Kivy Software

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the COO of Lab4Motion Solutions. We provide services based on image and video recognition systems. We have two different systems that gather data either from pictures or video. We recognize objects and people depending on the source of the data. We process it and give metrics to our clients.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Kivy Software?

We’re developing the second generation of our cloud system. We gathered functionalities to optimize the source code and we’ve written the new algorithm for recognition or for inputting the data based on newer networks and machine learning. We had to change the backend of our system and needed someone to help us. We also needed help changing the UX/UI, preparing mock-ups, and cutting and transferring to CSS and HTML.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Our cloud system collects pieces from different sources. We’ve developed a RESTful API and we integrate with our partners. We send the pictures from our standalone app. Kivy Software developed new endpoints for the system inside the infrastructure. There are internal controls for scaling and monitoring the process of the full task.

Our software uses images to collect data. We recognize objects and products from the pictures. We calculate KPIs based on that product location, categorization, etc. Kivy Software worked on redoing the UX design of our reporting web service. For the frontend, they used CSS, HTML, and React. For the backend, they used Python and the framework is Django.

It’s not live yet because we have to fill our database with product, locations, master files, etc. We moved the reporting framework from production three weeks ago. Now we’re in the process of transferring and building databases.

I plan to continue working with them. We’re in the process of scheduling the specific tasks and are allocating the resources from them.

What is the team composition?

Our main contact person is the project manager. The team is comprised of 12 people. They allocated two backend and two frontend people along with the project manager.

How did you come to work with Kivy Software?

I was introduced to them during one of the meetings. I saw that they had a lot of experience and deep knowledge in Python. I researched their previous projects and I called some of their clients. I decided to enter into an agreement with them.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent $70,000. We will double that by the end of the year.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from May–July 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our reporting framework was presented to our current customers and to one potential customer. They all were surprised and said the reporting is clear and easy to understand. They even asked us if it was a framework off the shelf. We told them we built it from scratch.

Their knowledge about graphics, client expectations, and UX is high. The work that they completed is surprising to our customers. They’ve done a great job. The coding is excellent.

How did Kivy Software perform from a project management standpoint?

They stick to the deadlines we assign. We didn’t have any delays. We had some changes in priorities in the sequence of tasks, but they were flexible. Their communication skills and the project management were great. I was highly satisfied with how we processed the first stage of development.

We used a joint solution to plan the specific tasks because our functionalities are broken down into detailed tasks. We have a plan and list of tasks that are available for everybody from Lab4Motion and the Kivy Software team. We can see the progress and priority of the tasks. We tried to do meetings twice a week. If we had a problem gathering in one place, we did video conferences using Google Hangouts or Skype for Business. We also used Slack and Messenger.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They have deep knowledge of Django framework and Python. They weren’t afraid to present deep changes to the scope of work that we presented in the first meeting. They found many optimizations and a number of database queries, processing time, etc. They helped us significantly in making our service much faster and less resource-consuming. The person responsible for UI is a good specialist.

Are there any areas they could improve?

If they want to grow and take bigger projects, they have to involve at least one or two more project managers. They have too many projects at the same time.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I’ve already introduced them to three new companies, and, as far as I know, they’ve signed a new contract with one of them. They’re a professional software house from the beginning to the end. They aren’t afraid to present out of the box ideas. If they’re briefed properly, they stick to the deadlines that are set.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of IDŹCZAK-MEBLE, a furniture manufacturer. We sell our products internationally. I am responsible for our sales and exports.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address?

Our online sales were increasing, and we were quickly dealing with thousands of clients with unique addresses. In the beginning, we used Excel and Google Maps, but we weren't able to keep up with the demand. We needed Kivy Software to build an app for us to efficiently process online orders.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We previously used Allegro, a polish auction portal, to process orders. This took a lot of time and manual labor. Kivy Software developed our order processing app and transferred our assortment, prices, and colors from Allegro. They created an automatic processing system that tracks orders, logistics, and delivery. They also developed additional features including a comments section, instant messaging, and a column to schedule dates. They're now working on additional features and improvements.

How did you come to work with them?

We knew one of their employees, and their prices were competitive. They're based close to our location and can visit us in person.

 What is the status of this engagement?

We started in June 2018, and the work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Their app reduces the time of accepting orders, making routes, and delivering our items. Our employees who use the app provide positive feedback on its usability and time-saving features. We can now easily keep up with our customers' demands. The app is easy to use, and our users of all ages say it has intuitive controls.

How did they perform from a project management standpoint?

They're the first company we have ever worked with for custom software and provide an excellent experience. They're flexible, easy to contact, and easy to work with. They deliver everything on time and as requested.