DB2 Limited

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a software developer at a company that builds websites for real estate companies. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with DB2 Limited?

We needed development support in both fix-term and ongoing capacities for different projects.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

I have two active projects with them currently. One is a fixed-length project during which they provided us with a project manager, a UX design, a frontend JavaScript developer, and a backend Python engineer.

We also have a long-term project with them in the works. They’ve given us a backend JavaScript developer for that effort.   

What is the team composition?

My main points of contact are a project manager and a Python developer. I’m in touch with the project manager once a week and interface with the developer 3–4 times each week.

How did you come to work with DB2 Limited?

I put out a scope of work on Upwork, and they pitched a more full-featured solution than what I was originally looking for. I found that their pitch better aligned with what I needed that the scope of work I requested. They had a strong reputation and competitive pricing, so I hired them. 

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $20,000–$30,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started the partnership in March 2020, and it’s ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’re getting amazing value through working with them. Their design process and methods of implementation were impressive. It always feels like they’re spending more time thinking about my business problems than merely implementing any ambiguous requirements that I describe. That makes their delivery above par because they’re able to build better solutions than the ones I was envisioning.  

How did DB2 Limited perform from a project management standpoint?

They did a fantastic job of consistently communicating with our team. We meet weekly to discuss their progress. All my inquiries are addressed in a timely manner, and they communicate proactively when there are bottlenecks we aren’t aware of.  

What did you find most impressive about them?

One of their distinguishing features is their ability to orient themselves around the solution rather than just taking our orders. For instance, when I provide them with requirements, they’re equipped to point out missing features to better implementation. They make my business their business, investing in us, and aiming to make our products good in the long-term. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t think of anything.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the co-founder of a company that provides access to useful interpersonal feedback from close contacts.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire DB2 Limited?

Our team initially had no technical co-founder and relied on DB2 for the design and development of our iOS app.

What were your goals for this project?

We set out to build an MVP product that we could use to recruit developers and receive feedback from our target market. Tangibly, we wanted to launch our solution in the app store and speak directly with users to identify necessary changes.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We interviewed multiple full-service development companies in the US, Asia, and Europe and felt DB2 was the most competitive based on their portfolio, prices, and personal service during the interview process.

Describe the project in detail.

Starting from PDFs of hand-drawn, wireframe sketches of 20 primary screens, DB2 completed the design and built out the entire front- and backend. They set up AWS, managed all the technical details, and responded to 20+ rounds of feedback from us regarding changes, bugs, and improved functionality. Finally, they helped us launch in the App Store.

What was the team composition?

We were assigned a project manager, a designer, a backend developer, a frontend developer, and a liaison/support contact. The backend developer changed mid-project, and the designer left shortly after completing the project, but DB2 easily re-assigned those responsibilities.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Though we only launched the polished app nine days ago, initial feedback has been positive. Any complaints users lodge focus on the philosophy of the app, rather than its technical development. We haven’t found any major bugs in this latest version either. The product isn’t perfect yet, but we didn’t expect it to be at this point.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Generally, we were pleased with the execution. We fell behind schedule at a few moments, and there was an unexpected break in progress during the holidays, but everything went smoothly for our first remote cooperation. We talked on Slack every day and made phone calls on Skype, but the latter was only necessary a handful of times throughout development. The team was responsive to feedback, and though it took time to get used to language differences, it actually helped us simplify our directions and feedback and clarify our ideas.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They have a team of highly skilled, responsive, and pleasant people to work with. Even with some fluidity of who is working on what, they were able to execute what we asked. Of the vendors we've worked with, they've been more responsive and better able to convey technical requirements/restrictions than the others. 

Are there any areas for improvement?

We would have liked more instruction on managing our code base and backend, given that we don’t have technical backgrounds, but that wasn’t strictly what we agreed to. They built what we asked for, and did a good job.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the CEO of Taxaroo, a portal for simplifying tax preparation and modernizing communication between people and their tax professionals.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire DB2 Limited?

We hired DB2 to rewrite a massive part of our web application.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to simplify the UI and improve reliability.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We vetted several vendors and DB2 was the most responsive, financially reasonable, and knowledgeable team we met with.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

DB2 essentially rewrote what we'd built in an alpha version of the web application into a modern framework.

What was the team composition?

