Custom Software & Mobile App Dev for Flour Milling Co
- Custom Software Development Mobile App Development
- $10,000 to $49,999
- Feb. - Oct. 2022
- Quality
- 5.0
- Schedule
- 5.0
- Cost
- 5.0
- Willing to Refer
- 5.0
“DrakeTech Inc delivered exactly what we discussed and needed.”
- Other industries
- Brant, Ontario
- 201-500 Employees
- Phone Interview
- Verified
DrakeTech Inc created custom software and mobile application for a flour milling company. DrakeTech Inc developed a custom task management system and a logistics app that monitors the drivers and deliveries.
DrakeTech Inc met the client’s requirements and developed functional software that improved the client’s overall logistics. The client’s delivery errors have reduced to zero since they started using the logistics app. DrakeTech Inc’s stayed on budget and had weekly meetings through Microsoft Teams.
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.
BACKGROUND
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I’m the operations manager of P&H Milling Group. We’re in the wheat flour milling industry in Canada.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
What challenge were you trying to address with DrakeTech Inc?
We needed help to develop custom software with different goals. The first program we called the task module project. We were looking to move into paperless options and create paperless checks. The COVID-19 pandemic pushed us into a remote work model, although remote work wasn’t common in our industry since we’re a manufacturing company. However, we wanted to get away from paper as much as possible and perform remote tasks.
The second project was our logistics project. We deal primarily with bulk tankers of flour and ship around 1,000 metric tons of flour daily in 30–40 bulk tanks. We have 20 drivers in our fleet, and we needed to create a system to have transparency about the drivers’ work. Our goal was to create a seamless communication device between our production, logistics, and quality departments.
SOLUTION
What was the scope of their involvement?
DrakeTech Inc developed custom software for our company. The task module project allowed our operators to create paperless checks, schedule verifications, and perform other tasks. We wanted to set up a system where they could fill in and complete tasks and be verified. The program notifies the respective supervisor when a task is completed.
On the other hand, DrakeTech Inc also developed a logistics mobile application that allowed us to distribute work instructions to the drivers, send them GPS links with directions, and show the client’s information. Drivers could update their status every time they load a tank or deliver an order.
The app also allowed our quality department to retrieve live data about logistics and the responsible driver. Our customers also had visibility on the drivers’ route and arrival. Customers can also plan their next orders through the app.
DrakeTech Inc worked with our IT department to retrieve information from our existing ERP system. We gave DrakeTech Inc an initial outline and had weekly meetings. The software was very customized to our needs since situations arose during tests. For instance, DrakeTech Inc integrated a functionality that allows drivers to mark when they encounter unexpected situations or unusual findings, and this function triggers a notification for the quality department. These were the kind of things we addressed in our meetings.
What is the team composition?
Our initial calls were with Drake (CFO & Founder), Carolina (CEO), and Mateo (Project Manager). Mateo also worked with a development team.
How did you come to work with DrakeTech Inc?
We contacted DrakeTech Inc through a contractor that had previously worked with them. I created a shared spreadsheet between the logistics, production, and quality departments that was populated with data from our ERP system. I wanted to get information about our transfers and orders, and the first issue I ran into was that I couldn’t send work instructions to our drivers.
Our tank washer contractor sent us daily automated emails about the tanks’ wash cycle since we have to wash them every month. I asked our contractor how they created this automatic system, and they recommended I work with DrakeTech Inc.
How much have you invested with them?
We invested around $40,000 CAD (approximately $29,000 USD) with DrakeTech Inc.
What is the status of this engagement?
We started working with DrakeTech Inc in February 2022, and the project was completed in October 2022. DrakeTech Inc first worked on the logistics project and started the module task project a month after.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
DrakeTech Inc met our requirements and created functional software. Our most significant improvement was the completion status of all tasks in our task module system. We verified our task’s position in the design, ensuring all the documentation was filed correctly. My main goal was to stop using paper as much as possible since misplacing documents is easy. The system also provided better insights for our employees.
On the other hand, the logistics app was used by around 40 employees, and we haven’t had any delivery errors since we started using it. The app has reduced our overall production errors since our drivers now have live and detailed work instructions. We were happy with DrakeTech Inc’s results and had a good logistic process.
Overall, DrakeTech Inc developed software that impacted multiple departments that now have visibility of our status orders, including logistics, production, quality, and customer service.
How did DrakeTech Inc perform from a project management standpoint?
DrakeTech Inc was good with project management. We hadn’t worked on a development project before, so we didn’t know how long it would take. We kept asking for additional requests that were outside our original scope. However, DrakeTech Inc managed everything excellently and stayed on budget.
We had weekly meetings through Microsoft Teams with my company’s logistics manager and quality manager. My team understood our project’s requirements and provided feedback about DrakeTech Inc’s work.
What did you find most impressive about them?
I was most impressed that DrakeTech Inc delivered exactly what we discussed and needed because I’d purchased programs that weren’t specific to our business needs. Additionally, we learned about other systems’ possibilities by working with DrakeTech Inc. They suggested solutions, and we have a better understanding of these kinds of programs' possibilities. For instance, we’re considering using Microsoft Dynamics 365 to replace our current ERP program in the future.
As a company, we look for continuous improvement, and accepting new programs is essential. However, I now know better what I require from a specific software, and if we decide to change, I know it has to be a better software than the ones created by DrakeTech Inc.
Are there any areas they could improve?
I can’t think of anything DrakeTech Inc could’ve done differently. We were really happy with their work.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
I recommend having frequent meetings with DrakeTech Inc and your company’s key stakeholders that understand the product you’re trying to create. Our weekly meetings really helped during our development process.
DrakeTech Inc has the right experience and can recommend previous solutions they’ve developed. However, having your team members on the calls is important to discuss the best solution for your project.
RATINGS
-
Quality
5.0Service & Deliverables
-
Schedule
5.0On time / deadlines
-
Cost
5.0Value / within estimates
-
Willing to Refer
5.0NPS
