Southteams

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the CTO of a SaaS startup in the real estate and education space.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Southteams?

We were looking to use a vendor for staff augmentation for the organizations we grow. We needed flexibility in our staffing and various skill sets since we're a small organization.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Southteams provides us with staff augmentation services. We require full stack developers. Our technology stack includes Python, JavaScript with React components, and PostgreSQL databases in the backend. 

What is the team composition?

The team has provided us with four developers, one QA specialist, and a UI/UX designer.

How did you come to work with Southteams?

We had an existing relationship with another organization, but instead of going directly to them, we did a market analysis of different vendors and prices. We interviewed 7–8 vendors, and Southteams came out on top. Not only regarding pricing but also in their ability to find quality professionals in software development, QA, continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD), and UI/UX design.
How much have you invested with them?

We spend roughly around $41,000 per month. Initially, we had a lower budget, but we started ramping up within two and a half months of starting our engagement. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We've been working with Southteams since July 2023.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We measure the project's success by looking at customer satisfaction. We also define the features we want to add and how closely Southteams hits the mark. We evaluate the quality of the code the team produces and measure the errors and bugs produced in the app's performance. We also measure Southteams' response time and the quantity of work completed based on our Scrum methodology and ticket appointing. 

How did Southteams perform from a project management standpoint?

Southteams' project management is excellent via Jira. The team has open communication and is collaborative, working with us if they encounter issues. Part of the culture I've created is to offer alternatives when Southteams runs into challenges instead of delaying an item. Southteams works around the project's challenges and complexities, allowing us to adjust quickly. The team focuses on deliverables and meeting deadlines and doubles back to challenges to continue to enhance them.
Are there any employees from the service provider's team that you would like to give a shout-out to in this review?

Belen (VP of Operations) is highly invested in our organization and meets regularly with our staff to assess their performance and obtain feedback. She was instrumental in coordinating our trip to Southteams' site in South America for a particular development challenge and making our time most productive. Belen's support is outstanding.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Southteams delivers highly qualified candidates who meet our specifications. Nine times out of 10, we make an offer to the candidates the team has pre-vetted for us, and we don't need to review hundreds of candidates to find the right one. Southteams also ensures that the skill sets and individuals they propose complement each other, and as we build our team, we know the professionals would be proficient working together. 

We meet on a call and go over our needs, and Southteams asks questions to further enhance our requirements and determine which individuals they have on deck. Southteams is deeply invested and knowledgeable about what we're doing and what we're looking for.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can't think of anything Southteams can improve on. I've engaged with them a second time. 

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

I recommend investing time upfront to understand your organization's requirements. You'll meet with Southteams for a couple of hours, but you'll only need to do it once, and that will greatly improve the candidates they propose and their ability to assist you. Southteams wants to spend time getting to know your company's needs, and that time investment will greatly pay off in the long run.