Brightec

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Edtech Innovation Manager of TTS Group

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

From humble beginnings in a garage in the Midlands, to supplying over 87 countries across the globe, we have been talking to educators and inventing thousands of new reasons for children to love learning for over 30 years.‌

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Brightec to accomplish?

• Help RM navigate through complex technical challenges
• Help create a UX journey aligned with TTS core values
• Create an industry leading application to wirelessly control our product

SOLUTION

How did you find Brightec?

Online Search

Why did you select Brightec over others?

• High ratings
• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Brightec were assigned to this project?

6-10 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

To create a mobile app for iOS and Android devices to control our new robot Oti-Bot. Oti-Bot was packed full of features, some of which were new to us as a development team - such as facial recognition, and therefore Brightecs technical understanding of advanced technologies was imperative to delivering the features set out at the beginning of the project.
We had a strict  timeline for the hardware to launch which meant we were working under a tight timeframe with key customers reliant on a fully functional app. With the global nature of TTS, several translations were needed to launch.

Key deliverables:

iOS & Android compatibility
Seemless connection and reliability
Over 8 languages
QR code detection
12 month development window for launch
Live steaming ability to multiple tablets
GDPR compliance
Child friendly UX

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Delivered on time for product launch, key features working seemlessly, happy customers

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

The team at Brightec consistently kept us informed about project milestones, updates, and any potential challenges. Their responsiveness and openness to feedback created a collaborative environment where ideas flowed freely, leading to creative solutions and improvements.

What was your primary form of communication with Brightec?

Virtual Meeting

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

The team at Brightec’s commitment to understanding our vision and translating it into a functional and user-friendly app has been invaluable. Their expertise in app development, coupled with a proactive approach to problem-solving, has ensured a seamless and efficient process throughout project.

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

We have learned as a collective that mastering the connectivity & functional aspect of the app before UX considerations proved beneficial to meeting the timelines of hardware launches. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a chief engineer at an engineering consultancy company. I focus on the automotive and industrial sectors, and we develop solutions for car, bus, and truck manufacturers.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Brightec?

We were working on a project regarding connected vehicles. The goal was to improve emissions from existing vehicles on the road that aren’t yet connected using a smartphone app and a data platform. The project was funded by one of our clients looking to develop solutions that use geospatial data to improve transport challenges. We subcontracted some of the work to Brightec.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Brightec helped us develop the solution, working with us collaboratively. The system involves an OBD reader that plugs into the port of a vehicle and a smartphone app that communicates data from the vehicle while it moves. 

The Brightec team developed the app for Android and iOS. They built the user side and added features like communication with the OBD reader, data handling, and data sending through an API that we provided. The app can package data and send it to a cloud server. Meanwhile, we developed a platform to process the data, do some analytics, and then push out notifications to the driver. We did a fleet trial for a month in which we rolled the product out to a limited amount of drivers as beta testers.

What is the team composition?

We worked with at least 5–6 people from Brightec, including a project manager, lead developer, two separate iOS and Android developers, and a design lead. We also had contact with 2–3 more people at the beginning and the end of the project.

How did you come to work with Brightec?

I know the founder personally. We didn’t go through a competitive bid; we spoke to Brightec and selected them based on their experience and our connection.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent about £120,000–£130,000 (approximately $154,000–$167,000 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from August 2021–March 2022.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The project had a deliverable-based contract, so we had development milestones, and Brightec met them. The team completed each step within the time frame required by our client, which indicates success.

How did Brightec perform from a project management standpoint?

They were very good at project management. They largely stuck to the timelines and raised attention about things at risk of delay. Moreover, they were able to mitigate potential issues. We had weekly calls on Google Meet and used emails for communication. There were times when we shared data, so we also gave them access to some areas of our data platform.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I was most impressed with Brightec’s flexibility. Since this was a research-heavy project, the goalposts moved around, and we had to find our way to the end without necessarily knowing what to do. The team’s ability to work with us in that environment was very good. 

Communication was also great. We worked closely and efficiently with them; Brightec felt like a part of our team rather than a subcontractor.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I can’t think of anything they needed to improve.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

If you’re open and transparent with Brightec, they will be the same with you, and you’ll be able to work very efficiently together. Some organizations have barriers with subcontractors, and while I still think Brightec would be able to deliver that way, I don’t think those organizations would get their full strength as a partner.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a senior delivery manager at Virgin Red, a loyalty company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Brightec?

