Five Exceptions Software Solutions Pvt Ltd

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the owner of a ecommerce hot sauce businss

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Five Exceptions Software Solutions Pvt Ltd, and what were your goals?

We wanted to redesign our website to be easier to update and more ascetically pleasing. We also found some limitations in growing our content heavy media portion of our website with our ecommerce solution, Shopify.

We wanted to find a group that could understand the depth of our project and be skilled in design and development so that we could make the appropriate updates.

SOLUTION

How did you select Five Exceptions Software Solutions Pvt Ltd and what were the deciding factors?

We interviewed half a dozen development firms to discuss the scope. Amit and Five Exceptions were able to grasp the project, asked educated questions, and were able to provide a reference.

It was clear that with the tight communication, references, and price that Five Exceptions was the right choice.

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

We had five steps with creating wireframes on shopify and wp sites and then making the changes and then gong back with comments on adjustments with Amit and 5 exceptions.

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

I worked with Amit as my main contact and project manager and also had some help from his colleague Prikesh.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We haven't launched yet so we don't have any measurable deliverables, but the wireframes and then implementation looks great.

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

We set up a weekly meeting to check in on deadlines and milestones and would go through an agenda together. We are able to get a lot done via email, but the video call every week is very helpful too.

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

Great listeners, quick updates.

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

Being a little more proactive about a detailed milestone list. I am to blame on this because I'm a disorganized founder and didn't have a lot done on my end, but a more detailed milestone would help me be more accountable.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

As the technology project manager at BlueScope Steel, my team and I are responsible for customer-facing digital solutions.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Five Exceptions Software Solutions Pvt Ltd?

We engaged Five Exceptions for two mobile application projects. The first is an app that allows customers to create and customize their own shed or garage in 3D. The second allows roofers to draw and order custom flashing directly from their phone. 

What were your goals for this project?

As part of our national marketing strategy to improve customer engagement, we wanted to provide an easier way for consumers to place orders with us. 

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Another local company recommended them to us.

Describe the project in detail.

Five Exceptions was responsible for creating two native apps for iOS and Android platforms. We provided detailed requirements, wireframes, and, later, Photoshop designs for both apps. The shed app allows users to select a product from our manufacturing line, and then customize the size, roof pitch, color, doors, and windows, and add additional features. The customer can then save the design and, when convenient, submit the order to a local dealer for quoting. Similarly, the flashing app enables roofers to custom order from our line of flashing with the right level of accuracy but without the hassle of photos or paper drawings.  

What was the team composition?

Each project has its own manager as the primary point of contact; we do not interact directly with any developers. One designer is assigned to the shed app and two to the flashing app.  

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Both apps are still in progress but rapidly approaching completion. We are very happy with the progress, overall design, and usability, but internal user testing has identified a few bugs that need to be fixed before we can launch. 

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Five Exceptions has been very diligent and active in their communication with us regarding work in progress and intermediate builds, which they present to us with videos. We use JIRA and emails, and source code is continually checked onto our servers.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They have demonstrated exceptional commitment to understanding every aspect of our business. Their diverse talent pool also allows them to take on a variety of projects. 

Are there any areas for improvement?

We have no complaints. They have the right attitude to deliver professional products, and we plan to hire them for future projects.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the systems administrator for a wholesale distributor that supplies various brands of scuba, spearfishing, and water sports goods to over 600 retailers across Australia. I maintain the websites and internal systems and manage information and communications technology projects. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Five Exceptions Software Solutions Pvt Ltd?

Several years ago we engaged a previous vendor for a completely custom-built website-based solution for communicating with our retail network. When the developers of this solution closed their business, we were left with an unfinished, inaccessible, and bug-ridden website. For over two years, we were unable to complete updates or add new features. Because of this, combined with the complexity of an entirely custom solution, we were receiving complaints on a daily basis. Since the website stored around 20 years worth of data, it was imperative that we not only secure it but also create a new, more positive user experience. We hired Five Exceptions Software Solutions Pvt Ltd to secure our information, completely redesign and upgrade the website, and build a platform that would allow us to access the data and manage the website ourselves.

