Dualboot Partners

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO and co-founder of a startup with a software platform for healthcare clients. We help them manage a flexible contract workforce. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Dualboot Partners? 

Dualboot helps us with everything from UX design to the development of our MVP, which we’ll test with our clients along the way.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Dualboot helped us build our platform from scratch. I initially provided them with about 70 slides with pictures and ideas about the business; they contained high-level concepts that let them know what we wanted to do in the market.

The team then took those slides and started creating mock-ups for design sections using Figma. From there, we spent 2–3 months going through all the designs of the app. Once the overall design was approved, we started the development process. 

We’re still working on the platform, and we need their development team to bring everything full circle in terms of product delivery. 

What is the team composition?

We’ve worked with a project manager and Anton (UX Designer). Our team also collaborates with a development lead and other developers. 

How did you come to work with Dualboot Partners?

I came to know Dualboot through local events with other startup founders. For context, our organization originally had a CTO, with whom I planned to build an internal development team. However, our investors decided that it would be best to work with an outside development team that had backend engineers, frontend developers, and a CTO with expertise to deliver the product to market.

Then, we heard some good things about Dualboot and how they handled challenges in their relationships with clients. They were also a reputable company, plus the team was growing. As a result, we felt confident in hiring them; we also liked that they were local. 

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent north of $250,000. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in July 2021, and the engagement is ongoing. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our success metrics are focused on the timeline and budget with which we want to complete our MVP. So far, the Dualboot team is hitting our targets. We’re a couple of weeks behind, but that’s because of key features that we want to add to the MVP. Our team is also isn’t in a hurry to deliver right away. 

Once we move past the MVP, we’ll put more metrics in place to define how the relationship will continue into the future as our outsourced development partner. We’re also hitting our financial expectations. 

How did Dualboot Partners perform from a project management standpoint?

Their project management is great. It’s a new experience for me, but since it’s not ideal to have no internal product owner or manager, we’ve played that role. Dualboot has also filled that role nicely. Moreover, the client feedback we’re getting has served as a solid foundation for us to start asking people to pay for the platform in early 2022. Overall, the management has been good. 

To communicate, we have a Slack channel. Early on, we’ve done design session calls twice a week. We’ve also done  2–3 development calls per week. We also have one-off conversations with Dualboot in terms of business strategy. Generally speaking, they do a lot of conversations on their end, but we keep up with what’s going on through Slack and GitLab.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Having not done something like this with another organization, it’s hard for me to say how Dualboot compares with other teams. Moreover, the competition is tough, and I get emails about people who can help us do what we’re trying to do. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

They could improve their understanding of what our MVP encompasses a little bit better — the pricing and timeline have been a stab in the dark. I’ve been in the consulting industry for years, and presenting a price without truly understanding what we’re trying to accomplish feels a bit weird for me. 

To be fair, we also expect to exceed the timeline and budget we estimate. Still, I don’t know if they truly understand our business model and how well-thought-out the MVP should be. This might just be a factor of how things are done today — either you succeed quickly or fail fast — and we’re pretty close to what they’ve estimated. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Set clear expectations on your goals, and quote a budget accordingly. On top of that, have good back-and-forth conversations based on both what you can spend and what the Dualboot team is going to do. Moreover, know that whatever type of company you use, software development never ends. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am Kevin Nadeau, founder & CEO of True Load Time, Inc. TLT's patent-pending web and mobile based platform for the transportation & logistics sector addresses the decades old billion-dollar truckload detention issue. We've built the industries first independent database of aggregated facility wait times at shipping and receiving locations nationwide. Truckload detention is one of the largest concerns facing drivers and fleets today. Industry research revealed that 63 percent of drivers spend, on average, more than three hours waiting for their trucks to be loaded or unloaded, often leading to missed subsequent loads as a result.

The FMCSA Office of the Inspector General estimates that truckload detention reduces driver income by over $1 billion dollars annually. As the adage goes, if the wheels aren’t turning, drivers aren’t making money. TLT customers experience enhanced efficiency, improved driver morale, and increased revenue on day one regardless of whether they're a single truck owner-operator, mega-fleet operation or freight brokerage company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Dualboot Partners, and what were your goals?

We had a MVP built, but needed to add/upgrade features and functionality for our 2.0 launch.

SOLUTION

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

I met the team on several occasions across the SE and found value in their previous experience within the supply chain / logistics vertical. They were also able to provide industry contacts to help accelerate our growth.

