Tentacle Solutions

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the office manager of a Health & Safety consultancy. We have 11 members of staff made up of admin & professionally qualified staff.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Tentacle Solutions, and what were your goals?

We have been working with a very old 'self made' data base to record and manage our projects which included being able to generate 'task sheets' so staff could manage each project depending on tasks required and which has been marked up to be reminders when due.

It was made up of many, many queries so was very slow. It was also held on our server which resulted in it having to be backed up frequently and if it did develop a fault the old back up had to be re-instated but all updates made since date of old back up were lost and had to be input again.

Our goals were to have a quicker, reliable, easier to use and understand database which didn't need backed up and could be accessed from anywhere quickly rather than through a VPN.

SOLUTION

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

We chose Tentacle Solutions using the following criteria:

1. having googled software developers I filtered down to locally based companies;
2. I then made online inquiries with them, and depending on the ease of the online inquiry and the time taken to respond I reduced these to 2 companies
3. Zarrar from Tentacle was very quick to respond by a lovely e-mail to my online enquiry and invited me to send info re our current system and provided some basic guidance right away re what we may wish to do. That then led to a video call with Zarrar and myself in which I found him to be very friendly, helpful, positive and he spoke about his suggestions for what we required in a very user friendly manner which was key to my choosing them to work with.

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

They designed a bespoke Minimum Viable Product (MVP) over Microsoft’s .NET Core MVC platform to effectively manage our projects. This allows us to easily build on the product in the future if required.

We were provided with a full quote which provided all info re understanding of our requirements; their methodology; risk factors; key personnel; project team; schedule; support, security, accessibility, and disaster recovery; technology & copyright; testing; offboarding; training and ongoing support; costs; what happens next.

We were allocated our own account manager who was our only/main point to contact and this ensured good continuity throughout development. They reviewed our current system and clarified our requirements based around the current system.

Work then commenced on making up the test site with weekly video calls, testing of the site at that time, feedback and improvement. Agreement was then reached when site could go live and further support has been ongoing since then.

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

We've working directly with Sadia, the Senior Account Manager at Tentacle Solutions who obviously has a team behind her but be didn't need to deal with anyone else.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We are still in the process of going live with the new database but once it's fully operational we can wind down the old database. This will not impact on business income but rather on our performance in managing the various key stages and invoicing of the projects.

It will free the staff up from utilising an ancient system allowing them more time to spend on their clients and project requirements and give us peace of mind that data we are recording will be saved and retained.

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

Sadia's management style was excellent. During our meetings she made everything understandable on our level, quickly identified our requirements despite the nature of our business not being the easiest to understand let alone how we were used to working with the old database,  summarised all items discussed during the meeting sending a meeting summary e-mail directly after our meetings to confirm what actions had been agreed and to carry forward.

They agreed when the next meeting would take place and sent out invites for these which really pushed us to keep the project going on our side and not be distracted by other work; always had issues resolved very quickly, let us know same and kept an open line of communication at all times. Towards the end of development we were given access to

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

We found the ease of getting in touch with Tentacle and the comfortable way we got on with them right from the start a great benefit to us - not being that IT savvy we were a little concerned we'd e able to communicate or requirements sufficiently especially without face to face meetings.

Open lines of communication were great and the fact that they are obviously keen to get the job done meant we were taken along at their speed which, if left to our own devices would have meant it taking a lot longer to complete.

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

So far Tentacle Solutions was excellent to deal with, and I can't think of anything they needed to do differently.

I'm glad to say I can't suggest anything for improvement or to do differently. Thank you very much Zarrar, Sadia and the whole team!

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the General Manager of a Personal Loan Company with 2 branches in the west of Scotland

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Tentacle Solutions, and what were your goals?

We hired Tentacle Solutions to develop an entirely bespoke, new Customer Relationship Management database & a new website. Our goals were to increase efficiency across our whole operational systems.

SOLUTION

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

We found them by searching the internet for companies who specialise in what we were looking for. We had in depth discussions with 3 companies in total. We decided on Tentacle based on these personal discussions. They understood what we required and were cost effective.

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

They designed a completely new website & Customer Relationship Management Database. We needed to integrate seamlessly how we communicate with our customers. The website allows customers to apply online and automatically transfers their details into the database. We also had to streamline our BACS processing facility.

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

We dealt with 2 people, the MD & senior account Manager

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Unfortunately the project was unavoidably delayed due to COVID19. However at all times we were able to communicate effectively with our account manager. Extensive testing of the new database was required with regular updates being applied. The system they have delivered is now driving major efficiencies across our whole operation.

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

Their style was very much a personal one. I had a known point of contact who I could phone or e-mail at anytime. All requests were dealt with in a timeous manner.

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

We were treated as an individual company and they listened to what we wanted to achieve.

