SKM Group

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am a department Coordinator at Verge America Ltd

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Manufactures of custom printed sports apparel primary cycling and triathlon.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire SKM Group to accomplish?

• Update and maintain our front end website
• Create and maintain our front-end custom ordering web app.
• Update and maintain our internal company manufacturing web app.
• Review and refactor existing code prior to hire.
• Ensure web apps and systems are secure.

SOLUTION

How did you find SKM Group?

• Online Search

Why did you select SKM Group over others?

• High ratings
• Company values aligned
• well-versed in the languages and technology we utilize

How many teammates from SKM Group were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

We hired and have been working with SKM since 2018, taking the lead development role for our entire production management platform and front-end customer systems. Our initial deliverables were to update our front-end website and extend our custom manufacturing systems to allow customers to interact directly with our back-end manufacturing system.

Upon completion, we shifted the focus to our back-end manufacturing system, where existing code was reviewed and refactored. Our cooperation continues on an ongoing basis with weekly and monthly expansion and improvements to all of our web applications as the needs of our company change.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

An easy-to-view navigatable static website and, most importantly, the ability for our end clients to directly interact with our back-end manufacturing system significantly reduced our overall workload. For our ongoing projects, regularly launching system advancements helps improve our internal workflow and further reduces our workload.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Project management is handled very well. We have on average 1-2 meetings per month, few in person and mostly virtual. They are very flexible scheduling and accommodate well even though there is a 6-hour time difference. Daily communications and tasks are communicated through Trello. Deliverables have been on time, and they are always open to our needs while offering valuable insight and alternative options whenever possible.

What was your primary form of communication with SKM Group?

• In-Person Meeting
• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

We have been very impressed with their ability to not only provide a great service, but taking the time to visit our manufacturing facility allowing them to understand more thoroughly how our company operates from a business perspective. This has allowed them to offer us many well thought-out alternatives for system improvements we have come to appreciate.

Are there any areas for improvement or something SKM Group could have done differently?

We only have good things to say

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of 3lions, an English language school with two locations in Poland. We employ about 20–25 people.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with SKM Group?

We’d hired another IT company to develop a new webpage, an e-learning platform, and a CRM system, but the process was disastrous and went on for two years. Our clients weren’t happy. My company was looking for someone that could help us with web development for our CRM.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We had zero documentation, but we took the existing code and gave it to SKM Group. I met with Mateusz (Board Member, SKM Group) and two developers to let them know what we needed to do. They started work almost immediately, and we’ve seen several improvements.

What is the team composition?

I worked with 4–5 people from their team. Everything goes through Mateusz, but we have regular contact with other people as well.

How did you come to work with SKM Group?

Someone who couldn’t help us recommended SKM Group, so we contacted them.

How much have you invested in them?

My company has spent around 30,000 Polish Zloty (approximately $7,734 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working with them in September 2018, and the work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our experience with SKM Group has been very positive. There have been a few mistakes, but they’re always available, calm, and patient. They’ve been very effective.

How did SKM Group perform from a project management standpoint?

The project manager is great, and there haven’t been any problems.

What did you find most impressive about them?

SKM Group is very open and flexible. They’re superior to the other IT companies I’ve worked with.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They’re getting busier, and they seem a little stretched at the moment. Sometimes, they miss deadlines.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the owner of an internet platform and product database that specializes in veterinary articles and services.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire SKM Group?

I needed full-stack development of a website and database. The whole platform consists of the static website and an administrative area where the content is administered.

What were your goals for this project?

I wanted an attractive website that would attract veterinarians and other industry players.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I found a website that SKM Group created and I liked it. I contacted them and reviewed their portfolio, and we agreed to cooperate.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

SKM Group handled all frontend and backend development. I only provided general information about the appearance of the site. They took care of the rest. Later, they took care of site administration and added new functionalities that appeared after launch.

What was the team composition?

The team consisted of a project manager and a couple of developers. I personally spoke only to the project manager.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I wanted to have my website up and running as fast as possible, and they delivered in four months, which was a very good pace for me.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

When necessary, I called the project manager directly to discuss important matters. We handled everything else through email. They often convinced me out of my ideas, and they were always right.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

SKM Group’s attitude impressed me. They were dedicated to the success of our project.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, I can’t think of anything.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the founder and chairman of Rentals Combined. We're an accommodation provider, and we work with many properties around the world.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with SKM Group?

We use a lot of API connectivity with different property management systems and travel-oriented hotel accommodations. We needed a vendor to help us with API integrations.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We use Java on the frontend and .NET–on the backend. SKM managed the integration side of our business. They took APIs from other businesses and integrated them into our databases using .NET coding. They also worked on certain API functionality that allowed other companies to utilize our data to power their systems.

What is the team composition?

We worked with three of their founders and 4–5 developers.

How did you come to work with SKM Group?

We were introduced to them by another company. We were also considering some other vendors, but we liked SKM's professionalism and flexibility.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project lasted from June 2015–December 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They were vital to the project's success. We wouldn't have been able to accomplish our goals without them.

