Retrocube

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a partner at a ride-share startup called Swift Chicks LLC. We’re trying to compete with Uber and Lyft by offering a service that is only for female passengers and female drivers.

What challenge were you trying to address with Retrocube?

We first reached out to Retrocube because we needed help designing our app, as well as our website and landing pages.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Retrocube delivered the two interfaces of the application—the driver view and the passenger view. The team started from a documented workflow that was tied to another product that we wanted to mimic. That ended up becoming the original contract and scope of work.

The team also provided a database that helps us store and manage crucial information about drivers. We also now have a website that describes our services, including the fares that we charge, and has a link to download the app. Users can choose to get either the driver or the passenger view on Android or iOS.

Retrocube also set up our infrastructure on AWS and walked us through how to use it. They set up every additional service—all we had to do was create a payment account through Stripe. We’re signed up for monthly service through AWS, GoDaddy, and Google Developer Services. 

What is the team composition?

There were two individuals that I dealt with directly on a regular basis—John (Business Application Consultant, Retrocube) and Matty (Assistant Vice President, Retrocube). I didn’t communicate directly with the developers.

How did you come to work with Retrocube?

We were struggling to find a partner that fit our price range, and, through probing the Internet, we eventually stumbled upon Retrocube. We weren’t sure at first if we were going to go through with the project, but their price was so competitive that we decided to move forward with them.

How much have you invested with them?

It’s a $17,000 project.

What is the status of this engagement?

We reached out to them in December 2018, and, if I’m not mistaken, we deployed the first week of November 2019. We’re still doing a bit of fine-tuning, specifically with verbiage on the website, but the product is complete. 

We’re still within their three-month support window; I just recently submitted edits for a feature of our admin console. It’s mostly administrative work on our end that we’re still doing.

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

Especially at the beginning stages, the work that Retrocube delivered exceeded our expectations. We’ve added more features than were on our original scope, and that led to some glitches during the middle stages of the process, but now we’re very pleased with what we have. Part of that struggle in the middle was due to our lack of clarity about what we needed.

In comparison to other apps, as far as optics go, we’re in a much better place than our competitors. The functionality is still lacking in some areas, but we’ve initiated those conversations with Retrocube. Also, the features that we do have are excellent. Most of the work that’s left is on the administrative side.

I haven’t been able to push the app to its limits yet, particularly with the database, but Retrocube has a plan to continue building out the functionality. They’re also working with a third-party team to resolve certain issues, specifically a bug that we’re dealing with where emails are being sent to spam folders. Despite this falling outside of their abilities, we’re appreciative of how much they’ve been able to accomplish.

How did Retrocube perform from a project management standpoint?

We worked together pretty closely throughout the engagement to make sure they were meeting our needs. Matty was our main point of contact, and he delegated tasks within their team. I feel like I dropped the ball with the initial scope, but once we got on the same page regarding the timeframe, they were able to address issues in a timely manner.

We faced some problems during the beta testing phase, and they were excellent about documenting and following up on each item. Matty would communicate the tasks line by line with the development team. I never received pushback—they always assured me that they could fix the issues that came up.

I also appreciated how, when I reached out via email about timeframes for resolving issues, they were quick to respond. That set them apart.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The responsiveness and the ability to address every issue are the main two. In terms of pricing, we communicated with firms that were planning to charge four or five times as much. We paid significantly less and still go the produced that we described.

Are there any areas they could improve?

The communication was always there, but the phone support could be improved. Certain items can be handled better over the phone, as opposed to multiple emails where people struggle to zero in on the problem. As far as overall support goes, though, I would still give them high marks.

From a customer perspective, especially as we neared deployment, I think we were siding too much to perfection. We could’ve released the app earlier if we hadn’t spent so much time on beta testing. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I’ve had people enquire about Retrocube, and I recommend them to others, but I would advise clients to give the team a clear definition of the product that they want. When it comes to the scope of the work, you need to be able to provide a detailed schedule or timeframe, even down to days and hours.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m an entrepreneur.

What challenge were you trying to address with Retrocube?

I wanted to develop a social media mobile app. What many people don’t realize is that their pets—dogs and cats—don’t actually age seven years to every one human year. In reality, the genetic aging of a pet is a different algorithm altogether, and I thought it would be fun to incorporate that into an app. For instance, a pet ages 15 human years in its first year of life, nine human years its second year, and then, depending on the type of animal and its size, aging will vary anywhere from 3–6 years, sometimes in an oscillating fashion. 

