Tapptitude

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder of Cityhive, a residential referral platform. Our platform allows landlords or apartment owners to oboard their buildings, units, and residents to incentivize their residents to help fill vacancies.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Archbolt: Venture Studio?

We needed to take our theoretical idea and turn it into a product.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Archbolt: Venture Studio developed a web app for us. Through a handful of strategy sessions, they came up with an execution and business plan. Development started from there. 

They built out our backend, which is our technological backbone, from scratch. Their team was also responsible for the frontend, including UX, graphics, design, and the overall feel. They wrote the application in HTML and CSS. Their team also used Ruby on Rails. The application platform was also linked to various third party sites.

What is the team composition?

We work directly with two members of the Archbolt: Venture Studio team. Initially, it was four or five people on the strategy and advisory side, but when we moved to the development phase, we worked with these two people.

How did you come to work with Archbolt: Venture Studio?

We found Archbolt: Venture Studio through a marketing site. They came well recommended so we contacted them. After meeting up and getting a good vibe from their pitch, we chose to work with them in the consultation phase. Eventually, we chose them to build up the project as well.

How much have you invested with them?

We have invested between $125,000–$150,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our ongoing engagement with Archbolt: Venture Studio began in July 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The product is done and we’re going to market next week. We had as positive of an experience as it gets. We’re very happy with everything they’ve provided.

How did Archbolt: Venture Studio perform from a project management standpoint?

Archbolt: Venture Studio is professional, thorough, and organized. They send out weekly updates and communicate transparently. I couldn’t ask for a better partner on this.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their team is well rounded. They’re young which means they’re well versed in technology and understand the latest trends. Archbolt: Venture Studio is not the kind of team that just does everything you want. Just because you’re the client doesn’t mean they won’t think through your recommendations and provide better ones when necessary. Their goal is to make sure you’re producing the best product. If that means they have to push back on certain ideas to find better solutions, they will. We appreciate their honesty and candor. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, we’re happy with everything. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

If you want to develop a product and need a consultation advisory as well as development work, I would reach out to Archbolt: Venture Studio before you do anything.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO and owner of My Dialogues, a mobile research platform. We have international ambitions, but our scope is confined to the Netherlands for now.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Tapptitude?

We wanted to move from our initial MVP—a functional platform limited to the Netherlands—to the second version of our product—a SaaS platform that we can deploy on a global scale.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Tapptitude is helping develop our app for Android and iOS devices. They also work on our platform’s web backend, database, and machine learning functionality. The team first led an audit of our existing system, evaluating what worked well and what needed to get fixed. Tapptitude then implemented analytics before started to develop the revamped platform as a SaaS tool.

What is the team composition?

We work with 6–7 people who specialize in the web, databases, apps, and other components that make up our platform.

How did you come to work with Tapptitude?

A good friend referred Tapptitude to me. They had collaborated with the Tapptitude team for over a year, and the experience went well. I also ended up choosing the team for my project because they seemed to understand my goals and have the technical skills to accomplish them. I wanted a partner who can do more for me than develop.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent over $100,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in February 2019, and the project is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Tapptitude has reduced many of the stumbling blocks in our old system. We now have a stable platform with analytics that keeps track of bugs and performance. We’re currently working together to build a new system, moving from an app to a SaaS system.

How did Tapptitude perform from a project management standpoint?

We have daily communication with Tapptitude—even if it’s just a 10-minute call—to talk about what’s going on and what we need to do for the day. Our teams communicate through Skype, Jira, Slack, and Google Docs. Tapptitude is highly professional, staying on top of every message and taking the initiative to fix any issues. Their team’s style of project management is a positive change compared to my experience working with other development firms.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Tapptitude meets every deadline and ensures that we stay under budget. They’ve dug deep into our product, making it their own and figuring out how they can add value. The team came up with many ideas on their own to improve our platform. This level of partnership distinguishes Tapptitude from other companies I’ve collaborated with.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can only think of one thing: The project manager we worked with at the beginning of the project left Tapptitude, so we had to onboard a new project manager. That took an extra 1–2 weeks to get them up to speed, but Tapptitude took on the cost of those hours. This isn’t something I hold against them. People leave companies all the time, and if it were my employee, I’d have the same delays.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I work for an app developer that helps founders translate their vision into products with high growth strategies.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Tapptitude?

