Scalefocus

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m one of the founders of Myosotis. We’re a startup that’s digitizing and bringing transparency to the daily routines and interactions of caregivers, the elderly, and their relatives.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire ScaleFocus?

All we had was an idea, so we wanted to find a consulting partner to bring it to life and assist us in implementing the technical part of our solution. Later, we asked them to develop a dedicated mobile app as well.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted a sophisticated business analysis so we could better understand what we were facing.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

A venture fund referred us to ScaleFocus as a top-notch service provider. After our first introduction call, we knew we were on the right track. Their team had an impressive technical background built on previous experiences with multinational companies and deep know-how of the newest technologies. They displayed an immediate understanding of our business needs and the problem we were trying to solve.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

ScaleFocus guided us through the entire MVP journey. They started with a comprehensive business analysis of our product to help us build the right solution, identify the best product/market fit, test our hypothesis, and determine functional and non-functional requirements to avoid unnecessary engineering hours. They then developed the app using a team of eight specialists. It runs on Android and has a .NET backend system. Connected to nursing homes, caregivers, and relatives, it has a user-friendly interface and can support an expanding feature set.

What was the team composition?

We worked with a project manager, a solution architect, a senior business analyst, and eight .NET and Android specialists.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The initial business analysis and design phase gave us a full overview of what we should expect. We used that to launch their MVP, which secured us further funding and a long-term cooperation with one of the leading nursing home providers in Germany.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

It was highly effective. ScaleFocus was always available to answer any questions, share ideas for solutions, and keep us informed of development progress. Their team completed everything as per deadlines and supported us with high-quality deliverables.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

We owe a great deal of our success to the dedicated work, knowledge, and technical guidance of ScaleFocus. Therefore, we strongly recommend their services to any startup. They offer transparency and in-depth market analysis and assist in defining key milestones. They turned our idea into a reality.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Looking back, both ScaleFocus and we could have performed quicker, but it was our first experience designing and building a custom application. Pivoting during the process actually helped us deliver a better product.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the CEO of AVIQ Systems, which provides innovative solutions at the point where Internet, digital media, and broadcast television converge. Our portfolio includes set top boxes with a supreme (U)HD viewer experience for live TV, video on demand, and catch-up, as well as a full suite of TV services.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire ScaleFocus?

We carefully selected ScaleFocus to establish and operate our R&D center for over-the-top video solutions for content aggregators, distributors, and consumers. This project is a crucial stepping stone in our mission to offer an increasing range of products and services.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goal was to develop and continuously improve our Android products and TV streaming services.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We investigated the possibility of finding a reliable partner. I've worked on a variety of IT outsourcing projects and have substantial experience working in India, Ukraine, and China. Bulgarian software engineers possess a work ethic and sense of quality closest to ours. After interviewing several firms, ScaleFocus stood out. 

Describe the project in detail.

Their engineers and consultants have played a key role in our product development, using advanced methods and providing services of the highest quality. We've collaborated on three major projects.

First, we developed a streaming set top box that includes hardware platform management, low-level Android development, the integration of streaming providers on the backend, performance optimization of both software and hardware, UI and UX development, and frontend streaming.

Second, we set up a hybrid solution unifying cable TV and over the top TV. This solution tailors tokens as a service for cable TV operators, joining IPTV and Iegacy broadcasting technology. There are also soft- and hardware performance optimizers. 

Third, we built a digital rights management platform for live and on-demand content. They integrated Microsoft PlayReady, SmoothStreaming, and VeriMatrix with the set top box. Now our devices allow users to watch live TV, movies, TV shows, and applications like YouTube. Its most prominent features include time-shifting, 14 days of EPG, cloud-based video recording, a video on demand store, and 7-day catchup.

What was the team composition?

