INTEGRA SOURCES

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the engineering manager for a water cooler manufacturer. Our products dispense still and sparkling water with different flavor options.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with INTEGRA SOURCES?

We originally hired them to help us update our firmware.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They used Microchip to create the microprocessors within our products. Now, we're working together on a prototype that connects to the internet of things.

What is the team composition?

We worked with a team of about nine people.

How did you come to work with INTEGRA SOURCES?

We couldn't find a cost-effective solution in the States, so we sought out an overseas firm that could provide the same quality at a lower price point. We put a job posting on Upwork, and they reached out to us with a list of their offerings. We considered four companies in all, but we liked Integra's prices and their reviews on Clutch and on Upwork. They were also very fluent in English, so communication was very easy.

How much have you invested with them?

To date, we've spent around $32,000. $3,000 of that was for the initial project, and the rest was for another project we hired them for.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in July 2018. The initial project is complete, but they still work as our software support team. They make any changes we need.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We've saved a lot of money by using their services, and the quality of work is comparable to stateside agencies. They allowed us to avoid hiring an internal software developer, and we can use them as we need them.

How did INTEGRA SOURCES perform from a project management standpoint?

They used Basecamp to manage the project, which works very well for us. They're also available at any time via Skype.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their communication is excellent, and their English skills really set them apart.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can't think of anything they could improve; they do a good job for us.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of Eau Rouge Engineering. We create electronics for motorsports.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Integra Sources?

We needed help with product development. Outsourcing the task to a third party with more resources than us was the smart business decision.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Integra Sources worked with us to implement a new digital version of an industry-standard analog product. As analog becomes more expensive and analog skills are harder to find among resources, we decided to create a digital variant. Integra Sources is doing a lot of digital signal analysis and other specialized work.

What is the team composition?

We’ve worked with 4–5 people.

How did you come to work with Integra Sources?

We found them on Upwork. We interviewed about four vendors and looked at each team’s portfolio work, communication promises, and enthusiasm for our project. Integra Sources took the time to research our industry in advance, and it showed in our discussion. They gave us a great impression, so I decided to go with them.

How much have you invested with them?

We've spent about $20,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project started in October 2018 and is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Integra Sources delivers to the highest standards, not only in the physical work they produce but also in their communication and documentation. It’s by far exceeded our standards. 

How did Integra Sources perform from a project management standpoint?

They’ve been very professional and quick to respond. If anything, my response times frustrate them more than theirs frustrate me. We use Basecamp to communicate and, due to our time zone differences, expect any replies to our comments or questions within 24 hours. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

What we’re trying to build is not your standard engineering project—it’s a unique product to our industry, which is also hard to get into. Integra Sources researched the project in-depth to better understand our goals—that really impressed us.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I can’t think of anything. Integra Sources is very open and communicative. The pricing structure was clear from the outset. They’ve even come up with suggestions on their own to fix any issues we find, which we appreciate.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder of a bridge game app company. We provide software and hardware for bridge clubs, bridge tournaments, and bridge federations.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with INTEGRA SOURCES?

We wanted to create a new product and needed someone to develop it. It required specific knowledge that we couldn’t get from our existing pool of engineers. We needed to source somewhere else.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We had them develop a system board for us, using an Allwinner processor. We’re still finalizing things with the project.

What is the team composition?

There have been some shifts in personnel on their side, and we’ve worked with about five people in total. There’s one guy who’s been working with us the whole time. There are one or two software guys. We’ve seen three project managers pass through.

How did you come to work with INTEGRA SOURCES?

I found them on Upwork. We looked at their website. They had worked before with the specific technology we wanted. We compared them with a few other companies that could provide a similar service.

Initially, we were a bit skeptic because the price was quite a bit lower than other design houses, and their website didn’t have any contact details apart from an email address. That was a bit strange. We decided to contact them after we discussed the opportunities with another company.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent $30,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in January 2018 and the work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They developed a very nice board for us at a reasonable price. It was a good choice working with them and we’re extremely happy. They have a professional way of addressing an engineering case and working toward a solution.

They have really good engineering capabilities. We have an external consultant who once in a while has to make a couple of corrections on their work, but that’s okay because different companies have different insights on how to address a certain problem. We’re still very pleased with them.

How did INTEGRA SOURCES perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re very open and responsive and their projects are well-managed. They’re quite efficient with their hours.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They were able to create a board for us with a processor that is quite exotic. We had some additional exotic requirements for which they came up with proper solutions. They worked very well with other team members in the collaboration.

Are there any areas they could improve?

