Octal IT Solution

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm a product manager for data security software at IBM.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Octal IT Solution?

We hired Octal IT Solution to create a web application that would gamify sales training for our IBM Security product. The gamification software is essentially an educational game with videos, quizzes, scoreboards, and more.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goal was to quickly and easily teach sellers about our security product and how to sell it in a fun way.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I used Clutch to vet vendors. Octal IT Solution was one of the vendors I followed up with, and their proposal won the contract.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

They built my web application to have a frontend user experience that includes a video portal, a quiz portal, a topic-information portal, leaderboards, and maps. They also added a backend content management portal for administrative use.

What was the team composition?

The team consisted of a project manager, a designer, and developers.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We're still in the beta testing phase, so we don't have much end user feedback. Although, at this point, our sales leadership loves the application, and so do I.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Octal IT Solution has been very responsive from the start. The project manager and I have weekly scheduled meetings as well as regular communication via email.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Octal IT Solution's ability to take this project and run with it has been very impressive. They've been creative and effective in both project management and app development.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, none that I can think of. The whole project has been very impressive.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the owner and CEO of Playing11 and am in charge of marketing, research, and development.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Octal IT Solution?

We wanted to build a fantasy cricket app with better features and appeal than the existing apps in the market. Our idea was innovative, so we hired a company known for innovation.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goal with Playing11 was clear. We wanted a feature-rich app that’s appealing and attracts the masses. We wanted to reach out to millions of users and all we needed was an app that looked better than other apps.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

In the current industry, Octal IT Solution is leading the fantasy mobile app development arena. I found them through a Google search, and after reading their blog posts, I was quite sure about the quality of this company. And after a brief discussion with their business development manager, I had no hesitation in hiring them.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

My application is a fantasy cricket betting app where users can select their virtual teams, join contests, and win points according to the performance of their selected players. Users can win real money if they do well in the leaderboards.

What was the team composition?

I worked with a project manager who looked after the required resources.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The app already looks great, and I’m sure it will be a success in the industry. It’s currently in a testing phase and will go live very soon.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Their project manager looked after everything required from my end and monitored his team. He was great with communication, delivered everything on time, and remained available when I needed him. The overall workflow was smooth and timely.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

First of all, I was looking for a development partner that has sound knowledge and experience with fantasy apps. Since Octal IT Solution had developed several similar apps, they were my first choice. Second, they completely justify their tag line which is "technology outsourcing simplified". Instead of using technical jargon or complicating situations, they just simplify what they do. This is what I loved about them.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Apart from some small issues, which were inevitable for a project of this size, I found everything to be perfect.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am a co-founder of Mozzaa, a startup offering a mobile application for booking salon appointments.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Octal IT Solution?

We hired Octal IT Solution to design and develop our mobile application. 

What were your goals for this project?

We hoped to provide a digital solution that would allow salon clients to book services and give reviews. 

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We selected Octal IT Solution from a list of three app developers that we found online. We judged our finalists based on their experience working with startups, their cost estimates, and their user interface designs. 

Describe the project in detail.

We began the engagement with a presentation that outlined our goals for the application and our target audience. Octal IT Solution drafted a proposal of the design and development workflow for our review. Once we approved their processes, we met with a project manager, and the work began. They built our application to allow users to book appointments at salons and leave reviews. 

What was the team composition?

Dinesh (Senior Project Manager, Octal IT Solution) was our main point of contact. He supervised two developers and a part-time subject matter expert. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

We have launched our application, but we are still very much in a growing stage. 

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We communicated with Dinesh a few times per week through Skype, Whatsapp, and emails. All of our feedback was implemented in a timely manner. Octal IT Solution was always quick to clarify all notes if we were not clear. 

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They created an excellent design and exhibited strong technical expertise throughout the engagement. 

Are there any areas for improvement?

We could have benefitted more if they had an in-house translation service that allowed for communication in languages other than English. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the CTO for a company that offers predictive analytics as applied to traffic network congestion and demand forecasting.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Octal IT Solution?

We needed help developing an MVP that demonstrates the power of our connected system.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to connect basic system components end-to-end in order to demonstrate functionality and benefits.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We had a strict window of 10 weeks and a small budget to implement this project. We considered three companies based on AWS recommendations. From the onset, Octal IT Solution communicated professional competence as well as a willingness to accommodate our specifications and budget within our time frame.

Describe the project in detail.

