Thumbmunkeys Ltd

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I work for the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, a charity in the UK that looks  after the UK’s bumblebees. I’m the educational officer for a project called Pollinating the Peak that educates people about Bumblebees.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Thumbmunkeys Ltd?

We wanted to find a new way to engage with a new audience. We’ve had apps before, but we were looking for something with a higher level of engagement and less formality. We were wanted something for a  beginner-level look at bumblebees that was simplistic and fun.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

It was crucial and influential. We didn’t have a lot of experience with apps, so they held our hand and helped us navigate between iOS and Android. They were very accommodating in conversations about color schemes and layouts. They had their perspective but were very willing to listen to our perspective when it came to UI design.

They also developed AR so users could engage with bumblebees wherever they are. Users can open their camera and the app shows a 3D rendering of eight different species of bumblebee. Users can then share to social media or with friends and family.

What is the team composition?

I had one point of contact throughout the engagement, Mark.

How did you come to work with Thumbmunkeys Ltd?

We tendered for the app because we’re a charity and need to make sure the process is fair. We were looking to find a partner that was local. Their offer was the best value.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started in February 2020 and wrapped up in June.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our initial numbers are promising. Based on the number of people who generally interact with us, we’re pleased with engagement. The response on social media has been very positive. People are excited about it and it clearly works.

How did Thumbmunkeys Ltd perform from a project management standpoint?

It didn’t matter what time it was,  I was always able to reach Mark or he got back to me very quickly. When COVID-19 hit here, we tried even harder to push out the app because it’s a relevant way for people to engage with us without being face-to-face. They’ve been very supportive in that respect.

We rely on Mark to make sure that everyone on their team does their part and delivers on time. We also need him to pass on the information and ensure that everything is accurate. This is an educational resource and doesn’t have any artistic freedom, so the information needed to be correct.

We utilized Teams online and spoke on the phone. As thing ramped up, we talked on the phone twice a week and sent several emails a fay to make sure everything was going in the right direction.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They got the look and the feel right. The branding was spot on from the get-go. They did a really good job demonstrating what our organization is about and then were able to refine it. They did a really good job.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Our biggest obstacle is the AR there are a few hurdles we’re still working on. Some people don’t have devices that can support AR, which we’re disappointed about. Although that’s in the description, not everybody reads that. It has nothing to do with Thumbmunkeys Ltd’s work, but just something the general public is experiencing. It was just part of the process.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Make sure you spend more time on the initial review process because it’s more difficult to make changes later on in the process.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We are a bespoke software development and integration company. I'm the director.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Thumbmunkeys Ltd?

We don't have any in-house expertise for mobile apps, so we hired them to build a full mobile app for a system we host.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The app is built for iOS and Android devices. We gave them the scope, but they were in charge of all the design and layouts. We relied on their knowledge to complete the project. They oversaw the look and feel and made it very easy for the end user, especially users who aren't particularly technologically familiar. We created the API, and they connected to that.

What is the team composition?

We had a team of three people who worked on this project, led by a project manager. There were also developers on the team to complete the project.

How did you come to work with Thumbmunkeys Ltd?

Another company recommended them to us.

How much have you invested with them?

We've spent about £15,000 (approximately $19,600 USD) to date.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in September 2017, and the collaboration is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our in-house developers keep track of the timeline and their work. We're very happy with the results so far.

How did Thumbmunkeys Ltd perform from a project management standpoint?

They're outstanding project managers.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their costs are lower than other companies in their field, but they deliver at the same level as their competitors.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, everything they've done for us is good. We're pleased with the project.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

We always maintain an open and honest approach with all our vendors. That keeps us informed about time frames and deliverables.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the CTO of Halo Insurance. We're part of a global insurance brand. Most of our platforms are websites, but we also have a mobile app and we deploy various widgets to other people's websites.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Thumbmunkeys?

We were having issues with our Xamarin mobile app, so we were looking for a vendor to recode the app and fix some of the bugs.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They've broken down the code written by our previous provider and modularized it, eliminating bugs and errors. They're providing ongoing support to ensure our app is working properly. Our users are located in different countries, so we personalize many things based on their country of residency. Customers can also renew their policies and engage with our APIs.

What is the team composition?

We usually work with 3–4 developers.

How did you come to work with Thumbmunkeys?

I found them through a Google search. I talked to them on the phone and they seemed fantastic.

How much have you invested with them?

We've spent about £60,000–70,000 (approximately $80,000–$93,000 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in December 2016, and the relationship is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our sales have gone up and we've seen a decrease in the number of bugs coming through our bug-tracking platforms. Also, our customers don't complain as they used to, which is a good sign.

