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.
Min project size
$50,000+
Hourly rate
$150 - $199 / hr
Employees
10 - 49
Locations
Chicago, IL
Year founded
Founded 2009
Languages
Timezones
1 Language that we service
English
1 Timezone that we service
CST
Central Standard Time (CST)
1 Locations
Chicago , IL
No have been added yet...
Pricing Snapshot
Min. project size
$50,000+
Avg. hourly rate
$150 - $199
/hr
Rating for cost
4.7
/5
What Clients Have Said
Red Foundry offers competitive pricing and good value for cost, with projects ranging from $10,000 to over $400,000. Clients appreciate their responsiveness, project management, and ability to deliver on time within budget, though some noted occasional budget overruns and communication issues.
Red Foundry consistently delivers high-quality products that meet or exceed client expectations. Their ability to produce bug-free, functional apps that enhance user experience is frequently mentioned in reviews.
Room for Improvement in Cost Estimation
Some clients noted discrepancies between initial cost estimates and final project costs, suggesting a need for improved cost estimation and transparency. This has led to some dissatisfaction despite the delivery of quality work.
Support for Complex and Innovative Projects
Red Foundry has successfully supported clients with complex projects, including those requiring innovative solutions like offline functionality and multi-language support. Their ability to tackle challenging requirements is valued by clients.
Positive Client Relationships and Communication
Clients appreciate Red Foundry's open and clear communication style. They are described as friendly, professional, and easy to work with, often going above and beyond to meet client expectations.
Effective Project Management
Clients commend Red Foundry's project management skills, highlighting their ability to deliver on time and within budget. Their use of agile methodologies and effective communication through platforms like Jira and Slack are appreciated by clients.
Strong Industry Expertise and Technical Knowledge
Red Foundry has been praised for their technical expertise, particularly in mobile app development. Clients from various industries, including healthcare, education, and beverage, appreciate their ability to deliver high-quality apps with complex functionalities like geo-location and API integrations.
Application Management & SupportApplication TestingMobile App Development
$50,000 to $199,999
Oct. 2018 - Ongoing
5.0
Quality
5.0
Schedule
5.0
Cost
5.0
Willing to Refer
5.0
“They brought an incredible level of creativity to a complicated issue.”
Mar 27, 2020
CEO & Founder, RacketStats, LLC
Andy Durham
Retail
Lakeland, Florida
1-10 Employees
Phone Interview
Verified
Red Foundry created and iOS an Android app emulating an existing but outdated tennis statistics platform that allows players of all experience levels to track and monitor their progress.
Building upon a general concept with technical expertise and creative knowledge, the team produced a well-designed solution that boasts a simple UX. They were quick to communicate and make any necessary modifications to the platform. The client is confident in the usability of the deliverables.
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this
client over the phone. Below is an edited
transcript.
BACKGROUND
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I’m the manager of a startup that’s created an app that allows tennis plays to gather stats.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
What challenge were you trying to address with Red Foundry?
As a professional tennis player back in the 1980s, there was a man that designed a laptop to gather statistics. Prior to building my product, there wasn’t anything in the market that was intuitive and easy to use. I thought of that old system and wanted to create a modern product that emulated its capabilities.
SOLUTION
What was the scope of their involvement?
One of the problems in tennis is that there aren’t statistics easily available to the average player. With baseball, kids can track their progress through statistics. Tennis is historically more subjective, and people don’t know what the statistics should be. This app will open us a foundation for all tennis players around the world.
I drew up some initial plans that indicated how screens would look and various statistics that should be included. My goal was to create an app that a beginner could use with no knowledge of tennis. Gradually, we sorted our priorities out through their development department. It was an educational journey for me, and they guided me through it. The final app allows users to collect tennis statistics in the same way that they could have using the previous machinery. However, users no longer had to pay for expensive machinery or follow complicated steps.
The final app is available for iOS and Android. While its UX is simple, there is a beginner app and one that’s more sophisticated. The first app provides about 11 statistics, while the advanced product offers about 30.
What is the team composition?
I’ve worked with Rich (Partner), Ron (Partner & CTO), Kerry (Co-Founder), and Dianna (Junior Application Developer).
How did you come to work with Red Foundry?
I sent 52 letters to development shops around the United States. Once I spoke with Red Foundry, I discovered that their president happens to be in a tennis family. From that moment, we really hit it off. We decided that we wanted to revive the old system of gathering tennis stats, so we got permission from the creator of that product and got started.
