Softermii

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the director of information systems for a nonprofit association in the real estate industry.

In France, people looking to sell a house must sign an exclusivity contract with an agency, which stipulates that the agency has the right to share the listing with other agencies. If one of those agencies find a buyer, the commission is shared with the initial agency.

The aim of our association is to cater to these exclusivity contracts and share them amongst agencies within relevant geographic areas. We do this through a B2B software platform, which has an iOS app for agency users. They can see all listings and pricing through it.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Softermii?

They were in charge of implementing the iOS app.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Based on our requirements, Softermii developed our app from scratch. The app displays a map with the locations and details of all houses, flats, and business spaces for sale. For a house, users can see the surface, number of rooms, price, and so on. Then users can search by location type, size, and other criteria.

We share listing data only with the agencies within the area, and the seller has access to the full list of agencies that have received their listing.

What is the team composition?

We worked with a project manager, 2–3 software engineers, and a designer.

How did you come to work with Softermii?

One of our agency members was based in Ukraine, and we started working with a company there, but we quickly saw that it wasn’t going to work out.

We wanted to find a new company in Ukraine because it would be less expensive than using a local team. One of the people we spoke with told us about Softermii. We compared their prices against their local competitors and decided to work with them because they were an affordable option.

How much have you invested with them?

I estimate that the development cost was around $5,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with Softermii in May 2019, and the project was frozen in June 2020.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We froze development on the mobile app in order to focus on the web app. However, we were still very happy with Softermii’s work. The team had a solid skillset on the technical front. They found solutions for all of our performance issues. Not every development company could have executed on the same level as them.

How did Softermii perform from a project management standpoint?

They had the skills we needed, were able to meet tough deadlines, and were responsive. We had some changes in the validation phase, and Softermii handled those quickly. 

We didn’t set many deadlines because we wanted to focus on building a quality product. We had one tight deadline, and it became apparent it would be very difficult to meet about two weeks beforehand.

Softermii worked a lot of extra hours to meet that deadline, and we greatly appreciated it. As a result, we knew we could trust them in these kinds of situations.

They’re also flexible and are willing to work on either an hourly or fixed-price model.

What did you find most impressive about them?

At one point, one of our developers left and we needed to find a replacement Softermii was good at finding a new resource and making the transition. We had no more than three developers on the project, so replacing one person was a big change. Even with documentation, it was like a part of the project left when that person left.

However, Softermii ensured that the transition would go smoothly and our new developer would be just as skilled. They delivered, so we didn’t have problems stemming from this event.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Of course, we can’t expect that a company abroad would speak the same language as us, but it would have helped us if they had French speakers on their team. I have no comments apart from that.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

It’s important to learn how to work with a company outside our country, with a different culture and language. Managing a project with people working from different sites requires some initial calibration.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder and CEO of Scoby Social, a social media platform. We just incorporated in June. The central organizing principle is live, real-time, public conversations.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Softermii?

It was clear with COVID-19, everything was moving to remote video calls. I realized what was missing was a directory to find what someone wants to join and what they care about. We needed help with development.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Softermii developed our iOS and Android app using React Native. The apps were in the app store in November. Now we’re working on the crowd-pleaser features that we need in order to start building users. 

We went through several iterations with the UX expert, who was very helpful. He built all kinds of flows and prototypes. I was pretty much the product owner/project manager but he was my hand who would really make it look good. The business analyst did the user flows and articulated the actual stories to put in the rapid board.

What is the team composition?

We worked with a frontend developer, a UX expert, a business analyst, and a project manager once the project got going. It was a small but incredibly talented and flexible team.

How did you come to work with Softermii?

I went on Upwork and interviewed several companies. I knew I wanted a vendor from eastern Europe because I’ve had success with eastern European development teams. I was looking for a team that had business analysts, user experience, engineering, CTO, etc. I found a bunch of good ones, and I narrowed it down to 3-4 who I thought could really do the project. 

The reason I picked Softermii was specifically because of their model. They have testers and the team that they share between projects. They also have individuals they could provide according to our needs. They had actual experience in video streaming. 