We needed their expertise in frontend development as we built our train ticketing system.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We kicked off our engagement through a six-week-long discovery phase, wherein Brightec helped us study the product and its complexities. We conducted market research along with other teams to identify trends and generate strategic solutions. We settled on building a complex train ticketing app with the collaborative efforts of different service providers.

We sourced the trains industry data from third-party APIs and supported them with our backend integration, including the ticketing information they needed to embed on the platform. Brightec implemented all the user-specific functionalities we needed to improve the app’s UX, especially focusing on the booking flow. They built the app to be Android- and iOS-friendly, and we also launched two additional features that widened our payment options.

What is the team composition?

We worked with a large team across multiple vendors, with the main squad of  around 10–12 members, depending on the project phase being dealt with.

How did you come to work with Brightec?

We had a vetting process and ended up onboarding Brightec because of their experience in our target industry for this particular project.

What is the status of this engagement?

The frontend development project ran from August 2020–May 2021. We’re currently working with them on another project.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We conducted user research to measure the application’s efficacy, and we were pleased to find out that there was hardly any work for us to do in delivering our initial MVP — it was almost bug-free, and there wasn’t anything that their team failed to address. Additionally, it passed our standards engineering and UX-wise.  Plus it also was accredited by the Rail Delivery Group, a rail industry governing body.

How did Brightec perform from a project management standpoint?

Brightec collaborated well with our team and other service providers. They integrated themselves efficiently into our processes and were willing to comply when the need to scale the team up or down had arisen. Overall, they were an absolutely great partner that we’d always consider working with.

What did you find most impressive about them?

What stood out about Brightec was their determination to bring in innovative ideas that pushed us to accomplish the project. They’re also very solution-oriented — they always tried to resolve any problems we encountered without inconveniencing us.

Are there any areas they could improve?

We encountered some minor teething issues in communicating our partnership needs to Brightec’s team. It took them a while to understand that we needed them to work collaboratively with us, rather than in a typical client/partner relationship.  We wanted them to feel part of the squad and not a third party, providing their input and challenging us when needed. However, they addressed those issues as we progressed, and became an integral part of the overall delivery of Virgin Trains Ticketing.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Treat them as part of your team and not just service providers — this makes the collaboration flow in a more organic and seamless manner.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the head of product development at IFIS Publishing. We publish scientific information on food, health, and nutrition as a database. My role involves looking at new digital products.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Brightec?

We wanted to explore the possibility of creating new products from the data we hold in our database. It would include examining the database, looking for trends over time, and then producing a suitable interface and app that we could make available to people.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The team looked into the data and similar products before starting their UX/UI design work. We wanted their view on what we could analyze from our 2 million records and articles. They also contributed to the data formats – how we could take our data and turn it into something that could be analyzed. Their team also did some data cleanup to locate valid information.

We then discussed with them different products and UI functions before they built the mockups. Once we signed off on those, they built the app and did some backend work to create the tables that would display the graphs we wanted.

It is a web app that’s available to our customers. While the app is live, our work with them is still ongoing.

What is the team composition?

I first dealt with Andy (Managing Director), and then we worked with Dave (Senior Developer), Georgia (Head of Operations), Ellie (Junior Developer), and Jotham (Product Manager) We also worked with another coder.

How did you come to work with Brightec?

I looked online. Brightec was chosen from a number of possible analytics companies that could do data displays.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent between €70,000–€100,000 (approximately $97,000–$138,000 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

Our engagement with Brightec started in July 2020.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The performance has been very good. Users can subscribe to our database, and the feedback has been positive so far. People in the academic field are excited by it. We plan on making more use of it. We’re making more marketing material for it now.

How did Brightec perform from a project management standpoint?

They were excellent. We communicate through Zoom, email, and phone calls. It’s been a very good experience.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I’ve worked with a lot of developers over the years, but Brightec is willing to engage. We weren’t sure what product we could create with our data or what it could even look like. It was a very agile and iterative process. Their willingness to engage in that process was excellent. They are able to be flexible, which distinguishes them from other competitors.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I honestly think they’ve done as well as they can. It’s gone as well as I could’ve expected. They’ve been very good.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be very clear in terms of the output you’re looking for. That is a useful starting point for any engagement. Trust their design and development teams.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the commercial manager at Waterstones.com, a national retailer. I work for the e-commerce department, managing commercial campaigns.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Brightec?

We had a nontransactional app for the business. On it, users could view books and add them to wishlists, but they couldn’t purchase them via the app. We wanted to integrate a transactional element, as well as a way for users to sign up to our loyalty program.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

When Brightec came on board, we had a few ideas in mind of what we wanted. We wanted users to feel like they were actually present in the shop and for the platform to be really flexible and easy for users to create collections, update, and browse. 