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

Migrate existing AWS front end to Microsoft Azure Update rev structure to reflect updated methodology Landing page improvements Modify and improve search functionality Update UI Update algorithms Improve filtering Develop customer KPI’s & analytics feedback for the data supplied Improve TLT admin

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

10-12 UI/UX Designers, Front End Developers, Back End Developers, Quality Assurance

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We were able to successfully launch our 2.0 product. The new interface improved new customer acquisition and enhanced our existing customer retention.

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

The Project Manager was very helpful. We met at varying intervals dependent upon the project milestones (daily/semi-weekly). We used Slack, Github, and weekly Zoom calls to manage our roadmap.

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

As a non-technical founder I appreciated their ability to communicate complex developmental objectives in an ordinary speak. They were also able to deploy specialized talent as needed. In addition to the dev work, the DualBoot team was also able to facilitate introductions to influential members of the supply chain / logistics community as well as investors...always valuable for a startup!

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

In hindsight their really weren't any areas of improvement to mention. We developed a solid plan in the beginning and executed the plan on time and budget. They did what they told me they would and I was happy with their service.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CTO of a digital content platform.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Dualboot Partners?

We needed their support in building and managing our mobile applications.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We’ve initially engaged Dualboot Partners to build our Android app since we have an in-house team handling our iOS development and maintenance efforts. They’ve developed the platform based on our requirements, making it desktop- and tablet-friendly to accommodate multiple devices. Their team has also regularly conducted maintenance services to ensure the efficacy of our Android app through bug fixes and updates.

At present, Dualboot Partners is helping us build a custom React platform, which allows our users to customize their hard-copy book purchases prior to their shipment. They’ve devised an end-to-end solution for this product, with rendered and pre-built templates and upload functionality.

What is the team composition?

We’ve worked with about eight resources from Dualboot Partners at the peak of our engagement, while 2–3 developers are handling our current project.

How did you come to work with Dualboot Partners?

I worked with Dualboot Partners on several previous projects and referred them to my current company. After a thorough vetting process, we chose their team to handle this project because of their time-tested reputation and skill set.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent over $200,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our ongoing engagement started in November 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our main success metric for Dualboot Partners’ work is their capacity to deliver go-live-ready products according to our quality and timeline standards. Apart from providing robust solutions within our budget, they’ve also helped us deploy a platform that’s being used and paid for by our customers.

How did Dualboot Partners perform from a project management standpoint?

We have dedicated product managers communicating directly with each other to discuss deliverables and time frames. Dualboot Partners works like an extension of our team — they integrate themselves seamlessly into our processes.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I’ve worked with a lot of developers before, and I haven’t encountered a team that’s as meticulous as Dualboot Partners when it comes to producing strong coding and architecture deliverables. Their understanding of our exact needs is mirrored in their capacity to generate high-yielding development solutions.

Are there any areas they could improve?

We can benefit from more structured timelines — there are instances wherein Dualboot Partners’ delivery rates are longer than expected.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Have a strong understanding of the product you want to build before relaying your requirements to their team. Apart from that, you have to be open to spending both time and money to get the quality you need.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the CEO of Stacks Data, a company that uses software to help manufacturers and their suppliers to easily source, collect, organize, and share environmental compliance data.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Dualboot Partners, and what were your goals?

We had an existing Rails application and needed to expand/build upon that foundation.

SOLUTION

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

I was introduced to Dual Boot by a colleague, who had heard good things about them. At the time i was looking for a replacement for our long-term contractor, who was moving on to other projects. I tried at least 10 different providers in one way or another and was never satisfied with the results. That changed in a major way with DB.

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

They developed an entirely new feature set for us that enabled us to land a very large, important customer. They were able to do so despite the fact that they were dealing with a very old and choppy codebase with tons of technical debt.

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

There were 4-5 people on the core team, with a reasonable degree of turnover in the 2+ years i've been working with them. Anytime they did bring on a new developer to help with the project, i was pleasently surprised (and very relieved) that they have invariably come up to speed quickly and have all been great to work with.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

As mentioned above, their work made it possible for us to land a key contract with a new client. And the programming work was so solid that we have not experienced any bugs at all for the past 3-4 months, despite having had virtually no contact with dual boot during that time.

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

They are all good communicators and, i would say, very good people. They are fair, they do what they say, they deliver on time, and their pricing is fair and honest.

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

Their availability - i never felt like i had a problem for which i couldn't get immediate feedback.