How much have you invested with them?
We spent between $100,000–$250,000 on their services.
What is the status of this engagement?
We started working together in October 2018, and our relationship is ongoing. The app is waiting for approval at the moment.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
They took a complicated concept and made it work within the boundaries of a smartphone app. At every step of the process, they were eager to make the product even simpler than it was before. They often made great suggestions to do that. I gave them the concept, but they truly perfected it.
How did Red Foundry perform from a project management standpoint?
They were thorough in their presentations, always leaving time to answer our questions. Their team was timely and completed tasks according to schedule. We’ve been on target each week for over a year.
What did you find most impressive about them?
They brought an incredible level of creativity to a complicated issue. It was quite a feat to make such a complex piece of technology as simple as possible for the final user.
Are there any areas they could improve?
I couldn’t have picked a better partner. When aspects need to be changed in the testing stage, they fixed issues within hours.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
Bring a strong concept into your initial discussions. They asked helpful questions and created a strong UX. I fully intend to continue our contract into the future because they’ve been so helpful to my business.
RATINGS
5.0
"They’ve been outstanding."
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
Schedule
5.0
On time / deadlines
Cost
5.0
Value / within estimates
"When there was a hiccup in fundraising, they accepted delayed payment."
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
"I’d definitely recommend them.
Salesforce Community Migration for Winery & Restaurant
Mobile App DevelopmentWeb Development
Confidential
Oct. 2019 - Ongoing
5.0
Quality
4.5
Schedule
5.0
Cost
5.0
Willing to Refer
5.0
"They moved quickly to address any changes that we wanted, which helped us to move forward."
Mar 10, 2020
Sr. Dir. Enterprise Applications, Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant
Lamar Heller
Food & Beverages
Downers Grove, Illinois
1,001-5,000 Employees
Phone Interview
Verified
Red Foundry migrated an app from Salesforce Community to React to enable mobile development for a winery and restaurant. They duplicated the structure and built features including external authentication.
Red Foundry delivered a streamlined platform that not only increased engagement and supported significant cost-savings but also facilitates the achievement of business goals. The team adapted to project changes to maintain the timeline and budget. They were engaged, enabling continued partnership.
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this
client over the phone. Below is an edited
transcript.
BACKGROUND
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I’m the senior director of enterprise applications for Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurant.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
What challenge were you trying to address with Red Foundry?
We have an external-facing application for our wine club members. We have the world’s largest wine club membership with about 450,000 members. We wanted to move our application from Salesforce Community to React because we plan to create a mobile app in the near future.
SOLUTION
What was the scope of their involvement?
Red Foundry managed the entire project including design and development. Their team all of the code. They analyzed the existing system and then worked with a small internal team to replicate it. Their team also implemented process improvements such as mobile responsiveness. They also built an external authentication component into the frontend to verify our wine club members, which used to occur through Salesforce Community.
They built the website for wine club members to self-service. For example, users can sign-up, update profile information, view their orders and order history. It’s also our loyalty platform, so members can see the number of points they earned.
After rolling out the platform, Red Foundry provided additional enhancements. They continue to maintain the platform, helping us to fix bugs and make minor enhancements. In the next 2–3 months, we’ll probably kick-off the mobile development project.
What is the team composition?
We worked with approximately four people from Red Foundry including a project manager and an architect.
How did you come to work with Red Foundry?
As I’m involved in our local tech community, I’ve known one of Red Foundry’s founders for a while. When we wanted to create an RFP, we included them in the process. Their team came in and had a conversation with us. Then, they bid on the project. They came in with reasonable pricing and seemed to be able to meet our needs. We felt that Red Foundry would be a good partner.
What is the status of this engagement?
Their team started working on the project in October 2019 and completed the initial phase in January 2020. We’re now in phase two of the project. Then, we’ll continue with a flexible statement of work with Red Foundry.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
We rolled out the platform quickly. Based on the rollout cost, we saved over 200%. As well, this project will cost 10% of our previous application over a three-year period. Red Foundry built a platform that reduces the cost and effort for us to move to a mobile app. The platform also provides a better customer experience. It loads faster and is more mobile responsive. We’ve found that more people use the product and come back to it.
How did Red Foundry perform from a project management standpoint?
