One Beyond

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the president of a company that helps organizations sell their services and hardware globally. Most of our clients are in the PC and mobile phone markets, and we collaborate with them through our various partner channels. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with DCSL Software?

Our clients wanted a new option for customer transactions. We had a traditional purchasing structure, but wanted something that could reinvent subscription and leasing. We needed an organization to take our ideas and build a platform that could drive clients’ sales.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We had a rough idea of our end goal, but regulatory requirements and data interface made for a complicated process. We changed the branding for the system, and DCSL Software shared new ideas to develop the platform further. They made suggestions to improve the experience, and turned our vision into software, which we host on Rackspace.

They built a comprehensive leasing platform, built for OEMs [original equipment manufacturers]. It operates as middle-ware to integrate banks and resellers into manufacturing channels. It allows users to create baskets of products, with finance applications that can be sent to banks for approval. Users can also send shipment invoices through retail solutions in the backend system.

What is the team dynamic?

In the early stages, we met with developers every couple of weeks. As we moved further into the project, we had one lead contact. We mostly emailed them, but occasionally spoke on the phone to discuss any changes.

How did you come to work with DCSL Software?

They were a recommendation from a past collaborator.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent about $300,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started in April 2017, and plan to use them as we roll out solutions to our clients and make changes.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’re just rolling out the first iteration, but the response has been really positive so far. It’s an innovative platform, and it fills a major gap in the marketplace.

How did DCSL Software perform from a project management standpoint?

Their project management was very good; they have a very responsive team. They work well, and accommodated changes to development all through the process. They were flexible, and created anything we wanted in the platform.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re a friendly and collaborative one-stop shop. We gave them our ideas, and they quickly returned with quotes. We were working together to achieve something, and they understood what our customers need. Their suggestions and solutions were valuable to us.

Are there any areas they could improve?

The structure and the engine are great, but they could have done better with some of the initial side elements. They concentrated heavily on function, but the form and look could have been stronger or more creative.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Systech International is a management consultancy firm. We work in every continent across the world in Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa, Europe, the Americas, and the U.K.

The services we provide are for highly technical quantity surveyors, building planners, and legal expert witnesses who work with our major clients overseas. These can be in construction, oil, and gas infrastructure sectors.

We provide management consultancy services, advice, and proposals to help clients get back on track and meet their budgets. We also ensure dispute resolution between a client and large project developers before a situation reaches arbitration. They’re projects like airports, rail systems, buildings, like the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, and very large global projects.

For the last 2–3 years, I’ve been responsible for implementing change and improvements in project management methods and developing the support departments of the global business. That includes HR, Administration, Group Recruitments, and Finance.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with DCSL?

We have been extremely successful in implementing the system development change in the Finance Department and HR, and we needed similar success with our Recruitment Department. We needed a group recruitment global database that would support the APAC/MEA and the EUR/Americas parts of the Department gel together.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

It was a mutual streamlined approach between Systech and DCSL. I’d already written specifications and design documents that we sent to Nick [Managing Director, DCSL Software], and one of their developers called me and went through it. We went through the details, and they put it in their own technical format. We laid the foundation, and after the initial collaboration, believed both parties understood the brief and specifications.

After the implementation, they scheduled 3 defined testing phases of the system, which went to plan. The system allows us to track all the prospective candidates that our recruiters are looking at. These candidates will fall into the recruitment database, where the recruiters have control of whether and when they want to present those candidates to the senior personnel.

There are mechanisms built into the system that can quickly and easily email and send CVs and Candidate Records. We set up our own tailored forms to describe and document the candidates. We then are able to run that person through the pipeline. If they are of interest to a senior manager who is recruiting, for example in Japan or South Africa, we can plan and track everything from interview scheduling to seeing if they were offered the position.

At the end of the day, there is a software link between this new database and our existing HR system. When we push a button, a successful candidate is then transferred into our HR system as a new recruit to the business, and HR takes over. There is a feature in the system that now regulates communication, to make sure recruiters from different parts of the world aren’t trying to contact the same candidates or clients, which was an issue in the past. Candidate information is transparent.