We worked with one designer, one frontend developer, and one backend developer.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We've received great feedback on the app's usability and reliability. They were able to connect everything to another part of our application seamlessly. We went live with the new app in the middle of our busy season and were able to launch with very few bugs, all of which were quickly fixed.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Our project was effectively managed. They lost a team member mid-project but quickly reassigned a staff member to cover.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I was particularly impressed by their knowledge and commitment to get the project done.

Are there any areas for improvement?

The initial scoping of the project was inaccurate. That may be more on our part, but we were three times over our original budget.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner and founder of an app development company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with DB2 Limited?

I hired DB2 Limited to help with a development project.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They supported us in Objective–C development and built the UX of our mobile app. Along with enabling photo editing and manipulation on the platform, the iOS app also allows users to place animations on pictures.  

What is the team composition?

I worked with one developer.

How did you come to work with DB2 Limited?

DB2 Limited approached us through Upwork. After having a productive conversation, we had a meeting. We found them to be experienced, accommodating, and honest, so they were our choice for the project.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $50,000-$199,999.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from 2017–2019.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They delivered high-quality work that surpassed my expectations.

How did DB2 Limited perform from a project management standpoint?

I was able to work directly with the developer and they willingly used my project management tool. Whenever I needed to access the code or see their progress, they were available. I could call DB2 Limited for whatever reason, and they adjusted to my needs very quickly.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Although it was a significant amount of work, they delivered quality results day in and day out.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There’s nothing they could have improved.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

If you communicate effectively with their team, you’ll get the results you want.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the co-founder of an e-solutions and services firm. Our customers mainly operate in the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector in Switzerland.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with DB2 Limited?

We were looking for a service provider to outsource development work to for a few of our projects. Initially, we needed them to modify an app that we did for another client. From there, they continued to support us with other assignments.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

DB2 Limited typically handles development work for a number of our projects when our in-house resources are busy. Their services include frontend, web, and mobile app development for third-party clients. Sometimes we provide wireframes and documentation, but they’re capable of designing them, too.

We’ve used DB2 Limited in various capacities so far. For the first project, they modified an app. In the next, they supported frontend and app-based developments for a complex food marketplace system. The team coded the app before handling some of the design elements. They provided suggestions for the UX, advising how it should look on the system’s frontend as well as on the app.

What is the team composition?

They’ve assigned about 10 people, but the team has changed from time to time.

How did you come to work with DB2 Limited?

We searched online, reviewing several service providers before reaching out to DB2 Limited. At the time, I was looking for an agency that could collaborate closely with us on all aspects of a project. They needed to be a one-stop shop; we didn’t want to outsource our work to multiple vendors.

Most of all, I wanted a team that I could form a trusting business relationship with. When working with small agencies, there’s a high risk that they could go out of business in two years. Conversely, larger agencies might not give us the attention we needed. DB2 Limited was the right size for us. Since we were happy with their work, we continued to give them more projects.

How much have you invested with them?

With all the projects combined, we’ve spent about $80,000 thus far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been working with them since 2016 and are looking to increase our collaboration.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

It's difficult to completely measure their impact because they’ve done so many projects. Most of them involved taking existing materials and reiterating them, which is hard to assess; it depends on so many factors, including their team, the client, and us.

How did DB2 Limited perform from a project management standpoint?

We usually work over Slack. They have a project manager who coordinates all of the projects, but we can also reach out to individual developers directly.

What did you find most impressive about them?

DB2 Limited is responsive and hands-on. They can tackle anything I need for web and app development. They’re also solution-focused, coming up with their own ideas to support us. Their ability to think outside the box makes them unique.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Because they’re not a huge company, they have a limited number of available resources. Sometimes, I’ll have them work on a project that will need updates a year or so down the road. It would be nice to have the same developer take on the project again, but they might be busy doing another assignment. That said, I’ve been happy so far.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Since they’re a mid-sized company, you need to make sure they understand the project scope. Be very clear about what you need and document your scope well. Once you’ve laid out the information, they’re pretty good at following the guides.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We’re a full practice management solution for barristers. I’m the co-founder.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with DB2 Limited?

We had an MVP that we’d been working on and wanted a business partner that could add a lot more functionality to meet the demands of our customer base.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They developed our web platform as a full Django-based web application. Using our legacy platform as a starting point, they tweaked the functionalities and enhanced the app.