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

The one thing i might change is communication about the transition to newer developers. I sometimes felt like it happened without warning, However, since the work was still very good, it was not such a bad thing to deal with.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the CIO/CISO for Cadrillion Capital, parent company of Legacy Data Access. Legacy Data Access is the leading turnkey archival solution for hospitals and health systems.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Dualboot Partners, and what were your goals?

Our website was old and lacked current features, such as Single Sign-On. We had no internal development team that could manage development of this, so we engaged DualBoot to assist us.

SOLUTION

How did you select Dualboot Partners and what were the deciding factors?

We talked to several vendors but selected DualBoot based on reputation, quality of work and pricing. I was familiar with DualBoot as a local resource.

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

There was a kickoff meeting, then we had regular semiweekly calls throughout the project. We setup test ADFS scenario to test code against then rolled out SSO for Okta and ADFS in production.

How many people from the Dualboot Partners team worked with you, and what were their positions?

We had a project manager that worked with us and two developers.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Having Single Sign-On capabilities were becoming a standard requirement for our customers. This allowed us to not only obtain new business but also upgrade existing customers that had been waiting on it.

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

We had semiweekly calls with the project manager and we would discuss status, issues, etc. We also utilized email and Slack for more immediate updates/communication.

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

They have very knowledgeable developers and worked with our team to gather all the requirements to ensure this was done correctly. Very professional organization. The team was very flexible and easy to work with the project.

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

The main developer went on PTO during project, which slowed things down a little, but with the length of the project things like that are expected.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

DebtBook makes powerful cloud-based debt and lease management software for governments and nonprofits. I'm a Co-Founder and the Head of Product and Engineering.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Dualboot Partners, and what were your goals?

We needed an experienced team that was skilled and capable of translating our domain expertise into a fully functional product very quickly.

SOLUTION

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

We found them through a referral and evaluated several other vendors. Their team proved their experience with building and launching similar product offerings immediately in our initial conversations, and it was clear to see they would be an actual partner - not just a vendor.

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

The scope of work was to design and develop a new web application to enable finance professionals to manage debt. Dualboot worked closely with our team to translate ideas, requirements, and financial concepts into the product. Key deliverables included UI design and a market-ready MVP. The resulting product utilizes a modern architecture and technologies. React is used for the front-end and the back-end is built with Ruby on Rails.

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

There were 4 or 5 members of their team that worked closely with us throughout the project. Roles included Principal, UI Designer, Front-end developer, Back-end developers and QA.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We were able to efficiently build and launch our product in roughly 4 months to allow us to more effectively sell to our prospects and gather initial customer feedback. After almost 18 months in-market, we've been able to gain meaningful traction in several key areas and secured key accounts with governments in over 20 states along with a number of highly recognized educational institutions.

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

Their project management can be noted as a strength. We meet regularly throughout the week and collaborate utilizing tools like Slack and Gitlab. The team performs and delivers work consistently.

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

A lot of companies talk about partnership but they truly act like one. They've worked to understand our business and our goals and consistently work to help us achieve them. They've gone beyond the scope of work to make introductions to talent, prospects, or other vendors at times. The team is very accessible and easy to work with.

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

Nothing specific to call out here. Any time I have a concern, I communicate it directly to the team and they incorporate feedback generally right away.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the CEO for Boardroom Insiders, which offers an executive engagement platform for sales and marketing teams looking to sell and market into the C-suite.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Dualboot Partners, and what were your goals?

We hired them to reimagine and rebuild our extremely brittle executive profile database. Once that was done, we built a SaaS/DaaS platform designed to support account based marketing (ABM) and executive engagement programs.

SOLUTION

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

We already had relationships with the founders. Their trust, integrity and promise were the deciding factors.

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

I am a non technical founder, so we defined the business requirements and Dualboot recommended the approach and technologies used.

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

2-5 at any given time over the past few years, including developers, UX designers and project managers.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The new site provided us peace of mind in terms of stability and security. We are able to launch new features much faster. Positive customer feedback--and sales--have soared since launching the new platform.

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

Much better communication, project management and accountability than we have experienced in the past with other developers and firms. Good use of technology tools to show priorities and progress.

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

High levels of integrity across the entire team established a lot of trust up front. Flexibility when it comes to resourcing and billing is appreciated. Fantastic leadership and management shows; the individual contributors show the same integrity, responsibility and accountability.

