Space-O Technologies

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the CEO and founder of ClickaService. We sell/provide referrals to various local service providers.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Space-O Technologies?

We hired Space-O Technologies to design an interactive website application as per the mockups provided to them. 

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted an attractive and simple website that would allow customers to select/source home service providers to do jobs at their properties.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I shortlisted four vendors. When I visited Rakesh (CEO, Space-O Technologies) at a local business event, I was planning on giving the project to one of the other three companies, but his commitment and professionalism were exactly what I was looking for. Friendly and passionate, I knew he would take pride in delivering my product.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

Space-O was responsible for bringing our website from design to operation. They helped me find a local mock-up designer and then raised many questions to ensure our screens would be linked to and interact with one another correctly. Daily communication and brainstorming helped them recommend better ways of designing key functions.

What was the team composition?

3–4 people were assigned to the first phase, designing the look and feel of the homepage and each of the screens. More resources were used later during the technical stage.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Though it’s too early to understand the commercial impact on our business, we’re confident the website will be scalable and help us expand into other regions. We’re very optimistic.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

The dedication and support of their management was the best part of working with Space-O. They were always following up with us and resolving any issues that arose. Communication wise, they used multiple tools, and we didn’t have any language barriers whatsoever. Likewise, the time zone difference didn’t cause any problems.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They were communicative, dedicated, and professional. The basis of their success is their hands-on management, but they also prioritize long-term success. They strive to satisfy their customers and deliver on their promises.

Are there any areas for improvement?

There’s little they could improve. Greater detailing of deliverables to avoid confusion would be something, however.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the co-founder of a technology company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Space-O Technologies?

I hired Space-O Technologies to produce code for my platform.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The team delivered the code.

How did you come to work with Space-O Technologies?

I hired them based on Clutch reviews.

How much have you invested with them?

I spent between $25,000–$50,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The partnership has ended.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Describe the impact this engagement has had on your business.

We encountered problems after the first deadline. The team tripled our initial quote. We had added to the project, but nearly enough to increase the cost threefold. Originally, Space-O Technologies promised certain pixel development specifications, but the builds did not resemble the design concepts. They refused to match the original promise without charging double the quoted price. According to our domestic development partner, the final software code was low quality and not clean. Also, we believe there were questionable ethical management decisions.  

How was project management handled?

The team was friendly and responsive, but they lacked quality control and did not adhere to our guidelines.

Is there anything that the vendor did well or that you would consider a strength?

They performed small tasks well.

In what specific areas can they improve?

They did not perform satisfactorily with a custom code that would require future updates.

What advice do you have for clients with similar needs to yours?

We have kept the final version of the code that Space-O Technologies delivered. We are happy for others to look at it.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder and CEO of Thirdegree Inc., an app-based social media polling solution. We offer free services for anonymous polling, sharing, and demographic settings for targeted questions.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Space-O Technologies?

My co-founder and I had a business plan and initial mock-ups, but lacked the expertise for in-house development. We needed an affordable vendor to supplement resources.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

First, we had a kickoff meeting and signed an NDA. We then collaborated on skeleton designs before settling on the final design and flow. Space-O Technologies developed the beta over a five-month period in nighttime sessions to accommodate the time difference. We did test builds each day after their nightly development work. After a series of test builds with QA and QC processes, the team launched the first beta on native iOS and Android platforms. Since the release, we’ve gone through four other functionality additions as well as revisions to the original data.

What is the team composition?

We worked directly with the senior project manager. The rest of the team included a senior developer, a junior developer, one QA specialist, and one QC specialist. Originally, they provided a communications manager, but the project manager took over that role.

How did you come to work with Space-O Technologies?

