Spyrosoft BSG

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

elevensports.com is an online streaming service bringing long-tail and niche premium sports content to fans around the world. In my role as a Product Owner I work with our regional teams to ensure that their customer are able to get the most out of the service, including being able to access the service on different platforms.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Better Software Group, and what were your goals?

We hired Better Software Group for the purpose of creation of a modern streaming service application for Samsung Smart TV built on Tizen OS using React technology. The main goals of the project were to significantly improve the typical fan experience of consuming live and on-demand content which would be available at convenience of the users so they can choose how and when they want to enjoy it. The app’s purpose was to provide them with the platform that is more engaging and improved than before.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

We chose Better Software Group basing on referrals and recommendations. After reviewing their portfolio, we came to a conclusion that BSG with their extensive experience in the video industry would be a perfect fit for our projects needs and requirements.

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and technologies used.

The application allows the user access to our streaming service with live and on-demand content. Its main creation goal was to offer users a new platform where they can enjoy and experience their favourite content in a much more engaging and improved environment than before.

The application includes the ability for users to authenticate, to discover content through search and catalogues, and to watch the content of their choosing. Better Software Group was the side responsible for bringing in innovative solutions and skilled software developers as well as consulting, and they delivered all that with a professional approach.

How many people from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

2 frontend developers, 1 project manager, 1 quality tester

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?

Our cooperation has resulted in the creation of a modern, user friendly and highly responsible application. Its' simple and initiative to use allowing us to reach a broad audience from different backgrounds and locations.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

Better Software Group took the responsibility of project management and it had been ran smoothly and efficient. The communication with their specialists was without any problems and was highly effective.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

We found the extent of professionalism, knowledge, and skills presented by Better Software Group impressive. They are real specialists in the field of video app development and presented their wide range of abilities during our cooperation. They seamlessly blended the benefits coming from the use of well tested solutions with the newest technological trends and created a modern looking app that has been developed up to the highest standards.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

Like with every project, this one also has presented some challenges but Better Software Group has been nothing but professional and, as we expected, overcame them very quickly. Our cooperation has been fruitful and we are highly satisfied with the outcome.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of Gonzo Agency and Sherwood Entertainment. We’re developing a streaming platform for young people that can compete with YouTube.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Better Software Group?

We needed someone to develop our platform.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Better Software Group is working with us to develop a streaming platform. We first collaborated on a design process where we created the UI/UX design and other assets. Then, the team started writing the code using Flutter. Eventually, we decided to launch the beta version of the product, which they continue to develop.

The platform is a video-on-demand service and is available on iOS, Android, and the web. It features livestreams with dedicated chat systems. Users can register and create their profiles, as well. The Better Software Group team also included a CMS that allows us to filter and sort the videos featured on the front page and other pages.

What is the team composition?

The core team consists of six teammates, but it varies.

How did you come to work with Better Software Group?

I found them through one of my partners who had previously worked with them. He said Better Software Group was experienced in the livestreaming space and introduced me to them. We had a meeting and found they were a good fit.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent over €1 million (approximately $1.2 million USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in August 2019, and the development is still ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

During the first day of the launch, we gained 8,000 users. This number has since grown to about 50,000 paid users who love the platform. We also have a bunch of free users. Furthermore, we host weekly livestreams from about 5,000–6,000 users. 

In terms of bugs, there were some issues at the beginning, but overall, Better Software Group has performed very well. 

How did Better Software Group perform from a project management standpoint?

They’ve done a great job, and their project managers are very experienced. We haven’t come across any unexpected issues, which is good. We use Jira to manage the project and Slack to communicate.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Better Software Group is attentive and dedicated — they work hard day and night to deliver their work quickly. The team’s work ethic is really unique. Additionally, they have some great UI/UX designers, and they’ve also helped us with business strategy by providing helpful insights.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, they’ve done an excellent job.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Take the time to get to know each other and try working with them in person.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

My name is Arkadiusz Ekkert and I’m the CEO of Vertex Technology. We offer tailored software solutions for Polish and European customers.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Better Software Group, and what were your goals?

Our customer asked us to build an IoT app to measure solar panel power efficiency. To finish project on time we had to look for additional resources to support us. BSG provided us with a skilled team who delivered the project on time and budget.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

They were recommended to me by someone who had a good experience with them.

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and technologies used.

