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(Not-So) Humble App Beginnings

A question we get a lot at Fusion: “You’re a well known customization company – what made you get into app development?”. We decided to take the time to answer that question and provide some history of how Fusion’s app development service came to be.  

“As with all truly successful innovative companies, Fusion is always looking out for the needs of our customers,” said Russ Taylor, CEO of Fusion of Ideas.  “We stay on top of technology, development, and our product offering so that we’re not only keeping up with trends, but offering truly custom solutions based on what our customers need.  Our app development service was born out of repeated request from our customers. The iPhone App Store opened in July 2008, and soon after that, our customers began inquiring about custom apps in addition to hardware customization services. We decided that if we were going to do this, we were going to do it right, so we set out to create create applications that reflected the same high-level reputation of our customization services.”

That’s when Taylor brought on Tyler Harmor, someone with extensive development and leadership experience, as CTO of Fusion of Ideas. Harmor was given the task of creating a team of developers and designers with the ability to understand the client’s vision, map it out in detailed a statement of work, and then produce each custom application on time according to their specific deadlines.  

Harmor was asked to do all this while adhering to the Fusion of Ideas commitment to being a one-stop-shop for all service offerings, which means all of our work takes place under one roof in Lake Forest, CA.  At that time, many companies were outsourcing their app development overseas. But clients were becoming increasingly frustrated with the disconnect, language barriers, and long waits for communication and updates.  Hiring all of our iOSdevelopers to work in one location would provide a high level of customer service in which clients could easily communicate directly with their application’s developers. Comprehensive details could be communicated with minimal miscommunications, and any questions or requests for app updates could be answered in minutes, rather than hours.  

So Harmor hired a team of the best developers in Southern California, and app development quickly became one of Fusion’s cornerstone product offerings.

“From the moment we let our clients know that we were offering application development, we were inundated with several exciting projects,” says Taylor.  “Our clients had experienced a high level of quality with our customization projects, and knew that we would produce the same high-quality work when it came to app development.  We truly value our clients and strive to give them our absolute best, so the decision to hire Fusion to develop applications was an easy decision for many of them.”

Less than two years after mobile applications were introduced to the world on a consumer and business level, Fusion had entered the app development industry.  Fusion’s first three clients were the New York Public Library, Jack Nicklaus, and California Pizza Kitchen, in that order.

“We came from not-so humble app development beginnings,” said Tyler Harmor, CTO of Fusion of Ideas. “We didn’t have to start small and build a reputation from scratch.  Because of the high level of quality in our customization projects, Fusion was poised for success when we began developing apps for some big names. And we were ready to show them what we could do.”

The first Fusion of Ideas app development client was New York Public Library (NYPL). NYPLneeded an internal application for their librarians that would serve as a liaison between their database of library assets. NYPL had worked with Fusion of Ideas on some other projects, and knew that Fusion would produce a top-notch product for them.

Integrating the outdated system into a custom application presented many technical challenges and required a significant amount of work for Fusion, but the end result was an app that successfully tied into the NYPL database and enabled librarians to search for publications and other assets. With the release of the new app, Fusion helped the NYPL step into the mobile age.

Following the NYPL app, in 2011, Fusion created an application for Jack Nicklaus, who was actively looking for investors for new golf course projects. They wanted to create a custom application that would loaded onto iPads and given as a gift to potential investors. The app would invite the recipients to learn about the business and potential investment opportunities.  Fusion created an application that housed information about the golf course, videos, brochures, and other marketing collateral. The “wow factor” of the project brought them back to Fusion for additional applications and services over the years.

California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) wanted to create an easy ordering app that would be used to test a Spanish language menu in some of its locations.  The application housed an ordering portal and detailed menu information, and was utilized in several CPK’s across the nation.

“These three initial app development clients, though several years ago, were early adopters, using apps at a time when other businesses didn’t even have an inkling of the importance of mobile technology,” said Harmor.  “Looking at our app development clients in 2018 – they vary quite a bit in shape and size. We have clients who are doing smaller projects, such as Dynamic Content Solution (DCS) applications, which includes a custom interface to house specific information like videos, apps, presentation and marketing materials, PDFs, etc.  We also have clients who are creating huge framework applications that run their business. We do it all, and we love the variety and the challenges of creating technology solutions for these companies.”

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Let’s Be Frank: Have an Awesome Idea For an App? What Does It Really Take to Develop a Mobile Application With Fusion of Ideas?

