Algoworks

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CTO at Covestec, a software development company that produces technology that automates private placement transactions in the securities markets.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Algoworks?

We created a web app for a client and we needed some mobile apps, which is why we hired Algoworks.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

After I provided them with rudimentary examples of what I was looking for, Algoworks collected requirements for the deliverable, pinned them up in wireframes, and began the project. They then developed the native iOS and Android mobile app using C# and JavaScript. 

What is the team composition?

Initially, our main point of contact was Gilbert (Technical Product & Project Manager), who was our stateside project manager, but he’s no longer with the company, unfortunately. We also worked with Pratyush (Co-Founder & Director) and Manish (Project Delivery Manager).

How did you come to work with Algoworks?

We heard about them through a long chain of word of mouth. I’m not a fan of outsourcing development because of the large time difference, but our initial phone call went so well that we ended up having a follow-up phone call to see what they could do. 

After that second call, I was pretty much sold. The way they presented themselves and was impressive so, I gave them a chance.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent about $25,000. It was originally going to be $32,000 but we ended up doing a lot of the work ourselves.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our engagement began in May 2019 and it's ongoing. The bulk of the project was completed in October or November 2019, but Algoworks stills works on maintenance and bug fixes.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

Our experience has been nothing short of fantastic. Not only am I going to try to give them more work myself, but I’m also going to continue referring them to other businesses that need mobile apps. I was the biggest skeptic going into the engagement, and now I’m one of their biggest fans.

How did Algoworks perform from a project management standpoint?

The team uses Basecamp, and they’re highly effective and always accessible. They also use other project management tools internally. Algoworks consistently meets deadlines and communicates whenever they think they’re going to be behind. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

One of their most impressive qualities is how their communication. I’m not sure if this is because we were assigned a stateside manager, but since Gilbert left, the communication hasn’t really changed. 

Additionally, even though we launched the product, Algoworks is still helping me with fixes without charging me for their work. They have been more than gracious in supporting our product and haven’t nickel and dimed me at all.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Because there are so many people working on projects and because of the time difference, sometimes there were disconnects. Occasionally, it took extra steps to get them to understand what we were looking for, but it was nothing major.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Communicate with them every day and push them. I did this and got honest feedback, which I loved. Don’t just give them work and then leave. Either stay engaged or don’t engage them at all.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the COO of a wholesale distribution company. We supply products to convenience stores, grocery stores, and small shops.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Algoworks?

We didn’t have a website. When customers wanted to order products, they had to email or fax us every week or twice a week.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Algoworks developed a website and mobile app for users to order supplies. Their team built the app for both iOS and Android. They also integrated features for us to bulk upload our pricing that ensures our database remains accurate. We fulfill orders through the website and app but don’t accept any payments. We still work with them to update the platforms when needed.

What is the team composition?

Algoworks assigned a project manager who directed an iOS developer, an Android developer, and a web developer. I believe their team included a database specialist.

How did you come to work with Algoworks?

I searched Google and emailed 20 companies. We received many calls but felt the most comfortable with Algoworks. Their catalog was similar to what we wanted to accomplish in this project.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent $25,000 on the project.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working with Algoworks in March 2018 and our partnership’s ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

The internal feedback’s tremendous. Previously, we received 20 faxes a day. We reduced that number to one or two a day. The majority of our customers, between 80%–90%, switched to the mobile app. We also gained a couple of customers back because of the platforms’ convenience. It’s a streamlined system now.

How did Algoworks perform from a project management standpoint?

We used Basecamp for our initial project. Now, we communicate via email or Whatsapp. I was in touch with the project manager on a daily basis. I’m also able to reach the owner or the project manager on their cells. Their team was always in contact, so I never had to ask for an update. We also had weekly meetings

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their professional design skills most impressed us. The products are smooth, so there’s no lagging or crashing. They initially recommended AWS but I was skeptical because of the cost. I trusted them, which was ultimately the right decision.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t think of anything for improvement at the moment.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Don’t think too much because their team knows what they’re doing.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We're a nonprofit global organization that works with university students. In my role as the vice president of the IT department, I’m responsible specifically for data systems and infrastructure.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Algoworks?

We have an online community platform in the cloud and we needed assistance to help customize and configure the platform with specific to developer needs, code, and customization of certain components.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They gave us an overview of the project and went into discovery with us on some big projects to give us an assessment of how what our options for delivery. So, they put the level of effort available to us so we knew in advance, and then the actual development team implemented the solution.

They implemented some custom Lightning components. We were very specific about what we wanted. So, we wanted our students to see badges and certificates that stick to the criteria that they match with. As they’re online, they could achieve certain certificates that are specific to our organization. They built those out for us on the community platform.