We started the cooperation with BSG in May 2018 with dedicated workshop to discuss and write down technical specification and then worked together until November 2018. They were in charge of mobile application development and testing. First we started with Android and then started working on iOS platform. Also they were responsible for user interface designs.

How many people from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

The team consisted of mobile developers (2 Android, 2 iOS), 1 QA. There was a part time Project Manager involved to oversee the project.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?

The result of our cooperation was really satisfying, the app was delivered on time and within the agreed budget. We received positive feedback from the users which is the most important factor for us.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

We were working in Scrum and had daily meetings with the team. From our experience we know that communication is crucial to move forward with the development process, BSG team has the same approach. The work was devided in 2-weeks sprints, we used Jira work project management purposes.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Openness and communication. Every step of the project was clear and they explained everything, they always discussed with us different approaches to the issues and together we were working on the solution. I had a feeling that our project is very important to them and that they care. I really liked that. I think being straight forward with them was the key to great and smooth cooperation.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

No, I can’t think of any.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the former regional sales manager at Arkena, an OTT backend SaaS provider.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Better Software Group?

We needed help with the frontend development for one of our customers.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They provided frontend development, and our in-house team did the backend development. We worked together on an Android and iOS app along with the APIs. We authorized all subscribers using the app. The look and feel, and features required by the customer were provided by Better Software Group.

What is the team composition?

I was engaged with the CEO and project manager.

How did you come to work with Better Software Group?

We knew each other before I joined this company. They approached me on LinkedIn. I knew they were a good company, but I did some research to see if there was someone who would be better. In the end, from both commercial and technical perspectives, they were the best choice.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent about €250,000 (approximately $294,260 USD). 

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from May 2017–January 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The project required a lot of custom development and API integration. We weren’t able to do that without Better Software Group. They helped the entire project move forward because of their proximity, the cost, and the service they provided. They delivered quality work.

How did Better Software Group perform from a project management standpoint?

They took over the cooperation between our company and the customer which was fantastic. It allowed us to use fewer in-house resources. They provided the scope of work and worked those out with the customer. They allocated the resources and kept the timeline. They talked to all three parties engaged in the project. Project management was the most important part and their strongest side. We used Jira.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The most important value they provide is that they deliver what they promise. They don’t promise anything they can’t deliver.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They could market themselves more to generate more leads for themselves and get more business. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

If you want someone who is reliable with a lot of experience, especially in the video domain, but not necessarily the cheapest, I recommend going with them. They will deliver what they promise.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

TV 2 Sumo is the online video service of Norway’s largest commercial broadcaster TV 2. We provide international and Norwegian TV shows, drama series and movies, as well as live streaming of TV 2s linear channels, sports and news. My role is team lead and Product Owner for content experience on the service.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Better Software Group?

We hired BSG to help us develop our apps for Android, Android TV, iOS, tvOS, and web.

What were your goals for this project?

We needed to scale up development fast to meet our business goals for TV 2 Sumo. We needed speed and bandwith on our development projects, and were looking for highly skilled developers at an affordable cost.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

BSG were recommended to us from someone who had positive experience with them from a previous project.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

They provide development for Android, Android TV, iOS, tvOS, and web. They are involved in development of a variety of features, such as EPG, user profiles, content download (offline mode) and player features. They also provide QA of features developed by BSG and our local developers.

What was the team composition?

Developers and test engineers from BSG are integrated in several of our product development teams, where they work remotely alongside our local developers, UX designers and Product Owners. We collaborate via video for standups, sprint plannings and retros. They also participate in our sprint demos, where they share their work.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We are able to deliver improvements, bug fixes and new features at a faster speed. Our local developers have good sparring partners in the BSG developers.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

They produce high-quality code effectively and on time. They contribute with their experience and skills to our technical discussions and take an active part in shaping our products and services. They are positive, pragmatic and solution oriented.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their ability to provide highly skilled resources fast.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I can't think of any significant areas for improvement.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the Global HR Digital Innovations Manager for the largest independent-chain restaurant operator in Central and Eastern Europe. Our company is also expanding into Western Europe, Russia, and China. During this project with Better Software Group, I acted as the product owner from the client’s perspective.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Better Software Group?

We needed to continue development of a customized soft HR system, as out-of-the-box systems don't meet our company's expectations. Platform was already partially developed by another company, but due to tough cooperation we decided to change partner. Better Software Group was ready to continue development and took over responsibility for existing part what was the most important for us.