We held conference calls three times a week. If we had to dig into a task, we set up an additional call. I stayed connected with an executive from Red Foundry through bi-weekly calls. As well, everyone who worked on the project received a weekly status report.
Red Foundry set up a good process to work with my team. Their team was flexible and used our control repository. They utilized a website that we use internally to track requirements and tasks. Their team communicated progress and escalated any concerns quickly. A member of my team managed the project but if Red Foundry needed to, they escalated quickly. That allowed us to deliver on time and within the budget.
What did you find most impressive about them?
Red Foundry fits well into our culture, which is collaborative, open, and people-focused. Their team worked with our preferred tools and met with members of our team to ensure that we were comfortable with the project’s direction. They moved quickly to address any changes that we wanted, which helped us to move forward.
Are there any areas they could improve?
At this point, I don’t have any constructive criticism. Our requirements weren’t as clearly defined upfront, which led to changes throughout the process. The product’s complex, so it was impressive that their team completed the project in three months.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
With any project, make sure to define the requirements upfront. Understand Red Foundry’s strengths and what technologies they use. However, their team jumps into any technologies enthusiastically.
RATINGS
5.0
"Their team did a good job. They onboarded quickly, met all timelines, and rolled out the product within the timeframe that we needed."
Quality
4.5
Service & Deliverables
"We moved fast, so we didn’t have requirements well-defined upfront. Their team could’ve asked more questions and pushed harder."
Schedule
5.0
On time / deadlines
Cost
5.0
Value / within estimates
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
Web Dev & Optimization for Construction Marketplace
Web Development
$50,000 to $199,999
Mar. 2019 - Ongoing
5.0
Quality
5.0
Schedule
5.0
Cost
4.5
Willing to Refer
5.0
“They look out for what’s best for our business.”
Sep 27, 2019
Co-Founder, Gearflow.com
Ben Preston
Construction
Chicago, Illinois
1-10 Employees
Phone Interview
Verified
Red Foundry is helping a construction marketplace bring their development efforts and tech stack management in-house by optimizing the site’s backend. They continue to build new functionalities.
Red Foundry’s efforts have improved the user experience and helped internal stakeholders take ownership of the entire tech stack, ultimately resulting in increased orders and boosted revenue. Flexible, accommodating, and transparent, the team works with external resources to scale development.
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this
client over the phone. Below is an edited
transcript.
BACKGROUND
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I’m the co-founder of Gearflow.com, an online marketplace for construction equipment and parts as well as wholesale rentals.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
What challenge were you trying to address with Red Foundry?
We just launched in October 2018. An outsourced company had built our MVP using a LAMP stack, primarily PHP. We hired Red Foundry to serve as a fractional CTO and create a more scalable environment. We needed to develop and streamline our site’s backend so that we could transition to an in-house team here in Chicago.
SOLUTION
What was the scope of their involvement?
The first phase was to scope out all of the things that we needed to develop on the site’s backend and what we needed to optimize to get us to a scalable environment. Red Foundry overhauled a lot of the backend, which took about 3–4 months.
Since then, Red Foundry has rebuilt and optimized various functionalities on a project-by-project basis. They work on a lot of things simultaneously. The team helped us develop a hybrid Android app, but the majority of their work has been web-based. They migrated our platform to AWS and continue to deploy various AWS tools.
What is the team composition?
We primarily work with Ron (Partner & CTO, Red Foundry) and Kerri (VP of Client Delivery, Red Foundry). Ron road mapped the first phase of our work together. Kerri serves as the project manager and keeps everything organized. Several developers have worked on our project, following Ron’s roadmap and Kerri’s direction.
How did you come to work with Red Foundry?
My company needed to bridge the gap between outsourcing development and creating an in-house team, so we did some due diligence of different firms in the Chicago area that could fill this fractional CTO role.
We came across Red Foundry through a referral who’d worked with them on a mobile project, and we chose them because they were willing to work with our existing technology stack and environment. My company initially hired Red Foundry for mobile development, but the engagement transformed as our needs changed.
How much have you invested with them?
At this point, we’ve likely surpassed $100,000.
What is the status of this engagement?
Our work together began in March 2019, and it’s ongoing.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
Red Foundry fulfills a critical role. They’re helping us take ownership of our whole tech stack. They’ve been flexible to working with external resources to scale development, even though this means less billable hours for them. They look out for what’s best for our business.
