Program-Ace

Innovation-oriented software development company

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🌍 Overview:

Program-Ace is a global software development service provider, delivering tailored solutions for diverse business sectors since 1992. With our seasoned team of developers and artists, we have successfully brought to life over 900 projects using cutting-edge technologies. 

📧 Connect with us: If you have a project and are seeking expert consultation and a dependable development partner, don't hesitate to reach out at [email protected].

Certifications

ISO 9001:2015
$50 - $99/hr
50 - 249
1992
Locations
Cyprus
Archiepiskopou Makariou III, 1, Mitsis Building No. 3, Office 310, Nicosia, Nicosia District 1065

Focus Areas

Service Focus

20%
20%
10%
10%
10%
10%
10%
10%
  • Mobile App Development
  • AR & VR Development
  • Web Development
  • Software Development
  • E-commerce Development

Client Focus

50%
30%
20%
  • Medium Business
  • Small Business
  • Large Business

Industry Focus

20%
20%
15%
15%
10%
10%
10%
  • Business Services
  • Information Technology
  • Advertising & Marketing

Program-Ace Executive Interview

Oleg Fonarov
Oleg Fonarov
CEO
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Kindly share your feedback on how GoodFirms has been doing so far in increasing your visibility among potential clients.
We are truly grateful for the significant role GoodFirms plays in helping our business grow and thrive. Businesses and consumers all over the world are lucky to have access to such a helpful service. In fact, we are eager to establish closer ties and interaction with your service, both in the development of special projects (which we are currently cooperating on) and in the advancement of our company in your business listings. It is our hope that your business keeps expanding and improving.
Please introduce your company and give a brief about your role within the company?
I am the CEO of Program-Ace, a research & development company based in Kharkiv, Ukraine. My company was founded in 1992, and has over 100 staff members working in over half a dozen departments. Our business has 3 divisions, each with their own niches and services: Program-Ace (software development), 3D-Ace (2D/3D art and design), and Game-Ace (game development).

Currently my role in the company is to be a guiding light, charting new vectors of development, business plans, and policies for the business. I work closely with heads of departments to deliver on the projects that our company undertakes and encourage further growth of the business.
What was the idea behind starting this organization?
When Program-Ace was founded in 1992, it was intended to be a graphic design studio and publishing house, and functioned in this capacity. However, over time, our expertise grew and moved on to software development. We started with making graphic modules, games, and web applications, and gradually expanded to building proprietary software and solutions for AR, VR, MR, and a range of other promising fields.
What are your company’s business model–in house team or third party vendors/ outsourcing?
Our business model primarily relies on outsourcing, though we also conduct internal development to advance our R&D and create reference products.
How is your business model beneficial from a value addition perspective to the clients compared to other companies' models?
Our business appeals to clients because working with us, they do not need to find specialists in several places. We have all of the specialists necessary to compose a complete team and house it under one roof, from artists to developers.

Furthermore, our broad expertise and long history on the market give us a leg up over most competitors. Our developers are well-versed in building software for a variety of industries and niche specifications.

One of our biggest strengths is certainly our team of Unity specialists, which is one of the largest on the market. Unity is increasingly gaining prominence not only as a game engine, but also as a great resource for enterprise applications. With official certification and years of experience, our specialists know Unity like very few others.

On top of that, we have an assigned Project Manager associated with all company departments and capable of structuring the development process from conceptualization to release.
What industries do you generally cater to? Are your customers repetitive? If yes, what ratio of clients has been repetitive to you?
The majority of our clients come from the following industries:
Gaming & Entertainment, Education, HealthCare, Media Production, Retail, Manufacturing, Automotive.
 
In regards to returning customers, they make up a substantial portion of our total client base. While some of these customers turn to us for the development of new applications, others stay with us for support with their existing apps.
 
Businesses often need to improve existing products with new solutions, and find it convenient to stick with us for these changes, since we are already familiar with the logic of the application and our team is capable of applying virtually any technology available on the market. We cooperate with many such companies regularly and act as their technology partners.
 
Furthermore, we even have clients that we have worked for over 10 years, with projects that require continuous support. They are well aware of the fact that we are the only ones capable of supporting products of such magnitude.
Mention the objectives or the parameters critical in determining the time frame of developing a mobile app.
We consider and evaluate the following parameters when coming up with a time frame:
-          The complexity of the app functions
-          The amount of content and features, and their complexity
-          The business logic behind the app
-          Integration of external services
-          The difficulty of implementing the desired design
How much effort in terms of time goes into developing the front end and back end of a mobile app?
Every project is different and has different requirements, so there is no general rule in this regard. Nevertheless, there is a tendency of the back-end taking longer in most cases, especially when business logic is implemented.

