Dotsquares

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm one of three directors at My Roster. We offer a software program that appoints referees and umpires for sporting events. The program manages any conflicts of interest on the part of the referee that would disqualify them from refereeing that game. It allows referees to accept or reject a game and the appointment officer to manage the overall appointments and reassign as necessary.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Dotsquares?

We wanted to add a payment functionality to our existing features. The program was written in PHP and we wanted to work with that version rather than start from scratch.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Dotsquares added a payment functionality to our existing program that notifies the referee of payment, lets them review the payment details, and lets them accept or reject it. We had worked with a developer before so had prepared a 25-page document of detailed specifications, including screenshots. We provided that to Dotsquares and agreed on it. They built the payment function that manages direct payments by creating a file that gets uploaded to the bank.

What is the team composition?

Our main contact was a project manager who also worked with a programmer.

How did you come to work with Dotsquares?

I did research. There were a couple of people we were interested in using, including Dotsquares. The primary reason we shortlisted them was that they had an Australian office. They also knew the program our existing software was in so they could work with what we already had.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent about $10,000 AUD (approximately $7,000 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in October or November 2017 and finished the project within five months.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Usually paying referees or umpires is done manually on paper or with an Excel spreadsheet. In my experience, it can take two hours to create the pay sheet. With our program, the job is done in about 10 seconds. It’s a huge improvement. This functionality is a huge selling point—our customers can save both time and money using our system rather than creating the pay sheet manually.

How did Dotsquares perform from a project management standpoint?

We communicated on a daily basis via a project management software that was like a message board. We used it to share files and had a Skype call once a month.

They proposed two options to us—to either work directly with a programmer or, a more expensive option, to work with a project manager who would deal with the programmer. We chose the latter, which was a great choice because the project manager was fantastic. The project manager ensured effective communication and an efficient process. Each day, they would let us know at the start of the day what they would be working on and, at the end of the day, what had been achieved. He made sure to clarify any confusion between us and the programmer and we always knew what was happening on their end.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I think their communication is very strong and so are their technical skills. One of our three directors is the technical expert here. He was concerned about using an offshore company but he’s been amazed by them. We’ve been so impressed that we’re now thinking of what we can do next with them.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There's always something you can improve. Communication is sometimes difficult working across countries though, in our experience with Dotsquares, it was still pretty good. I’m not sure how but they might find a way to improve communications to make phone calls quicker and easier.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Prepare. If you prepare like we did, you’ll have minimal problems. We had done so much preparation that they knew exactly what they needed to do. If there’s any uncertainty, you end up with debate and can run over budget. But if you prepare in advance, you will get what you need.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm a director at Inside lines. We run a website that provides information from sports betting agencies and bookmakers. Subscribers pay to access the information.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Dotsquares?

We needed a partner to build our website and data collection system from scratch. We’d built a previous system but it had a number of challenges.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Dotsquares created a website with the functionality to scrape and collect data from external sites. They feed the data back to our website and publish it in a subscriber-accessible format. The backend of the site uses comparison logic based on specific parameters we determine to be useful for subscribers.

As the focus is on sports betting, the site collects data about the line that a bookmaker sets for a particular player or team. It collects that information from 10 different bookmaker sites, and then compares it to find anomalies and opportunities for betting. Subscribers access that information and use it to place bets.

What is the team composition?

We work with a project manager and several technical resources.

How did you come to work with Dotsquares?

My partner is the one who found them so I don't know all of the details. One of the main reasons we chose them was their low cost. We also really liked that they supply a dedicated project manager.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent around $25,000 AUD (approximately $18,000 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in August 2016. The initial brief took 8–10 weeks to complete. We work with them on an ongoing basis to add additional sports and bookmakers to the site. Each new project takes anywhere from two weeks to 8–10 weeks.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our goal is to build the subscriber base, which they’ve helped us do with the site. The number of subscribers fluctuates seasonally with the different sports. Maximum subscribers is 8 and sort of fluctuated from there. They continue to work on the site, bringing in additional sports and bookmakers to add more value to subscribers. We haven't seen a return on our investment yet, but we're aware of the time that will take to achieve.