We wanted users to be able to navigate categories and highlights in different ways, and for there to be a social functionality. We provided them with the wireframes ahead of time, and Brightec was able to integrate all of those capabilities.

The app is compatible with both iOS and Android, and we developed them together.

What is the team composition?

There were about six people from Brightec working altogether.

How did you come to work with Brightec?

I wasn’t involved in the process of sourcing Brightec, but one of the reasons we decided to partner with them is that they were very malleable and willing to find innovative solutions. They approached us as though they were in extension of our own team, without using a lot of tech jargon. We felt like we were dealing with real people who we could actually collaborate with.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent between $300,000. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been working together since July 2019. We have an ongoing retainer with them to provide assistance and ongoing development.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The launch of the app did exactly what we wanted: it brought us another revenue stream and new loyalty customers. Now, the app peaks about 5%-10% of our total e-commerce revenue. Brightec’s delivery brought us that revenue. Our app also won retail app of the year.

How did Brightec perform from a project management standpoint?

They were great — if anything, they were the ones keeping us on top of everything. They were very well organized and patient with us and provided feedback to us effectively. 

We kept up to date using Zeplin boards, Google Docs, Slack, and regular video calls.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They didn’t waste time on any sort of posturing or sales speak. Brightec was only interested in what we needed, why we needed it, and how to give it to us in the best way possible. It was really comfortable and productive throughout the whole process.

Also, even though they must have been doing other projects alongside our own, they were always available for us. We never had to wait long for a reply. They were just as invested in the project as we were.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I have nothing but positive things to say about them. We had a really smooth experience. There’s nothing I can think of that I would ask them to change if we did it again.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Make sure you keep everything clear and organized. It will be really helpful, especially as the project speeds up.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the founder behind Goscombe Homes, a 'profit-with-purpose' business established to tackle housing inequality and build sustainable communities across the UK.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Brightec?

We needed professional support to help us reposition our brand from something which we'd previously developed ourselves and used successfully to a degree, but which clearly didn't reflect our "why?" nor the values that we'd built into the business over time.

What were your goals for this project?

We needed a new brand identity -- one which clearly brought out the 'human' side of our purpose and positioned us as a business distinct from mainstream commercial entities. Similarly, we didn't want to be seen as a charity. We needed something that was clean, professional, but that introduced a human touch.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Brightec were recommended by a member of our senior team with experience of working with them.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

1. to understand our 'why'

2. to develop a series of concepts and pitch these to the team at Goscombe Homes

3. to work iteratively with the Goscombe team to establish the preferred options

4. to develop the preferred options, covering name, logo, colorways and typography

5. to design the branding guidelines and present these back to the Goscombe team

What was the team composition?

Brightec put forward a team of 3, each of whom had expertise in different areas of the branding process.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Brightec presented various iterations in advance of each of the agreed deadlines throughout the course of the project. The outcomes were debated internally and, as a result, we have achieved exactly what we set out to achieve on day 1.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

It was clear from the outset that Brightec understood our positioning in terms of the "why", our purpose and values. Regular communication through Slack and by telephone meant the team at Goscombe understood exactly where Brightec were with the project at any point in time. TBH, the communication couldn't have been better if we'd set up camp in their offices!

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Brightec were introduced to Goscombe through a member of our senior management team and came as a strong recommendation. The team took their time to understand who we were and what we stood for before they started the creative work. They demonstrated empathy as well as affiliation with our values and purpose, were responsive to our requests and delivered on time. The bottom line is that the team at Brightec have delivered in every aspect.

Are there any areas for improvement?

We're genuinely delighted with the work provided by Andy and the team at Brightec - and would recommend them to anyone seeking high quality branding work and who's looking for a team who are a pleasure to work with.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the head of project management for an international development program. We mainly work in sub-Saharan African, but we also work in developing markets, too.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Brightec?

We’d begun building a website for a large corporate client, but they then decided they wanted a native Android app instead. We didn’t have in-house Android expertise, so we began looking for a mobile development partner.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Because the client switched what product they wanted in the middle, we had a tight deadline to make something new. Brightec helped shaped the requirements and began developing the app. However, we had a change request (we needed more resources) that Brightec couldn’t fulfill, so we hired a different company. This second company did the bulk of the development work, but Brightec came back onto the project near the end to help finish things.

