Cygnet.One

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the CEO of AM Digital Life. We are a consultant agency. We offer development support to our customers. We do not have internal developers and we feed a partner network that provides us resources and developers. Web, mobile, IoT, Machine Learning, DevOps are only some topics that we covers.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Cygnet Infotech?

For a mobile development, based on React Native technology for front-end, .NET Core for backend (hosted on azure), I created a team with Cygnet and italian resources.

What were your goals for this project?

The goal is simple: provide a working, stable, performing product (mobile app)

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I meet cygnet on september or october, 2019. I approached them for their testing tool and from then, I started to go deeper into their services. This project is the biggest, till now, that we worked on.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

A B2B app for a world wide company to support mission critical activities for italian market (currently). Localization, vocal recognition, micro-services architecture for backend. AM Digital Life provides architectural analysis and devops services, Cygnet the development resouerces.

Technical specs:

• React native
• .NET Core 3.1
• Microsoft Azure Cloud

What was the team composition?

At the beginning of the project: - 4 resources: 1 mobile, 2 backend, 1 architect

During Final Phase: - 5 resources: 2 mobile, 1 backend, 1 web, 1 architect

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We started our buiness on September 2019. This is one of the biggest project we worked on, for the main customer we have. This is not an important project, this is a critical project we cannot fail.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

AM Digital Life managed the project interacting with end customer, however Cygnet provided us a very skilled person that support us coordinating their resources.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

All of the developers that worked on our projects are incredibly skilled.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Improvements are most likely related to a better knowledge of each company and processes. Italian market is not so easy for foreign suppliers. Time will bring improvements.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Zevo Health provides organizations with the tools and information to improve overall organizational health.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Cygnet Infotech?

Cygnet was originally hired to provide mobile app development services but this has since been expanded to cover 2 additional projects.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goals for the mobile app were to do a successful handover from the existing service provider and then build a more stable platform from which we could grow our customer base.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Cygnet was recommended by a colleague.

Describe the project in detail.

Whether you want to tone up, relax, get healthy or change your habits, our workplace wellbeing platform has you covered. We believe the best way to attract people to a healthier lifestyle is to develop products that make that lifestyle more enjoyable. Zevo Health is a science-based app, that will help you build healthy rituals into your life, just like an elite athlete. We integrate with all of the leading fitness trackers and our health coaches are always on hand to answer any specific questions.

What was the team composition?

They provide us with professional development, business analysis and quality assurance teams who have become part of the internal Zevo team.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We saw a huge improvement in stability. Whilst this was not measured analytically it resulted in a significant impact on renewals and customer sentiment. We also have experienced regular improvements and efficiencies during Sprint planning and analysis.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The workflow is very efficient using simple tools like Skype and Email. We have had no issues. We plan a visit to meet the team at least once a year for team building and planning.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The intangible aspects of an outsourced relationship are the most important, such as a partner's reliability, trust and other 'non-technical' skills, matter most in building successful outsourcing partnerships. We have developed a friendly and trusted relationship with the team at Cygnet Infotech.

Are there any areas for improvement?

It would be good to review the resumes of some new team members. We had a couple of instances where the members were too junior. Cygnet was quick to respond and find more experienced developers that fitted the needs of the project.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a project manager for Eskimo Epos, which develops software. We mainly sell Epos for retail hospitality industries. We also sell e-commerce solutions to shops, theme parks, and other businesses.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Cygnet Infotech LLC?

We have software developers in-house, but we're not a huge company, so our resources and employees are stretched. Our software developers didn’t have time to develop apps that we wanted to develop.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They were initially hired to create an iOS- and Android-compatible app and to integrate it with third-party applications such as eBay and Amazon. We had initial conversations with the sales team to determine our objectives. During our sales consultation process, we were asked to provide specifications for database levels, functions, and the user interface. Their sales team estimated the initial cost and assigned developers to the project before we solidified the finer details of the project. Once we were all on the same page and finalized details, we started the project. We use them for other projects now such as assisting our developers with rewriting our software, which is a long-term objective.

We decided to develop an app for stocktaking, and Cygnet came on board to help. The app was Android- and iOS-compatible, worked online and offline, and syncs with our database through its API. We won a large annual contract for stocktaking as a result. Another project included helping us integrate our client’s eBay and Amazon shops into our Epos database. They’ve also helped us with WordPress and e-commerce integration. We intend to use them for a bigger project, which will probably have a three to five-year timeline. They use Angular, PHP,  C#, HTML, and JQuery for development.