The app is optimized for barrister needs, meeting all statutory reporting requirements. Features include time recording as well as documentation generation and management.

The main function is a contact management system that allows barristers to generate the necessary technical documents required by law. The app also facilitates barrister-client interaction, sending signed versions of documents via email and cost estimates. Barristers can then allocate time, effort, and expenses to address various matters before generating invoices and receipts.

Currently, we've kept them as a behavioral analysis unit (BAU) team, providing ongoing supporting and development for the platform. We continue to go back to them for minor tweaks and changes.

What is the team composition?

They assigned front- and backend developers, designers, project managers, and infrastructure leads. At any point in time, there are between 5–6 people, but the staff volume can go up or down depending on our demand levels.

How did you come to work with DB2 Limited?

We went through a number of different development companies. We ended up going with DB2 Limited because of their ability to meet our requirements. We gave them a couple of small enhancement projects to start with, and they proved themselves quite capable, so we started giving them bigger tasks.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in 2016, and the work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The test cases that we put forward very much satisfy where we want them to be. There’s not a lot of rework required, and I’m happy with what I see from them. It’s above average compared to other types of commercial projects I see running.

How did DB2 Limited perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re growing as an organization, augmenting their skillset in the project delivery area to better meet demands. It’s been up and down, but I think they’ve found a good approach as their company has matured. Over the last six months, we've had a far better experience than when we first started. We use Slack and meet with the project manager every Wednesday night to refine the backlog requirements.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I like their ability to scale the team to meet our needs. They’re very flexible in how they operate. Being a smaller organization, we might change our specifications, depending on our customers’ requirements. They’re able to meet those requirements quite easily. Denys (CEO, DB2 Limited) is a really good operator, and I’m very happy with him as a vendor.

Are there any areas they could improve?

We'd already discussed the project management and communication with them, and they've improved on it. They’ve been very open to feedback and are great at rectifying any problems that we highlight such as timeline difficulties. I will continue to use them for future projects.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

If you’re briefing a project like this and aren't technical yourself, it can be very difficult to explain things over the phone or via Skype. However, they’re very skilled, highly educated, and have strong language skills. They would be an excellent organization to give a greenfield project.

My experience with them has been positive, and they’ve come up with great ideas. Even if you give them a legacy project from a vendor, they’re happy to work under the constraints.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I own a small project management services company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with DB2 Limited?

I wanted to develop a mobile app for my company and needed someone to guide me through its design and development, particularly the coding processes.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They’ve provided support all the way from concept to launch in the app stores. I’m comfortable with project management but have limited coding experience, so we initially went through a concept analysis to give them an understanding of my idea. Based on that input, they made some initial sketches that let me scroll through a basic prototype of the app.

Next, we discussed the design elements, including the layout and color scheme. This information was passed to the developers, who built my app from scratch for Android and iOS. It allows users to create, manage, and set up a countdown to different kinds of events, such as holidays, birthdays, or work meetings. There’s also a calendar interface where users can view multiple upcoming events at the same time.

What is the team composition?

The project manager coordinated with DB2 Limited's designer and developers, although I was also able to work with them directly.

How did you come to work with DB2 Limited?

My programming skills were insufficient to develop the app on my own, so I advertised for freelancers on Upwork. I interviewed three or four recommended companies and chose DB2 Limited. They seemed to have a good team dynamic and understood my position within the company. They also offered a good price.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together at the beginning of July 2018, and the work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I define success as getting a return on investment for the app. If I’d hired developers in the UK, it’s unlikely I would’ve even started it, but DB2 Limited’s pricing made my goal achievable.

In terms of the app itself, we’ve tested it on both iPhones and Android devices, and so far it’s working well. The system's image quality, performance, and speed are up to standard. We’ve also caught a number of bugs, which their team is quick to resolve—they’ll often publish updates in under an hour.

I’ve been pleased with the outcome and at how well the app’s turned out after only a few weeks of development. All that’s left is to refine the app and add a few new things before publishing it to the app stores.

