OpenGeeksLab

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m a self-employed sole trader and owner of a doll-making business.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire openGeeksLab?

I hired them to create an e-commerce platform for optimizing and growing my business.

What were your goals for this project?

When the doll making business expanded, I began cooperating with six artisans for crafting more items. Entering an international market means adopting an entirely new workflow. Therefore, it was necessary to optimize our business processes and simplify ordering, payments, and communication.

I came up with an idea of creating a platform where my clients could search for crafts, make purchases with one click, choose a convenient payment option, leave feedback, etc. I also needed an easy-to-use admin panel to manage all the workflow. Thus, in addition to the platform, the team had to develop a mobile app that included all the necessary e-commerce options.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I found the openGeeksLab though Google Ads.

Describe the project in detail.

I only had an idea for the e-commerce shop; openGeeksLab did the rest of the work for me. At first, they estimated the project and went through a planning stage where we highlighted all the essential design and development goals. They developed the mobile and web versions of the application taking into account all the required functions for both managers and end-users.

Their team created admin and buyer dashboards, provided order management and customization tools, integrated chatbots and email, and created a convenient reporting system with charts and statistics. The developers also incorporated multiple payment gateways allowing offline payment options and geolocation APIs. Furthermore, they implemented easy navigation and a flexible checkout flow, among other things.

What was the team composition?

My project was run by their product manager. The applications were developed by the team lead and two creators, tested by one QA engineer, and designed by one UI/UX designer.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The platform was launched a couple of months ago, so it’s too early to talk about outcomes. First of all, I make a profit from selling dolls. Customers use the apps for free, but the platform has revenue channels—transactions fees, in-app ads, and paid subscription plans. All that helps me to earn some extra money.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We communicated through Jira and video conferences, and I was always aware of the project’s status. openGeeksLab created an effective workflow from the planning stage to the platform’s release. They also provided after-launch support.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

As it was my first product development experience, I was anxious about how it would go. Their company managed all processes in such a way that I didn’t have to worry about anything. We constantly planned sprints and epics, and even though we were in different time zones, we didn’t have any delays in the development.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No complaints come to mind. I'm sure they know what to do and how.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the founder and CEO of several companies that are engaged in different niches worldwide. The main business areas are golf, hockey, baseball, and croquet.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire openGeeksLab?

There was no specific platform aimed at the sport of golf. We did in-depth research on the golf industry worldwide, and eventually chose Australia as the target country.

Initially, we worked with a Canada-based company to develop the app. Unfortunately, the product turned out to be faulty, not usable, and full of bugs. Thus, we decided to hire openGeeksLab.

What were your goals for this project?

The first aim was to save the faulty app, but we then decided to build the mobile app from scratch.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We chose them because they were completely immersed in the project. They offered the perfect balance between price and quality. When we had any questions, we could get in touch with their 24/7 customer support. The team uses the Scrum methodology, so I was sure that they would meet deadlines. I used to be skeptical about outsourcing companies from Eastern Europe, but they have proved me wrong.

Describe the project in detail.

The design was done on our side, so first, they created the app architecture and the project roadmap, then conducted unit testing. After getting a full picture, they began the development stage. The backend was initially developed in PHP, but they decided to rebuild it in Node.js. The frontend was developed with React Native, Flux, and RxJS. They also provided QA manual and automation testing. Jira was chosen as a bug tracking and reporting system. As the project was large and long-term, we used a scrum methodology.

They implemented such essential features including tracking and recording golf scores, statistics, performance in real-time, geolocation, leaderboards, scorecard downloading, and social media sharing. The app is connected to specific golf courses, where players can pay tokens for rounds, golf course, and equipment rental.

What was the team composition?

Four people were dedicated to our project—the full stack developer, the QA engineer, the scrum master, and the product manager.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They rectified our bad situation and made it a success. With the solutions provided by the team, our profit increased by 45%, and the user flow took off.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The company performed great. The product manager did his best to meet our needs, goals, and deadlines. They constantly strive for excellence, which sets them apart from other companies. They build highly-professional apps, provide unique solutions, and respond to tough time challenges.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The company met all the deadlines and the project was completed on time. The app is now available on the App Store and Play Market, and the final cost was within the original estimates.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I have no criticism. Our cooperation was at the highest level.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the founder and CEO of an online platform that helps students prepare for any MCQ or aptitude test examination.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire openGeeksLab?

