4soft

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the managing principal for a data solutions developer.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Look4App?

We needed a company to help with software development for a couple of customers, as well as a couple of internal products.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We’ve worked with Look4App in a couple of different capacities. We used them as a staffing agency to augment our own development resources. They weren’t on-site, but they were able to provide additional software development resources to build user-facing apps. They developed both the front- and backends of apps in Python and some web solutions in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and React-based JavaScript. 

We also handed two projects off to them entirely. After documenting and developing the requirements ourselves, they were able to manage the rest of the process on their own.

What is the team composition?

The team varies from 4–10 people, depending on the need. There is one project manager, and the rest are developers.

How did you come to work with Look4App?

Look4App had been working with one of our closest partners, who referred them to us. We had an opportunity to interview them on the work they’d done. There was another company we were working with in the Ethereum blockchain space. They had been partnering with Look4App on some work and had good things to say, and we then talked with them about the work we wanted to do.

How much have you invested with them?

My company has spent $250,000–$500,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

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

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’ve been really happy, which is why we look forward to continuing our work with them. In two separate instances, we’ve handed requirements off to them. In one case, the requirements were a bit vague. We were expecting a lot of back and forth, but they were really able to run with it and turn things around very quickly. Our customers and we were able to get good feedback; it went really well. 

In the second scenario, they were once again able to clearly define the requirements and figure out potential issues and conflicts. They accurately assessed the pros and cons and presented those back to my team, so that we could make decisions. We handed over big chunks of work to them, and they were very thoughtful and delivered what was agreed upon. 

When we used them to augment our staff, the challenge was finding quality developers that could integrate well with our team. We had an 80% success rate. In each case, they would propose resumes to us, and we had the opportunity to interview them beforehand. In some instances, it just didn’t work out. They were very professional about it, which was fantastic. The majority of the time, it did work out. The additional developers they provided were available, considerate, worked well, and were happy to use our methods and toolsets. They didn’t resist integrating with our team. Although we’re based in L.A. and they’re in Poland, we were able to work around timing issues pretty well.

How did Look4App perform from a project management standpoint?

They managed their own development staff; they made sure that people showed up, and they checked on their deliverables and code. They were responsive and would always get back to us within the same day. 

For the projects we handed off to them completely, they kept us abreast of everything that was going on, whether they were ahead of or behind schedule. They did a good job keeping the communication lines open. 

They gave us confidence early on, and they’re very professional overall. Their work is on time and as expected. They remain very engaged throughout the process. They’re realistic, which makes for a fantastic working relationship.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Look4App knows how to run a project; that wasn’t something they needed to learn. They were very realistic about what could or couldn’t be done. They were also open about the pros and cons regarding different features they were building out, such as how to manage them. They were very straightforward and professional. They did a great job of integrating into our process and working with our tools and how we manage software development. They’ve been great. Their organization is run well.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There’s nothing that is a cause for concern. Early on, we didn’t realize that when you hire people in Poland, they generally start on the first of the month. They let us know that they required a month’s notice, but it didn’t quite register with us. This created a few hiccups, but they’ve remained professional throughout the process. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be clear and upfront. At first, we weren’t sure how to handle the relationship and how much to share. Once we got going, we realized that the more straightforward we were with what we were trying to do, both in the short- and long-terms, the better it made the process go.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m a project owner at Predica. We implement award-winning technologies and IT systems around the world.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Look4App?

We needed help to create a simple financial application that would help customers with multiple bank accounts manage them in a simple way. To deliver this project, we needed to hire external UI/UX support to help us design the app.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted a simple web and mobile app for both iOS and Android devices. It should allow customers to create goals, wish lists, and notes that are shareable. It also has fields for expenses and loans.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We connected with Bartosz (CEO, Look4App) through LinkedIn as they had good recommendations from trusted companies in our network. We discussed the project with multiple vendors, but finally selected Look4App based on their previous designs and experience.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

Look4App is responsible for translating business requirements into the app interface. They created wireframes, visual designs, and interactive prototypes. Based on wireframes, we verified the project assumptions before the final design stage. The application is an aggregate of bank accounts that allows users to access to their accounts wherever they are and from any device, all from one single application.

