Unified Infotech

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the co-founder and director of technology for an e-learning platform. In my role, I handle all matters related to technology and operations.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Unified Infotech?

We were looking for an application development firm. Specifically, we needed something web-based and mobile. We engaged Unified Infotech to develop an Android, iOS, and web application for us.

We’ve developed the very first virtual coaching software where the user doesn’t have a proxy. The solution is bordering on AI. The coaching is designed to coach an individual who’s taking a course of study. They can complete the course and apply what they’ve learned toward their goals.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Unified Infotech built the entire platform for us. They utilized PHP and HTML5 for the web app as well as Native for the mobile application. We took the idea to them, having done a rudimentary alpha test and proof of concept. Then, they did a lot of graphic design work for the application itself as well as some logo and branding work. Additionally, their team did a lot of information architecture for us.

What is the team composition?

I’ve worked with Pratip (Founder & CEO), Saptarshi (Executive Director & COO), and Samrat (Senior Project Manager). However, I also worked with many of their other team members including individuals from their sales, pre-sales, and customer service departments.

How did you come to work with Unified Infotech?

Clutch was a part of the initial process when we were looking for the development company we wanted to work with. We created an RFP and sent it out to over a dozen companies.

We approached Unified Infotech because of their capabilities and pricing. However, what really stood out about them was their willingness to take a project from just an idea and then handle implementation and roll it out; not to mention, everything in between. Their total package seemed like the best out of all the companies.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project was from November 2018–July 2020. We have an ongoing engagement with them for future iterations and support.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They’ve been instrumental and critical in building our solution. The application is done, has gone through final testing, and is excellent. We added some changes along the way that pushed the timeline and cost. But that isn’t something we weren’t expecting or didn’t budget for. There’s also been a success in terms of commitment and how many resources they’ve allocated to us.

How did Unified Infotech perform from a project management standpoint?

Their ability to meet deadlines is at 80% out of 100%. Communication has been excellent considering the time difference. They’ve been responsive, and there have been no issues. We use Jira and Confluence for project management. Our teams communicate through Zoom, email, and Skype.

Samrat has been absolutely phenomenal and instrumental in helping us realize our vision for the application. He’s also helpful in terms of making suggestions on additions and better ways to do things. He’s been amazing. It’s clear that he’s personally invested and wants to see the application succeed. We’re very grateful for that.

What did you find most impressive about them?

What we’ve created is very complex, and there were a tremendous number of challenges along the way. Unified Infotech has been instrumental in meeting those challenges and finding innovative ways to take our vision and manifest it into a system. They’ve been phenomenal in holding our hand throughout the process.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They could improve on communicating certain organizational changes that may have an effect on the client. Their proofreading and copyediting work could also use some improvement. I understand that English is not their native language.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the CEO of a Solar Panel installation company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

We hired Unified Infotech to set up our website

What were your goals for this project?

1. To make an informative website 2. To make a user-friendly website 3. To make the professional looking website 4. Unique design

SOLUTION

How did you select Unified Infotech?

We did a few calls on skype and we liked their approach.

Describe the project in detail.

We wanted to build an informative website for our customer. our goal was to bring customer to our solar calculator. which we have achieved.

What was the team composition?

we were assigned the team to work on our project.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

we are a startup business therefore we have not yet seen any success. but we are confident

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

our project manager Santanu was very effective and always available to talk.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

1. communication, 2. fact that they sent MOM after every meeting 3. their UI/UX design team is very good 4. deadline most of the time was achieved

Are there any areas for improvement?

If they can maybe get the whole team involved in some calls with the client.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder of a project management platform for designers. It helps designers and clients work better together.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Unified Infotech?

I didn’t have the technical knowledge to do it myself. I’m a designer by trade and know how to run projects, but needed a technical partner that could help me realize my vision.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They developed the frontend of the web application. I had another website and Unified Infotech added to that platform.

What is the team composition?

I worked with a salesperson for a short period of time, then I worked with a project manager and developer. Indirectly, I know they also work with a frontend developer.

How did you come to work with Unified Infotech?

I found them through Upwork. I was reviewing a number of different organizations, and Unified Infotech impressed me most because of how they handle projects. They assigned me a project manager to ensure everything ran smoothly.

How much have you invested with them?

I’ve spent $100,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together around September 2017 and our collaboration is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

This has been an ongoing process, and they’ve been able to accurately achieve the design that I sent to them and it works. They’re my go-to team now.

How did Unified Infotech perform from a project management standpoint?

I usually show them the design and the functionality and let them know when I want it to be working. They do a pretty good job meeting those standards.

Sometimes they push back on the time if the tasks turn out to be more complicated, which is fine because they always have a conversation with me. I trust that they’re going to give me the best work they can. 80% of the time they’re good on timeline and only 20% of the time do they need more time. They always keep me informed .

