I started working with NS804 around February 2017. We had an initial rollout to test some functionalities. There were a few bugs (which was expected), but NS804 was responsive in fixing them. We’re currently in beta testing after a six-month development period. We’re correcting some small things, and I’m looking forward to having a launch in September.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Initial blind tests on the concept were positive. The test flight went out to 50 users, half of whom created profiles and saw results. It’s a simple app that allows users to create profiles and add pictures and interests, and when someone is within range, they will get a notification. I didn’t want to compete with Facebook and Instagram but only to be a supplement, letting people know when others were around.

How did NS804 perform from a project management standpoint?

They are a one-stop shop and have provided follow-up software with which I can track all users based on location and other factors. We also have a plan for maintenance going forward, so NS804 is providing full management and development.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They take pride in their work. When we had the initial rollout, there were quite a few items I made detailed notes on and emailed to Nick. He responded quickly and identified an issue with part of the software. They had done a lot of testing, but I was seeing different results on my end. It was a little challenging, so we sat down together and realized that there was a communication issue with the developer. Some things had gotten dropped in the process, but we fixed it.

Are there any areas they could improve?

If I were to do it over again, I'd like to collaborate through the use of a project plan document detailing requirements and features along with tools/software being employed throughout the building phase and within the architecture of the app.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

MyQ is a startup mobile application and website for a new video platform. I am the founder and creator.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with NS804?

I needed a program designer to help me create the visuals and frontend of the app and website.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

I initially needed basic wireframes done, but NS804 also created a simulation for me using InVision. The app is currently for iOS.

What is the team dynamic?

I worked with Nick [CEO, NS804] and Kelsey [UI/UX Designer, NS804], who helped me create my new logos and visuals.

How did you come to work with NS804?

I found NS804 via Upwork; Nick contacted me and gave me a short description of their services. We had a kick-off call in which I told him what I was looking for and my budget.

How much have you invested in them?

I spent around $4,500.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together for the month of August 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Since it's still in the startup and production phase, there aren't any statistics yet. But what they created for me has brought me closer to launching. They made a good simulation that I will use to pitch to investors, which I would not have been able to do on my own.

How did NS804 perform from a project management standpoint?

We talked on the phone once or twice per week, and the average call would be 20–30 minutes. The team worked Monday through Thursday and would contact me daily on their progress. They sent me visuals on Thursdays, I would look over it through the weekend, and call them back on Monday to give general feedback. Besides phone calls, we also used email and Upwork chat.

What did you find most impressive about them?

NS804 was very genuine. Nick, in particular, was sincere and straight to the point. Upon telling him my situation, he helped me with my budget and provided feedback on the direction I should go. Essentially, Nick didn’t just take a paycheck, he actually gave me advice.

Are there any areas they could improve?

My whole experience was great with NS804, and I had no problems whatsoever.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

GiftCaddies is a social gifting app that allows users to send physical items to their friends and family. I am the founder and CEO of the company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with NS804?

We started the business in 2014. Another company was developing the app for us, and it was becoming an extreme challenge and frustration. I don’t come from that world, so my expectations may not have been right, but I was having issues with things I felt should have been done right away. We were ready to launch the business, but, since it’s app-based, we couldn’t. We were always waiting on the developer we were using at the time. We found out that the company originally developing our app had never worked on one before. They were more of a marketing agency who saw us as a good opportunity to get into the app space.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

NS804 was brought in in order to look at what the other company had done for us, and let us know what we needed to do. We were looking to them as an expert in the field. NS804 basically walked us through the process, explaining why we were encountering our problems and what should be done to fix them.

I worked directly with Nick Jones, NS804’s owner, and with his team of four people. If I had a direct question around our general strategy, I could approach Nick, who understood the project. As a founder and CEO, it was nice for me to talk to the principal of our partner company and be on the same page. For small items like a design issue with the app, I could reach out to NS804’s design person.

