Echo Interaction Group

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the program manager for Voxx Automotive. I am responsible for rear-seat electronic accessories and features for Ford and Lincoln vehicles.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Echo Interaction Group?

We were tasked with creating a visual entertainment module and corresponding streaming app for current Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator backseat installations. Each client wanted the app design to conform to their respective established styles. We needed two aesthetically different apps, with the same functionality and framework, for both iOS and Android markets.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Echo initially developed a model app for our product pitch to Ford and Lincoln. Using that as a framework, their team applied their mobile design expertise and the client color, font, and accessibility requirements to create two distinct interfaces, each targeted to a specific audience. The app is fully functional for both iOS and Android users and scalable to multiple device resolutions.

What is the team composition?

I worked with a project manager, two additional representatives, a technical team, and a background development team.

How did you come to work with Echo Interaction Group?

Our former engineering manager found them during a search for third-party app providers and our management approved.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent over $1 million on the development of the streaming apps.

What is the status of this engagement?

We collaborated on this project from January-August 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We have received positive user reviews in the App Store and on Google Play.

How did Echo Interaction Group perform from a project management standpoint?

We had open communication channels about scheduling and progress updates through Jira, and additional texts, calls, and emails as needed. Echo prioritized customer service and resolved obstacles and made adjustments with urgency. Their team acted more as a trusted confidant than a third-party developer. Echo’s approach to the partnership made it clear that they wanted to do everything possible to help us satisfy our end-client.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Everyone we interacted with had a very amiable personality. They understood the benefits of a healthy and working partnership for both our business and theirs.

Are there any areas they could improve?

This issue is specific to me, but their team could have done a better job of explaining the technical terms and processes used to develop the app.

Any advice for potential customers?

Clients should properly communicate the project’s scope from the beginning of the engagement to ensure the terms and expectations are fair to both parties.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the vice president of IT for a pest and landscapes services company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Echo?

We were looking for a new way to interact with our customers via iOS.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The app allowed our customers to see the status of their services, make service requests, pay their bills, opt into paperless statements, manage their account, etc. The first version was written in Objective-C. The new version that they’re currently wrapping up is written in Swift. It used to use a JavaScript API. Now it uses a REST API.

They also did some audits and feedback on our social media presence and online branding.

What is the team dynamic?

We have built multiple apps with them. I dealt with about 10 people total. We are currently working with 5–6 people on this app. We had a different crew for our last app.

How did you come to work with Echo?

Their CEO has a good grasp on technology and a strong tie to our community. The company is involved in a lot of community-building events. They’re supporters of the Orlando startup community. They hire talented, insightful people who want to build special things for their clients. Every time I’ve worked with them, I’ve had nothing but a positive end result.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in 2015 and the work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’ve built 2 released apps. We’re working with high-end skills with professionals who insist on high-quality product at the end and won’t let you get away with building a subpar app or having a subpar experience.

How did Echo perform from a project management standpoint?

They use Basecamp. They communicate the right amount. Basecamp allows clients to opt in to receive email notifications or not based on their preferences. I receive notifications every time anybody posts anything in Basecamp.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I wanted them to build an app. That’s what they did, and lots of people could have done that. Their uniqueness comes from the role that Echo plays in the Orlando tech community. That makes me want to do business with them.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t think of anything that’s deficient in their company.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the CTO of a travel and tourism technology firm. We are a technology provider, particularly within the travel space. Our primary vertical sits within car rentals, wherein we provide a product that has a variety of application stacks that are utilized at the counters as well as by consumers as they travel.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Echo Interaction Group?

We needed mobile app development work. We wanted to find a partner that could take on some of the bursty work, as we had projects that would often get jumped into and disrupt the entire product lifecycle.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They came in as a strategic partner to assess. They had a good sense of what the roadmap could look like and shift to. They provided additional support and project-based work to take on the work that we didn’t want to include as part of the strategic roadmap as it would end up being a distraction. They helped with things like client-facing projects that were critical for revenue growth, but not necessarily critical for the long-term strategy.

They did mobile work primarily for Android, which was Marshmallow and Nougat type of work. They did some .NET work on our backend platform, as well as some minor DevOps strategy development for the long term. All in, our peak went up around 10 with a variety of functions and skillsets, depending on the product.

How did you come to work with Echo Interaction Group?

We chose them for a variety of reasons. Their reputation locally in Florida is quite impeccable. Carlos [CEO, Echo] has always been good about creating relationships in business. He only says the word “partner” when he means it, which is a word that tends to be used very tritely in the technology field. From the perspective of knowing what I needed and knowing a bit of marketspace and after conversations I had with Carlos, we decided that it made sense for us to work with them.

How much have you invested in them?

We have spent around one million dollars.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them last year, approximately 16–18 months ago.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

It gave us enough flexibility to get some speed to market and react to change, which is critical. We were able to utilize them as we offboarded, which allowed us to readjust the roadmap so that we could keep moving.

How did Echo Interaction Group perform from a project management standpoint?

Their PM’s were very good. They changed about halfway through the project, but Carlos jumped in as needed, and their communication was impeccable. On a tactical project management perspective, we used a lot of the traditional tools that most teams use these days. Both of their project managers were very adept at keeping things on track.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They are more of a consultative, solutions type of organization which sets them apart from others. They quickly start asking the hard question of “Why?” before anything else. A lot of organizations don’t even start to ask the why, which makes it difficult to align the rest. Echo really tries to understand the clients before they start to deploy.

Are there any areas they could improve?

The challenge in tech for the past couple of years is talent. When you onboard developers and there is transition, it is difficult to recover. Every organization, including Echo, is going to have to continue to work through this. There is no easy answer.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Partners like Echo are instrumental in understanding the strategy and the whys. Some of my team was very tactical in nature, and there was a bit of a mismatch. I had to involve some of my more senior managers, VPs, and directors who engaged with them before things started getting traction. My advice is to make sure that the right players are aligned on each side. Initially, I went too tactical when they were trying to navigate strategy.