Unified Infotech

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder of an online marketplace that aims to connect sellers with local merchandise.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Unified Infotech Inc?

We didn’t have the necessary resources to produce the app in-house, so we needed a reputable partner to help us bring our vision to life.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Unified Infotech is present for every stage of the project, from design to development. Their team used a variety of environments, including Node.js, MySQL, Angular4, and RESTful, to build the front- and backend. They’re currently making last-minute changes to enhance the platform’s UX.

What is the team composition?

I mostly interact with the project manager, but two of their developers are present during meetings to provide insight on the project.

How did you come to work with Unified Infotech Inc?

I found them while searching Upwork for web contractors. Unified Infotech had an excellent reputation, so we hired them.

How much have you invested with them?

Our original quote was close to $100,000. Since we decided to add more features, the price has increased to $200,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

I approached them in December 2017, but we didn’t initiate the project until January 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The platform already looks better than I imagined. An investment board was so impressed with its clean design and functionality that they decided invested more money in our project.

How did Unified Infotech Inc perform from a project management standpoint?

Despite the 12-hour time difference and last-minute project changes, Unified adapted to the work environment effortlessly. There was never a time when they didn’t respond to our Upwork messages or Skype calls.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Unified Infotech is a startup’s best friend; they’re approachable, but they also have the necessary business intellect to tailor their work to fit our unique business needs. Their design expertise is equally impressive. It takes most vendors around four attempts to perfect the UI design, but Unified Infotech nearly met all of our expectations with their first draft.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Although they work hard to accommodate our schedule, the time difference makes communication difficult. Fortunately, they’re planning to open an office in the US soon.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Don’t be afraid to reach out to Unified Infotech without a fully-developed plan because they have a practical solution for every any challenge.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I hold a senior position at Bridger Consulting Group, a startup in the pre-launch stage and moving toward an official beta launch. We’re a technology platform geared toward the consulting industry. We are going to target advertising, strategy management consultancies, and market research firms. Our goal is to broker consultations between our clients and industry experts.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Unified Infotech Inc?

We needed a team to develop a web-based app for a minimum viable product (MVP). Additionally, we had to figure out the details of the product we’re looking to build. We wanted the platform for this information to be built by scratch so the code would completely belong to us.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They spent a lot of time in the planning stage, as they stressed that it was crucial before starting the actual coding. The team developed a customized web-based app. We collaboratively created and designed the app. Using PHP, they coded the backend; for the frontend, they used AngularJS and Node. Their work got us to a place where we have a completed minimum viable product (MVP). We have discussed plans with Unified Infotech, based around scaling the technology and implementing more features to the system.

What is the team composition?

I worked with the COO of Unified Infotech to establish a team. We came up with a dedicated contact for the project and a group of developers, designers, and a QA tester. They were able to scale in size quickly, as needed, to meet deadlines.

How did you come to work with Unified Infotech Inc?

After I received bids from firms that seemed capable, I wanted to choose a team that had relevant experience. We needed a team that could communicate effectively so I needed to take time zones into consideration. After considering location, budget, timelines, and work history, Unified Infotech stood out as a clear winner.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from March - July 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We now have an MVP that is ready for an official beta launch and is in the fundraising stage. We can now successfully demo our product and answer questions from potential investors. We’re hoping to have a bug-free beta launch by November.

How did Unified Infotech Inc perform from a project management standpoint?

Our project manager was a tremendous help and a wonderful lead throughout. They answered every question I put on the table. Though there were time zone differences, they made sure they updated based on my feedback and had everything ready for me to review the next day. Time differences made it feel like our engine was running 24/7, helping us create our product quickly.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They are a company that originated overseas and expand to the U.S. and was successful in a short timespan, which made them stand out. It is hard to find a team with experience and expertise, but they had both. Their role in creating multi-million dollar businesses impressed me. It’s reassuring that there are people happy to invest in their products.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Though there were some instances where I would have wanted a task finished a few days earlier, their main concern was producing quality work, and it was worth it. Additionally, continuing to grow their presence in the U.S. will help them improve.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

After reaching a milestone, it's essential to get your feedback to their team promptly. If you wait too long, it will delay hitting the next milestone. Communication in these projects is a two-way road, and it’s easy to lose sight of that.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a technical project manager for Reliable Group, a development firm.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Unified Infotech Inc?