The links we have been building to connect and support various departments has been a good way to ensure we don’t lose track of candidates in the shuffle. Recruiters may have recruited someone, but if we don’t have HR, we can’t deploy them overseas. Since we’re international, we may recruit someone in London that is assigned to Africa. We need a smooth handover to the region, and for that HR to induct that Consultant. The system helps us manage that process.

What is the team dynamic?

The collaboration went very smoothly because we only worked directly with Nick [Managing Director, DCSL Software] initially, who sold the contract to us and worked with us to develop the solution. He was our main point of contact, and I know there were a few people working with him. He introduced us to Alexis, our point of contact in development, who we worked with throughout the UAT process.

How did you come to work with DCSL?

We were researching both smaller, local companies and larger companies in the Middle East and Asia. After narrowing it down to 5 or 6 companies, I immediately preferred the presentation, the proposal, and the charisma of Nick [Managing Director, DCSL Software], who sold his proposition very well. They are London-based, and we liked their proximity to us in the U.K. I felt we could work with them after hearing the clarity with which they described their services and deliverables

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in April 2017 and the work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

There was only one delay related to linking the system up with our HR system, which being upgraded by another provider. That part is being tested now and UAT has proven successful.

How did DCSL perform from a project management standpoint?

They are very transparent. If something isn’t clearly communicated by either party, it soon becomes obvious. Alexis [Technical Director, DCSL Software] would always come back and clarify and ask questions from the developers. That one point of contact made the process efficient.

The way they set up the UAT [User Acceptance Testing] or 'Sprint' sessions was good. We had very specific lists of items that we had to test every 2 weeks. We did that 3 times. We knew about everything going on, the timeline, and that we could give feedback along the way. All fixes were implemented, and everything went smoothly and according to plan.

We communicated via email, phone, and WebEx to share screens. One of the things they did extremely well was build the prototype with us. Alexis [Technical Director, DCSL Software] came into the London office and sat with us a couple of times, and otherwise would call us and share his screen. Building the prototype together solved many little problems as we went along, because we could discuss in real time. We were able to see straightaway how the system would look and work. That’s another reason it went so smoothly.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Nick [Managing Director, DCSL Software] maintained the initial quote made from my original design document. Even though we added additional functionalities, he committed to maintaining the original price. For us as a company, it was good for cash flow. It is good to be able to do business with a company that is not always looking for a way to create additional revenue.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Once all the flow of activity ended and we were at the point of just making small fixes, reaction times to make the fixes slowed down a little or a brief reminder was sent. Overall, this is not a criticism of DCSL.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Mobility Giant is a provider of long-term rentals of mobility scooters and disability equipment. I’m the director.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with DCSL Software?

We were growing quite quickly, and we needed to get some software systems in place in order to cope with the load. We had a software system in place already, but it was off-the-shelf. The purpose of the software was to control the day-to-day operations of the business, including keeping track of payments on rentals and to manage the stock in and out of the company. It was for the complete daily flow of the company operations.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

DCSL built a new custom software system for us. They added brand new things to the new system. We asked them to design a custom-built software system for us. We went through the whole workflow and then it was built around that. They did not do any website work on this project. That was done internally. The software system is the only project we’ve worked with DCSL on.

How many resources have been assigned to your project?

We had one project manager with an additional four or five people on our team. We are always in touch with DCSL trying to improve things. At the start, we were having various meetings, maybe five to seven meetings before they produced the specification book for us.

How did you come to work with DCSL Software?

We were looking for a local company and found DCSL online by doing a Google search for software systems. We also spoke to another company and had a few meetings with them, but their quote was too high for us.

How much have you invested with DCSL Software?

We have spent $75,000 with them so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in August 2016, and the system was completed in September 2016. The work is ongoing. We just completed some upgrades to the system.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or the impact of the engagement?