We always worked with a senior team lead, and the team size varied between three and 10 people. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

With their help, we could focus on our core business activities and open new distribution channels. This new model of cooperation, built on trust and common goals, encouraged our growth and development. The products and services showed constant market growth.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

To achieve our goals, we used the most advanced communication tools and agile practices. Every team member established those processes and streamlined development. We had a continuous process without disruptions, in which both parties openly exchanged ideas and opportunities. Their engineers provided flexible, custom solutions that perfectly matched our expectations. Despite being a new company during the initial stages of our cooperation, their professional demeanor showed their commitment to common growth. 

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Our work began as a typical customer-contractor engagement. After they far exceeded our expectations, it flourished into a mature partnership and strategic alliance. They have shown unparalleled devotion, punctuality, and willingness to go the extra mile. The technical guidance, knowledge, and capabilities of their internal R&D unit proved that they are the best IT partner for us. Their employees were the most impressive part of our experience.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Their team adapted to our requirements in a timely, adequate manner. Тhey should keep their standards the. We've had issues along the way, but can always discuss them and agree. We're quite happy with our partnership, and we respect their decisions and actions. We will continue to use their services, since they have provided high-quality solutions and became a long-term partner.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the co-founder of JOB CARE, an innovative platform that matches businesses and people with disabilities with employment goals.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire ScaleFocus?

We needed a partner who would be able to quickly understand and develop a web portal, which would serve as a mediator between businesses and people with special needs.

What were your goals for this project?

The main goal of the JOB CARE platform is to help Bulgarian businesses attract 120,000 people with disabilities into the labor market. Some of its other goals are to educate and train employees and businesses about how to collaborate for optimal end results.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

JOB CARE was implemented with European funding under Operational Programme Human Resources Development. Thus, we launched a public tender procedure to choose the best candidate for the task. After receiving several applications and carefully reviewing them, we decided ScaleFocus was the most suitable vendor.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

The ScaleFocus team successfully delivered the JOB CARE platform, taking into consideration all requirements and implementing all necessary features. They also developed several different modules using the latest technology and following strict security best practices.

The platform facilitates communication between jobseekers and employers using modern, internet-based technologies. End-users have access to a job vacancy database, currently available positions, flexible search capabilities, and different information access channels. The site provides a fast and reliable way to get feedback and establish contact between employees and employers.

What was the team composition?

We worked with a designer, a developer, a QA resource, and a project manager for the whole project.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

JOB CARE is a social innovation with the potential to completely transform the reality of disabled people in Bulgaria. Our initiative is gaining momentum, and we can already see the tremendous impact it will have. The site is now live.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

The ScaleFocus team delivered the platform as per the agreed deadlines by complying with all requirements and needs. Their team was always there to help and assist by providing know-how and giving advice on how to proceed in certain areas.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

ScaleFocus was able to quickly grasp our needs, make them their own, and gather a team to deliver a finely-tuned platform. We strongly recommend them as a trusted software development partner and thank them for their dedication. We couldn’t have achieved these results without them.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, not that I can think of.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am a Founder and President of I CAN TOO Foundation, an international charity organization supporting children with special needs and their families. We support more than 650 children with special needs and their families and three therapeutic centers.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire ScaleFocus?

We needed a partner for web development. As a socially engaged company, ScaleFocus developed our new website pro bono.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted a well-functioning web portal to reach our target groups – families with children with special needs, potential donors, volunteers, and other users – and provide them with the information they need.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

One of our supporters recommended ScaleFocus, and we knew they were the right partner once we met with them. Their specialists have great professional experience.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

ScaleFocus familiarized themselves with our work and goals. After we agreed to a plan for the final look and functionality, they formed a team for full-stack development. They built an innovative and user-friendly web platform with an integrated online store.

What was the team composition?

