Redwerk
Description
Since 2005, we've helped over 170 businesses from 22 countries ideate & build successful SaaS products, migrate to the cloud, and reduce their technical debt.We’ve worked with startups and big names from Media & Entertainment, E-Government, E-learning, Construction Materials, and GameDev.Unlike many other vendors, we know how to work with non-techies so that their ideas and years of experience are mirrored in the software we develop. We care not only about our client's requirements but also the needs of end-users.
Service Focus
Industry Focus
- Automotive / Vehicle Simulation - 19%
- Indie - 5%
- Marketing / Branded Games - 10%
- Social Impact & Nonprofit - 5%
- Military / Defense Simulation - 21%
- EdTech / Educational - 12%
- Esports - 2%
- Mobile Apps & Games - 20%
- AAA - 6%
Client Focus
Portfolios: 51
Orderstep | Denmark
MyJiraBot by Redwerk | Ukraine
Recruit Media | USA
My Bike Valet | USA
AWE Learning | USA
Current | USA
Executive Interview of Redwerk
Please introduce your company and give a brief about your role within the company?
Redwerk is a full-cycle software product development agency. Since 2005 we have been assisting companies globally in designing, developing, enhancing, and testing their products. Starting with a team of 3, our headcount has now grown to nearly 60. In essence, our operations can be summarized as 'Software as a Service as a service.' We focus on a wide array of modern software solutions that are either SaaS or PaaS. A typical SaaS solution generally includes a backend with database and business logic, a responsive web frontend, mobile applications, and occasionally an API for third-party developers. As the Founder and CEO of the company, I am dedicated to acquiring new skills and designing processes for delegation to those who excel in those areas. My background is in software engineering, and prior to establishing Redwerk, I have held various positions in the software development industry, including C++ developer, team leader, architect, project manager, product owner, and technical writer. My fascination with computers began at a young age, as I discovered my first computer at 6 and wrote my first program at the age of 8.
What was the idea behind starting this organization?
The foundational idea was to establish a comprehensive solution that addresses every phase of the software development lifecycle: business analysis, functional and technical specifications, UI/UX design and visuals, development, testing, deployment, maintenance, and support. This is why our workforce comprises not only developers but also QA engineers, DevOps, UI/UX and graphic designers, project managers, and business analysts. Our clients value the convenience of having all services provided in-house, eliminating the need to engage multiple agencies and manage their cooperation.
What are your company’s business model in-house team or third party vendors/ outsourcing?
All projects are executed by full-time employees of Redwerk across our two R&D centers in Ukraine. We do not utilize external resources nor do we collaborate with freelancers. Additionally, we do not offer outstaffing services. For those seeking to screen and hire individual developers, utilizing an agency incurs substantial overhead costs. Our approach involves managing teams and overseeing the entire process, including resource selection and replacements. Essentially, we provide managed teams where communication, planning, deadlines, QA, and code reviews are conducted internally.
How is your business model beneficial from a value-added perspective to the clients compared to other companies' models?
In our standard managed team framework, communication is facilitated through a PM/BA from our organization, while a QA professional tests the developers' output. Our UI/UX team can assist with creating new screens and workflows, and DevOps resources can be accessed on-demand. The flexibility of involving additional resources allows our clients to pay solely for the actual hours we dedicate to their projects, which significantly reduces costs compared to outsourcing or outstaffing each role on a full-time basis. Furthermore, our rates are notably competitive compared to Europe and North America, due to our R&D operations being based in Ukraine, recognized for its exceptional engineering talent and education.
What industries do you generally cater to? Are your customers repetitive? If yes, what ratio of clients has been repetitive to you?
When we began in 2005, we partnered with two clients: a leading provider of e-government solutions in Benelux, and an electronics manufacturer whose components were utilized in NASA's Spirit and Opportunity missions to Mars. I often remark that technology can be applied across various contexts, be it in a church or a more unconventional venue; the underlying technology stack remains consistent, whether it involves web, mobile, machine learning, or AI. In recent years, we have expanded our industry expertise to include media and entertainment segments within the US market, as well as assisting a client with their legacy products through data mining. Recently, we engaged in a machine learning project for a venture capital fund seeking to expedite their loan decision-making process with AI. I am pleased to note that a majority of our clients recommend us to their associates and bring us into new enterprises when they transition assignments. Based on these repeat engagements, approximately 70% of our business is derived from word-of-mouth referrals.
Mention the objectives or the parameters critical in determining the time frame of developing a mobile app.
To manage expectations effectively, we furnish our clients with a comprehensive offer that outlines the budget range and estimated delivery timeframe prior to project initiation. As with any software endeavor, the level of detail in the specifications is a pivotal factor. Even within an agile framework, commencing build on the initial prototype with excessive unknowns is impractical. Thus, requirements verification is essential. Should they be overly general or ambiguous, establishing precise functionality becomes vital. For mobile applications, the optimal method for detailing functionality is through wireframes that elucidate user flow and business logic. If such materials are unavailable, Redwerk, as a full-cycle agency, provides prototyping and functional specification writing services. This discovery process can take up to a week for an average application, enhancing clarity and confidence regarding the development effort and delivery timeline.
How much effort in terms of time goes into developing the front end and back end of a mobile app?