They’re pretty good. There are moments when project management could be a little better. We’re in different time zones, but they’re more than happy to work around my schedule.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their ability to adapt has really stood out. We’ve gone through several iterations of the project and sometimes needed to add new features. They’ve always been adaptable and have adjusted staffing as needed. They’re able to bring in experts that guide me through the process. Leadership and execution are very impressive.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Not too many. I’m sure there are areas where they could improve, but I’m fairly happy with them. They could be a bit clearer on the dates on which functionality will be released.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Make sure you have a clear roadmap for when things will be delivered and hold them accountable.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

We provide alerting services for individuals, companies, corporates and government throughout Australia and New Zealand, 24/7 and 365 days per year for natural hazards (such as bushfire) and severe weather events. My position is National Project Manager. I work with our clients and their technical teams to enable integration of our services into their business models. I also manage ongoing maintenance of our existing services such as API's, web apps and mobile apps.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

We hired Unified Infotech to provide the following services to augment our own internal IT capability: PHP, ASP.net, Java, Angular iOS and Android

What were your goals for this project?

The goal was for Unified Infotech to learn how to support our business systems and mobile apps to reduce our exposure to single point sensitivity, as we are a small business with few technical personnel to support complex systems that have been developed over a number of years.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We selected the vendor via a series of online video interviews and requested that they and another vendor submit a quotation for the completion of a software project we were about to embark on.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

The initial project was for the design, construct, test and release of a contractor management system. This involved a front end web application, Android Mobile app and links to MySQL database servers in Amazon as well as multiple API's including beacon technology and GIS mapping. Unified Infotech provided input into the design, however this was primarily developed by our own internal IT Lead. UI were responsible for the delivery of the technical components, according to the design we gave them. They were also responsible for system testing, user testing and project management of their own IT resources to deliver the system.

What was the team composition?

UI provided a technical project manager who was responsible for managing their resources and deliverables. This project manager worked closely with myself to deliver the product for our client. We also had to liaise with external vendors who provided custom components of the solution in the form of beacons and GIS map services. UI provided all the IT development capability to produce the Web Application, Mobile App and all associated web services which comprised the solution.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The project was finished and the final product delivered successfully to our client, however unfortunately, following a short pilot period, the client declined to put the solution into production due to competing priorities.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

UI provided a single contact for the technical project manager, who I worked closely with in a peer to peer relationship. This worked very well - we would keep in constant contact via Slack and through regular bi-weekly one on one meetings and project updates.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The most impressive thing about the team is their desire to deliver and to please their client. They are normally very responsive to any requests for action. Their communication is generally very good.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Communication is always a tricky area - on the whole UI are very good, however, we have had the odd time when we would have liked a quicker response to requests. But these were rare and all in all we have been happy with the companies performance and support.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder and CEO of an online services company that specializes in events.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with United Infotech?

We hired United Infotech to build a fully functional website where users can both purchase and sell tickets.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

United Infotech managed the creation of an e-commerce website, including design and development. We collaborated on which design decisions would be the most customer-friendly. The resulting functionalities include a fully functional ticketing portal. Throughout the project, the team made all decisions with an optimal user flow in mind. The site is now live, and the team is providing continued maintenance in anticipation for the launch date.

What is the team composition?

United Infotech has managed the entire project.

How did you come to work with United Infotech?

They bid on a job profile I created on Upwork. After reviewing their qualifications and experience, I decided they were the best fit for the role.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in winter 2018, and the partnership is ongoing

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Their expert insight added value for internal stakeholders. Now, I understand how users will interact with my site and how to improve that experience.

How did United Infotech perform from a project management standpoint?

They have been very vocal, sharing detailed updates throughout the timeline. The team has been responsive and professional when communicating through email, Upwork messaging, and weekly Zoom conference calls.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The resulting website design is exceptional, and it was completed on an efficient schedule. It was easy to trust their expertise about which technologies to incorporate in the project. I plan to continue working with the professionals in the future.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There isn’t much they could improve on. Ensuring there’s no language barrier could be an opportunity for the team. The Zoom conference calls have been a great tool for clear communication.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I would tell a client to be transparent, organized, and to provide a blueprint for them to fully understand the scope of the project. This will assist them in creating a website that has all the desired attributes.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the co-founder of Make A Change Co, a donation-based platform that rounds up debit or credit card purchases to the nearest dollar and then donates the change to whatever cause the user sees fit.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Unified Infotech?

We needed a partner to develop our Android and iPhone apps, website, and backend calculations and bank transferring system.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Unified Infotech built the website in HTML and used JavasSript for the app backend. The frontend is built to be compatible across all three platforms, and the team also did the frontend graphics, font, and scrolling features. They integrated the platforms with two APIs: Plaid and Stripe

What is the team composition?