How did Dotsquares perform from a project management standpoint?

One of their strengths is their great project management. We’ve had the same project manager since the start. While we can communicate directly with the technical team, generally all communication goes through the project manager. There are some time zone challenges but we communicate regularly by Skype. They provide two daily updates when they’re working on a project. At the start of the day they tell us what they're going to be working on, and then send an end of day summary of what they achieved.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We most appreciate their communication, accessibility, and consistency with the main point of contact. Our business was quite foreign to them at the start. Having the same project lead has allowed them to build a deep understanding of what we do.

Are there any areas they could improve?

The main feedback we’ve given them was to think more about how a subscriber would use the website. Initially, there were a few holes in their understanding of the brief. Some of that could have been addressed if they’d asked us more questions.

Any advice for potential customers?

Make sure that Dotsquares understands the project, as well as the intended output. Their technical team really needs to understand exactly how a user interacts with the solution.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the founder of Collaborate Clinics, a company that designs secure apps for the healthcare industry.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Dotsquares?

I needed someone to develop my company’s app.

What were your goals for this project?

I wanted an app I could use to pitch financial investors to support my company. 

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I was looking for a firm with good communication skills and an understanding of the larger views that my vision addressed such as healthcare cost structures and alternatives. Their price was also lower than most of their local competitors.

Describe the project in detail.

They’re building an iOS and Android app, as well as a website, that allows medical clinics to distribute digital leaflets to cut down on their paper use, which has both economic and environmental benefits.

I communicated my ideas to their developers and designers, and they produced both design and technical options for the app. They also offered me SEO and marketing services, but I’m still considering them.

What was the team composition?

I work through a project manager they provided.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’re in the testing phase presently, but I’ve been accepted to a healthcare technology Kickstarter program.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We work well together, using their project management tool to share non-urgent information and Skype calls to improve their understanding of larger concepts. The only issues I’ve had are grammatical errors like spelling and turns and phrase caused by a language barrier. These are easily rectified upon request.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Because we built trust early, I know that they understand the concepts at play and what’s achievable for us. They’re affordable, responsive to changes and requests, and offer original suggestions and opinions.

Are there any areas for improvement?

At present, the only suggestion would be to improve their grammar—a minor problem solved easily during testing.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

My wife and I are co-founders of a messaging and scheduling app called Happy Hello.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Dotsquares?

We hired Dotsquares to develop our mobile app.

What were your goals for this project?

Our objective was to create a functional application that was easy to use.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Through a Google search, I found several development companies, and I reached out for proposals. Dotsquares was the most thorough in their bid.

Describe the project in detail.

Dotsquares developed our app for Android and iOS. The premise of our app is to provide a system that sends event invitations using mobile numbers stored in the phone’s contact list. Once a user downloads the app and creates an event, he or she can invite friends. For friends that have not downloaded the app, Dotsquares programmed the app to send a text message introducing the event and encouraging them to download. Once friends accept an invitation, it appears in their phone calendar. Event invitations can be enhanced with custom text, photos, or videos.

What was the team composition?

I worked initially with a sales representative who presented the proposal. Once it was accepted, we were assigned a project manager to serve as the liaison between us and the developers.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our application is completed, functional, and available in the App Store and Google Play store.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Our project manager truly understood our objectives and was prompt in discussing all of our concerns. Their team offers excellent suggestions and can be trusted with any project. Throughout the development process, we experienced several junctures that required changes or improvements, and they were organized enough to handle everything in stride.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Dotsquares managed to produce our app within budget. When there was extra work beyond the original specifications, we were quoted for those services and charged a reasonable price.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No. We had a great experience with Dotsquares and would recommend them to anyone considering an app development project.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the managing director of Windfarm Crewing, a recruitment company. We have a platform that allows employees to share their availability with employers so that the two can more easily and efficiently connect.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Dotsquares?

We needed to build our platform completely from scratch. It was a new idea and there wasn’t anything similar on the market.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Dotsquares built our platform as both a website and a mobile app for iOS and Android. I provided them with my ideas and a rough plan, including images, descriptions, and the standards I wanted. I relied on Dotsquares to build it from there. They gave me administrator permissions to make adjustments but I generally had them make any changes I wanted.