In the initial phase, they had some aspects of project management that weren’t handled very well. They picked up on that and it’s good now.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I own an industrial design firm. We produce products for clients and for sale directly to consumers.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with INTEGRA SOURCES?

We were working on a product for a client that required some electrical engineering services. I did all the mechanical engineering design, but needed help to develop a particular circuit to go inside the device.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The product was a toy related to a licensed movie property. It needed to play a sound when anyone touched the outside of the housing. They worked on a circuit with a capacitive sensor that would actuate whenever the housing was touched. It interfaced with the housing, and needed to fit in as small a space as possible.

We broke the project into two separate stages: a feasibility study and a development process. They proved that the design was possible by creating successful prototypes, and they documented the actuation process with test videos.

What is the team composition?

The team composition changed over time, but we worked with at least five people on the project. There was one dedicated engineer, and a few project managers through the course of our engagement.

How did you come to work with INTEGRA SOURCES?

I found them on Upwork and decided they were the best fit among the vendors I had to chose from. They understood the project requirements and were confident they could achieve the desired results.

How much have you invested with them?

The total was around $10,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together around March 2018. Ultimately, the project was cancelled in October 2018, after the client decided to get out of the business. Up until that point, the project was entirely successful.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Even though we didn’t complete the project, they completed all the technical details and proved that the product could work.

How did INTEGRA SOURCES perform from a project management standpoint?

Since I’m in California and they’re in Russia, they made the whole process much easier by sending videos and organizing the project through Basecamp. Their work was absolutely top-notch, and their English was perfect.

Initially, we communicated through Skype messages, but they switched to Basecamp when I needed something easier to track. I appreciated their flexibility.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their engineering prowess was really strong. They knew how to solve problems with very little instruction from us, and they gave us exactly what we needed.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Because we interfaced with so many people, we didn’t always know who our main point of contact should be. We could reach out to anyone, and they handled it well, but it would have been helpful to have a dedicated point person. There was a project manager, but that person changed once or twice during the process. It wasn’t a major problem, but it did create some confusion.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I don’t have any recommendations. We had a few requirements and plans, but they anticipated everything we needed. In general, I would recommend having a plan in place, but they are very proactive.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the President of Ruiz Aerospace Manufacturing. We develop new IoT and Industry 4.0 technologies, mainly in the aerospace composites manufacturing market.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with INTEGRA SOURCES?

We’d been developing an IoT application and product for the last few years. We needed outside expertise on building servers for communication management, data storage, and cloud computing.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We assigned INTEGRA SOURCES most of server management. They created a MongoDB NoSQL database, and then developed a Qt platform. The team has also embedded software and updated communication protocols from JSON.

What is the team composition?

We work with 10 people including two project managers for IoT development and electronic device and embedded software development.

How did you come to work with INTEGRA SOURCES?

We originally searched for a contractor through a freelancing platform. At first we worked with several freelancers, but we were impressed by the quality of INTEGRA SOURCES' work. We decided to contract with them exclusively.

How much have you invested with them?

We invested about $100,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with INTEGRA SOURCES in January 2018 and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

INTEGRA SOURCES has expanded compatibility across servers and improved communication. The team fulfilled out requirements for the MongoDB database development and launch. The communication protocols updated included buffers and robust TCP/IP configurations.

How did INTEGRA SOURCES perform from a project management standpoint?

The team demonstrated strong management skills when they manage our servers for a week during an important trade show; we showcased our product at the event. Communication channels are always fluid and straightforward.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re client-oriented and responsible. Both young and motivated, the team is unafraid to research problems and develop their own solutions.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Everything has gone well and we’re satisfied in all aspects.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CIO of a medical company that provides in-home healthcare services such as nurses and therapists primarily for senior citizens.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with INTEGRA SOURCES?

We work with providers of personal emergency response solutions, so we wanted to create an improved solution we could offer to our patients.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

INTEGRA SOURCES built a wearable product with features such as emergency alerting and fall detection. They did everything from building the actual hardware to writing the firmware. The device leverages Wi-Fi capabilities, so seniors can reliably use it in their homes. INTEGRA SOURCES made the product small, so it could be worn as a watch or a pendant around the neck.

What is the team composition?

We worked with a team of about four people, but I primarily interfaced with one person.

How did you come to work with INTEGRA SOURCES?

We found them on Upwork. They had good ratings and a strong product portfolio that aligned with what we were looking to develop. They seemed like a good fit, so we hired them.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent around $30,000–$40,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from November 2017–June 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

INTEGRA SOURCES built a workable prototype that successfully met all of our key product goals. We haven’t deployed it yet, but the internal team is pleased with the device’s capabilities.

