Devlight

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We are a financial company based in Kiev, Ukraine, with a focus on cryptocurrency mining. We have created our own cryptocurrency. I am the head of product development for the company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Devlight?

We decided to create our mobile application for exchanging our cryptocurrency. I was in charge of finding a company which could design an attractive UI/UX [user interface/user experience], develop our app for Android and iOS, and perhaps help us with marketing. At the time, I had no experience with mobile app development, so the process was completely new.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We decided to develop a cross-platform application and created a scope for its main features. I had some meetings with my colleagues, discussing how we should develop the app. We didn't provide any prototypes or other material to Devlight beyond the requirements.

The app needed the ability to exchange cryptocurrencies between one and the other, exchange them for traditional currencies, and vice versa. It also needed to track variations in exchange rates and save different statistics. We also needed to scan QR codes through it, for ATM exchanges.

Devlight assigned two Android developers, a UX designer, and a project manager for the project. The team remained the same throughout the process.

How did you come to work with Devlight?

We initially approached a different agency, but they didn't have a good understanding of the cryptocurrency world. Devlight was recommended to us by a contact. We had an initial discussion with Devlight's team and assessed their knowledge around the cryptocurrency field.

How much have you invested with Devlight?

The cost of Devlight's work has been $40,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with Devlight in July 2016. The actual development started at the beginning of August, and the first iteration was finished in November. The second iteration was started in February 2017, and it's ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or the impact of the engagement?

Devlight's work was good. The first version of our app had 10,000 installations by the end of 2016. Developing the application within a set budget was also important to us. Devlight delivered a good-quality product for a reasonable price.

How did Devlight perform from a project management standpoint?

Devlight was very good from this perspective. I had calls with their project manager every day, at the same time. We discussed the work, including any issues, and decided on the solutions needed. I was given weekly reports for the completed work, as well as the ongoing and planned tasks. The process was very helpful for me, as someone without experience in development.

We had a deadline for the end of November 2016. The application was completed by the beginning of that month, which meant that we had three additional weeks to test it. It was a good result for us. I had some worries initially about Devlight's reliability, but they proved to be very good.

Devlight used Teamwork for scheduling and communication. I was included in the platform and managed the project along with them. Devlight also used InVision for prototyping and Sketch for designs, but I mainly collaborated with them through Teamwork.

What did you find most impressive about Devlight?

When we started the project with Devlight, I hadn't worked with any other development companies, so I had some worries. During the process, Devlight became our partner, rather than just an outsourced company. They had our product in mind, not just the money, which led to a very good application.

Are there any areas Devlight could improve?

There were a few unclear moments during development when I didn't have a good understanding of what tasks the developers were working on. This may have been my issue more than Devlight's.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We are an early-stage startup developing a native iOS and Android mobile app dedicated to emerging artists who are looking to develop their own brand and manage their performance.

I am the founder and CEO of the company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Devlight?

I was looking to undergo native mobile development for Android and iOS, including UI/UX [user interface/user experience] design for a prototype. I had a clear user story in place. I noticed that Devlight had a good team for both fronts, and they were able to propose improvements for my branding, design, and even the logo itself.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

I didn't provide any complex wireframes or sketches on the design front, only a list of features I wanted. I gave Devlight's team some screens of hand-drawn ideas, and they came up with a prototype in the form of clickable screens, which were close to what I was looking for. We are continuing to refine those designs.

I was looking to provide an intuitive flow for the app, making it simple to use especially for digital nomads—people who are using it while on the move, and while working outside. Because the design is intended for artists, it's engaging, funky, and warm, but not to an excessive degree. We are helping people develop their careers, so the app needs to be sexy and serious at the same time. This is something that Devlight captured in their UI/UX designs.

The app has numerous multimedia capabilities, for which Devlight has researched the latest software development kits and API integrations. We have daily Scrum standup meetings via Skype, and I also visit them at their office, during which they come up with ideas on the most up-to-date approaches we can have. I've gotten many ideas from Devlight's developers themselves, not only from the scrum master.

How did you come to work with Devlight?

I approached several agencies, and held a sort of beauty contest, looking at which one could come back with some appropriate screens and ideas based on my user stories. Many were not willing to do this for free, while others developed one or two screens. Devlight was quick and proactive and delivered more wireframes than I was expecting. They brought in their own ideas and delivered good quality results. Devlight stood out among the five or six agencies I contacted. I waited for a bit before hiring them, in order to make sure I wasn't mistaken.

