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Mobilize Your Business

4.8
16 reviews
Gold
VERIFIED

Red Foundry is a mobile application design and development consulting firm. Founded in 2009, and led by seasoned business and technology executives, we help our clients “Mobilize Their Business” by creating award-winning native mobile applications for the iOS and Android platforms.

Utilizing our mobile-optimized methodology, we partner with entrepreneurs and early stage startups to launch their mobile-enabled business, and we work with established corporations to build mobile products that support their digital transformation.

It all began when we started building iPhone apps for fun, and a few of them became big hits. We enjoyed ourselves so much that we quit our day jobs and began making apps for other organizations like Pearl Jam and Kodak. After working in the trenches for a while we realized that building a great mobile app could be expensive, time consuming, and complex. So we set out on our journey to make building mobile apps easier.

That’s why we started Red Foundry – to take our years of experience in building successful mobile apps and package it into a team of engineers armed with technology and process methodology to lower the cost, complexity, and delivery risk of building killer mobile apps.

Red Foundry was built on these simple principles:

  • All apps should be beautiful, unique, intuitive, and relevant. 
  • Any company, large or small, should have the opportunity to leverage the benefits of mobile app technology. 
  • An app is useless without a team of skilled people to support and evolve it. 

Every day Red Foundry tackles the tough challenges that face most businesses when going mobile. But most importantly Red Foundry apps are built by a team of software engineers who are passionate about mobile.  It's all we do.  And we love it.

READ MORE...
 
$25,000+
 
$150 - $199 / hr
 
10 - 49
 Founded
2009
Show all +
Chicago, IL
headquarters
  • 1608 S. Ashland Avenue
    Chicago, IL 60608
    United States
    888.406.1099

Portfolio

Key clients: 

Random House, Clark Brands, Reader's Digest, Voya, Central Insurance, Utrip, Fodor's Travel Guides, FanAngel, Pearl Jam, Kodak, Panasonic, Wine Enthusiast, Systagenix, StoryTime, Internet Brands, Traveling Vineyard, Purohit Navigation, KTVA Alaska, Fautus

Reviews

4.8
16 reviews
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Business Card MVP for Public Safety Company

"They were true to their word, proactive, flexible, and collaborative." 

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
4.5
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$10,000 to $49,999
 
Dec. 2018 - Mar. 2019
Project summary: 

Red Foundry developed an MVP of a digital solution to share business cards and contact information. Working with an internal team, they shared design responsibilities including icons, UI, and visuals.

The Reviewer
 
10,000+ Employees
 
Northbrook, Illinois
Luis Serpa Andrade
Director, Exploratory Innovation and Experience Design, UL LLC
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

The app was received well by various internal testing audiences. Flexible regarding client preferences, Red Foundry entered into an authentic partnership and helped develop initial requirements. Their willingness to adjust meeting times and share documentation openly was particularly notable.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the director of exploratory innovation and experience design for UL LLC, a public safety company. I'm responsible for collecting, evaluating, exploring, and testing/piloting ideas with the potential to generate innovations that help our businesses, company vision, and mission.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Red Foundry?

We wanted to test an idea submitted by one of our high-executives. The idea was to improve the experience of sharing business cards in client meetings and events with a digital-ready approach in place of (or along with) physical business cards.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to walk away with a working MVP that could be used by the corporate marketing team to test the idea. We also wanted to avoid making a large investment while still accurately evaluating the idea’s potential to be a visible improvement in trading contact information in customer events/meetings.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Red Foundry was the only vendor/partner that provided a flexible approach to developing the solution. They understood our need to work on an MVP to test the idea instead of focusing on a large (pre-defined) scope of work. Furthermore, they were willing to partner with our internal team to develop and refine the idea before coding, rather than requiring fully-fleshed requirements/specifications that would turn into a locked scope of work.

Describe the project in detail.

Red Foundry provided us with the right level of expertise and resources. They were proactive in most occasions, giving us support and advice at every step and working collaboratively to help us progress without any big red flags or bad surprises. They were also keen on alerting us of any decisions that could potentially impact cost or deadlines. The project was completed in the expected timeline and budget.

