MyTech Solutions

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Igloo Global is an agency business. We started out as a travel software development company, and we created applications specifically for tour operators and travel agents. It’s an end-to-end ERP [enterprise resource planning] app with booking engines for holidays, flights, and accommodations. We also started designing websites, and we’re now supporting SEO [search engine optimization] and publications through proofreading and similar services. I’m the CEO.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with MyTech?

We’d been developing in India, and went through a number of software development companies there. I had a few bad experiences before finally working with MyTech.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We spend quite a bit of time preparing before Mahesh and his team start the development process. I start off by designing a particular module, and then we discuss the plan and usability. MyTech is unlike other companies I’ve dealt with in India because they’re able to use detailed descriptions while applying their own knowledge.

MyTech designed and developed the tour module in our software. Since then, we’ve added other modules for support, including special offer modules. Currently, Mahesh is working on a Visa module.

The project was completed in .NET. Also, many of the websites are in PHP, so MyTech faced the challenge of designing and developing an app that enables us to link, communicate, and integrate with those websites that allow implantation of our internet online booking engines.

Another challenge MyTech faced was setting up communication links of the software with airline and hotel data providers. For example, we are able to link to hotel websites and use our booking medium to book within their database. We can also do this with airlines through fair distribution companies like Worldspan, Sabre, and Amadeus.

What is the team dynamic?

I only deal with Mahesh, which makes things easier. I speak with other developers, but when it comes to communication and passing down instructions, I do it through one single person. It’s a much more efficient and effective way of doing it, otherwise I’d be speaking to too many people, and information would be misunderstood. Mahesh manages his teams, so I try to retain that hierarchy.

How did you come to work with MyTech?

I spoke with numerous software development houses in India because I wanted to have plenty of options. A friend in the U.K. recommended MyTech, and after we looked at examples of their previous projects and started working with them, we haven’t looked back.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent U.S. $2,000 per month on average, which ends up being around U.S. $30,000 per year.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together before 2011.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

After we appointed Mahesh, we won significant orders in Egypt, Philippines, and a couple other places in the U.K. We gained some very valuable clientele, so the impact of MyTech’s work has been profound. The orders were substantial, and it meant we could work even closer with a smaller client base. We’re not running around trying to chase big businesses because we have work that’s continuously being developed, and our clients want more modules.

For example, the Visa module is now being developed for our client in the Philippines who we’ve worked with since 2011. She now has confidence in our software, and wants us to distribute it in the Philippines. She’s assigned the Visa module project to us, and has also asked us to develop a CRM module for her.

How did MyTech perform from a project management standpoint?

We use many tools for communication, and we’re constantly in touch during the day, and sometimes in the evenings as well. We use phone calls, email, Skype, Viber, JIRA, and AnyDesk. We have an intimate work relationship, and I’ve also visited them in India.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re extremely diligent, and very prompt in their delivery. It’s refreshing to know I can give them a job and they’ll provide their understanding along with a time estimate. They usually finish ahead of time, also.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They could improve from obtaining new PCs and equipment, as well as a better internet service provider and less electricity cuts. There’s always some kind of power supply issue where they’re located that causes a lot of down time..

When we started working with MyTech, the power cuts lessened, and it’s continued to become less of an issue throughout our engagement. They acquired backup batteries which allow them to come back online within 10 minutes, which was not only clever, but allows for more productivity.