We mainly worked with a project manager and lead developer.

How did you come to work with Unified Infotech?

We put our project on Upwork. Numerous people reached out, so we did some interviews and eventually hired Unified Infotech.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent $50,000–$200,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The partnership lasted from February 2017–April 2019.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The site is live and works well, but we haven’t had any testers yet. The design isn’t amazing, but that wasn’t the reason we hired Unified Infotech.

How did Unified Infotech perform from a project management standpoint?

We mainly communicated via Upwork’s messaging feature. The time difference caused some problems, and we typically had to get up early or stay up late to communicate in real time. However, they had a 24-hour turnaround time, which was pretty good.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They were willing to take on new challenges and always accomplished whatever tasks we assigned them.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They do excellent programming but could improve their frontend and design skills.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the co-founder of Synapses Creatives, a technology company. We develop mobile applications and websites for startups and small to medium-size companies.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Unified Infotech?

We needed talented developers who could deliver on our clients’ expectations.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

I’ve worked with them on more than 10 different platforms and mobile projects. Most of our past efforts were custom designed websites that required Laravel and Angular and Node.js. We’re currently doing three projects together. One is a fleet management platform, the second is a call center project, and the third is a hotel management platform.

What is the team composition?

For each project, they assign me a project manager and several developers and UX/UI designers depending on the project's size. 

How did you come to work with Unified Infotech?

We found them while looking for top-notch UX/UI designers. We started with smaller projects to build trust with them first.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent between $50,000–$199,999.

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been working together since 2016.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’re quite happy with most of the work they’ve done for us. It’s difficult to find a company that can provide the kind of quality Unified Infotech provides. With their help, we can take on projects we didn’t have the size or expertise to handle before. For example, we used to focus on WordPress, but now we build advanced platforms and tackle projects in all the popular programming languages.

Additionally, we’ve been able to trim back our freelance relationships. Unified Infotech has everything we need so we don’t have to outsource different parts of the project to different houses.

How did Unified Infotech perform from a project management standpoint?

They’ve been really good. We have Skype groups for each project, and they’re constantly in touch through email. They usually respond quickly, but if someone isn’t available they’ll let you know in advance. Our collaboration always deepens when we’re working on a particularly challenging project.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their designers always deliver a top-of-the-line UX/UI. Whatever our client has in mind, I know Unified Infotech can deliver it. They always do their best to make us happy.

Are there any areas they could improve?

The main thing I’d like them to improve is their quality testing. Sometimes obvious things get missed. They need to ensure every product they deliver has been thoroughly tested.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Make sure requirements are clear on both sides. If they aren’t clear, and there are changes in the middle of the project, you’ll have to go back to your client regarding their budget. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I was the founder of a digital startup with the mission to “make biomass easier.”  

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

I hired Unified Infotech for ongoing full-time development supported by a project manager.

What were your goals for this project?

I hoped to create easy systems for users of wood pellets in the UK to start with a broker and compare services. I needed an agency to serve as my in-house agile development team. 

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Using Upwork, I made a long list of possible developers. I narrowed the list following further Google research with a particular focus on reviews. I interviewed the three best options through Skype. I selected Unified Infotech because they seemed to understand my needs the best.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

Unified Infotech developed an extensive web-based back office software featuring an API that draws information for the Angular website and iOS and Android applications that they also developed. The entire project was hosted using AWS. My team and I submitted most of the customer-facing UX and design work, but Unified Infotech took on greater responsibility over time.

What was the team composition?

I worked with a full-time web developer and a part-time project manager. We contacted a mobile app developer, a QA technician, and a UX designer when necessary.  

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Unified Infotech has become a trusted partner—so much so that I consider them part of my team. Before working with Unified Infotech, I had little faith in developers and envied those who had talented development teams delivering high-quality products sought by customers. I feel I’ve found that kind of a team with Unified Infotech. If I have a vision for something, I know that they can build it.

This startup has not succeeded as a business through no fault of Unified Infotech. Still, I have since transferred the contract to another business that is building new systems for me.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

I’ve worked very hard on this project. It wasn't always easy because I’m very demanding. However, our project manager was willing—and broadly speaking, able—to deliver everything I needed. As with any team, there can always be room for improvement. Communication was never a problem, and the time difference between New York and the UK was easily managed. Their team adapted to our project management tools—including Slack, the Google Suite, BugHerd, and InVision—making it almost as seamless as if we were in the same office.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I admire their flexibility and their willingness to please. More often than not, they succeed in doing so. They deliver a high-quality product and build positive working relationships.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Unified Infotech could exhibit a little more discipline regarding project management and bugs in the development work. Overall, I’d expect those kinds of issues in any relationship. The important thing is that they always listen to feedback and work to correct themselves.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the co-founder of Houselab Media, an online platform for managing homes. We primarily target the professional market of builders, developers, and real estate agents who want to hand over the digital keys to an owner.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

