JMR

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I work for a startup incubator based in France. We design websites for startups and connect them with resources to facilitate growth.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with JMR Technologies?

We lacked in-house resources to build client websites. We needed web developers to supplement our design team and create sites on Wagtail.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They implemented our designs to build sites on Wagtail according to our clients’ specifications. They also developed both the back and front-end.

What is the team composition?

Depending on the project, we've worked with 1–5 developers. We collaborate with multiple startups, so the project demands vary.

What is the status of this engagement?

Work began in August 2016 and is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Once the sites launched, our clients give us continuous feedback; they’ve always been pleased with the final results. On the rare occasion that there’s a bug, JMR Technologies reacts quickly to amend any issues, even on weekends.

In terms of our working relationship, our team appreciates their commitment to communication. They excel at translating technical language in an accessible way so that we can work together efficiently. They’re adept at using diagrams and examples to ensure we’re all on the same page.

How did JMR Technologies perform from a project management standpoint?

We deploy in-house project managers to facilitate interaction between the client and JMR Technologies team. We use Pivotal Tracker to manage progress and communicate through Skype. They collaborate with us to establish timelines and understand the importance of respecting deadlines.

What did you find most impressive about them?

In addition to their professionalism, our team greatly values how personable they are. They know when to be humorous to make the client feel at ease, which has encouraged a productive relationship. They’re just a lot of fun to work with.

Are there any areas they could improve?

In a business environment, it’s imperative to work as quickly and efficiently as possible. While they respected deadlines, they could potentially improve their work speed to help the client.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

If a customer has a specific work methodology, they shouldn’t hesitate to approach JMR Technologies. Their team is open-minded and well-equipped to adapt to ambiguous situations.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Our firm is an intermediary between companies that want to develop applications or any kind of IT interface. We provide the product owner the functional development support, and we develop with the help of different agencies. I’m the product owner.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with JMR Technologies?

We were building an application that allowed users to book or buy anything online through some kind of wizard step application. It would be used by several websites and could adapt to different kinds of products.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We do the functional specifications as well as the design work. The primary scope for JMR is development. We encourage them to advise us sometimes and suggest better ideas for functionality, design, or technical aspects.

How did you come to work with JMR Technologies?

We were looking for a very specific set of technologies, which were Django REST framework and React. There are not a lot of agencies who are able to supply experienced developers in those technologies. We found a listing online of Django-specialized companies, and we contacted a lot of them.

How much have you invested with JMR Technologies?

It would be difficult to say the price as all projects are done in phases. There is no overall cost of one project. It’s never-ending because we’re always updating and developing. Any kind of project here ranges between $10,000 and a few hundred thousand.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project began in June or July of 2016, and we continue to work with JMR. The development on this project is finished, and we’re now in a maintenance stage. We’ll soon resume working with JMR on other projects.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

At the very beginning, we had a period of mutual adaptation, so there were some quality issues. That was also partly due to our side not specifying our requirements and expectations well enough. Now that everything is settled, we are really satisfied with JMR. We are giving them more and more projects. They are ultimately going to be our main supplier on the technical side of our business. We really appreciate their flexibility. They are able to work overtime or provide us with more developers on very short notice.

How did JMR Technologies perform from a project management standpoint?

Most of the project management is done on our side. We had budget overruns and delays, but that’s half on them and half on us. When we go off track, it’s always on both sides. It’s happened a few times, but we’ve never had a huge issue.

What did you find most impressive about JMR Technologies?

I’d say it’s their flexibility and proximity. JMR is able to really adapt to our needs. We can schedule with their CEO any time to discuss a project. We have open communication and flexibility.

Are there any areas JMR Technologies could improve?

They try to give us the best picture of a project. When there are issues, they prefer to deal with it by themselves, so we don’t see it. It’s not really hiding from us, but more that they are proud of solving the problem by themselves. Sometimes it would be better to share the issue with us so that we could also have our say in the solution. Even if their ideas are really great, they may not match up to our business needs and priorities.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your organization.

We offer music distribution services.

What is your position?

I am a cofounder.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What business challenge were you trying to address with JMR Technologies?

We aim to become an important player within the music distribution industry. The platform we're working on will be the engine of our company, giving us the instruments needed in our operations. This includes elements of interface and a complex back-end system.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their involvement in detail.

JMR have developed our solution using Python, .NET, JavaScript, HTML, and PhoneGap. They have been very strong developers and offer many technologies.