They’ve done a lot of custom tasks on the platform to make the features better and more accessible to our users.

What is the team composition?

I’ve had two main points of contact. We have a project manager and then hands-on developers.

How did you come to work with Algoworks?

We found them through one of our partner companies. They’ve worked with them before and highly recommended them, so we knew they had the experience we were looking for. So, we reached out to find some cases in which they were working with a community cloud. Once we saw their work and their rates, we decided to move ahead with their system.

How much have you invested with them?

For the whole project, we’ve spent between $50,000–$75,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been working with them since April 2018, and we’ve continuously worked with them since then.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

We’re about to launch the component they created to a pilot group. It’s live, but I don’t have the results from those students or how many badges they obtain. So that’s going to be the success we’re going to see—we hope to see an increase in engagement on our site.

Some of the things they’ve helped users join and take action on the platform and that has increased over the last year from 5,000 to 23,000 users on the platform. The features they added helped with that. They did great work.

How did Algoworks perform from a project management standpoint?

They always meet our deadlines. They were in a different time zone, but there were no communication issues. They’re very responsive. They’re working through their night to meet my morning deadlines. I haven’t had any issues.

We use YouTrack, email, and Slack.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They have a very competitive cost, but we’re also seeing great results. We have other developers, but they’re not as fast. They’ve always met their deliverables. I love waking up and seeing the tickets that have been completed.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I’ve never had any issues.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Make sure your specifications are very clear. If you don’t think the process out, you need to pay someone else to do it. They’ll do it, but if you just need a developer, you can save money by giving them very clear specifications.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We offer short- and long-term staffing services for hospitals, in different departments such as ER, hospital medicine, radiology, and toxicology. I’m the manager of the Salesforce department, a team of two administrators that caters to the corporate team as well as all of our providers.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Algoworks?

We first brought them on to fix some of the technical errors we were experiencing. Process builders and flows on our Salesforce platform were bugging up, so we relied on them to resolve those.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Algoworks provided a combination of Salesforce administration and Salesforce development. They did an initial exploration of our organization and the technology we utilize before launching into process improvements. In addition to debugging, they helped us automate administrative processes, finetuned our Apex code, and made the platform more admin-friendly.

What is the team composition?

In the first project, there were three teammates. We had a primary point of contact with a main developer there.

How did you come to work with Algoworks?

We reached out to several partners and consultants. It was an easy decision because they offered us a very competitive rate despite having an experienced team.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent around $7000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The engagement started in August 2019 and its ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

While I don’t have a point of comparison because I’m new to outsourcing, Algoworks was great on many fronts. They completed tasks in a timely manner and were on top of their schedule. They executed the development and debugging tasks well and make sure that their solution works perfectly.

How did Algoworks perform from a project management standpoint?

They were responsive, communicative, and available. Algoworks always gets back to me within 24 hours.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The main developer excels at managing his time to prioritize more important tasks over others.

Are there any areas they could improve?

The nine-hour time difference can be quite challenging. It hasn’t been a problem so far, but it could be an issue in the face of an emergency.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Give them all of the information so you can be hands-off, later. Expect to put some work in when you onboard them onto your project.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) program management app.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Algoworks?

I was looking for a development partner that could create my app. It’s a system that allows us to track the different AED programs that take place at various companies. It also ensures corporate users that their AED program is compliant with the existing regulations and requirements.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

While we had a vision, we had to work through logistics before Algoworks could build out the platform from scratch. We followed a batch-and-queue style of development, where there was an extensive testing and approval process before the designs went into production. In the end, they delivered iOS and web apps, as well as a web portal for the applications.

What is the team composition?

Their team consisted of eight engineers, and Bhupendra (CSPO & CSM, Algoworks) was my main point of contact.

How did you come to work with Algoworks?

They were recommended to us by another client of theirs.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project began in March of 2018 and the app launched in August 2019. They still provide ongoing support.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

I’ve gotten great feedback from the app’s users, who have commented on the seamlessness of the UI/UX. They’ve also expressed relief that this particular digital solution is finally available. While there were some challenging issues to work out with Algoworks, their team was very helpful and responsive in ironing out any problems we faced.

How did Algoworks perform from a project management standpoint?

We utilized Basecamp to collaborate, and they were responsive throughout the entire engagement. They were very easy to communicate with.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their team is robust and very innovative. They’re able to help you arrive at a solution that makes sense for your specific needs.

Are there any areas they could improve?

While this wasn’t a significant issue, we would’ve appreciated an earlier notice about how we would need ongoing, post-project support.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Communicate your expectations upfront, so that both parties know what to expect with the project.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the founder of a collaborative scrapbook platform. It allows users to create personal and collaborative scrapbooks with photos, videos, text, screenshots, and audio and keep those personal memories forever.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Algoworks?