We worked with a UX/UI designer and two frontend developers.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Visitors to our website can find the information they need. We’ve developed a strong visual identity on our user-friendly platform with an easily navigable online store.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

The team was always available to answer any question we had and kept us informed on the development progress. Our communication was highly effective.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

ScaleFocus did what we thought was impossible in rewriting and developing our new website. We strongly recommend them as a partner. They offer professional solutions and provide support with everything they can.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, we have only positive experience.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the co-founder and chief revenue officer for Concord, a Minneapolis-based consulting firm focused on providing technology and business solutions in areas such as: digital and user experience; cloud applications and integration; data solutions and analytics; and information security. Our clients are typically Fortune 500 companies across various industries looking to solve complicated business challenges.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire ScaleFocus?

We have partnered with ScaleFocus for complex software development on over 20 projects ranging from niche technologies to business critical cloud applications.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goal was to build and nurture a relationship with a reliable offshore company that would help us provide premium IT services and deliver advanced technology solutions.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Over the years, we tried outsourcing services in the Philippines, India, and parts of Eastern Europe with limited success. Because of their excellent price to quality ratio and top-notch organizational and cultural fit, we now work exclusively with ScaleFocus. Entering the sixth year of our partnership, we continue to share the same general operating model, embrace a similar approach to client management, and value communication above all else.

Describe the project in detail.

Regardless of the project size or scope, every task ScaleFocus embarks on is treated with the same high level of quality and client focus. The team approaches each new initiative with a client-tested process that consists of initial onboarding activities, strong communication, thorough analysis of the central business problem, and strong solutions to resolve issues. 

What was the team composition?

The team composition depends largely on the difficulty and specifications of the project. We have worked with everyone from individual senior consultants to teams of more than 25 engineers. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

As a result of our partnership, our healthcare client realized a 40% improvement in time to market for new solutions. Additionally, our retail customer enjoyed consolidated vendor management across multiple solutions including Apache Camel, Spark, TIBCO, and DevOps.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Because of a mutual emphasis on strong communication and ScaleFocus’ transparent approach to customer service, the workflow between our companies has always been smooth.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

ScaleFocus is our go-to partner for trustworthy offshore development. With high quality and strong communication consistent across the entire team, they ensure we meet our goals on time and to the highest standard. Detail-oriented and focused on outcomes, they are always available and ready to help, in spite of the time difference.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Administrative processes can always be improved, but we work together to streamline our efforts. ScaleFocus offers us a better understanding of Europe, and we give them a better understanding of the United States. Going forward, we expect to take greater advantage of the strengths on both sides.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the head of software development for Fourth Ltd., a hospitality cost-control solutions provider. We offer cloud-based, propriety platforms and mobile applications.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire ScaleFocus?

We needed highly qualified and experienced web and frontend developers to improve our UX through better web browser and device compatibility.

What were your goals for this project?

Our business’ growth meant we had to expand our technology hub quickly. We wanted to modernize our cloud-based solutions and make them more competitive in the market.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

My team and I were focused on further developing our software and building business connections so we wanted a partner who could grasp our need and solve it in a timely manner. We researched a few vendors and ScaleFocus the best proposal and a personal approach. Furthermore, the proximity of our offices would make communication and workflow between our teams easy.

Can you go into detail about the services they provided and the scope of the project?

The first step was to onboard the ScaleFocus specialists, who quickly became familiar with the nature of our business and started executing various software development tasks using frontend technologies like Ember.js. ScaleFocus’ team implemented a microservices-based architecture, breaking our existing logic into small, web, API services based on the ASP.NET Web API framework.

What was the team composition?

We always worked with 10 or more software engineers.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The new architecture allowed us to integrate all of our software products into one cloud platform, achieve interoperability, and scale up our hospitality management portfolio. ScaleFocus enhanced our pricing menu’s UX and improved our online payment processes, which enabled direct online payments and brought in higher customer satisfaction rates. They also introduced us to detailed reporting and smart analytics.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

The workflow between our teams was flawless. ScaleFocus staffed technology specialists with great professional experience in a short period of time. Their employees joined multiple engineering teams and covered domains which, at that time, required premium contributions. They delivered with passion, excellence, and a tremendous level of engagement.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They turned out to be the best partner to support us in our endeavor. They were able to engage a professional team in a short period of time and develop our cloud-based platform, which let my colleagues and I focus on building business relationships.