What was the team composition?

There were three people on the core project team: an account manager, a technical subject matter expert, and a mobile developer. We were also supported by the founding partner (who provided business insights and experience regarding the ideas being discussed), by a designer (who created quick visuals for the UI and icons, when our own designers were busy) and a sales resource (who initiated the relationship with us and remained in touch throughout the project to ensure we were satisfied).

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The MVP application was shared with a number of our executives for beta testing, and the feedback and experiences reported were overwhelmingly positive. Many clients and partners exposed to the app during meetings or events (during our pilot) were impressed with the solution as well. Our corporate marketing team is now working through the feedback to prepare a project to transform the MVP into a formal app available to all employees.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

It was very efficient and streamlined. Meetings were quick and to the point. Decisions and requirements were quickly documented by the Red Foundry team and shared with us to ensure proper comprehension. Their team was flexible in accommodating our "corporate bureaucracy" and need to reschedule some meetings.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They were true to their word, proactive, flexible, and collaborative. None of those qualities comprised end-product quality or made the project unreasonably expensive. They may not seem like much, but it’s been difficult for me to find a vendor with these qualities nowadays.

Are there any areas for improvement?

It wasn't a very large project, but I’m sure there would be more opportunities for improvement with a larger effort. As for my experience, I was perfectly happy with the outcome and the work provided.

5.0
Overall Score
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
  • 4.5 Cost
    Value / within estimates
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer

Mobile App Dev for Store Locator and Payment Platform

"Red Foundry delivered exactly what we were looking for and met our tight deadlines."

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$50,000 to $199,999
 
Jun. 2018 - Nov. 2018
Project summary: 

Red Foundry designed and built a cross-platform app for iOS and Android and integrated it with Stripe. The app supports geolocation services, a customer loyalty program, and in-store purchases.

The Reviewer
 
11-50 Employees
 
Lisle, Illinois
Randy Naylor
VP of Operations, Clark Brands LLC
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

The in-house team is happy with the quality of the code and the customer support they received. Red Foundry went above and beyond to meet all needs, while their ability to answer questions and quickly address any issues helped them establish a smooth and effective process.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the VP of operations at Clark Brands. We provide payment processing solutions and an opportunity to license one of our brands to gas stations. I manage three teams– the client service team, the IT department, and the product development team.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Red Foundry?

We wanted to create a mobile app and we needed a vendor to help us.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

First, Red Foundry helped us think through all the core functionalities of our MVP. Then, they designed and developed a cross-platform app for iOS and Android. They used React Native for development and integrated the app with Stripe, which is a third-party payment system. The purpose of the app is to provide a store locator to our customers and enable in-store purchases. The app also allows us to market to our customers directly, give away gift cards, and add products and services in the mobile space. Red Foundry did all the testing and helped us launch the app in the App Store and on Google Play.

What is the team composition?

We mostly worked with our account manager and a head developer, so we had one contact on the business side and one contact on the technical side. We also had access to their CTO.

How did you come to work with Red Foundry?

We interviewed some different companies. It was the first time we were developing an app, and Red Foundry was willing to work with us, helping us build out our ideas. We selected them because of their customer support and their expertise in mobile development.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent $65,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked with them from June 2018–November 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We now have a functioning app that we can use. We haven't fully marketed the app, so we didn't expect to have too many downloads. It's just a foundation that we're planning to develop further to get more business.

How did Red Foundry perform from a project management standpoint?

We had face-to-face meetings as we were working on the design and the initial development. Then, we moved to weekly calls where we discussed the progress of the project. They were very responsive. If there were any issues, they found solutions very quickly. We were very happy with the process.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They were very flexible, open to questions, and willing to explain the process to us. We were looking for someone who would take our idea and run with it. Red Foundry delivered exactly what we were looking for and met our tight deadlines.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No. I don't have any complaints.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

They provide top-notch service, and their pricing is very good. I'd definitely recommend them.

5.0
Overall Score We're very happy with the results.
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    They scheduled all the meetings in advance and met our tight deadlines.
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    They gave us exactly what we were looking for and their prices are far from being the highest.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    They delivered the app that we envisioned.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    They did an excellent job.