We looked for iOS and Android developers with experience in QC, QA, and UX/UI design. Additionally, we wanted a project manager to coordinate their team and serve as our single point of contact. We considered both local and international firms before requesting competitive bids from Space-O Technologies and two North American agencies. All three bids included similar estimates for requirements and time, which validated each firm’s expertise. However, Space-O Technologies was the most competitive company due to their expertise and low cost. Given the potential savings, we were willing to accommodate the time difference and geographical restrictions.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent approximately $40,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We first engaged them in October 2016 and they started development in February 2017. The first beta launched in July 2017 and we have an ongoing partnership with the team.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We didn’t know what results were realistic at first, but they exceeded our expectations for functional and complex deliverables. We went from two to 400 users between July–December 2017. The app’s success and positive user feedback resulted from collaborative brainstorming and testing during which they leveraged effective QA and QC to make updates increasingly more efficient and closer to our specifications. Likewise, the cycle between testing, test builds, and launches became more seamless.

How did Space-O Technologies perform from a project management standpoint?

We communicated with the project manager via Skype and WhatsApp on daily basis. The team was available on weekends when issues couldn’t wait until Monday.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They understood our expectations and were receptive to feedback. The team always resolved issues within 12 hours.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They needed to emphasize QA and QC more. We handled those processes at first, but later held a meeting to show them our workflows. That meeting set expectations for best practices.

Any advice for potential customers?

Provide clear instructions without room for misinterpretation. But they can also help set guidelines when the client doesn’t have the pertinent expertise. Also, have QA and QC checklists in place at the start to save time during test builds by ensuring best practices.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the founder and CEO of an India-based healthcare startup that focuses on the development of electronic medical records (EMR) applications for website and mobile. Six months ago, we launched an app and website after a year of development. We have been growing 15% week over week since then.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Space-O Technologies?

We hired Space-O for end-to-end app development. We launched the app for iOS, Android, and iPad platforms.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goal was to build a minimum viable product (MVP) for an EMR application using requirements given to us by doctors. We already had a few groups of doctors signed on as beta testers. We wanted to make continuous in-app revisions based on the feedback we received until we felt confident we had a user-friendly, high value-generating app.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I searched online and interviewed more than 10 vendors who offer this app development service. I felt Space-O genuinely cared for their customers. Their current portfolio was good and they have some of the best iOS and Android developers.

Describe the project in detail.

Initially, the project management consisted of a project manager (PM), a business analyst, and myself until we defined a requirements-gathering document. After signing the document, we worked with the PM for a few weeks to finalize the wireframe. There were also a few rounds of discussion with a user interface (UI) designer regarding the logo and overall mockup design. Once we finalized the mockup, we deployed the Android app. After a few changes to the Android version, we then built the iOS application and the website. We continued to revise the app 16 times in six months until it was very easy to use.

What was the team composition?

The entire team eventually included one PM, one Android developer, one iOS developer, one PHP developer, and one QA analyst.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Continuous in-app changes based on user feedback are the key to success post launch. The app was initially growing 5% week over week, but that improved to 15% after we launched the tenth version. The app’s growth and increase in active users demonstrate the app’s progress.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Because we live in the same country, our communication channels are different than those of other Space-O clients. We primarily communicate via phone and use Excel to report bugs. The PM is either readily available or returns a missed call the same day.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their solid project management and talented pool of designers and developers impress me. They exhibit a willingness to shift gears based on constantly changing requirements.

Are there any areas for improvement?

If we had taken a dedicated resource approach over a fixed cost approach, we could have completed the project ahead of the deadline. We have always focused on quality over time. Overall, we built a solid product with only minor setbacks in the timeline.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the CTO of a medical healthcare advisor company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Space-O Technologies?

We needed to develop an iOS and Android mobile app for our telemedicine business. It needed to serve customers, but also meet HIPAA compliance on the backend data structure where patient records were kept.

We wanted for any person covered by insurance (be it through worker's comp or an individual) to be able to access a live doctor with a click of a button. Virtually, that doctor can prescribe medicines and advise them on visiting an emergency room or urgent care if necessary. We wanted users to be able to interact with a doctor quickly, avoiding a lengthy appointment process.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Space-O Technologies developed the app from scratch, along with a web application that maintains the database for the company. We agreed on some milestones at the start of the project and they made sure that I, as a stakeholder, was closely updated on any changes throughout the project.

