Synetec

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am an advisor at Noquet Building Services

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We are a building services consultancy

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Synetec to accomplish?

• To modernise our companies internet presence

SOLUTION

How did you find Synetec?

Online Search

Why did you select Synetec over others?

• High ratings
• Pricing fit our budget

How many teammates from Synetec were assigned to this project?

1 Employee

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Synetec assisted in crafting compelling, SEO-friendly content tailored to our target audience and industry niche. Synetec conducted a thorough SEO audit and implemented optimization strategies to improve the website's search engine rankings and visibility. Performance optimization techniques, including page speed optimization and code refactoring, were employed to enhance site loading times and user experience.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Increased Website Traffic - being able to monitor the website traffic from before and after changes to gain an understanding of improvment. Synetec's implementation of SEO strategies resulted in notable improvements in search engine rankings for targeted keywords and key phrases.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

They were good to interact with, ran the project in an agile fashion with weekly deliverables. Quick to respond with any queries. Project was small but was delivered within an acceptable timeframe and to budget.

What was your primary form of communication with Synetec?

Email or Messaging App

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

The ability to understand our requirements, quickly identify a plan of action and most importantly deliver.

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

With all projects, there is room for improvement or a different approach. We had a small project, spanning only a week or two, so there wasn't much room for error. Synetec handled everything appropriately and professionally.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

 I am the CEO of a consumer products company
Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We've passionately crafted a range of baby and infant keepsakes that cherish each unique memory

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Synetec to accomplish?

• Ehance User Engagement and Satisfaction
• Optimize Conversion Rates:
• Improve Accessibility and Usability:

SOLUTION

How did you find Synetec?

Clutch Site

Why did you select Synetec over others?

• High ratings
• Pricing fit our budget

How many teammates from Synetec were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

The scope of work for this UX project for the e-commerce platform, expertly executed by Synetec, is extensive and meticulously designed to ensure a comprehensive enhancement of user experience. Beginning with a project initiation phase involving a kickoff meeting and stakeholder interviews, Synetec delved into thorough research and analysis, incorporating user interviews, surveys, and competitor evaluations. 

The information architecture stage involved the creation of a detailed site map and user flows. Subsequently, Synetec transitioned to wireframing and prototyping, where low-fidelity wireframes and interactive prototypes were crafted. Rigorous user testing was conducted, and feedback was incorporated iteratively. 

Moving on to visual design, Synetec developed a comprehensive style guide, guiding the creation of high-fidelity designs for key pages. Attention was given to responsive design, ensuring optimal user experience across various devices, especially mobile. An accessibility review was conducted to meet relevant standards. 

The documentation phase included design documentation and a seamless handoff of assets to the development team. Implementation support involved collaboration with developers and participation in quality assurance processes. 

The key deliverables encompassed a user research report, competitor analysis document, site map, user flows, wireframes, interactive prototypes, usability testing report, high-fidelity designs, style guide, mobile-optimized designs, accessibility compliance report, design documentation, and final design assets for development. Synetec's comprehensive approach aimed to elevate user satisfaction, engagement, and conversion rates on the e-commerce platform.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

the measurable outcomes from the Synetec-led UX project include increased user engagement, enhanced conversion rates, improved mobile responsiveness, compliance with accessibility standards, and positive feedback from usability testing and post-implementation quality assurance. These outcomes collectively demonstrate the project's success in delivering a user experience that not only met but exceeded the defined goals and expectations.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Synetec managed the project well, keeping things on track and ensuring timely deliveries of project milestones. They were easy to communicate with, promptly addressing any questions or concerns. Regular updates and status reports helped keep everyone in the loop. 

Synetec was flexible and responsive to changes in project needs, demonstrating a collaborative approach to problem-solving. When it came to feedback and adjustments, they were quick to incorporate input, showing a commitment to meeting our needs. Overall, their project management was effective, making the collaboration smooth and successful.

What was your primary form of communication with Synetec?

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

One of the most impressive aspects of working with Synetec was their exceptional commitment to delivering high-quality results within established timelines. Their project management was characterized by a perfect balance of professionalism and responsiveness. Synetec consistently demonstrated a proactive and collaborative approach, ensuring that communication lines remained open, and they were quick to adapt to evolving project needs.

 What set them apart was not only their technical expertise but also their genuine dedication to understanding and meeting our specific requirements. This combination of technical proficiency, effective communication, and a client-centric approach made the collaboration with Synetec stand out as a uniquely positive experience.

