FlexMade

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the founder and CEO of MotiZap.com. Our mobile app gives users a zap of motivation to make behavioral changes for a better lifestyle. It sends essential knowledge on a schedule. Workout and diet tips assist with health and weight loss. Content for children is aimed to promote better grades and life habits.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire FlexMade?

FlexMade supported our project from start to release. We needed web design and development and ongoing support. 

What were your goals for this project?

By releasing our new app, we hoped to benefit children everywhere, including my own. 

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We found FlexMade through a web search and read recommendations.

Describe the project in detail.

FlexMade designed our website and app from the ground up. During the development stage, we saw its potential for use across multiple areas of life; the app offers value for families, businesses, and other organizations. The team made the Android app scalable to accommodate our shifting goals.

Currently, they're working on the iOS version and provide ongoing maintenance, implementing changes according to the market. They provide consultation and help us complete projects on time and within our budget.

What was the team composition?

I had continual support from the CEO, a project manager, and a development manager. The team composition and support I received were perfect and prompt.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

FlexMade listened to my ideas and turned my vision into reality. They successfully released the Android version of the app. The market test revealed a few necessary adjustments we needed to make in the next phase. We are implementing these changes for the iOS version.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

My team was lagging behind with a few things, so FlexMade made useful adjustments to optimize our project workflow. They’ve been keeping us on track with updates and reminders.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I most admired the team’s quality of work, support, and advice. FlexMade created a top-notch architectural design, flow, functionality, and usability for our app and website.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I wish I could have them as a part of my company.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the VP of Marketing & Alliances of FADEL, a software provider. We provide software dedicated to automating and streamlining the process of rights and royalty management. I manage the relationships between all our various technology and systems integrator vendors.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with FlexMade?

We needed help with integrating Adobe technology, specifically Adobe Experience Manager (AEM), with our solution, Rights Cloud which has a Web services API. We wanted a working integration in time for Adobe Summit and an important presentation. We didn’t have the Adobe experience in-house and wanted an expert on the technology.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

FlexMade developed four different integrations of various AEM versions to our solution, Rights Cloud. They updated the integrations with older versions of Adobe and cleaned up the UI. Their team created two new connectors, one with the latest Adobe technologies. They also provided expert recommendations throughout the engagement to optimize the integrations’ functionality.

We are currently still working with them on various projects.

What is the team composition?

Our primary contact was the CEO, and the development team worked behind the scenes.

How did you come to work with FlexMade?

We looked for a new partner because our old AEM partner was acquired by another company and could no longer do the work. The Adobe product management team recommended various mid-market sized vendors who could deliver fast but high-quality results—one of them being FlexMade.

How much have you invested with them?

We invested around $5,000 to $5,500 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in February 2018 and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We leveraged their integration into our marketing demo and provided it to the Adobe product management team—who presented at a speaking spot at the Adobe Summit. Many customers followed up at our booth afterward and we are now starting to follow up on those potential leads.

How did FlexMade perform from a project management standpoint?

They communicate with us daily through email. Their team responds to any changes or issues within a days’ time and meet all deadlines.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They impress us with their responsiveness, depth of knowledge, and thoroughness. Their team provides deeply researched recommendations on how to make the integration optimal and autonomously develops solutions to issues extremely quickly.

They provide a full-fledged partnership and it doesn't feel like just another vendor-client relationship. We can completely express what our goals are, what our challenges are, and count on them to guide us along the way.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there was nothing that disappointed me so far. As they grow, they will have to be sure to scale their processes.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Try to create a partnership with FlexMade as they will make sure that both parties are successful.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the managing partner for a software company that executes internal and external software development.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with FlexMade?

We needed to develop and package a web system, and resell it as a joint venture.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They developed a web system for one of our customers, which we wanted to package and resell. They used Docker and its containers to build a logistics and transportation system. The system had to be capable of making calculations and to be used like UPS and FedEx systems. We wanted it to assist with package drop off from one point to another, and allow for drop-offs or stops along the way.