We released a beta version to a test group of users, and once they were happy with the product, we released it on the iOS App Store and Google Play Store. As a feature of the app, Space-O made it possible for patients to snap photos of injuries in order to share with doctors instantaneously for better medical guidance. Additionally, the web-based database maintains all the HIPAA compliant information from the various doctor and patient interactions.

What is the team composition?

There's a team of 5 full-time developers assigned to our project. Some work on the mobile app development while others work on our backend (sql and php). One person acts as a project manager who also does our QA.

How did you come to work with Space-O Technologies?

It was basically by word of mouth. Another friend of mine had used their services and they referred them to me. I took a gamble on them for the first time and they did outstanding, so I decided to continue a relationship with them. They were a bit higher on the dollar per hour side compared to others, but the quality of work and the amount of time they were willing to dedicate to my project offset the price.

How much have you invested with them?

In 2017, we spent a little over $68,000 for the backend and a little under $100,000 for all work combined.

What is the status of this engagement?

We've been working with Space-O since mid-April, 2015, and the app launched around October, 2017. Since we're constantly upgrading and adding new features to the products, we retain their services.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Since they took over the entire technology team, we did not have to look and interview other candidates to hire full-time for our technology. This saved us a tremendous amount of money.

With the ongoing relationship, they're just one quick e-mail away and quickly jump into action on any issues. Their 24/7 support is very profitable for our business, because it allows us to promise fast delivery times to clients. As a result, we're able to expand our business faster.

They have a very good QA team that validates that all the business parameters discussed are met. They're also proactive in suggesting features that my team may have missed. In a few instances, we've adopted their suggestions and it's worked well for use.

How did Space-O Technologies perform from a project management standpoint?

Their team starts by gathering business requirements and creating a plan of action that includes a cost structure. The constant agile process lends itself well to the changing nature of the project.

Their Vice President of Operations is a great chap. If we have any issues, he jumps on the call first thing to troubleshoot. If required, he'll bring in additional specialists as needed. He does a good job keeping the development team and the project backlog updated so we're able to achieve our deadlines for releases and milestones.

We're in communication everyday. Since I've been working with the developer for over 3 years, I trust their work. Keeping resources consistent over the years has been a great benefit.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I find their responsiveness most impressive. They're able to turn requests around quickly and efficiently. There's always a clear place for escalation when needed, and they're very proactive in fixing any issues that may come up.

Space-O quickly rectified any bugs, which is one of the most important traits of a developer. With my personal background in development, I was able to bypass certain contacts and cut through a lot of red tape, which was also helpful in the process.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They charge you a little extra, so perhaps they could be a little bit more competitively priced.

For the QA process, I would also suggest that they move forward on decision-making rather than wait for a response from our team. There's a time difference, so their team would often wait to send an e-mail until business hours were appropriate on our end, but I'd prefer if they were a little more proactive in this area. I've spoken to their management team about this and they've taking steps to improve the situation.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Consider hiring their developers on a full-time basis to save on costs and develop longer relationships with certain developers to keep the same people on an evolving project. As our business grew, I realized that it was more efficient to hire them full-time rather than work with them on a project basis.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

TLC is a startup providing same-day delivery services to business customers in London.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what reason(s) did your company hire Space-O Technologies?

We hired them to develop the technology platform, including backend API as well as mobile web applications.

What were your goals for this project?

First, we wanted to launch early-stage applications to demonstrate proof of concept. Then, we also wanted ongoing optimization.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We used an RFP and vendor procurement process. Fifteen agencies or development houses were considered. Space-O was the most professional in terms of technical scope, project management, customer service, and value.

Describe the project in detail.

The scope was finalized from software requirements specifications/wireframes to include architecture, development, project management, testing/QA, and release. Key features were automated dispatch, job management, and third-party integrations (Stripe, Google API). Designs were provided.

What was the team composition?