How did you come to work with NS804?

I am based in Richmond, Virginia, as is NS804. It’s a small tech scene that is getting bigger, and I had heard of NS804 by word of mouth. I also googled “best web developers Richmond,” and came across NS804’s website. I read their testimonials and noticed that they had clients from some of the big tech shows in Las Vegas. In addition, NS804 was just two miles away from our own office. I reached out to them and set up a meeting. I’m a sales and business development person, so part of why I brought NS804 in was their ability to walk me through technology like Heroku and other backend platforms.

How much have you invested with NS804?

Because we already had much of the backbone in place, NS804 set up an hourly contract with us. Depending on what the actual project was, we negotiated prices. As a small business owner, I appreciated being able to communicate what my budget was and never having surprise costs. There are companies that promise to work for a specific amount, only to announce that the work is a lot harder than anticipated and change the price. The total cost was below $10,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with NS804 in August or September 2016. We went live on Google Play and the Apple Store 2 ½ weeks after they came on board, which was amazing. We’re still live and going strong today.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The original company gave us an estimated timetable of 4 ½ months for the initial development, while NS804 told us the same set of tasks could be done in two weeks. People do say these kinds of things in order to get the business, but NS804 came highly referred, so we brought them in to revamp the old app. They actually did everything in two weeks, which made me realize how much time I’d wasted with the other company.

After two years in development, we had zero of everything since we couldn’t get the app live. Now that we have a product on the market, we have revenue coming in. We have gone from zero downloads to a 200% increase in users month over month. NS804 isn’t completely responsible for this, but they got our app going. The metrics are on us since we’re handling the marketing with our sales reps.

How did NS804 perform from a project management standpoint?

I’ve only had experience with two different companies in this business. NS804 is a 10/10 compared to the other one. I don’t know if it’s because we’re local, but I’ve always felt we have access to anything we need from a project management standpoint. If we need to have something done with the app that could take a week, we’ll know about any delays ahead of time. I can understand that things can happen, but good communication is very important. NS804 has let us know when they were overperforming or underperforming with respect to project timelines.

What did you find most impressive about NS804?

The one thing I love about NS804, especially about Nick, is that they don’t fall into the stereotype of app coders. They’re very good on the strategy side and provide very good ideas for the app. Not only is Nick managing his own business, but he also genuinely cares about our own beyond just wanting to get our money. People may say that this is only because they want more billable hours, but I can tell that NS804 genuinely cares about our business. They are making the app work on the backend, and they’re also genuinely interested in its success.

Are there any areas NS804 could improve?

As a web-based and app-based company, we need to understand that people have different devices. Nick has taken news about incompatibility a little too personally at times, like it was his fault. I’ve had this conversation with them and found that web and app developers will take things personally. As my technology partner, they need to know this in order for us to fix it.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We’re a sports and fitness application provider. I am the founder and CEO of the company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with NS804?

I was looking for a technology partner to bring the idea to life and to have a collaborative business relationship with us. We wanted guidance in order to put the vision together and continue to develop the app on a long-term basis.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

NS804 was there with us from beginning to end, starting with the initial design and vision for the app. They worked with us collaboratively in order to figure out exactly how we wanted the app to look, which transitioned into the production itself of our backend and frontend. We eventually published the app and released it into the marketplace.

I primarily worked with Nick, the CEO of NS804, who was the project lead for the majority of the work. When we were in the initial design stage, I also worked a lot with his designer. Towards the end, Nick realized that he didn’t have enough bandwidth to manage all his customers, so he started to seek help from an account management perspective, which I would say was a good thing. The reason I loved working with him is that I felt like his only customer, but I know that wasn’t the case. I’m glad that he brought some additional help towards the end.

How did you come to work with NS804?