They created an overview for all of the company’s 25 drivers, who have about 200 transportation assignments daily. The overview lets system users see the drivers’ location, trip number, trip price, and it incorporates an invoice process once the driver completes a trip. The company’s dispatch sends this invoice to the end user or customer. Although the system is mobile friendly, it is predominantly a web-based platform, and we don’t have a mobile app version; this will be the next step in development.

What is the team composition?

During our peak development phase, we had about 4-5 different people working on the project.

How did you come to work with FlexMade?

I’ve worked on projects with other companies from Ukraine and Pakistan. One of my developers knew someone who used FlexMade, so through his recommendation found them. We had actually tried working with two different companies to develop this system, but FlexMade ended up developing it for us because the two other teams couldn't fulfill their assignment.

How much have you invested with them?

We've spent around $40,000-$45,000. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We starting working with them in May 2017, and although the first version of the project is finished, they’re developing two systems for us now.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The system we developed was for another company, so we were just the middlemen. However, I know our client was previously using an outdated system made in 2003. FlexMade helped offer their input and fresh perspective to persuade the client to use the newer system. They have also helped keep the technology up to date and offered various alternative methods for executing the same system.

Our client’s daily use of this system should benefit them, considering it will shift them away from a costly, manual invoice process. It’ll also update their calculations and maps to positively impact how much they can earn per trip and how many trips their drivers receive.

How did FlexMade perform from a project management standpoint?

They were extremely responsive. I could write to them at any hour, and someone from their team would get back to me between 15-30 minutes. Whenever we had an issue, we would report it on Slack, and they would resolve the issue within an hour or two. We talked to their team members daily to answer their questions and receive their input as they completed frontend and backend work. Once we completed sprints, we had follow-up meetings to test their work and offer feedback.

Our team managed the project, which was difficult when their development team worked ahead and added extra functions that we didn’t request. Yet, most of these developments were beneficial to the system and we resolved any resulting project management complications. We mainly used Slack and Github for communication and to manage work, but we also used Skype to communicate.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I've tried working with the three other companies from Ukraine and from Pakistan. FlexMade stands out because they can complete projects in a wide array of software languages using their in-house resources and personal. Additionally, it’s not hard for their developers to communicate with their CTO, CFO, or other C-Suite staff. I could receive feedback from their CEO directly. This aspect of their company stands out from other Ukrainian companies I’ve worked with that needed to use middlemen to communicate project changes or developments. Their accessible line of communication allowed us to stop work at any time to perform project overviews.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They would do additional work on the system that we didn’t expect or ask for. This benefited the final product, but they used their time to work on project components that we didn’t find necessary to complete at certain phases. Before working ahead, they should have discussed their plans with us.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Focus on project management when working with them by conducting regular meetings and requesting progress updates. We gave them a lot of free time, and we didn’t always follow up to see what they were doing. For future projects, we plan to be more diligent with this.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the CEO of Call Control, a software and cloud services company. Our technology stops unwanted, "nuisance" calls for cell phones and landlines all over the world. My background is in engineering, but I've also started managing segments of different companies.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with FlexMade?

Working with a startup requires variable resources to mitigate cost and staffing problems. Hiring a large team to work on a launch means consistently paying fulltime employees, even when less work is needed. Significant development periods, like a launch on Android or iOS, might require 15 staff. Working with FlexMade enables me to cut down to five employees during slower maintenance periods.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Along with front-end website development, FlexMae provides support with opening our mobile apps into a cloud service. The core technology behind it is crowdsourced, reputation scoring of originating calling. Each month, people from all over the world send us reports about the calls they receive. We operate on a huge scale and typically run 1,200,000 - 1,400,000 monthly reports. We run that information through our secret algorithms, which scrub, categorize and filter results. After we identify spam callers, our service can allow or block specific numbers. We're consistently working on the math behind the algorithm that produces our scoring.