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

None

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Director of an arts, entertainment & music company 

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

custom software development

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Synetec to accomplish?

• implementing bespoke software devlopment
• streamline and automate my business processes

SOLUTION

How did you find Synetec?

Referral

Why did you select Synetec over others?

• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Referred to me

How many teammates from Synetec were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Synetec seamlessly orchestrated the entire process of transforming raw data into actionable insights, with a meticulous workflow spanning from the initial receipt of invoices to the dynamic visualization on a Power BI dashboard. Complementing this, they crafted a user-friendly Power App, empowering the Finance Team to effortlessly manage every facet of their tasks — from the seamless addition and modification of invoices to the real-time tracking of status updates and beyond.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Streamlined processing through automation

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Synetec exhibited exceptional management prowess throughout the project, ensuring a seamless adherence to predefined scope, timelines, and budgetary constraints. Their adept leadership not only facilitated a smooth execution but also instilled confidence in the project's success. The commitment to maintaining alignment with the agreed-upon parameters underscored their dedication to client satisfaction and project excellence

What was your primary form of communication with Synetec?

• In-Person Meeting
• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

Their standout feature was their adept integration of advanced technology with a strong emphasis on practicality and UX. This balance, rare in the industry, sets them apart. Their commitment to client satisfaction, evident through proactive communication and tailored solutions, further distinguishes them as a company that combines technical expertise with a client-centric approach.

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

none that spring to mind.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Director of Business Management of (a/an) IT Services

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Cyber security.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Synetec to accomplish?

• Improve customer management.

SOLUTION

How did you find Synetec?

Clutch Site

Why did you select Synetec over others?

• High ratings
• Great culture fit
• Company values aligned

What was the size of Synetec’s team?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Following a period of growth, the business required a bespoke CRM system. Synetec had extensive experience of developing bespoke internal systems for a business of our size. The first phase of our engagement was a discovery, the Synetec team worked closely with us to understand our business objectives, scope requirements and define a development roadmap. Following the discovery the Synetec team built our new CRM. Deliverables include customer management, marketing automation and accounts API.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

• We've seen customer churn reduce. Whilst this can't be all attributed to the new CRM, we believe it have had played a significant role.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Synetec scoped the project alongside our team. They were open and honest about scope, timelines and cost throughout the early engagement. Synetec then delivered ahead of the agreed timelines. The team were excellent to respond to our needs.

What was your primary form of communication with Synetec?

• In-Person Meeting
• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

Most agencies focus on the scope of work and immediately jump into the weeds. Synetec spent a lot of time understanding our business, ensuring they crafted a phased roadmap that delivered value without over spending.

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

Nothing jumps out.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the head of technology at an equity-only investment management firm that specializes in emerging markets. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Synetec?

We didn’t have enough internal resources, and we were looking for someone to support our software development projects.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Synetec started with a one-off custom software development project. After that, we contracted them again to support our custom software. Because we were so happy with how things worked out, we asked Synetic to provide us with ongoing support. They’ve since become involved in most of our development projects. 

Synetec is supplying us with development resources as we need them. We work on various small projects, and they help us enhance our internal systems. Whenever we encounter technologies that we don’t use, they build systems that allow us to get things up and running. We give them instructions from a business point of view, and we provide them with the software that we want to use.

In addition, Synetec also supports our extract, transform, and load tasks (ETL), which we use SQL Services Integration Services (SSIS) for. They’ve also built our event management system (EMS). Our system is Microsoft-based, and everything we have uses SQL server and .NET. However, they also work on some legacy software. 

What is the team composition?

Most of the time, we work with one developer, but we can have up to three resources working on a project at one time. 

How did you come to work with Synetec?

They were recommended to us by one of our partners.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in January 2012, and it’s ongoing. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Synetec’s support has significantly reduced our key-person dependency risk. They’ve also increased our automation capabilities, and they’ve allowed us to leverage technologies we didn’t have experience with. 

They manage the knowledge sharing and ensure that we get the right skillset. We only spend for one resource but end up with a team’s knowledge. 

Additionally, Synetec is very good at building things from a user perspective, and their output works very well — it’s very intuitive and robust. The performance of the system they’ve built is very good, and it has passed testing. 

How did Synetec perform from a project management standpoint?