Their CTO was really good about thinking things through. They’d bring him on calls. We’d talk about different possibilities and they proposed an open-source platform we could build off of. I had a lot of confidence in their technical capabilities. The thing that really made it for me was the idea of having my own team. The people who were there are always there and they’re not going away. It’s like they’re a part of our company.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent about $125,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in June 2020 and the work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Softermii delivered a really robust, technically sophisticated app that integrates multi-party video conferences with social media dynamics. We thought we were going to have to hire a much bigger team, but they accomplished that with only two full-time engineers and the support of others. 

The app got through the App Store on the second pass — all the App Store asked us to do was to change some things in our terms and conditions.

At one point, I began looking for a separate machine learning resource. I found someone I liked, and Softermii built an API for him and got him integrated. Now, they’re working together as a team. 

Something similar happened when I wanted my own full-time product manager. Now they’re just part of the team as well. The quality isn’t just in Softermii’s technical capabilities — it’s in the culture of the organization. They’re not your typical outsource firm where they write the specs and go build.

How did Softermii perform from a project management standpoint?

Project management is stellar. Anna (Senior Project Manager) is always available. She’s totally committed. Her reports are detailed. I feel I’m in great hands. Sometimes I’ve opened up our app in the afternoon here. She’s in Ukraine and I’ll see she’s using it at 11 PM or midnight to make sure something works for a release. 

We’re on Slack. We have daily 15-minute standups and one articulation estimation retrospective a week. The project manager is ultimately responsible for the communication and making sure things happen a particular way, but she’s part of the team like everybody else.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I see our engagement as outsourced development meets coworking. That blend of having our own UX specialist, business analyst, project manager, and tester that are shared with other projects plus the few people that are mine long-term is a real differentiator.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Some of the things I’m introducing did require a little bit of a culture shift, but everyone’s adapted really quickly. I think if they made it part of their overall culture, it could actually be a competitive advantage that gets some other customers and projects.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

This is true for any outsource company. Really own your product. Use their resources in terms of the business analyst and the project manager and UX specialist. Achieving success is showing up and participating and reviewing and explaining. 

Also, get their feedback. This is the thing that surprised me most with them is how much value they actually contribute. The frontend software engineer sometimes implements things in ways that I wasn’t thinking but they’re better.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder of a prayer organization platform.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Softermii?

I needed help wireframes and software documentation for my MVP.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

First, I created the documentation. Then, I uploaded it into Figma and they’re applying UI/UX elements to those specifications.

What is the team composition?

I worked with a business manager, an SRS document drafter, and a UI/UX drafter on the job.

How did you come to work with Softermii?

I found them through a Google search. I was specifically looking for companies in Ukraine and they had the best value you could want for your dollar.

How much have you invested with them?

I’ve spent about $5,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working together in March 2020, and our work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Freelancers are difficult to work with usually because sometimes they just disappear. What I like about their process is that they have great communication and always get back to me right away. I like their designs and the work they’re turning around based on my directions.  They’re also priced very fairly.

They really deserve top marks in every field. I would hire them again and again because they’re the best and most responsible workers I’ve ever hired. They’re my go-to company and I feel very confident about moving to the next phase in this startup because of the deliverables they’ve provided.

How did Softermii perform from a project management standpoint?

We hold meetings every day. They’re friendly, communicate well, and understand instructions. They always meet deadlines. We manage the project through email, Figma, Google Slides, and Telegram, which are my choices that they’ve catered to.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They communicate well, they’re very serious, smart, well written, and honest. They deliver at a very high quality and I’m happy that I found someone I can go through the full cycle software development that I need. Their communication and dedication are spot-on.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, not right now. Their communication is really a ten out of ten. I’m looking forward to how the next phases will turn out.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

My advice is to just reach out. They’re very nice and always available.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of a company that’s been working with software for a couple of years.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Softermii?

We had a client looking to build a HIPPA-compliant e-clinic video system so that they could communicate with patients remotely and help them lower the cost of on-site visits.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Softermii translated our designs and executed the platform’s development. Their team used React to build the frontend and .NET for the backend. They created an admin on the website so our client could onboard doctors, patients, and manage access. Their team also built a portal for patients to fill out requests, schedule meetings, and enable communication with doctors on the web or mobile app using the video conferencing tool. They're providing ongoing support and working on improvements to the application as it grows.

We’ve also done some other design work with Softermii, one-off projects around product strategy in the startup space.

What is the team composition?

We’ve worked with between 10–12 people from their team including a delivery manager.

How did you come to work with Softermii?