What is the team composition?

I worked directly with a project manager who was the main point of contact.

How did you come to work with Dotsquares?

I spent about two weeks doing online research to find vendors. I looked at a few other companies but Dotsquares was both the most reasonably priced and the most professional. I contacted past and current clients for all of the potential vendors. The feedback for the other companies wasn’t as strong as that for Dotsquares, which was all positive.

How much have you invested with them?

I spent more than £8,000 (approximately $10,300 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in May and finished the project towards the end of July.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The product only just went live. We had 60 employees register on the first day alone. The main source of income will be from employers but we have to have employees on board to reach the employers. Sixty people signed up on the first day is a good sign.

From the 30-40 people we’ve talked to who have used the platform, we’ve had extremely positive feedback so far. Everyone thinks it looks great and works very well.

How did Dotsquares perform from a project management standpoint?

We communicated over email and Skype. I work offshore so it was more difficult for them to contact me than it was for me to contact them given limited internet access. They were responsive and made any necessary changes. Whenever I messaged, I would receive a response within half an hour which was great.

We worked through a step-by-step process and the project manager was really helpful. He kept me updated throughout with emails every morning and evening to share what was planned for the day and what had actually been completed. He also gave suggestions on what we could do to improve the product which, though they came at a cost, were beneficial. Their approach was perfectly suited to my needs. I trusted them to do the work.

What did you find most impressive about them?

What I found most impressive was that Dotsquares managed a structured development process. At the outset, they gave me a well-structured, formatted plan. The other companies I spoke to left my plan as it was and just provided a quote. Dotsquares wrote out everything we would need to do point-by-point to develop the platform and they told me everything I needed to know throughout the process.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

The only thing I could advise is to do a bit of background work to make sure you’re going to get the benefit of the money you’ll spend. If you’ve done that, it’s likely you’ll go with Dotsquares. It’s money well-spent.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

We are a grant consulting firm with over 30 years of experience. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Dotsquares?

We hired them to develop a leading-edge online portal utilizing current technology to assist our clients.

What were your goals for this project?

The goal was to complete the portal within six weeks in order to capture market share and provide a superior service. 

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

They quoted a reasonable, competitive price to complete the project within the proposed time frame and their online reviews were positive. Further investigation, however, revealed that they are not a real company; the client companies quoted do not exist and the portfolio work cited is not on the web. 

Can you go into detail about the services they provided and the scope of the project?

The work is not completed. Every change results in other, basic errors and communication issues. 

What was the team composition?

There was no team component. What was advertised as a team is actually one person working during his breaks; if he is away, nothing happens, so there is virtually no progress each week. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Drawn out with no constructive results week after week, the project has had a very negative impact on our business. It has cost us more than we paid for the actual development as well as sales in the hundreds of thousands. 

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

There is no project management.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

There is nothing impressive about this company. 

Are there any areas where they can improve?

Everything needs to be improved. They lack genuine concern for the customer and are in the wrong business. The work is outsourced to India to save costs and their skills in web development are questionable. 

Company Responses

This comment was provided by Sandeep Yadav, Managing Business Partner at Dotsquares, on July 17, 2018.

As per our standard process, we provided project estimates based on the discussion with the client and mentioned all the modules in the specification document. We got the client’s approval but they kept on asking for new functionalities during project development that were out of the initial scope. So, we had to consider it as a “Change Request” and the cost needed to be re-estimated. Due to the client’s lack of technical knowledge, the client wanted to add those new features and not change the original cost itself.

He tried to threaten us for giving negative reviews and creating bad impressions among his acquaintances, but that’s not a professional way of dealing with service-based firms. We are still ready to work on those modules which were included originally in the scope if the client finds any issues with them.

In conclusion, we feel that this review is misleading and shows false information in order to get extra services from us at no additional cost.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm a co-founder and CTO of a proctoring service. We watch people take online exams using webcams, microphones, and remote desktop technology.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Dotsquares?