We discovered that switching from one website to the other during an exam period can be distracting for students. Our idea was to centralize the database within a mobile app. We don't have internal development resources, so we hired openGeeksLab to execute our idea.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted a user-friendly app with an intuitive user interface that would encourage users to keep coming back.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I knew of about 5 outsourcing companies that could meet our scope, but patience and cost were very important to us for this project. The app concept was quite simple but we wanted a company that would work with us effectively despite us having no prior experience with mobile app development. We found that openGeeksLab fit this profile very well.

Describe the project in detail.

Once we decided to hire openGeeksLab, we had several Skype meetings to explain our ideas around functionality and layout. We then created sketches of what we were envisioning, how the app should work, etc. After reviewing our sketches, the project manager came back after a week with a more clear-cut outline with several suggestions that we agreed on. We made the initial payment and that set the development process in motion.

What was the team composition?

We interacted solely with a project manager who liaised with the rest of the team. I believe there was one developer and one QA specialist on the team as well.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They developed a working prototype after a few months that could perform simple searches. We then began to train it to search more effectively, and the accuracy and stability have continued to improve since.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The workflow was very effective. We had a direct line with the project manager, and my co-founder and I could easily reach him on the phone whenever necessary. He updated us on regular basis and worked efficiently to meet deadlines. He was also very patient in educating us on what app development entails.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their understanding of our concept was spot on. They also explained the mobile app development industry in a way the maximized their value for us. Working with a novice can be annoying at times, and although we occasionally repeated some obvious questions, they were always patient in guiding us through the process. They never missed a deadline, even when we delayed payment due to bank issues.

Are there any areas for improvement?

This was our first experience with app development, but everything seemed fine to us.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We provide professional medical education advisory services to foreigners with the desire to study any medical course in the western hemisphere. I'm the founder and managing director.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with openGeeksLab?

We were rebranding the firm and needed a redesigned website with a mobile app that will help the medical aspirants access resources, transfer documents, chat with the staff advisor and so on. That's why we reached out to openGeeksLab to assist with the transformation.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They helped us create a web portal where aspiring medical students can easily login and see the details and status of their admission and interview schedules. They can also access resources, transfer credentials, and chat with our recruitment advisors.

Our initial plan was to redesign the website, but after consulting with openGeeksLab, we understood that it was best to start from scratch and to add a mobile app too since 80% of our clients access our services via the mobile phone. A big portion of the project is done and we are moving on to the final phase now.

What is the team composition?

A project manager, a web developer, and a mobile app developer were there to discuss with us.

How did you come to work with openGeeksLab?

Our tech manager gave me a shortlist of custom development companies that could help us with the project. I spoke with all of them and the openGeeksLab guys seemed to understand our needs better than the others. We finally chose them because they asked us thought-provoking questions that prompted us to abandon our original redesigning plan and start building from the ground up. Although, it's cost us more than its worth.

How much have you invested with them?

$80,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

They projected that the project would last 6 months. We started in October 2017 and it's still ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

According to the reports from our tech manager, everything is going as planned and we will be able to go live with the new website as planned before summer application begins.

How did openGeeksLab perform from a project management standpoint?

They are meticulous. I was impressed by the fact that after our meetings, the project manager sends me a transcript of the conversation just to make sure he understood our point.

What did you find most impressive about them?

This is the first time we are outsourcing a project like this. However, I was really impressed by the fact they were genuinely interested in understanding our business, not just project specifications.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They should consider client business hours when scheduling meetings. We have a 10 hour time difference and I need 8 to function better.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Founder of Resource solutions

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We create low-cost apps and create mobile applications for our clients.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

Our customer wanted to create a complete messaging application. Our objective was to employ our in-house team to design the mobile app screens while contracting out the development work to a licensed development firm within a set budget.

SOLUTION

How did you find OpenGeeksLab?

Online Search

Why did you select OpenGeeksLab over others?

• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from OpenGeeksLab were assigned to this project?

6-10 Employees

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

The whole Coco Messenger app's screens were created by our team, and we collaborated with OpenGeeksLab to create the program for both Android and iOS. The Coco app provides all of the features and functionalities that other top-rated messaging applications have, including group chats, group video and audio calls, document sharing, and more. The team handled the APIs, front-end and back-end, testing, and deployment once we gave them the design materials.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The client was really pleased with the result. The software operated without a hitch, and everything was up to par. One of the Fortune 500 firms presently uses the app as a tool for internal communication.