We were trying to build a complex e-commerce platform in which the requirements weren’t fully defined by the client.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We’ve worked with Tapptitude on numerous projects. In this instance, they developed an iOS app while working in an agile iterative basis. Their team educated us on the potential risks involved so that the end-client could make good decisions about the architecture. 

What is the team composition?

Our main points of contact are Alexandru (Project Manager, Tapptitude) and Lucian (Operational Manager, Tapptitude), but we also work with a team of engineers. 

How did you come to work with Tapptitude?

We found Tapptitude on Clutch.

How much have you invested with them?

We have invested about $100,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in May 2018, and the work is ongoing. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The code of the app was reviewed, passing with stellar marks. Given the circumstances, Tapptitude has been fantastic. They created a strong product. At this time, the app is live and is doing everything the end-client was looking for. 

How did Tapptitude perform from a project management standpoint?

We communicate with the Tapptitude team over Slack and they are fairly responsive. Anytime we needed something, they made sure to help get it done. The project was planned out in two-week sprints, which they executed accordingly. This enabled us to make progress while minimizing bottlenecks.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The quality of their code is phenomenal.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Although we have a good partnership with Tapptitude, sometimes it feels like the project managers and the rest of the team has a lot going on. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Make sure to communicate with them. If you’re feeling a certain way, bring it up. The Tapptitude team will do what they can to make it right. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CMO and CTO of Palate Wizards, LLC, a company that provides technology and marketing services for beverage alcohol retailers.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Tapptitude?

We needed someone to create an app for beverage alcohol retailers nationwide.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We’re building an e-commerce platform for the beverage alcohol, liquor industry, specifically for small retailers. We do marketing services on the platform including notifications, targeting various elements of recommendations, advertising, video, sponsorships, and more. We make money by selling to producers.

They developed our Android and iOS apps using native code. They also helped design the apps.

What is the team composition?

There’s a project manager, an iOS developer, an Android developer, a few designers, and QA people. The QA and design resources can change from time to time depending on what they’re developing for me.

How did you come to work with Tapptitude?

They did mobile development for us during a previous project.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in March 2015 and the work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The apps work well and we’re happy with everything Tapptitude produced. They’re great UI/UX designers and they have a good feel for how the apps work and how the consumers interact with them.

How did Tapptitude perform from a project management standpoint?

We worked in an agile development process with two-week sprints. We monitored the progress and activity using Google Meetup once or twice a week and Trello to follow the project on a daily basis.

Their project manager is an excellent communicator. They have an outstanding response time for fixing any issues. They all understand English very well and understand the issues with software development. I can’t think of a better team to work with.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their speed and efficiency at the price they charge is second to none. I’ve been in mobile development for almost 10 years and they’re the best I’ve experienced.

Are there any areas they could improve?

The time difference is sometimes challenging. However, the project manager is great at accommodating us.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Make sure you understand how an agile development process works.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there. 

I'm the CEO and founder of Artfare. Our platform helps artists and galleries develop a following and sell their art by connecting with collectors and patrons.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What was the scope of their involvement? 

Archbolt focused more on technical implementation than UX design. Another agency made a lot of the creative aspects. Both providers worked together to establish processes for the user experience and how to implement the product vision in a technical way. 

They programmed the native iOS app in Node.js and Swift. The Stripe Connect payment integration they added to the platform was quite complicated. A special feature they helped to build out was an augmented reality experience using ARKit.  

What is the team composition?  