What were your goals for this project?

Our five primary goals were: (1) clean, rebuild, and move our core user and consumer database to a new server; (2) rebuild and redesign our website to optimize site performance and usability; (3) increase user satisfaction and improve customer experience; (4) improve the accessibility of company information and recorded consumer data with a more intuitive design; and (5) redesign and streamline internal admin access to improve workflow and productivity. 

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Their services were recommended by a local company and we were placed in direct contact with them.

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

Five Exceptions moved our entire database and rebuilt our dealer intranet from scratch. Their tasks included, but were not limited to: research and recommendations of hosting platforms; gain a clear understanding of the current solution in order to provide a detailed analysis and assessment, i.e. repair versus rebuild; assess and map current relational databases; establish new hosting server environments; deploy the website platform software; backup and move databases to a new environment; customize the website software to our business requirements; troubleshoot and debug; and provide daily progress reports on the status of the project. 

What was the team composition?

Their team works very well together, which is demonstrated by the work they have done for us so far.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our retail network of over 600 outlets, as well as our staff, relies heavily on this project. Although it is ongoing, the feedback we have already received is proof that our goals are being met. The portion of the new solution responsible for internal systems has already improved efficiency in daily tasks.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Project management is conducted via online collaborative software that provides all stakeholders with an overview of the project’s status, goals, and milestones. This method has been efficient despite the differences in time zones.  

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I have been most impressed with their ability to understand and execute assigned tasks without explicit verbal communication or explanation. We have yet to speak directly with Five Exceptions during the 12 months of this project; so far, all communication has been via text. They are always professional with an ability to understand our needs and ask relevant, insightful questions that is second to none.    

Are there any areas where they can improve?

As a novice programmer myself, I personally would have liked to be more involved in the custom code construction and offered more detail on its functioning, but that was not feasible within our time constraints. From a business standpoint, I would like to see more documentation explaining the custom code and its intended purpose. This feedback stems from our previous experience with past developers who disappeared, leaving behind a confusing mess.  Providing well-documented code promotes more security with the client and more respect for the developer. 

BACKGROUND

your business and what you do there.

I am the IT manager for 2GEN, an IT management company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Five Exceptions Software Solutions Pvt Ltd?

One of our clients had a clunky, poorly written e-commerce database. We considered a few solutions to make it easier to use. We needed external expertise to quickly and functionally synchronize data from the current platform onto Shopify.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The new e-commerce platform was built on Shopify. They set up a Linux API that could push and pull the data. The Linux server was directly connected to the HTML database, which pushed that API to Shopify.

How did you come to work with Five Exceptions Software Solutions Pvt Ltd?

We were referred to them by one of our partner companies. 

How much have you invested in them?

We spent around $12,000 AUD ($8,905 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from February–May 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

There was quite a bit of scope creep, and it was hard for them to get a good grip on the project, but they were patient and stayed on the ball the whole time. It’s hard to find good, reliable local talent, but they honored their commitment to us. The client has been able to sell more and get rid of the product much more easily. They are happy with it, and I am happy too.

How did Five Exceptions Software Solutions Pvt Ltd perform from a project management standpoint?

They understood the timelines well. When the client had any questions, we could ask them and relay the information. That worked nicely.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They were fair and honest throughout the whole project.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Only the time zone could be improved, but you can’t avoid that.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Understand the scope before you start.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the owner of Hu-Technology, a software development company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Five Exceptions Software Solutions Pvt Ltd?

We needed to develop a financial platform.

What were your goals for this project?

We set out to build a complete piece of financial software for credit evaluation

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Through a Freelancer.com bid.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

They’re developing our software in PHP and MySQL.

What was the team composition?

I work directly with a project manager.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’re planning on selling the software to another company.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

The project manager is very professional and is always trying to help me.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They’re happy to help.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No.