Extern Labs

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm working as Business Analyst in a Reputed IT Company that operates their business from a global scale and helps various businesses in archiving their business goals.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Extern Labs?

One of our teams needed expert support on Backend Development Support based on Python Programming Language; So we hired Extern Labs to aid the team.

SOLUTION

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

We had past experience working with extern labs; which is why we connected with them again in a similar case scenario.

Describe the project in detail and walk through the stages of the project.

The team that we hired Extern Labs for was working on an extensive Web Application and they were facing difficulties with backend development and APIs which was causing the project constant delays. After hiring Extern Labs, the project get back on its path and the team managed to deliver it.

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

They provided us with three members, One was Senior Backend Engineer and the other two were python developers.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We have added some extra hours per week and covered the delayed time and delivered the product on the promised date.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Our team and their team had a 3-hour difference, but they rescheduled their work hours just to match with us.

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

Their team is very friendly and cooperative; only after 1 week they have become part of our team.

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

They are already doing good and improving their service and methods. We have worked with them for more than a year and never faced any issues. One time they replaced one python developer.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I own a Retail Food Chain in Rajasthan INDIA which has 17 outlets in 9 cities.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Extern Labs, and what were your goals?

We wanted to grow our business and get to more local people via Digital Platforms. We hired Extern Labs for our Digital Marketing and Branding.

SOLUTION

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

They introduced a great plan that points out that we can use their service for 30 Days then if we get results, we pay and if we don't get results then no payment is required.

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

We wanted to build a prominent Social Media Presence; so we can grow our business to local audience via digital platforms. They managed our Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Zomato and other food delivery apps.

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

Their Digital Marketing Team worked with us that has about 9 members of various skills.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We wanted to reach at least 100k people and they made it possible in 25 days.We have a month to month work reports and they always came with what they promissed.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

They handled all the work; we just have to give them necessary data every week.

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

They are incredibly flexible; every time we asked anything they did it.

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

They have a good team, yet still the need more talent on specific platform like Food Delivery Apps.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder and CEO of Edstruments.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Extern Labs?

While building our first version of our web app, we hired them for front-end web development.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Before we brought their team in, we hired a design firm to create the initial idea for our UX. We also hired backend engineers to begin the process of constructing the backend. From there, we had their team take the designs and translate them into code that matched our specifications. After that, we collaborated on changes over the course of several months. They used React.js for the front-end work. 

Our apps have budget tracking capabilities for school districts in the United States. The tools can be used to track and manage transactions, make funding plans, and initiate approved purchase orders. They helped us create all of those features.

What is the team composition?

For the most part, I worked exclusively with one point of contact from their end. There were a few cases where he enlisted the help of one of his teammates. Even so, that teammate’s work was pretty limited relative to his.  

How did you come to work with Extern Labs?

We initially found them on Upwork after interviewing their representatives as well as those from other agencies. Our team decided on them because of the quality of their interview and early performance. 

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $20,000–$30,000 on their services.  

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in June 2019–March 2020.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The inital app design followed our specifications very closely. In that sense, they created the app with fidelity to the original design. They were also creative in finding ways to achieve design elements that weren’t straightforward. Our developers haven’t needed to do any significant edits to their work since our time working with them. We corrected a few bugs, but there were no serious issues. 

How did Extern Labs perform from a project management standpoint?

For the most part, they were good about completing tasks that were assigned to them and completing tasks that they saw necessary. They missed our communicated deadlines a few times, but they delivered work within our timeframes for the most part. Their team worked directly with me to ensure that we were clear on expectations. He was easy to communicate with, even across timezones. We communicated through Slack and email. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

They were extremely communicative and invested in the success of the product. We could tell that they were interested in building a positive relationship with me as a client. When I visited India on a personal trip, he made the effort to travel outside of his home city to meet me where I was. His willingness to build a relationship really stood out.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Because our timelines were demanding, sometimes they delivered incomplete or error-prone code. That required us to request changes later. It would be helpful if they could find their balance between deadlines and quality.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Head Front-End Developer of Philips

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Philips is a Health Tech company who provides who is solving problems of daily life with their innovations.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Extern Labs to accomplish?

• Back-End Support

SOLUTION

How did you find Extern Labs?

Online Search

Why did you select Extern Labs over others?

Company values aligned

What was the size of Extern Labs’s team?

2-5 Employees

What was your primary form of communication with Extern Labs?

Virtual Meeting

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Our Team Needed Backend Development Experts to support development of our project.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

• Sucessful Bridge connection between front-end and back-end
• Deployment

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

We just needed 2 to 5 expert developers who can help in building back-end for our project; so they provided us a back-end scrum team of 5 members which supported our in-house team and helped us in completing the project in time.

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

Their team was very supportive and responsive. Both teams were working with different technologies yet we successfully deployed the project on time.

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

We didn't see anything that needed any improvement. Our time zone and working hours had 4:30 Hours of difference, but they adjusted their working time schedules to work along with our team.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the general manager.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Extern Labs, and what were your goals?

We wanted to build a Interactive Web Application for our Hotel.

SOLUTION

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

We have found them on the Internet and the experiance was smooth, They never bothered us in any way. On our side, we didnt know anything about technology and they helped us in making it simple and possible for us.

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

We agreed to make it as single task, the build the whole website and then they gave us one month to use and review. after it we made the final payment.

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

about 7

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

It is serving the perpose and what we have expected. Its helping us in gaining audiance vie internet.

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

The invided un in their workspace communication channel, and there were weekly meeting where we discuss about the progress.

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

They never bothered us for anything. If you don't know about development then they are the best. They make the whole process simple and smooth.

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

They should be working on their estimates and timeline. They delayed our project for about one month.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the business head. I'm taking care of the global business acquisition.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Extern Labs?

We hired them for multiple services like C, C++, IoT, NodeJs, and ReactJs development

SOLUTION

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

They were new to the market when we started working with them but they were enthusiastic for the working. This is something which helped us take this decision.

Describe the project in detail and walk through the stages of the project.

They provided us different resources time to time for different projects which we can't name here as our client names are covered under the NDA. They helped our clients from Gathering the requirements to delivering the final product.

Describe the recruitment process in detail.

We went through their portfolios and discussed about different requirements and they were always available to help us in most of the cases. There regular interest in working with us was something we liked the most.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Yes, They delivered fully developed product which made our clients happy and we feel a happy client is everything what a company needs.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Even though our teams has never worked together from a single geographical location but the engagement and deliveries were still very much prepared with market standards.

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

I think their interest in building great products is something which I find to be very impressive.

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

Sometimes while building quality they didn't bend towards the budget which was annoying in the initial stage but after see the quality of deliverables it was worth.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

COO of a Software Nonprofit

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Extern Labs, and what were your goals?

We hired them for React & Node Development

SOLUTION

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

They seemed like a trustworthy company

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

We hired them for React & Node Development

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

4

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The provided almost zero value, the code was messy, unorganized, they clearly have no experience.

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

Poor communication

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

N/A

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

They need to hire competent developers and management, and they don't treat their clients well.