We needed to fix a couple of bugs in the app that were left from previous development and implement new features and functionality.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Algoworks continued development on our app. Their team included features that allowed users to crop photos, add stickers and move elements in the scrapbook anywhere. They also ensured that both portrait and landscape mode work. Originally, we only had an iOS version of the app but we just began work on an Android version.

I worked with an outside visual designer. After coming up with new features base don user testing, we would develop screens. Algoworks would work off these screens to implement the functionality. They were responsible for back-end engineering and making any needed small tweaks to visual design.

What is the team composition?

My main point of contact is our project manager.

How did you come to work with Algoworks?

I found Algoworks online. They had great reviews so I got an estimate from one fo their sales managers, which I then compare across a number of different companies. I was drawn to the professionalism of the team. The sales manager wasn’t pushy and they were very forthright.

How much have you invested with them?

I have invested about $12,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our ongoing engagement began in May 2019.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

Algoworks did a really good job of taking code from other developers, identifying the bugs, and fixing them. It shows that there’s a level of sophistication there. Their technical ability was better than our previous engineers.

How did Algoworks perform from a project management standpoint?

My project manager and I touch base about every other week via video conference. I also email him two or three times a week. They usually get back to my emails within a day.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Algoworks has been great in terms of flexibility, quickly adjusting to changes that we need. They were great at making changes in accordance with our user testing. The process of getting the app approved in the App store has been seamless. Our project manager took ownership of that. They’re very fair about pricing.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Work with them to be extremely specific in the scope of the project. Make sure to have user testing done. Talk about who’s gonna handle quality assurance and visual design. Come up with a plan for project management communication, whatever works best.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of a health and safety consulting company. We create technologies to help companies comply with regulations.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Algoworks?

We wanted to put together a management software for school buses.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Algoworks built an Android app and web-based application for school buses to manage their pre-inspections, post-inspections, incident and student reports. Using the product, a school administrator can define the route and particular stop locations. Their team integrated Google Maps API for administrators to follow live trips. They also developed forms, databases, and notification features. Currently, their team's working on phase two, which they'll implement.

What is the team composition?

They assigned me a project manager who was on point.

How did you come to work with Algoworks?

I put together a list of vendors from Clutch and chose the firm that would be the best fit.

How much have you invested with them?

So far, we’ve spent $30,000 with Algoworks.

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been working together since the end of May 2018. We just finished our last milestone but will continue working together on future projects.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

The application launched. I’ve demonstrated the product to a group of our clients who were excited about it. We’re looking to democratize for other schools as well. Algoworks has done everything I’ve asked them to do. It’s been a pleasure working with them.

How did Algoworks perform from a project management standpoint?

We've spoken every day. Their team has been super responsive; I don’t even know if they sleep. We’re in two totally different time zones but I can message them anytime and get an answer within that moment or a few hours. Their consultation has been good too. When I’ve had an idea that wouldn’t work, Algoworks has not been afraid to say no and try something different. Even if the cost was less, they would do what's right for the project.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Algoworks has been a part of the team. They’ve been excited about the project too. Their team was able to point me in the direction of a good marketing company, which I asked them to do. They’ve always tried to help.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, Algoworks has done everything I’ve asked.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Use the constant communication they offer. Their team will call every day or provide reminders and stay on point.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder of a company that recently launched a social event and dating platform. The app allows users to discover events and meet up with other users on the app.  

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Algoworks?

I needed a mobile development team to create my MVP.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Algoworks built the entire feature set of my MVP for iOS. The final app is an events platform that’s geared toward singles and dating. It contains 200,000 events in cities across the country that include concerts, festivals, nightlife, and more. 

Users can view all events within a 30-mile radius. They can view event details, commit to attending events, and invite other users to go to events with them. Additionally, the app allows people to message and favorite each other. If they can’t find an existing event of interest, they can also create events for dinner or drinks.

Now, we’re working on user acquisition and creating campaigns to promote the app. We’re hoping to boost our usage in October and November.

What is the team composition?

Manish (Technical iOS Development Lead, Algoworks) was our project lead. There were also two frontend developers, two backend developers, a part-time designer, and a full-time QA professional. 

How did you come to work with Algoworks?

We found them and a few vendors on Clutch. I reached out to them with a 60-page requirements document containing the features, screenshots, and designs my team had for the app. They reviewed the documents, returning a timeline that covered how they would implement their plans. The team also submitted pricing. 

Their presentation touched on every single part of the software lifecycle. We chose them for the project because they were so detail-oriented. 

How much have you invested with them?