We worked with a project manager, iOS specialist, Business Analyst, PHP, QA, CTO, and CEO depending on requirements.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I was originally working with a fixed scope billing model which was slow and, as a result, the project missed its deadline. Once the project moved to a time/materials plan, rate of development was a lot faster. Quality of development and project management was consistently high. The team was responsive. Outcomes of the project were delivered, and the Space-O team was rehired for ongoing optimization.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Basecamp and Lighthouse were used to manage the project. As the project evolved, communication was refined. Critical and high priority tasks were responded to well.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They are consistently professional.

Are there any areas for improvement?

They could improve by providing more communication about their billing plans up front.

Company Responses

CONTENT QUALITY = B

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the proprietor of an IT consulting company. We do enterprise software development, infrastructure support, database architecture and security, and mobile app development for the public and private sector.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Space-O Technologies?

We wanted to develop a mobile app, but we didn’t have the resources, so we started looking outside the company.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The primary project was a mobile app. Once Space-O Technologies got involved, we relied on them heavily for the development of both the Android and iOS platforms. They did JavaScript development for Android and iOS, web development for the front end and back end, and some API development as well.

They also managed the quality assurance testing. They proactively searched for bugs and told us of any flaws in the functionality. Whenever changes were introduced, they always did quite a bit of testing to ensure the platform as a whole maintained integrity.

What is the team dynamic?

I interacted with pretty much all the leads. From the technical lead to the project manager to the release manager. They always had at least one web developer for the backend, one web developer for the front end, a graphic designer, an API developer, a JavaScript developer, and a software engineer that dealt with the configuration of the platform and deployment from development to production.

How did you come to work with Space-O Technologies?

I used sites like Upwork and Elance. I searched for companies that provided the services I needed to finish my project, and I found Space-O Technologies.

How much have you invested with them?

$25,000 to $30,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The development project started on January 2016, but some graphic design work happened prior. I always have work for them, mainly additional features for the original project.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The product hasn’t gone into production yet, so we don’t have any official metrics. Like all development projects, though, there were some bugs in the development, but none exist in the final product.

How did Space-O Technologies perform from a project management standpoint?

They were quite responsive. They aren't located in the US, but their availability was never limited. Anytime I needed to contact anyone, I was given a quick response. There may have been a few misunderstandings, but they did well considering the time difference. English was not an issue, we just needed to give direct and clear instructions, and they would come back with the expected results.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The quality of the work they produce is fantastic. It's definitely up-to-par with industry standard and what our competitors are doing. They use up-to-date technology and complete their work within the timeline. They exceeded my expectations in regard to the quality of designs and development. As a business, they’re committed to getting the job done and making sure my clients and I got exactly what we wanted.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Communication is good, provided they're given specific instructions. There were a few lapses but nothing that wasn't resolved. Once the understanding was there, they delivered every time.

Advice for potential customers?

Be as detailed as possible in every aspect of the project. The more information you provide at the beginning, the more examples you bring to the table, the more descriptive you are, the better the outcome of the project. Because of the time difference, you may not be able to immediately communicate with them, so those detail really help.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CTO of a mobile app development firm.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Space-O Technologies?

We have numerous projects happening at once, and sometimes we need external help. We see how much work can be done in-house, and then we outsource the rest.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We hired Space-O solely to augment the dev team we already have. We supply all the design and technical background, and Space-O executes it. The type of work they do depends on the project, but they help with iOS, Android, and web apps.

What is the team dynamic?

We have around 20 people working with us. They established the original team, and I’ve been able to select a few more members based on skillsets we’ve needed. I interact with Eugene [CEO, Space-O] and Vladimir [CTO, Space-O] on a daily basis. I meet with Rakesh [CEO, Space-O] and Bhaval [VP of Operations, Space-O] once every few months.

How did you come to work with Space-O Technologies?

I’ve been outsourcing for quite a few years, and so I have an extensive list of questions whenever I interview a potential partner. Space-O answered all of them well, so we chose to work with them out of about 10 other serious competitors.