We released a first version of the platform and we took on client feedback. We wanted to create a more user-friendly UI for both personal and professional users. My team had worked with a small agency and an in-house designer, but we needed a larger vendor to provide broader services for development, design, system administration, and QA. But the vendor couldn’t be too big because we wanted access to senior management and quality resources.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The platform is a document storage solution with multiple functionalities including a calendar, reminders, image uploading, and a message module. Unified Infotech Inc uses the Laravel, Vue.js, and MySQL. They host the platform on AWS. The team focuses on frontend design to improve the functionalities we had in place before the project’s start.

We’ve spent more time recreating the platform with Unified Infotech Inc than we have building it. We’ve now logged 2,000–3,000 hours. During that time, iterative feedback and three months of beta testing resulted in necessary scope creep to complete the project.

What is the team composition?

Originally, we worked with three full-time developers—two full-stack resources and one frontend resource. But we now work with two developers in addition to the project manager, technical lead, and QA tester. Throughout each week, we’ll typically bring on another full- or part-time developer for bug remediation and functional improvements.

How did you come to work with Unified Infotech Inc?

I shortlisted six international vendors via Upwork. Initially, we engaged the small agency, but went back to Unified Infotech Inc after the first release stage. Our team had already completed the initial interviews, but we felt they were still too big for us. However, we hired them once we gained some traction on the market and needed more resources.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent more than $50,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in March 2018 and the collaboration is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We just relaunched the website and are now onboarding customers. It’s too early to determine if the new system will hold tens of thousands of users. However, the team’s previous demos make us optimistic, especially as we present to large organizations. The updated platform is already an improvement.

As a client, we felt their sales process was potentially overpromising, but their resources have fulfilled the team’s promises. The business development manager has been a great resource. We expect a good value proposition from this long-term engagement.

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

At first, we had some challenges with tracking issues via Jira and making fixes. They’ve been quite honest about the limitations of some of their team members, and have proposed bringing in others. But the team went above and beyond once we set parameters for the process. In one instance, they quickly fixed a host of issues during a critical release phase, even though it was a national holiday. Their willingness to go the extra mile inspired us.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The team is responsive and excels at issue resolution. They haven’t been unable to fix a problem yet, even though we both underestimated the platform’s complexity.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There needs to be a high level of synergy between their business development and technical teams to prevent unrealistic expectations in the timelines. There is always going to be natural tension in every organization between landing a client then implementing the technical delivery, but I think finding a balance of what the client demands and what the business can deliver are essential.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

First, it’s important to determine whether the estimate is realistic and plan the scope diligently. Second, clients need to confirm the project management resources they’re getting from any offshore partner. Third, it’s important to be transparent about expectations for quality. Most often, with organizations the size of Unified Infotech Inc, there will be sliding scales of hourly rates, from the best developers down. Customers have to determine if it’s worthwhile to spend $10 per hour or $25, for example.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the director of Next Gen Recruitment based in the UK.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Unified Infotech?

The developers I was working with were out of my budget, so I needed a team to develop my website and hybrid mobile app.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Unified Infotech is currently developing our mobile app. To begin, we gave their team our sketches and color palette choices. Based on our suggestions, they proposed a few design options. We have regular meetings to provide them with our feedback, and they return with an updated product. After we decided on a design, their developers began building the app.

For the website, Unified Infotech is currently working on the backend to complete the project. Their team also manages the site security and our AWS accounts.

What is the team composition?

The manager of our project also serves as the main designer. Additionally, they provide a lead developer,  with others involved in the process, as well.

How did you come to work with Unified Infotech?

The developers I had been working with were too expensive, so I searched online and used Clutch. I found Unified Infotech on Upwork, and they gave me a realistic quote based on my budget. From there, we had two video calls and decided to move forward.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent $50,000 during this engagement.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working together in July 2018, and they’re still developing the app and site backend.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Because we haven’t launched the app, we don’t have quantitative metrics yet. However, we now have a live website and a functioning backend. We're currently testing the app, and we feel positive about its capabilities. We expect to launch the product to the App Store soon.

How did Unified Infotech perform from a project management standpoint?

Their team manages the project effectively. Their communication skills are strong—we interact with them directly, and they’re easy to reach. We primarily use WhatsApp and have regular video calls for demonstrations and meetings. Even when our requirements changed, they accommodated quickly and worked with us on a daily basis.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their responsiveness stands out. They’re available to help us around the clock.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Although everything else is solid, it would be beneficial if they improved some of the overall functionalities for the hybrid platform.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

Expressing a detailed, clear list of your requirements to them early on is helpful.