The work that they’ve done has allowed us to see regular incoming orders. We continue to improve the site’s experience from optimization, speed, and functionality standpoints. Having ownership over everything translates to increased revenue, and we’re at the point where we can start thinking about additional resources to continue building our business.
How did Red Foundry perform from a project management standpoint?
Red Foundry does product management via Jira, where they’ve given us access to our project’s workspace. We trust what they’re doing, but having full transparency into their progress across different sprints has been super helpful.
They make themselves available for calls and meetings with my team as well as external resources. We primarily communicate through the Slack channel that they set up. Everything flows through Ron and Kerri. Ron even comes to whiteboarding sessions with our UI/UX designer.
What did you find most impressive about them?
Red Foundry is really flexible to our needs, and they’ve been an awesome partner. They’ve taken it upon themselves to garner a good understanding of our business, industry, and customers. Even if it means less billable hours for them, they’re willing to work with us in order to create a long-term partnership. We value this a lot since many contracting companies out there use the consulting model of billable hours in a way that can be contradictory to business needs.
I’ve also been impressed by their ability to adapt to our business. For instance, my partner and I like to move very quickly, and they’ve adjusted the way their work to what we need.
Are there any areas they could improve?
They could be more transparent about whether they’re resource-constrained or not. Also, their team members have different rates; we’d appreciate flexibility as to what resources we can use, since we need some more than others. For the most part, though, they’ve been good. They understand that we can’t 100% rely on them; otherwise, we wouldn’t be able to sustain ourselves.
Any advice for potential customers?
Make sure you have the financial resources to hire them since you’re paying a premium for value. Red Foundry is tech-focused, meaning they’re more conservative and risk-averse than your typical entrepreneur. If you want to move faster, you’ll have to manage to find a happy medium between risk aversion and delivery speed.
Also, communication should come from one direction; if you have multiple people from your organization contacting them, communication will become scattered and fragmented, which will slow the whole process down.
RATINGS
5.0
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
Schedule
5.0
On time / deadlines
Cost
4.5
Value / within estimates
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
App Dev for Wine Startup
Mobile App Development
Confidential
Jan. 2015 - Ongoing
5.0
Quality
5.0
Schedule
5.0
Cost
5.0
Willing to Refer
5.0
"Red Foundry came through for us really well."
Aug 6, 2019
Director of Digital Product, Wine Startup
Anonymous
Food & Beverages
Massachusetts, United States
1-10 Employees
Phone Interview
Verified
After building the first version of an order management app for iPads, Red Foundry delivered a second version on iOS and Android. They added several new features to manage users and their information.
The redesigned app better accommodates a complex ordering system, fostering an improved user experience. Red Foundry excels at managing expectations by expediting delivery and remaining flexible. Experts at app development, Red Foundry provides useful feedback and sets realistic goals.
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this
client over the phone. Below is an edited
transcript.
BACKGROUND
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I’m the director of digital product at a wine tasting company.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
What challenge were you trying to address with Red Foundry?
We needed to create a mobile app that would allow customers to place orders for in-home wine tastings.
SOLUTION
What was the scope of their involvement?
Red Foundry designed the first version of the order management app, which was just on iOS and primarily for use on an iPad. When we decided to make the app multi-platform, my team provided Red Foundry with wireframes and mockups, and they already had an understanding of how our API worked.
They made the second version of the app for iOS and Android. Their team built out the entire order process. Multiple customers are often involved in one order, so Red Foundry added features that make it possible to manage and add guests. Other features enable users to add products, reward items, various billing and shipping addresses, and different payment methods, including check and credit card.
What is the team composition?
We work with five team members. I work closely with the project manager and one of the developers.
How did you come to work with Red Foundry?
A creative agency we’d worked with on the first version of the app recommended them to me. We’ve maintained a relationship with Red Foundry ever since.
What is the status of this engagement?
We started working with Red Foundry in 2015, and our work is ongoing.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
Red Foundry delivered on a tight timeframe. They were amazing.
How did Red Foundry perform from a project management standpoint?
During development, the developer and project manager were in constant contact with us. They provided updates on the scope of their work.
What did you find most impressive about them?
I was impressed by their flexibility and “roll with it” attitude. My company isn’t the best at planning, so Red Foundry’s effective project management helped us align our ideas with what was realistic in such a tight frame. Their team provided helpful feedback based on their extensive app development experience. Having access to their expertise was useful.