As a 24/7 service, it’s critical that our call center stays online. It would be inconvenient if our website went down for 10 minutes. If our service crashed for that long, though, users would receive the spam calls they’ve paid to block. It would be like one’s phone not working or the power going out; our consumers would not be happy. This consistent maintenance requires a different skill set than mobile app development.

What is the team composition?

Maksym Kryvoshlyk is the technical lead. His role, and that of the country manager, are critical. Our interactions require basic trust, communication, planning, and programming.

How did you come to work with FlexMade?

We found FlexMade via referral. I was looking for a distributed team with a good track record for similar work, and who understood the problems I’d identified. I have experience working with firms from Ukraine, where the development team is primarily located. My conversations with Maksym made it clear we value the same things: communications, planning, and having an open-minded culture that facilitates problem-solving, not blame assignment.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started contract work in April of 2016, and our full-time project began November 1st of 2016. Our work is absolutely ongoing, especially as we launch. Since our cloud service involves a 24/7 demand for services, we have a regular call every week, even during the holidays.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Qualitatively, I’m happy with the work that they've done, and it satisfies my company's expectations. On the business side, it's really my responsibility to sell and market our products. We consistently monitor quality metrics, as well as customer support calls and e-mails. Our system flags and escalates anything that hasn’t been answered in 48 hours, to make sure all queries are addressed. My attention was caught early on by the FlexMade team's passion for being responsive to subscribers.

How did FlexMade perform from a project management standpoint?

I hold a weekly Skype call with our technical lead, and we exchange e-mails on almost a daily basis. Their team is very transparent. Early on, they gave me login credentials for all the key toolsets, which ranged in function: tracking internal development through the agile systems, customer support, monitoring calls and complaints live, and sprint planning.

I have clear visibility of the technical team’s work, down to individual engineers. FlexMade instates accountability by providing the names of their staff. I let Max manage his team, but I can contact developers directly if needed. Virtual teams who work on a contractual basis often have a firewall, in this sense.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I work with companies of all sizes. For a small company, they have an extremely mature process and communications set. They understand how to use sophisticated tools, and when they need to be applied. Rather than the onus of requests being on me, they enforce discipline for bug fixes. Immature companies will spend half the time talking about the process, as opposed to the actual work and problems. Their transparency lets me rest assured that I’m being billed appropriately. I feel uncomfortable sending a check to a company where I only know of one or two staff.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I'd like to get more services from them. Our 24/7 call center is currently outsourced to a different vendor and partially managed internally. Like all development projects, we eventually missed a date. We always discuss the reason, however, and the new deadline. I'm comfortable with this dynamic, but that could always be better.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Documentation has made our working relationship more effective and meaningful. Any conversation held as a team should be written up afterward, especially when developers are geographically disparate, or working in different time zones.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We have about 25 physical therapy healthcare practices in the Bellevue and Seattle area. I am the CEO, but also handle all of the technology for our organization.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with FlexMade?

We had an outdated web presence. One of my first challenges, when I joined the company, was to update the website.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They updated our website, changing its design and interface. We’ve added a number of capabilities to better serve our patients, including customized online appointment scheduling and payment mechanisms that integrate with our internal systems.

Our target audience is new patients, but we also designed the website for recruiting purposes, to attract new employees. They’ve also done a lot to improve our SEO [search engine optimization].

What is the team composition?

I initially worked with Maks Kryvoshlyk [Founder and CEO, FlexMade]. He stayed involved through the whole project but also assigned Max Sadovsky [Project Manager, FlexMade] to us as a primary contact.

How did you come to work with FlexMade?