The app is an e-learning tool that the client takes to shopkeepers and signs them up for learning sessions. The education is delivered offline, but the app registers and tracks the information. It also has surveys and videos for the user to interact with.

How did you come to work with Brightec?

We work in the same building.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent about $53,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from November 2016–September 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We launched the app a month ago, and we haven’t had any bugs yet. Users like the look and says it’s easy to use.

How did Brightec perform from a project management standpoint?

They collaborated closely with our team and provided weekly updates on progress. We communicated via Slack, and Brightec was always highly responsive.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They have a range of different skills and even have specialists that can step in, if needed. They’re easy to communicate with, too.

Are there any areas they could improve?

It’d be nice if they had more availability and/or resources. We enjoyed working with them, but the engagement was limited. Also, they’re more expensive than other agencies we use.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the digital manager at KitchenCraft, a leading housewares company in the UK. We form part of a large, global American company called Lifetime Brands Europe. We sell over 4,000 kitchenware products to both independent and huge multinational stores throughout the UK, Europe and the rest of the world.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Brightec?

We wanted to build an app to be used on any device that would allow our customers to be able to order easily.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We worked through what the app should look like, how it should work, what our customers should see, and how the backend should look and work. It was a clearly instructed process. They broke down the timeline and what they needed from me. It was nice working with someone that gives a clear indication of what they want and when they want it.

They developed an iOS app. The Android app is being built now and should be live in January. They did the complete backend development and frontend design. They know apps in and out. If we had an idea, they let us know if it would work or not.

What is the team dynamic?

There were three or four people working on our app each time I visited them. We talked with the designer, the iOS developers, and another team member.

How did you come to work with Brightec?

We looked at working with a few different companies but Brightec really stood out each time we met with them.

What is the status of this engagement?

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

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The app works really well and has a clean look and feel to it. Brightec did a great job of giving it a KitchenCraft feel and from internal testing so far we can immediately see how much enjoyment users are getting out of the app.

How did Brightec perform from a project management standpoint?

I visited them once a week for about 10 weeks. Brightec is the only company we’ve ever worked with that used tools like Slack. With Slack, it’s easy to message them, and they respond almost immediately. We also talk by phone. They always keep me posted on the progress and meet deadlines.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The way their office is laid out and the way they do ad hoc meetings is great. Brightec feels like an extension of the team.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No. It’s been a positive experience.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the owner of TrainSplit, a provider of journey planners allowing the public to book tickets online.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Brightec?

The website had been written by me. We wanted to branch out and provide an app for phones, and we didn’t have the time or experience to do so, which is why we contacted Brightec.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We retained Brightec to design, build, produce and publish native apps for both Android and iOS, from the ground up. When booking a rail ticket, there is a necessary flow for selecting the destination and starting point, arrival and departure times, and so on. Users need the ability to select trains and input other pertinent details. It’s a fairly sophisticated process, but the system makes it completely obvious. I was looking for someone who could add value to it by making it really easy, and different to the competition.

What is the team dynamic?

I wanted to be involved, but I wanted them to do all the work. I have a project manager, and we also have monthly meetings during which I will talk to the developers, see what they’ve done, and make suggestions.

How did you come to work with Brightec?

I picked three companies from internet searches and looking through reviews. At the end of the day, Brightec had good reviews and had worked on similar projects. We clicked quite well when I went to meet them; I got on with their developers, and they understood what I was after.

How much have you invested with them?

The cost has been around £100,000 so far. [$130,000]

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with Brightec in January 2017. The work is ongoing.

The app is ready but, due to the UK rail industry being slow in accrediting these platforms, I expect that there will be a few months before it’s launched. I am hoping that Brightec will help with a bit of marketing, specifically for the app, but we haven’t really talked about this yet.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I won’t have any metrics until the app has been accredited and is live, at which point we’ll have proper information and will be able to track sales.

The people I have shown the app to have unanimously agreed that it’s easy to use, which is what I was after. I’m pleased with it, and it’s more than I could have achieved. It’s only been shown to a few people, though, since we can’t even put it out for a trial until it’s been approved.

How did Brightec perform from a project management standpoint?

The project management is excellent. The person in charge emailed me every week with an update of what had been done, and what was left, which kept a handle on time and expenses. We are using Slack for communication, but most of the time I leave them to do the work and am not very hands-on until a decision is needed on my part.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I can’t imagine that there is anything I could need which Brightec couldn’t provide. They will bring a consultant in during autumn, to help me rework the website. There is little they can’t do, in terms of user experience. I’ve chosen the right company.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don’t think I can say there is.