We came across Softermii through the Internet while looking at different design portfolios. They were competitive cost-wise and had stronger communication as well as execution skills. Unlike other companies we spoke with, their team was able to articulate how they deliver well.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent between $500,000–$520,000 with Softermii.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with Softermii in August 2017, and the collaboration’s ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The client and our team have been happy with everything. Our main KPI has been being proactive on any pending item and overall communication. Our goal is to be within the 10% margin because our requirements are pretty dynamic on this project. With delivery and communication, Softermii has always been within that margin. Their team has always maintained response times within 24 hours and has continued to follow up with the client if anything’s pending on their side, which was a major quality for us because the momentum of a project can die without it.

We’ve received great overall feedback from our client. Like any project, we needed to iron out our communication preferences such as e-mails or Slack. 

How did Softermii perform from a project management standpoint?

Communication has been clear. Anything complex we set up a call and make sure everybody’s on the same page. Out of 10, I’d say 8.5 or nine. There’s always room for improvement on that side but their systems and code management are better than most. Overall, Softermii has hit the provided expectations 90% of the time. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Unlike other vendors, they’re able to provide a variety of technical solutions. This project required encryption and blockchain work in addition to newer technologies such as React as well as leveraging an older architecture such as .NET. Their flexibility across multiple technologies separates them from the competition. Their team includes experts in several technologies.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, we’ve been happy.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I recommend them. They communicate clearly. Even if you just have an idea and don’t know where to start, Softermii’s able to help you break it down.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We're a planning website for adventure travel. We allow users to plan their own adventure travel by providing high-quality route guides for hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, climbing, biking, etc. We also work with tour operators around the world.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Softermii?

We wanted a solution that gave users more flexibility to plan their travel arrangements, and we hoped to build functionality that allowed our users to talk directly to tour guides.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They worked through all the functionality for the site, based on our concepts. They took time to understand our end users, and they developed a clean template to work from. Their work was designed to iterate with our existing site.

What is the team composition?

We worked with a team of five or six, led by a project manager. Some of them were full-time, while a few team members brought their expertise to specific parts of the project.

How did you come to work with Softermii?

We looked at about 30 teams on Upwork. After some good discussions, three or four companies made the final list. I really liked Softermii's portfolio and their flexibility, so we selected them.

How much have you invested with them?

We've spent about $15,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project started around October 2018. Funding to pursue the project further was contingent on the number of tour operators and countries we had on the site, and the project was put on hold in June 2019. Once we build that list of resources, we hope to start again in January 2020.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They worked hard to understand the business, and they brought a lot of useful design ideas to the project. They contributed a lot to successful outcomes.

How did Softermii perform from a project management standpoint?

Our project manager was alright, but we worked much more closely with our UX/UI lead. For what we were doing, we didn't need a lot of project management, and the assigned project manager worked more as a developer. As a client, I would rather work directly with the subject matter expert anyway, so our collaboration was much more efficient than it might have been. A lot of our communication is through email.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their team members were very invested in finding solutions for us. They brought in ideas we hadn't considered, and their suggestions made a lot of sense.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Communication can be challenging with this much of a time difference. One of our project managers left near the end, and they didn't alert us ahead of time, but that was the only negative moment in our interactions. For the most part, communication isn't much of an issue, and one of our contacts is fairly easy to contact.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Make sure your team has the skills you need for your project. That can be said for any development company.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a software engineer at VideoNet, a telecommunications company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Softermii?

We have our own in-house development team, but we couldn’t keep up with all of our projects. As such, we needed a partner who could augment our internal team.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Softermii has worked on numerous projects, ranging from small to large. Most recently, they’ve been working on a HIPAA-compliant video communication platform. Our internal staff came up with the original concept and design, and Softermii has built on that. The product helps healthcare providers improve their telemedicine services, such as adding a note-taking feature and screenshare capabilities. We collaborate closely with their team, iterating back and forth on the product.

What is the team composition?

We typically work with 1–3 people at any given time. However, in total, we’ve probably worked with up to 12 different team members, depending on our needs.

How did you come to work with Softermii?

We reached out to a few different companies and had them work on small projects. We liked Softermii’s responsiveness and work quality, so we continued to give them more tasks.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent around $400,000.          

What is the status of this engagement?