In terms of the day-to-day running of the business, it is all much more efficient now, because everything is on online on our software systems. All customer data is easily found. We can see how many payments somebody has made or missed easily at a click of a button. It would be difficult to give you exact data on that because it’s the whole company operations that have been improved from that. We only have experience in the off-the-shelf software systems, which were difficult to use. Obviously, when you custom-build something, it’s built for your company alone. Everything can be much better. We have increased productivity 45-100% by having a custom-made product.

How did DCSL Software perform from a project management standpoint?

We would go for regular meetings and then they would provide a booklet from each meeting with how they see their software was going to pan out. We got regular updates from that. Once we had gone to five, six meetings and they had done their work, they produced a finished booklet of a software flow system. The booklet showed how the software was going to look and how it was going to work. We signed off on that to give them the go ahead, and then they created the software system itself. The documentation was an 110-page booklet before the software was even started. They had outlined the whole system and how the workflow was going to appear on the system before they started it.

What did you find most impressive about DCSL Software?

They were very involved from day one. There was a big team working on it and they broke it into work groups and they were able to finish large chunks of work in quicker time than perhaps if only one or two people were working on it. There were whole work teams created which I liked. Within in a week, a third of the software was done for us to inspect. The efficiency that they were able to get the product out to us and finished up was impressive.

Are there any areas DCSL Software could improve?

It is difficult for me to do that without having experienced other companies. This is the first time we’ve needed to utilize software systems. In terms of the experience we had with them, I think it was as good as we could have hoped for. In terms of areas they need to improve, I don’t think there is much.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the information and communications manager for a company that responds to instances involving oil or chemical spills from marine vessels worldwide. We have an emergency response system and operate 24/7. As part of this, we offer some key services, namely damage assessment from the incident, contingency planning, and information.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenges were you trying to address with DCSL Software?

We had an old Access database and needed to upgrade it to an online SQL platform that would allow multiple users. Beyond that, we wanted to expand the scope of the database so we could expand the range of possible capabilities and outcomes.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We provided very detailed specifications to DCSL Software. From those, we built a prototype together, making sure that everything would work, and when it didn’t, we could do things slightly differently for the user experience. The initial specification was done internally, while the final document was done in collaboration with DCSL Software.

They assigned 3 or 4 people with whom I had regular communication. Initially, we had a one-to-one relationship with Valery Possoz, their technical director, who helped us build the prototype and specifications. During the build, he continued to manage the process and brought in a developer and a quality assurance person.

The database allows us to input all the instances in which we’ve been involved, going back to 1970. It also contains all the worldwide tanker instances we don’t attend to directly, but for which we analyze any trends in order to assist with government contingency planning.

How did you come to work with DCSL Software?

We sent our proposal to a few companies and spoke to them in order to see what they could offer. We chose DCSL Software based on their understanding of our business and the solution we were trying to achieve, as well as their experience and cost. One of their staff members came to us in order to discuss the project, find out exactly what we were trying to achieve, and exactly what they could do for us.​

​​​​​​What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with DCSL Software in February 2016. The project concluded at the end of October.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or the impact of the engagement?

The software is doing what it was intended to do. All our staff members can input data and use it for lessons learned, performing many more analyses than they were previously capable of. There are some enhancements and tweaks which we’re still lining out, but overall, it has definitely matched our expectations.

There have been some bugs, but every project will have them to some extent.

How did DCSL Software perform from a project management standpoint?

They were very professional — especially at the start, during the prototyping phase. That was invaluable to us and allowed us to see exactly how the software would work before committing to the build. DCSL Software was very good in terms of communication during the sprint development, setting up calls every two weeks. We used a combination of Skype for video calls and Sifter for logging issues towards the end of the project.​

​​​​​​What did you find most impressive about DCSL Software?

I appreciated the emphasis they put on making sure the prototype would be what we were expecting as a customer. That was key for us.

Are there any areas DCSL Software could improve?

Once the product was built, having a faster turnaround on some of the bugs that needed ironing out would have been ideal. The project overran slightly, but we ended up with something we really needed.

What tips or recommendations could you share that might increase the likelihood of success with DCSL Software?