Dev for a Web-Based B2B Transaction Platform

"It was refreshing to work with a personable team that communicated easily and had clear technical expertise."

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
4.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$10,000 to $49,999
 
June 2018 - Feb. 2019
Project summary: 

Red Foundry designed and developed a mobile-friendly web platform to allow beverage vendors to order from suppliers online. They created wireframes and user stories before building the tool.

The Reviewer
 
1-10 Employees
 
Massachusetts
Founder, B2B Transaction Platform
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

The platform has only recently launched, but potential user feedback so far has been positive. Red Foundry’s creative and knowledgeable team delivered high-quality products on time. Consistent communication, responsiveness, and a clear understanding of requirements made for a smooth workflow.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the founder of a startup company. We provided a B2B transaction platform for the commercial beverage supply and distribution market.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Red Foundry?

I engaged Red Foundry to develop a mobile-friendly web platform to facilitate transactions between retail beverage vendors and suppliers.

What were your goals for this project?

The goal of the platform was to fill a process gap between retail beverage vendors and suppliers. It allows vendors to see the distributors’ inventory and place orders with suppliers. As a result, it needed to have a robust infrastructure to meet the demands of potential clients.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I started my research on Clutch to identify strong web development partners. I found it helpful to see each company’s profile and read customer reviews. I interview a couple of vendors that I identified through Clutch. However, after some mutual contacts introduced me to Red Foundry, I went with them. Our initial discussions impressed me, and the fact that they were a US-based company sealed the deal.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

Red Foundry provided a detailed outline of the scope and functionality for our initial meeting. They then created wireframes and user stories as part of the overall technical design. After this phase, Red Foundry developed an interactive site. They offered ways to improve the site throughout the project as well as ideas for the second phase of development.

What was the team composition?

A lead project manager oversaw progress, while two web developers handled the design and coding. They brought in an additional support person to help test and debug the site. The team remained consistent from beginning to end.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The site has only recently launched, so it’s too early to measure the impact just yet. We’ve received positive initial feedback from potential clients as well as interest from our target group. The final product has exceeded my expectations and met every requirement. Red Foundry showed immense skill and care at every stage of the project. They understood my vision and needs from the get-go.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

The team made time to meet weekly or biweekly as the project progressed. They were always available to answer questions or solve any challenges we encountered. We used Jira to track the project timeline which involved several sprints. The schedule got extended on occasion when various issues came up, but Red Foundry was quick to alert me and revise deadlines as needed. The team used Bug Tower to organize all communication around the debugging phase. We found it very helpful whenever a technical issue arose. 

What did you find most impressive about this company?

We valued their creativity in design and their ability to deliver a product that met all requirements. It was refreshing to work with a personable team that communicated easily and had clear technical expertise.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Some technical issues caused some slowdown in the project’s progress closer to launch. I believe several other projects kicked off for Red Foundry, causing their resources to get pulled in different directions. In the end, Red Foundry addressed every identified technical issue and made sure that the final product exceeded expectations.

5.0
Overall Score
  • 4.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer

Assessment and Code Review for App

"They were extremely easy to work with."

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
Less than $10,000
 
May 2018
Project summary: 

Red Foundry provided their consulting services and conducted a code review for an app developed by another vendor. They checked for errors in the code and defined what it would take to fix it.

The Reviewer
 
1-10 Employees
 
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
CEO, OniT App Inc.
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Their involvement was crucial to discovering that the previous vendor was violating the contract by delivering incomplete work. Red Foundry’s knowledge, professional approach, and competitive prices add great value to their services.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the CEO of OniT App Inc.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Red Foundry?

Our company enlisted Red Foundry’s services to review our app that was developed by another vendor.

What were your goals for this project?

The purpose of the assessment was to determine if the app was functional and created to the specifications we originally provided.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We selected Red Foundry based on their high level of experience and expertise with native app development.

Describe the project in detail.