We needed a vendor to develop and design an end-client’s app.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The team built the app for iOS and Android as a social job search tool for the film industry. They created registration, subscription-based payment, and profile-building functionalities. In addition, Unified Infotech Inc designed the UI/UX based on user research we completed before the project started. The solution had sides for both job applications and employers. The listed positions ranged from acting gigs, to lighting, to special effects, etc.

What is the team composition?

Their project manager was my main point of contact. The team also included two developers and a UI/UX resource.

How did you come to work with Unified Infotech Inc?

Our previous partners lacked UI/UX skills. We then searched different vendors and narrowed down potential firms. We considered portfolios, past clients, and fit with our team. We chose Unified Infotech Inc because they met our needs and the budget was right.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent $55,000, which included an add-on feature that we developed in-house.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked with them from March–August 2018. The client is now in possession of the app and has completed unit acceptance testing (UAT).

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Unified Infotech Inc demonstrated their user interaction expertise throughout the project. As a result, we received positive feedback from the client. Based on this reaction, we considered the partnership successful.

How did Unified Infotech perform from a project management standpoint?

We handled project management and the team’s experience and responsiveness stood out. They were well-organized and met all the requirements for our agile in-house structure. We used Jira and Skype.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The team’s in-depth knowledge of user interaction and behavior resulted in an impressive UI/UX design. Overall, they were very strong in this respect.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, because they were clearly experienced and managed a perfectly smooth agile workflow.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

Always be available when working with a partner. It’s important for the client to be available to answer questions it has the needed subject matter expertise.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the CEO of Music Plug LLC. We do advertising in the music space. Artists come to us and we help push their music out to the public.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Unified Infotech Inc?

We wanted to make our brand bigger, especially outside of the D.C.-Maryland-Virginia region. We're also trying to expand our global presence. We needed an app where people can contact us and learn about our brand.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Unified Infotech Inc developed a mobile application for iOS and Android. It’s a platform to provide artists with an online portfolio. It’s taking elements of Spirilla (a mixtape app) and YouTube and combining them in one place. For the user, it means that they won't have to go to YouTube to watch a music video and then go to Apple Music to listen to that artist’s album. For the artists, it means they can put all their videos, singles, and albums all in one place.

The app will also help artists figure out where their fans are in particular regions. That will help them with ticket sales when they're trying to tour. It really caters to the artists without the backing of a major record label.

I gave them my idea and a simple drawing of how I wanted it to look, and they did everything else. They created the template for how the app will look and feel look, as well as all of the development. I keep coming up with new ideas and asking them to add new features.

What is the team composition?

I’m directly in contact with a project manager, the designer, and the CEO.

How did you come to work with Unified Infotech Inc?

I put my proposal on Upwork and sent them an invitation to look at my project. The main reasons I selected them was because of how punctual they were in responding, and how serious they were when I told them what I wanted. They also had positive reviews from previous clients.

What is the status of this engagement?

The main scope of work took place from October 2017–March 2018. It took four more months to complete the additional features I requested. The app was completed in late July 2018, but I pushed back the release until October so I can do some promotions before the official launch. They’re also providing one year of maintenance on the app.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I’ve estimated that this app will help the company grow from making over $100,000 in profits to $500,000 within the first year of its release. The companies we work with think the app is really innovative. It really transcends everything we’ve done to date. Everyone who’s seen the app has loved it.

How did Unified Infotech Inc perform from a project management standpoint?

Their team is great. They’re very prompt, and I haven’t had any problems. My project manager keeps me up to speed. I never worry about having to track them down because we’re in touch every week. They created a timeline of when the backend and frontend would be done. They’ll give me a breakdown of what they’re working on that week, and how many hours they’re spending on each part of the app. They send me screenshots for review and approval.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their customer service is exceptional. The CEO will get in touch with me directly any time I have a problem. Just a few days ago, I realized that something I wanted implemented in the app was never done. It turns out that the sales team forgot to add it in the contract. The CEO told me not to worry, that they’d take care of it. I really appreciate that level of service.

