Codism

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

We are a digital marketing & digital design company. I am the founder and principal.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Codism LLC?

We hired Codism to design and develop a website for a catering company as our client.

What were your goals for this project?

The overall purpose was to provide a professional website for a new catering company that had an image-based design with small, but remarkable flourishes to catch the eye as well as meet the functional requirements for the company.

The website had to be visually compelling for both mobile & desktop. We also required that the website be developed on WordPress using a specific theme and visual editor so that the client company could make edits on their own in the future. We did not want the vendor company to do any hard coding that would preclude the website from being easily updated & upgraded. We wanted a vendor to rely more on the theme and plugins. We did not want future help from any programmers/developers if possible.

Most agencies or programmers want to follow up work to fix bugs/features. So, we specifically requested that they spend the time upfront to mitigate this issue. As the online storefront, the website launched the new business and had to make an impact immediately upon launch, which it did.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We interviewed about 6-7 different agencies and freelance developers. We based our decision on previous work, the responsiveness of the communication, pricing, and our belief that the requirements would be met or exceeded.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

Due to the scope of the project, we skipped wireframing and mockup design. Codism started with a particular template from which we could work from. This included a stock background video and some featured background images with parallax motion.

Once the client provided enough content, we worked together to style the sections. Codism was very responsive to requests to change and edit. We also added some additional features like accordion-style sections to hide wordy details, and a click to call feature. We added some code to keep the click to call a phone number and social media badges out of the mobile menu stack.

What was the team composition?

One main liaison as the project manager, and one or two web developers.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any information that demonstrates the impact that this project has had on your business?

It's another successful project completed for us and another great review.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

We had great communication via Skype. All deadlines were met. One of the more difficult parts of web design is getting content from the client. Codism was very patient and understanding, and when tasked, they were responsive to getting tasks done quickly.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I enjoyed working with Codism because they want to do what's best for the client. If something wasn't quite right, and we asked them to fix it, they would do so without hesitation. I also think that their strength is their programming team.

Are there any areas for improvement?

We could have received a little more creativity in some of the design and font usage. Once a website is functional, the look and feel of it becomes paramount. Outside of the initial template design, my team and I came up with the final look & feel of the website, which you could say is our responsibility, but it would have been nice to have someone in Codism make some insightful design suggestions.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CTO of Oodlebit, a cryptocurrency exchange we’re building in the U.S. since they’re starting to make precise, defined tasks in such a gray area. We’ve pulled together funds to create a fully compliant exchange to trade currencies, ETS, and crypto coins.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Codism LLC?

Unfortunately, the US market is sometimes hit or miss when it comes to quick and reliable developers. I needed a company that supplied competent .NET developers that could scale as needed within a day’s notice.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Along with providing developers, Codism delivered the actual development. It’s a broad range scope because of a lot of elements and compliance factors such as KYC, cipher suites, and anti-money laundering applications needed to be taken into account. The best way to describe the project is as a full encompassing software development project that needed everything built from scratch.

The main exchange was built in Microsoft .NET Core 2.1, and the backend database was created using MySQL. Everything is hosted through Windows IIS platforms, including our exchange trade engine that was built using Windows Services. It’s another C# based program.

What is the team composition?

Right now, I work with Ali (Director Business Development, Codism LLC) and three of their guys that work under my senior developer. I interface with all of them at any given moment.

How did you come to work with Codism LLC?

I reached out to 20 to 30 software firms, using Google search, Guru, and Upwork. I had some specific requirements for hours of operation that eliminated 75% of the people who applied to work with me. Codism’s payment structure was fair. They’re courteous, polite, and professional.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started our engagement in January 2019.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Codism delivers on what they promise. The developers I’ve dealt with are mid-range to right before senior level and need little guidance. There’s a strong chance that I’ll keep them on long-term.