We need to hire an additional vendor to support a legacy Flash/Flex application.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goal for this project was to see if wanted to work with them long-term.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We performed searches for companies that advertised experience with Adobe Flash/Flex development. We also interviewed Dotsquares, read reviews, and looked at samples of their code.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Initially, they reviewed the codebase and familiarized themselves with it. Afterward, they were supposed to join multiple FLV files into a single file.

What was the team composition?

We worked with one project manager (PM) and 1–2 developers.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Describe the impact this engagement has had on your business.

It had a negative impact on my business because we lost time and money.

How was project management handled?

The project management was poor and ineffective. Their PM was unable to articulate or comprehend tasks, issues, and requests. They used a software tool and that was severely lacking in features compared to other platforms. Lastly, the PM didn't want to communicate verbally over Hangouts or Skype due to the time difference.

Is there anything that the vendor did well or that you would consider a strength?

The client list on their website was impressive.

In what specific areas can they improve?

They should be honest about their capabilities. Communication is key, so 24-hour responses to timely questions and requests are not ideal.

Company Responses

This comment was provided by Sandeep Yadav, Business Development Manager at Dotsquares, on May 15, 2018.

The client was not sure about the technical feasibility of the solution, so his job required R&D before reaching any conclusion. Initially, we got a link from the client to understand what the project is. After analyzing the requirements and a video call with the client, we understood that the project was regarding Flash/Flex however, the tasks were not mentioned clearly. Hence we asked the client to send us the tasks he wanted us to perform. After we received the 1st task from the client, we mentioned to him that the task could be completed by working in PHP and not Flash/Flex to which the client agreed and sent us PHP scripts with the task. Later, once we finished the task and sent it for a review, the client said he wanted the job to be done in Amazon and not in PHP anymore. After suficient R&D, we informed the client that the Amazon server does not support what he was asking for. The client was generous enough to help us with various alternatives, however its not possible to do what he asked for - which was confirmed by an Amazon discussion forum. We shared that information with the client and have since been waiting for his reply.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We are a software and web development company based in Sydney, Australia. We’ve been in business for 15 years. I am the director of the company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Dotsquares?

We had a staff of 60 at our office in the Philippines. I was getting tired of working with that region and started looking for an Indian team to assist us with software projects.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

I originally contacted Dotsquares for a small project developing a WordPress plug-in. We’ve since built a relationship over time, and Dotsquares has come to handle most of our high-level projects.

Dotsquares is involved in software work, and anything which requires more complicated development. We generally handle simple WordPress sites inhouse, mainly because of cost reasons.

We’ve built an app for a large multinational, during which Dotsquares has worked with us through the design and development phases. They’ve provided ongoing support for it over the last two and a half years. It’s a property app which searches a large database and has geolocation abilities, as well as a number of other features.

Our client had produced monthly PDF reports for the last 15 years, containing a list of property sales in Australia, and all the related data in that realm, like sale-price descriptions and technical items. The report was provided to clients at no cost, but the company wanted to start monetizing, so they started to invest money in developing an app, through which they would continue to provide those PDF reports on a monthly basis, but also turn a 15-year database into a searchable product.

Uploading the PDF component wasn’t exactly rocket science, but Dotsquares mainly focused on extracting all the information out of past reports, cleansing it and building the search components of the app, which had seven core filter criteria, apart from location. Users could filter states, prices and other information, and retrieve a page which had all the property information, as well as browse a map. The app showed detailed information for selected properties. The app was built for the iPhone and iPad separately since we wanted to create a more extensive, landscape version for the iPad, where most users tended to be. The client also contacted us for building an Android version four months later. I worked closely with Dotsquares in order to figure out what the design components should be.

How did you come to work with Dotsquares?

I was referred to Dotsquares by a friend. I got along with their principal and found that we had similar interests. Many of my relationships with offshore staff had been limited to the employer-employee level. With Dotsquares, I was able to cut through those barriers quickly, and have good, meaningful conversations.

How much have you invested with Dotsquares?

The cost of Dotsquares’ work is between AU$50,000 [$37,500 USD] and AU$80,000 [$60,000 USD] per year.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our property app has around 2,000 users.

How did Dotsquares perform from a project management standpoint?