Are there any areas where they can improve?

Everything went smoothly during our collaboration so I wouldn’t say that there were any areas for improvement. I’m happy with their overall performance and the results they brought us. If I had to choose again, ScaleFocus would still be my top pick.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the engineering manager of an engineering firm.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Upnetix JSC?

We have an innovative system for traffic metering, which consists of a device that collects real-time data on the number of vehicles at an intersection at a specific time. We needed a UI for displaying the data and metrics so that traffic engineers can perform their analyses and ultimately optimize traffic. We had a strict deadline and needed a partner that could speed up our product’s delivery.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We provided basic product guidelines and discussed each task of the project together. It basically was a web-based visualization tool, but we didn’t give them clear-cut requirements because they constantly changed. Their developer supported our internal team in building the frontend using React. The backend was based on Node.js, and the device that extracts data from the intersection involves NET Core technology.

What is the team composition?

They assigned an experienced senior developer that worked at our office most of the time. He had permanent communication with our internal backend and frontend developers.

How did you come to work with Upnetix JSC?

We hired a frontend developer separately, who happened to work at Upnetix JSC. Upon his recommendation, we contacted them for the project. After analyzing several other companies, we decided to go for Upnetix because of their reasonable pricing, which wasn’t the cheapest but it also wasn’t the most expensive.

Besides being responsive, it was also beneficial that we had already hired someone on their team. When we agreed on which developer to pick for the project, we were assured that he was skilled.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent $7,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked with them from June to July 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The developer they assigned is a very nice person and easy to work with.

How did Upnetix JSC perform from a project management standpoint?

We gave the developer a few tasks and explained what the data means and how it needs to be displayed. We communicated with him directly and used Skype whenever he was out of our office.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their cost was reasonable. They also have about 100 developers, which we like for when we need a partner for future projects.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

At Bosch Software Innovations, we’ve been active in the internet of things (IoT) for nearly ten years. We have 250+ IoT projects in the areas of manufacturing, mobility, energy, smart home, buildings, and cities. I’m a software architect and team lead.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Upnetix JSC?

We have many projects with too few resources to cover all of them. We needed a strong team for an enterprise project, with minimal on-boarding time.

What were your goals for this project?

We had to support, continue to develop, and create a new application using Spring Boot, Hibernate, Oracle DB, RabbitMQ, and others.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We did research on the market and chose them based on their experience and cost.

Can you go into detail about the services they provided and the scope of the project?

Our EffiLink platform offers a secure connection of customer systems to the Bosch Security Systems control room, via the internet or our network BoSiNet. The solution provides remote secure access to a customer device via the platform, as well as condition monitoring and predictive maintenance. In most cases, the platform allows incidents to be fixed and problems with devices predicted without going to the customer side.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The team was onboarded for a week and all the issues were resolved on time. The customer happily accepted the new features.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

The project management was done on our side.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

We had a very good working atmosphere throughout. The team is built with very responsible, qualified, and ambitious young people. The management is also very responsible and supportive.

Are there any areas where they can improve?

The team is effective and does a good job.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Established in 2007, OddStorm has become one of the fastest providers of reliable, high-quality information on soccer odds, including cross-market sure bets, middles, and Polish middles.

Ever since its launch, our company has been enhancing its product quality and service spread by adding bookmakers, markets, and filters, and by improving parsing algorithms and arbitrage detection systems. Currently OddStorm offers pre-match and in-play football arbitrage on our website, and live arbitrage through a Windows desktop application.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire ScaleFocus?

The sports betting market is very dynamic and requires constant advancements in order to satisfy evolving customer needs and enhance user experience. As a small, gradually growing odds provider, we had the tough task to build a strong online presence for OddStorm.