How much have you invested with Devlight?

I prefer to keep the cost confidential at this stage. Compared to their competition, Devlight has given me a good value in terms of general cost and the hours dedicated to the project.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with Devlight in mid-January 2017. We started the development for both Android and iOS apps after testing the clickable version of our prototype and receiving good feedback for it.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or the impact of the engagement?

Two-thirds of the users testing our screens have found them to be clean, quick, and easy to understand. We've not had to completely kill any one screen; everything was understood by the users, and we only had to make adjustments like pushing buttons from the top to the bottom of a screen, integrating more explanations, and so on.

How did Devlight perform from a project management standpoint?

I interacted quite well with Devlight's project manager and Scrum master. He has very good English skills and has very good self-control in managing pressure and conflicting objectives. He's a good bridge between our groups, and quite responsive as well. We interact quite a lot on Slack and Skype and have Scrum calls every morning. We use Bitbucket and Teamwork for following the work, Google Hangouts and InVision to have access to the screens being worked on, Lookback for getting user feedback in video form, and Sketch, which allows me to comment on screens directly.

What did you find most impressive about Devlight?

Devlight has a quality team on the UI and UX side, and they have an entrepreneurial approach. They know that we are a startup, and are willing to take the risk and come up with ideas. Devlight is also flexible, making us feel like this is more than an outsourcing project. I have gotten a sense of commitment from the team.

Are there any areas Devlight could improve?

Devlight has a decently sized team, but they can have more work than they can handle at times. I haven't seen a bottleneck during my project, but I've noticed that they are a fast-growing company when I visited them on-site for a week. One or two additional developers would be good.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Uplata provides IT services within the Ukraine financial sphere. I am the marketing director of the company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Devlight?

We needed to create a new website and web application for our services.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Devlight was responsible for the design of our web application. Devlight specializes in mobile app development, and we plan to build a native version of our product in the future.

We provided Devlight with technical documentation describing our idea, based on which they created wireframes, sketches, and prototypes of the app. Devlight produced some of the text content and images of the site; we created the rest ourselves.

We have used our internal team for the frontend and backend development parts of the project. We are working with another company for SEO [search engine optimization] services.

How did you come to work with Devlight?

We chose Devlight because they are a professional and reliable company. They were willing to listen to and understand what we were trying to achieve and agreed to our crazy ideas. The team provides good knowledge regarding both app development and web design. Devlight cared about the success of our company, which is a unique thing.

How much have you invested with Devlight?

The cost of Devlight's work has been around $10,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with Devlight in September 2016. We are planning to build a mobile application using Devlight.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or the impact of the engagement?

I don't have any statistics or metrics for the app so far since it hasn't been live for long enough. We have started to test a beta version with a small user group, and it has seen some favorable initial reviews. Everyone has said that the designs are positive and creative.

How did Devlight perform from a project management standpoint?

Devlight adapted to our rules and procedures and stuck to every deadline. We have used Worksection, which is a Ukrainian app for project management.

What did you find most impressive about Devlight?

I can't think of anything unique about Devlight, but they delivered what was promised.

Are there any areas Devlight could improve?

I don't have an understanding of all the details of the process, so it would be hard to make a comment.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We are a logistics services provider offering end-to-end delivery. We work with customers shipping parcels from sites like Amazon, eBay, and AliExpress. We are the biggest logistics provider in Ukraine, with a staff of 18,000.

I am the online services and mobile app development manager of the company. I run a 15-person department.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Devlight?

We decided to create a new mobile application for our company, in order to replace our old solution which had missing functionalities. The new app needed to allow our customers to track the delivery of their parcels as they travel through different branches of our company, sending push notifications when the delivery has been made. It also has a cost and estimation functionality based on distance.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Devlight has developed our Android and iOS application. The team was involved in the process from the initial UI/UX design phase. We had some technical specifications for their team, but no wireframes. We looked at a few existing apps provided by other companies and asked Devlight to replicate certain functionalities.

We had a limited timeframe, so we used 2 iOS and 4 Android developers in the beginning. Devlight also assigned us a project manager and a UI designer.

How did you come to work with Devlight?

We wanted to find a local company in Ukraine so that we could communicate in the same language. We focused on 5 candidates and spoke with their chief technology officers, founders, and development team. We chose Devlight because of the strong skill sets of their developers.

How much have you invested with Devlight?