How did INTEGRA SOURCES perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re organized and keep good records of all the tasks that are done and need to be done. We met weekly over Skype and also communicate via email. INTEGRA SOURCES also implemented a project management tool to track progress.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re easy to work with, reasonably-priced, and deliver high-quality solutions. We’re highly pleased with their work.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They’re based overseas, so the hours didn’t align perfectly, but it wasn’t too bad.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner for a future company that will be incorporated in Belgium under the name of Algodroid. It’s a company involved in using cameras to detect falls in the home of the elderly to promote better health.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with INTEGRA?

I needed help with software development.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They built a custom video algorithm, worked on data frames, and analyzed the different sequences of images of an elderly person working or living at home. They analyze different sequences of images such as working speed, footprint laying, and data analysis of each person.

They are very skilled in OpenCV. It was a very sensitive algorithm to build, and we worked on it every day for 6 months. We are getting closer to the objective, and we plan to be finished by the end of the year. We will incorporate some video films in a commercial side for promotion.

What is the team dynamic?

There were 2–3 different people with various skills. There’s 1 person in charge of development, and he’s very talented.  

How did you come to work with INTEGRA?

I found them through Upwork. I looked at 5–6 different teams at the beginning, and it was between 2 teams. I chose Integra 2 weeks after the first estimation of work.

How much have you invested with them?

I’ve spent around $15,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in April of this year, and the work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

How did INTEGRA perform from a project management standpoint?

It took 1–2 weeks to understand one another from our different viewpoints. They understood very quickly what it was I was looking for, and the type of algorithm I wanted to prepare. Once we acclimated with one another, there was no problem. The time difference hasn’t caused any issues, and our communication is smooth. We have Skype calls when we need to talk about any problems, and all of the documents, videos, films, and communication are on Basecamp. They have good precision with time.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They showed me the process of the video films. They keep me updated on the progress and different issues, and are really good teachers. They provide good explanations of what they’re doing, the problems they’re facing, what the possible solutions are, and what would be the best in terms of investment. They’re a very nice, skilled team. They’re very patient and helpful, and I would definitely recommend them.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There have been no surprises, and it’s all been really fluent. Even with the 5-hour time difference, there’s been no problem. There is always someone available.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am a co-founder and the CTO of a hardware startup based in the U.S.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with INTEGRA SOURCES?

I wanted to develop an operational systematization software using a certain type of technology that would require senior engineers. I’m located in Brazil, which lacks expertise in this technology, so I started looking for freelancers and companies to whom I could outsource the development.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

INTEGRA developed a customized operational system for Raspberry Pi devices. They also provided the hardware development the project required.

What is the team composition?

I worked with two project managers, one for hardware and one for software, and a sales manager who handled billing. I’m not sure how many developers they used, since my contact points were strictly the managers.

How did you come to work with INTEGRA SOURCES?

I found them through an Upwork search, after vetting about four companies.

How much have you invested with them?

We had a finite initial budget of $30,000 for the project. They delivered the first phase under budget, but we have since increased the scope.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with INTEGRA in April 2017. They delivered the first version 30 days later, in May. We are currently working on improvements.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The quality of their work is very good, especially from a technical and management point of view. INTEGRA delivers solid results, along with clear documentation and communication.

They corrected any major bugs during the process. The team proactively identifies and solves issues. When they find an problem with functionality or even something that could use improvement from a user experience perspective, they make suggestions. It’s really good to work with them.

How did INTEGRA SOURCES perform from a project management standpoint?

Occasionally, they didn’t deliver as much as expected, but in those cases, they communicated with us about them in advance.  That gave us time to solve them together.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They are open to our ideas and needs. If I think of something new, I can discuss it with the team, and they will research it and give me feedback on whether or not it’s feasible.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

The most important advice I can give is to find a trustworthy company willing to work with you as a partner and to consider a long-term relationship. INTEGRA is serious about communication, organization, and documentation.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We develop music gear and products to improve musicians’ performance abilities. I’m the owner.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Integra Sources?

We had not done Bluetooth work on our own, and needed an expert to help us develop a Bluetooth-equipped guitar pedal.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The pedal connects to Bluetooth devices to control a myriad of functions, from controlling effects and amplifiers to starting and stopping recording software, with several other features. We wanted it to work with every Bluetooth device on the market, so wanted to be sure it would work in tandem with iOS, Android, Mac, and PC platforms.

They developed everything from the ground up, including the firmware and PCB [printed control board]. They also provided CAD models to visualize the enclosure. We were responsible for sourcing the products, but they made suggestions to complete the physical build. I’m currently sourcing, manufacturing, and bringing the pedal to market.