Talk to numerous providers and go with someone who really understands the solution which needs to be achieved, and who will ask questions that make the client think about the project in a more detailed manner.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

TechMarketView is widely recognized as the most influential UK-based research agency in the UK tech sector. We’re a boutique organization. We have about 15–20 people. I’m a co-founder of TechMarketView and managing partner, and I have been working with, Richard Holway, co-founder, and TechMarketView chairman, for some 20 years in this and predecessor businesses.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenges were you trying to address with DCSL Software?

We had an existing database system produced by another vendor; it was about three or four years old. However, it was no longer going to be flexible enough to take us through our next growth phase. So, we decided to go back to the drawing board and invited proposals for a new database design, one that would enable us to expand the services that we offer to our clients.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

After discussing our requirements in outline, we entered into a first-phase agreement, which was the design process. The design process was basically a three-day workshop split over two sessions, where they prototyped the solution. It was built in front of our eyes so we could see exactly how they interpreted our requirements. This was an incredibly fruitful process because by the time we finished the three days, the design was pretty much there.

Basically, the database is a repository of our company research. It contains detailed financial information about all the companies we currently track. Our legacy database system has a couple of hundred companies on it and tracks a certain subset of the financial information that we would subsequently want to track. The problem was that the legacy database was not flexible enough to be able to expand the number of companies we wanted to track or the scope of additional data we wanted to track. So, the key requirement of the new database was that it had to support thousands of companies rather than hundreds and allow us to record any information about the company that we like—financial, operating, or even textual. That was the underpinning of the new design.

We had no input into the composition of their team and we didn’t want to. We leave it to our suppliers to decide who are the people for the job.

How did you come to work with DCSL Software?

We were referred to DCSL Software by someone on our team who had experience with them a few years prior. We only really considered two or three. Everyone we considered was within reasonable traveling distance of key members of the team. When we met DCSL Software, they seemed to be best suited to do the job.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began in the mid-end of last year with initial conversations, and we started the design process in the fourth quarter. Our target deadline was to have the system live by the end of March because that’s when we go into our next research cycle. We went live at the end of March as we planned.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or impact of the engagement?

The new database has already shown us benefits. We’ve already made some changes to the database as we’ve started to use it and realized there were other things we wanted to do. This was one of the major reasons for having the rewrite done: these were changes we could make ourselves without having to go back to the developers. Straightaway, we saved ourselves time and money in being able to tailor the database to suit requirements we didn’t see at the time.

My colleagues are very satisfied with the new system. We’ve added a lot more functionality to the system, even in the day-to-day use. Not every member of the team has the authority to change the construct of the database, but in terms of using the database for its primary purpose, which is to store and retrieve company data, everybody is really happy with the new functionality that we’ve incorporated.

How did DCSL Software perform from a project management standpoint?

It was very straightforward. We had regular meetings (some were face-to-face at their offices, while others were done over Skype). They have a very efficient requirement tracking system, so as we were going through the design process and testing and cutover process if there was anything we needed to communicate to them, we did it through their system. That way, nothing fell between the cracks, and we could track the progress of every issue that we raised.

But, if there were other conversations to be had or something more detailed, then we’d use email or pick up the phone.

What did you find most impressive about DCSL Software?

We found them competent, easy to work with, and very responsive to our needs. Most importantly, they understood the context of what we were trying to achieve with the new database.

DCSL Software seemed to have advanced design tools; the prototyping and design sessions we went through with them were a revelation to us. We hadn’t seen those tools used before. It did transform the effectiveness of the design process.

Are there any areas DCSL Software could improve?

There’s nothing I would call out. Obviously, everybody can do some things better, as could we. But, in the context of what we asked them to do and being able to respond to changes, of which many were inflicted by us, they were really good. I would be nitpicking if I called anything out. I think in the context of this project, we were very happy.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

SCL is one of the UK’s leading independent providers of education through sport. Through its two core divisions - SCL Education & Training and SCL School Sport & Children's Activities - SCL offers a wide-range of engaging, forward-thinking and successful programs.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with DCSL Software?

