Inwedo

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the software engineering manager for a building security and automation company. We predominantly deal with alarm and monitoring services for a variety of verticals like transportation, fire alarm systems, and self-care.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Inwedo?

Our software engineering efforts are quite variable in nature. Sometimes, we need a lot of pre-skilled resources ready to be onboarded to take on urgent projects, but that’s not always the case. We didn’t want to hire a lot of internal resources because we wanted to scale the team up and down depending on our work, so we engaged with Inwedo to have a more flexible resourcing model.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Inwedo provides us with a core team of resources to help us with our projects, and they also bring in other consultants as needed. Originally, they joined to help us with a greenfield project to replace a legacy piece of technology. The technology stack included .NET for the backend, Angular for the frontend, SQL Server and MongoDB for the databases, and PowerShell for integration testing.

At the beginning of the process, two Inwedo consultants visited us in our Stockholm office for a week. During their stay, we discussed the project and talked about where it fitted in the overall picture of our company. That week also served as part of their onboarding process.

Over time, our engagement with Inwedo has grown, and their resources now assist us in onboarding new resources from their team. Additionally, they now provide us with product and project management support for certain projects.

What is the team composition?

We currently work with seven full stack senior developers from Inwedo.

How did you come to work with Inwedo?

We looked at different providers, and Inwedo stood out from the rest because their core values aligned with ours quite well, as did their ideas on how teams should run. We originally found them through word of mouth and a bit of research.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our partnership began in March 2020, and we’re still working together. Our relationship has grown strong over the past two years.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Inwedo’s resources have delivered work consistently, reliably, and on time, and the functionality-to-bugs ratio of their deliverables has been extremely good. Additionally, they work fast and are good at keeping up with the rest of the team. Over our engagement, we’ve only had two consultants from their team helping us in our different projects, allowing us to have an incredibly positive continuity.

How did Inwedo perform from a project management standpoint?

Our collaboration with Inwedo is based on a staff augmentation model, so they don’t work on fixed-budget projects. Their resources work within our sprint cycles, and they always deliver quality work. Still, our projects have always run on time and budget, and they’ve been a key part of that.

We use Azure DevOps for project management, mostly internally, but Inwedo also uses it when they’re in charge of project management. Additionally, we use email and Microsoft Teams to communicate and have meetings.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Inwedo’s biggest strength is their values; they value their people and their working relationships equally. Additionally, they facilitate a very collaborative environment and strive to provide us with working products, demonstrating interest in meeting our needs to the best of their ability.

Moreover, Inwedo’s team has very good people on board. Their resources are extremely technically capable, and they seem to be well looked after. Their internal support helps those resources grow, which ultimately impacts what they do for us. Overall, they’re extremely good at what they do.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No. We have a good working relationship, and they’re very open to feedback.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be open, honest, and collaborative from the start, and trust that Inwedo is good at what they do.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the director of planning for a B2B food production company. We produce freshly washed and ready-to-eat salad vegetables for the market, B2B businesses, and McDonald's restaurants in different countries.

We are in the ultra-fresh category so we need to rotate really well in our warehouses. We also have day-to-day orders which means we cannot go and produce a couple of days ahead. We wait for the orders to come in and produce and dispatch the order on the same day, so we need to work really fast.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Inwedo?

We had been really good when it comes to our analytics and Excel spreadsheets but it had become time-consuming to do those tasks, so we asked Inwedo for help. As we are in the ultra-fresh category, we cannot really use standard software that’s already implemented in plenty of other factories. We hired the team to create a fast, simple software that could help us make business decisions much more quickly.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Inwedo created a tool that analyzes our daily orders every minute and proposes decisions that could make our production faster.

The first phase involved really basic stuff. We built an online platform that connects to and collects data from our database. In the second phase, we tried to create something like a brain that could show the system how to analyze and deliver the proper data to production planners and schedulers.

The third phase was all about making improvements to the tool and developing extra options such as recalculating the production plan for the raw materials and components. It is all online. 

We're currently finishing the fourth phase, with Inwedo connecting our database for demand planning. 

What is the team composition?