They’re reasonably priced, and I don’t feel like there is an imbalance of skillsets among their developers. If anything, they charged too little. Ali was upfront and willing to work with me on payments. After a few issues with my bank, we were able to find a middle ground for transferring payments. I’m able to complete projects quicker and bring in new revenue streams. Since I’ve decreased my overhead costs with them, I’ve seen my gross profit increase as well. I’m well within the 65-70% region.

How did Codism LLC perform from a project management standpoint?

Ali is extremely hands-on. Their time management is excellent, and they’ve been willing to use time tracking software. Once I have developers, I give them directions and tasks to complete. It’s a complicated process to go through interviewing and vetting a developer. So far, I haven’t had any issues with any developer Ali has sent me.

They were willing to work with my time zone. When I’m awake in the office, their team is programming and developing. I can ask them questions, and it doesn’t take long to receive a response. Sometimes they reply within minutes. Now and then, there’s an exception, like right now, they’re on holiday, which is understandable. Responses take an hour at most.  They’re attentive and communicative.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I’m impressed with their overall business model. Their team is full of reliable developers that never flake. Their greatest asset is their ability to onboard new developers that have a great attitude and level of respect for others. When I was sick for a bit, Ali stopped what he was doing and would message me every day, asking about me. He even postponed billing until I felt better. That sits high in my book and is a sign that I can continue doing business with them.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They could maybe find a way to unify communication between developers when they’re working on multiple projects. It’s not a huge problem but would make it easier for me instead of having multiple channels of communication. It’s not their fault, but it would be great to send out a mass announcement to everyone, either using Skype or Slack. Ali is good at relaying my messages, though.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

They’re bringing onboard a US representative that is skilled in .NET development. It’s my understanding that he’s going to help with unifying communication points for all of their developers. For the best success with them, make sure to work with them, and clearly define the tasks you want to be completed. If you do that, I don’t see why your project wouldn’t be a success.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

We create tools and provide services that help ordinary people preserve their life stories. I'm the owner.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Codism LLC?

We have a web-based PHP software application, and the original developer couldn't continue updates and maintenance. We hired Codism LLC to take over all development and maintenance.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted someone to step in without disrupting the site, respond to small, urgent issues, and be available for large modifications and updates. We want the application to evolve to meet the needs of our customers.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We posted the project details, and dozens of developers applied. We chose Codism LLC based on the skills they brought to the table, the team-based approach they presented, and the price of their services. Although they weren't the least expensive option, that combination of factors made them our first choice.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

The project is a fairly complex PHP and MySQL application. It was fully functional when Codism LLC took over, but some areas needed an upgrade. They have created a module where customers can easily edit their information, added administrative controls so we can change the way certain items are displayed, fixed code for items that displayed in the wrong order, changed our opt-in form, fixed an issue where customers received a longer subscription than what they paid for, and improved our email deliverability for password resets.

What was the team composition?

We have a developer, a project manager, and a financial manager. We have access to all three.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any information that demonstrates the impact that this project has had on your business?

It brings us peace of mind to have a competent, highly responsive developer. We've also improved the site, which boosts our confidence in marketing it. We have a list of projects that will help us improve our product during the coming year.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Their project management and communication are impressive. The team is responsive and lets me know the costs and timetable upfront.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Having access to a team is reassuring, and the responsiveness of each team member is outstanding. Their responsiveness wouldn't matter if they couldn't do the work, but everything has been excellent.

Are there any areas for improvement?

We're highly satisfied with Codism LLC. As they gain familiarity with our product, we look forward to receiving detailed suggestions that make it even better.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the owner of Accessibility Ventures. We provide tools for businesses and organizations to make their websites more accessible to those with disabilities.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Codism LLC?

We hired Codism to help with development, improvements, and support for our web accessibility product.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goals were to work with a dependable, knowledgeable, and nimble group that would help us accomplish our goals effectively while being mindful of costs.

SOLUTION

 How did you select this vendor?

We found them online and selected them based on their experience and the fact they had a US presence to manage the project.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

Codism is helping with upgrades, enhancements, and ongoing support for our accessibility plugin. Also, they’re providing recommendations for our product roadmap.

