Theta Technolabs

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO and founder of SLA Transit.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Theta Technolabs?

They worked with us to build our app.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Theta Technolabs developed and set up our app from scratch. They added features that allowed users to get around the city. We have the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) in New York, and they built the system and information to show how to get from place to place. They also added Uber to the app, which was both for iOS and Android.

Additionally, they worked on the website and social media integrations. The team set up the system so we could reach out to customers through Facebook on our own.

What is the team composition?

We worked with 5–7 people.

How did you come to work with Theta Technolabs?

We were working with a different company, but they weren’t doing anything. We reached out to Upwork, and Theta Technolabs was one of the teams that we got in touch with. They told us that they were able to help us and get the deal done.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent $100,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working together in June 2016, and we ended our engagement in December 2019. The pandemic was going crazy in India, so they couldn’t do much work anymore.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Development took a long time because I didn’t have the money. Whenever I had resources, we’d set up milestones in Upwork, and they’d deliver.

We did many things with them, and they still help us fix any issues with the app. We just have to call them.

How did Theta Technolabs perform from a project management standpoint?

Communication was great. They performed well before COVID-19. Sometimes they called me on Skype, and we used WhatsApp and emails to communicate.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They were willing to help us, especially if they knew it was something urgent. They also worked around our budget and through all that stuff.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I’m not good at explaining, and it could be due to the language barrier, but they should improve on their feedback.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Work with them by milestones instead of by hour; it’s the best for everybody. Some people in Upwork give you excuses and drive up time when they work by hourly rates.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Our app enables organizations and individual clients to better monitor health and wellness indicators for more streamlined and personalized health service delivery. Theta Technolabs was hired by the health tech startup to build and develop the web and mobile app.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Theta Technolabs?

We’re trying to monitor people’s health so that we know their vitals, medical records, activities, and what they’re eating. The app also is available on applications like iOS, Android, and APIs. We’re also working to sync various data from wearable devices like Apple Watch, Fitbit, Samsung into our platform. We will then use machine learning algorithms for predictions to inform personalized health service delivery.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We started by discussing the idea that we had, and I also talked to a couple of other people, but I found that Theta Technolabs were able to conceptualize it and give us a framework to work with. We started with MVP and we were able to really bring out the concepts right. They helped us to really conceptualize the design and develop the project on iOS, Android, and on a web platform.

Right now, we have a fully functional app which we will beta test. We’ll be using it to collect data and it’s working currently as planned. Additionally, we’re looking to beta test to a wider audience to see how it will work in a real-world setting and not just in our own setup. I really like the conceptualization part because when we started talking, we were just discussing an idea — they helped us bring it out and we like the product so far.

They’re creating this application from scratch. Some of the key functionalities are data collection for food, beverage, and water logs. You can input what you’re consuming through the app so we are able to get an API. apart from that, we also have exercise logs and a feature for vitals, where we connect APIs from Apple Health and Fitbit so all the steps and calories are integrated into that — we also integrated blood pressure and pulse checks where it’ll automatically sync into the app.

Moreover, the app itself has a dashboard where you can check your statistics and vitals, and it'll give you a trend or pattern over time. In addition, the web admin is where you can have a bigger dashboard to look at the trends and explore your data. At the end of that phase, we’ll move on to do some predictive analysis.

What is the team composition?

My main point of contact is Rohan (Project Manager) and we work with other developers for Android, iOS, and the web app.

How did you come to work with Theta Technolabs?

I found their website while researching online. 

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve invested about $12,000 so far, but we still have a lot to do.

What is the status of this engagement?

We actually started discussions in February 2020 and by March, we were already starting the project. The partnership is still ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

As I said, we've not reached that point as we're about to do the beta testing. However, it's working because I've been collecting my own data and monitoring my health trends from January up to now — We know that it's working at the level that we want it to.

How did Theta Technolabs perform from a project management standpoint?

I'm satisfied with the work that we do. I like the conceptualization that they put there for me and the GitHub implementation is quite transparent — I get to see what they do every day, who's working, and how many hours they’re putting in. I really value that support, and their ability to listen and create what I need what I need to bring out. We always agree on things and if we want modifications, they will do it. I also know that they’re adaptable because when we started, they kept what needs to be added, and I agree. 

Generally, it’s been a good ride as I've not had any issue that we quarreled or disagreed about — it’s a very cordial relationship and we've not had any problems or anything. The only thing I had a problem with is the delay because of COVID-19. It slowed down everything because even the developers had issues.