Part of the premise of the app is to figure out a pet’s different birthdays, outside of the regular human calendar year. This creates good bonding opportunities for young children, for example, when a new pet is introduced to a family. We also looked at creating something to find out when you and your pet are at the same age in your respective years.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Retrocube developed our app for iOS and Android. I explained the concept of the app to them and asked them to see what they could do with a crude drawing of the logo I’d done. I worked through those details with my original contact person and Kevin (Project Manager, Retrocube), who was very good at explaining the process. They came back to me with a really sharp, vibrant, and clean logo design.

Their team developed our app for iOS and Android. Kevin outlined the scope of the work, and we had that nailed down by early April. We then talked about the eight different features of the app and how we’d start to address each one. Kevin came up with some picture files to identify each feature. He also gave me access to a photo library, from which I selected a bunch of artwork. I started to provide content to him for each section of the app. Retrocube built out all of the app’s components, fonts, artwork, music files, any kind of renderings, and the algorithm for calculations.

They also created some marketing materials, including an outstanding 2D animation. They gave me about nine narrator voices, which I put out to family and friends to pick the most appealing one. I did a storyboard and a small script, and Retrocube helped refine that. From the script, they came up with a 2D animation screen set of 9–10 static screens. We worked through that process together, and, once we signed off on that, we came up with the moving parts of the animation to tie it all together. 

What is the team composition?

My main point of contact was Kevin. In the background, I’ve seen Alex (Developer, Retrocube). Stephanie (Marketing Executive, Retrocube) handles the development of our Facebook and Instagram accounts.

How did you come to work with Retrocube?

I wasn’t sure how to go about finding an app developer, although I knew I wanted to work with a company, not an individual. When I researched who could develop my idea into a mobile app, Retrocube’s name came up in a couple of different searches, generally in the top three spots.

I sent an email to them, and they got back to me within the same day. When we spoke on the phone, they wanted to hear about my idea, and they agreed to sign a non-disclosure. One of the factors for me was whether this project was going to cost a lot of money. After discussing the scope of the project with Retrocube, they came back to me with a price that was very much within the range of what I considered acceptable. I had no idea they were based out of Dallas, but I didn’t need somebody local; I just needed somebody to get the job done.

How much have you invested with them?

I spent about $30,000 CAD (approximately $22,700 USD). 

What is the status of this engagement?

We signed the contract at the end of March 2019, and by the beginning of April, Kevin and I had signed off on the scope of work. They completed the app in November, and Stephanie’s social media work is ongoing. The app isn’t live yet, but that’s because I’ve been working with the App Store to have the app listed under my company and not myself.

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

The 2D animation they did was absolutely excellent. The app is on Instagram and Facebook, and I’ve gotten good feedback from friends and family. I did a tradeshow in Toronto at the end of November, and I got a good reception there. People like the vibrancy of the colors, and it’s image-rich in many aspects.

How did Retrocube perform from a project management standpoint?

They were top-notch. Kevin was exceptional because he not only kept in contact via email and phone calls; he also provided his personal phone number and made himself quite available. We even texted on weekends. He went above and beyond, and he represented his company extremely well. We established a really good working rapport with Kevin. He was very attentive.

We had a few hiccups with the algorithm, given that it needs to calculate multiple birthdays within one year, and we had a lot of back-and-forths. Since I was so close to the project, I knew what to test against, and I’d send them feedback. They eventually nailed it. Kevin had good persistence in finishing the work, and I really appreciated it.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I’d looked into current design trends, such as bold colors and strong fonts, and Retrocube addressed all of those trends. The app has a nice bold color, strong lettering, and a sharp image. I was really impressed by the logo they delivered.

Retrocube always addressed my concerns and built upon my ideas, which were well-received. For instance, at the beginning of the project, we had to select pictures for different features. Kevin gave me a stock library to choose pictures from, and I told him what I liked. I also told him about a specific idea I had for one section, and he came back with that picture the next day. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

If I had to choose one thing, it was that I wasn’t directly in contact with the development team. I’d speak with Kevin, who would then relay our conversation to them. Because I didn’t speak directly to somebody doing the actual coding work, I have a feeling that some things were missed. We did three rounds, and maybe we could’ve just done two. However, I don’t think that affected the timeline at all.

Any advice for potential customers?

Just do it. My experience has been really good. After they complete development, they offer a month of support to get things going on social media. If you work with Kevin, consider yourself lucky; he’s very attentive.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder and CEO of Trunkit.com, which is a peer-to-peer trunk-sharing app. 

What challenge were you trying to address with Retrocube?

We needed an iOS and Android app developed for us.

What was the scope of their involvement?

We currently have a website that enables travelers to post their trips, allowing users to see have much space they have in their vehicle’s trunk. Users can request for something to be sent with them as they travel. Conversely, people can post items that need to be delivered. Those who are driving can search for those items and opt to transport them.

