KAI Software

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder of a startup mobile marketplace. We aggregate local in-store retail products and make them available for in-app purchase and same day delivery.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with KAI Software Inc?

As a non-technical founder, I needed to bootstrap the development of my mobile app (iOS and Android) and website. I wanted to find an external technical resource that could translate my vision into a tangible product and help me look attractive to potential investors.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

KAI Software Inc led all things technical on the project. I gave them use cases, as well as research that I'd produced about why this product would work. I also shared some examples of checkout screens, shopping carts, or browsing functionality that I liked. They developed the user flow, user experience, interaction, and design. There were questions that I didn't know to ask, but they filled in the blanks. We’d sit down together, and they’d walk me through the solution. They asked tons of questions so that they fully understood the project. They created an SRS document to outline what we needed in a very detailed manner.

What is the team composition?

I worked with Volodymyr (Co-founder, KAI Software Inc) and Anya (Managing Partner, KAI Software Inc), but I know that at least four developers were working on this project.  

How did you come to work with KAI Software Inc?

They were either recommended by or connected to one of the mentors in The Founder Institute. I’d actually started working with another developer, but he couldn't finish the project, and his files were useless. I subsequently met with KAI Software Inc., and we started working together after a series of conversations. They worked with me so that I didn't have to pay again to build what was supposedly already built.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $25,000–$50,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from 2017–2018. Cumulatively they spent 4–6 months working on the project altogether. The initial product was probably done in four months, but then I decided to add a few more things.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We haven't officially done a broad launch, but we've done alpha and beta testing. The feedback we’ve gotten from testers has been quite positive. They were all impressed and wanted to know when it will be ready for download. The initial agreement was just to develop an MVP. KAI Software Inc ended up developing a fully-functional product. We're still iterating and want to add new features, but it's way better than the MVP of most of my peers.

How did KAI Software Inc perform from a project management standpoint?

They're really organized and kept me apprised of everything that was happening. Even simple things are tracked, like keeping a record of all the passwords that we're using for different types of software and development tools. They made sure they understood the project, and that I understood what they needed and what they were going to do.

It was perfect to have just two main contacts because working with multiple people sometimes gets confusing. Pretty much 90% of all communication was with Anya. The coordination was easy, whether it was over the phone, email, or text message. She was always available. We could start a conversation by phone and continue it later over text or email, and everything still flowed.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They're really easy to work with. I didn't have to worry that nothing was happening or that they weren’t doing work. If they didn’t call me, I still got notifications on the development stack. Even though I only dealt with two people, there was a support team that could scale up to as many people as needed. I had confidence that they could get the job done, and that they knew what they were talking about.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Not really. Any development process has a bit of back and forth and takes longer than estimated. It's not a knock on them. I had a lot of feedback on things I didn't tell them initially to incorporate.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be very transparent about what you want to be developed. Give it some really deep thought and then sit down and discuss it with them. They will give you what you want as long as you talk through the entire user experience and functionality requirements.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am a speaker and consultant promoting safety and preventing violence in the workplace, in the home, and at schools.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with KAI Software?

I connected with KAI Software for the development of my app called the Osso Safe App.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

I mapped out what I wanted for my app. The app is used to promote my seminars and services.

What is the team composition?

I worked with 4–5 people.

How did you come to work with KAI Software?

I felt uncomfortable with other vendors, but I appreciated that KAI Software gave the customer full control of what they develop. They were very accommodating, so I selected them for my project.

How much have you invested with them?

I’ve spent about $30,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

The engagement began in May 2018 and remains ongoing. We have been developing in stages.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I can see the progress in my business, and hopefully, we can continue to build on that.

How did KAI Software perform from a project management standpoint?

We have communicated well in person and over the phone. They’ve been very accessible to discuss any issues. They have kept me thoroughly updated every step of the way.

What did you find most impressive about them?

In broad terms, I appreciate how they work together and what kind of work they produce.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I cannot discern anything that needs improvement, but I would like to hopefully meet their co-founder in person soon.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Everybody’s needs will be different, so what worked for me may not be best for other clients. I would recommend setting expectations for the engagement early on and regularly assess them.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the found of a startup that focuses on short-term housing rentals, like Airbnb. We provide hosts with an electronic lockbox, mobile app, and software that allows the host to simply and easily issue a one-time use code—to guests—for unlocking that box. The application also runs the guest side for scheduling the rental.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with KAI Software Inc?

