SF AppWorks is a San Francisco software agency that helps organizations and entrepreneurs explore, design, and develop innovative technology.
WHAT WE'RE ABOUT
That’s why we built Humana’s nudge engine, to smartly remind people to get regular checkups and preventative treatments, by email, text message, or however they prefer to communicate.
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And why we joined forces with West Elm's innovation team to integrate AI, create chatbots, prototype AR/VR concepts, and ultimately build a web experience that loads with the speed and fluidity of a native app.
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We've also been working to tackle the obstacles our older population faces, from mental health and loneliness to safety and security in the home - so that all of us can age peacefully and happily.
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CLIENTS AND PARTNERS
We love to partner with curious technologists to build interesting and useful things.
WHAT WE DO
SF AppWorks is a custom software development, design, and innovation shop. We partner with innovators and entrepreneurs inside forward-thinking organizations to think up, plan out, design, prototype, test, build, launch, scale, and refine software products.
For companies and entrepreneurs looking to add software developers to their existing teams, in the short-term while they hire or in the long-term to increase their software capabilities.
Find out more Rapid PrototypingFor companies and entrepreneurs who have concepts that they want to test in the market through rapid prototype development and iteration. Also for those looking to test out new technology platforms before building on top of them.
Find out more Design and UXFor companies and entrepreneurs who need help designing and testing features or optimizing their user experience. For marketers who need design support for their various marketing activities.
Find out more Web DevelopmentFor companies and entrepreneurs who need to hire a fully managed software development team with designers, developers, Quality Assurance, Technical Architecture, and Project Management.
Find out more App DevelopmentFor companies and entrepreneurs looking to build native iOS + Android apps, use cross-platform development tools like React Native, or develop connected devices and IoT applications.
Find out more NO-CODE/LOW CODE DEVELOPMENTFor companies and entrepreneurs who want to build marketing websites or simple eCommerce applications, at speed and without the need for developer support post-launch. For those exploring marketing automation through platforms like Hubspot.
Find out moreCLIENT TESTIMONIALS
DOWNLOAD THE FREE EBOOK
Get critical guidance on how to build and implement responsible generative AI frameworks and learn how other tech leaders are thinking about and confronting our new era of generative AI.
WANT TO BUILD SOMETHING TOGETHER?
Whether you have one idea or several, need to build an internal demo or an external MVP, refine your requirements and explore new opportunities, we're a great starting point on your path to software development success.
SOFTWARE INNOVATION AWARDS
We've come a long way since our launch in 2012. SF AppWorks is now a top name in software development San Francisco, as voted by entrepreneurs and business leaders just like you, and we don't plan on stopping there.
SOFTWARE COMPANY IN USA · F.A.Q.
Building software is complex and time-consuming, but when done right it can be transformative for a company or industry. Here are some of the most common questions we field.
Most contract developers range from $50-150/hour, depending on their location. We've priced ourselves to cost about what a mid-level engineer costs, but deliver a senior-level team with supporting Quality Assurance, architecture, and Scrum management.
As long as possible. Let us explain: Building a piece of software is an iterative process. It starts with an assumption about how a user will interact with your product. Once you build the software, one of two things happens. Either you validate your assumptions by seeing the kind of usage that you predicted, or you invalidate it by not getting the kind of usage you wanted. If validated, you're onto something big and will want to deliver more features, more scalability, and more value to those customers. If invalidated, you'll want to make adjustments or test new ideas. In either case, a sustained and ongoing approach will yield the best results.
That said, most of our projects run about three months and then either pause for testing and feedback or roll into a secondary phase with enhanced feature sets.
We get hired in three situations: When you want to build something, but don't know what; when you want to build many things, but don't know how; when you know what to build, but don't know who.
In the first case, we help ideate through design thinking exercises and product planning. In the second case, we help companies employ rapid prototyping and testing, and in the third case, we build custom software to be the best in class.
If you're not sure you are ready to hire, we're happy to help you think through the various considerations. We also have a ton of helpful resources on our blog, newsletter, and through our podcast.
Our typical engagements are three months, two-four developers plus supporting QA, architecture, scrum management, and design. In these engagements, we typically build towards an MVP - a minimum viable product - that can be launched and used by real users.
We use variations of the Agile process to develop software. We typically work in two-week sprints with daily standups and demo drops or production releases after each sprint. Feature estimation, sprint lockdowns, retrospectives, and backlog grooming round out the typical processes.
Sometimes we work alongside existing development teams to augment their technical capabilities and in other times we are the complete technical arm of an organization.
Software development is a serious endeavor. Side effects can include unlocked creativity, massive opportunity generation, and feelings of career satisfaction and purpose. Do NOT undertake software development if you or a loved one wants to get rich quick, you have not checked to see if the product you envision already exists, or you have no desire to solve big, complex problems that require highly skilled designers and engineers.
If you love the scientific method, enjoy creating value for people, or appreciate efficiency, then talk to your local agency about Software Development.
WHAT WE HAVE TO SAY
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