Fusion of Ideas was recently featured in Construction Executive, the magazine for the business of construction. Because we’ve developed several mobile applications for construction industry clients, we were asked to write an article about the ways our clients have used technology to solve business problems and to save time and money. The article details some of the types of tasks a custom app can accomplish, and the satisfaction that comes from embracing technology and moving in a positive, future-minded direction.
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.”
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
Delta Defense is the first and largest member-owned association that educates, trains, equips, and insures responsibly armed Americans. President and CEO Tim Schmidt, embracing his new role as a protector after having his first child, was inspired to create the “Concealed Carry Magazine” in 2003 and later the United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) in 2005. With over 200,000 subscribers, the Concealed Carry Magazine is a prominent aspect of Delta Defense. But they’re not stopping there – in their attempt to reach an even greater audience, the organization continues to explore additional avenues for growth and expansion. This philosophy is what led Delta Defense to explore today’s modern platform: mobile applications.
After some unsuccessful partnerships with other app developers, Delta Defense was in need of a trustworthy app development company. They needed a developer who could take their vision and translate it into a functional mobile app. FUSION was able to address all of their concerns by aligning specific designs and functionality for their mobile application with the necessary tools to make their vision come to life. The app (free to download in the Apple App Store and Android Play) incorporates key features such as a news feed, articles, podcasts, issues of the Concealed Carry Magazine, upcoming events, gun legislation, a Reciprocity Map, and a detailed map of local gun ranges. Fusion also created an easy-to-use backend for managing all of the information and pushing updates to the app.
Since the release of their mobile application, Delta Defense is now reaching and educating over one million people. FUSION’s commitment to open communication and true collaboration allowed Delta Defense to oversee all aspects of the development process from initial conception to completion. Now, more than ever, the mobile app is helping Delta Defense reach a larger, broader audience, resulting in more informed and responsible armed Americans.
New River Electrical (NRE) is a large electrical contractor doing business at multiple job sites on the East Coast. They have 700 plus employees that spend nearly 100% of their time at the job sites. The company’s challenge has always been twofold: first, collecting payroll information and getting payroll checks cut weekly for their workers; and secondly, collecting job site data for various purposes such as safety and regulatory compliance issues.
Their manual system was time consuming for the foremen who had to physically write on paper time sheets and then fax them to the corporate accounting team, who in turn had to calculate the hours from the printed handwritten sheets and upload them into a system for payment. There were also many safety and regulatory documents that constantly needed to be signed, collected, accounted for, and then stored at corporate as well.
The application that Fusion developed for NRE addressed the client’s major concerns, plus some. Here’s what Fusion was able to accomplish for NRE with their application.
Fusion designed a custom iPad solution for the client that allowed the foremen the ability to capture payroll information electronically. The corporate office had secure access to all the data captured and payroll processing time was slashed by 70%.
“With the app, we see a time savings of significant magnitude, especially where we are able to review the time entries, the equipment entries, and the safety reporting that the foreman is actually keeping themselves,” said Carolena Trammell, Controller at New River Electrical.
Additional modules also allowed the company to electronically capture and store data for safety forms, incident reports, and a multitude of compliance reports. Foremen could now review and sign forms on their iPads. A file system for job-specific information was also created. The client has accrued huge benefits from their new ability to review and analyze field data. All past reports and forms were paper based and not easily accessible.
On the administration side, an easy-to-use portal was created for corporate accounting users to view, edit, and approve all payroll data. Project managers were able to add, edit or delete all job specific forms and reports, and the system was integrated with NRE’s ViewPoint accounting system to allow ease of use.
NRE’s corporate strategy took the inefficiencies of their manual processes and streamlined them and improved them through the use of mobile technology. Since the initial application development, NRE has been working with Fusion for over 3 years. Recent project enhancements have included the ability to track expenses and manage the company’s uniform inventory.
When asked about why companies like NRE choose to switch over to mobile applications, Tim Hurlbut, Business Development Manager of Applications at Fusion of Ideas says, “Where do you want to see your company in the next few years? Do you want to be a company that is still using old presentation tools, faxing in reports, and emailing spreadsheets? Or do you want to be excelling in the tablet and mobile device world? Apps are not just trendy, they are completely functional and can change the ease of how you do business.”
Applications are making a huge difference for small and large companies across the globe.
“Building an application helps you empower your employees with more efficiency to get the job done,” says Tyler Harmor, Chief Technology Officer at Fusion of Ideas. “Through app development, you are given the keys to create a completely new experience. The sky really is the limit on what you can accomplish with an application for your company. At Fusion of Ideas, we focus on the end user and the demand from business to create applications that simplify and change the way people do business.”
If you are interested in discussing mobile application solutions that can help advance and modernize the way your company does business, please contact Fusion of Ideas directly at info@fusionofideas.com or 949-453-0740 ext. 250.
Fusion of Ideas was recently featured in Construction Executive, the magazine for the business of construction. Because we’ve developed several mobile applications for construction industry clients, we were asked to write an article about the ways our clients have used technology to solve business problems and to save time and money. The article details some of the types of tasks a custom app can accomplish, and the satisfaction that comes from embracing technology and moving in a positive, future-minded direction. 
Delta Defense is the first and largest member-owned association that educates, trains, equips, and insures responsibly armed Americans. President and CEO Tim Schmidt, embracing his new role as a protector after having his first child, was inspired to create the “Concealed Carry Magazine” in 2003 and later the United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) in 2005. With over 200,000 subscribers, the Concealed Carry Magazine is a prominent aspect of Delta Defense. But they’re not stopping there – in their attempt to reach an even greater audience, the organization continues to explore additional avenues for growth and expansion. This philosophy is what led Delta Defense to explore today’s modern platform: mobile applications. 
