I’m Andrew, the acquiring CEO of App Boxer, and it has been an exciting six weeks since I took the helm. I’m here to provide you with an update on any recent developments and our plans for the future.

For those who might not be aware, App Boxer was acquired by Moonward Apps (www.moonward.com.au) in September of 2023. Moonward was established in 2018 and has already designed, developed and deployed over 100+ Apps and software ecosystems to the App Stores and the web, ranging from seed-funded start-ups to nationwide enterprises. Uniquely, Moonward employs a 100% in-house strategy. Our goal has always been to become Australia’s most trusted 100% in-house software development company, and the first brand that businesses turn to when they are looking for a reliable and transparent development experience. To reach this ambitious goal, we recognise that certain changes are in order as it’s no secret that the software development industry struggles to manage budgets and meet deadlines. Our observation attributes this to a lack of accountability within software teams when it comes to accomplishing crucial tasks.

Over the past eight years, App Boxer has been operating using an offshore development model. This model involved having an onshore team based in Australia, responsible for the design and project management, while the critical development work was outsourced overseas. This approach isn’t uncommon and is, in fact, the standard for most Australian agencies. Offshore software developers are more readily available, and it’s undoubtedly a cost-effective solution. However, this offshore model comes with some inherent trade-offs. What we found is that it compromises our fundamental values of software delivery.

That’s why we’ve made a significant decision to transition the entire App Boxer team to a 100% in-house setup, all under one roof. And here’s why:

Accountability:

In the world of software development, accountability is the bedrock of success. We believe that having our entire team working together in-house enhances accountability in several ways. When everyone shares the same workspace and works closely with each other, there is a shared work ethic, benchmark, standard of code and vision. Accountability becomes not just a word but a daily practice, as each team member can directly communicate, collaborate, and ensure that tasks are completed as per the plan. Plus as a client, you have a full understanding of who is working on your project and what specific tasks are due to be completed by a specific date. We’re demystifying development by putting a face to the name and allowing you to see and speak with the people who are doing the work.

Communication:

Effective communication is crucial in any successful project, and in-house teams excel in this regard. With the App Boxer team now united under one roof, communication flows seamlessly. Ideas, feedback, and solutions can be exchanged without Slack messages, zoom calls, language barriers or international timezones. This newfound closeness fosters innovation, idea sharing, and the ability to adapt swiftly to evolving project requirements. Put simply, if two people in the team need to chat, they stand up, walk 5 metres to a meeting room and discuss their requirements.

Efficiency:

Our in-house collaboration eliminates delays caused by delayed communication or confused project requirements. There’s no more back or forth in trying to understand your ideas, there are no middlemen. You’re now talking to and working with the people who are managing, designing and developing your project. This synergy translates into quicker feature understanding, project deliveries, higher quality work, and a streamlined development process. It’s a win-win for both App Boxer and its valued clients.

Transparency:

App Boxer no longer has a group of ‘coders’. We have an in-house team of highly skilled, educated and trained developers. These engineers are the individuals who’ll be working on your project, writing the code, fixing the bugs and making your idea a reality. As a company, we don’t have anything to hide there, we are an open kitchen. We’re providing you with dedicated access to an in-house Australian team.

So our investment in you is focusing on quality, transparency and efficiency. We understand the software development space is full of jargon, confusing methodologies and ‘dark arts’. As a company, we’ve decided to stand for something different. Moonward with the acquisition of App Boxer is on the trajectory to become Australia’s most trusted 100% in-house software development company.