We paid Red Foundry a flat consulting fee for their services and they dissected the code language, discovering all the missing gaps within the code. They also helped to determine what would be required in order to get the app completed and back in compliance with the contracted specifications.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Red Foundry helped us discover that our project was in complete breach of contract, and was far from the fully-functional app that was supposed to be delivered.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

They were extremely easy to work with. All their representatives are extremely knowledgeable and professional.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Red Foundry’s level of expertise, professionalism, and communication are second to none.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I have no complaints or improvements that I could recommend.

5.0
Overall Score Red Foundry is an amazing company.
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    They were very accommodating when it came to scheduling.
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    Their price is very fair and their work is of high value.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    Red Foundry is extremely professional.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    I highly recommend them.

Mobile App Development for Local News Channel

“The app received positive reviews across the board, with an average rating of 4.5 stars in app stores.”

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4.5

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
4.5
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$10,000 to $49,999
 
Oct. 2014 - Sept. 2017
Project summary: 

Red Foundry designed the backend of a mobile news app (iOS and Android), mirroring the tabs and visual elements of the organization's website. They also incorporated push notifications (e.g., weather updates).

The Reviewer
 
11-50 Employees
 
Anchorage, Alaska
Jason Sear
Digital Assets Manager, KTVA News
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Red Foundry custom built an effective app, tailoring its design to meet the needs of a local news organization. The app was user-friendly and well received by the public, with a 4.5 star average rating in app stores. Their team provided friendly, personalized service from start to finish.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the digital assets manager for KTVA News, a TV news station based in Anchorage, Alaska.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Red Foundry?

When I first joined KTVA, we had just revamped our digital presence and website, but were lacking a mobile app similar to other news organizations. We didn't like any of the pre-made apps we'd been seeing for other networks—we wanted to develop a more customized app.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We provided Red Foundry with some initial designs and they developed the backend for the mobile app (iOS and Android). The layout mirrored our Wordpress website, incorporating similar categories, video, and photo elements. They also built out push notifications, including weather updates.

What is the team composition?

I mostly worked with a project manager, a designer, and a developer.

How did you come to work with Red Foundry?

I found Red Foundry through an extensive Google search. I liked the apps they had developed and, after discussions with their team, decided they would be the best fit for us.

How much have you invested with them?

We invested in the range of $20,000–$30,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from October 2014 to September 2017. Since switching platforms about six months ago, we've started working with another company that provides both website and mobile app development services.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The app Red Foundry developed was easy to read and navigate. The app received positive reviews across the board, with an average rating of 4.5 stars in app stores. Although we had some challenges around awareness of the new product, we had a significant number of users when we first launched.

How did Red Foundry perform from a project management standpoint?

Their team is very organized and good about meeting deadlines. They were responsive whenever any bugs or issues came up. I could email or call them directly and get a response right a way.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The ease of communication with their team really stands out. I'm sure they have a lot of customers, yet we always managed to get plenty of personalized service and attention.

The quality of their work also stands out. They developed a hybrid app, using some of their original designs, that was tailored to work for our industry. It was the first app of its kind they'd worked on, but they were very willing to go down a new path with us. In the end, we had a great product.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No. I'm happy with their work overall. We had some minor hiccups with the Android version of the app, but it was worked out.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Communication is key. That won't be an issue when working with their team, as they're both responsive and receptive.

4.5
Overall Score
  • 4.5 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    Overall, their team performed well. There were just a few bugs that didn't get fixed as quickly as we would've liked.
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    I'd say their rates are fair.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    We didn't have any major issues with the app.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    We had a few minor hiccups along the way, but we were satisfied with the app overall.

Mobile App Development for Direct Sales Company

“The investment has been worth the result.”

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
4.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$50,000 to $199,999
 
Jan. 2016 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

Red Foundry has developed three versions of an iOS app that allows wine representatives to manage orders and presentations, as well as track data, location, and wine tastings.

The Reviewer
 
1,001 - 10,000 Employees
 
Ipswich, Massachusetts
CTO, Direct Sales Company
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

The ability to deliver by deadline on a consistent basis while managing all development internally has proved Red Foundry as a dependable partner. Their team tests the deliverables to ensure stability, resulting in a widely used app that has received no negative feedback.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CTO of a direct sales company in the wine business. We produce and sell wine to individuals through in-home wine tastings. We have about 5,000 representatives around the country.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Red Foundry?

