APRO Software

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am a Co-founder of a software company called Stantum s.r.o. where we develop our Stantum ERP Now platform.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire APRO Software, and what were your goals?

We asked Apro to develop for us new ERP module for forecasting which would use machine learning AI models for better prediction of demand.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

We know Apro guys from the past corporations.

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and technologies used.

First, we cooperate on specification of the forecasting module. Then we have used some old data to build the machine learning models. We use this model to integrate it to our ERP. The forecasting used several variables which are normally not used in traditional trend models. This gave us better forecasting results.

How many people from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

We used one part time python developer.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?

We now can offer a better forecasting module in our solution Stantum ERP Now.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

We ran the project by ourselves. We used the python developer from Apro. We have classic Agile methods in place. We use our Jira and we were meeting once per week with the developer to update about progress and set the tasks for next week.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

We liked their knowledge, which guided us through AI.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

Classic bugs, otherwise the cooperation was good.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Finance Manager

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire APRO Software, and what were your goals?

We needed a forecasting system for our supply chain. The system would also recommend what we should order so we can keep up with forecasted demand. We wanted to create better forecasting which would enable us to keep a lower number of items in the storage.

The new forecasting system works not only with trend analysis but also it mixes several variables such as the economic situation, local situation, exchange rates, economic growth, season and even weather to improve the forecast with the help of machine learning.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

We mainly looked at their previous experience with AI projects and then we were impressed with their analysis of the problem.

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and technologies used.

We delivered the data from our sales. Then the data was analysed and based on the analysis the forecasting engine was developed. We basically had 2 weeks cycles where at the end of each period, guys from Apro showed me what was developed.

Apro compared the sales data with various variables that were put in the AI model. It enables a more exact forecast. In the second round, based on these forecasts there was an automated system that suggested what to order from our suppliers so the warehouse was supplied on time.

How many people from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

We have at disposal 2 AI developers and the project manager. We communicated primarily with the project manager.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?

We increased “client service level” to 97%. We mainly saved the cost of the storage system. We saved 12% on the shelf space. The forecast was 23% better than the previous forecasting system based on the trend analysis within our ERP.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

We use Jira and Github. We had 2 weeks demo days. They worked quite independently because we are busy with other things. We set up the expectations and they independently fulfilled them.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

They have a very good system of informing about the project advancement. I liked their reporting system.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

As in each software development there were some issues at the beginning but all was quickly fixed.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

The head of the specialist department for claims processing in Allianz.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire APRO Software, and what were your goals?

We wanted to experiment with using AI in claims processing. We wanted to have a semi-automated system that would suggest red flags if some claim has issues. We want to use machine learning software to study the behavior of customers to make more accurate decisions on whether a claim is genuine.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

Apro came to us with this idea and persuaded us to experiment with this software.

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and technologies used.

Our IT team had a daily stand-up meeting with the Apro team where they discussed the main issues and goals of the project. The whole development was based on agile methodology.

How many people from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

3 AI engineers, plus 1 backend and 1 front end engineer. The main contact was project manager.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?

-Preventing an additional 4% of fraudulent claims -Improved time in claim processing

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

There were stand up meetings with our IT team. We had a perfect overview of the team in APRO because of their transparent reporting.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

We like their reporting on project development. The project manager was very good at suggesting the direction for the project.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

Yes. There were some minor issues and hiccups after rollout. But it was handled after all.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the owner of ecommerce company which sells various designed apartment accessories.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire APRO Software, and what were your goals?

We wanted to develop a recommendation system which would show the visitors of the website the suggested products based on their behavior and comparing it with behavior of previous buyers. With help of AI the system would understand what to recommend to the coming user. We also needed a AI system that would help us to suggest pricing policy. Based on shoppers behaviour we would be able to set proper prices so we achieve best profit per item.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

We searched for possible suppliers online. We wanted to see the professionality in the team and we watched for their previous experience with AI projects. Meeting with the AI project manager in Apro persuaded us that they have enough initiative and professional knowledge for us.

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and technologies used.

First we created a specification with mockups of the project and set the goals. The team analysed our sales data from eshop and made first models that were improved step by step. We have worked in 2 weeks cycles where the team showed the demos.

How many people from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

We have at disposal 3 AI developers and the project manager. The main contact in Apro was project manager.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?