It is challenging to generalize this matter as the effort distribution relies on the extent of business logic allocated to the front end versus the backend. For instance, in a casual game, the overwhelming majority of the effort—between 90% to 100%—is dedicated to the mobile application itself. Conversely, for an app designed to manage table bookings for restaurant owners, where the front end only visualizes data from the server and sends changes back through the API, the effort distribution may be approximately 20% for the frontend and 80% for the backend.
What are the key parameters to be considered before selecting the right platform for a mobile application?
Despite advancements aimed at simplifying app development—ranging from Titanium Appcelerator to Xamarin and React Native—the reality remains that it is often easier to find developers proficient in native technologies. One crucial question to consider when determining the appropriate technology is: How accessible is it to find a developer with the requisite skill set? The endeavor to extend web technology to mobile platforms was intended to expand the pool of mobile developers; however, it necessitates knowledge of both web and mobile technology stacks, complicating talent acquisition. Nevertheless, for gaming and graphics applications, Unity presents a viable alternative.
Which platform do you suggest your clients to begin with when they approach you with an idea (Android or iOS) and why?
Currently, the choice of platform is more a commercial decision than a purely technological one. If the application itself is the main value proposition, the iOS App Store tends to be superior for app sales or in-app purchases, as users tend to spend more there compared to Google Play. Launching a casual game or offering premium content? Present it on the App Store for increased sales. However, if broad user outreach is the goal, Android's user base is larger. This is particularly relevant in scenarios where the app serves as a gateway to value that is not exclusive to mobile. For example, consider an internet banking application. Unique cases arise when your primary user demographic predominantly utilizes one platform. If your market research indicates that most potential customers for a drone product are on iOS, it may be strategic to launch on this platform first, followed by an expansion to Android.
Android or iOS, Native or Hybrid — which platform is best to use to build your app? What are your recommendations?
Cross-platform and WYSIWYG tools are advantageous for prototyping or creating small applications that showcase data received from the backend. Challenges emerge when attempting to accomplish tasks that exceed the provisions of the platform’s original design. I have observed instances where the workarounds required for platform constraints equaled or exceeded the effort of entirely rewriting the application in native code. This observation is supported by Airbnb's recent decision to phase out React Native, despite significant investment in its development. Among the cited reasons were the framework's immaturity and the requirement for mobile developers to master three different environments. Consequently, Airbnb transitioned fully to native applications for both iOS and Android.
What are the key factors that you consider before deciding the cost of a mobile application?
Operating on a time and materials basis, our primary emphasis is on hourly figures that directly influence the cost of any software project. We typically decompose a project into smaller, more manageable components (functionalities, screens, segments of business logic) and provide two hourly estimates: optimistic and pessimistic. Once all evaluations are aggregated, they are totaled and multiplied by our hourly rate to ascertain the project cost. In the context of a typical mobile application, it is essential to consider factors such as the number of screens, external API and payment system integrations, push notifications, and unconventional UI controls.
What kind of payment structure do you follow to bill your clients? Is it Pay per Feature, Fixed Cost, Pay per Milestone (could be in phases, months, versions etc.)
We operate on a time and materials basis, where the costs are determined by the quantity of development, testing, design, and project management hours expended. We only charge for the hours we dedicate to the client's project, recording them daily in our issue-tracker for enhanced transparency. Our clients have continual access to this tracker, enabling them to monitor the hours committed to their project on a daily, monthly, or cumulative basis. In the event of scope creep during the development phase, our project managers are directed to proactively inform the client of potential increases in total man-hours due to newly requested functionalities or updates. Our billing frequency is monthly, culminating in invoices at the end of each month based on the logged hours.
Do you take in projects which meet your basic budget requirement? If yes, what is the minimum requirement? If no, on what minimum budget you have worked for?
Our sales team has established a minimum budget threshold equivalent to the cost of 100 man-hours. However, it is important not to overlook smaller projects. Occasionally, agreeing to a minor project can pave the way for significant opportunities, enhancing the prospects of your business.
What is the price range (min and max) of the projects that you catered to in 2018?
Many of our projects are ongoing in nature. A modern software as a service product must continuously adapt to customer needs, employing A/B testing and enhancing functionality. Managerial decisions may lead projects to transition in-house for continuation by the client’s developers. In such cases, we undertake a thorough documentation and hand-off process. Another scenario involves projects entering a UAT phase following an active development phase, where we reduce our involvement to maintenance, typically requiring as little as 20-40 hours per month until further directives are issued. We are tasked with ensuring stability while refraining from adding significant new features. On the low end, we executed an $8,000 update for an e-commerce website for a client in the United Arab Emirates.
Which business model do you suggest to your clients enabling them to generate revenue from mobile applications? Why?
The business model should align closely with the application's concept. A free app with in-app purchases is an effective strategy for premium content applications and for games featuring virtual goods. Alternatively, advertising is well-suited for social applications, where ads can be seamlessly integrated into the user experience.
Kindly share your feedback on how GameFirms has been doing so far in increasing your visibility among potential clients.
GameFirms has effectively assisted us in engaging our customers for timely reviews and consistently monitoring Redwerk's progress while recognizing our various accomplishments. My marketing team appreciates these efforts greatly. We have also generated some leads through our listing on your platform.
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