BusyMachines

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder of NativeDSD, which is basically a web store. We provide music lovers with a high-resolution resource to download their favorite music.

What challenge were you trying to address with BusyMachines?

We tend to move upward of 40 terabytes of data each month to our customers worldwide. This is a costly process that occasionally fails. We sought a solution to give customers more control over their downloads and direct access to our servers and files.  

What was the scope of their involvement?

I built a prototype of the product in Sketch, which was BusyMachines starting point for this project. Their team designed the UI/UX and ran through the whole process of fixing bugs and issues. They then applied our store's new branding to the app. BusyMachines built a functional product in Electron for both Mac and Windows.

What is the team composition?

I directly worked with two people from BusyMachines. I was also in contact with their CEO and another founding member.

How did you come to work with BusyMachines?

I met Paul (CTO & Co-Founder) years ago when we had an office in Amsterdam. BusyMachines actually built a small FTP application for us years ago. We still use that application, and I felt comfortable talking with Paul. When talking about the issues we faced, he said that he could fix them. They did an assessment and then we gave them the job.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve invested a little over €17,000 (approximately $21,000 USD) in their services.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started the project in August 2020 and it’s in its final stages.

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

Initially, they estimated that the project would cost double to amount we actually spent. I talked to Paul and said it was too steep. Their team understood our issues and then meet our needs.

We don’t have user feedback yet because we’re only starting to roll out the app. I use it, however, and it’s exactly as we designed it. So far, the results are good.

How did BusyMachines perform from a project management standpoint?

We spoke with them weekly via Zoom. Their communication was great. At first, it was a little frantic because we needed to sign and secure them to allocate their time. After that, everything was well communicated. Their team used Jira, but I mostly communicated with Andrea (Project Manager) who was available through WhatsApp or text. She was always willing to help.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their team was very flexible. The initial contract specified exactly what the project involved. When they started delivering builds, I would ask for changes or additional features. Their team was fine will all of it.

Are there any areas they could improve?

We initially agreed that they would provide the app’s validation because I don’t have experience in that process. I thought that their team had experience in signing apps, but they didn’t. We had to figure it out together, which was fine.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Do it. As with any agreement, make your expectations clear and do your homework.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the CEO of Château Santé. We produce very specific software for recording health outcomes and measurements for patients. 

What challenge were you trying to address with BusyMachines?

We had developed our own measurement system, which is a little more complicated than the standard questionnaires. We wanted to develop a platform that lets patients fill in their own health conditions.

What was the scope of their involvement?

I came to BusyMachines with my idea, and they developed the solution to run as an app. From the start, I realized this was done for one specific strength and instrument, but it can scale to more than one instrument, multiple languages, and different studies. They created a kind of console that can steer all those things. It is strictly run on a computer because there is an algorithm as well as an interactive procedure in it.

What is the team composition?

At the moment, I think there are 8–10 people.

How did you come to work with BusyMachines?

Four years ago, I was contacted by Nestle because they wanted to create a measuring tool for infants. They had gone to all kinds of universities, and no one could help them because it had to do with infants and they had special requests. I had just recently created my measurement model and used that to build this tool. We succeeded. 

I then started to build an app with software developers at our university. They weren’t mobile app and I wasn’t satisfied with it. Two days before I went on holiday, I decided I had to look for another company. I had found BusyMachines online and saw that they were working with programmers from Romania, and the directors of the company were settled in the Netherlands. After the feeling I got from looking at their website, I decided to give it a try and phoned them. We had a short discussion and we made a plan to meet.

How much have you invested in them?

I think we have spent around €250,000 (approximately $270,000 USD)

What is the status of this engagement?

The first meeting we had was in September 2017, and I still work with them.

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

Sometimes I show people the app on my own phone, and they compliment the look of it. Even from a picture, people immediately understand more or less what the task is. People are so spoiled by nice and beautiful apps that an app should be intuitive, clear, and attractive as well as functional. We achieved that with BusyMachines.

How did BusyMachines perform from a project management standpoint?

We use email and phone calls to communicate. I was planning a fifth release of the software in February, and I went with one of my students to Romania where we had a full-day discussion with the software developers themselves. It allowed us to see the faces that are behind the work; there is a better understanding of what we want from both sides, but there is that social interaction as well.