The work included our back-end data management system as well as graphic elements. Overall, they offer multifaceted services.

How did you come to work with JMR Technologies?

I found them through a Google search for "Warsaw programming company." JMR was on the second page.

Could you provide a sense of the size of this initiative in financial terms?

The total development cost has been between $30,000 and $40,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We are reaching the final delivery of the product. The last update to the system has been done last week, and we'll be ready to start using it within a few days. The process took a total of five months between September 2015 and January 2016.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any statistics or metrics from this engagement?

We are definitely happy with the results of their work.

How did JMR Technologies perform from a project management standpoint?

JMR is a great company, very flexible and close to the client. They're always available and keen to comply with our requests.

What distinguishes JMR Technologies from other providers?

They've designed our platform starting from zero. What most impressed us was their flexibility, availability, and general patience. I recommend JMR to other companies. They're a young developer with young people. They have a good mentality and a lot of positivity.

Is there anything JMR Technologies could have improved or done differently?

Based on their work, there isn't anything bad to say.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your organization.

We are a digital agency based in Poland. 

What is your position?

I am the senior project manager.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What business challenge were you trying to address with JMR Technologies?

We needed help with an online training platform, where clients tracked their progress, had different access levels, and so on.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their involvement in detail.

We mainly use them as .NET developers, for the back-end. They also help us with content editing.

How did you come to work with JMR Technologies?

They were recommended to us.

Could you provide a sense of the size of this initiative in financial terms?

We've spent around $15,000 on the project with them.

What is the status of this engagement?

We've been working together for three years [since 2012]. We're still working with them on various things.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any statistics or metrics from this engagement?

They are not perfect, but no one is. I am generally happy with them. They are willing to work on a project until it's complete and assume their mistakes. They're hardworking and fair.

How did JMR Technologies perform from a project management standpoint?

I don't think they overcharge. They're reliable and on time, most of the time. Communication with them is good.

What distinguishes JMR Technologies from other providers?

Compared to other agencies I've worked with, JMR Technologies will try to make you happy, and bring a job to the end without complaining much.

Is there anything JMR Technologies could have improved or done differently?

Their QA [quality assurance] could be improved. Sometimes, I lack the time or resources on my end for testing work. I wish that I wouldn't have to check the work they did, once they say it's done. This doesn't happen all the time, and no one's perfect.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your organization.

We are a digital solutions provider in Poland.

What is your position?

I am an engagement manager.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What business challenge were you trying to address with JMR Technologies?

I used to hire them from time to time, on a project-by-project basis. We had projects to deliver, and we need programming services. We did some of that work with them.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their involvement in detail.

It was primarily website development, and they did some minor design work for us. The regular collaboration we had with them was about website development.

How did you come to work with JMR Technologies?

I wasn't the one who found them. They were already working with my company when I started with them.

Could you provide a sense of the size of this initiative in financial terms?

I don't really know off the top of my head, because the projects are very different in scale and scope. They vary from very tiny things, which would be probably a few hundred dollars, up to around $20,000 or $30,000. It depends on the scope.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our relationship with them is still ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any statistics or metrics from this engagement?

In general, the cooperation that we have with them is very good. If it wasn't, we wouldn't be together anymore, and I've been working with them for four years myself. In general, I'm satisfied with the services they provide. They're very responsive, very active, and we have a very close relationship. I often get involved in a very early stage of the project. They are very technology-oriented, so I think they have many good programmers and a lot of good capabilities in terms of coding and programming.

How did JMR Technologies perform from a project management standpoint?

The budget is agreed upon in the beginning. We usually present the scope, and then they estimate the amount they want for it. Then it is non-negotiable, unless I change the scope, in which case we talk about the difference in price. Regarding timelines, in 90 percent of cases they meet the deadlines. During the last few years, there were very few cases when they didn't deliver in time.

When it comes to project management, I think they have very limited capabilities, but I have project management on my end. I know they work for many other clients and maybe there is more project management involved with different clients. With us, it's not really needed.

What distinguishes JMR Technologies from other providers?

What I like about JMR Technologies is that they're flexible to meet my needs, and everything is up for discussion. They're very client-oriented. We always look for a solution together to make the project work, and usually we come up with that solution. With some other vendors, things are very strict. It was a yes or no conversation. I think this is also the reason we have had this long relationship with them that's still ongoing, and I don't think that's going to change any time soon.