I had previously worked on building an application for this lockbox for another segment in another market. I needed to build a brand new mobile and software application for this rental property market. It was just at the idea and concept stage when I asked KAI to help me bring it all the way through to an MVP.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Their work was fairly large in scope as they were working from idea to MVP. Initially, I mapped out and sent them wireframes for the mobile application and landing page. They then developed an iOS mobile application, software application, and forward facing landing page. The mobile application was two parts, one for the guest side and one for the host side, the latter of which included building out a database that allowed hosts to register, create a profile and list their property(s). They had hardware that had an API which would link to the accounts and issue the proper codes for registration and retrieval. KAI also developed in-app messaging. They mocked up and built out the entire framework on the website, integrated the software into it, and built out the forward facing landing page.

What is the team composition?

I worked mainly with Anya (Managing Partner, KAI Partner Inc.) and Volodymyr (CEO and Co-founder, KAI Partner Inc.), and there was definitely a team in the background doing some work.

How did you come to work with KAI Software Inc?

I found them online and began speaking with them. They’re based in New York and I’m in New York quite frequently. I asked for some recommendations from other clients who they had worked with in the past and hopped on a call with someone who had built out something of similar scope. The positive reviews about this complex, platform-based project led me to work with KAI.

How much have you invested with them?

I have invested around $35,000 to $40,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The engagement began in March of 2017 and the MVP was delivered by March of 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I’m still working through building out the sales and marketing aspects of this product; however, I’m able to demo the product. From a functional standpoint, they certainly met the scope of the work; from an aesthetic standpoint, I think the app, software, and landing page all look very clean and professional.

How did KAI Software Inc perform from a project management standpoint?

We mostly communicate via email and phone and I believe they used Jira internally. They were all very responsive; Anya, in particular, was always available and attentive to all of my needs.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They seem like a pretty nimble and responsive team. They clearly understood how to build out this type of platform and were adept at listening and understanding what my needs were and providing effective solutions. I am not the most technical person myself and came at it from a business and marketing standpoint. They were able to take what I was describing and technically apply it and implement the solution.

Are there any areas they could improve?

For what it was worth and what was put together, I was pretty impressed. I definitely slowed down the process myself having worked mostly on nights and weekends. In general, it was an all around great experience with a great team.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Bring as much to the table, up front, as you can in regards to scoping out the idea, defining key deliverable goals and functions, and discussing details. What really helped us get through things quickly was that I had the wireframes, scope, and details ready; I knew what I wanted and they were able to help refine that.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the CIO of the company that created Ma Caisse En Ligne, a web app designed to allow small shop owners to handle cash registry and accounting in a simple and economical way.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire KAI Software?

We hired KAI Software for last-minute emergency development.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goal was to quickly resolve the bugs found in our app.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

A commercial contact referred KAI Software. We were looking for a vendor that could start working immediately and would understand our methods.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

KAI Software developed a few functionalities we hadn't thought about at the beginning of the project. They developed and deployed features based on our user stories.

What was the team composition?

We worked with one full-stack developer.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

KAI Software’s developer started working the day after our interview and delivered everything on time.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

KAI Software’s developer worked efficiently and was even available after the contract ended for support.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I was impressed with their quick response and good communication.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, nothing from my side.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the director of operations for a mortgage platform.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire KAI Software Inc?

KAI has worked with us to develop and continually improve our mobile technology.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goal was to have a sleek, secure, and user-friendly solution. We also needed to collect information through our mobile app to help consumers find the best offers without any hassle.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

After numerous discussions with their principal, we were happy to select KAI.

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

KAI designed the frontend and backend of our systems, including the mobile and web-based applications as well many APIs.

What was the team composition?

I work directly with KAI’s CEO and managing partner, while our company’s CEO and VP are also involved.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our core business revolves around the technology that KAI has developed.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Our software requirements specification (SRS) document has been very effective in setting expectations.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

KAI’s strengths include open communication and flexibility, which help make our vision a reality.

Are there any areas where they can improve?

We’d like to have more brainstorming sessions with them. They could also explain the newest technologies available in more detail.