What is the team composition?

We are typically assigned a project manager for the team that is helping us with a specific project. When we have development issues or need to make corrections, the project manager for that team ensures that corrections are made and issues are resolved. We communicate directly with their developers as well.

We have worked with three different project managers; they manage app development, third-party integration, and e-commerce integration, respectively. We usually retain the same project manager throughout the duration of a project.

How did you come to work with Cygnet Infotech LLC?

First, we performed an extensive search. We narrowed our search to about 15 offshore teams in different countries including Poland, Russia, Bulgaria, Romania, and India. We reviewed all of them, utilizing various review sites. We then compared prices and sent quotes out, finding our top three candidates. Cygnet was able to visit us, so we could speak to them in person, which was an added bonus.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent over $50,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in November 2016 and continue to work with them.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We haven’t received any negative feedback on their work so far. Their services and work have provided a high return on investment for us, which has made us happy.  

How did Cygnet Infotech LLC perform from a project management standpoint?

We consistently communicate, and they have various communication methods that you can utilize based on your preference such as email, phone, or Skype. They have a project management dashboard that allows us to submit requests and track progress, but I normally  Skype them whenever I want to speak to them. They reply to me almost instantly. I am able to get straightforward answers from them and easily reach them, which has been great.

There hasn’t been any drama. They deliver everything on time and keep us updated every step of the way through weekly progress reports. We’ve effectively overcome challenges or gaps in understanding by communicating with their project managers and developers.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They stay on schedule, and they stick to their price. Even if the scope of the work changes, their price rarely goes up. If you have a problem, they'll fix it. They offer excellent service, and the end result of their work is always great.

Are there any areas they could improve?

The only negative aspect of working with them is the occasional broadband issues that affect communication, which could be attributed to our own broadband. Yet, communication issues and limitations are expected when working with an offshore firm. I wouldn't expect them to improve drastically on this front because if they had an office in the UK then they would be charging different rates.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Organize and finalize your project specifications to ensure you get a good result. You need to know what you want before you start any collaboration. We've never had an issue with their ability to deliver what we’ve requested, but to keep your cost consistent, it is crucial to pin down your specifications.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the head of Reality Tech, Inc., a services firm located in the tri-state New York area. We offer a wide range of services, including document management, software development, workflows, and infrastructure.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Cygnet?

We needed a range of software development for a variety of different platforms. I had very specific projects for my clients, and I wanted to be able to develop them quickly, as well as cheaply, depending on what the client wanted.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Cygnet has developed WordPress websites for myself, as well as partner companies. They’ve also created a video portal solution for one of my client’s highly branded product that utilized the Azure cloud. They’ve also created many form-based solutions for customer intake, client opportunity management, and lower level systems, including the synchronization system between SharePoint and the SQL server.

They’ve also done some major installations for me. They’ve branded SharePoint extensively for clients of mine, and also created workflows. They’ve created solutions at both the department and enterprise level for my clients as well, such as providing an out of office manager.

When we are the onshore component, and they are fully offshore, we are the business analysts that gather scope and requirements, then work through a design with them. I write it up, work with them, and then they either develop it on their own systems, or deploy it to us. They lead in testing, and then hand over maintenance requirements, as well as documentation.

They also fill in for me by putting onshore people in place. They handle both onshore and offshore resources in a hybrid model by gathering project requirements, then coordinating what work should be done by either the onshore and offshore teams.

What is the team dynamic?

I’ve worked with Cygnet as a SharePoint team consisting of 6–10 people. I also work with a WordPress and an SEO team, and they generally give me a main point of contact for regular communication. I’ve also used their onshore team to supplement my own staff.

How did you come to work with Cygnet?

I spent a long time trying to pick the right vendor before settling on Cygnet, and I’ve since been very happy with my choice. I have many different relationships with providers, as well as various partners on and offshore, but Cygnet is my primary offshore vendor.

How much have you invested in them?

