What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
We’ve been really happy, which is why we look forward to continuing our work with them. In two separate instances, we’ve handed requirements off to them. In one case, the requirements were a bit vague. We were expecting a lot of back and forth, but they were really able to run with it and turn things around very quickly. Our customers and we were able to get good feedback; it went really well.
In the second scenario, they were once again able to clearly define the requirements and figure out potential issues and conflicts. They accurately assessed the pros and cons and presented those back to my team, so that we could make decisions. We handed over big chunks of work to them, and they were very thoughtful and delivered what was agreed upon.
When we used them to augment our staff, the challenge was finding quality developers that could integrate well with our team. We had an 80% success rate. In each case, they would propose resumes to us, and we had the opportunity to interview them beforehand. In some instances, it just didn’t work out. They were very professional about it, which was fantastic. The majority of the time, it did work out. The additional developers they provided were available, considerate, worked well, and were happy to use our methods and toolsets. They didn’t resist integrating with our team. Although we’re based in L.A. and they’re in Poland, we were able to work around timing issues pretty well.
How did Look4App perform from a project management standpoint?
They managed their own development staff; they made sure that people showed up, and they checked on their deliverables and code. They were responsive and would always get back to us within the same day.
For the projects we handed off to them completely, they kept us abreast of everything that was going on, whether they were ahead of or behind schedule. They did a good job keeping the communication lines open.
They gave us confidence early on, and they’re very professional overall. Their work is on time and as expected. They remain very engaged throughout the process. They’re realistic, which makes for a fantastic working relationship.
What did you find most impressive about them?
Look4App knows how to run a project; that wasn’t something they needed to learn. They were very realistic about what could or couldn’t be done. They were also open about the pros and cons regarding different features they were building out, such as how to manage them. They were very straightforward and professional. They did a great job of integrating into our process and working with our tools and how we manage software development. They’ve been great. Their organization is run well.
Are there any areas they could improve?
There’s nothing that is a cause for concern. Early on, we didn’t realize that when you hire people in Poland, they generally start on the first of the month. They let us know that they required a month’s notice, but it didn’t quite register with us. This created a few hiccups, but they’ve remained professional throughout the process.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
Be clear and upfront. At first, we weren’t sure how to handle the relationship and how much to share. Once we got going, we realized that the more straightforward we were with what we were trying to do, both in the short- and long-terms, the better it made the process go.
Ramping up quickly and efficiently, 4soft (formerly Look4App) delivered a high-quality solution. The team’s deliverables worked exactly as expected and contained few bugs. Customers can expect an engaged partner who can contribute to a smooth, successful project.