How did Thumbmunkeys perform from a project management standpoint?

They use Kanban boards and other tools to keep the project on track. We also use Skype to stay in touch.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their rates are reasonable and they've stayed within our budget. Also, they're very accessible, so I can get a hold of them when I need them. We can speak to developers directly, which helps us avoid any misunderstandings.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, they've met our needs. They understand the Xamarin platform, so they can write reusable code and identify when things are not coded correctly.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Define the scope of work up front and give them enough information. Also, discuss your process and provide the screenshots of the workflow.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the head of product for a company that provides a forecasting pipeline management and relationship management solution that integrates into CRM systems. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Thumbmunkeys Ltd?

We initially hired a different company to build our mobile app, but it was clunky and didn’t work well. We then hired Thumbmunkeys Ltd to improve the product, which led to having to redevelop it from scratch.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Our product connects to a client’s email server and builds a relationship graph based on the communication taking place between their employees and external contacts. It allows for company representatives to quickly identify who has connections to certain companies to simplify finding and selling to prospective clients.

The experience with our prior vendor hadn’t been good, so Thumbmunkeys redid most of their work. We wanted the product in Xamarin so it could be used for iOS and Android, and we provided our own design requirements. Thumbmunkeys managed the dev and design implementation, providing some UX/UI suggestions, as well. They worked with the original code from the first company and handled the deployment of the product, but they eventually had to redevelop the entire app because it didn’t work well enough.

What is the team composition? 

They provide two developers and a project manager.

How did you come to work with Thumbmunkeys Ltd?

We found them online. There aren’t many software developers willing to work in Xamarin, and they seemed keen to get involved, so we hired them.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent between £100,000–£200,000 (approximately $132,200–$264,400 USD). 

What is the status of this engagement?

We partnered in September 2017, and the work is ongoing. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Once we realized the original code wasn’t going to work, we had Thumbmunkeys begin redeveloping the app, so we don’t have any metrics yet.

How did Thumbmunkeys Ltd perform from a project management standpoint?

We use Trello to track work items, and they’re usually available to talk when I need them. They aren’t always clear about where they’re at in a project, and I typically have to engage them first if I want to know.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They have a positive attitude and a team of talented developers who can find solutions to complex problems. They allow us to adjust our requirements as we go through the project, which we appreciate. They produce high-value applications that our customers will enjoy using.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They could provide greater clarity in terms of what they’re working on and what’s left to do. I usually have to ask for these updates instead of them bringing the information to me.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

We’ve had a positive experience with them, and they’ll work hard to produce high-quality code. Clarify your project management requirements up front to ensure regular meetings and updates.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the systems development manager at a large social housing provider in the U.K. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Thumbmunkeys Ltd?

We needed a partner to develop a mobile app that our tenants could use to look up rent statements, log repairs, and view general information and news about the company.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Thumbmunkeys Ltd built native iOS and Android apps from scratch using Xamarin. Our dev team built an API and backend system that the app taps into, and tenants can perform a variety of functions on the platform. Thumbmunkeys provided expertise and suggestions for the app design, but the internal team had full control over the final design. The app integrates with our website database and back-office systems, which means users can log into the site and app with the same credentials. Every few months, we meet to review the app’s current status and to determine if there are any new changes or updates that Thumbmunkeys can do. 

What is the team composition? 

We interface with two people, but they have a whole team behind them.

How did you come to work with Thumbmunkeys Ltd?

We were looking for Xamarin developers in our area because we mainly use Microsoft technology. Thumbmunkeys was one of the few developers that specialized in that technology, so we hired them.

How much have you invested with them?

We partnered in June 2016, and the work is ongoing.

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve spent about £30,000-£40,000 (approximately $39,500–$52,700 USD).

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They’ve made the transition from the website to the app seamless for our tenants. We’re pleased with their work, and they deliver everything we ask for.

How did Thumbmunkeys Ltd perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re timely and, compared to other firms, significantly less expensive. Because they’re a small business, they don’t have a project management team, which makes communication quick but also causes some issues. They don’t have a consistent and effective way to track problems, and it can sometimes be difficult to meet our requirements in the first round. We mainly talk via email and phone.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They foster a personal relationship and are incredibly responsive to requests. They’re flexible and willing to adjust their work according to our needs.

Are there any areas they could improve?

We’ve had some miscommunications because we talk over email or phone instead of face to face.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

Work closely with them and, when possible, have face-to-face meetings. Review your requirements together to ensure everyone is on the same page.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the CEO of Synergist, a software company that provides agency and consultant project management software. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Thumbmunkeys Ltd?