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

Through Zoom, the team spoke with us at least three times each week, and Trello received frequent updates. We compared testing comments via GitHub, and I was able to personally meet the development team in India. The staff was very aggressive and professional, even if the project was little delayed due to intricacy.

What was your primary form of communication with OpenGeeksLab?

In-Person Meeting

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

Their technical knowledge and meticulous attention to detail. They were understanding and gave each comment and worry their full attention.

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

None so far. They’ve done an excellent job.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Founder of Simpalm

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We construct mobile applications and websites for small- to medium-sized enterprises as the CEO of an app development firm in the US. We needed someone with advanced Native, Java, and Swift knowledge for an internal project.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

• We intended to create a food ordering management software system as well as a take-out-only ordering app for food and beverages. Our major objective was to outsource this product to franchisees and restaurant chains that can assist them manage their menus, customers, takeout delivery, and orders.

SOLUTION

How did you find OpenGeeksLab?

Online Search

Why did you select OpenGeeksLab over others?

• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from OpenGeeksLab were assigned to this project?

6-10 Employees

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

Users of the Essence takeaway project may order takeout from their preferred restaurants and arrange a pickup time using a mobile application for Android and iOS. Along with a mobile application for merchants, the project also includes online apps for the organization and the merchant. Company Application - Enables many franchise owners to run various shops around the nation. 

Owners of the business may oversee their outlet retailers, their signature menu items, and orders while also managing their income and revenue from each outlet. They can also give discounts and special deals. Managing incoming orders is made possible by the online and mobile applications for merchants from various franchise locations. They are able to control availability, offers, payments, and menu customization.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

A few US franchises were able to receive our finished product as an outsourcing project. The fact that they were able to handle the majority of their business processes using a single piece of software has delighted our clients. Their client base has grown by 20%, and the mobile app has earned rave user ratings in the app store.

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

The project management plan developed by the team was effective. Zoom meetings were used to routinely connect with the team, while Trello was used to provide comments and recommendations. We communicate using WhatsApp in case of any emergencies or brief calls. The staff members were really cordial and proactive. Additionally, the project was finished on time and according to schedule.

What was your primary form of communication with OpenGeeksLab?

In-Person Meeting

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

Working with their team has been a terrific experience because of their outstanding attention to the project. Their participation and cooperation have significantly aided the success of our relationship as a whole.

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

Nope All good

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the founder and CEO of a tech startup that specializes in web development and design consulting.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire openGeeksLab?

We hired OpenGeeksLab to develop the software we needed to start our company.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to develop a react native mobile app for both iOS and Android.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We found them online and requested a quote from them and five other companies. They exhibited excellent communication and professionalism for a reasonable price point. 

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

I cannot go into detail about the project because I am under NDA.

What was the team composition?

They provided two developers and a project manager, all of whom are skilled professionals.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The app is not completely finished so it is hard to express the impact of the app. Internally, everything is going perfectly. We are projected to finish on time and use this app as an asset for our business. 

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

We have daily team meetings for updates and task assignments.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

It is very rare to find a team of developers that deliver on time, which we appreciate.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Octanise helps in managing your business and building the administration of your company. I am the CEO.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with openGeeksLab?

We needed to develop our software solutions.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Our project had been done and we proceeded with collaboration.

What is the team composition?

We worked with two web developers and one project manager.

How did you come to work with openGeeksLab?

They were recommended by our partners.

How much have you invested with them?

$70,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The partnership is planned to last at least 3-4 months and two web developers are involved.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The result of the project was that the product was made, which had some bugs and changes to features that needed to be made to be able to sell to the public. Some parts of the product were misinterpreted. However, they were keen to improve the system.

How did openGeeksLab perform from a project management standpoint?

They performed very well by using their own knowledge to plan the amount of time needed to develop each section. This gave us great confidence that we had great and self-motivated developers involved.

What did you find most impressive about them?

OpenGeeksLab has developers that are easy to work with. They provide professional services in management and development. Their understanding and effort of work are unquestionable. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

I suggest that they take advantage of our meetings by asking more questions. If an issue has arrived that has delayed the deadline, they should mention it immediately.