What was the team composition?

Our internal development team worked with one experienced UX/UI designer from Look4App.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Look4App’s execution was flawless. They helped us deliver the project for a major client, which builds our image as a trusted brand. The app itself will help many people through better and more convenient financial management.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Look4App always takes a proactive approach and uses clear communication. We use Skype and Outlook for communication as well as Sketch, InVision, and Zeplin for design collaboration.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Look4App impresses us with their creativity and problem-solving approach. We could discuss everything from small issues to huge problems, and they were always open-minded and helpful.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I don’t think so. We can fully recommend this vendor. Look4App proved their expertise in this field.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m an independent blockchain consultant and the CTO of a digital card and membership management system.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Look4App?

One of my clients wanted to build a blockchain platform to manage and unify multiple loyalty programs. We came up with the idea of a blockchain solution that allows customers to store all their points in a single wallet.

What were your goals for this project?

The goal was to deliver an innovative, fast, and reliable loyalty system solution. The user collects points as before: buying coffee, airfare, flowers, or any other product from the partners. Then, we replace those points with a cryptocurrency value passed to our blockchain. It was crucial to get it done on time and on budget.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I had an opportunity to work with Look4App on a previous solution. Based on the positive results of this cooperation, I reached out to them as soon as I got another project that required strong blockchain expertise.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

After analyzing our requirements, Look4App proposed a lot of changes to optimize the project. They came up with an effective solution based on Hyperledger and hosted privately on a secure server. They designed and built the whole platform at an impressive pace. We had weekly meetings, and the progress between them was amazing.

What was the team composition?

The project was developed by a team of two experienced blockchain developers,  guided by an experienced blockchain project manager. Thanks to this, we were able to maintain transparent communication.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The project helped our client reduce costs and fraud connected with managing loyalty systems. It’s a perfect use case for this technology, and its execution was spotless. In fact, the success of the project was useful in building my brand image in our target market.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Working with Look4App, I always expect a great, proactive approach and clear communication. We used Google Hangouts and GitLab, and I felt well informed throughout the development process.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I’ve worked with other blockchain vendors, and it’s usually a struggle, either with a specific technology or general development issues. Look4App impressed me with their attention to details, development skills, and comprehensive approach.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I didn’t notice anything. Even if some development issues arose, their team quickly solved them.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m an independent blockchain consultant and I deliver projects for clients in the Asian market.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Look4App?

I hired Look4App to deliver a blockchain platform for an independent state regulator that controls broadcasting and telecommunication services.

What were your goals for this project?

The solution needed to leverage blockchain technology to store sensitive data and increase the security of the database. Additionally, the platform needed to store license data and the UX/UI needed to be user-friendly.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Our main goal was to get the best price to quality ratio with a team of experienced developers. Look4App had an impressive Clutch profile and was selected as one of the potential partners. They won us over with their superior proactivity, professional approach, and commitment to our vision.  

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

Look4App designed, developed, and launched a solution for storing license data. The platform was based on a custom blockchain instance. It used a distributed ledger that could be expanded with additional nodes if needed. All platform actions are accessible through the REST API and a custom administrative panel. The system processes ledger searching, data verification, network status statistics, and provides access to the changelog. Look4App’s team continues to work on the platform to make any additions. 

What was the team composition?

The design was prepared by one UX designer. The development team consisted of one project manager, one backend developer, and two frontend developers.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We received very positive feedback from the client. Look4App provided a custom platform that solves real business challenges with distributed ledger technology and a user-friendly interface. 

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

The project management was very good. Look4App’s project manager, who specializes in blockchain technology, guided us through the entire process. We had daily standups and communicated via Skype and GitLab. We always knew the status of our project and the communication was smooth and clear. Our cooperation with their team continues as we expand the application with additional features.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The Look4App team’s work ethic is impressive. They are proactive, communicative, and open. They take initiative in discovering the best solutions possible. The team works really hard to maintain deadlines and their cooperation is seamless.  

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, none that I can think of.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the general director of the International Project Management Association (IPMA) in Poland. We certify project professionals.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Look4App?

