Codenatics

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of a freight delivery platform that brings cargo suppliers and transporters together.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Codenatics?

We needed help with app development.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Codenatics did all the development for the cloud-based app. We spent about a week mapping out the project. They used client-side languages like React, Angular, and Vue.js. For server-side languages, they used Node.js, Python, and Java. The native mobile app was done in React Native, iOS, and Android. The database is MongoDB, MySQL, and PostgreSQL. The development tools we used were GitLab and Docker.

The cargo supplier registers and downloads the app where they can monitor cargo pending, cargo in transit, cargo overdue, and cargo delivered. They can add loads that are linked to Google Maps and fill in all the necessary information about the loads that are needed for a transporter to make a decision if they want to quote and transport the loads.

A transporter can download the app and register as well. It’s a similar layout where they can monitor pending cargo, cargo in transit, cargo overdue, and cargo delivered. Their main function is to find loads.

Both applications tap into the same database and both applications can be downloaded so users can register as an individual person or warehouses can register as a supplier. The app is developed to handle any goods that need to be transported from an envelope to major big trucking companies.

What is the team composition?

I worked directly with two people. I believe there were five team members in total but didn't meet the others.

How did you come to work with Codenatics?

I found out about them through a friend of mine, who by chance met Codenatics on a previous project that never took off. I was impressed with the CV they sent to me. I asked them why they wanted to do this work for me. They told me this development was going to put them on the map. They said our idea was brilliant and that they could pull it off.

When they said that, I had a little more trust in what they said and what they do. By the time we reached the second phase of the development, I saw that they were really progressing according to the plan and the layout they did for the development track portal was very detailed.

How much have you invested with them?

We invested 7 million rands (approximately $460,000 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from April 2019–June 2020.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Codenatics did exceptionally well compared to other coding companies I’ve been exposed to over the span of my career. I’m very satisfied with how everything was done. When I explained what I wanted to do, they understood quickly and well. They were punctual during the project; we didn’t lose much time.

We initially planned for six months and it took eight months to complete the project. Then it took another three months to do the beta testing. Timewise, it was well done. I was impressed we were able to start beta testing after seven months. The beta testing took three months, not because there were a lot of mistakes or problems but because there wasn’t much pressure on either side to get things done quickly.

How did Codenatics perform from a project management standpoint?

We used GitHub and Jira. I’d give them 90% for project management. They did very well.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their team is very professional. They do what they say they will.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They could’ve done things faster but that’s just an observation. A person only knows until they’re sitting and physically doing the coding themselves. I’m stubborn and I push people hard. My expectations are normally higher than the average person.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be very clear, specific, and detailed about what you want. They impressed me right from the beginning of the engagement. One of their team members sat with me for about a week to plan. We took blank sheets of paper, and I verbally explained what I wanted to be done. I’m keeping the papers because they’re quite exciting and nice. All the writing, notes, steps, procedures, and screen layouts were done in real detail.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We’re developing a white label e-learning platform. I’m the owner of the company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Codenatics?

We had a concept and business model, and we went to them to develop the platform for us.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We gave a general idea of what we wanted, and Codenatics suggested what technologies we could use. They also helped plan out, design, and develop the front- and backend of the platform. It has an AngularJS frontend and a MongoDB database, as well as blockchain elements and a payment gateway.

One challenge was allowing users to set up the platform as a white label solution with a couple of clicks, right from registration.

What is the team composition?

We’ve been in contact with Duane (Managing Director) and one of their head developers. The rest of the developers’ names have popped up in the documentation. It made more sense to collaborate with just two people and have less overlap, but it’s also good to have more than one point of contact.

How did you come to work with Codenatics?

They were referred to me, and I also did my homework. Codenatics had implemented a payment gateway for a company I knew, and I asked them for contactable references. I followed up on all of them, making sure that they were actual companies and not just individual people.

How much have you invested with them?

The initial project was $190,000–$210,000, and, including the ad hoc work they’ve done, the total is up to $300,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with Codenatics in October 2019, and the project took around eight months. We’ve been running the platform for the past year and a half, and they’re helping us with additional development on an ad hoc basis. We have a huge scope going forward, and it’s ever-growing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We had to have the right team in order to plan properly, and that’s where Codenatics came in. The design they made was exactly what we envisioned.

How did Codenatics perform from a project management standpoint?

Their approach has been quite alright in terms of collaboration. We communicate through email and Slack, and they provide us documentation through GitHub. We get bi-monthly reports on the progress, and I can always see what they’re working on.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The dynamic of the technologies they used is quite unique, and setting it up was a complicated process. Codenatics is very skilled in modern technologies.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They gave us ample documentation, and they could provide more one-on-one training that we could record and use with our support people along the way. We’ve managed to get by with the documentation, but not everyone learns just through documentation.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

I advise people simply to engage Codenatics. I can’t speak for other people, but it was easy for me to get things done with them. It felt like a slow process at first because we had to go through a lot of documentation, but I understood why they did it. I’m quite happy with them.