Mobile App Dev for Retirement Fund Firm

Background

Praxent is building an app for iOS and Android. First, they focused on creating an information-based platform similar to the client’s website. Now in the second phase, they’re building more engaging features.

Praxent managed the client’s priorities well by developing a stable platform quickly so it could be released. Now they’re working on expanding the platform’s functions to meet the remaining requirements. To ensure transparency, they met with the client regularly to plan sprints and track the budget.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the COO for BlueStar Retirement Services, a 401(k) Recordkeeper and TPA. We do 401(k) plan administration in the financial services industry.

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Opportunity / Challenge

What challenge were you trying to address with Praxent?

We have a great participant website that is mobile-responsive, but we were looking for a true mobile experience. We hired Praxent to develop a mobile app for us that would provide an excellent user experience for our participants and differentiate us from our competition.

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Solution

What was the scope of their involvement?

We wanted them to develop an iOS and Android app that built on our current participant web experience, but take it to the next level. We needed the app to be really engaging and provide a more guided experience.  We were looking to help all of our participants, but particularly young people, develop great savings habits and take control of their financial security.

Praxent divided the development into two phases. The initial phase focused on views like accessing a user’s account, information, lessons, investments, and contribution rate.

We’re now in the second phase and they’re working on enhancing that experience by creating a guided enrollment user flow.

What is the team composition?

We’ve worked closely with a number of Praxent people.  They provided all of the project management and the front end work.  My development team handled the back end work.  Their teams worked seamlessly together.

How did you come to work with Praxent?

I did a Google search and found Clutch. I interviewed the top five UX/UI designers and was particularly impressed with Praxent because of how they configured the project. They also specialize in the financial services industry, so they understood what we were talking about very quickly.

How much have you invested with them?

The total project will cost $400,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We engaged them in September 2020 and we are about halfway through the total project now. 

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Results & Feedback

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

We just finished the first phase and are moving on to the second. We estimate that it will be done in April 2021. I’ve been impressed by how they managed our two main priorities: getting to market quickly and improving the features our participants can engage with.

How did Praxent perform from a project management standpoint?

Their project management is exceptional. I’ve been impressed with how they’ve completed each sprint. We had several meetings to discuss the budget and timeline, which was a time commitment, but it was well worth the time.

They’re very reliable, so I know that I can count on them. It became clear that they were dedicated to delivering a quality product on time and under budget.

Midway through the project, we had to switch project managers. That concerned me at first, but the new project manager that came in didn’t miss a beat.

My backend developers use Slack to collaborate with them, but we meet weekly over video conferencing. They use PowerPoint to present the sprint plan and keep us updated on how well we’re managing the budget.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They have a really good design team. I’ve been impressed with how well they can take our ideas and put them into action. They’re creative, they hear our feedback, and they come up with unique ways to present data and create an experience on the platform.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No. I’ve never been happier with an outside firm.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

New clients should make sure they have team members who can focus on the business side of the project. Praxent can do great things as long as they get good feedback, so it’s important that the business side is involved.