We hired them to help us develop a customized portal that serves our members and supports our staff in maintaining contact with them. This portal is the central server that stores all the data about members and the project managers certified in Poland. Additionally, it’s used for selling selected products such as publications and standardized certifications.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to improve the communication with the association members and certified project managers, reduce the manpower involved in data computing and interaction with our clients, and improve our data accuracy and storage.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We found them through a personal recommendation.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

They designed, tested, and implemented all portal features.

What was the team composition?

There were four employees on our side, which included a project manager and staff responsible for particular activities of the association. Look4App assigned a project coordinator to communicate with. I don’t know who else was involved from their side.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The portal is currently used for internal purposes, but it has already significantly decreased labor intensiveness and increased the accuracy of our computed data. We will officially launch in a few weeks, and we expect a significant improvement in our operational efficiency, especially regarding communication with our clients.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

We worked in two different locations without any face-to-face meetings, so all communication was based on online solutions. We used Hangouts and shared files. The most critical factor was involving our staff, which had little to no time to focus on the project. The overall effectiveness would’ve been much higher if the project management on our side would’ve been better organized.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

We appreciated their patience, flexibility, and professionalism.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Occasionally, communication didn’t go very well, but it was our fault in most of the cases so it wouldn't be fair to blame Look4App.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a partner and the COO at DxChain, also known as DxDigital. We’re a blockchain development company that licenses our digital rights management technology to clients.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Look4App?

We engaged Look4App to help us build a variety of blockchain products for third-party clients.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Look4App helps us build distributed applications—a core technology for blockchain. They’ve worked on cryptocurrency wallets, UI/UX design, and developing website frontends to plug into sophisticated backends.

They deliver work using scrum-like methodology. We give direction on each project, but they have excellent designers who we’re comfortable with taking the lead on designs.  

What is the team composition?

We work with around eight team members. The team comprises a project manager, a UI/UX person, and six developers. 

How did you come to work with Look4App?

Another member of our team found them and brought them in as a partner.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent over $500,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in January 2018, and the partnership is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Most products have not launched publicly. However, we’ve privately received positive feedback from clients on Look4App’s work. They compliment the look, feel, and functionality. Look4App regularly delivers thoroughly tested products that present well. They excel at embedding security protocols into their deliverables; security is a core part of our blockchain products.

How did Look4App perform from a project management standpoint?

The team accurately assesses the risks and obstacles in each project and is open to suggested solutions. Look4App is also highly accessible and communicative. We communicate through Slack, WhatsApp, email, and phone calls. We’ve also used Jira, GitHub, and Project Libra on occasion.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The team communicates fluently and intelligently about all things business. They offer scalable resources and demonstrate a high level of integrity.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Look4App has done an excellent job learning about blockchain security for our projects. As they grow, I’m sure they’ll broaden their skills and areas of competency. 

Any advice for potential customers?

Make sure that your objectives are clear and your payments are timely. Clear communication especially is important to achieving the outcomes you want.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the product manager of a small software company in Germany. We have about 25 employees that specialize in delivering ERP solutions to large planning organizations in the construction industry. We have an intern consulting department that guides our clients in digitizing their business processes. My primary responsibility is coordinating client needs across our development and sales efforts.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Look4App?

We were looking for external resources with extensive experience in developing mobile applications to work on an extension of our core product.

What were your goals for this project?

To meet our future development goals, it was imperative that we build out mobile extensions of our products.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We searched online for app developers both in our region and abroad. Looking specifically for mobile specialists, we contacted any vendors that had proven experience. Look4App fit our requirements and stood out among their local competitors, but their motivated attitude and reasonable price were the deciding factors that led us to partner with them.

Describe the project in detail.

After choosing to engage Look4App, we agreed on a contract and got to work. First, we presented them with a detailed, working prototype and a set of specifications. Look4App started working on the most robust technical part; then we handled the small and mid-sized components. After a few iterations, we finalized and approved each element. The final product was built for all platforms—Android, iOS, and Universal Windows Platform (UWP). In addition to their development work, Look4App also help brainstorm new features and possible optimizations.

What was the team composition?