We wanted to give our representatives a mobile application to make it easier for them to do payment swiping for orders placed directly with us at wine tastings. We wanted to create flexibility through an actual app where we could do much more as opposed to a regular webpage on a mobile device.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We provided Red Foundry with the core design and they turned it into a mobile app that’s incorporated with our business logic.

The app is iOS-based with an information layer for our representatives where they can keep track of their data, location, and planned wine tastings. They can manage orders and presentations within the app as well.

We’re on the third version now. Not everything was there from the beginning, but it’s basically complete at this point. We’ve worked with them on every version we’ve come out with. We went back and forth with them and did bug cycles to create stable products.

What is the team composition?

There are two members of their team who have been assigned to this project.

How did you come to work with Red Foundry?

A company that does other development for us recommended them. We got in touch, they made a proposal, and we’ve been happy with them ever since. We didn’t consider anyone else at the time because we wanted to keep it within distinguished connections and relationships.

How much have you invested in them?

We’ve spent around $150,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working with them in January 2016, and the relationship is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

People are using it all the time, so if it wasn’t working well, we would have a lot of complaints. The investment has been worth the result.

How did Red Foundry perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re good and know what they’re doing. They haven’t missed a deadline, and we are very happy with that. We use bug tracking tools and let them manage the whole thing internally.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I like the relationship with their team. They’re bright and they know what we want. Their deliverables always work.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I have no suggestions for improvement right now.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

You have to have sufficient conversations to know exactly what you’re getting into in order for it to work.

5.0
Overall Score Overall, we are very happy with them.
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    We haven’t missed a single deadline with them. They’ve accomplished what we both agreed on.
  • 4.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    It always costs more than you think.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    I would refer them if someone asked me.

Mobile Development for Mileage Capture App

"I have a lot of respect for what they do and the work they deliver, and they built a great product for us."

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4.5

Quality: 
4.5
Schedule: 
4.5
Cost: 
4.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
Confidential
 
Dec. 2016 - May. 2017
Project summary: 

Red Foundry built and designed the SDK for existing mileage tracking and billing mobile apps on iOS and Android. They integrated it with a complex backend and preserved the high-level functionality.

The Reviewer
 
201-500 Employees
 
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Andy Zavattero
VP Mobile Apps, Runzheimer
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

The end product was complex and required a highly collaborative work environment to complete, but Red Foundry did so with composure. Their work was consistently of the highest quality and their candid approach to project management and development made for an overall enjoyable experience.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the Vice President of Product at Runzheimer, overseeing all our mobile platform experience, including apps as well as all of our partner integration initiatives. We are an enterprise mobility company focused on fair and accurate mileage reimbursement for business use of personal vehicles.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Red Foundry?

We wanted to create a platform from which we could distribute mileage capture to anyone who needed it as part of their business routine, be it consumer oriented or business-to-business. The aim of our overall system is to provide IRS compliant mileage logging and reimbursement all within mobile apps. Although we have had mobile apps themselves for about ten years, we needed the expertise of Red Foundry to build a software development kit (SDK) from our existing versions because our in-house team did not have that skillset.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The apps themselves are built on Xamarin, which is a C# base code, and we brought in Red Foundry to build the SDK in C# so that it would be distributable to any mobile platform. Once we had the SDK, the plan was to sell that product to third parties who wanted to embed our mileage capture functionality within their own native app experiences. The customer would then able to capture and classify the miles they drive, including using the mobile device’s GPS to allow accurate data collection and reimbursement within the app.

Red Foundry provided us with both iOS and Android developers, and they built and designed the SDK from the ground up while modeling it after our existing platform. Our services group also had to be intimately involved because they had to build the backend with which the final system would operate. There were a variety of things that we needed to be able to track through the final SDK, including authentication, reporting, and diagnostics. Having all of those features would allow us to report and bill accurately based on the usage of the platform.

What is the team composition?

