Softweb Solutions

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CTO of a medical billing company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Softweb Solutions?

We had a mobile developer for some time, but they went to another position elsewhere. We needed to replace them.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

It was a steady-state project, so we had Softweb Solutions on an ongoing basis. They continued the work on the existing app; we didn’t build from scratch. We paid every month to retain their people, and they’d work on the various things that we assigned them. They helped us with features, fixing issues, and so on.

The app is for medical billing, and it’s built for iOS and Android.

What is the team composition?

We worked with two senior developers, one for iOS and one for Android.

How did you come to work with Softweb Solutions?

We went to Softweb Solutions and let them know what we were looking for. Based on our requirements, we were able to field the number of candidates, which I interviewed. Upon doing interviews, we selected who we wanted to work with us.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent a bit over $25,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began our partnership in February, and it ended in May 2022.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

In the short time they were with us, we managed to get 3–4 releases for both platforms. In the previous version, we couldn’t release nearly as excellent work as with Softweb Solutions. We completed a lot of items reasonably quickly.

How did Softweb Solutions perform from a project management standpoint?

They performed well. They made some mistakes, but it was primarily because they didn’t know the application 100%. However, we were impressed with how quickly they picked up the pace and were able to work on items. They showed a lot of initiative. If something was blocking them, they would figure it out and reach out to us. The team was very autonomous; they only came to ask for help when it was needed.

For communication, we used Google Workspace.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We had access to their developers, and since they were a global company, we had access to resources in other parts of the world. Also, we dealt individually with the developers, but we could still deal with the company through them. We liked that we could change, add, or remove resources as necessary.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Their administration officers could be a bit more communicative. We never waited for work, but they could give updates more frequently.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Give them a shot or consider working with them. We had people with excellent skills, and there were many people available. Also, we found the prices were reasonable.

BACKGROUND

Could you briefly describe your company?

We provide IT [information technology] consulting services, essentially building Web applications for clients.

What is your position?

I’m the principal.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

Could you describe the business challenges you were attempting to address when you initiated the relationship with Softweb Solutions?

We needed additional resources to help us achieve our project deadlines. At the time, we did not have anyone available on such short notice, and we had already contacted a few companies in search of development support. That’s when we came across Softweb Solutions.

SOLUTION

Could you describe the scope of the project? For instance, did it involve custom visual design, backend development, training, or support? 

They've essentially built Web applications with the technologies and frameworks that our clients requested. There have been considerable amounts of custom application development, testing, and enhancements. It's been primarily Java-based Web application development. We utilize Java silver phases on the frontend with Spring in the middle tier and Hibernate in the backend with the SQL server at the database. 

How did you select Softweb Solutions as your development partner?

I conducted some research online for potential vendors. I created a shortlist of about four or five firms and submitted our request for proposals. Once we received a few responses, we invited them in to demonstrate their capabilities and expertise. I was impressed with Softweb Solutions because of their previous experience and the complexity of some of the projects they've worked on. We felt confident in their abilities. That's how we chose them. 

Could you provide a sense of the size of this initiative in monetary terms?

It was approximately $200,000. 

When was the most recent project completed with Softweb Solutions?

We built the application in 2010. From then on, we've engaged Softweb for custom application enhancements and modifications. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

In terms of results, could you share any statistics, metrics, or user feedback that would demonstrate the effectiveness of the work they've delivered?

I don’t have any real means of measurement, but through the years, we have definitely improved. When the application first rolled out, it was a huge success. The end-users gained access to a lot of features that were not previously available to them via the Web. During the course of the last few years, especially the last few months, we have greatly improved the performance of the system.

The system has grown a lot since day one, not only in terms of features, but also the user base. As the number of users increase, we ran into some performance issues, which we have been addressing. We're now in the process of modifying and enhancing the system in order to increase the speed of the system. It's very challenging work, but we've been quite successful so far. 

When working with Softweb Solutions, is there anything you would consider unique or special about them compared to other vendors with which you’ve worked?

I would say it’s their technical expertise. They have a great pool of resources from website design to backend development, across several platforms and technologies. For example, in Java. In Java silver phases, we have different versions every year. Each version comes with a new set of features, new techniques, and so on. Softweb has been great at maintaining the most up-to-date skills. 

In retrospect, are there areas you think they could improve upon, or are there things you'd do differently as the client before approaching this type of project?

I kept going back to them because they helped build this application, so they do have some domain knowledge of the system. I can't think of anything I would do differently and in terms of areas of improvement, I also don't have much to offer. They've been a great development partner. 

BACKGROUND

Could you briefly describe your company?

I work at a cellular phone service provider. We are the fourth largest in U.S. We have approximately around 42,000 employees.

What is your position?

My title is manager of software applications.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

Would you please describe the business challenges or opportunities you were attempting to address when you began working with Softweb Solutions?

Sure. We’re relatively small. I would say we’re a small and new company compared to the other companies like AT&T and Verizon, which have probably 200,000 employees and are 100-year-old companies while we have some 40,000 employees and we’re a 50-year-old company. That means we have to compete with less people while simultaneously providing a comparable service. That means we have to be aggressive, and we also have to be agile in software development. We’re not hiring more employees, but the work was increasing. We had to start partnering with vendors to be an extension of our development team. That’s how we started partnering with Softweb Solutions to do offshore work, and some onsite work for a few couple of products.

SOLUTION

What platforms have been developed?