What was the team composition?

We have a direct point of contact for project management, as well as for development. This group is supported by an offshore development team.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any information that demonstrates the impact that this project has had on your business?

Codism helped successfully launch our new product.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Project management is handled through phone calls, scope documents, and follow-up discussions to assess ongoing efforts. The process has been very effective.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They work in a timely and efficient manner, communicate well, and hit deadlines on time.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, not that I saw. We’re looking forward to growing our company with them.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of an IT and marketing firm. We offer small business services such as web and software design.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Codism LLC?

Our client tried to create something on WordPress that wasn’t designed to be done on a website; it needed to be done in software. I ran into a number of challenges with how to best portray their vision and how to run the process as well as what technology to use. None of the platforms seemed like a good fit for what they were looking for. We needed help with building a custom online platform.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We contract with Codism so we can offer programs that we help develop with our clients.

I reached out to Codism to better understand from a development perspective how we could accomplish our client’s vision and how quickly. They identified the best software to use and the process that they would use to develop it. The plan they presented was beautiful, and the technology they presented to incorporate and use for the project was fantastic. They took over full development of the project, and it’s going really well.

It’s an online software program that’s built on Django. It’s an obituary program that allows the user to create a beautiful online obituary which turns into a webpage. It’s a simple process of maybe 30 seconds. The user puts in all the information for the obituary and photos for the gallery and then clicks on the create button, which creates an image as the obituary. The webpage has a gallery of photos that can be removed or added by the original creators, and it also has a guestbook. The URL can be shared to social media and friends and family who can save a copy of the obituary.

What is the team composition?

We have three people working on our project, but I primarily work with one person. Whenever there are questions, he brings in 1–2 developers so that we are all on the same page. Having a single point of contact prevents complications for me. He coordinates everything. He helps the developers understand exactly what needs to happen to achieve the client’s vision. I’m happy because Codism is always clear and concise.

How did you come to work with Codism LLC?

They were recommended to us. Codism took the time to explain what the process was and what needed to happen. That inspired a lot of confidence in the fact that they understood what my client’s vision was. Their patience and clarity were exciting, and our approach was similar.

How much have you invested in them?

We’ve spent between $10,000–$25,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working with them in October 2018, and the work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our client has been thrilled, which is awesome because it makes things easier for me knowing my client is happy. It provided me with a sense of assurance. 

From a bigger perspective, I look forward to using them for future projects that come in. They’ve answered questions and shown their skills in numerous areas. I’m excited about them as a potential partner for the future. 

How did Codism LLC perform from a project management standpoint?

When they didn’t understand something, rather than just making decisions, they talked things through more to make sure that they delivered exactly what we were looking for. This has been extremely important throughout the process because they helped me understand the nuances of what I asked for. They patiently made sure we were on the same page, and they were exceedingly responsive. They intend to go above and beyond every step of the way.

They’ve met every single deadline. They’ve been great when it comes to time. They often have the work ready for us before we expect it, allowing us time to review and get it exactly where we need it to be before presenting it to our client, which has been especially helpful. 

They’ve been flexible in integrating and working with software that we use internally, and they didn’t force us into their process. Instead, they integrated themselves into ours to make it easier for us with the expectation that it is going to be a long-term project.

What did you find most impressive about them?

When there were little things that didn’t comply with the thought process, they took the time to go back and make the adjustments. Their willingness to refine, even when something wasn’t fully understood, was certainly helpful.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Clarity is key. Communication is so important. The more you have outlined for them, the better, so they can go back to it when there is a question. Codism is fantastic, but you need to clearly outline exactly what you need from them so that they can do their best and not leave decisions up to developers. From an educational standpoint, Codism gives suggestions for improvement as well as their ideas for a cleaner process. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m an operations manager at a telecom company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Codism LLC?

We needed to build a website to establish our online presence.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

From design and development to implementation, Codism was in charge of every stage of the project. They built the website with Core PHP and Bootstrap. Customers can learn more about our products on the home page or use the contact portal to ask us questions directly.