At the peak of the project’s development phase, we had about five people from Red Foundry working with our team. However, the collaboration began with three main team members. Rob Brandt (Partner, Red Foundry) filled the equivalent of my role on their side, helping us from a product and overall business standpoint. Then Ron Franczyk (Partner & CTO, Red Foundry) took charge of our iOS architecture, and we had a third person working on Android. Once the project ramped up to speed, they added one more developer for each platform.

How did you come to work with Red Foundry?

I had worked with Rob at a previous company and we had kept in touch over the years. When he took over as the CEO of Red Foundry, the opportunity presented itself to have them be in contention for this role. We took them through a hiring process, including interviewing multiple other companies, but it was clear when I talked to Rob and after we reviewed their credentials that they were the right fit for our needs.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked with them from December of 2016 through May of 2017. Although the SDK has not been released due to extenuating circumstances unrelated to Red Foundry, the engagement has concluded.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Unfortunately, due to other in-company factors, we have not yet installed the SDK in a production environment. We have been able to get the SDK approved in the app stores, although it is not currently being made available to third party developers. The long-term plan is still to roll it out, but there is no specific timeline on that yet. As such, we do not have any user or marketplace feedback or metrics about the impact of their work, other than that we have been very satisfied internally with what they have delivered. Building a mileage capture experience is tricky, particularly because working with GPS on either iOS and Android comes with a certain set of pitfalls, but they did a great job.

How did Red Foundry perform from a project management standpoint?

Rob is a great leader and a smart product guy, and Ron is awesome. They did a fantastic job of raising risk with us when it happened, and having them be an Agile shop just like our team was very welcome. Rob did an excellent job of leading the daily stand-up and doing the longer-term planning. There was a lot of collaboration inherent to this project, which added another layer of complexity to the work. In addition to their team, we had developers on our side working on fleshing out the SDK, as well as the services group who built the backend. Their project manager was top notch and they did a good job of coordinating across the fence.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The scope of their estimation in regards to deadlines was incredibly accurate, and as someone who has over 25 years of experience in development, I know that is no simple task. They did what they said they would in the time that they predicted, and they completed it at the cost for which they quoted us in the initial statement of work. This was greatly appreciated from a partner perspective because it created a lot of credibility and trust on both sides. They were also good at understanding the problem that we were trying to solve with the SDK, and are simply great developers.

Red Foundry is made up of smart and honest people who were upfront if and when they ran into problems, rather than hide behind smoke and mirrors. We would have a discussion, make a decision regarding a solution, and then move on. They also brought a lot of great thought leadership to the project, which was exactly what we wanted in a partner. We initially had plans to continue to use them, but because of outside factors, that did not work out. I have a lot of respect for what they do and the work they deliver, and they built a great product for us.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I needed to push them a little on providing a weekly status on how we were running against their financial spend, but eventually they got into the habit of doing so. We did need to have some tougher conversations towards the end regarding sticking to the promised deadlines, and they took responsibility right away. To make up for a bit of friction in that area, they added a couple of features for us pro bono.

4.5
Overall Score It was a great experience and I loved working with them.
  • 4.5 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    They executed their plan on time and within budget.
  • 4.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    They did great work, but were a little on the pricier side.
  • 4.5 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    They delivered a high quality end product.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    I have already referred them to multiple people.

Mobile App Development for Wound Care Company

“They knew exactly what to do in order to provide a solution.”

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
Confidential
 
Jan. 2013 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

Red Foundry designed and developed an app for Android and iOS from scratch using their proprietary Fusion Studio technology. The app allows content to be accessed offline. 

The Reviewer
 
1,001 - 10,000 Employees
Digital Marketing Manager, Wound Care Company
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

The app receives quantifiable use by clinicians, evidencing its effectiveness and helpfulness. With strong expertise in their field and their accommodating and cooperative service, they execute the process perfectly, winning an ongoing partnership as the app’s market reach grows.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I work for a global company specializing in healing wounds. We have a range of products from pressure wound therapy to advanced wound dressings.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Red Foundry?