We began with them for Web: .NET, C#, Web, and SQL servers. From there it was successful and we started partnering with them for mobile development, Android, Blackberry, IOS, Windows, all four. We have at least two or three apps in production, very successful, used by the field techs. We’re also currently working on these mobile phone platforms, primarily for Android and iOS. Blackberry 10 and Windows have not been that successful because of poor user adoption.

Can you describe the scope of the work they’ve delivered? For instance, did it include custom design, development, training, or support?

The scope of work has been exclusive to backend and frontend development. Even though Softweb has expressed interest in partnering in other areas, we have strictly kept different vendors for different things. We partner with Softweb only for development. In development, we have also taken the help in UI design, onshore and offshore for multiple applications. I would say 90 percent of their work is all development. They’ve gotten involved in some testing, but not officially system testing.

How did you select Softweb Solutions as your solution partner?

We’d been in search of potential vendors for some time. We’ve tried multiple vendors for the last seven or eight years. Thus far, I would say Softweb is the longest one that we have partnered with. The other vendors were either unsuccessful, or, because of the highly agile nature of our development tactics, it didn’t work out.

Could you provide a sense of the size of this initiative in monetary terms?

The cost varies each passing year. I would say this year is probably one of the biggest years of our partnership. I believe the cost is between $300,000 and $400,000.

When was the most recent project completed?

We’re actively working with them now on multiple projects.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

In terms of results, do you have any statistics or metrics you could share that would demonstrate the effectiveness of their work?

I can’t disclose sales information, but I can tell you that we’ve never had issues with their solutions. As I’d mentioned, we outsource all of our developed digital assets to a separate vendor for QA/QC. That vendor rarely has issues with the solutions developed by Softweb Solutions. In addition, we’ve consistently received positive feedback from our internal users. My team is especially pleased with the work delivered by Softweb.

How do you think Softweb Solutions has performed on these projects?

They have performed very well. They are extremely flexible. Their developers have integrated with our team very well, too. They’re great at delegating the appropriate resources to their clients, be it onsite or offsite.

In retrospect, are there any areas that you believe they could improve upon, or things that you might do differently as a client before approaching these types of projects?

One thing is definitely a little more unit testing. I also have a big team here. If, for some reason, my team members are busy here and they don’t have work there, then their lead needs to bring that to my attention, because they will go ahead and bill eight hours nonetheless. Because we’re a small team and we’re trying to do more than we can do, everyone is busy. Another thing is that they’re still an IT company. They are not entrenched or even very well acquainted with the telecom industry. One of the reasons why we’re successful in software is I always make sure that one of the employees from my team is working on the project with them. If I permitted them to work offshore and deliver the product, it would be a failure. I would recommend they spend more time familiarizing themselves with their clients’ industries.

BACKGROUND

Could you briefly describe your company?

My company is a sales and marketing consulting firm. We represent 25 different manufacturers of law enforcement, safety, and some consumer goods.

What is your position?

I’m the owner.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

Could you describe the challenges you were attempting to address when you began the project with Softweb Solutions?

I’ve known Softweb Solutions for the better part of 15 years. Their owner has been instrumental in helping me develop an Internet presence that is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. I came from the software industry. I met him at a trade show, I believe, and he has been a vital member of our team as far as a business adviser.

SOLUTION

Could you describe the scope of their work? For instance, did it include custom design, development, training, or support?

Most of the work they’ve done was for our website, and eCommerce solution. We are now launching a mobile application with them that will be a single synchronization from a master database in our website that will sync through all the way to the iPad apps. We’re creating an iPad app for all of our sellers, and our second phase will be creating one for anybody that wants to download the app for free. It’ll be more of a consumer side and end user side product.

What technologies have they developed on thus far?

For the website is Joomla; they’re phenomenal at Joomla. They did a great design. In fact, our new site is launching in less than two weeks. We’re just filling content right now. They have their own proprietary software for their iPad app called Zoona, which is a phenomenal piece of software. They did a great job on that, and we anticipate launching that as well in two weeks.

What parts of these projects were you directly contributing to with your in-house expertise?

Probably the site map design, from the site map and how transactions take place, and some of the features. We architect about maybe three quarters of that and then Ripal’s team came through and said, “Hey let’s try it this way,” or “Let’s do this,” and of course we agreed with them. It was the better way to manage it. They really took our ideas and executed them.

Could you give me a sense of the size of this initiative?

No. I won’t disclose that.

When was the most recent project completed?

We’re in the midst of one right now that we will probably be taking live. We’ve been on it for the last four months. In fact, I had a conference call with their people this morning. We’re probably taking the site live in two weeks.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

In terms of results, could you share any statistics or anecdotal evidence that might demonstrate the effectiveness of the work they’ve delivered?

He saved my business. How’s that? I’ve had other people do work for us that ended up with massive mistakes. I never should have ever used those service providers. One of our Web properties was a complete disaster using a competitor of theirs. There were server issues, there were software problems, there was hacking – everything. We took the site completely down. From now own, Softweb will manage all of our Web assets.

When working with Softweb Solutions, is there anything you would consider unique or special about them compared to previous service providers you’ve worked with?

Yes. They answer their phone. They answer questions. I have a conference call with my project management team twice a week. They use a project management software that’s phenomenal that their team uses for problem solving and additions or whatever. It has been fantastic.

In retrospect, are there any areas that you believe they could improve upon or things you might do differently as a client?

No. I get treated really well. Their people are really nice, and they’re a pleasure to do business with. They’re great people. You actually talk to people there, which is crucial for us.