We’ve spent approximately $300,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with Cygnet around February 2013, and the relationship is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Cygnet has done some exceptional technical work, and they’ve transformed a client opportunity management system by totally reinventing it. They’ve also redeveloped many intranets for my clients which are highly visible across the company. They developed an entire cloud-based task management and test generation product for FINRA registration, which is a very significant system. There is now a consulting company that wants to sell the product as a result of Cygnet’s successful delivery, and we’re having ongoing discussions for the next phase.

How did Cygnet perform from a project management standpoint?

They have done well from a project management perspective. We speak daily, and they’re able to provide breakdowns of tasks, including structure and estimates. Their estimates are usually more accurate than I anticipate, and there is a lot of wisdom in the way they handle planning.

They manage themselves, and I sometimes get involved with the details. Dozens of decisions are being made in software development every day, so I like to remain involved after I give the requirements to the lead. I want to make sure they feel comfortable asking the tough questions.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their level of technical knowledge has been astounding. The head of their SharePoint team is a true guru with the technology.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t think of anything they could improve. We manage the time zone difference, and we use Skype if we’re having trouble communicating via telephone. Communication is always going to be a challenge, but they are addressing it by increasing their US presence. They have multiple people available onshore, which is a great capability that really allows me to offload a lot of work onto them.

Do you have any advice for potential clients of Cygnet?

Cygnet is a large company, but not so large that it makes them unable to handle smaller needs. They have about 600–700 people, and everyone, including their ethical and moral founder, Niraj, is available to me when I need them.

They're based in Gujarat, which is home to a few million people, but it’s not a metropolis like Mumbai or Bangalore. For anyone looking to utilize their services, or make a big enough commitment to outsource, I suggest paying a visit first. As long as they understand what the client desires, they are able to do well.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

SentinelC3 is a leader in cost management software solutions linking Healthcare providers with medical equipment suppliers. Our software alleviates many of the greatest Healthcare payable pains for a complex supplier base. We cut costs utilizing performance oversight to help our customers reach their strategic goals and objectives in supplier spending. I’m the CFO.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Cygnet Infotech?

We have been working with more than seven developers in the last seven years. Two of them have not even been able to write code. We’re trying to address so many things that are required in the healthcare marketplace. There’s HIPAA security requirements, documentation of the software itself, and the ongoing changes and updates for the different components within the software. We have four different languages and platforms. We’re using Java on a LAMP stack and nopCommerce on a LAMP stack. We need all of this technical knowledge. There are so many challenges when you’re creating something new. Sentinel didn’t know what the software challenges would be when we started the company. Our expertise was in the medical equipment industry so we jumped in when we saw a critical need. We have been learning and improving as we go. Now we’re refining things further with Cygnet’s technology expertise and ISO quality processes.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Our software was not documented. We had a spreadsheet, a design, or a workflow diagram here and there. Cygnet has taken our old Legacy product and have been working through the entire coded program creating business rules with the screenshots updating the user interface to make it perform better and look more modern. They’re documenting the entire program. It’s been 13 years without any comprehensive systematic documentation.

At first we wondered if we should just rewrite it and start all over, but we have a hospital chain that hasn’t asked for changes so we focused on updating the versioning of the Java, PHP, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, browsers, etc.

Sentinel has also modified our existing concept to deliver a new software product for skilled nursing facilities to centralize the invoice workflow automation and procurement to payment of vendors. This will help to remove paper from all AP/AR processes to save money. Medical rental billing is a niche market. It’s very complex and has to be secure.

As Cygnet got involved in the Chrome project they noticed some things that we could improve in security, performance and the look and feel of the UI. As they got more involved as a consultant they offered marketing assistance which I didn’t know they did. They find resources rather quickly.

Currently, I work with Himanshu, AK, Dhaval, and Vandana for the most part. They have more on their team, but if they need more or less, they make sure to get the job done. Cygnet’s comprehensive 61 page HIPAA analysis/audit was $6,000 compared to another bid of $17,000.

Without their review, we wouldn’t have known where we could improve our systems. Just to verify their assessment, we brought in outside IT experts who own their own software companies, and they agreed with Cygnet on what our priorities should be.

They’ve been very instrumental in systematizing our code. If you can’t document, you can’t make improvements because you’re just going by memory. You’re forgetting why a feature was created 13 years ago or find it is no longer applicable. What I’ve seen with most developers is that they like creating code but don’t like documenting the business rules or commenting on the code they write. Cygnet has made sure we have a living document of our software for years to come.