When starting something new,  it’s never a bad idea to do a little research online to get an understanding of what it is you’re getting into.  This is never more true than when you’re starting to research and brainstorm for a business app you’d like to create.  Through Entrepreneur.com and other top sites, we’ve found lists of recommended questions to ask potential developers.  To take some of the guesswork out of reading the details on our website at www.fusionofideas.com, we sat down with our Business Development Manager of Applications, Tim Hurlbut, and asked some of the top recommended questions to ask when interviewing an app development company.  

May I have a list of your current and past clients?  

Just to name drop a few, we’ve done custom applications for Hilton Grand Vacations, Warner Brothers, Lakers, Delta, Hennessy, California Pizza Kitchen, Barney’s New York, Lionsgate, LensCrafters, NuSkin, CapitalOne, Audi, New York Public Library, etc.  We’ve built all kinds of applications; whether it is a dynamic content solution for a small business or an intense client facing sales tool, our expert developers can do it all. Upon request, we would love to share some samples of our work depending on your area of interest.

Where can I find examples of mobile apps you’ve developed?

The majority of our clients utilize apps for B2B and internal purposes, so most of the apps we develop are not public. However, some of the applications we have developed can be found on the App Store & Google Play. Upon request, we would love to share some samples of our work.  

Which platforms do you develop?

We are experts in both iOS and Android app development. We also have an expert team of Web Developers who are able to work in multiple programming languages.

Do you provide documentation for the apps you develop?

Yes, documentation is provided for apps we develop. It is also provided for source code.

How do you manage quality control and testing?

Quality control and testing is always provided with each phase of the project.  We use the AGILE development mythology.  This process includes weekly reviews and updates.  

Do you develop everything yourself? Do you outsource to anyone?

Our team is all in-house, plugging away at their work in our offices in Southern California.  We do not outsource.  And better yet, you can get a hold of us at anytime with clear communication.  How many App Developer companies can boast that they do all of their work under one roof, all in the USA?  We can.   

Do you partner with an app designer or would you need us to handle that?

We have our own skilled app designers who are able to take your vision to life. We are also available to work with a clients’ own design partner or style guides.  

What are the steps you usually take prior to building an app?

Upon request, we would love to provide you with our brochure that outlines the entire app development process. Here is a sneak peak of the steps we go through to make sure we build you exactly what you want.

9 Steps For An Effective Application Development Project (from Fusion of Ideas Brochure)

Will you manage the process for uploading to the various app marketplaces? Do you have a developer account to do this?

Yes, we will handle the app submission process to App Store, Google Play, etc. We do have our own app developer account, however the majority of our projects are built using the clients developer account, which we help them secure.

Do you offer long-term app maintenance and support?

Yes, we have multiple options available to clients depending upon their requirements.  

How will we communicate during the development process?

Generally through initial phone conversations, followed by email & webinar sessions. We are available to travel if required to meet with clients.

Who will own the mobile app?

The app projects are primarily owned by our clients. We are a work-for-hire partner and do not retain ownership rights.

What are your fees and payment terms?

All of our projects are quoted as fixed price projects.  We learn the clients needs. We document those requirements in a statement of work. We quote a firm fixed price and timeline to the details quote. Determining on the clients specific needs, payment terms are usually in phases or can also be done in monthly payments.

For more information about Fusion of Ideas and our application development services, please contact us at 949-453-0740 or info@fusionofideas.com

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Another Fantastic Year With Kidd’s Kidds

This November marked FUSION’s seventh year of sponsoring and working with Kidd’s Kids.  Since 2011, FUSION has donated app development and customization services to the charity, who works with families of children with life-altering or life-threatening conditions.

Kidd Kraddick founded Kidd’s Kids in 1991 with the goal of making a difference in the lives of children and families who are dealing with life altering conditions.  Initially, the program began with a bus ride to Sea World in San Antonio, Texas. Thanks to the volunteer efforts from partners, donors, and medical professionals, along with the Kidd Kraddick Morning Show listeners’ willingness to embrace their mission, Kidd’s Kids has grown at an exponential rate. Now in its 26th year, the foundation has sent over 1000 kids and their families on a trip of a lifetime to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

Here’s a video showcasing a little more about this foundation and our involvement with them.  For more information, please visit http://www.kiddskids.com

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Creating An Unparalleled Welcoming Experience For New Homeowners

For over 30 years, Consultatio Real Estate has successfully developed innovative high category real estate projects in prime locations.

Passionate about transforming ordinary into extraordinary, Consultatio Real Estate wanted the most high-end, absolute best for their tenants. They wanted to create an unparalleled welcoming experience for new homeowners of both the Oceana Key Biscayne and Bal Harbour properties that reflected the union of art, real estate and technology.

