Donatix

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CTO of Cocoa Invest, a European fintech company that provides online investment services.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Donatix?

We had developed our product’s backend and web version, but the bank we were negotiating with at that time really wanted us to go live with a mobile version. We decided to reach out to a third party.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The initial involvement was to develop native iOS and Android applications. Since we’d already developed the web version, we had an exact vision of what we wanted to do and how we wanted it done. The spec was firm and detailed in every aspect. Donatix started development right away, and although this was the sole basis of our relationship originally, it evolved into something more over time.

They also got involved with our business, and have a great understanding of our business domain in general. We sometimes went through with their ideas when they challenged us, but other times, we told them how things needed to be.

Initially, we were only working on development for the two mobile platforms. Now, they’re doing the mobile products’ design for the next version. Afterwards, we’re also going to release those ideas to our web version of the product.

What is the team composition?

We work with five people, including a product manager, two developers, a tester, and a person who handles documentation.

How did you come to work with Donatix?

We searched online and found Donatix, 2–3 companies in India, and one from Slovakia. We told each company about the idea and had them all sign NDAs before proceeding with anything.

Donatix stood out as a good team, and they were strong in communication as well as realistic about their own skill set. Many organizations we’ve spoken to claim to be able to do everything, but that’s impossible. Donatix’s cost-effectiveness was also a deciding factor.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent around €10,000 ($11,964 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in October 2017, and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They’ve delivered the first release despite us being a bit late providing information to them, which proves their performance abilities. We haven’t launched the product yet. We ran user acceptance testing on it, and everything is functioning properly. That’s as far as we can get with this release.

Donatix has performed with accuracy, and their final delivery definitely met expectations.

How did Donatix perform from a project management standpoint?

They’ve been great. They have a very good project manager who is strong in communication and language skills, as well as with conveying decisions to his teams. If we talk in the morning, the developers know what’s going on by mid-day. This can be a challenge if far away from one another, but their project manager passes information on with precision and detail. We use Skype, and it’s efficient for presentations.

They challenged us if we really wanted to do something for the user experience. We have a very constructive collaboration with them. We’re very open to hearing their ideas when they present them, which are usually good. We’re also aware that core features and functionality must remain here in Copenhagen due to us being a highly regulated business.

We’ve done continuous delivery throughout the process. We knew where they are with the product, and they delivered a mobile version weekly that we could check out on both devices. We knew all along that we were making good progress and that they were on schedule.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They greatly respect their clients and relationships with them. They came back to my colleague and asked him if it was okay if they engaged with a similar company. We told them it wouldn’t be okay because it’s too close to what we’re doing. They weren’t obliged to ask us because there’s no NDA or clause that tells them they can’t develop in this area, but they asked us out of respect. When we told them no, they were fine with that decision. This shows that they really respect their clients and look towards building long-term relationships.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be open about what is wanted, but also be specific. Specificity is important when engaging with third parties. It’s also important to be receptive to new ideas with Donatix, because it might help the relationship develop into something more.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m one of the three co-founders that established ActivityChoices.com, which is a startup. It’s a web platform that provides passes for customers to go to sports facilities or take classes in different sports, such as swimming, karate, yoga, pilates, or dancing.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Donatix?

We were looking for a full-stack developer to help us build a website, a mobile application, a database, and a fully-functional backend with transactional capabilities. We wanted comprehensive technical assistance in getting our startup off the ground.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We wanted the platform to allow us to offer to customers in Bulgaria the ability to purchase their digital passes. They also helped us with UX [user experience] and UI [user interface] design. They didn't use WordPress or any other template; they coded our website from scratch.

We did the design for the frontend together. Along with their in-house designer, we came up with initial ideas for the screens and the look and feel of the web platform. They're going to build the app for both Android and iOS. Currently, we’re still working on the web platform functionality and will then develop the mobile application.

What is the team dynamic?

We frequently interact with 4 members of their team, but we understand that additional people are working on our assignment as well. There was a project manager, a designer, and a frontend and backend specialist.

