AOT Technologies

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the development lead at a private equity firm.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with AOT Technologies?

We reached out to AOT Technologies for software development services.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

AOT Technologies was hired to fulfill our development needs with one full-time developer resource. 

What is the team composition? 

We had one developer assigned to our account.

How did you come to work with AOT Technologies?

It was difficult finding the type of developer we needed locally, so we decided to contract out the work, and I already knew the owner from a previous engagement. 

How much have you invested with them?

We paid $25 per hour for their services.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from December 2017–December 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They did a good job at meeting our expectations and delivered what we needed.

How did AOT Technologies perform from a project management standpoint?

We handled project management, but they did a good job of communicating with me directly throughout the engagement overall. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

They have a lot of resources on their team with broad expertise, so they were able to fill any needs we had relatively easily. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

I'd suggest that they avoid being so rigid when given designs and provide push back or feedback when appropriate. There was an instance, for example, when we provided them with a low-res image and, rather than requesting a high-res version, they uploaded it as is. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I the CEO at a start-up medical technology company that comprises providers and technology experts.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with AOT Technologies?

We are developing Canada’s only multidiscipline and multichannel healthcare communications app. We initiated Phase 1 with another technology company, but their poor pacing and communication put development behind schedule. With minimal progress in an 18-month period, we needed to make up time with a new company.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We have a cloud-based solution built on Azure. The communication tool allows healthcare providers to communicate by email, text, phone, or video in compliance with Canada’s Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act.

Accommodating the healthcare industry’s regulatory requirements was the biggest challenge. AOT made it possible for us to utilize protocols design around best practices. Our patient management software ensures data and network security, but the team also improved safety features that protect member information and exchanges between users in different fields: doctors, pharmacists, physiotherapists, etc.

Additionally, they provided complimentary design services that saved us time and money because we did not need to engage an additional web designer for presentations.

What is the team dynamic?

We had one project manager and one team member each for the project’s 5 solutions. The team brought on additional developers as needed to make up lost time from our previous engagement.

How did you come to work with AOT Technologies?

We knew the team from their work with the Canadian government and healthcare industry. I decided that this experience, in addition to their expertise, made them the best fit.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent approximately $300,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Worked started November 2016. Currently, we are lining up other unrelated projects with them for January 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The BETA test performed well and feedback is positive. We are making improvements before conducting further tests and generating new ideas for the app’s second version.

How did AOT Technologies perform from a project management standpoint?

The team’s constant consultation and complimentary services were advantageous for our timeline. Their diligent follow-up included: continually updated price points, suggestions based on ongoing brainstorming, and rolling options for workflow and budget adjustments. Although our lost 18 months were detrimental, this team’s efforts put us back on track.

They provided scorecards to manage workflow expectations. We conferenced every Saturday via Google Hangouts to review progress.

The organization, enthusiasm, and complimentary services were clear attempts to impress us. They enjoyed our partnership and were intent on building a relationship. For example, they recently added an additional team member to accommodate a last-minute request for another built-in feature.

Their commitment and competitive drive distinguish them from other firms.

What did you find most impressive about them?

As a private practitioner with a full-time practice, I could not work on the app during regular business hours. However, the team readily accommodates my schedule; we recently met at 10pm. Furthermore, I have so many points of access to the team that there’s always someone available to field my phone call.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

The Kantor Institute is a psychometric instrument company creating and delivering tools along with consulting services for organizations. We help improve leadership effectiveness and face-to-face communication. I am the organizational development project manager of the company. My role involves a couple of hats, including communication with practitioners and clients.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with AOT Technologies?

AOT Technologies had already designed our platform when I came on board, but we needed it to become more expansive as we took on more clients.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

AOT Technologies worked on our portal. Their role has been extensive, involving not only design work but also the management of any inquiries coming in from our practitioners in terms of support and maintenance. They have also worked with us on making the design more user-friendly.

Our maintenance definitely requires a lot of work since we have global practitioners with very specific questions. New functionalities aren’t always fully understood by us in terms of scope, so AOT Technologies has helped on this front.

Once an instrument is completed, the platform can generate reports which practitioners can access and send to clients.

How did you come to work with AOT Technologies?

I came to the company one year after the collaboration with AOT Technologies was started. A previous employee had contacted them, requesting that they design a portal for our practitioners to log onto, access instruments, and create projects, which would then be shared with our clients.

How much have you invested with AOT Technologies?

There is a monthly fee of around $1,500 for the maintenance aspect of our work. If we assign enough design or development work, we will waive the basic fee and only pay on an hourly basis. We usually work under the monthly fee, though.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with AOT Technologies in July 2013. The work remains ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or the impact of the engagement?

Since we’ve been working on making the platform more user-friendly, our clients have been satisfied with the changes. We’re appreciative of the turnaround speed, and seeing such large advances from what our platform was in the past has been good.

How did AOT Technologies perform from a project management standpoint?

AOT Technologies’ performance was exceptional in this regard. We had a pressing deadline which didn’t give their team a lot of time, but they made it happen by whatever means necessary. It was critical to our business, so we definitely consider AOT Technologies to be exceptional in delivering.

We communicate with two main developers. They bring on more team members if needed in order to meet demands.

What did you find most impressive about AOT Technologies?

They are very thoughtful of our needs, and of what will best benefit us rather than their own agenda. This translates into how AOT Technologies designs for us, how our portal is managed, and how they operate as developers.

Are there any areas AOT Technologies could improve?

I can’t think of anything off the top of my head. AOT Technologies is an authentic, transparent, and reliable company.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m an independent project manager. I work for all sorts of different companies on IT projects.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with AOT Technologies?

