WASKO S.A.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

LogicSynergy is a software development company. Our main service is a modern software for the water and sewage, heating and municipal sectors. I am a team leader responsible for managing of our Java Developers crew.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire WASKO S.A.?

We wanted to develop a mobile app for our clients. So, we’ve hired a software development team of WASKO.

What were your goals for this project?

The main goal of the project was to give our clients the possibility to easily manage bills and invoices. The iBOK mobile application gives you the possibility of free access to current and old bills, paying invoices and providing water meter readings.

SOLUTION

How did you select WASKO S.A.?

We were googling for the Top Software Development companies in Poland, and we’ve reached the clutch.co website. WASKO S.A. was there so we’ve sent them a message. They’ve contacted us really quick. We’ve scheduled a call and so the cooperation has begun.

Describe the project in detail.

The iBOK mobile application

• mobile customer service office
• has been prepared for customers of water and sewage companies and municipal companies that use Logic Synergy software.

The iBOK mobile application gives you the possibility of free access to current and old bills, paying invoices and providing water meter readings. You can also instantly communicate with the Company using the contact form.

We give you the opportunity to analyze water consumption and charges on an interactive chart and view a map of current network failures. Thanks to the mobile application, you can:

• control the current payment balance,
• see information about current and archival settlements,
• provide the water meter reading,
• pay invoices quickly and safely,
• provide the Company with information via the contact form, e.g. report a failure or a request for replacement of a water meter,
• analyze consumption and fees for the current and previous year on an interactive chart,
• see current network events, e.g. failures, on the map

What was the team composition?

A project manager, three mobile app developers and a UX/UI designer.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The iBOK mobile app is published in the AppStore. Unfortunately, for now, it’s only available for the users located in Poland.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We worked in agile. We were using Jira for project management. There were no issues according to the workflow. The communication was really professional.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their engagement in their work but also their creativity. They received a project scope, but they were really creative. Instead of focusing only on the project scope, they were inventing many new features.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I do not see anything that they could improve. I am fully satisfied with the cooperation between our companies.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Chief for the R&D at the production company. The company is a producer for security and management solutions for banking and retail sector.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire WASKO S.A.?

Since we produce both hardware and software for our products from the scratch, we were searching for a partner to outsource software development tasks, that were handled inhouse. We were not satisfied with the tempo of our own performance and faced all the challenges that own team handling brings.

What were your goals for this project?

The goal was to outsource major work flow for the projects in order to receive modular and flexible solutions enabling fast responsiveness for market’s demands and bring on new functionalities.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We did the regular inquiry rollout to different suppliers. They were one of the tenderer and presented competitive terms.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

Wasko developed java application based on flexible architecture consisting of number of different core drivers and peripherals, created GUI project and integrated that software part with another, independent API.

The reason for that was to have stream of communication for events, users and transactions with central systems. Wasko supports all developed systems.

What was the team composition?

We are working with regular team consisting of PM, solution architect and three developers.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

In general we can say the impact is positive and let our company create business services and products that were expected at the market.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Project management went in very well. Sine we work via PM most of the management turbulences come transparent to us which is very comfortable. We have regular bases status telco meetings (our locations are distant), at which the architect is also always present.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They have a methodical approach to facing challenges and are capable of finding solutions.

Are there any areas for improvement?

There are no such areas we could point out at this time.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

The main services obtaining Consulting & IT services. As Project Manager in my responsibility is managing and delivering agreed the changes in IT environment for different a sectors.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire WASKO S.A.?

The services set up were limited for manual activities supported and provided by IT and Network an administrators. Time for necessary configurations were not acceptable by client organization e.g. two / thre days for release without confirmation a proper set up. Telecom provider decided find out supplier which has knowledge with the application and network integration and will be knowing how to do this.

What were your goals for this project?

Main goal was defined as processes automation for configuration of a services, including time reduce till seconds for effective established new or change configuration network services requested by the commercial client.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

The long term and good cooperation Telco Operator (Orange Poland) with the WASKO S.A. allowed for managers take decision quite fast. Knowledge, competence in delivery IT services and equipment was next a plus for the supplier.

Describe the project in detail.

The project products were defined for four main streams:

• Establish common protocol for exchanging configuration between IT and network
• Delivery a necessary hardware
• Delivery a IT services and hardware set up
• Take responsiblity for maitenance

What was the team composition?

I'm can shering in details Telecom Operator team (requestor) in the numbers. The supplier and others organization from the Project Manager perspective was limited to 4 Wasko S.A. representants. The Telco Operator team was composed with the Sponsor, Product Owner, Project Manager, 20 IT and network experts.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The project products were defined for four main streams: 

• Establish common protocol for exchanging configuration between IT and network
• Delivery a necessary hardware
• Delivery a IT services and hardware set up
• Take responsiblity for maitenance

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The supplier representatives that were assigned to us were easy to communicate with and provided frequent updates. We connected over the phone or we heve met. Overall, I was impressed by the timeliness of the team. We received sample waring if a deadline wasn’t going to be met or the risk has been unhide.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

For me as Project Manager I would like underline some chosen areas like:

• The knowledge and experience in IT
• Focusing on common the goal(s)
• The progresses and task proper defined and tracked
• Focusing on the products quality

Are there any areas for improvement?

