Digital Industry Group (DIG)

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

The Great Lakes Observing System is a nonprofit organization with a charter to aggregate and publish data in the Great Lakes. We are primarily federally funded, and we work with a number of different partners and organizations who contribute data through us that, in turn, get posted on public repositories. As CIO, I’m responsible for the development of the platforms that we provide to our partners and the public.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Digital Industry Group (DIG)?

We have a suite of applications that had been developed with legacy technology. These products were somewhat disconnected and did not really serve our users well. Our challenge was to develop an entirely new platform whose frontend could push for positive consumer experiences. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

DIG was provided with our requirements and objectives during the RFP process. Once they secured the project, they worked in conjunction with another company that was in charge of backend development. 

Their team designed a UI that could present complicated scientific data in a simple manner. They also made the platform adaptive and accessible on desktop computers as well as on smartphones. 

What is the team composition?

We’ve interfaced with several people, but we’re working with 3–4 members from DIG on a regular basis: the project/account manager, one of the company’s co-founders, and a senior designer.

How did you come to work with Digital Industry Group (DIG)?

We went through an RFP process where we provided DIG and other vendors with high-level business and high-level technical requirements. We evaluated their team’s response using mostly quantitative metrics and ultimately rewarded them with the project when they came out with the highest score. 

Their passion for working with nonprofits, our cultural fit, and the fact that they were a local company also factored into our decision. They had the technical skills and price point that we were looking for as well.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent under $500,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in November 2020. The project is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’ve yet to release the public version of our software, so it’s still a bit too early to gauge the impact of the DIG team’s work. By then, we will definitely look into our conversions or how many website visitors we can get to create new accounts on the platform. 

Right now, however, we can say that DIG is 100% in line with the scope of work and planned budget. 

How did Digital Industry Group (DIG) perform from a project management standpoint?

DIG has definitely been spot-on from a project management perspective. They’re very good at communicating with us and their reports are always clear and consistent. Working with them is uncomplicated. 

We have regular weekly calls and monthly status reports. Besides our rapid-fire Slack correspondence with the team, we also have informal communications with their senior founder, usually for a general health check. We use very little email, which is partially due to my desire to reduce email communications.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The personal and professional relationship that they’ve fostered with us is a clear stand-out. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

The only thing they could do differently is to stay with me as I tend to think outside of the box. There have been a few times where DIG didn’t fully realize the vision that I had for the product or couldn’t step up to try and meet that vision.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

It will be very helpful to provide clear and comprehensive feedback to DIG. Don’t simply hand off the work because your involvement in the process will really benefit the outcome. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the COO of the Michigan SBDC

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Digital Industry Group (DIG), and what were your goals?

Our website was extremely dated and did not represent who we were to today's entrepreneur. Dig was able to take our new brand and refresh our website with a new look and feel that represented the SBDC of today.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

Prior working experience with the vendor and the exceptional work they have done for the SBDC in the past.

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and technologies used.

To take our newly created brand and refresh our website to reflect the SBDC of today. This included discovery, design, implementation, and support. 

Dig is wildly customer focused, always going the extra mile to serve their clients, and with their partnership they were able to deliver on our vision for our new brand. Dig just doesn't execute, but they seek first to understand our customer base and their needs, and create solutions that drive value and understanding of what the SBDC does and how it can serve it's clients. I'm so grateful for the work they have done and the partnership they have created. Looking forward to working with them again in the future!

How many people from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

A project manager was our main point of contact, with designers and developers to support the build process.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?

We are still working to gather this data.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

Project management was critical for this project. Dig was communicative, responsive, and detailed in helping our team know what we needed to do, next steps, and resolution of any issues. Our team does not have an IT team to work with, and Dig was so helpful in helping us understand what we needed to do to accomplish our goals.

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

They are extremely professional but they also know how to make work fun! They energized our team here at the SBDC and most importantly, they partnered with us versus just being a vendor. They believe in our mission and as a result, they were able to really put themselves in the shoes of our clients to make meaningful and lasting change.

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

Nothing at all!

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder of West Michigan Accounting Partners.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Digital Industry Group (DIG)?

I launched my own company to do some accounting work on the side, and hopefully, it would turn into a more permanent business. I needed to create a brand, logo, and website to establish my legitimacy. I wanted to look like a real professional.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

DIG helped me create my company’s branding. First, they asked me questions about my brand, such as my preferred colors and the brand designs. I also sent them websites that I liked. They then sent me an eight-page branding guide that included our corporate colors, font, and logo.

After that, DIG developed a very basic website for me. I told them I only wanted a simple site that could add legitimacy to my company. I didn’t even intend on getting clients through that platform. I just wanted to have an online presence whenever a prospective client googles me.

DIG wrote my website copy — everything they sent to me was gold. The site featured my services, a short bio, and my contact details. The site had a clean layout, and when users scroll up and down, some of the background colors moved. It had various details that I wouldn’t have been able to come up with by myself.

What is the team composition?

I worked with Brooke (Project Manager), Courtney (Lead Designer), Ashlee (Account Manager), and Jeff (Business Development Director).

How did you come to work with Digital Industry Group (DIG)?

I went to the same church as Jeff. 

How much have you invested with them?

I spent $2,800.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our partnership lasted from August–October 2021.  

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I showed my website to friends and family, and it received positive feedback. DIG did a great job with the site. I now have a platform that I can add to my email signature; it makes me very professional. They helped me look like a reputable and real player.  

How did Digital Industry Group (DIG) perform from a project management standpoint?

DIG’s project management was solid. We had weekly check-ins. They were timely, and they always did the things they were supposed to do. 

Ashlee did a great job accommodating my requests. They took care of everything, and they didn’t involve me in much of the process. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

DIG’s value proposition was impressive. I didn’t even know the branding guide was part of the package — they just sent it to me. Their deliverables didn’t need any improvements; they went above and beyond in their work. 

If I had made the site by myself, it would have looked like something built by someone who didn’t know how to use technology. Thanks to DIG, I have a modern-looking website.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t think of anything. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Tell them what you want, and trust their expertise. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the owner/president of an aviation product company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Digital Industry Group (DIG), and what were your goals?

DIG was hired for some custom software development.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

Technical expertise.

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and technologies used.

Deliverables were taking current software with many glitches and fixing to a newer more user friendly software.

How many people from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

There were three with over all project but one dedicated to. the technical side of the project.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?

A working software system was our number one measurable outcome.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

Weekly in person or virtual meetings to keep everyone in tuned to the project.

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

Small but experienced and easy to transition and adapt to new situations and challenges.

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

Being a small team has its challenges but also has its advantages. You get a response quickly with any of their team. We realy liked that about DIG.