We required B2C booking systems for our Sport and Childcare Services and our Government Endorsed Further Education Programme.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They helped complete the detailed specifications for both of the booking systems we wanted to develop. We met with them and went through the process screen by screen to create the specifications. They divided the project into a number of two-week sprints. They would develop for two weeks and then give us a user acceptance testing site for us to test. I met all of the developers that were working on our project. There were four developers, a quality assurance manager, one tester, and a project manager. The tester was excellent; she worked very closely with me.

DCSL Software developed two booking systems. For the childcare side, the user can go to the website and search for school clubs and holiday activities. When they find what they’re interested in, they can book right from our website. On the further education side of the business, it’s all done through sporting trial. The users register for a trial through the online booking system, which is the start of their application process. If they’re successful at the trial, they proceed to an interview. At the end of the process, they have a complete application for enrollment that prints out in the backend.

How did you come to work with DCSL Software?

We put out a request for proposal and we had two companies we were looking at. DCSL Software’s process and their professionalism during the specification building was much better than the other company. They gave us an idea of what the application was actually going to look like.

How much have you invested with DCSL Software?

We spent £120,000 [US$149,220] on the childcare side. On the further education side, it was £25,000 [US$31,088].

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working together in March 2016 and the work was completed January 2017. We plan to continue working with them.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate productivity, quality of work, or the impact of the engagement?

They use a software called Sifter which logs issues and bugs. We used this during and after the project. We have had a massive increase in bookings for the first holiday of this year and students booking for trial.

How did DCSL Software perform from a project management standpoint?

They are very professional. At the end of each sprint, we had a sprint review to go over what had been developed and what would be worked on in the future. They were very clear and concise. They would let me know when I didn’t need to test certain things because the development was not complete.

What did you find most impressive about DCSL Software?

They are very professional. What they tell you is what you get. A lot of companies promise the earth and don’t deliver. With DCSL, they tell you what it’s going to be and they strive to make that happen.

Are there any areas DCSL Software could improve?

There’s nothing negative about their team, and we have talked with them about future enhancements on the project.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We're a musical instrument retail business with e-commerce and brick-and-mortar outlets in Brighton, UK. We also have a mail order team focusing on the education sector. Our main business is oriented mainly at B2C [business-to-customer] sales of guitars, drums, and computer-related musical equipment. We've been in business for 20 years. I am the general manager of the company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with DCSL Software?

We owned our website, but the back-office system had been leased and maintained. We had built a stock warehousing and ordering system responsible for handling all our processing, working with a couple of developers over the years. The system was up until 3 years ago, during which time we'd been leasing it on a monthly basis. We were starting to hit some limitations with the platform and realized that we needed to get in-line with the customer experience offered by our competitors, as well as adding extra functionalities. We also wanted to own our system and have it be a bespoke business asset, so we needed a developer who could rebuild many of the functionalities we already had, make it scalable and adaptable, and much improve our customer experience on the website. Making it mobile-responsive was a big consideration.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We initially started our project on a small scale. Our sales manager and I sat down with the lead architect from DCSL Software at the beginning of 2015, and specified everything, looking at every detail of the processes we needed, and how we could change them. After a 2-month process, we started the development and testing process.

We've worked with around 10 people from DCSL Software's team initially, including developers and testers.

How did you come to work with DCSL Software?

When we started moving away from our current supplier, I looked at the market in order to see what was available. I came across many companies that had off-the-shelf solutions for warehousing, sale order processing, and e-commerce. As while-label office solutions, while cheap, they didn't do everything that we needed them to do, required further development, and would bring us to a licensing model again. We preferred to build a bespoke system which could minimize the impact of retraining our 70+ staff on changing software.

We initially had a meeting with another London-based development house who offered similar services, but DCSL Software inspired more confidence. We visited them at their office and talked about our project with DCSL Software's managing director. It was a massive project for our company, and we needed the reassurance that it could be achieved.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started our project with DCSL Software in April 2015. We switched our site in May when the back-office portion came live. We're still within a scaled-back development phase and receive deliverables on a weekly basis. We've scaled our team down to around 4 people currently, and will keep one developer and one tester until the holiday season. We will resume development at the beginning of 2017. It was always our goal to keep the project going. Although all systems were operational after launch, we've split the project into multiple phases for changes on the back-office and frontend.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or the impact of the engagement?

