Your startup has an awesome idea, and you want to transform it into an amazing, robust, and scalable digital product. You need to deliver it quickly to the market and evolve it over time. You decided (and we 100% agree!) that Ruby on Rails is the best framework to do it.
Now comes some critical reflections: do you have in-house, top-of-their-game talent for such a bold mission? Or is it better to count on a specialised Ruby on Rails services company to make sure everything runs as expected — now and into the future? If so, do you have a dedicated multi-functional team to build your product end-to-end — from the minimum viable product (MVP) to continuous improvements and from design to development — or to enrich your people with additional skills, empower and take your startup to the next level?
Finally, and most important: how to choose a qualified partner to handle your Ruby on Rails app?
Considering all of this, here’s a guide to follow when selecting a Ruby on Rails services company:
1. Do they master the startup mindset?
Startups have a set of traits and requirements that set them apart from any other company. A truly fast time to market and incremental innovation are at the top of the list. The abilities, attitudes, technologies, and methodologies used to make this possible are consequently different. And amid it all, being as cost-effective as possible and keeping up with the overwhelming pace of the market and an increasingly demanding client pool. Working with a company that “lives” in this world is halfway to success. This is the world that Runtime Revolution has known since 2006.
Currently, we support more than 20 startups to revolutionise their segments. FinTech, HealthTech, MediaTech, BioTech… Runtime has the skills and the experience “AnyTech” needs to go further. Runtime has a 100% devoted product development team that quickly addresses changes and shortens time-to-market while adding valuable insights/contributions and critical thinking as top-notch experts in the field, ensuring flexibility and making a startup more competitive.
2. Will they be able to go from concept to product?
A specialised tech partner is a great option for bringing an idea to life without having to invest in an in-house army of designers and developers–beginning with the MVP and the most effective way to put it on the market. This must involve a well-defined design-thinking process. At Runtime, this is how we make it happen:
- Product Design Session — we explore your startup concept and make sure we are aligned with your expectations and the user’s needs.
- Detailed Wireframes & Visual Prototypes — wireframes are delivered to you in a functional prototype, where you can comment, test, and approve. After approval, our designers work on the final look and feel, and deliver the prototyped mockups, where you can comment, test, and approve.
- Development Process — with a clear idea of how your product will work and look like, our developers start implementing.
- User Testing — here you can see how your product will be used and accepted by its users. We can perform several types of user testing: from 1-on-1 interviews to remote user testing recurring to specialised online platforms.
3. Will they have a fully dedicated development team in case your idea is already live?
We all know there’s a lack of IT talent in the market — and their huge cost, especially in technologies like Ruby on Rails and in geographic areas like the US. The right Ruby on Rails services company can help you surpass both challenges. We say “right”, meaning that its team is totally in tune with yours, working together to make sure your startup moves forward.
And don’t think of it as old-fashioned outsourcing or a body-shopping operation. We are talking about a company focused and experienced in translating disruptive concepts into market-ready and always-evolving software products with customised, multidisciplinary, and 100% devoted product development teams. Teams, not individual “bodies”. Teams that execute and implement at speed, with an eye for scaling, continuous value delivery, and growth. That’s Runtime’s approach. Here are some of the ways we have been successfully collaborating with startups over the last 15 years:
- Design + Development — We can join our designers and developers with your existing team.
- Development only — You may already have the design for your idea, and you just need a team to implement it. In that case, we are your product development team.
- Part of Development — Sometimes, your development team just needs an extra hand. We have specialised teams of developers ready to help you.
- Design — You may already have the developers, but you need the design to get everything working properly. In that case, we are your design team.
4. Is their focus on Ruby on Rails?
Besides “living” in the startup world, if the technology chosen by your startup is Ruby on Rails, the best guarantee of success is to choose an experienced partner in this framework, one that has a vast portfolio of RoR projects. Knowing how to take full advantage of its features, being an expert in its libraries, modules, and structure and with a great track record of projects using RoR. Runtime is that kind of partner. Positioning itself as a startup’s one-stop shop for Ruby on Rails, delivering the best programming services and developing products to be the most original, reliable, scalable, and remarkable on the market — from a custom-tailored user experience to a beautifully engineered application.
5. Do they use Agile Methodologies?
Among the many methodologies on the market, there is one particularly suited for startups — the very flexible, non-traditional Agile methodology. The emphasis is on iterative development, with a large focus on collaboration and cross-functional, self-organising teams. What separates this methodology from others is the focus on the people doing the work and how they work together. Agile has the ability to create and respond to change.
Scrum, Lean Development, Feature-Driven Development, Dynamic Systems Development, and Extreme Programming are among the most popular Agile frameworks. Additionally, pair programming, test-driven development, stand-ups, planning sessions, and sprints are among the most popular Agile practices. It is especially beneficial for startups because it allows for quick deliverables with continuous improvement based on real-world feedback. They are also proven to boost productivity and provide a more efficient work environment. And, of course, that’s what we use at Runtime ;)
6. How committed are they to your success?
Commitment, involvement, and engagement are keywords. A Ruby on Rails services company must share a common purpose and vision regarding your startup’s product, and be embedded into your culture. Both teams work as a single unit, giving their best to achieve goals in a results-oriented approach.
At Runtime, we take advantage of modern tools and fine-tuned processes to make sure we’re always in touch and in sync with the startups we serve. We focus on building long-lasting relationships based on transparency, competence, and trust. Here is how we work:
- On the same page as you, no matter the distance.
- We use effective communication tools to always be reachable.
- For us, there’s no such thing as “over-communication”.
- We know how to help move your business forward.
- We are not simple executors, we have a critical view regarding product development.
- As good humans we are, we won’t hide our feelings on any issue.
- We have face-to-face meetings. Interaction gets so much easier!
- Our language is aligned with yours.
And that’s it! The 6 important questions you need answered before selecting a Ruby on Rails services company for your startup. We believe Runtime has all it takes, but let’s talk about your specific reality, and you can see for yourself ;)