Dotsquares has several different operation models. I had been working with our Philippines team, and didn’t have a good grasp of the differences with Dotsquares’ team. We started with a developers-only approach, but I needed a project manager as well, someone who could make sure that things were understood, so we included one in our model. It’s around 20% more expensive, but it’s far superior to only working with developers. When working with a team like this, I am looking for overall the skills of a group of people. I was given a balance of support and understanding of what the concept of a project was, mixed with the development services.

We started a very large project with Dotsquares three or four months ago, double the size of what we’d done previously. It’s using four developers, a tester, and a project manager, and it has been running quite well. The key to any project is to get the team working well, and have good interactions. The early phase will always need a bit more finessing, and we’ve had to find our groove a bit, but the last month and a half has been smooth sailing. I feel that the blended project manager/developer model is the one clients should be going for.

We use the Agile methodology, and I’ve appreciated Dotsquares’ ability to scale, adding more developers as-needed. We were running one or two weeks behind, but we’ve managed to overtake that lag by getting good assets on the job.

As with any team, whether internal or hired, we need to find our groove. This is as much my own responsibility as it is Dotsquares’. I’ve needed to pick up my game and deliver things to them more quickly so that we’d meet our deadlines.

What did you find most impressive about Dotsquares?

The main reason for shutting down the office in the Philippines was communication. That was just as important as development itself to me, since anyone can develop things, but if we’re not communicating, the work isn’t done. Dotsquares’ biggest pro is that the communication is right up there. At no point have I felt like I was in limbo, and this has definitely been the key criterion which got me hooked and kept me there. Even if things aren’t working right, for whatever reason, there’s still communication. Dotsquares has always been clear on what is going on, either through Skype calls or email.

Are there any areas Dotsquares could improve?

Unless we kept on top of things, developers tended to report that something was done, when it wasn’t. I would say that Dotsquares’ project management, although not flawless, is very good, but, when we get to the developers’ level, we see the same issue as with all freelance development, namely being told that something had been done and tested, when it wasn’t. Things can be rectified, but it’s annoying, and it requires me to allocate additional time and energy to a task.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We are a software development company focusing mainly on product development for water markets.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Dotsquares?

We wanted to have a testing resource to provide independent testing for the products built by our in-house team. We were also looking for Java developers who could undertake some R&D work, adding extra capacity to our team.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Dotsquares has been involved in the testing of our water-accounting product and the provision of Java resources to fast track an R&D scope of work. We had a tight timeline to which we needed to respond quickly, so the first task for Dotsquares was to put together a test campaign. We invested some initial effort to get their team up to speed on the product, after which Dotsquares prepared a series of test cases for the new product. We ran the campaign for a couple of months, and also asked Dotsquares to undergo some security testing, after that part of the development was completed.

On the Java side of things, we engaged Dotsquares for some R&D tasks. They needed to have experience with payment gateways and similar components, to build an integration with our payment and accounting system, QuickBooks. For this work, Dotsquares maintained their own development environment.

Dotsquares also developed an internationalization proof-of-concept, converting their code to alternative language, in this case, Hindi. We worked with them using an Agile development methodology, with two-week sprints. The scope of each sprint was agreed to in advance and concluded with a demonstrated.

We worked with two Java resources, a test analyst, as well as project management and business analysis resources from Dotsquares.

How did you come to work with Dotsquares?

I was working for a different organization two or three years ago. Dotsquares had already been engaged by them for the development of a CRM solution. I worked with them through that process, and, when I moved to my current company, I looked Dotsquares up, since we were looking for an outsourcing organization.

How much have you invested with Dotsquares?

The cost of our project was between AU$30,000 and AU$40,000. [$22,000 to $30,000 USD]

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with Dotsquares in October 2016. The project wrapped up in December.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We worked in two-week sprint cycles, and the key metric has been Dotsquares’ ability to deliver what they said they would. This was my experience with them in the past as well. We were able to leverage from Dotsquares quality practices and recommendations for the use of testing tools. This included artifacts to capture requirements and estimates. Dotsquares provided regular communication and were able to deliver to estimates. Dotsquares is good at putting together estimates and meeting them.