We achieve a 5.3% increase of revenue per shopper.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

The results and progress was shown in their Jira. The main communication was with the project manager who sent us the reports of the progress.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

They have a very professional attitude. They were informing me about the possible traps of project because AI project is more like research.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

We experienced some minor bugs after deployment but all was fixed properly.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We are a Czech company which produces fleet resource management solutions. Our clients are also in the Czech Republic. Our clients vary and can have big fleet resources. For example, cleaning companies, mining companies, and garbage collection companies. Our system is mainly web-based and used by those companies to manage their fleet resources.

I’m the project manager and responsible for mobile applications.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with APRO Software?

We develop our product in .NET. We didn’t have expertise in Java or Android development, but we needed those technologies, so we contacted several companies, conducted some research, had some interviews, and decided to try APRO. We still work with them now.

SOLUTION

How much have you invested with APRO Software?

We have spent $50,000 to $100,000 per year.

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been working with them for more than two years. I’ve been with my company almost three years and we started working with them on mobile applications soon after.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or the impact of the engagement?

We’ve finished two applications or, more accurately, two mobile solutions. “Solutions” include not only mobile applications but also web services. The first application was a solution for detecting defects. The solution helps our clients fix roads. The solution helps them to define problems on roads, to report those problems to the main office, to talk to support, and to plan those repairs.

What did you find most impressive about APRO Software?

The price was reasonable and they’ve shown expertise in past projects in regards to how they work, how they test, and how they deliver.

Are there any areas APRO Software could improve?

From my perspective, I would like more support post-development. In the support phase, when any issues arise, we ask them to investigate, fix, and give us an updated version of the application. We would like them to deliver a bit faster, but as far as I know, it also depends on their current workload. I’m talking about the difference of days - not weeks or months. We prefer to get the application fixed in a few days, but sometimes it takes one to one and a half weeks.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We are an E-shop that sells products that are returned to other E-shops. If an E-shop has returned goods, they sell them to us so that we will then sell on our website. We have cheaper prices.

I am a co-owner.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with APRO Software?

There’s a logistical challenge to put all of the returned goods in our system and website because all of the products we have in storage come from a variety of providers. We needed an automated system that would take pictures of the products and post them to our website.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Since working with APRO Software, we now have a camera that takes pictures of the products. The software coordinates the angle of the camera, takes the photo, and then loads it to our FTP [file transfer protocol] from our database. It then goes to our website, where we check for any errors.

How did you come to work with APRO Software?

I already had a friendly relationship with APRO Software because I know the director.

How much have you invested with APRO Software?

The project cost ranged from $50,000 to $60,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our engagement is ongoing. We’re working on updates.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What did you find most impressive about APRO Software?

They are proactive and always have new ideas.

Are there any areas APRO Software could improve?

They had some delays, but they were only around 2 days in length, so it’s not that big of a deal.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Specialist for network. I am taking care of the good state of the optic cables network.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire APRO Software, and what were your goals?

Numerous computer network management tasks depend heavily on the information about the network traffic. This forecasting is very useful for numerous applications, such as congestion control, anomaly detection, and bandwidth allocation. Therefore we started to look for ways to improve our forecasting of network traffic by AI models. We wanted to enhance the forecasting by machine learning where we could actually add certain variables to improve the forecasting (like weather, holiday season, week time, certain events)

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

We have done throughout research on the market and look for companies that have experience with AI forecasting models. We have chosen Apro based on previous experience and based on the technical offer that they gave us.

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and technologies used.

We made a list of variables that could work and we tested that on the past data. Based on these the models were created that were used to create the final models.

How many people from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

We used 4 machine learning developers, 1 frontend developer, one backend developer and 1 project manager. Our main contact was the PM who then communicated with the team.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?

We still evaluate the solution but we estimate that we improved our forecasting by 4-5%

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

Daily stand ups. Their Jira plus Github was used.. We had 2 weeks demo days.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

We liked their proactive behavior.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

They have been fixing bugs but I assume it is normal situation in AI development

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Im the CEO and founder of five2lunch.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire APRO Software?

to develop a mobile app ( already launched in the app store)

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to launch the mobile app for further development of five2lunch.

SOLUTION

How did you select APRO Software?

I worked with Apro before. For me extremely important deadlines. And with APRO, we always met the deadlines.

Describe the project in detail.

1. to develop the brand book of five2lunch 2. to develop a native mobile app

What was the team composition?

we asigned: PM CTO - Danil QA Developers

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Within 4 months our app was launched and currently, you can download five2lunch in app store

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The communication was effective. Apro responses extremely fast.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

We met all deadlines.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Nope. I will work with this company for my next project.