Any advice for potential customers?

Map out exactly what you want before you speak with them. They’ll implement exactly what you ask for, so make sure you have a clear vision for your project.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of a digital company. We offer a variety of services like graphic design, database creation, and application development.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Unified Infotech Inc?

We needed an external development firm to create an app for us.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Unified Infotech Inc helped us develop a messaging app similar to Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp. They were integral to implementing the app’s defining feature, what is the ability for users to link multiple phone numbers to one account. The original contract required them to deliver a web app for our internal use only. However, we liked the platform so much that we had them build a mobile version for Android.

Initially, we presented our idea for the app and a rough outline of the interface. They developed several graphical assets for us to choose from and continued to craft the app’s design while building its backend. They also contributed to the platform’s logic scheme and addressed the flaws within our first build. They tested the final version as part of the development process. This engagement is complete, but we’re looking to hire them for another app development project.

What is the team composition?

They assigned a project manager to oversee our account, but we mostly interacted with the lead developer. In addition to a team of programmers, they also attached a graphic design team and a system testing team. We worked with each department as needed. Occasionally, they’d bring in a senior-level resource to provide answers.

How did you come to work with Unified Infotech Inc?

Once we decided to bring in outside help, we searched Upwork for viable candidates. Instead of an independent contractor, we wanted to hire a reputable firm consisting of experienced developers. We interviewed five different companies but selected Unified Infotech Inc based on their deep understanding of the project and competitive pricing.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent around $50,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

This project took place from November 2017–August 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We haven’t put the final build on Google Play yet, so our user feedback is limited. However, colleagues that have experienced the app say it’s useful. Unified Infotech Inc went above and beyond our expectations with their graphic design efforts. The process wasn’t entirely free of errors, but they worked hard to solve issues and accommodate us. Overall, the app is performing well and we’re confident that users will enjoy using it.

How did Unified Infotech Inc perform from a project management standpoint?

We want to work with them again because we appreciate their overall approach. However, it was a difficult task that required extensive product testing. They identified a lot of bugs, but most of the issues fell within our contract, so we weren’t charged for the support. The project manager had control of the team and made sure everyone was responsive. Besides email, we’d interact with each department via Skype to ask the entire team questions. On one or two occasions, the project manager had to escalate an outstanding issue to their senior for adequate resolution.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re responsive and eager to help resolve issues. There was never an instance where they said a task couldn’t be done.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I’d like to see them implement a more thorough testing process. We retested the app after their initial testing phase and discovered more bugs than we would’ve liked. However, they continued to support the platform and fixed everything.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

As with any engagement of this size, it’s important to establish a point of reference with them regarding project expectations. This helped when we needed to add components to the project that weren’t compatible with the agreed upon scope of work. We kept the communication channels open between both parties and that enabled us to find a mutually beneficial solution.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

LK Vyapaar Pvt Ltd has a presence across eight major cities in India. We've been sourcing garments for four decades. We have now stepped into retail through our Online ecommerce platform. I'm the business head of e-commerce. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Unified Infotech Inc?

We hired them for website and app development. 

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We found them on Google and investigated through word of mouth.

Can you go into detail about the services they provided and the scope of the project?

They built our website on Magento 2 and our app on Android and iOS

What was the team composition?

They deployed a team of six for our project.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Their designs were awesome. The business has a long way to go, but we were completely satisfied with their genuine efforts and prompt support.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

They managed the project with great professionalism, and the project coordinator went the extra mile. They valued their commitments by helping us after working hours. If we had any glitches, their support was just a call or email away.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I was impressed by their pricing, their design and development skills, and their prompt responses.

Are there any areas where they can improve?

They could improve a little. As an investment business, we always focus on time. Unified was a few days behind, but we gave them many delays and modifications.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a freelance designer.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Unified Infotech Inc?