We initially communicated for about a week with a senior manager. We discussed specific project details such as sample data, connectivity, platforms, functions, and screen designs. Octal IT Solution provided feedback and then we agreed on the price, delivery stages, and how to handle changes. Their project team then took over and executed the project. Their work was on the frontend of the solution. They coordinated their efforts with the backend developed by our company.

What was the team composition?

We were assigned a project manager who was in charge of the development team. We communicated mostly through that project manager, but we also spoke directly with the senior manager as needed.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Everything worked smoothly, and they delivered within reason of the agreed schedule. Their work was great given the limited time frame and budget for this project.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We had online meetings with the project manager and exchanged several emails to eliminate development blocks and coordinate workflow. They were always available and responded quickly to all our questions and concerns.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Octal IT Solution was eager to achieve the project goals within the original budget. They offered helpful suggestions and wanted us to be satisfied with their job performance.

Are there any areas for improvement?

The language barrier was a challenge at times, especially during the early stages. They always encouraged us to get to the bottom of the issue. We figure out that written text and visual images allowed us to convey the message in a more precise fashion.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the managing director of a fantasy gaming app developer and operations company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Octal IT Solution?

We needed app development for a fantasy game.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted a niche product in this field that would help us to pool clients interested in sports and mental skills.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We were searching for a company that could understand and bring technical expertise to our app. After discussions with several firms, we chose Octal because of their expertise and positive reviews.

Describe the project in detail.

They described our streamlined process in a well-organized way. We started with a few meetings and calls to discuss my business idea and the execution of the mobile app. Once the first descriptions were done, they sent outlines of the FSL app, its advanced features list, its banner, logo, and live chatbot. We approved all of those and they then began programming. We approved each milestone they reached.

What was the team composition?

We were in regular contact with the project manager and business development manager. They also had a design and development team for my project, which consisted of 5–7 people.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

They’ve delivered a demo version of my app and based on that, I’m confident they’ll deliver a finished app that my audience will love.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Based on their workflow, I think they could deliver an app that would perform at a consistent level within a few weeks of launch. They connected during work hours and they were prepared to schedule meetings on any day. They’re very patient, and they talked with me over Skype and on the phone when possible.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their in-depth technical expertise has made a difference in development, and they’ve been flexible with last-minute requests on our end.

Are there any areas for improvement?

We didn’t get the app launched on time, but that was expected as the project has lots of complexities.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the co-founder of a yoga platform. We enable yoga instructors to publish profiles and publish and manage classes (including payment and cancellation features). Yoga students then search and find those teachers and book sessions with them.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Octal IT Solution?

We hired Octal to build websites and mobile apps related to the project above.

What were your goals for this project?

We needed to build a web platform for teachers, an admin website, and iOS and Android mobile apps.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We compared several similar companies and then selected Octal.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

Octal consulted with us in great detail on the requirements for the websites and apps and then built them according to specifications.

What was the team composition?

We worked with a project manager and his team of programmers.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The products Octal built have become the foundation of our business.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

The project manager was professional, thorough, accessible, and accommodating.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their flexibility and willingness to accommodate our specific needs stood out to us.

Are there any areas for improvement?

They could improve their copywriting regarding punctuation and grammar.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the director of a startup that provides ad-hoc cleaning services to customers.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Octal IT Solution?

We engaged Octal IT Solution to build us iOS and Android applications before we launched our service.

What were your goals for this project?

The apps needed to instantly connect cleaning service providers to jobs listed by customers.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We found them through Google search.

Describe the project in detail.

We first communicated our requirements and general vision for the app to Octal IT Solution. They then further specified the plans, designed the technical aspects, and then built each app.

What was the team composition?

We initially coordinated with Ajit (Senior Business Development Manager, Octal IT Solution) to negotiate the scope. Dinesh (Senior Project Manager, Octal IT Solution) then took over as project manager and was our primary point of contact.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

While the apps have yet to launch, we’re highly satisfied with Octal IT Solution’s final products.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Dinesh kept in frequent contact with us. He clarified all requirements and any points of confusion before their team started each stage of development. We communicated via Skype calls and instant messaging apps.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They completed the entire project on time without needing a single in-person meeting.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Octal IT Solution lacked a Singapore-based liaison during the initial stages of the project where the most important communication takes place. However, they have one now and that proved to be a minor inconvenience. They successfully delivered on our vision and scope.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the founder of an alternative housing inventory platform. We focus on solutions for landlocked areas that include treehouses, container homes, and other types of housing.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Octal IT Solution?