What is the team dynamic?

There were five or six people on their team, and most of our early interaction was through Basecamp. We transitioned to Skype, as I was already using it for other vendors throughout a typical day.

How did you come to work with Integra Sources?

We posted an ad on Upwork, and interviewed 10–12 companies that specialized in low-energy Bluetooth development. Integra had the best communication, mixed with an affordable price range.

How much have you invested with them?

Our total is around $12,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project lasted from February to October 2017. I recently realized the design doesn’t include enough SMT [surface mounting technology] components, so we may rehire them in the future to make modifications and bring our manufacturing cost down.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’re currently running a Kickstarter campaign, and sales will go live in a couple of months. The product works flawlessly, and there are no outstanding bugs or issues. All the influencers who test it  love it.

How did Integra Sources perform from a project management standpoint?

Their functionality and reliability are perfect. The start of the project was a little slower than I hoped for, but after the first month or two, they figured out our style and kept things moving. After the initial kickoff, the process was quick and seamless, and communication was good.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They did a great job resourcing and networking with other manufacturers. They provided options I wouldn’t have known about. All of our past projects were simpler and didn’t require the kind of expertise our new manufacturer has.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They had a little difficulty early on, but that improved quickly, and they ultimately made exactly what I wanted.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

DaVinci Labs is a startup based in Taiwan. We’ve been operating for two and a half years, and focus on using robots in order to teach 9-16-year-olds how to code. We are using Python for building different types of interfaces, and robots such as Lego Mindstorms EV3, Vex and Makeblock’s Mbot, in order to give students different challenges, in the hope to see a progression. I am the curriculum director of the company, in charge of our course content.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with INTEGRA SOURCES?

From the beginning, we aimed not to become a mainstream company. There are many groups out there trying to create coding classes, but most end up with a mechanical approach, telling kids to build robots. Coding is usually a small part of the process. We wanted to find a company who could help build an interface which would allow students to actually learn how to code, and focus less on the building.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We went to INTEGRA with the idea of bridging visual and native programming. They built a whole library for a new robot we wanted to deploy, using the Google Blockly concept. We had new blocks and Python code, using a whole new platform.

We’re currently using EV3 with Google Blockly, and the aim is to go to Python. Their team helped us rewrite the whole library in a way which allowed us to make use of Google Blockly on an EV3 robot.

What is the team dynamic?

They assigned someone to interface between us and them. He was in charge of the whole project, and came up with the whole plan. I believe there were separate teams for hardware and software components. We started work on the Mbot parts, and are now working on software development.

How did you come to work with INTEGRA SOURCES?

When we started working with them, I was not yet a part of the company. I believe we found them on Upwork.

How much have you invested with them?

They had a flat $35 per hour fee, regardless of how many people were working on the project.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with INTEGRA in August 2016.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The most impressive thing they’ve done for us has been the rewriting of our entire library. We are currently using a platform which could not run native Python normally, but we have this ability. INTEGRA wrote a whole new firmware and installed it on the hardware. The most interesting thing is that the actual manufacturers of our robots are using a whole different approach. We’ve told them that we actually have a better solution than them, and tried to make a deal.

They’re very practical and have a lot of experience from working in different fields. We had a lot of problems connecting our robots to PCs. INTEGRA suggested that we use a wireless connection, which would be more reliable, faster and safer. It was a big jump for us, and I’m happy with the output.

How did INTEGRA SOURCES perform from a project management standpoint?

I’m not sure what their internal structure is, but they have a large and talented team, with enough manpower. They’ve worked long hours to make sure everything was done in time. We were in touch even during weekends and after working hours. I could write them at 11 PM, and still receive a reply. We have good communication, and are friendly to each other.

Although INTEGRA is a professional company, they still remember the importance of client communication, and have tried to make it enjoyable. We do our job with a smile on our face, and I’ve never had a situation of needing to contact someone on their side, and not getting through. I have nothing negative to say in this regard.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The communication and the simple fact that we can customize whatever we’re looking for. They will go out of their way to find something which fits us. Services in Taiwan are much cheaper, but there are limitations to what we can do locally. We haven’t seen this with INTEGRA—if something is more efficient, they will go for it. They’ve made research on what the best approach for our issue is, and bring back multiple options. This is the main thing which separates them from the bunch.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There is currently an embargo with Russia, which has made payments difficult. This is not INTEGRA’s fault; it’s simply a problem on our side we haven’t found a solution for. I can’t think of anything specifically relating to them.