We partnered in the first half of 2016, and the partnership is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They respond quickly, fixing any errors that either of us make.

How did Softermii perform from a project management standpoint?

They proactively let us know if one of them will be out of the office and give us someone else we can contact in the meantime. The team is extremely communicative and prepared, staffing to the appropriate level when we give them new projects. They’re flexible and willing to have meetings with us whenever we need them.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They have phenomenal customer service. They’re attentive to our needs and follow up with us to make sure we’re satisfied with their work.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t think of any ways they could improve. Any mistakes they’ve made have been minor and were addressed immediately.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

If you want them to work on just a particular portion of a task, explain the entire project because they’ll be able to contribute to the overall solution. By hiring them, you have a tremendous pool of talent at your fingertips.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We are a digital and creative agency from Munich. We develop media and digital solutions for our clients, ranging from social media campaigns and online presence to influencer campaigns. We create websites, content hubs, and mobile applications.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Movade Studio?

We create digital solutions, but for complex applications, we need some experts and that's where Softermii comes into play for us.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We are working on a system for telemedicine with adaptations for our clients. Features include encryption on a P2P basis, so it's totally GDPR compliant. We translate what the client wants to do to the programmers because they don't speak the same language some of the time. I don't always know which language they need either, so Softermii can help with that.

Our solution was supposed to be released in three or four months, but it may take longer than that because of changes in requests from our client. That’s not an issue on Softermii’s part.

What is the team composition?

We are in direct contact with our account manager, Slava (Co-Founder, Softermii), along with a project manager. We also had contact with one of the two CEOs. We have no direct contact with the programmers.

How did you come to work with Movade Studio?

Slava had worked with us in the past and was very trustworthy. We can trust him to work like he says he will. We considered many providers, and SofterMii was the only one who'd had success with GDPR compliance. And that's why we picked them.

Before we started the project, we went to Kyiv to see how everything worked and whether there was really an office with as many people as they said. With telemedicine solutions, we really have to minimize risks. We met the CEOs there and saw the facilities and the programmers. We saw the case they had.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent €100,000–€250,000 (about $110,670–$276,680 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in October 2018 and the partnership is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They're always on track with their timesheets and the milestones are being reached even earlier than planned. They plan their development schedule very well. The project is not yet live for the end-user. Some of the milestones are not yet possible to measure, but so far, the client is happy. The client's still adding features like crazy, but I also find that the client is happy with the development so far.

How did Movade Studio perform from a project management standpoint?

They are very strict with themselves. Based on our experience, we always try to build some buffer here and there, so if there are any delays, it’s due to expectation management. However, they are delivering on the clock with what they promised, and that's really great. Sometimes they are too punctual and we have to explain why deliverables are ready one week earlier than the client expected.

What did you find most impressive about them?

It’s our first telemarketing project, so in this case, we can’t judge. However, in terms of code quality, they are really up to any professional standard that you could ask for. They are way more reliable than other countries because we had to also experiment with Poland, with India, with Germany, and with the US. They are performing on par with our expectations. They deliver top-notch quality and are really reliable.

Are there any areas they could improve?

In terms of prices, sometimes a little bit less expensive would be better, and sometimes a little bit more expensive would be better so we could also get our percentage on top. But I think that's not the case. They're doing a great job based on the budgets we’ve seen.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Consider them. They have a very hands-on mentality and they try to solve any problem that you present them. They are really worth a shot. Programming is sometimes like a marriage–you have to find the company that really suits your needs. Softermii has provided us great value so far.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder and CEO of 24 Hour Designs. We’re a UI/UX design firm serving all types of businesses.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Softermii?

We reached out to Softermii when we needed help building an app.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We are working with Softermii to build a web-based rapid prototyping tool for the software space. Once completed, it’ll enable anyone with an idea for an app to start the process on their own.  

What is the team composition?

I interface directly with the project manager, who is in contact with the team and CEO. He’s my only direct point of contact, though. 

How did you come to work with Softermii?

We see quite a few developers in our industry, so we probably met them organically through LinkedIn or an event. I liked them and the potential for our overseas partnership. We have relationships with developers around the world, so their ability to stand out from the rest was impressive in itself. Additionally, they seemed to have good personalities and know what they were doing. 

How much have you invested with them?