I use a lot of software tools to review designs, communicate with clients, and deliver final products. I needed a development partner to implement ideas I had for streamlined design tools.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Unified Infotech Inc is building a type of web application that doesn’t yet exist in the design space. The platform simplifies project management processes and helps designers communicate with their clients. It breaks up the monotony of constantly responding to feedback, making adjustments, and emailing clients. I developed a complete design, so they’re responsible for building the corresponding backend. The app consists of a variety of technologies including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

What is the team composition?

I primarily communicate with a project manager and their lead developer. 2–3 other development experts assist us if complex tasks are required.

How did you come to work with Unified Infotech Inc?

I posted the project to UpWork and received bids from several providers. I approached each candidate cautiously after having worked with a previous developer that lacked communication skills. After researching various portfolios and websites, Unified Infotech Inc stood apart from the other candidates. Their available case studies demonstrated strong technical capabilities that I felt would be beneficial to my project. I specifically wanted a partner that could guide me through the development process and take the lead on deciding which technologies to use. I interviewed them over the phone and found them to be excellent communicators. Their team of specialists understood the role I needed them to fill.

How much have you invested with them?

I’ve spent $15,000 thus far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in April 2017 and the project is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The web app isn’t live yet because we’re still in the process of adding a couple of extra features. However, the software’s in a pretty decent state and I couldn’t have got it there without them. They’re invested in the project and always come to the table with new ideas and suggestions. They aren’t afraid to offer development options that’ll cost less money. Because of that, I feel they have the application’s best interest in mind.

How did Unified Infotech Inc perform from a project management standpoint?

I’m extremely happy with their level of communication and responsiveness. Their prowess in this area sets them apart from the freelance developers I’ve worked with in the past. I usually receive emails from them within five minutes of reaching out. It’s incredibly rare that they take longer than an hour to respond to any form of communication.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I appreciate their communicative nature and range of technical ability. Working with a team of experts that have diverse experiences helped generate unique solutions.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I’d like to see them spend more time in the design phase to ensure the final deliverable looks exactly as the client intends.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the founder of a telemedicine platform that connects doctors with patients.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Unified Infotech?

We have an existing smartphone app for Android and iOS, but the original development team was unable to finish the product. We needed a firm that could identify and fix the unresolved problems.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Prior to starting work with our product, we suggested a two-week discovery phase that would allow them to dig deep into the code of our apps, which used React Native. We wanted the apps to be more compatible with other mobile devices, so we tasked them with determining what steps we needed to take to achieve that. If after the two weeks we didn’t feel comfortable continuing with them, our service agreement allowed us to terminate the contract.

What is the team dynamic?

I worked with the COO and two project managers—one based in the U.S. and another based in India.

How did you come to work with Unified Infotech?

We searched specifically for firms with a presence in the United States that also had experience working with React Native. We made it a priority to find a vendor that could work within our budget and timeline. We interviewed 20 or more companies, but only three of them fit all of our requirements. At that point, Unified Infotech seemed like the best option.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together for one month—July 2018. The project remains unfinished, and we are no longer in communication with Unified Infotech.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

How did your relationship with Unified Infotech evolve?

We reached a service agreement that included their stated estimate of an 8- to 10-week timeline and a total cost around $20,000. We arranged the service agreement to include a two-week buffer, extending the timeline to 12 weeks, and my company would be absolved from paying for any services that fell beyond that window. After our two-week discovery phase, Unified Infotech reported that the cost would be closer to $40,000 and the project would take four months to complete.

While discussing the drastic deviations from their original estimate, they cited a more extensive scope of the work. However, much of the information they brought forth was well-documented in the materials I provided after transferring the project from the first developer. For example, they tried to generate mobile builds, discover bugs, and put the database schema together, but it appears that they overlooked much of what I initially presented to them. We were unable to resolve our dispute, and I asked them to perform no additional work.

Describe the impact this engagement has had on your business.

We had no reason to believe that our timeline would change as much as it did. We expected to work with them and complete the product. In coordination with that, we arranged meetings with clients so that we could demonstrate the app. We set deadlines with those clients based on the timeline we received from Unified Infotech. However, because of their oversight, our entire project was delayed, and it reflected poorly on us when we were unable to keep these appointments with clients.

How was project management handled?