We had worked with someone from the team for the first negotiations. We told them what we were looking for and what we needed to achieve as well as the goals and timelines. There were always at least 3–5 people working on the project, and that included the project manager, the IT guys, a QA person, and someone who created the graphics. The number of people on board depended on which project stage we were in.

How did you come to work with Inwedo?

I am pretty new to the company; I’ve been here for just over two years, but I knew that the topic of designing a system tool was in discussion and that our IT guys had already been in touch with Inwedo a couple of years ago. We approached Inwedo once more for this project since they had a really good reputation in the market.

How much have you invested with them?

The investment has been between $25,000–$50,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in February 2020, and the partnership is still ongoing. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’re now able to create a production plan one week ahead of time while being able to show the purchasing team and the buyers how many of each raw material we need for each production date in each production plant, which has been really good. Our sales forecast can also be recalculated for the components as well as for the raw materials, which has made us really good at planning 52 weeks ahead.

I am really happy with the teamwork from their side. Even now, with the maintenance that they are doing, when there are issues or if something isn’t working, we could ask them for help and they’ll take care of it. They work really fast, reply to tickets or emails very quickly, and try to fix the system as soon as possible.

If we are to build any more tools in the future, I will choose Inwedo. They’ve really been able to do what we want and adapt the tool to what we needed.

How did Inwedo perform from a project management standpoint?

They are perfect. I cannot say anything bad about them. We have daily meetings, catch-ups, and phone conversations. The project management, paperwork, and presentations are really top-notch.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The biggest plus is that they work really fast. They never make us wait and they can adapt the finished product for us. They have never said something was impossible.

We had some challenges from the business point of view, but they’ve asked many questions to try to understand everything before proposing some ideas. They’ve been really helpful in building this tool for us.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don’t have anything to add here. They are really good.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Give Inwedo as much information as you can and be open to any discussions. Try to explain your business and the whole story of what you need and expect, and they will do it for you.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm Technology manager for CEE and our company provide consultancy, design and engineering service all over the world mostly for industrial clients. Mainly we focus on EPCM projects (engineering, procurement and construction management) but each service is provided also separately based on client's requirements.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Inwedo, and what were your goals?

We use our inhouse project management software tool which allows our project managers to track budget, progress and resources on all of our projects. We hired Inwedo to overtake the responsibility for regular maintenance of this software which includes also development of new features based on requests from business. Main goal is to keep system continuously running, solve appearing bugs and evolve the system so all business requirements would be followed.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

To select this vendor we ran through long tender processes where we focused on experience, client's approach, time flexibility and of course service price. We choose Inwedo company especially for experience of their team and they client's approach.

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

First step was most complicated to get familiar with existing system which wasn't properly documented. To see how it works and also understand how our company works. During next phase we had to stabilize all system connections, because it is not standalone software (it is connected to financial systems, time tracking systems, employee databases etc.) and start to work on existing backlog of bugs and tasks in quite short time. System is .NET built with sql databases, connection with internal Active Directory and several xml connections (finance systems, sharepoint etc.).

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

Core team contain 3 people - 2 Developers and 1 Product Owner.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Processes of getting new company onboard were pretty smoothly, change of service provider went even faster and easier than we expected and Inwedo was able to start to provide maintenance of our system very soon due to their knowledge and experience. We are happy to say that change of provider was very effective not only pricewise but also due to better organization of work and communication. We are still impressed how fast they have been able to understand the system and how smooth they started to work with it.

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

The project management approach is very proactive and client oriented. They always try to understand reasons behind our requirements to provide best applicable solution. Inwedo's approach is perfect which leads to meet goals in budget and in time.

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

We have perfect communication with our developers directly and their product owner provides extensive regular reporting which allows us to keep track of the job. Also our JIRA cooperation is very good, so we can manage backlog and see directly spent time, set priorities operatively. We also have regular feedback meetings with company's management which give us feeling of very stabile cooperation.

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

Their quality of work is perfect, speed of solving issues is incredible but sometimes it leads to lack of reporting how issues has been solved and what caused them. We already had a discussion about it and this was actually solved already.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am a training specialist for a sporting goods company. We make our retail products and operate big logistics centers.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Inwedo?