The cost of Devlight's services was close to $120,000. We had a fixed-price contract.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with Devlight at the end of January 2016. We have released our mobile application, but we continue to work with Devlight for feature enhancements. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or the impact of the engagement?

Our app has been featured as the best one in Ukraine within the business categories for Google Play and Apple App Store. We are also within the top-3 overall apps for Ukraine. Our app has been praised in terms of structure, design, and idea.

We never encountered an instance of the application crashing. Many other companies have approached us wanting to know who developed our app, and we've always recommended Devlight.

How did Devlight perform from a project management standpoint?

Devlight's project manager has worked with us throughout the project, coordinating the work. I acted as project manager on our side. Devlight's team was flexible and fast. Both of our companies are based in Ukraine, so communication has been simple and pleasant. We use Skype, email, and phone calls for communication. We also visit Devlight's team 1-2 times per year. We hold regular scrum meetings to report on progress and any issues. We also had weekly sprints.

What did you find most impressive about Devlight?

I appreciated Devlight's speed, flexibility, and ability to provide ideas we wouldn't have thought of. They've been a partner for us, rather than just a developer.

Are there any areas Devlight could improve?

No.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

‎Movinga is an online platform for relocation services. A person moving from Berlin to Hamburg can use our solution in order to put together a plan, handle bookings, and make invoices. I am the vice president of the company. I was an interim chief technology officer during our work with Devlight.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Devlight?

We have a fleet of relocation companies for which we needed to develop native iOS and Android apps, enabling members to manage their jobs on the fly. Our partners could thus circumvent traditional processes and have immediate access to complete relocation orders. There wasn't a service similar to this on the European market.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Devlight provided several layers of service, starting with UI/UX design for our Android and iOS apps. We provided basic wireframes to Devlight's designer, who adjusted them based on his experience. We approved the changes and allowed Devlight to take over the work. Devlight then handled the backend and front-end development for Android and, in part, for iOS.

In total, we've worked with 6 members of Devlight's team, including a designer, a project manager, and 4 developers. We've had daily iterations assessing our project’s direction. I was responsible for monitoring this process.

How did you come to work with Devlight?

Devlight contacted our company and gave a quote for their services. They were competitive, compared to Berlin prices, so we contracted Devlight for a pilot project. Their team also speaks the same language as I do. They ended up developing our entire app.

How much have you invested with Devlight?

The cost of Devlight's services has been around $30,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with Devlight around March of 2016. The project was handed over in September. We haven't iterated the second version yet.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or the impact of the engagement?

Devlight's apps have worked very well so far, but I can't provide specific metrics for them.

How did Devlight perform from a project management standpoint?

Devlight has held to all of our deadlines. I have no negative comments in this respect. We have worked with different people from Devlight's team, depending on the status of our project. During our prototyping mode, we kept in touch with their designer. While we underwent development and testing, I also spoke to Devlight's backend and front-end developers. I appreciated not having to go through a middleman.

We used GitLab as a code repository, Jira for ticket tracking, we had an internal Slack channel, and we also talked over Skype. I communicated with Devlight's team in Ukrainian, but I think that they prefer English generally.

What did you find most impressive about Devlight?

Devlight has a talented design team, much better than any other UI/UX mobile designers I've ever worked with. This is what initially convinced me that it made sense to work with Devlight. Their price has also been good. Devlight is three times less expensive than Berlin developers, with the same or better quality.

Devlight is also very good at utilizing non-mainstream, top-notch technologies. They've stayed one step ahead constantly, and they even introduced me to a design and collaboration front-end tool called Zeplin.

Are there any areas Devlight could improve?

I managed the project myself, and I think that the collaboration could have been difficult otherwise. It may have changed in the meantime, but at the time, Devlight didn't have a good project management structure.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am an executive at FERM

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

I am working at FERM - an innovative Ukrainian agribusiness platform created in early 2023. FERM unites all market participants by providing farmers with a single transparent system offering goods, services, technologies, and expert consulting in one place. We have over 10,000 product SKUs, 500+ active partners across Ukraine, dozens of business directions (including wholesale and retail goods, transport, agritech services, drone usage, equipment and spare parts, financing and leasing, etc.). As a company, FERM helps farmers with practical support - not just selling, but also consulting, knowledge sharing, and creating tools for freedom of choice and economic independence. In my role, I oversee project developments and coordinate with external partners to ensure solutions align with FERM’s mission of modernizing and streamlining agribusiness operations.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Devlight to accomplish?

• Development of the FERM web solution for the agribusiness sector (Discovery, Frontend & Backend)

SOLUTION

How did you find Devlight?