I needed to find a developer to help build the mobile app for my business.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Initially, I met with a sales representative at Octal who went over services, discussed our vision, and created a formal scope of work document. From there, we went into development, iterating and brainstorming on features as needed over the course of 10 months. They developed a web and mobile app for both iOS and Android, using JavaScript. They also helped with core business-to-business elements of the app.

What is the team composition?

I had one main point of contact managing the project after initial conversations with a sales rep.

How did you come to work with Octal IT Solution?

I found them through an online search after looking for and speaking to other vendors for about six months. In addition to the quality of their previous work, we found them to be affordably priced.

How much have you invested with them?

We've invested around $20,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started talking in December 2017 and although the app was completed around June 2018, we're still waiting to launch it for an upcoming event.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Octal delivered a highly functional, user-friendly app that's exceeded expectations. We've received a lot of positive feedback thus far, including from some big players in the US market.

How did Octal IT Solution perform from a project management standpoint?

Octal's team never delivered late on any milestones. They've also managed to stay on budget and quote us for a very fair price. Despite their far-away location, they've made themselves accessible, are respectful of our time zone differences, and are easy to communicate with over Skype. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Octal's team is very approachable and willing to explain everything in great detail despite my lack of technical expertise.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the creator of Bliss Daily 3 App.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Octal IT Solution?

I engaged Octal IT Solution to develop a product based on my vision for a mobile app.

What were your goals for this project?

I wanted to create a mobile app for both the iOS and Android platforms. The first iteration will be a free version initially. I conducted the first launch to test the viability of my app idea without spending too much money.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I conducted extensive research to find a vendor. During the whole process from start to finish, Octal IT Solution readily answered my questions. I liked how thorough their initial scope document was, in particular.

Describe the project in detail.

My project morphed into a few different directions based on some new ideas we considered, but it always came back to the same starting point. My basic concept was a free app that allows anyone to upload three photos each day and create an online gratitude journal to use and share on social media.

I quickly realized that I didn't have the necessary resources to achieve my lofty goals right away, so we reduced the scope to achieve a satisfying and practical outcome.

What was the team composition?

The entire team from Octal IT Solution was amazing. I worked with Aakash (Sr. Business Development Manager) and Dinesh. These two teammates were my points of contact throughout the engagement.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

I'm very happy to say that as of today, there have been zero crashes on the app Octal IT Solution delivered. I wish I'd more resources to invest in their work initially, but feel confident that time will prove to be on my side.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We had a great dynamic working together.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Octal IT Solution did a fantastic job developing my project. I especially appreciated their thorough follow-through and the depth of their knowledge base.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I wish there were more room to negotiate price and payments. All in all, though, I am happy with the results.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder and owner of an online grocery store.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Octal IT Solution?

We needed an app and website to sell our groceries. We compete with another service here in the Netherlands and needed an app just like theirs but better, with more features.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Octal developed a hybrid mobile app for iOS and Android. It manages live updates via an admin panel. There’s a grocery store panel through which we can add and delete products and see our stock in real-time.

Before we started the project, we took about three weeks to talk about the idea in order for them to understand it. We explained our needs and showed them examples of what we wanted. They compiled it all into a 60-page PDF file of detailed information and features. It was a tool for us to understand what they were going to do and what we could expect from them. They kept that PDF booklet updated throughout the course of the project with everything that was done.

The app is complete and we expect to go live in three weeks. They also developed our website. The Dutch version is live but we haven’t translated it into English yet. They transferred it to our domain and server.

What is the team composition?

We had a project leader and three other team members we worked with.

How did you come to work with Octal IT Solution?

I found them online and looked up reviews of them. I talked to a few other companies but didn’t feel that they took the time to really think about what we needed. We had a prior experience with another IT company in India that didn’t go well so I was skeptical. Octal took the time to think things through with us before we started the project.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent about $19,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from November 2017 to May 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We have a working app with all of our desired features that’s ready to go live. The quality is actually above what we expected and they fixed any bugs. They did everything we asked of them and more. Because they took the time to understand what we wanted, they delivered a great product. We’re very happy.

How did Octal IT Solution perform from a project management standpoint?

We communicated via a group chat on WhatsApp. It was very easy to communicate with them. They were always available every time we had a question. They have a good method for understanding and addressing all of our needs.

What did you find most impressive about them?

At the end of the day, everything they did, they kept me updated. Companies that I worked with before didn't update me more than maybe once a week. Octal updated me every day. Even if they were communicating amongst themselves, they did it in the WhatsApp chat group so that we could see what they were talking about. It made everything clear for us.