We wanted to build an app that clinicians could use within hospitals. Based on a survey we ran, we found that they were having problems with how to apply dress wounds and what dressings or solutions they needed to use. We found that an app would be a good tool that could serve as a reminder for the clinicians.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Red Foundry built our app from scratch. We’re quite particular when it comes to how menus and other elements need to look. They came up with the overall design of the app based on our brand guidelines and basic wireframes. The app has a section for selecting dressings, which they designed and implemented.

The project initially started for a localized market that used Android heavily. We received interest from another region and needed to build an iOS version as well. Red Foundry used their proprietary Fusion Studio technology for the development of the app. Once a template was built on it, we could edit sections of it using a CMS.

One problem we were facing was accessing the apps offline. Hospitals have a lot of restrictions on Internet use so our users needed to have the freedom to use the tool even without wireless access. Red Foundry came up with the solution of having a download system for internal packages.

What is the team composition?

They assigned a dedicated account manager and a developer to our project.

How did you come to work with Red Foundry?

We have to go through a rigorous process for selecting the agencies we deal with. I started with 20 companies and whittled them down to five. Red Foundry fit the bill, and they knew what they were talking about. They provided a reasonable price.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with Red Foundry in January 2013 and have an ongoing partnership. Since then, we’ve entered seven market locations and are preparing to launch to an additional two.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The app is heavily used in our main markets. Because it’s proven to be such a valuable solution for us, we’re revamping and updating some of its content.

How did Red Foundry perform from a project management standpoint?

We have initial meetings where I provide full briefs of what I need, but we haven’t used any project management software as preference. Red Foundry has been flexible and helpful in this sense.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Red Foundry proved to be technically minded. They knew exactly what to do in order to provide a solution. This is the best part about them and it’s why I’ve kept the relationship going. Red Foundry provides very good value.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No. We have a good working relationship.

5.0
Overall Score Finding this level of service is difficult.
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    They organized meetings and stuck to the timelines.
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    Compared to what’s out there, Red Foundry has a reasonable cost. They’ve given us very competitive rates.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    Every time we requested an update from them, they were clear and provided good solutions.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    I’ve referred them already to a colleague looking for an alternative agency.

Mobile App Development for Healthcare Marketing Agency

"The code is very good. There’s been very few bugs and we haven't had to re-release the app."

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4.0

Quality: 
4.5
Schedule: 
4.0
Cost: 
3.5
Willing to refer: 
4.0
The Project
 
$50,000 to $199,999
 
Dec. 2016 - Dec. 2017
Project summary: 

Using Swift and Java, respectively, Red Foundry developed an iOS and Android app to help diagnose and treat a disease. E-commerce and location-based healthcare provider information round out the solution.

The Reviewer
 
11-50 Employees
 
Chicago, Illinois
Director of Digital Solutions, Healthcare Marketing Agency
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

The app has been virtually bug free due to the stellar work of Red Foundry. While the lack of a dedicated project manager was felt, the team was very responsive and met all deadlines. Final price was much higher than the initial estimate but they delivered a high-quality product.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the director of digital solutions for a pharmaceutical advertising and marketing company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Red Foundry?

We had an idea for a mobile application and were looking for a vendor to build it for us.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The app is primarily geared toward those treating patients. Its features include a shopping cart, the ability to find a nearby healthcare provider, and general information about how to diagnose and treat a specific disease. It also allows the user to tag how many times they screened for or diagnosed the disease.

We did all the creative work—assets, storyboard, and design—in house. They advised us on how to build the app, tips and tricks on how to code it correctly, and some functions that we hadn’t considered.

Red Foundry did all of the coding. They used Swift for the iOS app and Java for the Android version. Because there were some significant budget constraints near the end of the project, we tested the app internally.

What is the team composition?  

There were 4–5 people working on the app.

How did you come to work with Red Foundry?

This was a bidding process. We compared portfolios of several companies, but they had the lowest bid.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent around $120,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in December of 2016 and the work was completed in December of 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’re just getting the app out there and building awareness right now so it's tough to talk numbers. The code is very good. There’s been very few bugs and we haven't had to re-release the app. So in theory that's a good predictor of future performance.

How did Red Foundry perform from a project management standpoint?

