Zaproo

BACKGROUND

Please describe your organization.

I am an entrepreneur. In this case I was building a smart mirror mobile application.

What is your position?

I’m the founder and Chief Executive Officer.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What business challenge were you trying to address with Zaproo?

I wanted to develop a smart mirror app which uses the front camera on a smartphone. I had seen similar apps on the market, all of them presenting issues or having extraneous features. Whenever more things are added, the result gets complicated. I wanted something simplistic.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their involvement in greater detail.

They developed the app for Android. I couldn't afford making it for iOS as well, so I chose Android because it's the most widely used platform across the world.

Zaproo worked on its design and also came up with the app's name. They worked on its general look and feel, and also made a video presentation for it.

I had a certain mindset for the product: I wanted it to be simplistic and glitch-free. I didn't want any features, other than zoom and calibration for ambient light. Zaproo was very happy to work with me along those lines. Whenever I wanted to make a modification, they would talk me through it and determine what I wanted. We worked together very well.

How did you come to work with Zaproo?

I researched around five companies online, through a directory of developers. Zaproo was reassuring in explaining how they could develop my app. I felt at ease that my money would be well spent.

Could you provide a sense of the size of this initiative in financial terms?

The total development cost was between $12-15,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in April of 2015. The marketing aspect of the project is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any statistics or metrics from this engagement?

We're currently still in the marketing stage for it, so I don’t have any hard metrics yet.

How did Zaproo perform from a project management standpoint?

Their managing partner was very understanding and answered all the questions I had as a newcomer in mobile app development. Their lead developer also maintained a relationship with me throughout the project. I'm currently working with their marketing person. I've felt very comfortable in working with them and committing myself to the entire process.

I am familiar with the costs of getting a utility patent. Zaproo was very accommodating on this front, and protected my idea. I can't say enough good things about what they did for me.

What distinguishes Zaproo from other providers?

Our communication is done online, through social media. We were always in touch, and they were very helpful in answering my questions.

Is there anything Zaproo could have improved or done differently?

Zaproo never gave me an exact time limit. This is not a direct criticism on them, however. I've never worked on such a project before, and not knowing how much work it would imply was proof of my ignorance.