Simmersiv sp. z o.o.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

City of Poznan is a municipality. In the City Hall we are responsible for creating and implementing local law. Our mission is to serve the citizens. I am a coordinator of the Healthy Boost Project realized by the City of Poznań.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Setapp, and what were your goals?

We wanted Setapp to design and implement the platform and application in AR technology for our Healthy Boost project. The project's goal was to create an innovative platform for the exchange of information and experiences between various social groups and the promotion of socially important content in the context of the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The platform is intended both to promote volunteering and to express gratitude to people who actively help others. It's also a way to archive the current social mood. One of the requirements was that the platform should be visually interesting and easy-to-use, which would not only engage users in receiving published content, but also encourage them to add their own.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

The vendor was selected through a public inquiry. The most important factor of a vendor's selection was how their offer fits the assumptions and goals of the project. We also looked at the previous experience of the potential vendors, as well as how innovative their solution was.

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and technologies used.

First, we worked with Setapp on the creative process to form a coherent concept of the app. Then Setapp created initial designs and a prototype of the application. When the prototype was ready, Setapp was able to get feedback from all the stakeholders and end-users. They were very open to our suggestions and adjusted the app very well.

During this stage, a dedicated psychotherapist, organized by Setapp, collected the first input from volunteers to be added to the app in a form of voice memos . Afterwards, Setapp's development team worked on the mobile version of the app, landing page and admin panel. They also implemented solutions aimed to help people with disabilities.

Last but not least, Setapp worked on gathering more audio input for the app and then they finalized the project by publishing the application on Google Play and App Store.

How many people from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

The team from Setapp consisted of 2 Unity Developers, Backend Developer, UX/UI Designer, Product Owner, Service Delivery Manager and a psychotherapist.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?

The app has already gained the attention of the press, which is very important to us. The initial reaction from the users seems to be positive as well, as the app already received 2,5 hours of audio data input.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

We quickly realized that we were not aware of the details of the software development process, but throughout our cooperation we had the feeling that the Setapp team was doing everything possible to make us understand the specifics of the work and allow for effective cooperation between us.

Synchronization of activities ran smoothly and we could always count on Setapp’s team to let us know about the progress of the work in a transparent and complete manner. We appreciate the fact that we were equal partners that went together all the way from the creation of a creative concept to the completion of a final version of the project.

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

I think that Setapp’s openness and transparency were something unique and extremely valuable and it seems to us that it characterizes their efforts on a daily basis. We were impressed with the quality delivered by Setapp. It was clear to us that they take feedback very seriously - we felt like we’ve been listened to and our ideas and opinions were implemented in the final solution of the app.

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

We were quite surprised by the time required for our availability throughout the entire process. However, we learned that it was necessary due to the specifics of the team's work and the way the application was developed.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We’re an advanced truck driving school. APS Solutions is the owner of the school, and I’m the CEO of the company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Setapp?

We’ve had two projects with them, the first one being creating an app and another was a VR project.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Setapp has created a web application for analyzing driving data from trucks.  The second project was to create a VR truck and bus driving simulator. The data analysis application is finished and in use. It was done according to our plan, and everything is okay. We’ve completed and tested a proof-of-concept version of the simulator, and we’re working on its next version.

They also created a connection to an API offered by the producer of the telematics on our trucks. Setapp then created an application that retrieved the data from the API.

What is the team composition?

I’m in contact with two of them, and there are a total of four people on the team.

How did you come to work with Setapp?

We chose them because of their experience and professionalism. I had a meeting with Setapp, and I knew that they’d be a good company to make our application.

How much have you invested with them?

The cost so far is between $200,000–$250,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started the initial project with Setapp in September 2019. The second project started in May 2020 and is set to finish in October 2020.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’ve tested the solutions, and everything’s been good. We’ve worked on new concepts and changes after that.

How did Setapp perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re using Slack for communication, where our teams can get in touch with each other anytime. We have meetings at the end of each project stage, and everything is planned. Their project manager is a talented and experienced person, and having him onboard was key for our success.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The people are what make their team stand out. They’ve understood what we’re trying to do, and everything’s gone well.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, everything is going well. 