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

Not that I can think of. We have been working with them so long now that all of the wrinkles have been ironed out. We love our team and want to continue working with them to enhance our app.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

PetScreening gives property managers the first-ever platform to easily manage, review, and track their renters’ pet profiles across their portfolio. I am the COO.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Dualboot Partners, and what were your goals?

To build a comprehensive digital platform to help property managers screen and validate pets & assistance animals. Our goal was to launch a powerful platform that we could immediately sell to property owners and that was easy for renters to use.

SOLUTION

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

We had worked with one of their principals previously on a separate project and were impressed. We chose Dualboot because we wanted a team that could get a quality product to market quickly, and someone that we knew would guide as we launched and improved the product based on early customer feedback.

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

The PetScreening platform was created to serve both property owners/managers and pet owners. Through our platform, property managers have an easy way to review, approve and track their renters’ pet profiles, while validating reasonable accommodation requests for assistance animals. It also holds pet owners more accountable, while creating new potential revenue streams for property owners. This allows more property managers to maximize not only their pet-friendliness but also pet-responsibility across their properties. Dualboot has kept to reasonable development timelines through customer feedback and federal regulation changes in our industry. Tech: React, Ruby on Rails"

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

8- Product Principal, UI/UX Designer, Front End Developer, Back End Developer, Quality Assurance

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We've grown revenue 147% CAGR since 2018.

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

Communication is easy and effective. Very organized and efficient. We use Slack, Github, and daily standup Zoom calls to manage our roadmap.

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

Based on their experience with a portfolio of successful companies, Dualboot knows how to launch products. They're previously successful tech entrepreneurs, so they are famiiliar with not only product & development but also commercialization & strategy. They helped to guide us on building an MVP that was ready for market but not over-engineered with features that weren't necessary at the outset. That helped us to get into the market as quickly as possible.

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

The addition of annual reviews with the Principal to review design & development performance & set expectations for the following year would be beneficial to the partnership.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Bundle provides anonymous mortgage shopping so that consumers can avoid the typical pitfalls of the overwhelming number of cold calls as well as managing multiple banks in the process. I am the Founder & CEO.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Dualboot Partners, and what were your goals?

Dualboot helped to improve an existing platform and build additional features and enhancements in order to finalize the MVP so Bundle could begin generating revenue.

SOLUTION

How did you select Dualboot Partners and what were the deciding factors?

They are active in building the ecosystem in Charlotte, so I met them at a local event. I was impressed with their capabilities, experience of their team, as well as the cost effectiveness.

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

Dualboot took over from a previous team. There were several key features that needed to be improved or completed. Tech was Ruby on Rails and React.

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

Front End Developer, Back End Developer, Quality Assurance

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Met expectations

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

I have it set up where I can work directly with the developers. This allows me the control I'm looking for. We use Slack, GitHub, and ongoing calls to manage priorities from my roadmap.

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

Dualboot has been flexible. As I look to build, grow, and scale, I needed a partner that was flexible with the contract and pace of work. They have provided guidance on hiring and even marketing needs throughout the relationship. They have also worked to connect me with investors and other relevant resources.

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

No

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Bella Tunno began in 2005 as a passion project when Michelle was looking to launch a charitable fund with hopes of helping vulnerable kids. She was pregnant with her first baby and started sewing bibs and burp cloths from her home.

From the very first sale, donations were made to kids in need. Over the past 15 years, Bella Tunno has grown from its humble beginnings, but we’ve never forgotten our mission to help change children’s lives. I am the Founder, CEO

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Dualboot Partners, and what were your goals?

Dualboot Partners designed our website and implemented the e-commerce application.

SOLUTION

How did you select Dualboot Partners and what were the deciding factors?

We selected Dualboot because of their reputation in the Charlotte community. They were known by our team too. They have done an excellent job supporting and growing business.

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

Dualboot helped us with the design direction based on our input. They suggested moving to shopify versus having a custom e-commerce application.

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

They had a Product Principal who controlled the process and a team of designers and developers that built out the site and e-commerce platform.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Before Dualboot our e-commerce platform would often crash once we had high volumes. After we moved to the new design and platform we no longer experience downtime as well as our sales improved.

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

Dualboot used an agile methodology with a combination of daily standups during design and moved to weekly updates as development went on. Now they are on a support process and we reach out when we need help. Their main communication was zoom meetings as well as slack. Additionally, they tracked in GitLab.

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

They hit their timeline and their quality of work has been amazing

Are there any areas for improvement?

We have been impressed with their responsiveness. No suggestions here.