Although we develop software, we have no experience developing mobile apps, so we engaged Thumbmunkeys to provide that expertise. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Thumbmunkeys developed a native, cross-platform mobile app for Android and iOS, using Xamarin. They've integrated our APIs and provided some design work as needed. 

What is the team composition? 

We work with at least four people, including a project manager and some designers and developers. 

How did you come to work with Thumbmunkeys Ltd?

Thumbmunkeys was one of the top listed developers with Xamarin experience that we could find online.

How much have you invested with them?

We've probably invested about £150,000 (about $198,000 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

We've been working with them since October 2015, and the work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The app Thumbmunkeys developed continues to perform very well, as overall engagement and usage regularly increase. 

How did Thumbmunkeys Ltd perform from a project management standpoint?

We utilize a project management tool to quickly track any tickets we submit to their team to work on, and they generally provide immediate feedback when we reach out. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Thumbmunkeys is much more professional both in terms of their approach and attitude compared to other vendors I've worked with. There aren't any communications barriers; everything is pretty straightforward. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

Overall, they're doing a great job. It would probably help them to expand their team, so they're able to take on bigger projects, but they're a very good match for us. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be as clear and detailed as possible when providing project requirements–the more information they have, the better. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the project manager for a support solutions company. I manage suppliers and am responsible for the delivery of certain mobile apps. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Thumbmunkeys Ltd?

One of our clients is a government organization that manages all of London’s public transportation. They had an old app that needed to be revamped, so we began looking for a dev partner.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Drivers have to pay a congestion charge for entering a certain zone in London, so Thumbmunkeys Ltd built a cross-platform app for iOS and Android that allows people to pay the charge. They worked on UX/UI and dev, designing the app from the user’s perspective. They also implemented business requirements for the backend and integrated an authentication gateway. As of now, they support and maintain the new app.

What is the team composition? 

They have a big team, with some in the UK but most in India. We interact with the manager and architect, but the team is probably between 10–20 people.

How did you come to work with Thumbmunkeys Ltd?

They were hired before I started here.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent £350,000 (approximately $458,200 USD). 

What is the status of this engagement?

We partnered in December 2015, and the work is ongoing. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our end client and product owner have reviewed the app multiple times and signed off on it. We’ve gone through various testing phases, and it always meets our requirements.

How did Thumbmunkeys Ltd perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re wonderful at project management. They require little oversight and have made my life much easier. The team is professional and proactive, hitting all of our established milestones. They work closely with our end client to ensure a successful project.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They have an in-depth knowledge of design and market standards, informing how the app should work. They’re flexible to last minute changes while still delivering on time. Unlike other firms, they’re transparent and provide a great value for price.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They could make their cost estimates more accurate.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

If I were to hire them again, I wouldn’t think twice about it. Do what you can to get them on your project. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the director of RE:SYSTEMS. We provide transport solutions for the rail network in the UK. We also offer CRMs to global companies.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Thumbmunkeys Ltd?

We had an existing app that was built within the Xamarin framework, and we weren’t happy with the provider of our app and the service we were receiving. The quality of the code was low, particularly on the iOS side. We needed a Xamarin developer that could take ownership of the platform, refurbish its code, and build new features.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Thumbmunkeys Ltd began with an evaluation of the existing code to understand some of the problems we were having. After this initial assessment, the team refactored some of the code, focusing primarily on the network stack. Once they had created a more stable version, they began working on feature releases.

The team has improved several key features of the app so far. They reworked the implementation of the calendar, ticket selection, and ticket caching functionalities, while also streamlining purchasing and upgrading the messaging function. Most of their work has been on the backend, though they have greatly improved our UI as well.

Although we hired them purely for dev work, their team has been a sort of consultancy for us, providing fresh ideas and driving innovation within our product. We’re currently working on adding analytics to the app, specifically for the purchase modules, to find out where there may be issues. We’ve also moved the app’s codebase to Azure DevOps, and the team from Thumbmunkeys Ltd has implemented Visual Studio App Center for test deployments.

What is the team composition?

We liaise directly with Mark (Director, Thumbmunkeys Ltd) who is their project and technical lead. We also work with a quality control architect and a few other specialists.

How did you come to work with Thumbmunkeys Ltd?

We vetted four different organizations and chose Thumbmunkeys Ltd because they seemed to be the most dynamic and flexible, and the best fit with our business ethos. They were very transparent about their pricing strategy and how they would be managing the project. I also appreciated the fact that I would be interacting directly with their leadership team throughout the partnership.

How much have you invested with them?