Are there any areas they could improve?
I don't think there is a whole lot that we were disappointed with. Red Foundry came through for us really well.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
Be clear in what you want out of the project, and provide as much detail as possible.
RATINGS
5.0
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
Schedule
5.0
On time / deadlines
Cost
5.0
Value / within estimates
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
Mobile App Feature Dev for Software Company
Mobile App Development
$50,000 to $199,999
Dec. 2018 - Ongoing
4.0
Quality
4.0
Schedule
4.5
Cost
4.5
Willing to Refer
4.0
“Red Foundry’s developers are highly skilled.”
Jun 24, 2019
Manager, Software Company
Anonymous
IT Services
Asheville, North Carolina
11-50 Employees
Phone Interview
Verified
Red Foundry developed the first version of a mobile app’s feature set, including a location-based check-in feature with push notification capabilities. They provide ongoing maintenance and support.
Internal stakeholders are optimistic that the app will generate new users. Although Red Foundry went over budget and had a few build issues, they delivered a technically complex feature set that will significantly improve documentation accuracy. Customers can expect cost-effective, timely services.
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this
client over the phone. Below is an edited
transcript.
BACKGROUND
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I’m a manager at a software company. We provide a nonprofit management platform for volunteer recruitment, engagement, and management.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
What challenge were you trying to address with Red Foundry?
My company wanted to offer location services that weren’t compatible with our web app, so we needed to develop a mobile app. We also wanted to create a notification system so we could stop communicating with our users via email. We did our own discovery phase, during which we interviewed prospective and current clients.
We hired Red Foundry to help us develop our mobile app’s feature set while adhering to our strict budget.
SOLUTION
What was the scope of their involvement?
Red Foundry considered our feature set and made some changes, proposing the features they thought should be in the first version of the cross-platform app. They also distinguished which features we should wait to implement until the app’s second version, based on our budget.
Red Foundry built a location-based check-in feature, so that when a volunteer is within a certain radius of where they’re signed up to volunteer, the app pushes a notification to their phone asking if they’d like to check in to their shift. Red Foundry used a library to help them develop the location services.
Red Foundry provides ongoing support. Since going live, they’ve helped resolve bugs and other issues. We expect to continue working with them on the app’s second phase of features.
What is the team composition?
We primarily work with Rich (Partner, Red Foundry), Rob (Partner, Red Foundry), Ron (Partner and CTO, Red Foundry), George (Senior Mobile Developer, Red Foundry), and Kerri (VP Client Delivery, Red Foundry).
How did you come to work with Red Foundry?
We found Red Foundry on Clutch.co and approached them with the feature set that we wanted to develop.
How much have you invested with them?
My company has spent about $70,000.
What is the status of this engagement?
Our work together began in 2018, and it is ongoing.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
Red Foundry’s check-in feature documents the hours that volunteers are serving. This is the single most important thing we can do for the agencies that we work with, since accurate documentation makes it easier for agencies to apply for grants and know their schedule. The feature is expected to increase the accuracy of the hours that are documented through our software.
We’re still pursuing marketing, but we’ve seen an increase in mobile app users. For instance, last Friday, we put a small pop-up on our web app informing users about the mobile app, and our numbers doubled over the weekend. We’re approaching six-hundred users, and we expect that number to continue increasing.
How did Red Foundry perform from a project management standpoint?
Early on, they did a good job communicating the process and letting us know what the sprints would be like, how long they’d take, and how they’d conform to their project plan.
At one point in the build process, we inquired about Red Foundry’s hours. We discovered that they were over-budget and had spent more time on certain tasks than they’d anticipated. Once we uncovered this issue, we identified a few ways to offset some of the costs, such as tweaking features and taking on testing ourselves rather than having Red Foundry do it. We accepted a small increase in budget, and Red Foundry ate some of the costs. After that, communication improved.
What did you find most impressive about them?
Red Foundry’s developers are highly skilled.
Are there any areas they could improve?
They ultimately did a good job, although sometimes communication faltered, and we encountered bugs. We also had an issue with location services working differently on Android versions 7 and 8. The library that Red Foundry used to develop the location services was only compatible with Android 7, so we continue to have an issue with our features on Android 8 and above. Red Foundry could’ve done a better job selecting the library they used or letting us know upfront that this would be a problem.