Our turnover for mid-2016 is up 5% from what it was last year, but the real impact has been in offering us the ability to add solutions and utilities which we didn't have before, like online finance, which was a great customer offering. We developed this solution with DCSL Software in conjunction with our finance provider, who provided the APIs.

We have voucher capabilities which we didn't have before. They enabled us more freedom for offering deals and promotional opportunities. We also accept PayPal transactions, which wasn't possible previously. Our mobile conversion rate has increased by 1%, as well as the mobile traffic in general. We offer a much better user experience than we did before. DCSL Software has given us the ability to utilize these extra functions, which wasn't possible in the past due to a lack of technical backup.

We've been able to implement our product package deals in a way that wasn't possible previously. We can group 5-6 products together on the backend, and price them as one item on the website. This works well on the back-office side, because the items come in as a single order, allowing us to pick and pack them together.

Another useful feature is competitor monitoring. We can always monitor competitor's sites in terms of pricing and product listings, which is a mainstay of e-commerce currently.

We're also working with Import.io, which is a US-based third party that can scan websites. DCSL Software has built us a custom-made price comparison and monitoring utility within the back-office, which is hooked into Import.io. This has helped us stay ahead of the curve. 

How did DCSL Software perform from a project management standpoint?

We used a third-party tool recommended by DCSL Software for tracking issues, bugs, and changes, and allowing us to raise tickets. We used it quite a bit during prototyping and development. Aside from this, there was a lot of one-to-one contact with our lead architect, who managed our project and the developers. We also spent a lot of time in DCSL Software's office. Although they hadn't done this before, DCSL Software was keen to the idea, and it worked out very well. We've spent a lot of time sitting in their office next to the developers really honing our agile approach.

What did you find most impressive about DCSL Software?

We brought all the ideas to the table using a talented and experienced in-house team, but there were always technical problems with our previous supplier, not allowing us to get things done. With DCSL Software, the feeling is that we can do anything. They had a can-do attitude that was very refreshing.

Are there any areas DCSL Software could improve?

We've had a very big and fast-moving project. If we hadn't been working on-site with DCSL Software, it would have been difficult to stay abreast of all the changes happening. We were pushing to get things moving as quickly as possible and bypassed some of the testing that DCSL Software would have had, ideally. We ended up finding more bugs than would have normally occurred, as a result. If we hadn't worked with them face-to-face to such an extent, DCSL Software would have probably needed a bit more of a project management and feedback structure. I really can't fault them for this, given the pace and size of the work.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your organization.

We are a start-up software as a service (SaaS) provider, offering online cyber security assessment solutions.

What is your position?

I am a co-founder of the company and the chief executive officer.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What business challenge were you trying to address with DCSL Software?

DCSL Software helped our company create our platform from scratch. We had our own ideas and designs, but they helped prototype the solution starting with a blank canvas.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their involvement.

DCSL Software wrote the certification, architectural and security documents around our software. Through a back-and-forth process, we developed a minimum viable product and grew it from there. DCSL Software built our software using C#, .NET and a Microsoft SQL server.

We have been assigned two or three core developers and another two or three support, testing and coordination resources by DCSL Software. The head of the company has also kept a close eye on our project. We interact directly with the developers as needed. In most cases, communicating through a project lead makes more sense for us. There are cases in which we interact directly with the team through in-person meetings. This happens once every couple of weeks at the start of a sprint. Every developer that had worked on the project and had tested it will contribute.

How did you come to work with DCSL Software?

We received a few recommendations and met with those companies but also made online searches, looking for companies within our vicinity. DCSL Software came up, we contacted them and decided to visit them after going through a shortlist of questions over the phone. DCSL Software ticked all the right boxes, so we ended up choosing them. DCSL Software, unlike any other competitor, has an ISO 27001 security certification for their company. The fact that they invested the time and money necessary for obtaining this was a positive sign for us.