We worked most closely with the CEO, who checked in with us on a weekly basis. They assigned us both a primary and backup project manager, and we got to know both of them quite well. 

The head of technology was based here in New York, while the rest of the development engineers were in Romania.

How did you come to work with Archbolt? 

My co-founder had worked with them in the past when he was running a small tech consultancy in New York. During our initial conversations, we were impressed by how quickly they established an understanding of our vision as it related to the product. They brought thoughtful proposals on the technology architecture to the table. 

How much have you invested with them? 

So far, we have spent $1,000,000.  

What is the status of this engagement? 

We started working together in April 2018 and have an ongoing engagement. 

SOLUTION

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

Archbolt built us the best app ever for discovering and buying art. Our platform is live at this point. It's still early in the process, but we currently have 150 artists on board. 

We've gotten positive metrics that indicate users like the product, such as a five-star average rating on the App Store and 10,000 app downloads.

How did Archbolt perform from a project management standpoint? 

Archbolt has performed quite well from a project management and communications standpoint. Most of our communication happens through Slack. They're structured and organized for maximum efficiency.  

At the end of every week, they send us a recap in an email. They use client-facing Trello for planning and ticketing to keep us up to date on progress with development and our current priorities. The developers use a different type of software, too.

What did you find most impressive about them? 

Being a cost-effective solution differentiates Archbolt from the competition.  As a small business, they're nimble and flexible. 

Are there any areas they could improve? 

No, I don't think so. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers? 

Early on, I suggest getting familiar with the team's communications process. If you engage with them and stay active, everything should work out well.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the co-founder and product manager for DineMarket, a B2B marketplace that connects restaurants with their vendors. It compares pricing and automates purchasing. I’m in charge of the technology development.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Tapptitude?

We hired Tapptitude to build our mobile application for Android and iOS.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

After discussing the business requirements, we worked with Tapptitude to design the mobile product for our customers’ needs. Based on the specifications, they implemented the app for iOS and Android. We had our designers, but Tapptitude took care of the UX. Their team used JavaScript for Android and Swift for iOS.

The app has various roles, as a complete B2B marketplace. Employees of restaurants can go into the app and view their order, as well as easily purchase merchandise from one or many vendors. They can pay by credit card, check, or other methods. At one point, we also had an offline mode for building the inventory for the restaurants. Vendors can also view the same app. They can log in, check their orders, and communicate with the buyer.

What is the team composition?

Our main point of contact was our project manager. We had a dedicated developer for Android and another for iOS. In addition, we had a part-time QA tester.

How did you come to work with Tapptitude?

Someone who had worked with them before recommended Tapptitude to us. Before moving forward with them, we initially gave their team a small test.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our ongoing engagement began in February 2016.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We enjoy working with Tapptitude. Their professional team not only helped with coding, but with the entire creation of the product. We’re satisfied with how effectively the apps work.

How did Tapptitude perform from a project management standpoint?

Their project management is great. We had daily contact with the developers. If we had any technical questions, they wasted no time responding. We worked in an agile manner, so everything was transparent.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We hadn’t worked with many providers, but for me, it was important that they helped build the actual product and code. Their team got extremely involved with the project, thinking of any scenarios we might have missed.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There’s always room for improvement, but I can’t think of anything major that their team needs to improve on.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Tapptitude is experienced in mobile app development.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CTO and CFO of a fintech software company. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Archbolt?

We engaged Archbolt to help us plan and design a new SaaS application.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Archbolt first led an in-depth discussion with my business partners and me about our company and the past platforms we’ve developed. The team helped us define the roadmap for the application and how we can achieve a better and more unique customer experience—a major goal for this project. 

After leading several joint application design sessions and whiteboarding workshops, they help design the application and the user experience. Archbolt created wireframes that we then turned over to our in-house and offshore developers to build. Once we had an MVP, the team took another look at it with us, helping make tweaks and bringing it closer to an optimal product

Archbolt also assisted with a rebranding project. They helped us redesign the application and then our website and company brand.