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been working together for about four years now.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They follow directions well and complete their projects on time.

How did Space-O Technologies perform from a project management standpoint?

They do a great job at project management; that’s why we still use them. I constantly give them work, and they always deliver.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re the outsourced company we’ve worked with the longest, and we plan to continue that relationship. They understand project details and our clients’ needs better than any other company we work with, and they want to achieve what’s best for our organization. They’re dependable, and their process is quick and efficient.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, they do good work.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

We have a mobile messaging startup, targeting iOS and Android device users. We have less than 5 employees.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what reason(s) did your company hire Space-O Technologies?

The project was to build several new forms of dynamic messaging to increase the capabilities of smartphones beyond that of SMS and MMS. The opportunity to create new forms of messaging is unlimited as there have only been a few true breakthroughs since the late 1990s.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I discovered them on Upwork—Elance at the time. They provided similar services on a smaller mobile game project and were primarily involved in development and project management. They also gave us feedback on design and UX [user experience].

Describe the project in detail.

At the start of the project, we paid to fly a business development/UX designer to the U.S. for 10 days, which was extremely helpful for fleshing out the entire project and developing a rapport with Space-O. The designer was instrumental in developing wireframes and understanding the intent and scope of the project; he was able to convey that back to the project managers when he returned.

They provided a full range of solutions and support to the project. The core IP was developed in-house and planned and executed together with them.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

In the end, Space-O delivered the original scope plus several key changes that were discussed and made during development. The executive and management teams were fluent and easy to work with.

Our project still hasn’t launched, so we don't have any metrics on new users. However, we were able to get over 200 unpaid Android and iOS testers to download and use the beta. In contrast to previous projects, this is a very high number and is reflective of the quality of product that was delivered and the backend support to keep it running.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Their project management was first class. After a few bumps getting started involving time scheduling between Texas and Russia and setting up Basecamp and the software design flow, there was never a time when I felt the project was being mismanaged. Designs were easily passed back and forth and changes/updates were timely.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They are very straightforward and will deliver exactly what you agree to.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I would recommend to anyone using Space-O to have your scope well defined and tested in order to receive the most accurate estimate for services. This will also save downtime in development and cut down on the number of changes to the original scope.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We are a car inspection service company in France. I’m a manager.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Space-O Technologies?

We were looking to develop our company website. As we are a small company with only a small amount to invest into the project, we were looking for a good, competent partner with a low budget.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They designed and developed a complete website for us. That included the logo, the frontend, and the backend of the website, which was a little complicated. 

The result is a completely automatic on the website. When a customer places an order, the website checks who is available in that area to do the inspection. It sends an email to those people automatically. If they are interested, they can confirm that they will inspect the vehicle, which gives them access to the report to fill out for the inspection. Once they are done with the inspection, they submit the report, bill, and are paid automatically. Currently, Space-O is working on the final version.

How did you come to work with Space-O Technologies?

We put out a call for tenders. There were four companies and we selected Space-O because we got a good technical report from them. They gave us a reasonable price and we had a good feeling with their team.

How much have you invested with them?

I prefer to keep this confidential.

What is the status of this engagement?

The tender went out in January 2016, and we chose Space-O in May 2016. We are still working with them now.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They’ve had a strong impact on our company. Our startup is 90% our website and they did the website, so the impact is huge. We measure their success by whether they hit the goals of what we want. Also, if there are too many bugs, that’s bad quality work and if there are no bugs then it’s very good quality. We had some bugs, but I think that’s normal for a project like this.

How did Space-O Technologies perform from a project management standpoint?

We use Basecamp to manage the project. We communicate on Skype, and other similar platforms — all the communication was clear. However, there was a time difference so sometimes communication was a little delayed. We didn’t meet our target date, but that’s not a big deal.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They are hard workers. They never say no and they work until they solve the problem. Any time there are bugs, they focus on the problem and come back with a solution no matter how long it takes.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No. I’m very happy with their work. I had a good relationship with the team leader and the developer.