How did SKM Group perform from a project management standpoint?

They were very responsive and engaged with us. They listened to us, helped us develop the structure, and kept the project on track. They also still call us to make sure everything is working well.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They really care about their customers and do high-quality work. Also, their rates are reasonable.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I can't name anything. If they could help us with Java (in addition to .NET), we would have preferred to run the whole platform with them.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

In-person meetings are very important. I went to Krakow a few times to meet with them. They have a young and talented team, so we enjoyed working with them.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I was an operations manager at The Fine Food Group Polska, a Krakow-based national wine importer and distributor committed to offering a complete and competitive range of exceptional wines.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire SKM Group?

We hired SKM Group to build a website. 

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to create an online shop that was integrated with our dedicated ERP system.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

An individual from my previous company referred me to SKM Group. I had no prior knowledge of this company, but their engagement and professional approach exceeded my expectations.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

After meeting them in person to discuss our vision and goals, SKM Group completed end-to-end development and integrated the platform with our ERP.  Every online purchase was automatically sent to our warehouse, where orders are processed by our internal staff. 

What was the team composition?

We worked with a project manager, developers, and testers.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

By offering an online shopping experience—in addition to our physical storefront—the website has increased our customer flow. Not only did they create the website, but SKM Group improved our entire internal process regarding online shopping; it is now much faster and virtually error-free. 

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Communication was constant and managed seamlessly via phone and email. They responded quickly to failures or issues, and we appreciated their accessibility. 

What did you find most impressive about this company?

SKM Group delivered outstanding quality. Committed to success, they strove to understand our needs and were thoroughly engaged in our project. They felt like a part of our company, genuinely interested in making the website better and advising us on how to reap the greatest benefits.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I don’t recall any areas needing improvement. We were highly satisfied working with them.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Project Coordinator of Internationaler Bund Polska

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

The Internationaler Bund Polska foundation’s mission is a comprehensive support and social and professional activisation of people excluded, in particular, due to age, origin, place of residence, education, or social status.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire SKM Group to accomplish?

• Develop and test a website for a solution utilizing QR codes

SOLUTION

How did you find SKM Group?

Referral

Why did you select SKM Group over others?

Referred to me

How many teammates from SKM Group were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Our scope was to develop and run a website for the project. We met with Mateusz and Stefan and discussed all our needs in detail. SKM Group recommended us the best fronted and backend solution for our case. Our key deliverable was a complex website including a portal with an option to manage user's account and data.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Launched website with all features needed. Prepared very well for further development.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

SKM Group delivered given work on time and in accordance with the agreed schedule. All team members were available and responsive throughout the entire development process.

What was your primary form of communication with SKM Group?

Virtual Meeting

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

• flexibility 
• engagement in the project 
• Their expertise when recommending the best solutions was impressive

Are there any areas for improvement or something SKM Group could have done differently?

I don’t recall any areas.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

 I am the CEO of an ecommerce company 

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

E-commerce with nutrition products

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire SKM Group to accomplish?

• Build a BI solution & data warehouse
• Build, customize and maintain e-commerce shop

SOLUTION

How did you find SKM Group?

Referral

Why did you select SKM Group over others?

• Pricing fit our budget
• Referred to me

How many teammates from SKM Group were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Complete setup of BI solution with implementation of data warehouse, connection of data sources and connection toTableau. Set up of e-commerce shop in Shopify, customization of theme, implementing of custom features, maintenance and continuous development and improvements.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Feature deployments, performance improvements

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Fast response, timely delivery

What was your primary form of communication with SKM Group?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Very approachable, clear about what is possible and what is not

Are there any areas for improvement or something SKM Group could have done differently?

We were very satisfied and had a very good experience working with them.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the export manager at On Lemon, a food and beverage company that specializes in lemonade products.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire SKM Group?

I bought the ERP system that they created and asked them to make some customizations for us. 

What were your goals for this project? 

Our goal was to receive a system that would help us with our everyday work to manage our company. This ranged from invoicing and CRM to analytics and document flow.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

A business partner recommended SKM Group to us. After a lengthy period evaluating different ERP products, we selected SKM Group’s system. 

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail. 

SKM Group was responsible for creating the whole system. After spending a lot of time evaluating the ERP, we sent them a list of requested changes, pointing out improvements to meet our needs. They then adapted the ERP to our requirements.

What was the team composition?

I only work with the project manager, but there are also a couple of developers on the team. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Their ERP is the best available system in Poland for companies in the beverage industry; there’s no alternative. They specifically developed it for our needs as well as the needs of beverage importers, distributors, manufacturers. The system covers everything from back-office work to warehousing and logistics. 

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

I’ve nothing negative to say about their project management. We typically communicate via email, but I’m also able to call our project manager directly to discuss important matters.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I appreciate their attitude and patience with us.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, nothing comes to mind.