We use multiple tools for communications. We have some Zoom calls and WhatsApp calls, and we also have a WhatsApp group with the developers and project manager where can directly solve issues. Apart from that, we also use Monday.com. There we are able to track the work and they update it there, so we have multiple interface interactions.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I value how they worked with us to conceptualise our ideas and develop a working framework for this project. I also like their GitHub management where we’re are able to keep track of what people are doing.

Are there any areas they could improve?

None at the moment.

Any advice for potential customers?

I think just ensure that the communication lines are open, and be clear about how you want to communicate. Tell them your needs so when you need help, you’ll be able to structurally monitor what happens and what needs to be discussed. Structured communication will help you work very well so that everybody will know what is expected.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the president and founder of Happiness 2 Others (H2O).

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Theta Technolabs?

We were looking to get a website developed and, in addition, we wanted overall web support.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They developed a website and now provide us with overall backend support including updates and fixes. The team updated our website to allow for different payment methods beyond credit cards, such as PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.

What is the team composition?

Rohan (IT Consultant) has been our main point of contact since we started working with them. We’ve worked with other teammates here and there as well. 

How did you come to work with Theta Technolabs?

After doing research on Upwork, I found Rohan. I had a conversation with him and I liked that he seemed so genuine. When I told him that I needed something done and he didn’t know how to do it, he let me know and then said that he’d find someone else to help me complete the task. 

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent between $28,000–$30,000. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in November 2016 and our engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The backend rebuild has made it a lot easier for me to export data, which allows me to keep track of who’s making donations. The internal feedback has been very good. Everyone has commented on the website’s clean, crisp look.

How did Theta Technolabs perform from a project management standpoint?

Their project management is really good, which is why I’ve kept the relationship going. Whenever I have a deadline, they’re able to hit it. Communication has always been good even though we work in different timezones. 

They always let us know when they’re falling behind or when they’re ahead of schedule. Theta Technolabs gives me recommendations even when I don’t ask for them. I don’t have a background in web development and technology so they always explain those aspects to me and suggest how certain decisions will benefit me.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Theta Technolabs found a very quick solution for the rebuild without switching our payment gateway company, which was very helpful. So, it took less time and money to do.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I have no suggestions. In the beginning, we were all trying to figure things out together. Developers all have different approaches to different problems.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Make sure you know your expectations. Communicate with them because they do a good job of being honest when they don’t have an immediate solution, but also doing research to find one eventually. That was very important to me. Unlike other developers, Theta Technolabs doesn’t promise you the moon without following up.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the technical head of Lena, a wedding planning startup.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Theta Technolabs?

We needed help developing our web app that connected brides and wedding vendors on a single platform.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Theta Technolabs has developed a responsive web portal for us, working on the front- and backend. After some discussion, we decided to use Angular. 

We can upload mood boards, pictures, and set up different services and questionnaires on the platform’s backend. We can also arrange the order and priority of the pictures. With that, we’re able to identify a user’s requirements and preferences; based on that and their most clicked words, our algorithm will try to match them with appropriate vendors. 

We can add vendors and verify their details on the backend, but most of them register from the site’s frontend. Vendors can add their portfolios and other marketing assets to their profiles. We improve the functionalities of the platform based on user feedback. 

We’re waiting for more vendors to join us, and once we reach a certain threshold, we’ll start the next phase of the project.

What is the team composition?

I primarily work with the project manager and two Angular developers. I don’t know how many other people are working on the project.

How did you come to work with Theta Technolabs?

I asked a friend to help me find a good web development company, and Theta Technolabs was in their city. I contacted them along with 2–3 other companies. I was more focused on Theta Technolabs since my friend recommended them. I reviewed the resumes of the three people I’d be in contact with. I had a Skype call with them and liked them.

How much have you invested with them?

I have spent around $18,000–$20,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in June 2020, and it’s ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our project has been a success. Theta Technolabs has even helped me select a server, launch the app, and create a pipeline for our continuous deployment, even though it was not part of their original scope. The platform’s front- and backend, and portals are all currently live. 

Theta Technolabs’ coding quality is top-notch. I’m also a developer, and initially, I checked their source code since I haven’t worked with them before. They did an excellent job in terms of coding.

How did Theta Technolabs perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re available throughout the day and, if needed, even on weekends. We communicate frequently using emails, and they gave me access to their Trello account. We also set up a WhatsApp group with my three points of contact.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their coding quality and communication skills are impressive.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They could be a bit more proactive. That said, it’s not entirely their fault since I change my requirements at the last minute. If they could somehow read my mind, that would be better. Due to my changing requirements, we missed several deadlines.