I should mention that the development work they did is considered quite complex. The fact that they completed a feature that sends push notifications based on a user’s geo-location is technically advanced.
RATINGS
4.0
"We went a big percentage over budget. They went out of their way to eat some of the cost, but it wasn’t as smooth as it could’ve been."
Quality
4.0
Service & Deliverables
"We’ve had some issues with the API. Some of their deliverables haven’t been formatted incorrectly."
Schedule
4.5
On time / deadlines
"They are very good with scheduling. They’ve always communicated when they can’t meet a deadline."
Cost
4.5
Value / within estimates
"They provide a fair value in the marketplace. Even though we’ve gone over budget, the costs are still competitive."
Willing to Refer
4.0
NPS
Business Card MVP for Public Safety Company
Mobile App Development
$10,000 to $49,999
Dec. 2018 - Mar. 2019
5.0
Quality
5.0
Schedule
5.0
Cost
4.5
Willing to Refer
5.0
"They were true to their word, proactive, flexible, and collaborative."
May 22, 2019
Director, Exploratory Innovation and Experience Design, UL LLC
Luis Serpa Andrade
Nonprofit
Northbrook, Illinois
10,001+ Employees
Online Review
Verified
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 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.
The client submitted this review online.
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.
RATINGS
5.0
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
Schedule
5.0
On time / deadlines
Cost
4.5
Value / within estimates
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
Dev for a Web-Based B2B Transaction Platform
Custom Software Development
$10,000 to $49,999
June 2018 - Feb. 2019
5.0
Quality
5.0
Schedule
4.0
Cost
5.0
Willing to Refer
5.0
"It was refreshing to work with a personable team that communicated easily and had clear technical expertise."
Feb 18, 2019
Founder, B2B Transaction Platform
Anonymous
Information technology
Massachusetts, United States
1-10 Employees
Online Review
Verified
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 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.
The client submitted this review online.
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.
RATINGS
5.0
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
Schedule
4.0
On time / deadlines
Cost
5.0
Value / within estimates
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
Assessment and Code Review for App
Other IT Consulting and SI
Less than $10,000
May - Jan. 2018
5.0
Quality
5.0
Schedule
5.0
Cost
5.0
Willing to Refer
5.0
"They were extremely easy to work with."
Sep 5, 2018
CEO, OniT App Inc.
Anonymous
Utilities
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
1-10 Employees
Online Review
Verified
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.
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.
The client submitted this review online.
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.
RATINGS
5.0
"Red Foundry is an amazing company."
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
"Red Foundry is extremely professional."
Schedule
5.0
On time / deadlines
"They were very accommodating when it came to scheduling."
Cost
5.0
Value / within estimates
"Their price is very fair and their work is of high value."
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
"I highly recommend them.
Mobile App Development for Local News Channel
Mobile App Development
$10,000 to $49,999
Oct. 2014 - Sep. 2017
4.5
Quality
5.0
Schedule
4.5
Cost
5.0
Willing to Refer
5.0
“The app received positive reviews across the board, with an average rating of 4.5 stars in app stores.”
Feb 14, 2018
Digital Assets Manager, KTVA News
Jason Sear
Media
Anchorage, Alaska
11-50 Employees
Phone Interview
Verified
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).
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.
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this
client over the phone. Below is an edited
transcript.
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.
RATINGS
4.5
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
"We didn't have any major issues with the app."
Schedule
4.5
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."
Cost
5.0
Value / within estimates
"I'd say their rates are fair."
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
"We had a few minor hiccups along the way, but we were satisfied with the app overall.
Mobile App Development for Direct Sales Company
Mobile App Development
$50,000 to $199,999
Jan. 2016 - Ongoing
5.0
Quality
5.0
Schedule
5.0
Cost
4.0
Willing to Refer
5.0
“The investment has been worth the result.”
Feb 6, 2018
CTO, Direct Sales Company
Anonymous
Consumer Products
Ipswich, Massachusetts
5,001-10,000 Employees
Phone Interview
Verified
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 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.
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this
client over the phone. Below is an edited
transcript.
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.
RATINGS
5.0
"Overall, we are very happy with them."
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
Schedule
5.0
On time / deadlines
"We haven’t missed a single deadline with them. They’ve accomplished what we both agreed on."
Cost
4.0
Value / within estimates
"It always costs more than you think."
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
"I would refer them if someone asked me.
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