What is the team dynamic?

They have a core team. AK is the first person who got us on point and is the business strategist. Himanshu handles the coordination of their team. He is a business manager. It was a challenge when our existing developer was unable to meet the existing workload. Cygnet has been very patient. They understand what we’re going through because they’ve ran into it many times.

Vandana has been great at documenting the Legacy code. We’ve also worked with Bhavesh and Sabir. We’ve had a team of five that has been working through these projects and helping us find what we need. It’s hard to build trust when you’ve been burned so many times in the past, but they’ve earned my trust. I don’t think people understand the importance of the documentation and knowing where you are and where you can go in the future. Cygnet has been stellar in pointing out things that needed to be done.

There’s a weekly or biweekly meeting where they show the work they’ve completed. I speak with Himanshu three times a week. He’s on top of things. I’m surprised at that level of customer service given my past experience. Cygnet puts the customer first. They have sufficient developers to accommodate their customers. I feel confident that we’ve got some good experience on the team. They have level three developers or above, and the process is what makes someone with that level of experience even better.

How did you come to work with Cygnet Infotech?

We had to have the latest online compatibility. Originally we were working in IE and that’s going away. We called Cygnet originally to convert to Chrome and we were given a great price.

Our other product utilizes nopCommerce. I saw their affiliation as a gold member. They’re ISO certified which is a big deal. I’m a big fan of processes because they deliver outcomes.

How much have you invested with Cygnet Infotech?

We’ve spent $35,200 over the last year. We’re looking at a project that will be $150,000 if we launch a new platform. We found that their support and their work effort can complement an in-house systems analyst.  We’re very impressed with their flexibility. They have the resources to work in four different languages and platforms. It’s a challenge to find one person with that experience. We can’t financially justify hiring four different people at $120,000 per resource per year. Cygnet really delivers.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in July 2016, and the work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that would demonstrate the impact of the engagement?

I’m taking a mini MBA course and number one priority is to have a growth plan. You’ve got to have your whole company systematized and documented so you can apply LEAN processes for continuing improvement. If it’s not written down, it’s wishful thinking. Cygnet delivered on documentation despite going over millions of lines of code in a Legacy program in under three months. Then they created a whole new interface. The look and feel are similar to what Microsoft or Google products are showing and doing. You can’t constantly rewrite an ERP system but you can keep it fresh and interesting. That’s what Cygnet brought to the table.

They’ve been very accommodating, but at the same time challenged the status quo. They showed us how to make things better to bring in new business to grow our company. That’s the kind of partnership we’re looking for and something that’s rare. It’s not always about how much revenue you can get out of a client. I don’t feel that with them. I’ve been impressed. I was able to meet AK. I feel comfortable and friendly with Himanshu and the whole Cygnet team. They have been exceptional in handling the different personalities of my executive team.

How did Cygnet Infotech perform from a project management standpoint?

Everything was on time. They were on budget. I’m impressed with what they were able to accomplish considering the challenges they’ve received from us.

What did you find most impressive about Cygnet Infotech?

Their process is the most impressive thing about them. I don’t think people understand the way they go through sprints and the degree of organization required. Cygnet utilized Confluence for documentation purposes. I watched my Legacy software come alive and become a living document thanks to their processes and their feedback. They’re understand that as a CFO I have other responsibilities and it’s not just software. They are doing a great job of letting me know what we need if we want to move to the next step. They’re a friendly team. I would love to be able to invite them over for a barbeque.

Are there any areas Cygnet Infotech could improve?

We have had some communication issues from a distance perspective and 12 hour time difference. If speaker phone technology improves, that would reduce some echoing on calls. We just need to have patience. I thought there would be more of a language issue but there hasn’t been.

What tips or recommendations could you share that might increase the likelihood of success with Cygnet Infotech?

Hopefully, you have experience in-house to do what you need to do. If you can’t afford a diverse development team and you’re doing big projects, you need to hire Cygnet right away. Be in control of your own destiny but have the resources like Cygnet offers to get the job done effectively and economically. They’re incredible and will work around your schedule.

My experience with Cygnet Infotech has completely refuted some of the bias you hear against offshore development companies. I think it is their people and processes which keep improving in a positive direction for better outcomes.

BACKGROUND

Could you briefly describe your company?