I didn’t want to work with a company outside of the US or with a big firm which churns out applications. I initially found them on Upwork, where I searched for different vendors and got pricing quotes. NS804 provided a great balance of project-driving capabilities and assistance during the process. They satisfied all our concerns, were based in the US, had a hands-on approach, and acted as a consultant as well as a developer.

How much have you invested with NS804?

The cost of NS804’s work has been around $30,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with NS804 in May of 2016. We reached the finish line in January or February of 2017. The project is technically ongoing, even though the app is published. We’ll always go back to it and continue putting out new functions. I’m happy to keep NS804 as a technology partner for this purpose.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The product is finished, but we’re still in the infancy of actually launching it. This is on me, not NS804. I need to turn it into the successful platform I envisioned.

All of our beta testers and the other people who have seen the app loved the concept behind it, as well as its functionalities. At the end of the day, we accomplished the goals we set for the app. I don’t know if it’s better or worse than other options on the market, technologically speaking, but we are happy with NS804’s work.

How did NS804 perform from a project management standpoint?

I loved working with Nick and find him to be a great person, but from a project management standpoint, until he brought in additional help, I was the one pushing for the answers. In the worst-case scenario, I should have been requesting less information, but NS804 was more reactive than proactive. They did fulfill what they needed to fulfill, but the communication was a bit lagging towards the end of the project. When Nick finally brought in an account manager, it became extremely helpful in terms of communication. NS804 did become much more proactive, and I think that this will be a great benefit for them going forward.

What did you find most impressive about NS804?

NS804’s CEO is what stands out about the company. He is personable but also has a technology background and the ability to make a sale from the perspective of a sales nerd. I don’t talk engineering, but Nick was able to relay what was going on to me, while at the same time understanding where I was coming from, from a strategic vision standpoint. For much of the time, he actually drove the conversation and guided me along the journey. I hope that, as NS804 continues to grow, Nick can still play this part but not operate in all other areas.

Are there any areas NS804 could improve?

There were some mess-ups on the project management side of things, but NS804’s principal was great at leading the project and providing a strategic vision overall.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We’re relatively small; we’re a startup company, and we’re app-based. We are located in Richmond, Virginia. My role is CEO.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with NS804?

We went to NS804 to get an app developed for our company. The challenge was getting the translation of what our vision was into the actual app.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We went to NS804 a little over a year ago. We laid out our plan of exactly how we wanted this app to be. It’s been a long road with frustration here and there, but the service that they are providing has been translating very well into a physical app. NS804 has done that very well.

How did you come to work with NS804?

When my business partner and I first talked about developing the app, we started looking for different developers. I asked around. It happened to be that someone sitting next to me at a bar overheard our conversation of developing this app. She said, “Hey, I know this guy, Nick.” She gave me his number, and I reached out to him.

How much have you invested with NS804?

We have spent between $20,000 to $25,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working with NS804 in May 2015, and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We had quite a bit of success early on when NS804 used the program InVision to create a non-functioning app initially. Nick had his design team come together and implement the logo that we had made, the color scheme, and all the screens he had developed. He took the vision that I had and implemented it into something physical. I have nothing negative to say about that. That was very well done.

We’ve had a couple of releases in-house with a test crowd. For Android and Apple, we’ve had a couple of beta tests come out. There were bugs obviously because the app was not fully done, and the credit card process was not in it yet. After we had gone through a few trials, the app came together very nicely.

How did NS804 perform from a project management standpoint?

We were right on target and right on budget. Once we got on the same page, communication has been very good. NS804 has kept us updated on a weekly basis and sometimes twice a week. As far as communicating and letting us know what’s going on and what progress is being made, it’s been good.

What did you find most impressive about NS804?

Nick Jones has a great team of people. What sticks out is the graphic design and the ease of being able to walk in with an idea and have them put it on paper, so to speak. I’d say that that separates him from other friends and colleagues of mine that I’ve talked to. With Nick and NS804, he listens very well, and he comprehends what you say. He tells the team, and it goes over very well.

Are there any areas NS804 could improve?