How did you come to work with Donatix?

We put out an advertisement in JobTiger and they contacted us. There was a high degree of understanding from the very first discussions about what we wanted to produce, as well as some initial preliminary ideas. This indicated that we could benefit from their experience in building other applications and websites so that we don't have to come up with everything from scratch.

How much have you invested with them?

We've spent $10,000–$50,000 with them. Their rates are around $25–$45 an hour. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We've been working with them since July 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Donatix were capable of delivering on all fronts of creating the web platform functionalities, as well as the mobile app. They’re collaborative and creative. It's been a pleasure to work with them so far.

We invited 30 beta testers to purchase sports passes and give us reviews. The testing is going very smoothly and we already have some ideas based on customer feedback as to how we can add on and introduce additional features. Overwhelmingly, the testers like the platform and its functionalities. Some of their comments were cosmetic or had to do with how the platform asks for too much personal information, which aren't faults or shortcomings of the software development. Those are details that we can easily fix.

How did Donatix perform from a project management standpoint?

Our engagement is structured in phases and we really value breaking up the deliverables in this way. We had phase one, which is a beta testing phase, and then release one, which works on additional functionalities and improvements on the beta release.

We are using the Agile software development approach, which has been working very well. They come up with screens and deliverables every other week that we can review and comment on. They can fix as we go along so that we don't lose time of having to go back too many steps. From a project management point of view, this Agile methodology of work has been working great for us.

Regarding fixing issues or coming up with additional features, we've been using a shared Google spreadsheet on which they indicate the requests that they've received, are in progress and completed. Once they are completed, we go out and we say whether we have tested and accepted the deliverables. This has also been working very well.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I've always looked for people who are proactive, who come up with ideas of how things can be done better. We've seen that with Donatix. We've come up with detailed specifications of how we see things, and they come back with their ideas. On several occasions, we embraced their ideas.

Are there any areas they could improve?

On timing, they could have delivered some things a bit faster but there's always a trade-off whether you want things fast or you want things done well. They lean more towards delivering a better product rather than delivering overnight and delivering a sloppy job. We're very happy with their delivery overall.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the digital marketing and CRM specialist for a pharmaceutical company. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Donatix?

Before contacting Donatix, the promotional order process used to be handled only by email, and it was a nightmare to track from an analytics perspective — to know exactly what was ordered from whom and so on. We wanted to make it a simple process for our sales force so they wouldn’t have to waste a lot of time sending emails back and forth and figuring out what was happening. Our logistics department also spent a lot of time trying to collect the data in a more analytical way (Excel spreadsheets and so on), which took a lot of time. The new application needed to be internal to our staff.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We came to Donatix with a concept and they helped us draft the functionalities we wanted to automate. They didn’t know much about our business but managed to understand the process quickly. They also participated in numerous meetings with our distributors and salespeople during the testing phase.

We’re careful when it comes to integrations like this one because they change the process for our sales team, so we need to ensure there is a smooth transition. A lot of valuable feedback was shared with Donatix even before creating the wireframes.  Salesforce would be the key users in the end, so their ability to use the app was the most important thing.

When working with vendors, we provide our own rules and regulations around colors and other design elements, but Donatix built everything from scratch. We felt that we could trust them when it came to creativity because they seemed to understand what we wanted and knew what they were doing. There was very little communication when it came to design.

The idea was to make the system as simple as possible so that only a few clicks could be made and everything is handled quickly.

We have started using Donatix for other services including website localization, small developments for the Bulgarian product pages, and so on. They made content updates and small developments.

What is the team dynamic?

There were three people we actively met and communicated with for this specific project: a graphic designer, a project manager, and a technical contact who managed database connections and other similar things. We also worked with a developer and the legal representative. We had face-to-face meetings and also communicated via email.

How did you come to work with Donatix?

We have a procurement department, which filters the vendors we work with. There is a fixed process in place when it comes to new vendors — they have to go through validation and other needed steps.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with Donatix in February 2016.

