Skyrise.tech

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

My company is a leading endoscopy equipment distributor in Poland, with a view for some new innovative products development and sell to the polish heatlhcare market. I'm working in a R&D department, responsible for new products verification and development.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Skyrise.tech?

We have hired Skyrise.tech for their support in market research and idea verification. Together with Skyrise.tech we made a Google Design Sprint in which they are specialists, during the GDS we verified product idea, made market research, spoke with some potential clients and received few proposals from.

What were your goals for this project?

First and most important goal were to verify, if the product idea meets the market need Additional goals: prepare initial solution and mockups to test with the clients

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

The vendor has been selected by other company members, I was not involved in this proces. But from the information I received, this vendor has been selected based on their experienced in GDS and very good attitude to the client who has not fully specified beeds.

Describe the project in detail.

The project was combined with a RFID solution for patient and asset tracking in the hospitals.

What was the team composition?

• Product Owner - me
• UX/UI specialist - Skyrise.tech
• Market research specialist - Skyrise.tech
• Business Analyst - Skyrise.tech
• Developer - Skyrise.tech
• IT Healthcare market specialist - other company
• Healthcare market specialist - other company
• IT buissiness specialist - other comany

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Finally, the market verification has shown that this product is not the first need for our defined clients, but during research we noticed there is a need for some other solution, for which we did some additional research.

So the final outcome was that there is a potential to concentrate on the other solution and abandon or postpone the first idea.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Basically, we established all the communication and needs aspect in the beggining of our project travel. those attitude allowed to control and share needed information between us without any bigger problems. I understand the workflow, also as a communication, which from the Skyrise.tech was very transparent.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The most impressive aspect of Skyrise.tech was their CEO, who, looking from time perspective has very good business understanding.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I think there maybe some imprvement, in some nervous moment, when we needed to change the project plan, so not to follow standard GDS path, I noticed some clashes between the teammates.

I think they are good professionals but sometime when the situation is difficult, it is really need to stay calm.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Tpay.com is a Polish payment system.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Skyrise.tech?

We needed to develop a mobile version of our payment system.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Skyrise.tech developed our system that allows users to make bank payments and transfers in a single mobile library. They made separate Android and iOS versions.

What is the team composition?

We worked with 2–3 developers, one project manager, and one lawyer.

How did you come to work with Skyrise.tech?

They’d worked with one of our clients in the past and had done a great job.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent 30,000 Polish zloty (approximately $7,745 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked with Skyrise.tech between May–June 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The system they’ve delivered is functional and requires a very short implementation time for our customers, which was critical for us.

How did Skyrise.tech perform from a project management standpoint?

We communicated through email or telephone depending on the department. We talked to the lawyer on the phone and used emails with the development team. We didn’t have any communication problems with anyone on this project.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They developed the library quickly, which was important, and they had the best price on the market at that time.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

I don’t have any advice. They’re the best on the market, and I’ll definitely choose them again the next time.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of Ristorio, which is an app used to manage restaurants and bars. The wait staff can use tablets and smartphones to serve guests, and managers and owners have access to the data online through the web-based app.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Skyrise.tech?

We were looking for someone that could help us with web and mobile app development.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement? 

They were responsible for developing both the web and mobile app. They used the .NET framework and Java for the web app, and the mobile app was developed for Android.

The web app can be used for reporting as well as data analytics. There is also a stock management option, which was especially complicated from the development side and gave us some difficulties during the project. Skyrise.tech solved all the issues, and we are completely satisfied with the product. 

What is the team composition?

We worked with up to 10 people over the years. We have had three team leaders, UI and UX team members, and 5–6 developers. Some were backend developers, and some were mobile developers.

How did you come to work with Skyrise.tech?

They are known in our area, and I had a personal connection with the CEO. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working with them in 2016 and the work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We have had more than 1,000 downloads from the Google Play Store. We have more than 1,000 interactions in the system daily with 500 users who operate the system.

How did Skyrise.tech perform from a project management standpoint?