We’ve have launched a new product, and have sold the product to two beta clients. Dotsquares contributed to this successful outcome.

How did Dotsquares perform from a project management standpoint?

The project manager successfully set the scope, ensured delivery, and provided regular communication. We met with the project management resource from Dotsquares' side on a regular basis. The developers and testers took part in those meetings as well, but we generally dealt with one contact. I always try to bring the whole team into the same environment during these projects, to increase collaboration and provide a positive team atmosphere.

What did you find most impressive about Dotsquares?

As with any new resource, you have to invest time upfront in education them, but the Dotsquares team was flexible given our time constraints. They worked in a collaborative fashion to understand our requirements and deliver under tight time pressure. They were keen to make sure they were adding value and continued to work with us to improve service delivery. The test campaign did identify a number of issues - their security testing in particular captured issues for us to resolve before we shipped the product to clients.

Are there any areas Dotsquares could improve?

It’s always challenging to bring a new team to a project, and require them to respond quickly. Nothing stands out in terms of improvements from their side.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your organization.

We are an Indianapolis-based internet marketing and software development company. We provide services ranging from website design, development, and hosting, to enterprise and cloud-based app development.

What is your position?

I am the founder of the company. I spend time with customers and ensure that our services are delivered for highest satisfaction.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What business challenge were you trying to address with Dotsquares?

We needed some help with frontend UI programming.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their involvement in greater detail.

Since our first UI project with Dotsquares seven years ago, we've established a long-term relationship. We've spun out and worked on some PHP projects. Dotsquares is our development resource at this point in time, and we work with them on a monthly and weekly basis.

We've worked on smaller projects consisting of WordPress, Drupal and e-commerce Magento deployments. We've also used Dotsquares for PHP projects like smaller CRM applications, inventory software, and so on, as well as for larger applications requiring one year of development or more. These include everything from server to HR software for clients.

We have developed our own software-as-a-service application, namely a marketing app used by manufacturers. It has been in development for a year.

Dotsquares has provided us with a team that has remained unchanged for the most part. The same three lead developers have remained a part of our work. This consistency is one thing that I like about them. We also work with an IT-services provider who helps us with Amazon Web Services and Rackspace server maintenance, security, and new deployments. From time to time, we will use graphic designers, UI engineers, and database developers, as well as Android and iOS developers on an as-needed basis. The core team works with us full-time.

How did you come to work with Dotsquares?

We found Dotsquares online. They were fast and responsive in addressing our issues.

Could you provide a sense of the size of this initiative in financial terms?

The cost of Dotsquares' work is above $150,000 per year.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with Dotsquares in 2009.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any statistics or metrics from this engagement?

Typically, Dotsquares works eight or nine hours per day, depending on the project scope and definition, and on how much handholding we require. For smaller projects, we don't have a very elaborate approach, but we want to be more disciplined on larger ones in order to make sure that all requirements are caught correctly on the first go. Dotsquares has been fairly good to communicate with over Skype and phone calls. In terms of work output, I would compare them to developers in the US, but we are able to save around 65% on the cost, according to an estimate we made three years ago.

How did Dotsquares perform from a project management standpoint?

Dotsquares provides daily reporting. I am also in contact with the team daily, or even twice a day. We also have an internal project management system through which we can ensure that our own clients are happy. We used to employ a project manager on Dotsquares' side, but we don't anymore. I can inform Dotsquares' management whenever we need more resources, but I can also ask the development team for this. Dotsquares will typically involve a sales rep, a project manager, and other resources, but our relationship doesn't require this. Any new resources we need are spun up quickly.

What distinguishes Dotsquares from other providers?

Dotsquares' team takes responsibility for the project, and doesn't come up with excuses, which is good for me. Being able to communicate is important, and making sure that a project is well-defined (especially for larger ones), and that its requirements are captured correctly. My team can come up with alternatives and suggestions for me to consider. I am a pseudo-developer, which means that I was one 20 years ago, but I don't do any coding at the moment. It's easy to communicate with Dotsquares to make sense of more complex programming issues.

Is there anything Dotsquares could have improved or done differently?

We could do a better job of prioritization by tweaking our workflow, which is an ongoing process at the moment.