Hi-Tech Software Solutions

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the design manager for a glass manufacturer. We make glass for façade as well as interiors. Our primary customers are architects, developers, and consultants who are in the architecture and infrastructure business. We help them select the right product from our offerings to use in their buildings.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Hi-Tech Software Solutions?

We were trying to build an internal tool that’d handle some formula-based analysis.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

To build the interface, design, and development of this particular software, we hired Hi-Tech Software Solutions. If we have a particular glass panel, we need to figure out what the safe thickness would be for that particular panel when there is wind pressure. On top of that, we had to find the wind pressure based upon the building’s location.

We had a few Excel formulas but wanted to develop a tool that’d allow our sales team to just enter the panel sizes, building location, and building height; the software would let us know if the panel is safe or not. This tool also had an option to check how much energy-saving there would be when going for a particular product.

What is the team composition?

I interfaced with five people. One person was the business development manager and he was also the technical person who’d understand our requirements and translate them to the development team. I worked with two developers in addition to the other people who supported us as testers and designers.

How did you come to work with Hi-Tech Software Solutions?

Our company had already worked with them several years ago. They had previously delivered some software, and we had a positive experience so we decided to go with them again.

How much have you invested in them?

We spent approximately $7,000–$8,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The engagement lasted from December 2015–February 2016. It was approximately three to four months.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Before we had this development done, we were using a very basic tool. The software Hi-Tech Software Solutions developed has improved the productivity of our team, and we’ve been able to press on with the results better. This was one big value addition with this tool and it has served the purpose that we envisioned.

Hi-Tech Software Solutions was supportive in terms of understanding the complexities and simplifying it. For example, if there was a formula, they wanted to know the input, output, formula, and where it had to be shown in the output report. Their team simplified the whole process for us; it was easy to explain the concept to them and for them to convert it into something that the developer would understand.

They engaged us right from the understanding of the brief until the testing and delivery part. Their team guided us through the entire process. I was new in terms of developing a new product, and it was very good from that point of view. The technical manager’s experience was quite helpful because he was experienced in doing a lot of products for Japanese companies and products for other countries as well. His strong experience was very helpful in terms of making the whole process an easier one.

How did Hi-Tech Software Solutions perform from a project management standpoint?

They were very transparent and communicative. If there were any queries, they were immediately addressed. We were connected over email and phone calls. There was one person who was assigned to us and he was constantly in touch from the start until the end. All the deadlines were met.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re very sound technically in terms of developing solutions for a problem. We told them what the existing problem was, and they understood the required inputs to solve the problem. They were empathic in terms of understanding what we actually need; that is their biggest strength.

Hi-Tech Software Solutions understands the problem well and uses their technical strength to solve it using their development team. They can also utilize their project management team as well as the technical manager who was in touch with us. They’re all technically sound.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There weren’t any problems with the project, and we didn’t face any issues. They were quite flexible and supportive in terms of delivering the project on time and giving us what we needed. I don’t have any points where they can improve. They were an ideal partner to develop something new for us and solve a problem. We don’t have any complaints.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

For anyone who is going to go for a good vendor, have the right brief. You need to know exactly what you want. I’m sure the team at Hi-Tech Software Solutions is sound enough to understand what you need and if it’s within their scope of development, they’ll let you know they can solve the problem for you.

If it’s something new for them, they’ll find the solution and get back to you. They’re quite upfront and transparent. You’ll have to be transparent about the product you envision, and they’ll be transparent about what they need for that. If both parties are transparent, I’m sure the product that comes out will be good. Just know what you want and have all the data available in the required format.