We needed a better process to onboard our employees. We wanted to create a tool that would allow our employees to make progress during the onboarding process themselves and not necessarily only with a manager.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They created our HR tool as a web application. When we have a new employee, we create a new account in the HR tool, and the employee will see a list of competencies that they must learn. These skills include how to sell to customers, create a shipment to send to another store, or use our internal tools. It helps our employees learn those necessary things at a time that is convenient for them.

What is the team composition?

I work with two people from their team.

How did you come to work with Inwedo?

Another department in our company had previously created another tool with Inwedo. They were pleased with the work that Inwedo did, so we decided to contact them for our project.

How much have you invested in them?

I’m not involved in the payment process.

What is the status of this engagement?

The engagement with Inwedo began in September 2017, and the work is still ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We have seen some great results since working with the Inwedo team on this tool. We’ve since added new functionalities beyond onboarding, such as a satisfaction survey for our employees. The app has helped us keep every answer in one place in the event of an audit, and then allows us to then send all that information to the specific store following the audit. 

It has been a pleasure to work with Inwedo. I am not a technical person, and they still fully translated my vision. I would recommend them.

How did Inwedo perform from a project management standpoint?

I have been really happy working with Inwedo—they are responsive as well as forgiving and honest. I only have to wait a few hours for an answer from them. If they don’t have an immediate solution for me, they will let me know they will get back to me the next day. The team always meets their deadlines as well. When I had ideas for the tool or when I wanted to improve something, I contact them through email, video chat, or Google Hangouts.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Inwedo often advises us when we have ideas related to UX. They always want to create something really beautiful for our employees. They also give us suggestions and helpful advice to create things as smoothly as possible.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, nothing comes to mind right now.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Inwedo is a really helpful company that explains how things should look. They take an idea and bring it to life.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO and co-founder of HelloHere, an application for guests and vacation rental companies. We’re a full booking service serving customers traveling across short-term rentals, vacation rentals, service departments, and hotels. Our platform allows them to welcome and provide recommendations for their guests.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Inwedo?

I was working with a software house that I had certain issues with, so I was looking for a new developer.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They built our mobile app, almost from scratch because there was hardly anything we could use from the previous platform. It’s an iOS and Android mobile application for guests, and there’s also an extensive web-based dashboard for property owners and hosts who can administer all the data. It’s a comprehensive tool both for the host and the guests.

Inwedo has also helped us build the communication platform, which is quite unique for our industry. It’s about providing extra services that we can upsell through the platform, and it requires no training or integration for the host to begin. They helped us develop some shortcuts.

What is the team composition?

The structure was very comprehensive—we worked with 12-13 people. There were iOS developers, Android developers, full stack developers, a lead manager who oversaw the whole product, and a product manager.

How did you come to work with Inwedo?

I knew the owners as a very reliable source of developers when we met in the U.S. awhile ago. They’re well-structured and I liked their values and how they operated. When there was a chance for us to work with them, I didn’t think twice.

How much have you invested with them?

We've spent $300,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in 2017, and the work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’re extremely well taken care of, and they’re by far the best company I’ve worked with. They’re a trusted partner. They helped us raise money thanks to the quick development.

Thanks to their knowledge about good practices and their experience, we saved a lot of money. We had due diligence during the process and could count on the lead developer to assist us and answer all our questions.

How did Inwedo perform from a project management standpoint?

We regularly met with the whole team and were in touch daily. There was the main person always responsible for the whole development and would convey the information to the rest of the team. Not only was there an exchange of ideas, but we also had a single touchpoint to discuss different technical issues or challenges, which was very convenient.

We use Slack, Jira, a product board, Trello, all the cloud-based solutions based on Google Services, etc. Everything’s extremely transparent, and every meeting we had was written down in a lot of detail. We were fully informed about every process, with regular meetings whenever necessary. They are like a part of our own team, and we work hand-in-hand.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re very well organized. Whenever we had a meeting, it was a friendly conversation, trying to find solutions and work out how to do different things. They even helped us test the market and do research; it wasn’t only development.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, they really helped us in a number of ways.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Sign up for their initial workshop where they present the mockups, and you’ll be convinced to work with them. Their professionalism makes an excellent impression.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the manager of one of the largest consulting firms in the world.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Inwedo?