In 2014, Consultatio needed a solution for their welcoming process with their Oceana Key Biscayne project.  They wanted a very unique gift experience for the tenants of Consultatio Real Estate that would capture the attention of future homeowners and provide a suitable resource for displaying the many amenities the property had to offer. As an unprecedented solution to enhance Consultatio’s welcoming process, FUSION created fully equipped and branded iPads, including a custom sleeve, branded Smart Cover, and preloaded with custom iOS content, providing each tenant with a little piece of art for their new home. The tenants loved the gift so much that Consultatio knew it needed to be part of their next project.

This year, when the Bal Harbour property neared completion, Consultatio Real Estate connected with FUSION again to discuss the next rollout of customized iPads. It was quickly discovered that among the many exquisite works of art on the Bal Harbour property, one in particular stood out above the rest. Created by iconic Americana artist Jeff Koons, the mirror-polished, stainless steel sculpture “Pluto and Proserpina” stands over 10 feet tall and serves as a centerpiece of the property. Using this masterpiece as an inspiration, FUSION presented a new complete iPad package with a design that surpassed expectations. Consultatio loved the new packaging and exquisite custom gift boxes built specifically for their custom project with high-end materials fit to be displayed on a coffee table. The iPads were customized with pre-loaded content about the property and its amenities. A custom printed Smart Cover paired nicely with the full-color printed iPad. A custom sleeve was also fitted around the iPad box before it was inserted into the gift box. The result was a stunning, one-of-a-kind gift for each tenant to feel welcomed and cherished.

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Fusion of Ideas Core Products and Services

Okay, okay, so before we get our blog going, we have one more item of business that we would love to share, and that’s more information about our core products and services, which you can always find more information about on our website at www.fusionofideas.com.

Mobility is more than a necessity in business. It’s an art form. It requires the proper use of technology surrounded by brand experiences that are seamless and simple.

We’re masters of our craft.

We’ve partnered with hundreds of brands to transform their business processes and elevate their brand equity (check out some of our work here). From planning to deployment, we’ve revolutionized end-to-end mobility. We push the creative boundaries to streamline your operations and deliver an innovative customer journey that elevates your brand experience. Ultimately, our proprietary services and expertise contribute to one goal: advancing the Art of Mobility.

In today’s digital era, the smartest corporate leaders have mobilized their enterprise. Mobile adaption is defining the way your business will grow. Research shows that there’s an obsessive customer need for more mobile integration, but only 25 percent of companies will incorporate mobile strategies into their customer’s experiences.

FUSION can transform your brand experience through:

App Development – (IOS ⬢ Android ⬢ Windows ⬢ Web ⬢ Web Apps) With insight into the entire mobile integration process, FUSION works with clients to develop custom mobile software solutions. Streamline your user’s experience through FUSION’s custom mobile apps tailored to your needs and securely integrated into your IT system’s backend. All of FUSION’s design and development is done in-house in America, and FUSION takes the time to understand the entirety of your project and business needs upfront. FUSION wants to partner with you to enhance your business. You are poised for success partnering with FUSION by creating the mobile software solution you desire.

 Branding Experiences – ( Customization ⬢ Digital Content ⬢ Custom Packaging ⬢ Custom Accessories ⬢ StealthArmor) FUSION has spent over a decade innovating mobile device customization, and continues to evolve services for clients. This process starts with the customization and branding of devices and accessories, then extends to preloading digital content onto devices and concludes with placing mobile devices in custom packaging. All of these services are uniquely crafted around a branded experience that is delivered directly to the end user.

 Integration Logistics – (Consulting ⬢ Ordering Portals ⬢ MDM ⬢ Sourcing ⬢ Kitting ⬢ Shipping) FUSION manages mobile integration logistics from initial concept to finished execution. FUSION enables clients to accomplish flawless worldwide deployment without ever having to touch a single device. And FUSION takes away the hassle of a mobility project by handling all aspects of receiving, branding, uploading, kitting and shipping your devices. FUSION’s custom ordering portals enable you to manage all of the details and reports of your project. FUSION can place and manage client devices under proprietary Mobile Device Management (MDM) and administer all of your MDM needs. Devices are kitted, prepared and packaged from FUSION’s 26,000-square-foot warehouse in Southern California. FUSION ships devices to one or multiple locations around the world for delivery. On-site setup and training workshops can be performed by FUSION, as well as concierge services such as HelpDesk, Device Depot and Break Fix. The most significant component: you never have to touch a single device to get them deployed, since FUSION has done it for you.

If you ever have any questions about Fusion or our products and services, we’d love to hear from you. You can connect with us on our website, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, via email at info@fusionofideas.com or via phone at 949-453-0740.