Fortunesoft IT Innovations

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the co-founder of a tech startup. We’ve built a web and suite of applications that help hospitals interact more efficiently with their med device companies.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Fortunesoft IT Innovations?

We had a vision of creating a platform that enables med device reps — particularly reps that are required to be in the operating room for certain procedures — to digitize their operating data and allows peer-to-peer scheduling so they can operate more efficiently. Fortunesoft IT Innovations (Fortunesoft) has helped us to develop those platforms.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The initial design was specifically geared around the requirements for the med device companies. Since then, we’ve added on a similar platform that’s on the same database for hospitals and health care systems. We’ve also created iOS and Android applications to enable better mobile use.

The technical side isn’t my wheelhouse, which is why we went with Fortunesoft, but I think the website is run on AWS Lambda, using Node.js and React.

What is the team composition?

We initially worked with Deepu (Co-Founder) to formalize the arrangement and scope out the project. Once we got through that, we were ready to move forward and started working with our dedicated project team.

We have a lead developer, someone involved with the architecture set up, and a project manager who facilitates our interactions with all the different internal stakeholders.

How did you come to work with Fortunesoft IT Innovations?

We had a terrible experience with an offshore developer in China; the work was extremely poor and he had selected a somewhat obscure programming language. Therefore, we were looking for somebody that could work within that framework and was US-based. We found Fortunesoft, which had a presence in Nashville but their main resource base in India.

We compared them against another US developer, but the other company just wanted to be paid to spec something out, and they were ultimately sending all of their development work to India anyway. Almost 50% of the project cost with them were only project management fees.

We ultimately decided to give Fortunesoft a chance. We realized we were very comfortable with the team, and they helped us spec out what we needed. We felt that we had good rapport and overall a much better value for our business with them.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent about $150,000 up to date.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in March 2020. We continue with our relationship, and we work with them on future enhancements.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We wanted a functional suite of products, and they’ve delivered that and more. The technology is outstanding and everything functions as intended. It’s a professionally designed and built platform, and I think we hear that from the potential clients that we’re currently talking to. I gauge the success based on the feedback from those meetings.

How did Fortunesoft IT Innovations perform from a project management standpoint?

They primarily use Jira, which we’ve tried to adopt. We also use Trello, and they’ve been great to merge into it.

For communication, we use emails. We also do Zoom or Skype meetings in the morning, or in the evenings if they’re available.

What did you find most impressive about them?

After having a bad experience with an offshore developer, we were really nervous to try that again, but we’ve been so happy with their work. They’ve been outstanding; we even design our tech team in a way that ensures that they stay with the business.

However, the one thing about Fortunesoft that I was most impressed with early on in the project, was that they did such a good job at learning the business and the problem that we were trying to solve.

Our initial SCRUMs would run three hours long and we did them for almost three weeks, but it made all the difference in the world. Now, when we talk to them, they understand what we do, who our potential clients are, and their perspective on the problem. It was a huge time investment on the front end, but they were willing to take the time to learn and work with us, and not just take a design and go code it.

By the end of the process, they were bringing some really good ideas to the table. They even challenged some of our concepts about the platform. Ultimately, I think all of that made the platform much better than anything we had imagined as we went into this project.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Honestly, there’s nothing I would do differently with them. They’ve been outstanding on all fronts and great to work with. I’ve recommended them to my family and friends.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Make that investment of time on the frontend and educate them on what you’re trying to do, because it’ll definitely pay off in the long run. They’ve stood out for giving us the time and putting that effort into our project.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the operations manager at our organization, which is focused on team management for medical device professionals, like medical field-based sales teams.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Fortunesoft IT Innovations?

We enlisted the services of Fortunesoft IT Innovations to help us develop the products that support our startup.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Fortunesoft IT Innovations did a lot of technical expertise on our web-based products. The team developed a CRM platform using Node.js and did everything from logo design to UI/UX design and technical architecture. Our backend was powered by AWS. 

What is the team composition?

We worked with Jobin (Co-Founder & Director) and had a Scrum Master, to who we ran our questions, comments, and concerns. She would take that information back to the broader group, and if they needed more clarification, they would have a call with us. 

How did you come to work with Fortunesoft IT Innovations?

We found Fortunesoft IT Innovations on Google. They were at our price point, so we engaged them for some referrals, who all had good feedback to give about the team. 

How much have you invested with them?

Our business invested about $100,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started our engagement in April 2020, and the first phase of the product was delivered in February 2021.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We held them initially to pretty strict timelines which later changed because our team didn’t really know what we were getting into at the start. The scope of the project expanded, so we didn’t grade them on any specific KPIs. We focused on the product being functional, and in the end, Fortunesoft IT Innovations delivered a platform with which we’re very satisfied.

How did Fortunesoft IT Innovations perform from a project management standpoint?

We had daily Zoom meetings until February 2021. It was already quite late in India when we had our meetings, and even so, they were very accommodating with us. We later settled on a time that could work for both of us.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I was very impressed with their ability to conceptualize the idea of a product without being face-to-face. We started essentially with some flowcharts generated in Excel, and they were able to turn that into a grand product. This project wouldn’t have been possible without the value they provided. 

The staff was super thorough and went above and beyond in putting together impressive presentations that accompanied each release. The group was thoughtful, smart, agile, and met all of our requirements.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don’t have any complaints. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

You’re making a good choice if you decide to work with them. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of CAF Inc. We’re an IT contractor.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Fortunesoft IT Innovations?

We needed help with mobile app development.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Fortunesoft is building two church-based apps for us. One is for the congregation of the church while the other is for publications of the audio, video, and other publications. They’re built for Android and iOS and optimized for websites and mobile devices.

What is the team composition?

About 18 people are working on the app at any given time.

How did you come to work with Fortunesoft IT Innovations?

I was introduced by an acquaintance who had worked with Fortunesoft in the past.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent $100,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project started in April 2017. We still have two ongoing projects with Fortunesoft.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We keep an eye on sprint releases and are extremely happy.

How did Fortunesoft IT Innovations perform from a project management standpoint?

They’ve been very good. I’ve visited their offices and had some onsite meetings while I was there. It’s a professional company. Even with our time zone differences, they make it easy to communicate and are timely with meeting deadlines.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re willing to go above and beyond to meet requirements and stick to deadlines. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t think of anything.

Any advice for potential customers?

They’re an extremely efficient organization. If you spend time on the frontend explaining everything that needs to happen and getting everyone on board, it goes like clockwork.