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

Our business is training drivers, and we’re not that good in terms of technology, so we learned the importance of defining precisely what we want to do. We had a business delivery manager that acted as a translator from our language to the developers, but being more precise could lead to a more efficient collaboration with Setapp.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

KATANA is a creative production company delivering digital solutions to clients in the United States. I'm the Director of Operations.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Setapp?

The client wanted to add AR elements to it's printed product and be able to add and update them easily every month. We had to find a partner who could help us to build the platform to cover all needs.

What were your goals for this project?

The goal was to introduce AR to users and slowly transform the communication from printed elements to fully digital platform.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

There were 3 other vendors, but Setapp had the best portfolio and client service.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

They designed, developed and published the final app both for iOS and Android devices. Every stage was covered by one or two rounds of feedback which were always followed up with a call and email summary.

What was the team composition?

The project team had about 5-6 people. Experienced project manager as the main point of contact plus designer, developers, and AD.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Unfortunately, we can't disclose a lot of details but the most important fact is high appreciation of additional AR content from the users. Client is continuing to expand this kind of content every month.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

We communicated via Google Hangout and/or phone. Then all official updates were delivered via email and Testflight.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their flexibility and project management are definitely the two most impressive aspects of the partnership. Early stages of estimation and offer itself was also very impressive.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I strongly believe that there's always something to improve. At the same time, we are very happy with the cooperation and provided service.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a product manager at Pearson Education. I’m involved with exploring innovation.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Setapp?

We wanted to explore a proof of concept in the space of augmented reality.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Setapp developed a 3D, AR proof of concept. We then agreed on a scope, after which I received storyboards to approve.

What is the team composition?

I mainly dealt with three people, and it went very smooth.

How did you come to work with Setapp?

They were recommended to me by a colleague. We had an initial engagement where I presented a very high-level idea to them and asked them to pitch back a proposal on what we were doing. They seemed quite engaged and wanted to impress me as a client. They engaged us with the right questions and the right level of detail, questioning features that may not have been the best for the ultimate goal of the proof of concept. They were very interested in understanding the goals around what we wanted to test so that we could focus on what really mattered.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent less than $10,000 with them.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked with them between mid-January–February 2020.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The impact was great. We were looking to branch out in a new field that we had very little experience in. We wanted to explore the potential of AR in a specific use case, and now I have something to show to business and test with users.

The quality was really good considering the budget we had available. The team was very engaged in addressing feedback and making additional changes to not compromise on quality.

How did Setapp perform from a project management standpoint?

It was a short project. The turnaround was fast, and we didn’t have to go through a very firm schedule, besides a final deadline and some key interim deliverables. We had constant communication with the team, and it was fine. We didn’t have a formal project management process but communicated over email and through Teams.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I haven’t worked on any AR projects in the past, but the best thing that Setapp brought to the table was their deep thinking on the idea. They helped me consider aspects that I wasn’t an expert on, and they were proactive about proposing solutions whenever we encountered a problem.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, not that I can think of. I’d like to work with them in the future to turn the proof of concept into a more solid prototype.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

It’s about really being clear. If the client is at a similar stage to ours (making a proof of concept for an idea that hadn’t been done before) they need to be clear about the assumptions that have to be tested. They should let the team buy into those ideas and get their input involved. In the beginning, it’s possible to get stuck wanting specific features which may not necessarily be what’s needed for testing working assumptions.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the head of sales and marketing for a company that manufactures doors and windows for luxury residences and commercial projects.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Setapp?

We came up with an idea to create a tool to conceptualize doors and windows in augmented reality.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Setapp created an augmented reality environment where users can access the unlimited customization possibilities of doors and windows. It helps them visualize their designs in our product range in realtime. Users can place an object in their space, and adjust size, length, width, color, and any other product details.

I sent them photos and videos of each of our products, and, despite never having seen them in real life, the team was able to perfectly recreate 3D models of them. 