DCSL Software stuck out because of their morals, values and ability to communicate and handle projects. Everything was done in-house, which was a very important quality for us, especially when building a security solution. We didn’t want the work to be outsourced to unknown third parties.

Another reason for choosing DCSL Software was that their leadership became very engaged with what we were doing. We became not just another customer to them. DCSL Software was interested in how they could help and provide alternative approaches. We found this interest to be very valuable.

Could you provide a sense of the size of this initiative in financial terms?

I’m sorry, but that information is confidential.

What is the status of this engagement?

We have been working with them since November 2015. We maintain an ongoing engagement with DCSL Software.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any statistics, metrics or other feedback from this engagement?

Once the software was delivered, our clients went live on the platform within a week. They were very happy with it. In terms of productivity, this is the highest possible positive feedback I could give. DCSL Software enabled me to do my job and sell my product.

How did DCSL Software perform from a project management standpoint?

We went a bit beyond the specified timeline, which was to be expected given that we came up with a few new features during the development process. DCSL Software was very flexible in working with us. Feedback and documentation are exchanged through a ticketing platform.

What distinguishes DCSL Software from other providers?

DCSL Software cared about our work, which was a big plus from my point of view. Many partners I’ve worked with recently haven’t shown signs of wanting to help or offering to work on a problem together with us. Rather than just caring about signing us up, getting an upfront deposit and doing whatever it was they were assigned to do, DCSL became proactively involved in the development of our platform. They were always trying to figure things out, providing more than just development. We felt that we were part of the same team, which is unique.

I also appreciated that DCSL Software provided a nice balance of working based on specifications, while also addressing a blank canvas using an Agile process. We both had to be flexible and figure things out. DCSL Software’s care was extended into practice. They understood that we were a startup and had budget constraints in helping us deliver a product to our clients. I have been in situations of coming to a standstill because of changes and the inability to see eye to eye with other developers. It was always easy to communicate with DCSL Software. When working with people, personalities matter more than material things.

RATINGS

BACKGROUND

Please describe your organization.

Our organization is a charitable trust operating leisure centers in the London borough of Newham. We also have an involvement in looking after sports development, volunteering, parks, and open spaces.

What is your position?

I am the IT [information technology] and communications director.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What business challenge were you trying to address with DCSL Software?

We don't have an in-house development team and were looking to outsource our custom development work. We have a longstanding relationship with them, having worked together on other development projects. I contacted DCSL Software after having worked together at my previous company.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their involvement in detail.

DCSL Software builds the solutions that we conceive of, including visual aspects and functional development. That also includes strategic work and quality assurance. All of their assigned work has been web-based, primarily back-end work, but also some design and UI/UX [user interface/user experience]. They provide us with a two- to three-man team. We interact with these developers directly.

How did you come to work with DCSL Software?

I was involved in the initial selection process for them at my previous company six years ago. I interviewed three companies in total for a £100,000 [approximately $14,000] project. DCSL Software came on top. I've preferred using them ever since.

Could you provide a sense of the size of this initiative in financial terms?

We spend £60,000 to £70,000 [$85,000 to $100,000] per project with DCSL Software.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our latest project went live on January 2 [2016], but we have an ongoing relationship with them.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any statistics or metrics from this engagement?

They've developed a site for purchasing memberships to our local centers. Our customers have enjoyed that process. It's easy to use and well defined. We don't receive many tickets related to discovered bugs or defects. Even when a user does come across an issue, DCSL is able to resolve it extremely quickly.

How did DCSL Software perform from a project management standpoint?

Their work is always above average. DCSL Software has always delivered their work on time and within our specified budget. We kick off any project through face-to-face meetings in which we discuss wireframing and similar aspects. In the rest of the time, we communicate by email and occasionally by way of telephone calls.

What distinguishes DCSL Software from other providers?

Developers tend to be very dry and logical people, which makes understanding them a bit hard.  But DCSL Software has been able to communicate with us easily and developed tailored solutions to match our problems.