Their project management was impeccable. They always informed us about the status and development progress. They did the job perfectly. We are extremely pleased with their cooperation. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

The team atmosphere is great, and it’s a joy to work with them. We feel like they are a part of our company. They are exceptionally friendly, and we always feel secure with them.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don’t see any areas of improvement. The timeframe could be shorter, but that is always the case in development.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I would recommend using all the resources they can provide. Their UX is always great, and it would be good to use all of the areas of development. Focus on a project with the whole team.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the director of a venture capital firm called Black Pearls VC. We invest money in promising companies such as technological startups, young organizations, and other businesses.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Skyrise?

We wanted to create a software solution that would support startups through the business development process. The tool would also allow startups to easily submit their ideas to us for review. Since we’re not a technical group, we relied on Skyrise to build the platform.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement? 

Skyrise developed a .NET-based online tool that would help tech startups develop their businesses. During the planning phase, they advised us on how to organize our software structure. The team then designed a mobile responsive UX/UI before building out a prototype and delivering the final version.

The tool itself was responsible for giving tech startups tips on following a lean business model. It would advise them on financial decisions, help them stick to a schedule, and give them an overall understanding of where they were in the project development process. At each stage, users could see what their next steps should be.

Another core function was the ability to submit projects directly to us to go through our investment process. We would assess each startup’s solutions and provide feedback. 

What is the team composition? 

Skyrise supplied a business analyst, a project manager, two UX designers, and between 2–3 programmers.

How did you come to work with Skyrise?

We researched the market for potential development firms and received a couple of offers. Out of all of the companies that responded, Skyrise was the most promising. 

How much have you invested with them?

We spent about €125,000 (approximately $142,000 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

The project lasted from August 2014–May 2015.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The project was quite effective. In a short amount of time, several users have created over 1,000 projects in the tool. We’ve even invested in three of them.

How did Skyrise perform from a project management standpoint?

It was an effective collaboration because they were so agile. We had sprint meetings and used an online communication tool as well as a project management system to track deliveries.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Compared to other IT development companies I’ve worked with, Skyrise had a really professional team. They provided a full scope of services and understood how to lead an effective project.

Their experience was particularly useful during the planning phase because they were able to advise us on ways to test our idea before committing to development. They would check user requirements, test ideas with potential users when building the prototype, and work from there. That level of testing and support was good.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They’re not the least expensive service provider. But considering their whole performance, the price is great.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am a product owner at ABAX. We operate a fleet management system for the construction sector, which, for our purposes, includes electricians, plumbers, and the like.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Skyrise?

Our initial system wasn't truly scalable, so we contracted with Skyrise to rebuild it on a new platform.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We rely on Skyrise to provide extensive development services for our web portal along with Android and iOS applications. The platform allows project managers to keep track of construction and renovation projects to effectively manage employees and physical resources. The mobile app for workers makes it easier to receive and report information related to their particular jobs.

What is the team composition?

We work with a full team of about 18 people. That figure includes smaller groups that work with the separate Android, iOS, and web platforms. Additionally, we have a design team, a UX technician, a business analyst, and a project manager.

How did you come to work with Skyrise?

My predecessor chose Skyrise, so I am unsure of the exact decision process.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our engagement began in January 2015 and is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

With their support, we went from a non-scalable product to a fully scalable one. We are now able to serve a larger customer base than before. Their insight helps us create specific features that better suit our customers.

How did Skyrise perform from a project management standpoint?

They are very professional. I speak with the business analyst every day, and we have weekly meetings with each of the team leaders. We also visit them every other month. Our remote communication operates through phone calls, emails, Skype, and Slack. They follow up appropriately to each meeting. They also document their progress and invoices well.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We never have to worry about their dedication. They always deliver.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There have been times when adding more people to certain teams to speed up development would've been advantageous, but it's not always an option with Skyrise. We’ve had to halt operations for Android and iOS at times so that the other team could catch up.

Any advice for potential customers?

My only advice is to be open to trusting them. They get the job done, but trust plays a large role in their success.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the CEO and founder of You ROK Corp, an emotional resiliency app for adolescents used to help develop self-care skills.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Skyrise?

