NetgainsAmerica (Out of Business)

BACKGROUND

Please describe your firm.

We are a small, IT startup based in Tokyo, Japan. We are growing but only have a few employees. We are still in the early stages, we develop software on our own or find outsourced partners to develop for our clients.

What is your role and responsibilities?

I am the CEO and president, so I oversee all business issues.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What was your goal for the work with NetgainsAmerica?

I needed to begin working with outsourced firms for IT projects. I thought that using outsourced developers would cut costs and help my business grow. I thought this would be a good chance to connect with overseas developers and potential clients.

SOLUTION

Can you describe the scope of the work in more detail?

They helped with design and development. The main project involved development for an iOS app. 

Why did you select iOS as the development platform?

We looked at the Android platform also. We want to be current with IT trends, but we decided the strongest user demand was for iOS.

What was your process for selecting NetgainsAmerica to work with?

I needed to find a partner that provided good prices and quality development. I also needed somebody that could develop the entire project, so I wouldn't have to do any in-house.

When will the project be completed?

At the end of March of 2014.

Can you provide a sense of the size of the initiative with a general cost range?

That is confidential. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the results of the project? Do you have any statistics or metrics to share?

They helped me achieve a cost reduction and improve my technological capabilities. 

How did NetgainsAmerica perform?

They are responsive and flexible. The project isn't quite finished, but I think it will be wrapped up successfully.

What else is unique or special about NetgainsAmerica compared to other IT firms?

Their communication with me is unique. They are always on Skype and very responsive. They send communications directly to our CTO so that we can keep the project on track. This saves time and improves the quality of the project.

Is there anything that you think they could improve upon, or something that you would do differently?

The language barrier can be an issue. They don't speak Japanese, so we have to translate all documents and requirements into English. This has cost us some time and made the project slower. Obviously, it's not realistic to have them learn a new language, so we don't really have a solution.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your role and responsibilities.

I am the owner of TryItOn Apps. We are an app development company that has developed an app for the jewelry industry.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What was your goal for working with NetgainsAmerica?

We were looking for assistance in development to take our project from ground zero to final completion. We had a basic idea of what we wanted to do. They offered some technical assistance in the coding, and some of the development area to complete the project.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their work.

Netgains did coding and development, as well as a little bit of training. We have some staff here who are pretty well versed in the technical support that we would be supplying to our customers. Their sourcing primarily had to do with timing, and how long it would take to do the project. Cost was another factor as was their responsiveness to us. They were very responsive to us in developing and finishing the app. They helped us with website development, including an API [application programming interface] code that would go to some of our wholesalers. This would allow wholesalers to receive their data and import it into our website.

What was your process for selecting NetgainsAmerica and his company to work with?

We found Netgains through Internet research, and we had a personal reference.

Can you provide a ballpark dollar figure for the size of the work that they’ve done for you?

The website project was about $15,000 to $20,000. I believe it was about 500 to 700 hours. The app development is still ongoing, and that has probably reached about $25,000 and 1,000 man hours at this point. The app is for Apple and Android.

When was the project completed?

The work is still ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Do you have any statistics or metrics to track improvement from the project?

Our website visits have increased about 25 percent, but we're growing. I can't associate that with them, but the website looks a lot better. What I can associate with them is the length of time our average customer is spending on the site. That was averaging around two minutes, and now it's three minutes.

The website is currently just informational, but we are bringing the ecommerce piece to it. We are working with Netgains on that project.

How did NetgainsAmerica perform overall?

Netgains has done a very good job in keeping timelines, and they have handled some of our changes very well. In any development project, the timeline never works out the way you think it will. They obviously adapted to that. They are versed in this process and understand it. They stayed on top of the project and were very focused to what we need to do. You can always make something better. They have kept us on track to get the product out there, and then came back to make upgrades and revisions to it.

Is there anything unique about them that really makes them stand out, compared to other companies?

Their responsiveness is well above average. When we have an issue, they respond to it. They don’t always have they answer right away, but they stay on it until they get the right answer or another way to do it.

Looking back on the work so far, is there any area that you think they could improve upon or something that you might do differently?

I don’t know if they could have done anything differently. It happens that if you have a concept in your mind, and to get it how you want to see it digitally, it's hard to draw out of your head. It doesn’t end up 100 percent the way you saw it. Some things are better, and some things are worse. The main thing is, they keep people on track. The progress keeps going, because you can get lost trying to develop things. It's good to have a partner that helps you on the development side that also keeps you focused to move forward.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company.

We are a branding and graphic design firm. We also provide strategic Web design.

What is your role and responsibilities?

I am the owner and creative director.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What was your goal for working with NetgainsAmerica?

Netgains helped me with the technology side of developing websites. They also have a wonderful design team that I can refer to if we don’t do the designs.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their work.

I’ve worked with Netgains on multiple projects on trying to figure out the best form of technology and the best way to develop websites for my clients. They have done some design where I’ve done the creative section, and their team has done the full design as well. It depends on my workload whether I use them for design and development, or just the development side.

There is some strategic consulting, such as when the client approaches me and requests a specific feature that I don’t know how to implement, I go to Netgains so we can brainstorm the tech side of that question. They can help me with the strategy and the overall site map as well if I can't supply that with them. I give them different levels of support. Sometimes, I just need quick changes to a site that is already up, and they supply ongoing maintenance. Sometimes, I need help from the ground up.

What was your process for selecting NetgainsAmerica to work with?

A friend of mine introduced me to one of the owners. I had gotten to know him and began using the company through that introduction.