What is the team composition?

We only interacted with their owner, who oversaw a team of three developers.

How did you come to work with Codism LLC?

They connected with my boss on LinkedIn and pitched their company and the services they offer.

What is the status of this engagement?

The development phase lasted from June–July 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

It’s too early to measure the site’s impact on our daily business, but we are very pleased with the work that they produced for us.

How did Codism LLC perform from a project management standpoint?

We really enjoyed working with them. They’re very communicative and transparent about their work, so we never had to worry about their progress. Our teams kept regular correspondence via phone and email.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re one of the most responsive companies that I’ve had the pleasure to work with. They kept us informed throughout the entire project, which made it clear that our satisfaction was their top priority.

Are there any areas they could improve?

When working with vendors, I evaluate their ability to communicate effectively and meet deadlines. Codism surpassed my expectations for both areas, so I have nothing to critique.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Know exactly what you want to achieve before reaching out to developers. We provided Codism with a detailed outline, which allowed them to develop to our specifications without making errors from miscommunication.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the director of operations for Ameritech Data Solutions, which is a software development firm. We specialize in writing project management and reporting software for test and balance firms in the HVAC industry. We write software that helps those firms manage the bidding and proposal process, as well as billing for the services they provide. It also produces a report that details the work done, highlights any deficiencies in the system, and recommends remediation steps.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Codism LLC?

We wanted to accelerate the conversion of an existing desktop-based product to a web-based application. We were lacking in both skill set and bandwidth to tackle the project by ourselves.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They’re creating a web application for our test and balance software that will help companies manage their billable time. When their technicians are out in the field working, they can use this web app to essentially clock into that job. This helps the companies to capture that time, appropriately manage it, and bill it back to their customers. They’re currently finishing the first version, which we hope to release in the next few weeks.

I’ve been soliciting feedback from members of my team, but they came up with the stylesheet—as well as the look and feel of the interface. They’re 100% responsible for the technical piece. The technologies they’re using are JavaScript and PHP. They will eventually work with members of my team on some API integrations. We also hope to turn it into a mobile app at some point down the line.

What is the team composition?

We work with a U.S.-based salesperson. The primary developers and coders, the project manager, and the business analyst are all based in India. I haven't interfaced much with the developers.

How did you come to work with Codism LLC?

We found them on the Guru freelance platform. They responded to our request for this project, and we decided to go with them after agreeing on terms.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project began in mid-July 2018. We gave them a deadline of the middle of September 2018 to have a minimally viable product, and we’re about 75% done.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They're making forward progress. We were in a crunch, so they've been able to help us accelerate this project. Because of them, we’re able to provide the web-based solution that our customers have been asking for. They're helping us to extend our capabilities to the web with this unique product. In addition, they’re adhering closely to both the original scope of work and the original project requirements.

How did Codism LLC perform from a project management standpoint?

Their team is pretty good. They’re conversant in agile software development methodology. We have weekly update meetings to discuss where we are in terms of hitting the deadline. We review any changes, comments, or updates that were submitted. They walk me through what they've done and what they’re working to spec. Then we discuss what needs to be done for the next week.

The project manager does a good job of keeping me on task. He makes sure that we meet timelines, and that I get them the necessary requirements that they need to be successful.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their flexibility is really impressive. One week we weren't able to meet because someone was ill. Another week, I was busy and unable to meet. They've been flexible working around that. The nine-and-a-half-hour time difference can be a challenge. Their fluidity allows us to leverage that to our advantage. I give them information on requirements or updates during my day. Then when I'm sleeping, they're doing work and making those changes. They’re also willing to have calls as needed, even if it’s late at night. Also, their attention to detail is quite good.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They could work on polishing their customer interactions. For example, they often conduct update meetings on speakerphone. That sometimes makes it hard to understand what's being said.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of an IT consulting firm that provides services to the state and private sectors.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Codism LLC?