I’m not sure of the exact numbers, but we’ve spent between $50,000–$100,000 with them. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in June 2019, and the project is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The project is currently incomplete, but I think I’ll be happy with the result once it launches and users begin picking it up. In their work, Softermii’s team has been great about listening to feedback, processing work, and determining solutions. 

How did Softermii perform from a project management standpoint?

Despite our remote partnership, communication has been good. Our project manager is pretty on top of things, and while there’s bound to be miscommunication at some point, we haven’t run into anything yet. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

I was impressed by their willingness to collaborate. They always reach out, asking how they can best add value to our business. That can be a risky thing to do, but they’re really good at showing how they can add value to our initiatives. We’ve built our relationship on that. With millions of developers in the world, connecting like this will help individuals stand out from the pack.

Are there any areas they could improve?

This is subjective, but any project could move faster.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be open-minded to working with an offshore company. There are definitely a few gems out there.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the director of a short-term job recruitment platform for pharmacies in the UK.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Softermii?

I’d hired another development company to build my app, and the original version was terrible. It was riddled with bugs and didn’t have a cohesive backend architecture. I partnered with a second developer, and they took ages to finish the work, which caused several delays. Eventually I found Softermii and brought them on to redesign the platform. I needed them to implement some immediate fixes and updates while planning for a major overhaul in the near future.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They began the project by auditing the existing codebase and identifying which issues they would tackle first. They fixed bugs, made the app more stable, and updated the UI. They also converted the code to make it compatible with iPhone X.

In addition to overall enhancements, the team built a new payment feature that allows users to charge people through the app. They developed the backend in Node.js, and the product is available for both Android and iOS devices.

Now that they’ve finished an initial sprint, they’re gearing up for the second phase of development. This next step will involve restructuring the backend architecture and rethinking some UI/UX elements.

What is the team composition?

We were assigned a web developer, an iOS developer, an Android developer, a backend developer, and a project manager. Occasionally, we communicate with one of Softermii’s co-founders.

How did you come to work with Softermii?

I found them online and chose them because they were willing to work with and fix code that had been written by other developers.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent approximately $25,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project started in March 2019, and we’re planning for them to add more features and updates.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The app is now stable and entirely free of bugs. User volume has risen, and the number of complaint emails that we receive has gone down significantly.

How did Softermii perform from a project management standpoint?

Their project manager is dedicated and organized. He’s also great at listening to feedback and explaining problems. Whenever I share my concerns, their team responds right away. They were able to roll out a wide variety of updates in a short period.  

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their team is energetic and committed to meeting my needs. They were also quick to start working on the project, which was not the case with any of my previous developers.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t think of any areas where they underperformed.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Give them a call. They’re one of the best companies I’ve worked with for development.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CTO of Universal World Passport. We offer a unique branding and customer retention platform.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Softermii?

We had a codebase for our product that was built by freelance developers, but there were many problems. The code was unstable, work wasn’t being completed on schedule, and we were without a finished MVP. We discovered Softermii, and hired them to develop two cross-platform mobile apps.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They analyzed our existing codebase and rewrote legacy code to make it workable for newer operating systems. Their team also rethought some of the key user-flows and extended the functionality of the platform, including a new medal feature. The codebase is now formatted in a way that allows for cross-platform updates. They developed both applications using the MEAN Stack.

What is the team composition?

My primary contact was Diana (Chief Business Development Officer, Softermii), who oversaw three developers and a development team leader.

What is the status of this engagement?

They began working in August 2018 and released both products in March 2019.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Both apps have launched and are available for download on iOS and Android devices. The code is stable, and we’re collecting feedback from users to validate our concept.

How did Softermii perform from a project management standpoint?

Their team was always accessible, and there were never any lapses in communication. There was even a situation where the team lead had to take time off, and their replacement ensured that development continued without a hitch. They handled even the smallest of issues, and whenever I had questions, they were quick to respond and adjust as needed.

Development occurred in biweekly sprints. Their team followed detailed timelines and made exact recordings of the hours that they worked. They were attentive to details, and accounted for every variable throughout each of the build phases.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their team was genuinely invested in the success of our platform. They were also personable and provided a high level of customer service.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don’t think there’s an area where they need improvement. They were terrific.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Make sure to state your intentions clearly at the beginning of the project. This will help you avoid unnecessary changes later on, and will likely reduce your timeline and budget.