I do not believe they had worthwhile communication between their U.S.-based project manager and their India-based project manager. The former didn’t expect there to be many changes in the estimates, but this was not wholly discussed with the latter. The communication with the project manager in India was not well-documented. Their staff is a friendly group to work with despite the challenges we faced.

In what specific areas can they improve?

They could be more transparent and honest with their clients. I don’t believe they fulfilled their role as developers. We were looking for a team we could be confident in, but their actions made it difficult to trust them.

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

Put the money in escrow rather than paying up front to ensure that they deliver on their promises.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the managing director of a software company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Unified Infotech?

I needed help developing a mobile app and website.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

After going over my vision with Unified Infotech, their team laid out the scope of work, which allowed me to then secure funding for the project. Once funding was obtained, we worked together to create an iOS and Android app and website, including a customer and super admin portal.

The app allows users to find deals and discounts from businesses relevant to them, based on their location and the types of posts they like or businesses they follow. Users receive alerts if they're within a certain radius of a business offering a deal they liked. 

What is the team composition?

I work with about seven people on their team, including an account manager, UI/UX developers, and Android and iOS developers.

How did you come to work with Unified Infotech?

I posted the job on Upwork and received a number of responses, but Unified Infotech's came across as the most professional. They were structured in their approach and proactively engaged me right away.

How much have you invested with them?

I've invested about $150,000 thus far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together around January 2017 and the first version of the app was ready about eight months later. We continue to work with their team and anticipate working with them on a redesign of the app in the near future.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I'm very happy with the results Unified Infotech's team has provided thus far. The app has very few issues or bugs and functions well overall. In addition to their high-quality development work, their team has been able to provide invaluable business development feedback throughout the process to help improve outcomes.

How did Unified Infotech perform from a project management standpoint?

Unified Infotech's team is very professional and transparent about deadlines and costs of services. I'm very impressed by their turnaround times. They've also been great about providing additional feedback where they feel it would improve outcomes.

Since I found them through Upwork, we generally use that platform for communicating or Skype for more direct meetings.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I'm most impressed by their team's range of skill sets. They're always able to access the right talent for each of our specific requests.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Spend as much time in the planning stage as possible and try to let your stakeholders guide the development to ensure you're prioritizing the right features throughout the process.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the co-founder of Appitizer. We’re a start-up that plans to provide a platform to facilitate interactions between buyers and vendors.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Unified Infotech?

We wanted a partner to assist with the development of a mobile app.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Unified Infotech designed the framework for the in-app marketplace and built the architecture for an Android and iOS version of the app. We are now working on QA using two-week sprints to track the velocity of the burn rate. The team helps us calculate the number of defects we get out of each release and then measure the performance.

How did you come to work with Unified Infotech?

We conducted an extensive interview process that left us with three potential choices. After reviewing their previous work, checking references, and personal visits to each company, we landed on Unified Infotech. We like that they were also a growing company and recognized their skills and abilities.

How much have you invested with them?

We have spent $60,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in November 2016 and the partnership is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Unified Infotech has delivered on all of our fairly specific requirements so far. They are highly adaptive and show a willingness to change and understand our objective. It has been a highly collaborative process and we often use them as a sounding board for valuable feedback.

How did Unified Infotech perform from a project management standpoint?

We initially communicated via Skype, but have since opened channels on Slack and Trello. The project progress is tracked on Jira and Confluence. We use an in-house tool to manage all information regarding testing.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The Unified Infotech team takes complete ownership of their work and holds themselves accountable for their mistakes. Their commitment to the project goal shows in their dedicated work ethic.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They sometimes have a narrow vision when trying to understand the entire scope of a project. They don’t see the impact that a person can have on other parts of the team. This view can cause confusion and hinder progress for a short period of time. They could easily correct this with clear lines of communication and better internal documentation.

Any advice for potential customers?

They are a dedicated team. The clearer you can be in describing the project, the better the results will be. If customers stick with them through the sometimes-bumpy start of the project, they will go the extra mile to deliver what was promised. Finding the right balance of communication and collaboration is the key to a successful and long-term relationship with Unified Infotech.