What is the team composition?

We worked with four people: Matt (CEO, Archbolt), a project manager, a partner, and a person to help gather information.

How did you come to work with Archbolt?

The team helped me and my wife release a mobile application as a personal project. They provided design input and helped built and publish the end product. I thought that they would be a valuable partner to design and plan my company’s new SaaS platforms.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $100,000–$250,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from September 2017–March 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The platform has launched and received positive feedback on its user experience as well as its look and feel. Archbolt helped us achieve the product we first envisioned. We couldn’t have done it without their insights and design help.

How did Archbolt perform from a project management standpoint?

The team was highly responsive to our feedback and questions. They kept in contact regularly as well. On occasion, they delivered work more slowly than we would have liked, but we also held to an aggressive timeline. We’re overall satisfied with the collaboration.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Archbolt offered valuable perspectives throughout the process. As the discussion went along, they shifted from a high-level strategic view to more tactical advice, such as how to minimize the number of clicks and screens a user has to navigate.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Their team had a top-notch approach to handling our project. However, Archbolt could build more flexibility into that process and tailor it more closely to customers’ needs.

Any advice for potential customers?

Define your objectives and goals as clearly as possible. Know what you would define as a successful project in advance. Archbolt will help you achieve your vision.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the director of product at PeopleFinders, a company that helps people find long-lost friends or family members. We also provide criminal records, background checks, address history, and the like.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Tapptitude?

We engaged Tapptitude to build and launch native mobile apps on Android and iOS—products that our in-house developers had no experience building.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

I led the product design process so that when we brought on Tapptitude, we gave them high-fidelity designs along with access to our Jira, where we already had our specifications and tickets arranged. Although we provided a relatively detailed plan for what we were making, their team made a lot of conceptual contributions to drive the development. They added a lot of value to the items that we thought were already fleshed out.  

 What is the team composition?

While other companies we spoke with insisted on pacing the project and making us build the apps one at a time, Tapptitude had enough team members to support a simultaneous development process. We worked with two developers specialized for iOS and another two for Android. A project manager and a QA specialist also worked with both teams.

How did you come to work with Tapptitude?

I used multiple reviews sites—including Clutch—to vet companies and eventually create a list of 10 options. We conducted an RFP process complete with phone calls and interviews, and Tapptitude really stood out from the pack.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $50,000–$100,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from October–December 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We successfully launched our applications following a hassle-free QA period. We had no code changes through either audit. Both apps were accepted to their respective stores as-is, which in my experience—especially with Apple—is quite rare.

How did Tapptitude perform from a project management standpoint?

I appreciated their ability to communicate. As much as we wanted to dictate as the project lead, it was nice to have a team with different expertise and perspective. Their insight made us rethink our stance on what we wanted. It helped to have an additional set of eyes looking out for us rather than following directions even if they think or know there is a better way.

We had some hiccups on the release of the API we were building for the application, but Tapptitude’s team was flexible and willing to work around those delays. They met all of our deadlines even when our staff was not coordinated. Their patience showed that they value cultivating a long-term partnership more than just making money.

In addition to using Crashlytics and Fabric.io to monitor our project, we tracked all of our tickets in Jira, and we used Rocket.Chat and email for daily communication. We also had weekly phone calls to check in and review all of our progress.

What did you find most impressive about them?

It’s a common fear when working with remote teams that you may be left in the dark or not receive what was promised. Sometimes there can be a disconnect if you aren’t sitting with a person in your office. That said, we didn’t experience any hesitations or drawbacks from working with Tapptitude. They were highly communicative and always available. We found ways to work around not being in the same time zone. They grew to feel like an extension of our team, and that’s proven by the fact that we now have them on a monthly retainer, and we’ve engaged them for other projects outside of mobile apps.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Other than wishing they could be based in Los Angeles so that we could meet in person, I have no complaints. They’ve been great to work with.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

With any project, it’s valuable to let out your ideas as much as you can. Coming prepared with a prototype will save headaches and cost in the long run. It’s also smart to have a backup plan because sometimes your idea from six months ago will no longer be valid.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the co-founder of a property technology company. We’re creating a loyalty platform for apartment rentals.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Archbolt?