When it comes to deadlines, I cannot blame them for missed deadlines because I often had additional requests during the project. It isn’t such a serious issue; both sides share the blame.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They have a good balance between formal and informal communication.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I have said it to them as well, but they should send preliminary results of what we are making earlier. Holding back on these results is a typical practice of developers, though. 

I asked them if it is possible that they start with more technical things so that I can see the screens as well as simple routing and so on. If they are working on the technical architecture for two or three months, I get the feeling as a client that not much is happening and that we might not ever reach the deadline.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

They are a nice company to work with. If you are working with such a company from a distance, the client really has to know what they want. In my case, I had the idea of what I wanted, and with a technical background, I would sometimes make drafts of the screens. However, not everyone can do that. My advice to take a trip to Romania and spend half a day with them in a face-to-face meeting.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm a health economist at a global food and beverage company.

What challenge were you trying to address with BusyMachines?

We needed to work with a vendor that could develop a platform to implement a new questionnaire we'd recently created. 

What was the scope of their involvement?

BusyMachines developed a platform from scratch to help us implement our quality of life questionnaire, ensuring its compliancy with certain regulations in the process. 

What is the team composition? 

We work directly with one main point of contact.

How did you come to work with BusyMachines?

The university that we're collaborating with introduced us to them.

What is the status of this engagement?

I've been working with them since December 2018, and we expect the project to wrap up by the end of 2019. 

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

Both the quality and quantity of their work has been substantial. They've done an excellent job thus far of complying with requirements of the scope of work and meeting deadlines. Given the complexity of the project, we're very happy with their output thus far. 

How did BusyMachines perform from a project management standpoint?

They always meet the deadlines they set. They're also very responsive, approachable, and honest. If something isn't possible, they're transparent about what can be accomplished within a certain timeframe. Our main point of contact has been very good at staying in touch and implementing an effective plan to help us achieve project goals. They've also been great about incorporating any changes we've requested along the way. Even though they're based in Romania, their team speaks English very well, so communication hasn't been an issue.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I don't have any experience with other vendors in this field, but I've definitely been impressed by the quality of their work overall. I'd absolutely recommend them to others based on our experience. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

No. Any delays we've experienced thus far have been due to factors on our side. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Try to provide a detailed scope of work in advance of engaging them to make the best use of their time. 

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the co-CEO of a software startup company, KareInn. We provide software that transforms how care is provided to those in need. I am responsible for the technology needs within our company.

For what projects/services did your company hire BusyMachines?

One of our clients needed help building an app for testing cognitive abilities for a research study in Frontotemporal Dementia. We didn’t have the in-house resources to accomplish this for them, so we hired BusyMachines as an external partner.

What were your goals for this project?

The app needed to be accessible on iPads, contain a series of games for the cognitive ability tests, and store results for researchers to analyze. We wanted the app to be a success so we can ultimately build a strong relationship with other dementia research organizations.

How did you select this vendor?

We researched several developers online, but we found BusyMachines after following a colleague’s recommendation.

Describe the project in detail.

Initially, we had a series of discovery meetings to catch BusyMachines up to speed on the project requirements. From there, they gave us their cost and time estimates, and they began the process. We gave them our initial design for the app, outlines for the games, and storyboards showing how the app should function. BusyMachines then took the initial codebase and expanded it to complete the games and develop the data recording function. Their developers built the iOS app using Objective-C.

What was the team composition?

BusyMachines provided a dedicated project manager and a developer; the composition remained constant throughout the project.

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

We’ve been able to present the app at industry research events, and it’s been received positively. Additionally, pharmaceutical companies have expressed interest in using the app. It will also be used to help run a research project shortly.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

BusyMachines managed the project effectively—we always felt understood and communicated with. They’ve met all deadlines and give us exemplary communication; language and time differences were not issues.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their communication style and professionalism helped them deal with barriers effectively. We valued how our project manager was proactive at all times and never fell behind.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the CEO and founder on Insignety. Through our end-to-end in-store design process, we enable jewelers to create one-of-a-kind pieces with their customers. We facilitate superb craftsmanship by allowing jewelers to leverage their innovative technology and precious materials in making premium and personalized jewelry.

For what projects/services did your company hire BusyMachines?

We’d developed a prototype for a software platform that allowed users to create their own 3D jewel designs with personal customizations, then provide a price in real time. We needed a capable partner to review the prototype and help us scale it.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to offer jewelry store owners an end-to-end design solution that includes the customers in the process. In turn, we’d provide customers with the opportunity to create unique pieces through a fully automated process.