My business partner and I have both gotten a little bit restless because the timeframe that we were talking about in the beginning has gone way past that at this point. The target goal of when the app was supposed to be complete has started moving; it keeps getting later and later. I say that lightly because they just started expanding, and when we got to them, they were smaller. The clientele they’re taking on now and the different stuff that they are doing is much more time-consuming, and it’s not like we’re the only client there. I would have liked them to stick to the goals of the timeframe better. I say it with a grain of salt. It’s nothing bad, but if you want to nitpick on something, that would probably be it, but he communicates 100%. Things can be moved around, and our experience overall has been very good. That would probably be the one issue with the whole thing but other than that; everything has been fantastic.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

BioMetrix is a wearable sensor company that leverages artificial intelligence to enhance an athlete's experience by reducing injury. I am the COO.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with NS804?

We needed a mobile app that would be able to interface with our wearable device.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The app has a lot to do with IoT [internet of things] at an extremely high level, so it involves streaming data from three different centers at high rates and also streaming it to the cloud. NS804 built it all native. We're starting with Android, and they've built the solution from scratch for us. Right now, they're working to stream from three devices simultaneously, all at between 100 and 250 Hz, which is an insane amount of data to be streaming live, processing and sending to the cloud. They're doing extremely challenging applications, and they're doing a great job at it.

How did you come to work with NS804?

I worked for a non-profit about a year and a half ago, and NS804 found us and provided services for free, so they helped our non-profit get our first mobile app off the ground. When I started my company, we went back to them.

How much have you invested with NS804?

The size of the project was around $30,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with NS804 in July 2016, and we’re coming to a close now.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We're just about to close the project, and we'll be launching the app soon from which I expect to have lots of excellent feedback.

How did NS804 perform from a project management standpoint?

They have good structure. We share a swap channel, and all the communication happens there between their developers. When it comes down to it, there's a lot of coordinating with the project. They're extremely responsive as well as autonomous. Early on, we worked together to design the project, and from there, it's just been checking boxes, collaborating, and touching base when need be.

What did you find most impressive about NS804?

They're very reliable and have a great eye for achieving the end goal and catering their process for their client. They are flexible regarding development strategy as they will cut back on some features to spend more time on others. They have a great focus. In my experience with other developers, it’s been difficult to get them to deviate from the product definition. With NS804, they really look to meet their goal of the project rather than just complete the scope that’s defined early on.

Are there any areas NS804 could improve?

I think it's just a challenging project. The requirements have been to meet a very high standard. With that, there have been some great barriers they've had to overcome, but they've done a great job and honestly exceeded those standards. They were faced with great obstacles, and they've done a great job of overcoming them.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

My organization is a small business and technology consultants firm called Dunn's Group. I am the managing partner.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with NS804?

We do our own product development and we were looking to develop a mobile application.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We used NS804 for the design, development, and coding of the app. They also served as a consultant for us in a sense. As a consultant, they helped us to fine tune the idea and be a sounding board for us from the development side.

How did you come to work with NS804?

We put out a solicitation that was seen by the owner of NS804. He gave me a call, we had a conversation, and that's how we came to meet. I was looking for someone with their skill set and they found us.

How much have you invested with NS804?

The project was around $12,000 to $15,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We had our first conversation in July 2015. We really started developing the application itself around Feb. or Mar. 2016. For the most part, it's completed. It's an ongoing project in the sense that as we roll out our initial app, it's going to be a continuous, ever-evolving product. As we start to roll it out to our user community and get feedback from our users, we’ll then go back and make adjustments, updates, and modifications. We’re going to work with NS804 on the upgrades.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Although we aren't officially on the market yet, the app as a whole is an improvement. We were stuck with an idea and we didn't know where to go. Being able to move the needle from zero to something is a huge success in itself. That is due solely to NS804. They were able to grasp our concept, pick up the ball, and run with it. They even provided improvements on my original idea. They provided input based on their experience of working with mobile apps. I would say that those are success metrics, coming up with the idea itself and then developing it.