Everything can always done faster, but we were very satisfied with their work every step of the way. In the end, quality is more important than speed and we ended up with a beautiful product.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I work for T-Mobile Poland, a radio network provider. I’m in charge of developing, deploying, and maintaining transmission networks. We provide our customers with mobile phones, initially based on GSM, then UMTS, LTE, and so on.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with WASKO S.A.?

I needed a market solution that could configure networks through software-defined networking (SDN) technology. I have different network types from different vendors for different purposes. I had to hire plenty of engineers who can configure those.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We have over 1,500 Ericsson multiplexers that need plenty of services on them that were done with a script, instead of manually, that can be slightly modified and implemented on each particular multiplexer.

The solution provided by WASKO S.A. is called Network Data Processing Suite (NEDAPS). Its main task is to simplify the provisioning of different services and the configuration of network elements. New functionalities are currently being added to our tool.

How did you come to work with WASKO S.A.?

We started looking for a solution four years ago, and we had a tender to which we invited a few companies. We also knew WASKO S.A. from other projects, and we knew that they had plenty of well-skilled engineers. We also had a proof of concept (POC) project where we tested their software. We did the same with all the candidates, and we chose WASKO S.A. because of their technical skills, approach to the project, experience, and price.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with WASKO S.A. around January 2016 and the relationship is ongoing. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Because of WASKO S.A.’s tool, I can assign 30% of the people hired in my unit to other tasks. They have simplified the workflow and made it more efficient. I haven’t gotten any complaints from customers or from other units in my company. Everything is being delivered on time, without errors or any further problems. The first functionalities were finished by the end of 2016 and we’ve been using the software widely in plenty of aspects of our network. I had a meeting with other colleagues that are interested in introducing WASKO S.A.’s product in their areas.

How did WASKO S.A perform from a project management standpoint?

They operate very smoothly and we quickly found a common language. Despite a complex network, they explained how it works and the topics that should be touched upon. The people we work with are skilled and responsible, and the collaboration with them is going smoothly.

We don’t use any project management tools, but we have phone calls once a week and meetings once a year where we discuss what we’ve achieved and how our tools should be developed. Once a month, I have a face-to-face meeting with the service manager from their side.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re very skilled in terms of IT knowledge and I didn’t have to explain everything to them word for word. They get all the tasks done immediately, without any hesitation or additional questions. I’ve been involved in a great number of IT projects, and I always had a problem explaining how things should be done to people. There’s no such problem with WASKO S.A. The people I collaborate with, as well as their approach to our projects, are really great.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Having more face-to-face meetings and workshops together, like twice a year instead of once, could be very helpful. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder of a software company that works primarily in telecommunications.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with WASKO S.A.?

We wanted support developing software that would support data acquisition, billing, invoicing, and customer service. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They utilized C++ to develop a solution that consisted of three main modules. The first was for data collection, the second was for billing and invoicing, and the third was for customer service. They had developed a number of similar modules so they were able to use some of that development as a white-label software, but they made a lot of adaptations at our request. 

What is the team composition?

There was a large team working on our project from WASKO S.A. It was about 20 people, most of whom were developers and engineers. 

How did you come to work with WASKO SA? 

I’m originally from Poland, and I used to work in the same city that WASKO S.A. is located in. I knew a number of people that worked there, so I felt comfortable hiring them for this project. 

How much have you invested with them?

We invested about $1 million for this project. 

What is the status of this engagement?

The project took place from May-December 2015.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They delivered exactly what we wanted and performed very well. We were able to sell the product they developed to a number of our clients. 

How did WASKO S.A. perform from a project management standpoint?

I believe that what makes them so successful with project management is that they’re very responsive and easy to work with. I visited their office several times, but they were also easy to talk to over the phone and could resolve issues remotely. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

If I need something, I can count on them to get back to me quickly. We never had a problem with communication or resources. They have a large staff with expertise in a variety of fields. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I’m happy with them. 

Do you have advice for potential customers? 

It is helpful to build a relationship with them and be involved with the management of the project.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the manager of application and requirements for a transportation firm.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with WASKO S.A.?

We needed help with mobile app development for local drivers. Most local drivers are more than 50 years old. Our major challenge was teaching the local drivers on how to use the solution.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They developed the web application for monitoring the fuel and the mileage of vehicles. When the local driver is starting their work, their working hours are collected. That data is interfaced with our local HR system, which determines payroll. They developed a mobile version of the platform for this purpose.

They also provided dispatchers with more visibility and data through the solution. They're able to view train locations and any current issues with vessels.

At this point, we want to implement new requirements. To do so, we met with them in our headquarters to prep requirement documentation. We started with small tasks, but they proved themselves early. So, we're giving them more and more responsibility.

What is the team composition?

There are three people on their side.

How did you come to work with WASKO S.A.?

They're located only 50 kilometers from our headquarters. When we were searching for a partner, they were the nearest ones. We were able to cooperate with them on-site

How much have you invested with them?

We spent about $250,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in December 2012, and the project is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

There are no problems, which was not the case with other companies we've worked with.

How did WASKO S.A. perform from a project management standpoint?

Their communication is good. They have a project lead that supports us and the rest of his team. For instance, if there is a problem related to HR, he's able to find the resources to resolve the issue.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We’ve had many years of cooperation with them, and we've never had major problems. If we were to ever have issues, we've also devised an agreement that describes how they should react when there are problems.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there’s nothing I’d have them improve. When we want something changed, we discuss it and find the solution.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Meet them face-to-face instead of interacting solely over email. That's a much better system for clarification and problem-solving.