They came through a referral from a friend. In the first meeting, they showed that they had the right work ethic, and were honest and trustworthy. We contracted them to build a demonstration version of the website, which they delivered on time for a reasonable price. Based on that performance, we hired them for the full project and have given them more work over time.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent around $30,000 with them on this project.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in 2011. We’ve finished our builds but still work actively together to update or modify the site as needed.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’re very happy and thoroughly impressed with the results. We rank number one organically on Google in our market, which is fabulous. About 10% of our payments are now processed online, which saves us time. We also have several new patients a day who schedule through the site, which is encouraging from a lead generation perspective.

How did FlexMade perform from a project management standpoint?

Max did all the day to day work; he responded to my emails and demonstrated new features throughout the process. The website has been done for a couple of years now, but the team has stayed the same. The low turnover is excellent.

We communicate mostly through phone, Skype, or email, and they have a Jira account that allows us to create tickets. They keep me in the loop. They explain problems in advance and help come up with solutions. They’ve done a better job than any other service provider we’ve worked with.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their work ethic and their trustworthiness are admirable. Since our relationship is remote, we don’t get to sit down together. Trust is a major factor. They always deliver what they promise, and stick to their quotes. The cost and quality met my expectations and they worked within our needs. It’s rare for a company to perform so well, especially when they don’t work locally.

Are there any areas they could improve?

We would love for them to open a local office here.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Communication and upfront expectations are critical. Give them as much information as you can to make sure they understand the full scope.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the former CTO of Keller Sports GmbH

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Keller Sports is an online retailer specializing in premium sportswear, sports equipment, and accessories for various athletic activities.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire FlexMade to accomplish?

• Accessed Specialized Expertise: Keller Group engaged FlexMade to tap into their specialized skills in software development and IT solutions, ensuring access to the expertise needed for our projects.
• Improved Operational Agility: By partnering with FlexMade, we aimed to enhance our operational scalability and flexibility. Their flexible IT resources enabled us to adapt quickly to changing project requirements and scale our team as needed.
• Maximized Cost-effectiveness: Outsourcing to FlexMade allowed us to maximize cost-effectiveness. By reducing overhead costs associated with maintaining an in-house team, we could allocate resources more efficiently while still receiving top-quality IT services

SOLUTION

How did you find FlexMade?

Personal Recommendation

Why did you select FlexMade over others?

• Close to my geographic location
• Pricing fit our budget
• Referred to me

How many teammates from FlexMade were assigned to this project?

35

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

• Developing an online shop with a diverse selection of sportswear products.
• Creating a custom-built service to unify product data from various vendors.
• Building the backend for a mobile application, integrating product data and marketing content.
• Implementing an ERP system for comprehensive business management.
• Designing a content importing system for flexible content management across services.
• Developing marketing websites with a focus on SEO optimization.
• Establishing a data management system for sales, returns, and invoicing.
• Building a refund management system connected to payment systems.
• Implementing a logistics management system to regulate requests.
• Creating informational landing pages for the company.
• Develop an account management system that is compliant with GDPR.
• Building multiple online shops with high performance and SEO optimization.
• Implementing a product management system for centralized data management.
• Developing an order management system integrated with CRM and BI services.
• Setting up an image server for media file storage.
• Creating a CRM connector for data sharing with external BI tools.
• Developing a checkout system with secure payment processing and BI integration.
• Implementing an authentication system with OAuth2 protocol.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Over time, we have completely rewritten the legacy system with a new one, added lots of new features, and created a mobile application. The new eCommerce products we made with FlexMade won multiple prestigious nominations, including the German Innovation Award 2019, the Shop Usability Award, the German Design Award, and others. We optimized our infrastructure to cut expenses and provided our employees with new tools that made their work more efficient. 

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

Their project management was excellent. They delivered everything on time and anticipated our needs. They always met deadlines and were very dedicated to the project goals. They were also very responsive, quickly addressing issues or requests with flexible and creative solutions. Their commitment to quality results and open, quick communication exceeded our expectations.

What was your primary form of communication with FlexMade?