We needed help fixing code for a new service provided by another vendor.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Skyrise fixed and reworked the code for a new web-based service that was tightly intertwined with our mobile app, resolving a number of issues and bugs. They essentially provided QA and fixed code with minimal documentation, helping with the overall design as well.

What is the team composition?

We mostly worked directly with Tomasz (Technical Project Manager, Skyrise).

How did you come to work with Skyrise?

They happened to be in the US and were able to meet with us in-person after someone introduced me to their company. We evaluated several other firms and felt that Skyrise ultimately had the best team and options for us. They were flexible in their terms and offered competitive rates as well. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked with them from around September 2017 through January 2018, but they've continued to provide assistance as needed to work out any bugs as they come up. We plan on working with them again towards the end of summer to add functionality to the app.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Skyrise successfully corrected the code we originally provided them, solving difficult problems without the support of formal documentation. They also provided invaluable recommendations, including ways to integrate cost-effective third-party services. We got an incredible value for our investment.

How did Skyrise perform from a project management standpoint?

They worked very well around our infrastructure, which lacks adequate support for more modern development cycles. Despite the time zone difference, they did a decent job of being responsive through email and Skype. They were able to speed up their processes a bit to adhere closer to the pace we're used to in Silicon Valley.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Skyrise's team is highly competent in providing IT infrastructure. Their team is also very understanding, doesn't have an ego, and is prepared to listen to the client in order to provide exactly what's needed. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

Due to the differences in contracts and certain laws from country to country, signing the contract took us a little longer to navigate than I would've preferred. They may be able to look into ways to speed up that process as they work with more clients in the US in the future.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Start with their team from an earlier phase of design and development than we did and don't look anywhere else.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the product manager at a car park technology company in Norway. We’re working to streamline paid parking with automation technology.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Skyrise?

We’ve been working on a new parking solution based on automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) that allows drivers to register their car and pay electronically at parking lots. As a result, we needed resources to develop a custom software that could read license plates and allow for automatic electronic payments.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We initially only brought Skyrise on to help us with the implementation phase once we came up with the basic concept. However, we ended up collaborating throughout the entire project from start to finish, which involved UX design, implementation, testing, and maintenance.

With the software, drivers can register their license plate and credit card numbers through various apps. Afterward, they can drive in and out of parking facilities freely. Once the system reads a registered license plate, the parking barrier opens automatically, and we charge the driver’s card. The Skyrise team is currently continuing to perform maintenance to ensure the software works and are working on evolving the core concept to include other payment options.

What is the team composition?

We have one person dedicated to UX development, one for design, one for implementation, and one for testing. Additionally, they’ve assigned a team to carry out our maintenance routine. I also work with their team lead who keeps track of our account.

How did you come to work with Skyrise?

In the beginning, we were part of the same company before splitting into two separate organizations. As such, we didn’t have to recruit other agencies for the project because we already knew what the team’s capabilities were. While we originally planned to use multiple third-party vendors throughout the project lifecycle, Skyrise did so well that we decided to collaborate with them for all of our development, testing, and maintenance needs.

What is the status of this engagement?

Their work started in January 2013 and is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

It’s been a huge success so far, and our prospects look promising. Having sold our parking system to multiple large companies in Scandinavia, we have some deliveries scheduled and are in the process of rolling out our services. Moreover, our software has received high user-satisfaction ratings for its functionalities. Because we’ve focused on providing a superior end-user experience, drivers appreciate the convenience of our integrated ALPR and payment system for daily use.

How did Skyrise perform from a project management standpoint?

Overall, I would say they’re very professional. We typically use a combination of the PRINCE2, rational unified process (RUP), and agile methodologies to organize the project. Every day, the business manager and I meet with Skyrise’s technical resource to discuss any status updates.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I value their honesty and ability to meet deadlines. If they notice any problems they tell us immediately.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They may benefit from increasing their manpower in a sustainable way. Considering how specialized our project is, it can be hard to find qualified resources and train them for a few months only to eventually let them go. While I understand there are pros and cons to adding more people, sometimes it can feel like there isn’t enough bandwidth for the project.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

No, nothing comes to mind.