How did DB2 Limited perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re experienced and supportive. They understand how significant this investment is for my company. It’s also been easy to communicate with them throughout the project. We have weekly calls on Skype, and I can reach out to the developers, the designer, and the project manager anytime, either via instant message or email. They typically respond in under an hour, and the responses have been useful and professional.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They collaborated well and had a strong sense of teamwork. When we started the project, I made it clear that I wanted a high-quality UX that pushed some creative boundaries. They came up with a number of different pitches and occasionally took the app in a slightly different direction than I’d anticipated. I really appreciate it because that’s made the final product much stronger.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I haven’t had any issues.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

Be sure to engage with the project manager. Ours was able to interpret my ideas and translate them into terms the design and development team could understand. If I’d been communicating to them directly, we probably would’ve accomplished less.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of Wenovation LTD. We’re a software development company that provides clients with mobile applications, websites, and API integrations.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with DB2 Limited?

We initially hired them to build out a CMS-enabled website. They’ve completed 6–7 projects for us since then.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

One of our clients had a simple website, but they needed to update their content on a regular basis. DB2 Limited stepped up to the challenge and integrated their site with a CMS. After successfully delivering that project, they moved on to provide us with a variety of other services. These projects included developing an automation system capable of executing processes and gathering data.

I know from our previous engagements that they’re skilled Java and iOS developers. They design products tailored to the industries of our clientele. However, our clients often range from telecommunication companies to marketing firms. Currently, they’re creating my company’s mobile app for Android devices.

What is the team composition?

We primarily interact with two assigned project managers. I’ve also communicated with their developers, depending on the context of the project.

How did you come to work with DB2 Limited?

They were referred to me by a colleague who’d hired them to develop an Android app.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in 2015, and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They provide a lot of value in terms of cost versus the quality of their work. Our clients are consistently happy with the products created by DB2 Limited. If they delivered anything less than great, we wouldn’t still be working with them.

How did DB2 Limited perform from a project management standpoint?

They organize everything effectively and allow us to track their progress. We’ve never had issues regarding their scheduling or responsiveness. I like to be heavily involved with each project, so we usually communicate on a weekly or daily basis. Overall, they perform quite well in this area.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We always appreciate DB2 Limited’s communication skills. Their CEO is intelligent and knows how to address the needs of his clients.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I have no significant suggestions at this time.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Stay in contact with DB2 Limited throughout the development process. Open communication will only improve the final product.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the executive art director at an experiential design company based in London.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with DB2 Limited?

Because the majority of our projects require complex programming and technical solutions, we needed a partner to augment our internal staff. We began searching for assistance when working on an immersive digital experience for a large electronics company.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

DB2 helped create a promotional installation that allowed a large electronics company to showcase their latest phone models and VR technology at festivals across the United Kingdom. The display took place inside an immersive mirror cube. To support the experience, we set up internet connections at each location through a satellite system and a backup 3G system. Using provided operative flow drafts and design templates, their team wrote all of the frontend and backend code for the installation’s software.

They developed a tool that controlled the experience by launching and managing video and audio content via an interface on the new phone models featured at the event. Using IP protocols, the system could send specific signals to trigger the playback technology.

The installation began by allowing a group of 30 participants into the cube, where they each found a VR device. After inputting their contact information into the registry system, they were prompted to customize their experience by selecting specific moods, elements, music choices, and video clips. Using those selections, the system played a piece of pre-programmed content that reflected their choices in music genre and visual style.

At a peak moment, a piece of software captured a personalized 360-degree panoramic video of inside the cube that showed participants reacting to their individual experiences. That clip was saved to the server, uploaded to Facebook, and sent to the email addresses collected in the registry system. The programming behind this feature had to be extremely reliable to assure each visitor received the clip of their specific group in the cube. DB2 Limited’s suggestions were key in building the software with intuitive logic to account for possible human errors.

What is the team composition?

Our team included the founder, a few top staff members, and several developers.

How did you come to work with DB2 Limited?

We reached out to various agencies through direct calls, Upwork, and other digital platforms. In our first interaction, DB2 Limited made it clear that they understood the project and were willing to go the extra mile to get results. I found their team personable, responsive, organized, and capable of handling a project at this level of complexity.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $15,000–$20,000 on the project.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked on this project from June–August 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our client commended our execution of the experience, which supported over 10,000 participants across several locations. There were minimal system errors and breakdowns reported and most were purely due to human error. There was never a point where the actual system failed. As a result of this positive experience, we’ve continued our partnership with DB2 Limited.

How did DB2 Limited perform from a project management standpoint?