We interacted with a key account manager, who supported us at the beginning and end of the project. In between, we worked directly with our project manager and the assigned developer—both resources coordinated to test all of the product’s components.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our goal was to have a successful product extension across all mobile platforms, and Look4App helped us achieve it. Their work on the system’s UI has been well received by our customers. At this point, we haven’t officially launched the app yet, but we plan to release it in the coming months.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We mostly communicated via email and Skype. They were very responsive, providing feedback quickly and scheduling appointments as necessary. We spoke German with the account and project managers, and English with the developer. There were a few misunderstandings, but we were able to handle them easily.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

We’ve never worked with another vendor before, so I don’t have much to compare Look4App to. With that said, I’m very impressed by their level of dedication and engagement in our project. It wasn’t always easy, but they worked hard to make sure we successfully completed each task.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Both sides could’ve worked a bit faster, and documenting and communicating test results and bug reports could’ve been don’t more efficiently. In the end, we’re completely satisfied with the results of the partnership.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I work at Renewable Energy Group, a cryptocurrency company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Look4App?

We hired Look4App because of our lack of expertise in the ICO process or how to increase visibility in the cryptocurrency world.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Look4App developed and designed our landing page, backend, and ICO application. Their team helped ours with whitepapers and marketing presentations. The analysts figured out how everything should work within the app. The frontend was built using React.js, and they also used PHP, Java, and Solidity. Look4App also worked on the graphics.

They developed functionalities and features that included voting, token gathering, and how the tokens would work. When users log in, they can gather tokens and exchange them into cryptocurrency.

What is the team composition?

We worked with six people on the team, but their tester and PM weren’t full time.

How did you come to work with Look4App?

We found Look4App on Clutch. Their reviews were positive. After contacting various companies we saw on Clutch, we decided to work with them because their team seemed the most experienced. We met with Look4App in Poland, and they presented themselves as confident and skilled. They provided our team with details of each stage.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent between $80,000–$90,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We engaged with Look4App between August 2018 and January 2019.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We had a strict deadline and their team delivered on time.

How did Look4App perform from a project management standpoint?

Look4App worked in Scrum methodology. Every two weeks, their team ran a demo. They used Jira, giving us access to their process. We received biweekly reports and had real-time project management through a Kanban board. The project manager was in charge of communication, while there was an assigned account manager that focused on the financial rules.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I appreciated their clarity throughout the project. Look4App introduced our team to the development and ICO processes. We had a fantastic experience working with their UX designer.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Initially, some things could’ve been clarified a tad better. We had three calls at the beginning that could’ve been condensed into one long phone call.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I recommend using Look4App for any ICO and blockchain needs. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Our company works in the performance materials and life science area. As the principal architect in the R&D department, I focus on automation.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Look4App?

An essential function of the program we’re running is rapidly prototyping various concepts about new technologies, mainly IoT. We reached out to Look4App for help on two projects, including an evaluation of our IT platforms.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We needed to rapidly deploy an infrastructure for the project and code additional functionalities on the existing platforms. The technology we chose was Java. Look4App helped us with the evaluation as well.

The other project was a slightly more complex continuation of the first one. We were supposed to create an entire proof of concept for machine-to-machine and machine-to-cloud communication in the industrial IoT area. Look4App helped us build custom components to connect between devices. The scope of work included embedded Java programming and communication on the server side.

Look4App also helped us build a lightweight data prototype to controls devices through an HTML5 UI. We needed the backend to run on multiple technologies, including HTTPS. The frontend was constructed on the React.js library.

What is the team composition? 

Look4App assigned 2–4 developers to our project. Most of the teammates were senior developers who provided programming services.  They worked directly with our architect, who orchestrated the project. One of their programmers served as a project manager.

How did you come to work with Look4App?

We started a discussion with Bartosz (CEO, Look4App) when we met at an event in Poland. When the opportunity came along, we parted ways with our previous partner and gave Look4App a try. Our collaboration was seamless, and I plan to continue working together in the future.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent €20,000–€30,000 (approximately $23,000–$34,000 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with Look4App in June 2018. The first project lasted until September 2018, and we finished the second one a month later in November 2018. We’ve completed all the efforts we initially engaged them for, but they will likely be part of the team effort for the upcoming project we’re starting soon.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Look4App was key to moving forward with every step of the projects we worked on together. They helped us persuade our stakeholders and directors that our efforts made sense at each stage. We’ve successfully moved from stage zero to three so far.