Is there anything DCSL Software could have improved or done differently?

We've never seen any shortcomings on their part. They have a very good work process. To any prospecting clients, I would suggest bringing a fully elaborated problem to DCSL Software. They will then supply a solution. Coming with a preconceived solution doesn't always work.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your organization.

We run physical activity programs across the UK, Europe, and other parts of the world. The premise is getting a whole community active. We run programs for walking, cycling, linking in with local outdoor spaces, and trying to deal with the inactivity problem that currently exists across the world.

Our linkage to technology is through an outdoor game, where RFID readers are placed around the town, and users with RFID cards, try to find the readers over an eight-week period, earning points for walking to a variety of places. We generally draw between ten and forty thousand people participating in various towns, so it's a mass event. We run 25 programs and have connected with about eighty thousand people in 2015. We've also done a program in Dubai this year, and we are planning one for New York in 2016, with their department of transportation.

The user has an online platform where they can see how much they've walked, how many points they have, giving the activity a leaderboard competition feel.

What is your position?

I'm the managing director of the company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What business challenge were you trying to address with DCSL Software?

I joined the organization seven months ago. There were various issues and problems with the current program both from a functional and usability standpoint. It had been running for two or three years so it needed to be updated, and the way in which we collect data also needed a different approach.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their involvement.

We collect data through RFIDs, which is translated into data points and entered into our system. The database is on a cloud platform that they developed, configured and implemented.

The number of developers they assigned was varied based on our need. They have the ability to adapt in this way, based on your specific requirements. We set up an initial timeline, which they committed to hitting. At one time, there were four developers working on the product, to make sure we were hitting the deadline. There were originally two developers working full-time, and that number increased to include a tester and an architect.

One of my team members was assigned to work with them locally, in the DCSL office. My colleague made sure the product looked good and maintained the relationship between my staff and theirs. I would have regular dialogue with their managing director, and when needed, their architect gave me updates.

How did you come to work with DCSL Software?

We were aware of DCSL, and had some good references for them, so we approached them to create a brand new system with fewer defects, in a very short time. I wanted a company that I could treat as a partner, rather than getting a product off of them. They proved to be just that. I chose them as someone that could work with me in developing and enhancing the product further.

Could you provide a sense of the size of this initiative in financial terms?

The total to date is 120,000 pounds sterling [approx. US $179,500].

What is the status of this engagement?

We're still working with them.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any statistics or metrics from this engagement?

We were running a program starting mid-September, having a very tight timeline. They tackled it with time to spare, and it worked from day one. We didn't allow them time to write a specification; we were literally developing as we were going, and they based their work on the previous model. There were some glitches or bugs during the operational phase, but from the feedback I received from my team, they were on hand seven days a week to help resolve the defects. My end-users didn't experience any critical application faults.

In the previous version of the app, we were inundated with system errors of various kinds. When the new version developed by DCSL came out, there wasn't one mention of problems with the system from any end-users. It’s been very reliable in its performance. We’re very impressed with the level of craftsmanship executed by DCSL.

How did DCSL Software perform from a project management standpoint?

Because of the speed at which we worked, they gave us a schematic and project outline, and general timelines, but there was no time for them to write out detailed plans. We worked through it together. They gave us regular project updates, stating the completion percentage, and what was still needed. We had access to our current position at all time. My colleague working with their team would report back to me if there were any shortcomings, and that they'd be putting in more developers.

During the development period, there were delays that were to do with problems that would be uncovered, which they would pull back to the end of the project. We didn't use any specific management tools. We collaborated through email and Google Docs.

What distinguishes DCSL Software from other providers?

Their talent pool is fantastic. Like I said, the solution they developed works almost flawlessly and our users are more than satisfied.

Is there anything DCSL Software could have improved or done differently?

We did much of the work at high speed, and they delivered on time. Ultimately, we pushed ourselves into a very tight timeline; it was really aggressive. A proper work schedule, that would give them time to do the work around the seams, and not rush forward, would be an improvement for us as a partnership, rather than setting impossible tasks. Future projects with them will have more flexible timelines.