Referral

Why did you select Devlight over others?

• High ratings
• Good value for cost
• Referred to me

How many teammates from Devlight were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

Discovery phase with business analysis and architecture planning.Frontend and backend development of the new web solution.Preparing API documentation and interaction protocols for future mobile integration.Continuous project support and adjustments based on evolving needs.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The API documentation and initial architecture have already been delivered. These outcomes gave us confidence in moving forward, as they clearly outline how the system will integrate into our broader IT ecosystem.

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

The workflow was very effective. We had regular status meetings when needed and constant communication in chat for quick questions. This ensured transparency and kept both sides aligned.

What was your primary form of communication with Devlight?

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

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

I was impressed by their proactive approach and ability to adapt to our needs throughout the project. They provided a very thorough preparation, offered a clear and detailed plan, and demonstrated strong technical expertise. Their focus on aligning the solution with our business objectives and their attention to detail really stood out.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Devlight could have done differently?

The project is quite complex, so naturally we faced some challenges along the way, mostly related to aligning requirements and managing scope. However, thanks to Devlight’s flexibility and clear communication, we were able to keep the process smooth and productive. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m an external business partner for an IT startup based in Indiana.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Devlight?

We have a big client, and we provide applications for them. Our client tried to implement some new applications within the last four or five years, but that didn't work out. They commissioned us to implement their mobile application. We handled the business logic side and needed help with mobile app development.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Devlight has developed an Android app for our client that tracks time with NFC tags. We provide documentation and establish requirements, and Devlight builds the app's code using Kotlin. After that, we are responsible for QA. We've also produced the app's prototype in Figma, and the team continues to design based on that. They've created the app using Kotlin. We're currently in the project's second phase, and we may implement the app for iOS in the future.

What is the team composition?

We've worked with around five people, including two project leaders, a designer, and two developers.

How did you come to work with Devlight?

We had a friend who had previously worked with Devlight, and he introduced us to them.

How much have you invested with them?

We've spent between €10,000–€50,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We've been working together since March 2023, and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Currently, 2,500 users are using the application. The application has not been launched on app stores; our client's mobile device management has rolled it out.

How did Devlight perform from a project management standpoint?

We've had absolutely no problems with deadlines or budgets. They're very quick, and their response times are very short. We communicate directly with the lead developer over Slack and Google Meet, so it feels like we have an internal employee. The team has also used Jira at the beginning of the project.

Are there any employees from the service provider's team that you would like to give a shout-out to in this review?

I want to give a shout-out to the project leader and lead developer; they stood out.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Working with them hasn't been complicated. Their response time has been great, and their communication has been very warm and friendly compared to other companies we've engaged with.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don't have any points for improvement.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Provide as much information as possible to help the developers understand your approach and solution.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Head of IT department and OKWINE online shop of OKWINE

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

A network of 130 OKWINE wine stores and the largest online alcohol market in Ukraine

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Devlight to accomplish?

• We approached Devlight aiming to enter the market in 3 months. We needed to develop an app containing a loyalty program, promotional features, an intuitive map view, and seamless communication with wine shops for swift interaction.

SOLUTION

How did you find Devlight?

Online Search

Why did you select Devlight over others?

• High ratings
• Great culture fit

How many teammates from Devlight were assigned to this project?

11

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

The final app is fully functional, encompassing all the features initially agreed upon. The Devlight team supported us through the product release and is currently working on product growth. We aim to reach top app store rankings in our niche and redefine the wine market through innovation within this application.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Their ability to manage a tight deadline while maintaining exceptional quality was commendable.

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

Everything was done on time and met the needs.

What was your primary form of communication with Devlight?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

Devlight demonstrated an interest in solving our needs.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Devlight could have done differently?

No, there is not

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Business Development (Unit) Director at Advent group. Advent Group is the leader in Graduate education recruitment.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Devlight?

We needed an AI platform able to retrain easily and 'react' on a number of user behaviors.

What were your goals for this project?

Fast, own code, easily operable, potentially applicable product to other products of ours.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

High understanding by the architect, good feedback from another project

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

UI, back-end, support

What was the team composition?

Architect, PM, UX, Back-end developer, Front-end developer

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Works perfectly for our purposes, more than 60% of our user service

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Agile - highly responsive and professional.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their flexibility and technical knowledge impressed us. They are both goal and client-oriented with superb project team composition.

Are there any areas for improvement?

It was perfect.