Synetec is excellent at project management. They’re very open and honest, and they don’t hit us with nasty surprises. They’re also good at adapting to what works for our business. They accommodate our agile methods and participate in daily stand-ups. 

Through the years, we’ve created a workflow that works best for both our teams — we have an excellent model now. They’ve been very flexible on pre-planning and accommodating to our needs. We use Microsoft Teams and email to communicate. 

We have a very good relationship with Synetec’s developers. We don’t see high staff turnover. There’s also good knowledge sharing when people pick up someone else’s work on the project. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Synetec delivers what they promise. They’re also very good at open communication. They nip minor issues in the bud before they become a major problem. Those are just some of the reasons why we’ve maintained such a good relationship with them all this time.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I’m very happy with our partnership, and I’ll even expand our contract if I only have the budget. I can’t think of anything that they could’ve done better. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Build a proof of concept with them that you can put in front of users so you can get feedback and iterate in an agile manner. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Information Security Manager at healthcare software.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Synetec?

We hired Synetec to provide a code/software review of one of our applications.

SOLUTION

How did you select Synetec and what were the deciding factors?

Chose them on the known high quality of work having worked with them previously.

Describe the project in detail and walk through the stages of the project.

Synetec reviewed: the application code the hosting environment checked for security misconfigurations they then delivered a report.

How many resources from the Synetec team worked with you, and what were their positions?

Three resources delivered the project: Project manager, One Senior Technical Specialist and, One Technical Specialist

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They delivered a report showing what they'd examined and any security issues there, along with recommendations to resolve. They also confirmed the application's adherence to Microsoft best practices.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

It was a relatively short engagement and the plan and communication worked well. They told us what they required to deliver the report and it was provided on our side in a timely manner.

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

They were utterly professional and provided the resources required to deliver the end product.

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

In this project no.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the systems architect for Argentex PLC, a provider of currency exchange brokerage services to businesses and high net worth individuals.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Synetec Ltd, and what were your goals?

Synetec already provide the internal CRM and execution / settlement platform that most of our business sits on. As Argentex expands we required a platform that we could make accessible to customers that would allow them to:

Execute trades and place orders via a FIX connection to liquidity providers Settle trades or roll value dates Produce reporting on payments, settlements and upcoming deliveries Integrate neatly with the existing API's and DBMS of our existing CRM. Expose a neat, branded and intuitive interface

SOLUTION

How did you select Synetec Ltd and what were the deciding factors?

Synetec is a long-standing and trusted technology partner who has worked with our business since its inception.

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

Functionality required was very much a brain dump and several email chains from various key stakeholders in the business. Synetec's project managers worked with myself to break this down granularly into key pieces around each functional area, following an Agile methodology.

Front end is Angular, back end is C# web services, RDBMS is SQL Server and the environment is hosted in AWS / RDS. Of particular sensitivity was the work around the FIX engine - this piece needs to be bug free and resilient owing to the business implications of an incorrect trade being executed.

Through the course of the project various changes to workflows and functionality from our side were made that were accommodated by Synetec.

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

One full time PM and between 3-5 developers at different stages of the project.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The project is delivered, is in use by Argentex customers and has been well received.

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

Synetec use the Agile methodology. Their project manager Natasha has worked with me very closely through this piece of work and she's extremely good at what she does - listens, analyses and breaks down requirements into manageable pieces very well and has very quickly understood how our business works.

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

Synetec specialise in bespoke pieces of work, it's very different working with them compared to off the peg vendors who are trying to adapt an existing product.

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

Any areas I have identified in the past were listened to and are now remediated.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of a training and consultancy business. We have a proprietary methodology that teaches people how to write a business plan, think strategically, and communicate effectively.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Synetec Ltd?

They look after our online software.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They do routine maintenance and development on our online platform. Each quarter, we have a set number of hours they’re to provide maintenance. In addition, we can request ad hoc improvements and development for them to handle on top of our monthly cadence. For instance, they’ll be working on bettering the UI of the system next month.    

What is the team composition?

We work with 3–4 of their employees.

How did you come to work with Synetec Ltd?

One of my colleagues is a member of the same gift club as their CEO. When we were looking for a partner to look after our product, they were personally referred to us.  

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent around $40,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been working with them since July 2019.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They do thorough work, assuring quality through a series of internal systems and processes. It’s effective in meeting our needs. They deliver on their promises.  

