Sileria

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Respondent 1: I was the lead mobile engineer at a media organization, but I no longer work there.

Respondent 2: I'm the director of product.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Sileria?

R1: We needed a mobile Android version of our iOS app built.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

R1: We determined design and provided the existing database information while they created the frontend. Development was native to Android. They focused on building the app identical to the iOS version. They also tested the Android version.

R2: They provided Android development.

What is the team composition?

R1: I managed their team, which included two or three members.

How did you come to work with Sileria?

R1: I don’t know. I was not in charge of the search.

R2: Someone referred them to us. We tried them, and they were good. 

How much have you invested with them?

R2: We spent between $50,000–$200,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

R1: Work started January 2011 and ended November 2014.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

R1: There weren’t many metrics because the Android app did not take off well. I don’t believe the company still supports the Android version anymore.

R2: The results were great. 

How did Sileria perform from a project management standpoint?

R1: They did very well. We used Skype most of the time.

What did you find most impressive about them?

R1: There was nothing outstanding. They stuck to the timeline and delivered all the work.

R2: They were easy to communicate with and delivered on time. They also weren't particular about minor changes or scope creep.

Are there any areas they could improve?

R1: I have nothing to add.

R2: No.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

R1: I don’t have any recommendations.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the U.S. retail lead for a consumer electronics company, managing all interactive touch points across the retail space.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Sileria?

We wanted to build an application platform to showcase a product experience at our flagship retail location.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We provided them with the wireframe and they helped us architect and build an Android tablet application platform that integrated our services and backend system. They also did some frontend development, including production design.

During production, we used live prototypes to review the interactions, fix bugs when necessary, and optimize the app’s capabilities.

What is the team composition? 

My direct contacts were Ahmed Shakil, the company’s founder, and Carolina Prieto Muniz, the lead programmer director of technology.

How did you come to work with Sleria?

I actually found them on LinkedIn about five years ago when I ran a small agency. They partnered with me to build a Fire TV app for Vimeo. I’ve continued partnering with them since.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began our partnership on this particular project in June 2015. The main development for the app is finished, but we still partner with them.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’ve not only used their solution in our retail stores, but we also utilize it in retail partners' locations globally. 

How did Sileria perform from a project management standpoint?

My team is pretty fluid in Agile, and their team has molded to the way we operated, incorporating various tools (e.g., Trello, Google Docs, Slack, Skype, Excel) to keep us in the loop. They’ve also adapted to the work styles of other internal groups I’ve introduced them to. I never have to micromanage them because they always deliver.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Oftentimes, developers will have very little flexibility and will leave you with only one option for doing something. Sileria will acknowledge a limitation in how to do something technically, but will seek workarounds to ensure we have multiple options. They’re very impressive problem solvers.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There’s always room for improvement, but nothing sticks out in particular.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Treat them as a partner, and they’ll treat you as one back. They’re trustworthy, so if you give them insight into your challenge, they’ll come back with the best solutions. They’re very attuned to your needs.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We provide website development services, app development, and game development for other parties, companies, or individuals. I’m the CEO. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Sileria?

We needed help with Android app development. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We were working on developing a 3D app for a 3D device. Sileria helped us developing the frontend and some of the backend from the wireframes, designs and other documentation we sent them. They also helped us creating an SDK [Software Development Kit] to allow other developers to create 3D apps for the same 3D device.

What is the team composition? 

I worked with 3–4 people.

How did you come to work with Sileria?

I had a hard time finding available Android developers. I hired an HR person to help me. I looked at Sileria’s past work and they had a really good track record. We tried them and they were strong with communication and execution. They did all the tasks I asked them to do on time. 

How much have you invested with them?

$50,000–$200,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from December 2013 until January 2015.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Everything went well and worked. 

How did Sileria perform from a project management standpoint?

They were really good. We used email and Trello for managing our project. 90–95% of the communication was on Trello.

A lot of developers aren’t very good at communication. That was not the case with Sileria. They were great in execution and communication. They were very transparent. If they think that something isn’t going to work, we find a different way.

What did you find most impressive about them?

It was a really good experience. I would hire them again if I needed more developers. I’d recommend them to anyone. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

They were perfect.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Everything is great so give them a call. Get in touch with them and just do it.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Deluxe is an organization that prepares movies, TV series, and other video content for users to stream on websites or devices like Roku. As the client applications manager, I'm responsible for developing some of the external applications we deliver.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Sileria?

Sileria helped us fulfill our contracts with both STARZ and Barnes and Noble. We create their suite of applications that work on all platforms, including websites, Roku, Android, and iOS.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Our project involved developing apps and backend infrastructures, delivering these products to our clients, and overseeing the transition. Sileria developed the core engine specifically for the Android platform. The team did some design work, in the sense of architecture and defining the interfaces we expose to other developers. Prototyping demo apps we demonstrate at trade shows also had a creative aspect. Many of the wireframes were created as a joint effort with our customers. The app workflow, design, and look of the user interface were mostly client-driven.

Multiple vendors worked on this project; Sileria built native apps written for different OS versions of Android, while another company created the iOS version. Since none of the apps are cross platform, they can’t be used on different types of machines, like Linux.

The team conducted a smooth hosting transition to our clients’ developers. After answering some questions and providing documentation, the clients’ vendor has effectively taken over.

What is the team composition?

I’m not sure of the team’s exact size, but their company is fairly small. I worked directly with Ahmed Shakil and one other person. When the main engineer was unavailable, other developers picked up on his work, and performed quite well.

How did you come to work with Sileria?

Our partnership began prior to my time working at Deluxe Entertainment, so I wasn't involved in the vendor selection. Our company had just begun developing the app when I started.

How much have you invested with them?

This project cost $300,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started the project around June 2012, and finished in December 2013.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The app was well-received by our clients. They gave positive feedback on the look, feel, and user experience. Sileria conducted a smooth hosting transition to turn the hosting over to their developers. Our clients easily took over the app and have been able to work with it effectively.

We’ve reused their product numerous times. Most notably, we included their unique sample app in the software development kit [SDK] we use to build new apps. This SDK is used both internally and by our clients who want to develop their own apps.

How did Sileria perform from a project management standpoint?

Essentially, we integrated their developers into our in-house team. We communicated mostly via phone and email, and had daily “stand ups,” or scrum calls. Sileria’s team was able to smoothly hand things off to other developers, and mostly stayed on track. They met deadlines and provided a good quality product.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The team paid close attention to detail, and had a strong focus on developing and delivering high quality code. Rather than settling for code that’s minimally functional, they created well-developed material with good bones that we can build upon. As a developer myself, I conducted detailed code reviews of all their work. They did a great job, and are clearly very skilled. I was so impressed with the product that I decided to base our SDK on some of their work.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Working with remote engineers always presents some challenges. I never met them in person, and would have liked to have had them visit our office so we could get better acquainted face-to-face.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I was formerly a project manager for a software consulting company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Sileria?

We had a large ramp up over a short period of time, so we needed to quickly find more developers to utilize.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They developed the graphical user interface (GUI) for a desktop application.

What is the team composition?

There was one person working on this project.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked with them from February 2003 until August 2004.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The GUI was well received. They effectively completed the work assigned to them at a good price.

How did Sileria perform from a project management standpoint?

I didn’t have any negative experiences with them. They worked in-house on the project.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They had some noteworthy qualities.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Nothing sticks out.