It was pretty lackluster due to not having a dedicated project manager. I don't know how the project management portion was determined, however, so it could have been partially our idea to keep the cost down.

They did pretty well in terms of meeting deadlines and communication. At times other clients' work took precedence but they were still responsive and able to get back to us within a couple of days.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The Red Foundry team was very friendly and easy to work with. They are extremely knowledgeable about coding and app platforms.

Are there any areas they could improve?

We felt that the work they delivered was pretty close to the initial scope, but they billed us at nearly double the initial estimate. That felt like a bit of a bait and switch tactic.

4.0
Overall Score
  • 4.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    They did a good job of meeting deadlines.
  • 3.5 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    The price was relatively high, but you’re paying for quality.
  • 4.5 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    They delivered a good quality product.
  • 4.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    Keep in mind the price could vary dramatically.

Mobile App Development for Photography App

"I appreciated their willingness to explain how things work."

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$50,000 to $199,999
 
Sept. 2016 - July 2017
Project summary: 

Red Foundry developed wireframes and then built iOS and Android native apps that enable people to request a photographer on demand. They explained the steps and guided the process from start to finish.

The Reviewer
 
1-10 Employees
 
Chicago, Illinois
Luis Almaraz
CEO, Fautus
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

The app was launched to test the market's reaction to on-demand photography, while version 2 will reflect the customer feedback. Willing to invest their time and work extra hours, they delivered the product that meets 95% of the expectations and earned trust from the client. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the CEO of Fautus, a company that has developed a mobile application targeting photography.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Red Foundry?

We had an idea for a mobile app, but I don't have any background in app development (I'm a lawyer). We started looking for a company to develop this app from scratch for us. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They took their time to explain the whole process of developing a mobile application – unlike other developers, who wanted to give me only a few minutes of their time. Many people don't realize how much is required to develop an app from scratch, so we went through all the steps – from the first stages to developing and coding. They developed all the wireframes and then built the app that allows users to request a photographer on demand. Users can open the application, look at the map, and find photographers within a one mile radius. Then they request a photographer on demand.

We currently have about 300 photographers in Chicago and one of them will arrive in an instant to your location if you're within one mile. If you're in downtown Chicago, for example, you have plenty of photographers to choose from. The photographers use their own DSLR cameras and give you high-quality pictures a few seconds after they take them – photos appear instantly in the user's own mobile phone. Since users have immediate access to the photos, they can post them on social media.

They developed iOS and Android native apps, and we launched both of them at the same time.

What is the team composition?

We worked with 7–8 people, including designers and developers.

How did you come to work with them?

I interviewed many mobile developers in Chicago, and Red Foundry appeared to be the most knowledgeable and friendly towards our idea.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent about $180,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked with them in September 2016–July 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We launched the app in July 2017 to test the market and see how the market will react to on-demand photography and how many photographers are available to register and be on demand for users. The application is working, but we're still testing it – it's our MVP [Minimal Viable Product]. We're getting more funding and launching version 2, which will include the feedback from our users. Overall, at this point we got about 95% of what we were expecting.

How did they perform from a project management standpoint? 

They were very organized and worked overtime. They made the process easy to understand, so I can focus on managing the company and not the IT part. We used Bug Tower as a collaboration tool. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

I appreciated their willingness to explain how things work.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, everything went very smoothly.

5.0
Overall Score
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    They met all of the deadlines.
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    They offered the best value compared to many other quotes I got.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    They deliver on time.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    I've already referred them to some friends and colleagues.
Verification

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Verification Level
Gold
VERIFIED
Business Entity
Status
Active
Jurisdiction of Formation
Illinois
ID
06517862
Date of Formation
Sep 20, 2017
Source
Office of the Illinois Secretary of State
Last Updated
Jan 19, 2019
Payment & Legal Filings
Bankruptcy
No
Tax Lien Filings
0
Judgement Filings
0
Collections Count
0
Source
Experian
Full Business Credit Report
Last Updated
Dec 24, 2018
Client Reviews
VERIFIED CLIENT REVIEWS
16
OVERALL REVIEW RATING
4.8
Source
Clutch
LAST UPDATED
May 22, 2019