Originally, we had an informational site based in HTML but wanted something that would display better. Codism LLC updated our website with the latest technologies to have a current, more attractive look.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

After discussing our business requirements, they provided three demos and designs to choose from. We decided on a design, and, within three months, they created a mobile-accessible website from scratch. They’ve since shifted into a support and maintenance role, having recently completed a touch-up.

What is the team composition?

They assigned a project manager who served as the liaison between us and their developers.

How did you come to work with Codism LLC?

I was looking for a web designer when someone from Codism LLC reached out to me. At the time, I was considering other vendors, but their demo appealed to me. I went ahead with them, and they turned out to be a good match.

What is the status of this engagement?

The bulk of their work lasted from September–November 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Since we’re also an IT company, we tested everything they delivered to us. Based on their performance, I would give them high marks.

How did Codism LLC perform from a project management standpoint?

They delivered everything on time as promised, so we were pleased with their work.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They were very creative and gave us a lot of ideas to work with. I appreciated that they understood exactly what was best for us.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, nothing comes to mind. Right now, we have no issues, but we might have them change the pictures on our site to show our actual employees.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Before approaching Codism LLC, know exactly what you want and simplify the whole process. In our case, we only gave them a few ideas on how we wanted the site to look, so we kind of put them on the spot. However, they were able to come up with their own thoughts about what would be best for us. In the end, we were happy with their designs.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the director of business development for an IT company. We do a lot of custom development, testing, and cloud migration type of projects for various clients.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Codism?

One of our manufacturing clients needed us to build an app that linked their inventory to their online system of displayed products, so they could more accurately process orders. They had a lot of requirements for the system and a short time frame to get it built.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Codism built an app from scratch for iOS and Android, using React Native, that linked our client's inventory backlog to their online catalog system.

What is the team composition?

One of our project managers collaborated directly with a project lead at Codism, who managed a team of developers in their India office.

How did you come to work with Codism?

A colleague of mine recommended them. We didn't have much time to consider or research other vendors, but we were happy we ended up working with them in the end.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from around January to May 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

As an international company, we operate with a high level of specific standards that Codism's team was able to successfully meet. They delivered a product that effectively integrated the client's inventory with its online ordering system, allowing for seamless order processing.

How did Codism perform from a project management standpoint?

Despite their distance, we had no communication issues with Codism's team. They were very responsive, met deadlines, and managed client relationships very well.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They're both responsive and innovative. Codism's team was proactive about improving our product, making helpful suggestions throughout development. They have a lot of experience and a strong pool of resources to pull to from.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Make sure your product requirements are as detailed as possible and do your research within your industry to see where others have been successful or run into challenges.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of Marketing Viewpoints, a digital marketing support company. We provide digital support for clients including web and app development and social media services.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Codism LLC?

We were in the process of creating a news and current affairs mobile app for a client. We wanted to introduce interactivity to make our app unique, but we had to outsource it because it got more technical than we could handle.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They built a React native app for Android and iOS. They built custom interactive functionalities, including pop-quizzes that appeared when someone clicked on a news article. They did most of the development work, as well as some of the design.

What is the team composition?

We worked with their senior manager and a technical support person.

How did you come to work with Codism LLC?

One of our clients referred them to us. We set up a consult and they were fantastic. We liked their approach and their cost was very reasonable.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $5,000–$10,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from April until June 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The quality is great, and the app is fast and dynamic. The client was fully satisfied with the app, so I would definitely use them again.

How did Codism LLC perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re located in another country, but they worked eastern standard hours. They were always available and were very responsive to emails, phone calls, and Skype. We were never left hanging or waiting for an answer. The project timeline was on target. There were a few delays here and there, but those are expected during projects, so it was fine.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their responsiveness as the most successful part. If you’re going to outsource something, you want to make sure that they’re on top of it. They were very proactive, so they had really good suggestions for us - areas that we didn't think of.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I really can't think of an area they need to improve in. I worked with two of the members mostly and they were both fantastic.