We provide hosted training services. We have a hosted learning management system used to deliver managed training for corporate customers. We focus on healthcare, but we have customers in manufacturing industries and other service industries, too. We also provide online training courses that we have either developed or those that we developed through partnerships with other companies.

What is your position?

The president and owner. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

Could you describe the business challenge(s) you were attempting to address when you initiated the relationship with Cygnet Infotech?

We approached source code from another company that we have actually been licensing it from for a few years. Our platform was out of date. The functionality was obsolete and archaic. The interface was absolutely terrible. In order to maintain some figment of competitiveness within our industry, and for growth purposes, we had to undertake a significant redevelopment project. We needed to upgrade to the latest .NET technologies as well as totally redesign the user interface. 

SOLUTION

Could you describe the scope of this project? For instance, did it involve custom visual design, backend development, training, support, etc.?

I believe it was on .NET 2.4 or something like that. They had to update the underlying .NET technology to the latest version before we could do anything, before we could incorporate any third-party grids or controls into it. They then had to analyze our backend system, review the code, and perform the initial updating to the ASPs [active server pages]. I think it was .NET 4.0. From there, we began modifying and enhancing the backend functionality. I performed most of the design work for our modules. I also conducted considerable research on companies and the different types of controls that we could incorporate into the system. They did a lot of mock-ups based on that research. They provided the interface design that we adopted. 

Since we’re a relatively smaller company, it took a year or so for everything to be deployed. We also wanted to incorporate an e-commerce solution into our system. I found a third-party tool, a .NET e-commerce platform that we could license. They then integrated that e-commerce platform into the LMS [learning management system]. Now, we’ve got customers going into our website, buying offered courses and, through the license and registration process, sign up for whatever they prefer. It’s all tied in together with the LMS, too. 

How did you select Cygnet Infotech as your solution partner?

We conducted some secondary research. What I wanted to find was a company that had demonstrated experience. I foudn two or three candidate firms and conducted phone interviews with them. I liked the Cygnet. A key driver for me was that their owner interfaced with clients and prospects here in the United States in order to ensure that all expectations were being met. 

[Cygnet Infotech’s owner] changed his itinerary to fly in from New York to Naples, Fla., to meet with me. I had a chance to meet face-to-face with the owner and have an understanding of their values and their approach. 

Could you provide a sense of the size of this initiative in monetary terms?

The largest one we had ever gotten into, we’ve paid them a lot of money. I don’t know how to rank the size. For us, it was very significant. It’s the core software platform for our organization. We couldn’t get it wrong. I have kind of preset cost ranges. For instance, between $10,000 and $50,000 and between $50,000 and $200,000. We've undertaken projects within both of those ranges, so they're pretty significant. 

When was your site launched?

We began to bring the first customers onto the platform last spring, so it was probably in March of 2013. I gave them the initial design stuff probably in June or July of 2012. The ecommerce wasn’t a part of the first phase. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

In terms of results, could you share any statistics, metrics, or user feedback that would demonstrate the effectiveness of the work they've delivered?

We've been moving and migrating existing customers from our old platform to the new one. Just by their reactions, it’s been very positive. They’re ecstatic. They like the new interface. The reporting tools are also a highlight. They really made our reporting tools top notch, flexible, and user friendly. We've probably experienced our biggest growth of new customers in the period since we introduced our new site. Last year was a very good year for us in terms of growth.

When working with Cygnet Infotech, is there anything you would consider unique or special about them compared to other vendors you’ve worked with?

One of the things that I liked about Cygnet and their team is that I was able to interact with them on a consistent basis. They made it a point to ensure I know who was working on our assignments. One of the nice things, whether it was in our weekly or biweekly phone calls, was that they took ownership of the work. They were refer to it as our product. They didn’t ever refer to it as your element. It was ours. They gave me a real sense that they were taking ownership of the project. That was a huge deal for us because we wanted to make sure they were invested in its success, rather than simply delivering our specs. They’re also very flexible with meeting times. 

In terms of constructive feedback, are there areas you feel Cygnet Infotech could improve upon, or are there certain things you'd do differently as a client before initiating a project with them?

This was the first time for us to have gotten involved in a project like this. I could go back and count the many mistakes that I did from the design perspective. Perhaps I should have started out with more conrete design specifications. This is something that you have to be prepared for, because they're a team of programmers, and while the do have some design experience, it isn't their core competency. Undertanding that is important. 

