endorsedOngoing

Redesign & Mobile App Development for The Pigeonhole (Book Club Platform)

Services Covered:

Mobile Application Development • Website Development • Managed IT Services • Software Maintenance and Support • Cloud Consulting and Services

Industry

Publishing

Duration

103 months

Budget

Confidential

Start Date

1 January 2018

Team Size

1-5 Employees

Engagement Model

Nearshore

Project Capability Score (PCS)

73/100

Good

Project Capability Score (PCS) estimates how capable Ars Futura is of successfully delivering a project like this, based on its past experience, track record, and ability to handle similar work. Learn more about PCS

Client

The Pigeonhole

London, United Kingdom

Project Summary

A digital book-club platform hired Ars Futura to redesign and improve its iOS app, build an Android counterpart, and subsequently assume responsibility for backend management. Ars Futura executed a full redesign and rebuild of the mobile experience, implemented a complex content-delivery system with real-time commenting, and migrated backend infrastructure from Heroku to AWS. The vendor has provided ongoing support, maintained strong communication via Slack and GitHub, and met tight delivery cycles, earning positive feedback for both technical delivery and team culture.

Key Challenges

Design and rebuild the iOS app to improve functionality and user experience
Develop and add an Android app with parity to iOS
Manage and take over the backend system and provide API support

Project Deliverables

Revamped iOS app
New Android app mirroring iOS functionality
Content delivery system for serialized books
Real-time commenting system
Backend system management and APIs
Migration from Heroku to AWS

Project Solution

Ars Futura redesigned and rebuilt the client's iOS app, then developed a feature-parity Android app. They iteratively improved the apps over several years, implemented a content-delivery system for serialized books and a dynamic real-time commenting feature, collaborated closely with the client's in-house team on APIs, and later took over responsibility for the backend system and its operations.

Project Outcome

Revamped iOS app capable of handling peak 40K users
New Android app mirroring iOS functionality
Ongoing support for backend Ruby-on-Rails system and migration to AWS

Platforms

Mobile
Cloud

Tech Stack

iOS
Android
Ruby on Rails
Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Client Endorsement

Overall Review Rating

4.75

Timeliness

Cost Rating

Willing to Refer

Quality of Deliverables

“Ars Futura has delivered a robust solution capable of dealing with the demands of its users, meeting expectations. A collaborative partner, the team communicates regularly and goes above and beyond to deliver on time. Their excellent work ethic and culture and high level of enthusiasm stand out.”
Jacob Cockcroft
Founder
Date: 01/26/2024