Design and Test Lab

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

We're building a cloud, web and app based system helping people analyze their their driving and find a greener car. I'm a lead developer.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Design and Test Lab?

We needed to revamp our whole Android app UI/UX very quickly, so we worked together with Design and Test Lab to make the development faster. We also asked for their help on QA testing

What were your goals for this project?

Having a stable, clean and user-friendly app after about 3 weeks of development.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We had already worked with them previously on another project, and were happy with what they had done.

Describe the project in detail.

Once we've decided to work with them, we started scoping the project with their director, project manager and Android Developer. We had kick-off meetings to be sure we were clear on the project goals, and set up a github repo for them.

After that, we had daily written syncups, and stayed in touch for any question, and bi weekly calls. We had a really good communication. We started a bit late because of us, and even with that they tried to keep the same deadline.

Their Android dev had some sections/pages to develop on its own, and he did finish everything on time, with good quality.

What was the team composition?

I was project manager on our side. On their side, they had a project manager, a QA tester and an Android dev

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We have good feedback about the new look of the app. We also have the feeling that the app is more stable now.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We had a great communication, and workflow in general. Everyone was communicative, and their project manager optimized our two teams' work flow. Honestly, I was just happy with our workflow

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their adaptability, autonomy, good quality work and how easy it was to work with them.

Are there any areas for improvement?

We did not set this up, so it's not a real improvement on their side, but for a future project, I would prefer to have our QA team to be in touch with theirs so that it doesn't have to go through the project manager (only) everytime.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Manufacturing IT Manager, responsible for overseeing the deployment, maintenance, and integration of dozens of technology types and languages across our manufacturing facility.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Design and Test Lab?

With the introduction of mobile technologies, the advantages presented were significant. We could not commit to an in-house developer for iOS at the time, so we leveraged Design and Test Lab as one of their first clients for iOS development.

What were your goals for this project?

This review spans the timeframe of our engagement with them rather than any specific project. Of course, the requirements were all similar at the base level: Consistent UI presentation, stability, portability, effectiveness, and fair pricing.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

The initial exposure to Design and Test Lab (specifically Mr. Obrizan) in 2011 was through Freelancer.com. It's a good story, but for a later time. As with all Freelancer jobs, there were dozens of bids. My first impression of Mr. Obrizan was exceptional, and I chose his team due to his professionalism. They provided a fair bid (not the lowest bid), and I felt it was a good estimation of the project time. It was a decision that would prove to be an exceptional one.

Describe the project in detail.

A total of six projects, and evolutions of those projects, were commissioned during our relationship: Forklift Requests, Weigh Stations, 5S App, Inventory Locator, Mixer Recipes, and Shipping Confirmation. Each of these projects were story-boarded and API'ed in-house with the help of Design and Test Lab. The front-end was exclusively the responsibility of the vendor.

What was the team composition?

Three to four people were involved in the project: myself as the lead and back-end developer, and manufacturing support staff that provided specific requirements depending on the job, ensuring active reception to the solution.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Every one of the apps was released to an enthusiastic client base within the factory, and all of the apps were adopted immediately. The feedback was tremendous, and we continued to evolve the apps as feedback arose.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Interfacing with Design and Test Lab was very easy, despite the huge timezone gap between us (GMT +2, GMT -5). Communication was effective and responsive, with very little if any gap.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Design and Test Lab not only provided excellent solutions, but helped us grow into areas that we had not before explored. We were always very impressed with the courtesy and professionalism displayed, and well as the willingness to help us succeed, even when it didn't benefit them.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I struggle to provide any negative feedback at all. The experience over 4 years and multiple projects was a growth opportunity for both us, and we both stretched to new capacities during that time.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I was Director of R&D in Branto, Inc, a Ukrainian hardware startup, and responsible for all the software in the company. Branto, Inc had a 10 to 20 employees at different times.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Design and Test Lab?

They created an iOS client for our smart camera/smart home hub.

What were your goals for this project?

This is a software part of the hardware product that worked as a: rotating camera, TV/climate remote, speaker/microphone, and some others.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Among 2 other competitors in similar price range, they showed willingness to adapt to our schedule, requirements for open and agile process, and demonstrated a high level of technical knowledge.

Describe the project in detail.

We ran 8 sprints, each adding 1-2 of the main application functions and dealing with feedback. Video streaming solution was also implemented.