I’ve used AOT for multiple projects. I generally do large projects that require various sets of expertise through the full stack of development. I needed an agency to supply expertise in database, user interface, security, you name it.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They’ve worked on many different types of projects. I’ve done a lot of work with them on messaging systems in the public health sector, so there were huge security needs. They’ve also done cloud identity management authentication and overall architecture for full-stack development on a web app.

How did you come to work with AOT Technologies?

An enterprise architect who I know recommended them to me.

How much have you invested with AOT Technologies?

The projects range from $20,000 up to $200,000 each.

What is the status of this engagement?

The relationship began two years ago and is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or the impact of the engagement?

The quality of AOT Technologies' work is literally the best that I’ve come across. They have a very deep bench of skilled technicians. They’re my go-to team when I want things done right the first time.

How did AOT Technologies perform from a project management standpoint?

They have a couple of principals in the company who manage the projects and resourcing on their end. Their customer service is excellent. They bend over backward to make sure the service is good.

What did you find most impressive about AOT Technologies?

It would be the depth and breadth of their expertise, their broad range of skillsets, and the quality of their work. I do wide-ranging projects, and I can get almost anything I need from them.

Are there any areas AOT Technologies could improve?

I can’t think of any. I’m very satisfied, and I use them as much as I can. They make me look good.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We're a startup company developing a mobile online ordering platform for food services. I am the CTO of the company, and I also serve as a business and technical analyst.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with AOT Technologies?

We needed to develop a cloud-based mobile application that could be used for B2B services. We needed to find a company with a commercial-application development background, preferably one that could deliver our product in an affordable manner through a fairly aggressive timeline.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

AOT Technologies developed our solution for web, Android, and iOS. We looked for a design partner in conjunction with AOT Technologies, and looked at various options, both local and overseas. User experience was a very important part of the application, so we spent quite a bit of time finding the best designer possible.

How did you come to work with AOT Technologies?

We looked around and found various local options. I had worked with AOT Technologies' principal on a few projects five or six years in the past, and I'd referred him to a few friends who were happy with AOT Technologies' work. We ended up selecting them after looking at a few other companies.

How much have you invested with AOT Technologies?

AOT Technologies was extremely competitive in terms of pricing and offered us a fixed rate. The first quote we received was close to $300,000 for development and operationalization, which is a normal rate. AOT Technologies' cost was around $135,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with AOT Technologies in October 2016. The project is ongoing, and we're also using AOT Technologies as a consultant on another one—providing input on how to operationalize and commercialize an application.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or the impact of the engagement?

AOT Technologies was incredible in terms of proper software development, methodology, lifecycles, communication, and on-time delivery. If we had a delay for any reason, we were told in advance. The team paid attention to details. They were very professional and responsive, and I can't say anything bad about them. It's been a positive experience for both myself, and other people I've referred them to.

How did AOT Technologies perform from a project management standpoint?

The budget and the deadlines were maintained. We worked through a fixed price and received notifications on a weekly basis about the status. The success of every project comes down to requirements. We had an initial mockup stage, wrote down a list of functionalities, and worked against those. AOT Technologies has an Agile and efficient approach. They can ask the right questions in order to do a great job, and they have surpassed our expectations.

What did you find most impressive about AOT Technologies?

I've worked with many companies and appreciate AOT Technologies' passion. They can push back, even if that ultimately costs them more. If it can lead to better quality and a better design, AOT Technologies will do it. They take quite a bit of pride in their work, which is hard to find.

Are there any areas AOT Technologies could improve?

AOT Technologies is a young company and cannot sell themselves very well. This is something I've noticed, and it is something they could work on. They have a fairly good infrastructure, but they could work on training customers better. It leads to a better product to have people trained on the process and methodology. In my case, since I'm familiar with AOT Technologies, it was an easy process in particular. We used the same methodology and spoke the same language, so the work was successful, but there are people for whom AOT Technologies was too accommodating and allowed for version creep. The client and account manager could be stronger, but AOT Technologies is looking at improving that area.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I own a business that offers a home asset management tool. The technology has many different formats, including an online mortgage application.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with AOT Technologies?

I built the app on iOS, and I needed someone to convert it to Android.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

AOT has worked exclusively on Android development. I work with a local group on the design, and then I have AOT do some of the builds as well as troubleshooting. They continue to be my dev team on the backend.

How did you come to work with AOT Technologies?

My day job is being a technology consultant, and I work with a tax credit program and different funding programs. I became familiar with AOT in that capacity. I thought they would be a good partner in what I was doing.

How much have you invested with AOT Technologies?

I price the projects by sprints, and it varies from $2,000–$5,000 per sprint. It’s $20–$25 an hour.

What is the status of this engagement?

I started working with them 2 ½ years ago, and our relationship is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or the impact of the engagement?

Their team in India works hard to overcome the cultural differences and understand my product. They’re quality guys, and they have good skillsets.  AOT Technologies gives me advice and suggestions to improve the product.

How did AOT Technologies perform from a project management standpoint?

I work with them closely to make sure they’re clear on the project goals and timelines. I think I’ve been pretty lucky with these guys. We’ve worked out the best way to communicate and get things done. They have a local office and one in India. It helps to be able to deal with someone locally on the administration side of things.

What did you find most impressive about AOT Technologies?

They have some of the top software and firmware guys in Canada. I would say their level of expertise is impressive.

Are there any areas AOT Technologies could improve?

Sometimes it’s hard to understand them on our Skype calls. There are some fundamental challenges being global, but it’s something you get used to.

What tips or recommendations could you share that might increase the likelihood of success with AOT Technologies?

Involving AOT Technologies in some strategy is cost-effective for a startup. I am very structured and detailed when providing them information, which helps them to deliver a quality product. Your outcome is as good as the details you put into your requirements.