What were your goals for this project?

Goals:

1. secure maintenance of already developed part of platform (developed by another company)
2. deliver new functionalities like: job performance appraisal module, communication hub with company's intranet, applicant tracking system.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Better Software Group was selected as a winner of formal tender process. We had 3 companies on short list chosen based on clutch reviews and other recommendations.

Deciding factors: -

1. readiness of BSG to took over responsibility for whole system: new development and maintenance of existing part
2. high customer focus attitude of owners (which was visible during whole project)
3. estimations and pricing
4. positive feedback from other customers

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

Project started in April 2018 after formal tender. BSG took over responsibility for maintenance of existing part of the system - they even hire more developers with specific technology stack to secure maintenance and project continuation. We, as a client, delivered basic documentation what do we expect to have at the end of project.

Based on that BSG organized workshops and analysis to prepare full documentation which could be delivered to developers to start programming work. We also had dedicated full time UX designer, to draw mock ups. BSG was responsible for Project Management, scrum and development of requested by us functionalities.

Key features which was delivered:

• Job performance appraisal module
• Communication hub
• groups, chat, intranet
• Employee Satisfaction Survey build based on own methodology
• Applicant Tracking System
• Technical stack: Phyton, React, Angular, C++,
• Infrastructure: Microsoft Azure

What was the team composition?

Project Manager/Scrum Master UX Designer Tester FrontEnd Developers BackEnd Developers Architect Size of the team changed over time and was dependent on our (client) needs. Team size was always accurate to deliver new features on time (based on estimation and needs).

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Result of the project was rolled out across whole company. We have over 50k users of this system, where we cover all soft HR processes. Thanks to that we are able to use tailor made solution instead of systems from the shelf which in our case always require customization.

Cooperation with BSG was very good, that is why we decided to give them responsibility for development of next systems and functionalities. We also signed and prolong SLA contract.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Most of the deadlines were met. If not it wasn't one side fault - sometimes we had changes to the changes and it affected final deadlines. Overall functionalities which were critical for business processes were always deliver on time.

If some bugs were present we had always dedicated people working even during Bank Holidays to secure process and system. BSG proposed to use their tools at the beginning of the project and we still use them: JIRA, Slack, GitHub. We also had regular Sprint Reviews planned in advance.

Part of my Team works from different countries, but we never experienced any barrier caused by language or time zone. BSG is always very flexible when it comes to meetings or unexpected calls to explain something.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their customer-focused mindset, open-mindedness, and flexibility set them apart. Those are definitely their strengths and I'm really glad that we have chosen them as a partner to cooperate. Previous company which we worked with should learn from them how to work with customers.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I can suggest just one thing - they should push customers more to have deep analysis before start of the project. We experienced both approaches: with documented analysis and without and even if analysis requires investment at the very begging, in total it is always much better and we are able to save time during project.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I work at TV2, the largest commercial TV broadcast company in Norway. We have a streaming service, a news channel, the main TV2 channel, an online newspaper, and a web podcast.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Better Software Group?

In Norway, we don’t have the right skilled developers to work on projects so we needed a development partner.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They’ve been involved in placing the TV2 news on Apple TV. They developed a dedicated app for that. They developed the video news app for iOS and Android. They’re also involved in making the online newspaper app, too. 

What is the team composition?

There are five developers working with us. 

How did you come to work with Better Software Group?

They had a relationship with our company before I started working with them.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in January 2019 and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They’re really skilled people and the quality of their service is really high. The news app we just released a few months ago got really good reviews. There are no bugs so our users aren’t disappointed. They deliver high-quality code and our customers are happy.

How did Better Software Group perform from a project management standpoint?

Project management is really good between our teams — we really understand each other. We have video meetings and use Slack to communicate, and we meet in the morning. They’re the best company I’ve worked with so far. We have really good communication.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They know when to do something without asking because they know the difference between what needs to be done or what they should ask to do. We have a good level of understanding for when they can go ahead or when they should contact us first.

Their approach saves us time. They’re a good fit for all of our people. They do a really good job. The people on the team are super skilled and excellent.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I’m really happy with them. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Have good communication with them and have a predictable way to work with meetings. As long as the communication is really good, they will be an excellent partner.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a strategic consultant at a news agency.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Better Software Group?