It’s a comprehensive app that can calculate costs, suggest prices, showcase ratings, and manage tips. They built it for iOS and Android, linking it to our existing web platform. We’re launching the app any day now. 

What is the team composition?

I’ve been working directly with two people from their team.

How did you come to work with Retrocube?

After finding them online, I engaged them with an email. They were very quick to respond to me with a comprehensive quote. Within a few days, they knew everything there was to know about my company, and their price was very flexible. I could tell that they valued my business, so I hired them. 

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent about $25,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

 We started working with them in March 2019, and the engagement is ongoing.

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

We haven’t received much feedback yet. However, those who helped with testing have said that it’s clean and user-friendly so far.  

How did Retrocube perform from a project management standpoint?

We typically communicated through texting and email. They’ve been very engaged with us the entire time. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re engaged communicators. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

Everything has been fine, I can’t think of any problems.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Remain engaged with them with questions throughout the development process. When I was dealing with their sales and project management teammates, they were all very communicative.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the co-founder of a mobile trading platform.

What challenge were you trying to address with Retrocube?

We were looking to develop a mobile app.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Retrocube developed both an iOS and Android version of our app. The app allows users to rent and trade products that are posted within the app with users around the nation. The Retrocube team included key features, such as chatting and mapping features. Their team also built a web app version of the platform.

The Retrocube team is also responsible for design work, marketing, copywriting, and maintenance. We work directly with their designer, who sends us versions for approval. Their team provides us with social media marketing, press releases, and blog help. We provide them with content, which they then push out for us. They also help with our SEO and are currently making fixes for our relaunch.

What is the team composition?

I had two main points of contact at Retrocube, but was in contact with a few others here and there.

How did you come to work with Retrocube?

We found Retrocube by surfing the web. 

How much have you invested with them?

We have invested about $70,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our ongoing engagement with Retrocube began in February 2019.

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

All in all, it’s been good. A lot of Retrocube’s work needed to be tweaked and revised due to some of their wording. They came around pretty well and fixed all of the things we wanted to change. I’ve shown it to a few people but we haven’t officially launched yet. 

How did Retrocube perform from a project management standpoint?

I was pretty pleased with their project management. Our teams communicated using email, text, and phone calls. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Retrocube offers any services you need from start to finish for creating a mobile app. They’ll help you along the way, even after the development is done. They offer marketing, maintenance, copywriting, and provide good input and ideas to help you along. Their team always recommends new things to make your product better.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Some of their wording could be cleaned up. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Give it a shot, they’ll get it done for you. Make sure to revise their work before they launch it and give them as much input as you can prior to launch. Retrocube is very accepting of feedback so tell them what you want. 

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a registered dietitian by trade with PDPM Selector, LLC. The company designed an app for use specifically in skilled nursing facilities. It was created to address a new payment system put in place by Medicare.

What challenge were you trying to address with Retrocube?

With our patient-driven payment system, there are over 20,000 possible combinations of payments that can occur. Without a sophisticated tool, we didn’t feel like we could keep track of all of that. We needed help with creating a solution.

What was the scope of their involvement?

They created an iOS and Android mobile app. We provided them with the formulas and sequencing for different types of payments, and they designed the screens and built out the functionality. After they completed the work, we launched the apps on the App Store and Google Play Store. They also created the web site, host the solutions on their servers, and set up Google Analytics for tracking and monitorization. 

What is the team composition?

I had two main points of contact: our account manager and the lead programmer. There were about nine other team members working in the background, though. 

How did you come to work with Retrocube?

I went online and ran a search for companies. They responded to me right away with a more cost-effective price than other vendors. I also knew they developed many mobile app games in the past, so I was confident that they could handle something more static. 

How much have you invested with them?

I’ve invested about $65,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together between January–May 2019.

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

This app is different than anything on the market. The only similar solutions are calculators on which you can run these calculations yourself. Our product is HIPAA compliant and allows users to store multiple patients in the app. It was much more complicated than the calculation-focused apps out there, and they pulled it off. 

How did Retrocube perform from a project management standpoint?

They were good about getting us the information we needed to move the project forward. If we weren’t aligned on something, they communicated professionally and effectively until we understood each other. They emailed me frequently with updates and projected deadlines. During the production, regulations were evolving, so they were accommodating in adjusting targets as needed. We’re very happy with the collaboration.   

What did you find most impressive about them?

They were conscientious of their work. The end product is very visually appealing, and the team was always great with presentation.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I’d never worked with someone to create an app. They held my hand throughout the entire process, which I appreciated because I didn’t know all of the steps we would have to take to get an app to launch.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Understand what you want. The less you have to change after the development starts, the faster they can move through the work.