We spent under $50,000 on the app. 

What is the status of this engagement?

The project lasted from March–August 2019. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

It’s early because we just launched in September, but we’ve been approved by the App Store. We have roughly 100 users, and the app hasn’t experienced any crashes yet. The quality of the work stands out. We’re excited to ramp up in the next few months. 

How did Algoworks perform from a project management standpoint?

Our teams worked together on Basecamp, where each member could create their own checklist to manage our 8–9 sprints. Every morning, I was able to see where each team member was in the sprint cycle. The development was pretty transparent that way.

Manish would also update me every 2–3 days, indicating whether there were any hiccups or questions about my requirements. If we needed to communicate in the immediate term, we also had a Slack channel. I felt like part of the team.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I was really impressed with their communication and transparency. If there were problems, we’d hop on Google Hangouts and discuss the issue over video conference. They communicated to me as if I were a part of the team. Everyone was articulate in expressing the status of the project. Because of their expertise, the app is working well, and we’re satisfied with the output.  

Are there any areas they could improve?

It would be nice to have more communication from the whole team, especially from the senior members. I’m always updated, though, so it’s only a minor complaint. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

My project went well because I was detailed in communicating exactly what I wanted. You’re more likely to hit your timeline and budget if you offer thorough details.  

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the director at Extensol Inc., a software development company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Algoworks?

I need a developer to build a website that listed all of my services with animations and graphics.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The whole project started with a concept. I wanted the website to look professional and conceptual. After discussing my idea with the Algoworks team, they created designs and wireframes.

After giving them feedback, their team began developing the website. They asked my opinion on technologies, giving the pros and cons of each. They used HTML5, AWS, and other technologies.

What is the team composition?

There were 5–6 people, including a project manager.

How did you come to work with Algoworks?

I searched online, selecting 3–4 companies and looking at their websites. Their website stood out the most. Along with their positive reviews, they also understood the concept of what I wanted while other companies did not.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent $15,000 CAD (approximately $11,300 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with Algoworks in January 2019, and the engagement concluded the following May.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

The team at Algoworks is professional, consistently meeting timelines. Along with understanding concepts and requirements, they keep to the budget. Their communication was also excellent. I was always aware of what was happening.

How did Algoworks perform from a project management standpoint?

From a project management standpoint, I was happy with them. It was outstanding and beyond my expectations. We used Skype, phone calls, and email.

What did you find most impressive about them?

While other companies are focused on money, their team strives for customer satisfaction. Along with that, I was impressed with how well they understood our concept.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, they were the best experience I’ve had working with another company.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Trust Algoworks with your concept. Don’t worry about if they’ll be able to do it or not. I suggest customers talk to them; they’re friendly and easy to communicate with. They will give you the right advice. Don’t be afraid to relay your requirements because you can trust that their team will pick the best for you.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a technical architect for an e-banking software solutions provider. We provide mobile, web, and cloud solutions.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Algoworks?

We were facing a lot of challenges in hiring Angular developers and had a lot of pressure from our client to develop apps. Algoworks is helping us out on that front.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The Algoworks team is developing a digital payment solution using Angular. It’s a web-based platform that functions as a B2B solution. They’re also using React Native to build out the mobile version that will serve as a digital wallet payment solution.

The second project they’re working on is a web- and mobile-based diagnostic tool for the insurance industry. It’s written in Python and incorporates machine learning and Cloud Azure cognitive services.

By placing their mobile device in front of a mirror, users can send images of their physical phone screen through the app. The app will then identify any existing cracks and predict whether the mobile screen is at risk for further cracking.

What is the team composition?

I work with their team based in India. We have two main points of contact, and there are four developers with one lead. 

How did you come to work with Algoworks?

One of my employees used to work for Algoworks and referred us to them. I went through their LinkedIn profile and website, gave them a statement of what kind of resources we were looking for, and interviewed their developers and technical leads. Then, we handed our projects to them.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent $250,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in December 2017, and the work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

We’ve gotten excellent feedback for both projects. Their contributions are really valuable to the company, and they deliver quality work on time and within budget. 

How did Algoworks perform from a project management standpoint?

Overall, they’ve been great. Whenever we’ve had minor bugs, they’d fix them within the same sprint. They’re good at communication and used to participate in our daily Scrums. We use email, as well.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The quality of their developers is good, which is evident in their deliverables. They’re able to find the right people in a short period of time.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, we’ve gotten good responses from our client. Our customer actually wants to increase the number of developers we have from Algoworks. We’re expecting to get almost 10 more resources.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I’d definitely recommend them to other software companies if someone is investing in mobile applications. They’re learning the latest technologies and are well-versed in web, too.