I also wish that their QA/QC testing would have been better. They could have found some of the bugs before I did during the testing phase. Some of their developers don’t have sufficient in-depth knowledge of the product functionality. They would see that, yes, this functionality is supposed to do X, Y and Z. If those criteria were met then they'd simply move on. What they didn't do was test the subsequent affects of X, Y and Z on A, B and C. What they missed were things that could have been identified if they've invested some more time in the testing phase. I would identify these discrepancies and they would re-test for us. It's a minor factor but important nonetheless. 

BACKGROUND

Could you briefly describe your company?

We’re basically a digital agency that provides business consulting and strategic implementations.

What is your position?

I’m the managing director.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

Could you describe the business challenges you were attempting to address when you began the relationship with Cygnet Infotech?

Sure. We do many projects with Cygnet. They’re one of our very strong partners from a development perspective. There are many challenges when working with offshore development firms. But, at the same time, what’s been quite impressive is that these guys have been able to overcome many of the challenges that we’ve faced.

The majority of the challenges have revolved around communication and clarity of what has to be done. What we’ve done with some of these challenges that started to occur, to try to bring a VA onto the project that can drive both parties, and make sure that scope is well understood, and implementation is executed properly.

SOLUTION

Could you describe the scope of the project? For instance, did it involve custom visual design, backend development, training, and support?

Cygnet has developed many projects for us. We’ve used PHP and MySQL. In many projects, we’ve used .NET technologies and Amazon Web services. We’ve used cloud computing in some projects. We also do a lot of mobile application development with them, which is on iOS and Android.

How did you select Cygnet Infotech as your solution partner?

That was a difficult task. We’ve been burned many times, specifically with offshore development teams. We gave Cygnet some small projects to understand their quality, how they work, and their documentation processes. We were impressed with the deliverables from those small projects, so we began the relationship in earnest then.  

At this point, 99 percent of our projects are awarded to Cygnet purely because they have fantastic talent,  they deliver what we ask them to, and they have really strong leadership, which is crucial in any enterprise.

Could you give a sense of the size of the initiative in monetary terms?

Our smallest projects would be $1,500 to $2,500. Our largest projects have been $75,000, $80,000 plus.

When was the most recent project completed?

The most recent project was completed two weeks ago.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

In terms of results, could you share any statistics, metrics, or user feedback that would demonstrate the effectiveness of the work they’ve delivered?

For most of our projects, we track three metrics: budget, quality, and timeliness. They’re the three primary metrics that we measure Cygnet against. Most projects have been great. There were some projects where there have been saving issues for various reasons. But, once again, what I’m quite pleased to say is the leadership team at Cygnet has come forward and tried to overcome it. They continue to go out of their way to appease us.

How do you think they performed as your outsourced development team?

I think they do a fantastic job as an offshore provider. I have few reservations with their work.

In retrospect, are there any areas you think they could improve upon, or things you’d do differently as the client before initiating this type of project?

The challenge that I have mentioned to them on a regular basis has to do with balancing their priorities. I encourage them to remain as agile as possible as they continue to grow their business. One of the biggest challenges that we find with an offshore provider is they’re trying to bring on more resources, to the point that their processes actually begin to break down, and the quality of their work can thus suffer. At the moment, their growth is good, and they continue to be quite supportive. As an offshore provider, I’m confident that will continue to be the case.

BACKGROUND

Could you briefly describe your company?

We’re a software development and support firm with a focus on SharePoint.

What is your position?

Principal.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

Could you describe the business challenges you were attempting to address when you began the relationship with Cygnet Infotech?

To find a good partner, someone who I can trust, work with and not just use as a service provider. We needed someone able to add significant value to the relationship and the project. The hard part was finding someone who I can trust while also having deep technical skills. We had a great portion of relatively complicated work that had to be done, and we needed a team of excellent developers.

SOLUTION

Could you describe the scope of the project? For instance, did it involve custom visual design, backend development, training, and support?

The majority of the work has been custom development, but Cygnet also collaborates with us on data visualization, workflow reengineering, administration, information architecture, design setup, integration, and reporting.

How did you select Cygnet Infotech as your solution partner?