We focus a lot more on the stages of planning and building architecture. While code is being written, we also create reliable, scalable, and secure systems that will allow the service to operate smoothly even as its complexity and user base grows. This approach is ingrained into our company processes and work methodology.
What are the key parameters to be considered before selecting the right platform for a mobile application?
Customarily, we consider the following parameters for selection:
-          Budget (which determines the feasibility of a native or cross-platform app)
-          Timeframes
-          Customer needs
 
In many cases, the customer still needs to release something for most platforms, as nearly all countries have platform segmentation (in the context of B2C). The question that comes up here is whether to build 2 native applications (one for each platform) or one cross-platform app. We also take into account time frames and budget. Thus, if a client has a limited budget but still wants to release on several platforms, we will suggest a cross-platform application based on Unity or React Native instead of separate native apps.
Which platform do you suggest your clients to begin with when they approach you with an idea (Android or iOS) and why?
When a customer approaches us with an idea for a native app but is unsure of which platform to use, our business analysis department comes to the rescue. They analyze the idea and the functionality required, and then provide guidance on the best platform to choose based on desired features (e.g. choosing iOS for its strength in speech recognition and voice assistance). The team will also analyze the optimal conditions for launching the application (including country, target audience, app category).

Since the idea is formulated at this point, it means that the customer wants to create an MVP or prototype. We often suggest Unity for the development of these things, but are also fully capable of building on any other platform (Unreal Engine, Vuforia, ARKit, etc.).
Android or iOS, Native or Hybrid — which platform is best to use to build your app? What are your recommendations?
When it comes to the choice between Android or iOS, we recommend that customers choose both. If they want to limit the app to one platform, we just suggest the one that best fits the features they want to implement and the audience they want to target.

In regards to Native or Hybrid, we recommend native for applications with complex features and requiring strong performance. Nevertheless, not all clients want to invest in expensive native apps or even need complex features, so hybrid apps are best for them. These are more affordable and great for simple apps without HD graphics or intensive performance needs.
What are the key factors that you consider before deciding the cost of a mobile application?
We look at the following factors before we make any cost estimates:
●    The complexity of the app functionality
●    Whether the app is native, hybrid, or cross-platform
●    Which platforms the app will be developed for
●    Required features and technologies
●    Design peculiarities
●    The complexity of the business logic and what the app will integrate with (such as API).
●    Plans for future development and scaling of the app (must be known for architecture choices)
What kind of payment structure do you follow to bill your clients? Is it Pay per Feature, Fixed Cost, Pay per Milestone (could be in phases, months, versions etc.)
Our company is quite flexible when it comes to pricing models, as we understand that all projects cannot be billed in the same way. Furthermore, our services can be provided on a project basis or through team extension.

Traditionally, when a client approaches us with an idea for an application, we suggest creating an SRS for them, after which it will be possible to provide a fixed price for the project.

Our supported pricing models are:
●    Fixed price
●    Time & material 
●    Dedicated team
●    Mixed model
Do you take in projects which meet your basic budget requirement? If yes, what is the minimum requirement? If no, on what minimum budget you have worked for?
Ordinarily, we accept projects that we have evaluated with a total price of over $5K. In some cases, clients approach us with requests to create MVPs, which traditionally carry a small budget, yet we may accept in light of the projects’ potential for development in the future. We do not work with individuals, so our clients include startups and enterprise companies.
What is the price range (min and max) of the projects that you catered to in 2019?
The price range of our mobile development projects in 2019 ranged from $5K-$80K.
Which business model do you suggest to your clients enabling them to generate revenue from mobile applications? Why?
Before the selection of a business model, we suggest that the client answer the following questions:
1.    Which problem does the application solve and how?
2.    How is the application unique, and why will users want to pay full price for it?
3.    Will the business model allow implementing additional paid content into the application?
4.    Are there plans to provide permanent support for the application and add new content in the future?

Based on the answers, application type, business logic, and other factors, we offer one of the following models:

1.    A free app with advertisements
This model makes it easy to attract a large user base, making it perfect for games and apps with quick interactions.

2.    A paid app
This model is most suitable for unique services with an established reputation, and brings in the most stable revenue.

3.    A free-to-play app with optional microtransactions
Users appreciate the ability to select which additional services they want to pay for, and this is most suitable for games and apps with advanced and costly supplemental features.

4.    A freemium app (free gameplay with a paywall)
The freemium model allows users to try out the service before paying for a full version. If the application is good, its owners should enjoy stable revenue.

5.    A subscription-based app
Subscriptions also allow for trying out a service, with revenue climbing steadily as more users sign on with time.

Program-Ace Clients & Portfolios

Key Clients

  • Unity
  • Epic Games
  • Wargaming
  • GSN Games
  • Namco
  • Bigpoint
  • Hopster
  • MAGRABi
  • Sany Group
  • Flying Wild Hog

Aircraft Engine VR Training
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Aircraft Engine VR Training
  • Aircraft Engine VR Training screenshot 1
$10001 to $50000
22 weeks
Other Industries

This virtual system was designed to raise the bar when it comes to interactions with complex equipment and learning new technologies. This immersive solution functions in real time and situates the specialist (who is learning) into a modeled virtual environment featuring accurate hand tracking and a high level of detail. These factors contribute to a speed and level of efficiency in training higher than those provided by traditional learning methods.