We're moving processes from Excel to web applications, and needed help from a development team.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They’re building our web application, using .NET Core 2.0 for the backend and Angular 5 for the frontend. They proposed the infrastructure. The web solution manages internal processes and keeps track of tasks and updates.

What is the team composition?

There are two backend developers, one frontend developer, a Scrum master, and a QA engineer.

How did you come to work with Inwedo?

We had worked with them previously on the recommendation of other project managers.

What is the status of this engagement?

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

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

It hasn't launched yet, but we’re satisfied with what they’ve done.

How did Inwedo perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re responsive and approachable, so communication is easy. We use Jira and Slack.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They could communicate more about the efforts of delivering something that's not directly connected to the functionality, such as their technical capabilities.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Have clear technical requirements. Before starting the project, figure out your staging strategy and how you want the architecture to look.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a section leader for one of the biggest household appliance brands in Europe. We produce both washing machines and tumble dryers. I’m in charge of the design team that’s developing a drying machine.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Inwedo?

We wanted a better way to assign and plan tasks. My idea was to build some sort of system and needed a company to help bring it to life.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

I asked them to develop a software to help us keep track of company work. I provided my requirements and they made improvements for better presenting the data. There are still several changes to make to it, as some of our initial ideas didn’t turn out to the best, but it’s an ongoing improvement process.

With this software, I’m able to quickly plan a project, pick a specialist, and assign tasks. I can easily switch to an employee management interface and see exactly what everyone is tasked to do, whereas before we had lots of confusion. We used to handle this whole process in Excel, which was very time-consuming. With this new tool, people can make changes at the same time and view everything online; we’re not limited to one user having the file open.

The solution is being developed in .NET. Inwedo has worked on everything from developing the software, installing it for us, and handling its maintenance.

What is the team composition?

I’ve worked with three people, including a technical team leader and a product owner.

How did you come to work with Inwedo?

I talked to a couple of local, larger companies that were in the market for a longer time. I looked at recommendations, their current clients, and portfolios. I selected Inwedo because their offer was the best. I liked that they were focused on the customer’s approach and were free from limitations. I also had a feeling that the information flow would be really good.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in 2016 and the collaboration is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They’ve met my expectations. We introduced the software a little over a year ago to certain people, and while it has improved our processes, it’s not something we can measure. We’re able to plan much better and are more aware of the issues that were happening. Now, we're able to anticipate problems and make wiser decisions.

How did Inwedo perform from a project management standpoint?

The project has gone smoothly. They’re flexible and willing to adjust to my schedule, which isn’t an easy thing to do because I’m usually booked. They communicate effectively with us either by teleconferences or in-person meetings. We haven’t had any problems.

What did you find most impressive about them?

In the beginning, we had to spend some time learning the process for software development projects. I had no experience in this and asked for their advice on what they needed and when they needed it. They guided me through the whole ordeal.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the director of services for a French sporting goods company. We have an international presence with more than 1,000 stores worldwide. We are planning to open our first store in the USA this year, in San Francisco, and we have many other stores in Europe, China, and other countries. Our locations are usually more than 1,000 square meters in size, with the one I’m working from being 7,000 square meters.

During our collaboration with Inwedo, I was the general operations manager and was responsible for safety and security, environmental protection, and some operational elements around the functionality of our stores in Poland. Along with my team, I handled issues with the flow of goods, working closely with distributors. We also launched new products and technologies for the stores, making them more efficient for our customers and business model.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Inwedo?

We wanted to build an application which would help us manage the operations elements within stores. We didn’t have the competency to do this ourselves, so we approached Inwedo.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Inwedo was responsible for building our iOS and Android application based on my idea, including all of its functionalities and design. We had a number of meetings in order to explain what we wanted to have within the application, based on which Inwedo created it.

The tool they built helps us manage the operational part of our business. In each store, there is a person in charge of operations, namely the safety and security of the people in the building, the flow of goods, environmental protection, cleaning services, and other points. During open hours, we have many jobs to do and audits for multiple points in order to guarantee the adherence to our standards for both customers and co-workers.

