IQ Direct Inc.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Peak Press Products designs and develops unique third-party hardware tools for the industrial printing industry.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire IQ Direct Inc.?

We hired them to develop a multi-zone power control module. 

What were your goals for this project?

The goal was to automate various functions ranging from time control and multi-zone control to, most importantly, variable power control of multi-power zones from one power source.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We selected IQ Direct based on past projects, former customer reviews, and contractor research. 

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

From a single main source, the module controls various independent trigger inputs such as operator-controlled triggers, photo eye in-line production triggers, zone on/off controls, and individual zone power level settings.

IQ direct was very quick to understand our goals. Rather than make assumptions on matters that were unclear, they promptly asked for clarification before proceeding. When posed with a unique "control" problem in relation to other stock components required in the solution, they were very quick to identify an alternative solution that would not only function in a superior manner but also significantly reduce the cost for our company. This skill alone over short-order fixes will more than cover the expenses for IQ Direct’s services.

What was the team composition?

I am sure there were others involved in the background, but we worked with only one individual from IQ Direct on this project. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any information that demonstrates the impact that this project has had on your business?

Though the product is still in the prototype stage, it is a variant of an older design. Looking forward based on that alone, we can already see the potential cost savings it will have over our previous model. Additionally, the testing we are conducting provides a solid-state solution to a design that previously used analog mechanical controls for specific portions of its operation.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Collaboration was superb with seamless communication. On the occasions, they would proactively inform us that, though they were moving forward, a specific challenge may require additional time and work.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They excel at being able to look at alternatives to specific problems, even when those challenges were not part of the overall project scope. They embraced them as a part of the original project scope (instead of an additional project), tackled the problem, and provided a superior solution. Taking that into consideration for the final project compensation was solely our decision; they never requested or demanded additional fees. 

Are there any areas where they can improve?

We can think of no areas that need improvement in regards to our organization’s pace of work, definition of components to be used and desired outcome, and development. The only area where we could recommend improvements is a more detailed bill of material, specifically with manufacturer and manufacturing part numbers. With that said, obtaining the regional availability price and the type of research components best suited for our manufacturing has not been a problem. All questions received a prompt and satisfactory answer.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the CEO and president of a technology company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire IQ Direct Inc.?

We needed a prototype for a portable incubator that would be used to preserve the freshness of reproductive fluids extracted from horses and bulls.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goal was to develop a prototype to determine the practicality of such a device.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I found them on Freelancer. After investigating the bids, we found that IQ Direct was more than capable of doing what we required. Plus, we found their communication prompt and the pricing fair.

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

They did full development and design to demonstrate proof of concept. They mailed me prototypes for testing.

What was the team composition?

I worked with 3–4 people back in 2014. They might have grown since then.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any information that demonstrates the impact that this project has had on your business?

The product was put on hold to allow battery technology to mature. We have yet to revisit the project, but when we do, we will contact IQ Direct.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

We had constant communication via email and instant messaging. I used my DHL account to arrange for the receipt of prototypes.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They were extremely knowledgeable and valued communication.

Are there any areas where they can improve?

They were able to handle all my needs, so I have no recommendations for improvement.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

The COO of an online retail company. We have a lot of IT projects we do to work with our ERP systems and our warehouse management systems (WMS).

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with IQ Direct Inc.?

We needed to automate reporting tools and workflow software.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They’ve automated our business by coding primarily in C#.

What is the team composition?

We had a main point of contact. One project involved multiple developers.

How did you come to work with IQ Direct Inc.?

We started by giving them a very small project with the requirements. We offered the project to multiple developers, but most turned us down because the specifications were complex. IQ Direct Inc. had no problem taking on the project.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent over $60,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve worked with them for about seven years.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They do good QA testing, which makes the bugs minimal. The team also is effective with complex processes.

How did IQ Direct Inc. perform from a project management standpoint?

Communications and adherence to deadlines have been great. The only delays have been due to scope modifications.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They handle software logic better than anyone else.