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

I think they could have had a better understanding of our core business at the start of the project. However the start of the COVID19 pandemic did mean we had less face to face contact than we would have done otherwise. This perhaps made it a bit more difficult to communicate certain information effectively.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the managing director of a company that makes milk cooling tanks.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address withTentacle Solutions?

We have a custom-made database for managing our ERP system which we designed ourselves. However, the IT person that created it for us went missing and we had to find somebody else to work on it.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Tentacle Solution has been working on our database for the last three years using MySQL. We’re constantly asking them to make changes to it.

What is the team composition?

We’ve only worked with one main point of contact from Tentacle Solutions. However, I don't deal with their developers.

How did you come to work with Tentacle Solutions?

I searched on Google for someone local here in Ireland. Then, I stumbled across Tentacle Solutions and chose them because I couldn’t find anybody else.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent between $10,000–$25,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working together in September 2018, and it’s ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They’ve always been able to deliver what I ask them to do.

How didTentacle Solutions perform from a project management standpoint?

I wish I could sit down face-to-face with them. All of our dealings have been over email or a phone conversation, but the person I deal with makes the arrangements so that we can accomplish everything.

What did you find most impressive about them?

It’s always a pleasure to deal with our main contact person. Nothing I ask for has ever become a complicated issue. Overall, she’s a very competent person.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Their work takes a long time to complete, so I end up spending a lot of money even though they only charge £20 an hour (approximately $27 USD). Despite that, they get their job done right and it's my fault for not asking for a project estimate. Overall, I'm happy with their work and charge.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Follow my lead, and leave Tentacloe solutions to their work. Occasionally, send them an email to find out their progress, and expect that it may take them 1–2 weeks to come back to you when you assign them to get something done — sometimes even longer depending on the task's complexity.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the owner of a specialist walking tour company, EasyWays, based in Central Scotland that manages tours across all of the major long-distance treks in Scotland plus two bespoke tours in Spain and one in Italy. Pre COVID we managed around 800 walkers each year in assembling tours that included all accommodation, bag transfer and electronic support pack including a unique GPS map for each tour.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Tentacle Solutions , and what were your goals?

I purchased the company in 2014 and inherited an outdated booking system. The challenge for Tentacle was to provide and more efficient back office system with front end display that matched the expectancy of the 21st century marketplace.

SOLUTION

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

I issued a tender opportunity to three companies who were expert in this field and chose Tentacle because the displayed a better understanding of the task involved and were by far the most enthusiastic to win the contract.

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

An EasyWays User Requirement Document was presented to Tentacle and through a series of regular meetings the progress of the work was monitored and checked by use of a Tracker Document until completion. Not everything worked first time around but any non conformances were addressed as they arose until the system was 100% operative..

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

The two owner's of Tentacle, Zarrar and Sadia Chrishti were the sole interface with EasyWays during the course of the project

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Tentacle worked remotely from the EasyWays everyday business during the lifetime of the project until a test system was available for use. This was developed as non operable issues arose and with updates via project milestones reviewed until full completion and handover.

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

Tentacle Solutions was always available during the project, and they were very understanding of project changes. This inevitably occurred as a result of gaining hands-on experience of the new system.

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

The willingness to work with EasyWays on post handover improvements on the system

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

I think that given the complexity of bringing together the number of options typically created within an EasyWays Tour Pack it would be difficult to find fault in the work delivered by Tentacle, especially when considering this was their first venture into outdoor tourism business.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am MD of a small engineering firm specialising in catering equipment

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Tentacle Solutions?

The company required a new office/engineers IT system

SOLUTION

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

We carried out a search of the internet for suitable vendors and Tentacle were a local company with good reviews

Describe the project in detail and walk through their service package.

They designed our office it system and incorporated it into an app for allowing it to be used by our field based engineers

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

2 main employees worked with us at various stages on the project both were IT consultants

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The finished product has been a large benefit for the company both in the terms of office staff and field engineers where it has streamlined the workloads and reduced times on many tasks and as the system can be added onto many staff have been able to add their input which Tentacle then implement into the system thus benefiting the individual user

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Described in two words "Highly Effective." They have and still deal with all queries in a fast and effective manner.

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

Their knowledge of IT and their willingness to listen and advice us on a step by step basis and keeping cost to a minimum

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

None, I have found their overall service second to none and the ongoing service is excellent with fast effective responses to any adaptions we require

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Commercial Director for a large Security company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Tentacle Solutions, and what were your goals?

We wanted to develop an app to record, incidents, patrolling, management information to enable us to become paperless and recording information live. As well as having a customer and administration portals

SOLUTION

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

We searched on line.

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

We had planning meetings, story board and development meetings. Tentacle delivered all stages of the project on time and to our satisfaction.

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

A project manager and 3 developers.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our app and portals now receive over 300,000 pieces of information every month. The system is quick and efficient and flows well.

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

The PM was very easy to deal with, always available for calls and to discuss ideas and developments.

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

The knowledge of their own abilities and all of the systems they used impressed me greatly

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

I was and am very happy with all areas of their service.