All-in-One Telemedicine / Healthcare Mobile App
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All-in-One Telemedicine / Healthcare Mobile App
  • All-in-One Telemedicine / Healthcare Mobile App screenshot 1
$10001 to $50000
20 weeks
Healthcare & Medical

Track your health, chat with your doctor, schedule appointments and don't forget to take your pills! Program-Ace developed all-in-one solution for people who want to live healthy and active life.

Trivia Hero
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Trivia Hero
  • Trivia Hero screenshot 1
$10001 to $50000
16 weeks
Gaming

Program-Ace rebranded and redesigned a famous iOS Trivia game to help attract new players, increase user retention, and generate more revenue.

The game was created by a team of three developers, one QA engineer, one UI/UX designer, ​and one artist. The development took four months.

Farm Management System
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Farm Management System
  • Farm Management System screenshot 1
$10001 to $50000
16 weeks
Agriculture

Program-Ace rebranded and redesigned a famous iOS Trivia game to help attract new players, increase user retention, and generate more revenue.

The game was created by a team of three developers, one QA engineer, one UI/UX designer, ​and one artist. The development took four months.

Fruit Procurement App
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Fruit Procurement App
  • Fruit Procurement App screenshot 1
$10001 to $50000
5 weeks
Enterprise

Program-Ace implemented effective gamification mechanics to help the biggest European fresh fruit exporter establish beneficial relationships with suppliers.

Fruit Procurement App that is primarily designed for iOS and Android was developed by a team of one UI/UX designer, a full-stack developer, and a QA specialist. It took one month for our team to deliver and distribute the solution.

Hopster's Alphabet Hotel
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Hopster's Alphabet Hotel
  • Hopster's Alphabet Hotel screenshot 1
$10001 to $50000
22 weeks
Education

A mobile application with gamification that introduces children to the letters and sounds of the English alphabet, developed for Hopster, a leading interactive television (TV) and e-learning company for preschoolers.

Archy the Rabbit
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Archy the Rabbit
  • Archy the Rabbit screenshot 1
$10001 to $50000
24 weeks
Education

An interactive AR app for children that features an adorable rabbit. The application has been developed both, for mobile devices (markerless and marker-rich AR technologies) and for Microsoft Hololens.

Magrabi VR Store
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Magrabi VR Store
  • Magrabi VR Store screenshot 1
$10001 to $50000
38 weeks
Retail

Magrabi Optical's VR store app with an immersive virtual retail experience for Google Cardboard.

The VR experience we delivered played really well at the event and beyond and helped the customer achieve the main goals: engaging an additional audience and positioning their brand as a modern and innovative company.

Program-Ace Reviews

4.8 3 Reviews
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Highly productive and competent 3D artists.

Rating Breakdown

  • Quality
  • Schedule & Timing
  • Communication
  • Overall Rating

Project Detail

$0 to $10000
In Progress

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Review Summary

Program-Ace has been a reliable partner in creating the 3D models for our online leather bag designer company.
They were always quick to turn around new and updated models and get them to the premium realistic look we're after.

What was the project name that you have worked with Program-Ace?

Highly productive and competent 3D artists

What service was provided as part of the project?

Web Development

What is it about the company that you appreciate the most?

The quick turnaround and high quality of work.

What was it about the company that you didn't like which they should do better?

Nothing much.

Melina Hwang

Proactively gave suggestions & reasonable pricing.

Rating Breakdown

  • Quality
  • Schedule & Timing
  • Communication
  • Overall Rating

Project Detail

$10001 to $50000
Completed

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Review Summary

We have done multiple projects with ProgramAce. They have developed a web-based portal for our online news portal which majorly focuses on IT news. They have also built mobile application supporting Android & iOS platforms along with another web portal which serves the purpose of download engine. We would rate them pretty highly, they are very supportive. They know how to deliver the quality project within the pre-decided budget. They always gave us suggestions to improve the functionality of our project. 


What was the project name that you have worked with Program-Ace?

Multiple Projects For An Online News Portal

What service was provided as part of the project?

Mobile App Development, Web Development

What is it about the company that you appreciate the most?

<p>They are a great combination of reasonable price and reliability. They pay attention and stick to the scope of the project very well.&nbsp;</p>

What was it about the company that you didn't like which they should do better?

<p>We have done a lot of projects with them and till now we have no complaints.</p>

Michael Maher

Happy with the solution offered.

Rating Breakdown

  • Quality
  • Schedule & Timing
  • Communication
  • Overall Rating

Project Detail

$10001 to $50000
Completed

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Review Summary

The client is a web development company, iElement B.V. based out of Alexandria. The client aims to build an online dating cum travel assistance and advice portal that connects people from different countries. Program-Ace is selected to offer development of a web-based application called GloboGirls and also handled the backend and website maintenance.



The client is very satisfied with the services of Program-Ace and praised them for their development skills. The client highly recommends them to colleagues.


What was the project name that you have worked with Program-Ace?

GloboGirls

What service was provided as part of the project?

Web Development