How did NS804 perform from a project management standpoint?

They stayed in constant communication around deadlines and deliverables that were supposed to be met. They stayed within budget and within the scope of the project. In terms of timing, they were pretty much on point. They were able to inform me about any slippage in the schedule. I was never caught off guard.

What did you find most impressive about NS804?

Because we're a small business and we have limited resources, NS804 was very good because they are a small company as well. A lot of companies come to the table with huge budgets and if you don’t have the money, then you can't get your idea developed. NS804 has the approach that they will build the software as you acquire the money.

Are there any areas NS804could improve?

The only thing they can keep building on is their continuous communication. Other than that, I think they’re doing pretty well.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company.

Our company is Three One One Productions, based in Richmond, Virginia. We are a full-service event firm, and our core business is large outdoor events.

What are your role and responsibilities?

I’m the managing partner and owner.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What was your goal in working with NS804?

I had been looking to do some event apps. We do two rather large events in the Richmond area. One has an attendance of about 45,000 and the other about 118,000. Our challenge was getting information out to the festival attendees, which was virtually impossible once they had arrived at the event. Cell signals would die, and we needed an app to get information out quickly.

When we started to investigate the cost of apps and various companies, I was flabbergasted at how much they wanted to write these scripts that were basically plug-and-play templates. I felt insulted. So, I shelved that idea for some time, but several months later, I happened to get a call from NS804 about a completely unrelated issue. I asked them to talk the app through with me and see if we could work something out.

Please describe the scope of their work.

We came up with the concept of what I wanted to accomplish, and NS804 took the ball and ran with it. They developed an app for those two largest events.

For the first event, they created an app that allowed us to not only focus on sponsors, but also on the bands, band lineup, band submission, stage times, and push notifications. Then, they integrated a game into the app to redeem points for prizes. They also developed a social platform that included a "Find a Facebook Friend" application as well as tweets and posts. This allowed users to find out which of their friends were actually in attendance at the festival and then connect with them onsite. So, it really gave us a social element that we could then try to monetize.

For the second event, I wanted an app based on the same concept, but I needed a few design and interaction changes. That went very smoothly. Again, our challenge was to get information out via cellphones. Since we finished up those two apps, NS804 and I have worked closely together, and we’re thinking about starting on a third app.

SOLUTION

What was your process for selecting NS804 with which to work?

It all really started with that cold call.

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

I’d rather not say.

When did the relationship begin?

We started working together in October 2013.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Do you have any statistics, metrics, or general feedback to show the success of the project?

We don’t have a lot of data because, at the time the app was created, we were close to an event deadline. The first year, we didn’t push it at all, so we didn’t get any traction and very few downloads, maybe fewer than 100. The second year, we promoted the app a little heavier, and tried to monetize it a bit. We got another 150 or so that year. I don’t think it’s any reflection on the build. It’s more about our inability to market the apps.

Is there anything unique about NS804 that really makes them stand out compared to other companies?

My biggest thing was, I can call NS804 and ask them to do something, and they will be absolutely honest in letting me know if they can do that or not. I like that they are upfront and not always trying to sell me something. They are quite busy, and I like that kind of cut-and-dry, upfront approach.

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?

For us at the time, I didn’t find that the design elements were as sexy as they could have been. The functionality was there, but the design side suffered a little bit in those early days. I think that’s changed since then, based on what I’ve seen and what we’ve worked on since but, initially, there was a lack in the aesthetics of the graphics.

What advice would you give a future client of theirs?

Know what you want before you talk to them. Have a basic idea of what you’re looking for, and be prepared to be both enthused and disappointed because what we as customers think is possible may not physically exist. Have a general understanding of what you’re trying to accomplish but be specific, and that’ll make the process with NS804 a much more enjoyable experience.