They're very open and they're very responsive. If I see there's a problem on one of the projects that is managed within my team, I can drop them an email, and they'll be in the meeting the next morning. I appreciate their fast reactions, and I can see that they care about me as a client.

Is there anything JMR Technologies could have improved or done differently?

Sometimes, I feel like they don't have enough quality assurance on their end. I have test engineers, but there were occasions I highlighted to them that, even though delivered on time, the amount of errors was too high. I understand that in every technical project, there's nothing that's going to be 100 percent perfect but, sometimes, there are just too many errors. I've had such incidents happen in the past, but I highlighted to them immediately so they can fix the problem, which they did.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your organization.

Currently, my company is a one-person enterprise, but when I get good funding from the European Union, I will employ other people.

What is your position and responsibilities?

I am the owner.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What business challenge were you trying to address with JMR Technologies?

Together with them, we produced quite an innovative game to teach young learners English, and it's probably one of a kind. At the moment, we're talking to a large enterprise tech corporation, and they might be interested in helping us develop something bigger.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their involvement in detail.

They had to produce an application for the game. It's been produced with EU money, and it's free for English teachers. The only requirement is to give your email address because we want to be in touch with the people who will be using it in the future.

How did you come to work with JMR Technologies?

Each project is different, and this time with JMR, I was obliged to have a tender because when you deal with public money, then you have to have a tender each time you employ another company. They won that tender, so I had no previous contact with JMR, they just bid the best price. At first, I was a little worried because I didn't know them, but they proved very reliable and they carried out the task that they were supposed to.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them about half a year ago. We published the tender and signed the contract in October last year, and then it took us about half a year to finish the product. Actually, they finished it earlier, but there was this trial period, and there were some minor corrections to be made. I have to say that they always did it promptly.

The worked has been completed. I suggested something else, but they were too busy, they were not interested. When we decide to make the other product that I have in mind, then I will obviously contact them and ask for a price. I would be willing to cooperate with them. It all depends on money.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any statistics or metrics from this engagement?

I was extremely pleased with their graphic designer, a young woman who created graphics for the project. At the price that eventually was negotiated through the tender, I feared I would get something horrible, but I'm very pleased. Many people compliment me on the graphics. I think graphics is the strongest component of the application. I'm sure there is a lot of good work inside, but because I'm not fluent in technology, I cannot appreciate it. It works.

How did JMR Technologies perform from a project management standpoint?

They delivered on time and within budget. It was fine. They knew that when it comes to finances, they wouldn't get a dime more because European Union projects are very strict. You cannot spend a single dime more. When it comes to deadlines, they were OK. Once or twice, there was a little delay, but probably there was a real reason.

I have to say they were very patient with me. Being a person who doesn't know anything about programming, they had to explain things to me. It was really a cooperation, although the ideas for the project were absolutely mine, they really helped. I was pleased with them. I was very lucky. I could have had a lot of problems, but I didn't have any.

What distinguishes JMR Technologies from other providers?

I think they learned a lesson. The description of the product in the tender document was not very precise. I think their mistake was that they thought it would entail far less work, so in the end they were a little disappointed. However, they were like real gentlemen. They kept their word and they delivered, so I appreciated that.

Is there anything JMR Technologies could have improved or done differently?

There are four mechanics, and one of them doesn't work or at least for me it's not satisfactory. In the final contract that we signed, JMR explained that it's because of the limits of the platform and its abilities. Kids are supposed to grab things that appear, and this is not very precise. This is the only criticism I have with that game. It's one of the four. I think this one should work better for my purposes. For children who work with it, it's a little frustrating that the program doesn't respond properly.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

We are the product team of a BtoB software service for mainly restaurant and hotel.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

We hired JMR service for mainly the backend development of our system.

SOLUTION

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

Our CEO was working with someone connected to this service for already several years

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

Product team delivery stories, specifications, requirements, mockups, ... to the dev team for the development of our system, services and products

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

Probably 3 people were hired from JMR in total

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The amount of stories delivered increase a lot from December to July thanks to Vlad (JMR dev), but decreased recently

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

We have dailies with the team. We used element and google meet for communication. The stories are handled in Pivotal. Agile method scrum

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

They were efficient, really fast, and worked on big projects quickly.

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

There is a lack of transparency, not much communication with JMR agency