What was the team composition?

The team was composed of 3 developers, one of them being the lead, with an occasional intervention of the project manager (the D&TL CEO).

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We have no metrics. The application was functional and behaved well. Yes, the app had minor bugs that were consciously left out.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Quite effective. We were integrated pretty closely, this was practically a team extension. We used Scrum sprint planning and retrospectives. The response to feedback was very prompt and positive.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The enthusiasm and technical knowledge.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I don't know. The whole startup didn't fly, we all were under a lot of pressure. Yet I'm quite happy about interaction with this particular team.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Creative Director / Principal

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Design and Test Lab?

We developed an App for a Legal client and provided the branding and creative component to Design and Test Lab for technical programming, APK delivery to GooglePlay and Apple Store.

What were your goals for this project?

To provide a high-quality product that was universally usable for our clients promotions.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Design and Test Lab was recommended to us on a Professional Service we use - they had many stars, good reviews and ticked all the boxes.

Describe the project in detail.

We developed a legal App for our Client that was pretty much brand and information-driven with some nice calculation components and quite a few external links.

What was the team composition?

My role was Creative Director, Brand Designer and UX Designer on the project. Design and Test Lab provided Programming for the App and complete back end developer support to place APKs and critical programming pathways on Google Play and App Store.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The App went on to assist our Legal Client win a major international Award for App Development.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

They were very speedy and efficient. There was always someone available that spoke to us about technical requirements that came up.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

We have worked with Design and Test Lab for App Development for several years now and the service and professionalism is always there.

They have a very good integrated team, with excellent management and friendly, professional quality services. We highly recommend them as a great 'go to' company with excellent knowledge and efficient service.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, because they will just get better and better.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

APP3null GmbH is software development service provider based in Berlin/Germany.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Design and Test Lab?

Mobile app development (native, iOS ad Android, including backend)

What were your goals for this project?

The goal of the project was to develop mobile app in med tech area.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

The vendor was proposed by a third party.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

The vendor created a specification, design, backend and frontend for the app. It was full service project, including project management and QA.

What was the team composition?

Two mobile developers, one designer, one backend developer, project manager and QA specialist

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The project was successfully developed and launched.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Project management process worked flawlessly and there is nothing to complain about.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The quality of development definitely stands out. Also debugging stage was very brief, without rounds and rounds of testing and debugging, it went very smoothly, in contrast to some other vendors, we have worked with.

Are there any areas for improvement?

More capacities in order to handle more projects

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I was CEO of Librelio. It was a turnkey solution for magazine publishers and content providers to distribute their content on mobile devices. It included customizable iOS, Android, and Windows 8 apps, plus a cloud-based backend. Librelio was sold.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Design and Test Lab?

We hired Vladimir Obrizan and Design and Test Lab to work on our two projects: Skier and Bike magazines. The challenge was to transfer knowledge about the existing code base to Vladimir’s team, and Vladimir quickly understood the code base, refactored, fixed lots of issues from the previous team, and implemented new features for us under tight deadlines.

What were your goals for this project?

I hired the team to work on a mobile software product line in the digital publishing area. The goal was to fix existing issues, implement new features, test them, and create two products from a single code base. Vladimir achieved all set goals with this project. All needed functions were developed and tested well.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

After an interview with several vendors, Design and Test Lab’s approach fit the best in our context. We choose them for technical experience and value for money factors.

Describe the project in detail.

Design and Test Lab provided the following services

• Analyzed the existing code base
• Proposed technical approach to fix issues and to implement new features 
• Provided daily build for me to verify the results of
• Tested the solutions
• After-release issue maintenance 

What was the team composition?

One full-time senior software engineer was involved in the project, who was fully dedicated to my project.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We successfully released the products on the app stores. Later, they helped me to sell the whole business to another company.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Design and Test Lab created a project plan, including priorities with tasks, and let me know about risks in advance, which they then mitigated. They also provided daily builds, so I personally reviewed the progress and was aware of all moves on the project. Vladimir has shown an excellent level of English, so communication was never an issue.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I was impressed by high-quality work at affordable prices! They managed to fix previous issues, create their product, and test it. Everything was done even better than planned.

Are there any areas for improvement?

My advice for Design and Test Lab is to expand their knowledge in the digital publishing domain. However, good technical backgrounds on the team helped them to ramp-up quickly.