They continue to support the app, making updates and addressing issues. Donatix has become a reliable partner in the last year and a half of working with them.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’re happy with the usage of the application and have collected feedback from our sales force, who said that the app is saving them time. We have no negative feedback at all.

How did Donatix perform from a project management standpoint?

They met all the deadlines they set, and there were no delays whatsoever. We didn’t have misunderstandings when it came to certifications and other items we discussed during meetings. Donatix did exceptionally well for a development company.

We had a project management system in place for the app, which worked well. So far, there haven’t been any cases of them not being able to deliver a request. We have on-time feedback around how long something will take, and how complicated it will be.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I liked how they handled the bug fixes we had in the testing phase. Donatix provided us with access to a system which allowed tracking everything and which was updated regularly with what they were doing on their end, what was being prioritized and so on. We had a clear understanding of where we stood, how far we were in terms of development, and what we were expecting to be changed.

I have worked with other companies, and it was more difficult to track those things by only relying on email or spreadsheets. In large part, Donatix’s approach was why we managed to finish the project on time and have a successful launch.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the chief of expansion for Help Credit, a loans company operating since 2011. I deal with new products and markets; anything related to the company’s growth.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Donatix?

They’ve worked on a couple of projects for us in the last three years; they do various things to help us expand as a business. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

One project they worked on was expanding our company’s credit card offerings to include Mastercard.  Donatix integrated the Help Credit website with the Mastercard producer.

Additionally, they worked on our website, as well as a project for our company using server technology. They have also designed small posters and other marketing material for our products.

What is the team dynamic? 

Most communication is via email and the rest through messenger. We have face-to-face meetings at the beginning of a project, after which the collaboration will be exclusively online. After I receive prototypes of the work they’ve done, my team evaluates it and makes notes for them. Then they work on it and send us results. We worked with five people from their team during the last project.

How did you come to work with Donatix?

We started with a small project with one of Donatix’ employees, before they’d created their company. As soon as the company was established, we started working together. Since then, I’ve found other developers, but Donatix’s price has always been the best.

How much have you invested with them?

To date, we’ve spent around $20,000 on their services.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with Donatix in 2016; we have an ongoing relationship.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’ve continued working with them because they’re fast and offer reasonable prices for their services.

How did Donatix perform from a project management standpoint?

We have a good connection with them and they have a good team. If someone is not immediately available, another member will finish the job that day. In that sense, they communicate well and are often available outside of standard working hours, including weekends. We receive monthly reviews that tell us what work has been done and what still needs to be completed, but they’ve always delivered on time. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

They are a serious company and do their job well. I haven’t had to look for anyone else.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They have had an overflow of projects and orders from the market, so they’re busy all the time. They should bring more people in.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I work for ClimaCom Ltd, the official Bulgarian representative of Mitsubishi Electric Living Environment Systems.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Donatix?

We approached them to develop our new website.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to update our company identity.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

After researching vendors, we chose them.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

They built our new site.

What was the team composition?

They assigned a project manager who served as our main point of contact.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The new website is perfect; it has all of our updated information.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

The project management was very effective. We communicated by email and phone in addition to having meetings.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I appreciated their quick communication time and the quality of the product.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, not at all. They delivered high-quality work, were easy to communicate with, and reacted quickly to our inquiries.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am a CEO of an agency that offers business and technology consultancy.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Donatix?

We hired them to develop two mobile apps for a client in the nonprofit sector.

What were your goals for this project?

Our main goal was to create modern, user-friendly mobile apps.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I've known Donatix for quite some time, and their CEO has always been responsive and open to partnership. I love their method for solving specific technology problems.

Describe the project in detail.

They strategized, designed, and developed two mobile apps that targeted specific groups around the globe. 

What was the team composition?

They provided designers and mobile developers.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They achieved their purpose and executed both apps in the best possible way. The UI/UX was absolutely fantastic. They were responsible for the whole execution, and they did a great job!

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Their communication and responsiveness were excellent. They were open to feedback and willing to iterate on the go.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They were open and professional, and they always executed on time. 

Are there any areas for improvement?

I can't think of any.