We spent months talking with various development organizations. We were somewhat wary because we’re quite knowledgeable in the area of outsourcing. I’ve filled a lot of roles in managing it, and I know it can be a very expensive way to save money. I wanted to find someone who was the right size for my organization, with the right level of process. I joke around that I’m someone who is willing to lose money on a project to make the relationship survive. Some projects win, and some projects lose, but I wanted a partner. Cygnet ended up being the most realistic option for us.

Could you provide a sense of the size of this initiative in monetary terms?

We’ve spent approximately $100,000.

When was the most recent project completed?

We’re putting the final touches on one right now.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

In terms of results, could you share any statistics, metrics, or user feedback that would demonstrate the effectiveness of the work they’ve delivered?

No, I have not applied formalized metrics to our site.

How do you think Cygnet Infotech has performed on these projects?

I think they’ve been excellent. We’re amazed with their technical expertise. It’s rare to find such high-quality offshore developers. In terms of documentation writing, I have to take a pass through and clean up the English, and that’s totally fine.

In retrospect, are there any areas that you believe Cygnet Infotech could improve upon, or are there things you’d do differently as the client before approaching these types of projects?

The big lesson that I’ve learned from the partnership is that I need to be the intermediary. I simply can’t have them represent themselves front of a business user in the states. They’re extremely proficient developers, but they’re not quite as strong at interacting with our American users and clients. That’s the only thing, and it’s almost negligible because at the end of the day, we really need them as our developers, not our business liaisons.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Founder of Kincare

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We develop and provide the Kincare App on iOS and Android platforms that enables families to manage and coordinate caregiving for their loved ones.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Cygnet.One to accomplish?

• Deveop, test and prove QA for the Kincare App

SOLUTION

How did you find Cygnet.One?

Referral

Why did you select Cygnet.One over others?

Referred to me

How many teammates from Cygnet.One were assigned to this project?

6-10 Employees

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

Project Summary: We’ve partnered with Cygnet for roughly five years on the ongoing development and enhancement of the Kincare Mobile App across both iOS and Android. The app is a key part of our day-to-day operations, so we rely on a steady cadence of improvements, fixes, and releases. 
Over the course of this engagement, Cygnet has been a dependable partner—communicating clearly, adapting to our priorities, and consistently delivering high-quality work that keeps the application stable and evolving. Their team is not only talented, but also honest, straightforward, and genuinely enjoyable to work with, and those qualities clearly reflect the strength of their management and leadership.

Scope & Deliverables: Cygnet’s primary engagement has been to develop new functionality, test enhancements, and provide thorough QA support for the Kincare Mobile App across multiple releases. This has included implementing new features, resolving defects, improving performance and stability, and supporting release readiness with validation and regression testing. 
Their development has spanned both iOS and Android, including integrations with platforms such as Apple Health, Google Health, and Fitbit. Beyond execution, Cygnet has also proven to be a valuable partner by proactively suggesting new features and capabilities—often bringing forward practical ideas that improve usability and help us plan the roadmap more effectively.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Results: With Cygnet’s support, we’ve been able to maintain a steady delivery cadence for the Kincare Mobile App while improving overall quality and reliability. Their consistent follow-through and timely delivery have helped us keep pace with user needs and internal stakeholder expectations.
Just as importantly, their recommendations on new features and capabilities have added value beyond the core delivery work and have helped us identify opportunities to enhance the app over time.

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

Project Management & Communication: Project management has been a consistent strength throughout our engagement. Cygnet provides clear coordination, keeps work organized, and maintains transparency on priorities, risks, and dependencies. 
We receive weekly progress reports that summarize completed work, what’s in progress, upcoming milestones, and any blockers—and we jointly review these updates in a weekly virtual meeting—making it easy for our stakeholders to stay aligned and for our team to make timely decisions.

What was your primary form of communication with Cygnet.One?

• In-Person Meeting
• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

What has impressed me most about Cygnet is the quality of their people. The team is knowledgeable and highly responsive, and they consistently take ownership of their work from start to finish. They are honest, dependable, and follow through on commitments, which has made them a trusted long-term partner for our organization.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Cygnet.One could have done differently?

The main area for improvement that we would recommend is to provide closer coordination and support regarding feature deployment in order to allow for more frequent App releases.  They have started doing this and it has significantly improved our ability to provide our customers with improved App capabilities regularly.