The team’s core strength is definitely AR, as they custom-created the solution from scratch. However, they brought a very holistic approach to our engagement. Setapp played an important role in developing our website and conceptualizing its UX/UI. 

How did you come to work with Setapp?

We searched for a partner specifically in the Polish market, because we knew they had excellent AR capabilities. We eventually decided Setapp would be the right fit, given their experience, technical abilities, and engagement in our project.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project took place from June 2019 - January 2020.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Essentially, the team took an idea we’d written down and brought it to life completely. From a development standpoint, we feel they executed the project flawlessly. The AR looks more seamless than we could’ve imagined, which is especially impressive given the complexity of the project. 

There were no bugs or app crashes, which speaks to the quality of the development. Our users leave overwhelmingly positive reviews about the quality of the UX and the environment in general. The design work they did has even become a part of our digital identity. Setapp’s work has given life to a new brand for our company.

How did Setapp perform from a project management standpoint?

Setapp managed the project excellently. Their use of Jira and Slack gave us the confidence that we could sit halfway across the world and still communicate and deliver effectively. The team did a fantastic job of breaking a very complex project down into weekly sprints and small tasks, so we knew what the team was doing on any given day at any given time. We had planning and review meetings every two weeks, which really helped facilitate full transparency in the project.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We were impressed by how open the team was about challenges. Because our tracking system was so comprehensive, we could always see if there were delays on certain tasks. That allowed us to check in and see what was causing those delays, and how we could support the team to overcome them. They were always honest and upfront about whether the problem had to do with capabilities or if it was just an oversight. That line of communication was really comforting to us. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

Their design capabilities could be improved a bit, but other than that I was a really happy client. I plan to work with them in the future. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m a project manager at Learn Teach Explore. We create educational applications for primary and secondary schools. Our apps develop scientific literacy, problem-solving and creativity skills by providing students and teachers with technology that helps them explore scientific challenges in a fun and engaging way.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Setapp?

Setapp developed our main product, a set of 3D geometry apps. They’re designed to improve visual imagination and students’ understanding of the nature of solids through AR.  

What were your goals for this project?

We believe that technology can enhance teachers’ ability to present complex issues. It can also equip students with innovative tools to help them solve problems on their own. Therefore, we set out to develop a meaningful app that helps students visually explore abstract ideas that are difficult to explain in a classroom.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I’d worked with Setapp in the past, so I felt comfortable recommending their products, agile mindset and work practices for this cooperation.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

Setapp designed and developed our apps from scratch based solely on Unity 3D. They developed the backend and frontend architecture needed for the app to work on iOS, Android, and web browsers. The app works with Merge Cube, a physical cube that allows students to hold a hologram of 3D shapes in their hands. This improves students’ spatial awareness and understanding of the 3D nature of shapes by allowing them to explore in the real world with their sense of touch.

Students can draw line segments, 2D shapes, and cross-sections inside solids. It’s especially helpful for students with limited spatial imagination, as well as teachers that need to assign 3D geometry tasks in the math classroom.

What was the team composition?

The team composition changed over time. We began with one resource early on, but the team grew to eight people after five months. The project ended with four Unity developers, a UX/UI designer, and a scrum master.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’ve seen significant use of our apps in classrooms thanks to the variety of devices students can use the app on like iPads, Chromebooks and Windows laptops, and their own Android devices. Additionally, we’ve collaborated with teachers, students, and research facilities to ensure our app provides a measurable advantage over traditional approaches and other competitive solutions.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

We utilized an agile methodology throughout, though we switched from a Kanban scheduling system to a Scrum approach after we began. The latter proved to be more effective.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their development team’s professionalism contributed greatly to the high quality of the final product. Every member of their team was deeply engaged in the project, which was inspiring to see. This commitment translated into them delivering meaningful features.

I’m confident that the quality of code is high, as there have been no crashes reported by our users, which is impressive for an app that is available on so many platforms and devices.

Are there any areas for improvement?

The product design team was limited for a period of time, but it grew accordingly when we required it. The changing team composition was also challenging, but their project management approach mediated it well.