We have spent between $50,000–$100,000, and we expect that number to grow. ­­

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with Thumbmunkeys Ltd in December 2017, and the collaboration is ongoing. We have a stream of work that we plan to complete with Thumbmunkeys, including rendering for different-sized phones, adding product analytics, and introducing Apple Pay and Google Pay capability.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We've received positive reviews on both app stores, and we have generated a significant level of revenue. The team at Thumbmunkeys Ltd has tracked and fixed all problems that have appeared since the launch of the app. Overall, the project has been a successful one.

How did Thumbmunkeys Ltd perform from a project management standpoint?

They’ve been excellent. They’re very open to communication and flexible in taking on more requirements. I have direct contact with Mark via phone and online chat, and he is very accessible and responsive.

They’ve been very transparent regarding pricing strategy and management of the project in general. The team has kept us up-to-date with the various challenges that they’ve faced, and we’ve always been able to resolve them quickly. We have also been able to track changes through the Visual Studio App Center.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Thumbmunkeys Ltd is very flexible compared to the providers I’ve worked with in the past. They are also very transparent. They don’t hide issues, and they present us exactly what they’ve done. They let us delve into their timesheets, which is a level of transparency that I have never experienced with any other provider. Also, with previous developers, we’ve had unexpected bills for work we never agreed on, and we have never had any of those issues with Thumbmunkeys Ltd. Their team is open and honest and has provided useful advice related to the new ideas we’ve brought forth.

Are there any areas they could improve?

We have already seen improvements in some areas, and they have been quick to change their work whenever we’ve had reservations or issues. At first, we were pushing the team to give us more updates on timing and estimates, and they’ve improved on that.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

Take time to form a relationship with the team at Thumbmunkeys Ltd so that they will be well equipped to understand requirements and adapt their style as needed.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm a program manager at an education management company. We develop student information systems.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Thumbmunkeys?

We needed a vendor to help us develop a mobile application.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They helped us develop a native application in Xamarin. We already had an app, so Thumbmunkeys enhanced it, managing most of the development and some design. The app is compatible with iOS and Android devices.

What is the team composition?

We work directly with 2–3 people, but there is a team of developers behind them.

How did you come to work with Thumbmunkeys?

They were initially part of an arrangement with another company. We were so pleased with Thumbmunkeys's work that when our contract with that company ended, we decided to continue working with Thumbmunkeys.

How much have you invested with them?

We've spent about $250,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in December 2017, and the relationship is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We're currently going through beta testing, and we're getting ready to launch another version of the app in a couple of months.

How did Thumbmunkeys perform from a project management standpoint?

They're very accessible and meet their deadlines. They're constantly sharing code with us, and they're very honest about what can and what can't be done.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re very transparent and do high-quality work.

Are there any areas they could improve?

The documentation could be a bit better, but that's normal and is not a big issue.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Have regular communication and make sure you're clear about your requirements.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there. 

I'm the managing director of a transportation company that supplies taxicab dispatch systems to taxi companies around England.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Thumbmunkeys Ltd? 

We had a web application that was created by another company. It was a complete mess, so we needed a new partner to fix it.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Thumbmunkeys Ltd evaluated our existing web app and its dashboard. They said it would take a lot of work to fix. We agreed that the best way forward was to have them rewrite all the code and start from scratch.

Using Microsoft Azure, they’re developing a web app that uses a dashboard system to display the data. They’re also developing mobile app components—in both iOS and Android—for drivers and passengers. They handled the design work of the apps as well. Thumbmunkeys Ltd continues to update it virtually every month as new technology comes out.

What is the team composition?

Between 10–12 developers work on our account. Mark (Director, Thumbmunkeys Ltd) is our main point of contact.

How did you come to work with Thumbmunkeys Ltd? 

I found them on a platform, but I can’t remember which one. I got in touch with Mark and went down to meet with him in person. 

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent about £300,000 (approximately $395,000 USD).

What is the status of this engagement? 

The project began in March 2017, and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Thumbmunkeys Ltd comes up with ideas that we subsequently implemented. These are ideas that I’d never thought of, which makes them a good partner to work with. 

How did Thumbmunkeys Ltd perform from a project management standpoint? 

Their team is excellent. We do track their work using a Microsoft-based system. In terms of timeliness, they quoted a delivery date and the product was ready early.

What did you find most impressive about them? 

Their team takes a hands-on approach to the work, which I appreciate. Also, I can call them at any time. If we have a problem at 10 o'clock at night, we can get in touch and they’ll return our call. They're always on top of things. 

Are there any areas they could improve? 

No, not really. They’re an excellent company. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers? 

Give them a chance and you'll see the quality of their work.