How did Synetec Ltd perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re on top of the project, assigning us a product development manager. He ensures that the project is correctly handled by the team.  

What did you find most impressive about them?

They understand the nuances of our system, so they’re able to suggest improvements based on their industry expertise. Their developers were quick to grasp our technology and put our idea into practice.  

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t think of anything. I’m happy with the services we get.  

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be transparent from the beginning with the best possible brief. Then, you can make sure all parties agree on what is and isn’t possible. The more information you give, the better job they’ll do.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder of Mobileize. We’re voice application developers and work with brands on developing voice AI platforms.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Synetec?

We needed help with our backend development, which is a combination of machine learning and CRM data.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Synetec provides us with backend development for our voice applications. The details of the scope change for each client depending on whether or not we’re integrating with a client’s already existing asset.

For example, if we were building off a web-based e-commerce platform and just adding a voice component, Synetec would develop the backend from scratch, but generally, we co-collaborate on the code or create joint code.

For backend development, they use Azure and SQL server. Usually, for web service lift and integration, they mainly work with APIs and relational databases.

What is the team composition?

The team size will vary from project to project, but we generally have the same team members. The teams are never very big, which really helps them remain responsive, flexible, and keep work from getting backed up.

How did you come to work with Synetec?

We’ve historically done Microsoft-based and .NET development, and technical alignment was one of the main criteria for the project. Not only was Syntec familiar with the technology, but they are also close to our headquarters so they were a perfect fit for us.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent around, if not more than, $200,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working together in January 2010, and it’s an ongoing relationship. We don’t go to anyone else for backend development.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’ve never done a case study to establish metrics, and clients don’t really comment on their work because their partnership and work is seen as a part of our service. However, there’s never been a major issue with their backend work.

We so enjoy our work together that I worry about relying on them too much, but we’re confident in the quality and success of their work.

How did Synetec perform from a project management standpoint?

One of the best things about their project management, especially after working with them for this long, is that they are so knowledgeable in their work and the technology that they don’t have to start from scratch every time. We don’t need to have an overly detailed briefing for every project. They know the work, the technology, the processes, and what solutions to pursue.

What did you find most impressive about them?

What is most impressive and impactful of them being a small business is their flexibility and availability. We’re not sending them massively challenging work—it’s in their wheelhouse—and as a result, they can give us solutions confidently and respond quickly when we’re on a tight schedule, without using all of their resources.

Are there any areas they could improve?

One of the most difficult things is staying up to date with the newest technologies. We’re doing less and less on the Microsoft platform now and they’re doing the best they can with staying ahead of the technology curve, but you can never be ahead of the game completely.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

With any project that requires a partnership, the onboarding and the initial piece is the most important. It’s critical to make sure partners are staying within the parameters, pricing, and deliverables.

One of the benefits of Synetec being a small business is that their sales pitch matches what they deliver. They are realistic in what they can achieve throughout the whole process, but especially the onboarding process.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a partner at a financial services firm. We provide outsourced front, middle, and back office services to investment management firms.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Synetec Ltd?

We hired them to create a custom software for one of our clients.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Our client used a portfolio management system and an older management system simultaneously. Synetec Ltd integrated the systems together so the client’s financial information could be displayed in real-time via a web ticker. This eliminated the client’s need to go into their portfolio system to see what trades they’ve made. Instead, the most current profit and loss figures are displayed within the web ticker.

What is the team composition?

A project manager was assigned as our primary point of contact. They had a team of developers working on the project, but I don’t know exactly how many.

How did you come to work with Synetec Ltd?

I’ve known the owners of Synetec Ltd for a while now because we worked together at a previous place of employment. I know they have high standards regarding the work they do, so I reached out and hired them for this project.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent around £20,000 ($26,147USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

The project took place from March–September 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our client had struggled to find a feasible solution before working with us. Synetec Ltd delivered the requested software and the client was happy with the product. Their efforts helped ensure an ongoing relationship with that client. In fact, we still work with that person to this day.

How did Synetec Ltd perform from a project management standpoint?

We communicated via email, phone calls, and in-person meetings. They were extremely responsive.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Rather than just being pure coders, they understand our business as well. They’re particularly well-versed in relevant financial instruments and this knowledge allows them to anticipate potential development challenges. Also, we don’t have to waste time explaining everything to them.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Communicate the full scope of the project from the start. Sharing only a section of the requirements and trying to add developments later will create problems.