• In-Person Meeting
• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

FlexMade's strong commitment to understanding our needs and creating custom solutions made it stand out. They were proactive in solving problems and consistently delivered great results. Their dedication to building a long-term partnership and completing many projects to a high standard showed their excellence and reliability.

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

Throughout our long-term collaboration with FlexMade across various projects, their performance literally left no room for improvement. Their dedication to delivering high-quality results and proactive approach to addressing our needs were exemplary. Their ability to seamlessly navigate diverse project scopes while exceeding our expectations underscored their commitment to excellence.

We were delighted with their service, and our past experiences have solidified our confidence in their capabilities.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Executive Chairman of HealthFleet, Inc.

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We provide health technology solutions focusing on digital health engagement and personalized health coaching.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire FlexMade to accomplish?

• We needed to enhance our team with a skilled professional to increase our project's capabilities and capacity.
• We sought someone with strong technical skills and excellent communication abilities to ensure seamless teamwork.
• It was vital for the new hire to integrate smoothly with our existing team, promoting collaboration rather than functioning as an external contractor.

SOLUTION

How did you find FlexMade?

Referral

Why did you select FlexMade over others?

• Close to my geographic location
• Pricing fit our budget

How many teammates from FlexMade were assigned to this project?

1 Employee

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

We needed a software engineer to work on our iOS app, implementing new features requested by customers and our product owners, performing maintenance, and enhancing functionality.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The project outcomes showed remarkable progress. FlexMade assisted in developing and launching a fully functional iOS application. The software engineer we hired proved he was able to play a team leader role. His continuous technical support ensured operational efficiency and stability. The addition of new features further enhanced the user experience. Overall, the project's improved performance and positive user feedback underscored its success.

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

Under our project manager's guidance, FlexMade's developer seamlessly integrated into our operations. His proactive approach facilitated smooth cooperation, minimizing the need for close supervision. He consistently handled urgent matters promptly and effectively, taking proactive steps and following established protocols to ensure project success.

What was your primary form of communication with FlexMade?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

FlexMade showcased exceptional proficiency by seamlessly integrating into our team and maintaining clear communication throughout the project. They consistently met deadlines and proactively addressed our needs during both the development and support phases. Their commitment greatly contributed to the project's success and received positive feedback.

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

FlexMade excelled throughout our collaboration, demonstrating impressive proficiency and adaptability in various situations. Their consistently commendable performance reflected a strong commitment to delivering quality outcomes.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the CEO of Stephanie Buttermore, LLC

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Content creation and fitness training programs.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire FlexMade to accomplish?

• Create custom fitness mobile app

SOLUTION

How did you find FlexMade?

Referral

Why did you select FlexMade over others?

• Pricing fit our budget
• Good value for cost
• Referred to me

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

To create a custom fitness app mirroring my pdf training programs.The app needed to include video demonstrations, workouts and save training log information.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Weekly updates.

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

They were very prompt with communication and delivered on all of my needs.

What was your primary form of communication with FlexMade?

Email or Messaging App

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

I was amazed at their professionalism and knowledge of current aesthetic trends. They were also able to convert my ideas into a functioning product.

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

No

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the COO of a wall decor manufacturer that sells and distributes products online.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire FlexMade?

We hired FlexMade to speed up the development of our new online store and its underlying systems.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to strengthen our in-house team on a long-term basis. Our internal development team was small, as it is difficult to find skilled labor in Sweden.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

They were recommended by a colleague who specializes in UX and project management.

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

They developed all of the parts of our online store, including the backend, checkout solutions, administration interface, etc. They used PHP, JavaScript, and PostgreSQL.

What was the team composition?

We worked with two backend developers, one frontend developer, and a QA tester.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

We always received guidance and help from FlexMade.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their commitment was impressive. We always felt like they were part of our team.

Are there any areas where they can improve?

Sometimes, we needed to clarify exactly what they had to do. It would have been a good idea to do more research before we started the project.