We engaged Archbolt to help us build a website and an MVP of our platform. We have product design capabilities in-house, but we needed an engineering team to bring our concept to life.
 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Archbolt built a simple website as well as Android and iOS applications that served as our platform’s MVP. We use the site to advertise the platform and encourage interested users to sign up. The platform allows us to communicate information to renters with live messaging. It provides updates to account balances, notifications about events in the buildings, and reminders to take surveys and provide feedback.

Our product design team provided Archbolt with pixel-perfect designs of what we wanted. They then built the site and created the backend panel and frontend of the iOS and Android apps. Our arrangement provided the flexibility to code the MVP and then sign on clients and find more funding before we kick off the next series of sprints. We plan on integrating custodian and payment platforms in the next phase of development.

What is the team composition?

We communicate with a project manager and a tech lead. They oversee a single web developer and a set of paired programmers who worked on the apps.

How did you come to work with Archbolt?

We considered several companies, but a colleague at a reputable creative firm recommended Archbolt to us. We wanted a local company that could provide high-quality development, timely delivery, and reliable project management. Archbolt met every criterion at middling rates, so we chose them for this project.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent $200,000 so far. Each two-week sprint runs about $20,000–$30,000 depending on the specifications.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in August 2018. The work is on pause as we finish raising more funds, but we’re preparing the next set of sprints soon.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Archbolt delivered a highly professional website and stable MVP of the application. As a result of their work, we can inspire confidence in our investors that we can build a fully scalable product. We also could test the app with renters in two live rounds of testing. The process provided us with valuable feedback on the technology and business concept.

How did Archbolt perform from a project management standpoint?

The team is highly responsive and professional. Minimal back and forth is required, which we appreciate. They built the MVP to accommodate changes along the way and even included features outside of our original scope. We receive updates on progress every week and after each sprint. We also have regular communication with their project manager. Their engineers answered questions and explained nuances of the platform during our demo.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Archbolt is honest and upfront about their team’s capabilities. During our first set of sprints, the team called out any of our requirements that they don’t believe belongs in an MVP. They made sure that the scope of work is fully hammered out before each sprint. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

As Archbolt grows, I’m sure they’ll deepen their knowledge of other areas such as data science. Other than that, we’ve been thrilled with their work.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the founder of a startup focused on facilitating clean energy microgrid deployment.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Archbolt?

I had an interest in using my skills and background to help facilitate clean energy deployment. I had a general concept of what the business should be but did not have a concise approach to achieving the goals. I hired Archbolt to help me refine the business concept.

What were your goals for this project?

I wanted to have a clear business plan, initial branding, and a communication strategy for the business.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I was referred to Archbolt by a colleague originally to discuss a software solution. Through informal discussions with Archbolt, I rethought the business, then held a formal strategy session with them.

Describe the project in detail.

Archbolt conducted a one-day strategy session to develop and refine the business plan, the pitch, and the primary communications and branding.

What was the team composition?

There were three people from Archbolt's team that I worked with. Two were responsible for creative deconstruction of the business, and a third provided operational support to ensure the session moved productively.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I left the session with a clear business plan to execute over the next 18 months, a solid revenue model, and all the input for a successful pitch deck.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Archbolt's communication was effective. They had a detailed plan for the strategy session, which we completed in a timely manner. They also provided a summary and additional feedback following the session.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Archbolt shared the extensive experience they had in helping startups become lasting businesses. They were able to use this information to help me take my vision and turn it into a feasible business plan.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I was very pleased with my engagement with Archbolt. The one area where they could improve is taking a final look at the materials we developed during the strategy session, to clean up or refine the documents without altering the content significantly.