My team and I were focused on further developing our software and building business connections. That’s why we had to find a partner who could quickly grasp our needs and address them in a timely manner.

What were your goals for this project?

Taking into consideration best practices, we knew that we needed a well-developed website that could communicate our brand identity and enable users to use our services without technical issues.

Our first website was a very rough version of our original vision. It lacked online payment options, limiting customers to bank transfers. It also failed to position us as a reliable odds provider in the digital space. We also wanted to integrate an affiliate marketing system, which would boost our image even more.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We conducted detailed research on vendors who had the necessary knowledge and experience with such projects. After shortlisting a few companies, we contacted each of them with a request for a proposal. ScaleFocus came to us with the best offer and the most personalized approach. They provided us with examples of past projects that had a similar scope.

Describe the project in detail.

ScaleFocus’ team started with business and technical analyses of our current situation, system, and needs. After that, their team started implementing the new web design using HTML and CSS. They solved our online payment solution by integrating our platform with payment providers such as Paypal and Skrill, as well as e-wallets like Neteller.

Due to the security specifics of the systems, they encountered some integration challenges and communication issues with the payment providers. ScaleFocus also integrated an affiliate marketing system.

What was the team composition?

Between three and five specialists, depending on our current needs.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What outcomes or results can you share that demonstrate progress and/or success?

All the aforementioned goals were accomplished in a timely manner. The ScaleFocus team delivered excellent results, and our collaboration with them brought us many benefits.

Our newly optimized website enables direct online payments, which brings higher customer satisfaction and simplifies all subscription and payment processes. It also represents our identity well. Now we can operate custom affiliate campaigns and extend our marketing and sales initiatives.

How effective was the project management?

Very effective. The ScaleFocus team was always available for consultation whenever we had questions or simply wanted to discuss anything of concern. We scheduled weekly progress meetings to review the current state of the project and determine how to proceed further.

Our team could focus on our core business goals while the ScaleFocus team built the web portal. They completed everything in a timely manner, as agreed. We were notified about everything on time.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The most impressive thing was their attitude towards our project and us. ScaleFocus took this initiative very seriously and completed everything in an autonomous way. Their entire development process was synced with our operations. Their client approach is one of the best things about the company. ScaleFocus does not merely complete projects; it builds sustainable partnerships.

There were no downsides to our collaboration with ScaleFocus. Quite the contrary, their team dived into our business and quickly became familiar with our needs. They experienced some issues with payment providers due to security policies, yet managed to resolve them. That is why we decided to turn this client-vendor relationship into a long-lasting partnership. We will continue to use ScaleFocus’ services for future endeavors.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the general manager at Call Factory LTD, a telecommunications company that provides toll-free and national numbers to small and medium-sized businesses across Europe. We register these numbers, set up the routing and functionality, and maintain the service. We started almost 20 year ago in the Netherlands, and we now offer numbers throughout Europe.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Upnetix?

We had ideas for new products and new services that involved mobile app development.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They developed multiple iOS and Android apps for us. These are all new services that allow our clients to more easily connect with their customers.

Our in-house designer creates the wireframes and designs then sends them to Upnetix who do the implementation.

What is the team composition?

We have one main project manager who coordinates and communicates with us. The team consists of iOS, Android and backend developers.

How did you come to work with Upnetix?

A colleague referred them to me. They were very open and professional. We were considering other companies, but we immediately hit it off with Upnetix. They understood what we needed, why we wanted it, and where we wanted to take things, which made the whole process much easier.

What is the status of this engagement?

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

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Upnetix finds unique solutions to solve any problems we’re facing. I’m happy with their work.

How did Upnetix perform from a project management standpoint?

Projects are managed well, everything is communicated quickly and clearly. We get weekly updates of what’s been accomplished, and we have regular meetings with demonstrations.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I’m very happy with their work and process; I would recommend them to anyone. Their technical capabilities are great.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No.