Can you provide a ballpark figure for the size of the work that they’ve done for you?

It ranges from small edits, which might be a five- to 10-hour project, or even an hour and a half quick change; that is on the low end. On the other end, the larger projects are probably around 200 to 300 hours.

When was the last project completed?

I have three ongoing clients that they're helping on ongoing website work. The last project that was completed was a large edit for a Drupal site that was already constructed.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Do you have any statistics or metrics to track improvement from the project?

The results are as I expected, and they gave me exactly what I’ve needed, in terms of advice as well as deliverables. They are definitely my go-to team for the more technical and difficult sites. I don’t have any specific metrics. They definitely add about 30 percent more to my business on an annual basis. The feedback from the end clients has been positive. I’m the person who manages these projects, so they function as my team.

Could you assess their overall performance?

They are very reliable and very timely. They get things done when they say they’re going to get done, which is nice. They are usually very willing to explain to someone with less technical knowhow. They are very patient with me and help figure out quite a few different problems. My experience has been very positive with respect to how they work and some of the handholding they’ve been able to give me as well as to my clients through me.

Is there anything unique about them that makes them stand out, compared to other companies?

I feel like they are my team and that they care about how my clients perceive our work as opposed to taking it on as just another project. Whether I work with the owner or one of the project managers, I feel like they are invested in having a great outcome. That feels really good.

Looking back on the work so far, is there any area that you think they could improve upon or that you might do differently?

I’ve been working with them for a few years now, and I know a lot more than I did a few years ago. Maybe them knowing how experienced their customer is, and how much handholding their customer needs would help. I tend to ask a lot of questions when I don’t know, and I know that some of my clients don’t. I’m very good at taking the temperature of the room and seeing how to speak to people. Initially, I let them know that I’m an idiot when it came to their expertise and to educate me please. They did that, and once they did that, it was great. My suggestion is for them to be more aware that there are people out there who don’t know as much as they do initially, but they are great afterward. It's a super minor issue. It doesn’t affect the quality of the projects at all.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your firm.

I’m an Internet marketing company in Colorado Springs, Colorado. We do SEO and website design.

What is your role and responsibilities?

I’m the CEO and work on overseeing the company as well as operations and development. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What was your goal for the work with NetgainsAmerica?

They’ve helped with website development. They’ve done app development. They’ve done database management integration, so quite a few things. Initially, I hired them to help me with an app, but their development work was so good on websites and everything else that I kept working with them.

Is it more of an ongoing partnership?

It is. Yes.

SOLUTION

Which criteria did you use to select NetgainsAmerica?

Probably where they excel is the speed in which they turn projects around. They think outside the box on their own without you having to tell them. You’re at A, and they’re going to Z. They generally figure it out pretty quick versus you having to tell them every single step along the way. They’re very quick. I can get a project turned over to them in the evening. Of course, that’s morning their time. Then, the next morning, the project’s almost always done as it was last night.

What was your process for selecting NetgainsAmerica?

I think that I went on Elance. They had good reviews. They had good experience. They weren’t very pushy. They’re in India and very professional. There are a lot of pros and cons when working with Indian firms, but they’re really good.

I also dealt with their U.S. team in New York, which was really good. They were my point of contact on some things. However, their development team is in India.

Can you provide a sense of the size of the initiative with a work-hour figure?

I’d say 160 to 200 hours a month is typical for their work on my projects.

When was the last project completed?

Last night, actually [March of 2014].

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the results of the projects? Do you have any statistics or metrics to share?

I don’t have statistics or metrics, but their work is good. They really know what they’re doing. They’re quick. They’re dependable. A lot of time when you work with companies, no matter where they are, they’ll be very aggressive and assertive during the early start of the development project. When you get down to the final pieces or the project is finished, there are many bugs found three or four months later. There is not much money in developers fixing these bugs after the project. They have already been paid and usually want to move on to new work and forget about past projects.

Those type of developers will often go away and not be responsive to even fixing their own bugs. This company stays with you. That’s what sets Netgains apart. It’s a good group of guys.

Is anything else unique or special about them that stands out for you?

Their leader, Sunny [Malik, NetgainsAmerica’s CTO], is responsible. He flew out and taught us on site, and he’s always willing to do it again if he thinks it’s required. He’s a good communicator and has good technology like Skype to do video calls. It works out. I know that there are a lot of good firms in India. This is the one that stands out to me. It’s one that really just follows through on what they say they’re going to do. They’re impressive.

Looking back on the work so far, is there any area that you think they could improve upon or something you might do differently?

There’s a little bit of a gap in time. Sometimes, when I’m getting to work, they’re leaving. Sometimes, when they’re getting the work, I’m leaving the office. Their hours are about 12 1/2 behind us. Right now, it’s 1:30 a.m. their time when it’s 1 p.m. our time. I can’t call them right now and solve problems. They’re mostly going to be in bed. That’s the only thing. You learn to work around it. I’ve learned to get all my projects done in the evening when they’re getting into the office, and they can do a full day on it. When I wake up in the morning, my work is done. You just got to learn to work with it.

Did the time zone issue affect the execution of the projects?

No. I think they still get them done. It just requires that you be pretty detailed because if there are questions throughout the day, it’s going to be the next shift before you can even answer. They’re excellent. It’s really on you: The developer or the project manager. It forces you to be organized and get your list together and speak in detail, so they don’t have to come back and ask questions. It’s really just forcing me to be organized. There’s nothing else to comment on about that.