We used standard communication channels like email, phone calls, and Skype. In the initial phases of the project, I flew to Ukraine to work with them for a few weeks to avoid misunderstandings and streamline the project. We were working with a critical deadline, so it was paramount that every team member was up to date on the project and consistently met their specific expectations. DB2 Limited understood the strengths within their team and managed their resources well. Most of their staff worked overtime to assure all development and testing needs were completed.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their team is willing to explore and scope additional projects at no additional charge. They are a rapidly evolving company, so they are eager to work on new assignments.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Their team worked nights and weekends to make sure they completed our project, so there’s not much more I can ask of them.

Any advice for potential customers?

I’m a native Russian speaker, which was a huge help in terms of communication. For clients without a background in their native language, I think it’s a good idea to visit their team in-person to avoid any miscommunication.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of Dronestream, which is the company that founded this product.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with DB2 Limited?

The drone sector is currently experiencing rapid growth. Many commercial applications have come out recently that involve drones, but we identified an untapped niche in the market. There was no easy way to relay a drone's live feed to anyone else in the world via a mobile app.  This was a much-needed function that wasn’t available on the market yet, especially for emergency services that use drones for search and rescue,

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

I approached DB2 Limited to discuss our brief. It described how we wanted the app to both receive and relay a video feed that a drone is filming. They understood our requirements perfectly and even managed to enhance them. One of their fantastic ideas was to produce an Instagram-style social media feature. Noncommercial users like hobbyists can follow their favorite pilots' accounts and receive notifications when they start live streaming. 

DB2 Limited’s hardest challenge was gaining extensive knowledge about live streaming. They're still striving to improve it further by partnering with IBM, who can provide us with a superfast stream. They also had to learn about the specific brand of drone we associate with, a massive manufacturer that occupies 70% of the sector. DB2 Limited sourced their own drone to start testing and utilizing in-house so we could quickly get to work. I didn't even have to purchase one for them. 

We started out with just an iOS app to see how it performs. If all goes well, we’ll create an Android version at a later date. I left the design in the team's capable hands rather than providing specs. They produced a stunning ombré design that fades from blue into white. The theme evokes the essence of the sky at sunrise, which was very appropriate for our app. I was especially impressed with the ergonomics for the newsfeed. As users explore all the public feeds worldwide, the scrolling movement is pleasingly slick and seamless. It's better than any other video app I've seen.

What is the team composition? 

I was primarily in contact with one particular team member who acted as the project manager. 

How did you come to work with DB2 Limited?

I found DB2 Limited via Upwork and sent them our project brief. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We started this project in February 2018, and the app is ready to go live. As we continue the beta stages, we're making the last few adjustments and improvements to ensure it's absolutely perfect. Our hopeful product launch date is scheduled for November. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I've only shown the app to people on a one-to-one basis so far. We've presented it to police, fire services, and search and rescue personnel. They have all been very impressed and want us to release it as soon as possible. We haven't had any negative feedback whatsoever. The layout and features have been extremely well received, primarily by the emergency services community. 

We were very impressed with DB2 Limited's innovation. Since finishing our project, they’ve become a partner in our company. We have an exciting future to look forward to. The social media dimension was a fantastic addition to the app. The live streaming is incredible, which is a complicated feature to build. DB2 Limited's ability to innovate and improve upon various features is fantastic. 

How did DB2 Limited perform from a project management standpoint?

Our project manager sent feedback once a week to keep me informed about progress. He’d contact me right away with any exciting updates. We maintained an open channel to continually provide updates, suggest new features, and test various aspects. Based on my preference, we agreed to use Skype for team meetings.

DB2 Limited was very flexible, timely, and responsive. They offered me several technology options and gave me access to their Jira account to observe progress. We met all the milestones they put forward, including the timeline for beta testing. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

I'm most impressed with the diverse range of skills their team possesses. For example, I needed a CTO to talk to IBM about streaming software. Our usual CTO wasn't available that day, but DB2 Limited immediately provided another teammate to stand in. That person conducted the call very professionally and helped us understand the software. 

No staff member has ever been inaccessible. They're available around the clock. Due to my day job, it's difficult to talk with them during working hours. I appreciate that they're available for discussions in the evenings, even after 10:00 PM. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

When commencing app development, have an extremely clear picture of the product you want and describe it to the project managers in detail. Otherwise, companies have to intuit ways to fill the gap. Once you send DB2 Limited a plan, stick to it. Excessive changes will extend the deadline and may increase the cost.