We were looking for a partner to develop platform applications. We wanted to launch a new version of our mobile app, web service, smart service, and HbbTV service.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They developed the UX/U for all of our platforms. They collaborated with our team to engineer and write code for the platforms. They will soon be working on a proof-of-concept (POC) for another project. 

What is the team composition?

We had 1–2 full-time software developers, one QA person, one test engineer, 2 UX/UI designers, and a project manager.

How did you come to work with Better Software Group?

I found them online. We were looking for a vendor with software development skills, UX expertise, and system development capabilities. We met to explain our needs and expectations, and they presented their ideas to us. We chose to work with them based on their digital experience and portfolio. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from June – September 2019.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They delivered a completed application that we’ve all been pleased with. It’s innovative because they kept up with industry trends and introduced modern solutions. We were very happy with the collaboration.

How did Better Software Group perform from a project management standpoint?

They were prepared for every meeting and offered more than expected. All of the deadlines were met. If changes were presented to them that required extended deadlines, they communicated that and met the new timeline. We communicated through email, phone, Skype and meetings. In the first month, we had more frequent meetings, but lessened them as we communicated more through other avenues.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their attitudes, approach and level of experience were most impressive. They thought out of the box and looked for new solutions, perspectives and methods. They were flexible to meet our needs. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

Nothing I can remember needs to be improved. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

If you want to do something modern and innovative which will be state-of-the-art, they are the best company. This is true from an engineering, code quality, and UX/UI perspective.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the director of software development at an IT services company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Better Software Group?

I organize projects for a customer of mine. For this project, I needed a company to develop a full solution.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They developed a cross-platform iOS and Android app for Smart TV using React.js. It was a single application on two different platforms.

Also, they created an end-to-end solution, including the UI/UX, prototypes, tests, and more. We had one repository, and we provided this one code for a lot of different platforms.

What is the team composition?

I worked with three full-time developers, one QA, and a part-time project manager.

How did you come to work with Better Software Group?

I was looking for a software house that specialized in video solutions, and the application was for a media company.

I found Better Software Group online, and some people recommended them as well. (Earlier I worked for a big TV station in Poland and my friends in the industry recommended them.)

How much have you invested with them?

I’ve invested $250,000 with the team.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together in March of 2018 until September of 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They finished the project on time, and it was fantastic. We needed to have it by October of 2018, and they delivered it in September of 2018 without any mistakes. The QA was great, and the application worked properly. 

They provided me only senior developers who had a lot of experience with video and streaming solutions. They can use specific TV language like Dash.

How did Better Software Group perform from a project management standpoint?

We had short daily meetings, a weekly meeting, and two-week sprints.
They organized the developers very well, and the communication was great. 
They used Jira to organize the project.

During the project, I could observe which tasks were in progress. Day to day, I managed my technical team because we had a lot of connection points.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They have a lot of experience in the video solution industry — it was very impressive. This application was very specific and Better Software Group knew everything that I needed.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There’s nothing I’d have them improve. Everything was great.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I don’t have any advice. Everything was fantastic.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of a software company integrating different technologies for financial, insurance, and healthcare institutions.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Better Software Group?

In a project for one of our bank clients, we were building an electronic banking platform for them and Better Software Group was our subcontractor to handle the mobile application.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They delivered us a full team that was capable of building the app and managing the project, as well as testing quality assurance. We ran the project in scrum according to our methodology, and they delivered a native iOS and Android application.

What is the team composition?

I worked with about five members of their team in total.

How did you come to work with Better Software Group?

They were recommended to us by some other companies who had worked on projects with them and been satisfied with the quality, so we decided to work with them too.

How much have you invested with them?

I think the total value of the project was around $100,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project ran from about March–July 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We finished the project with great success, and the application is fully up and running. We had a very good experience with the Better Software Group team. There were no problems in the solution that they delivered, and our customers and their clients were all very pleased.

How did Better Software Group perform from a project management standpoint?

We ran the project in scrum, so we had a weekly review of the software and made sure everything was working correctly. They conformed to our methodology, which helped the project to be very efficient and allowed us to meet all of our project deadlines.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their strength is that they specialize in mobile development, so they have a lot of expertise regarding mobile solutions and how to deliver on pretty much any problem you can have.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No. If I had to do the project all over again, I would absolutely choose them.