At this point, we’re continuing to enhance the products we built with Look4App. Our senior management received the work we’ve shown them very positively. Since they liked what they saw from our collaboration, we’ve secured a continuation on the funding.

How did Look4App perform from a project management standpoint?

Look4App excelled at communication and hitting deadlines. We used Jira, Slack, and Trello as project management tools and Jama for regulatory requirements.

The small team used an agile prototyping approach, so we didn’t have formalized project management. Since we needed flexibility more than processes, this worked perfectly for us. I believe Look4App usually provides a dedicated manager for larger engagements. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

I appreciate Look4App’s depth of programming knowledge and openness to unforeseen challenges and environments. They have a lot of skilled programmers on their team for our internal resources to consult as colleagues. 

Compared to other development companies I’ve worked with in the past, Look4App had a much less constrained methodology.  Having a flexible approach is important for R&D. The safety net of qualified resources they contributed helped us solve our most complicated problems.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There is room for improvement on the management side. I didn’t experience any pain points with them, but I’m not familiar with how they manage bigger projects.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

I advise future clients to discuss setup with the owner. He usually has a broad vision of what he wants to do. Since Look4App is a growing company, the bigger your project, the better. The more they can focus on a client, the better outcomes their team can deliver.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m an independent consultant backed by a technical team. We do various projects for clients in technology.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Look4App?

I needed a team that could augment our internal capabilities in the blockchain space.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We primarily rely on Look4App to assist us on blockchain projects. This ranges from working through the discovery phase and in-depth channeling requirements to performing the analysis and composite design. They also support us with implementation.

As I understand, they’re a fully functional shop that’s proficient in at least 10 chains. They’ve worked with Bitcoin, Bitcoin cash, Monero, Ethereum Classic, Dash, and more. In terms of technology stacks, we mostly engage them for PHP, Node.js, and Java.

What is the team composition?

We’ve worked with a number of parties, including blockchain engineers, frontend engineers, and designers. We haven’t dealt with the test team directly but have seen their output.

How did you come to work with Look4App?

I don’t remember how we met but am glad that we found them. At the time, they supported us for a critical push around a token generation event. Things went well, and we had a strong camaraderie between us.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in November 2017, and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I’ve worked with offshore teams for over 20 years, and Look4App has been one of the easier firms I’ve partnered with. Besides their good camaraderie and high-quality development, they boast a great culture with a very strong work ethic. They’re based in Poland but have worked with me until 2–3 AM their time, and I’ve done the same.

The team also excels at establishing accountability for their work, pushing last-minute efforts to save deployments that, otherwise, would have fallen behind or failed. They’ve even gone so far as to create backup plans in anticipation of potential pitfalls. We’ve only had to use a backup once or twice, but they’ve been crucial every time. If there are any defects, the team is quick to fix them.

How did Look4App perform from a project management standpoint?

I appreciate how vigilant they are when it comes to tracking. They’ve assigned what we call a service deployment manager who functions similarly to a project manager. He keeps a good pulse on everything across all of our projects. We coordinate using Slack, Skype, spreadsheets, and email; they also use Jira, but I prefer not to use it. Overall, they’re an accessible group with strong English skills, so we’re able to communicate easily. I’ve been happy to work with their team and get to know them.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Look4App takes a lot of personal responsibility for what they do, so they’re judicious in ensuring project success. The first time they recommended a backup plan, it was for a specific component that they identified as risky. I didn’t think that we needed a backup, but they created on anyway. We actually ended up using that plan, so I was thankful that they had pushed through and used their better judgment independent of mine. This is one of the benefits of bringing in a company that does something more often than you do as a partner and trusted advisor.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, everything is going well. They’ve had no problems interfacing with us nor with other third-party resources.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

In general, clients should know what they want or have enough information to define their goals at a high enough level. Come in with specifics and be flexible enough to consider other possibilities. You’re working with people who do certain things more often than you do, so they bring insights that you don’t have.