Before building the application, protocols and audits were managed manually using a pencil and paper, after which the data needed to be entered into a computer, which implied additional jobs. After building the application, we were able to do everything using mobile phones, tablets, or computers, and we could see results in real time given that the software is online. Everyone could see that a store was ready for opening at a particular time.

It has also made reporting easier. I can hit a few keys and see reports from all stores. I can relay those to regional or country managers whenever we have a problem in one of our stores.

The app has also helped us have online audits of our controls. If I find that a door’s mechanism is broken, I can take a photo and send it to the company for maintenance purposes. They will receive it directly and come to our assistance.

How did you come to work with Inwedo?

When I came up with the idea for the application, I went to our IT manager and he helped us choose a development company. He proposed 3–4 options and we met with each of them, choosing Inwedo in the end. I don’t remember the exact reason, but I believe they presented the best vision for what our application should be.

How much have you invested with Inwedo?

The cost of their work was around 150,000 Polish Zloty [US $41,652].

What is the status of this engagement?

We launched the product in stores 3–4 months ago and it took around 15 months to build. We have maintained a $100 monthly contract with Inwedo for the maintenance of the application. We can call them for any problems we experience with it and have them solved.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or the impact of the engagement?

I am no longer managing this part of our business, so I don’t have any figures at hand. The application was launched in all our stores in Poland and it was also appreciated by managers in other countries. We entered it in an innovation competition, where it finished in 3rd place. It’s been appreciated by users and it is being used in stores based on our data.

How did Inwedo perform from a project management standpoint?

During the first 1–2 months of the collaboration, I had some communication problems with our contact from Inwedo. I approached them and asked the team to put all the problems on the table, discuss them, and assign priorities in order to finish the project. After this meeting, the problem was solved and our communication improved. Inwedo has managed the project well and has maintained communication with us.

What did you find most impressive about Inwedo?

They are a good business partner.

Are there any areas Inwedo could improve?

The beginning of our collaboration could have been much better. During the development of an application, it’s important for the partner to learn the needs of the customer. Inwedo could have visited our stores and spent a week there in order to gain experience on what we need and expect from them.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Infospread Ltd. is a Swedish IT solutions developer for the public transportation sector. We provide mobile and web apps aimed at improving travelers' experience. Our main product for the Polish market is called zbiletem.pl, which is a platform allowing public transport agencies to distribute tickets through mobile devices. I am responsible for our activity and product development for the Polish market.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Inwedo?

We have a development team in Sweden but needed to work differently for the Polish market.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Inwedo has been our partner since the beginning, helping us with web and mobile development, as well as product design, the latter being a critical step in our process. Inwedo has developed versions of our app for Android, iOS, and Windows Phone, as well as a responsive website.

How did you come to work with Inwedo?

We had been looking at different IT houses, and met with a few of them. Inwedo's team was the best at listening to us, and we gave them a project even before setting up our Warsaw office.

How much have you invested with Inwedo?

The cost of Inwedo's work has been between $50,000 and $100,000. Our Polish branch works like a startup within the organization, with a much smaller development scope.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with Inwedo in 2013. Two years ago, we made the decision to connect our web and mobile solutions in order to gain a competitive advantage. That was the 1.0 version of our product, but we're now working on the 2.0 iteration, which will add payment functionalities. There has been constant development, and we have a set plan for the next year.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or the impact of the engagement?

Our Android app has a 4.6 score, making it the highest rated public transport app in Poland. We are adding new cities to our platform, and extending our contracts with existing customers, which is the best feedback I could give for Inwedo. The results are all based on the apps they've built for us.

How did Inwedo perform from a project management standpoint?

Since we're based in the same city, we meet with Inwedo's team on a weekly or fortnight basis. We use Slack and JIRA as project management tools, but Inwedo can also provide a custom-built tracking software. I would rate their project management skills highly.

What did you find most impressive about Inwedo?

Inwedo's team has a good attitude, and they listen to us. I like their style for dealing with communication and challenges. There have been problems and red alert situations, but we've dealt with them successfully.

Are there any areas Inwedo could improve?

Less staff turnover would be an improvement. This is a challenge for all IT companies in this area.