How did you select this vendor?

We considered other firms, but BusyMachines seemed to be the best fit. They had a local presence in the Netherlands and a robust technical skill set. They offered a competitive price for top-notch quality.

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

BusyMachines took over the development of our design software. They did research, implemented new functionalities, and automated our cloud production infrastructure. The team also provided analysis and advice when we integrated third-party hardware solutions (fingerprint scanners, measurement devices, etc.) into our process. They continue to support our development needs.

With our software, jewelers use 3D printing technology, high-end digital design strategy, a user-input biometric data to create custom rings. We support the whole process—from the start to the final delivery.

What was the team composition?

We started with a small team, but then we scaled up gradually. Currently, we work with frontend, backend, and mobile developers, graphics engineers, 3D programmers, QA specialists, DevOps people, a project manager, and an account manager.

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

Our software standouts in the jewelry industry. We offer the most efficient way for browsing customers to interact with designers and sellers. BusyMachines’ work continues to meet our expectations and generate profitable results. We’re excited to continue working with them.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

The project manager is our main point of contact, overseeing projects from start to finish. They have a clearly structured workflow. Because they make accurate estimates and plan well, we’re able to meet market challenges and take advantage of additional opportunities.

We use Jira for task management and Confluence for requirements and documentation. For more informal communication, we use email, Slack, and Skype. It’s a seamless process. They’re a close-knit team with admirable skill and dedication.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their management team is passionate about our project. They anticipate challenges not only with our software but with our company’s vision and mission as well. Over the years, we’ve developed a strong professional relationship with them. They understand how to effectively guide us to our goals. They’ve proven themselves a reliable and committed partner.

Are there any areas where they can improve?

Honestly, I can’t think of anything to be critical about.

Please describe your company and your position there.

Founded in 1974, we're a Swedish company that develops and manufactures taxi roof lights. We created a taxi roof sign, which allows users to modify their signs through an app. As the CIO, I’m involved in developing apps and the Cloud platform.

For what projects/services did your company hire BusyMachines?

When we first approached them, we only had a basic Android app to control the taxi roof sign. As a result, we needed resources to build a more functional app with cross-platform support in addition to a cloud platform that could interact with and monitor our product’s hardware through the app.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted a clean, cross-platform app that we could easily maintain while also making small, incremental improvements in short sprints. Installation and communication with our hardware needed to be as simple and fool-proof as possible. Furthermore, the app had to be able to communicate with the cloud service, which, itself, needed to be scalable to accommodate a large volume of devices.

How did you select this vendor?

A partner company that had worked with BusyMachines for several years recommended them to us. We checked them out, and they seemed trustworthy. In the beginning, we started with a few small projects before discovering that they handled everything from the coding to communication in a professional manner. As a result, we continued to expand their role.

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

BusyMachines rewrote our app to be cross-platform between Android and iOS using React Native. Based on our requests, they helped as add various functionalities while also improving the app’s stability and performance. They then collaborated with us to develop a thorough outline of a new cloud platform. Since then, they’ve developed an MVP version and are currently making gradual improvements to the system.

What was the team composition?

Their team consisted of a project manager, app developer, backend developer, and a frontend developer. We’ve kept the developers throughout the project because they have a deep understanding of how the software and hardware interact.

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

As with other companies, digitalization is becoming increasingly important for our products and services. Their team helps us stay ahead of the competition by continuing to make our products better and smarter. They’re a reliable and competent software partner.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

The project management is always sufficient. Communication is clear, and their team has all the necessary systems (e.g., Confluence, Jira) to keep us on track with our projects.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

BusyMachines has all of the skills that we could ever need, and they can deploy more resources whenever necessary. Technically competent with excellent English skills, they handle everything in a professional way. They’re also friendly and easy to work with.

Are there any areas where they can improve?

Initially, there were times when the development period took longer than expected before they could present any results for evaluation. However, we later adopted a swift and agile approach, which allowed us to easily report bugs, request small improvements, clarify things directly with the developers, and continuously test and release new versions of the app.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the CEO of taxiID, a company that develops online software and mobile apps for taxi companies. Our latest project is YourDriverApp, a mobile dispatch solution.

For what projects/services did your company hire BusyMachines?

We needed an external resource to supply an additional developer to help us get the YourDriverApp ready for launch.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to bring on a senior developer that could help our team learn about industry standards, as well as assist on designing the solution.

How did you select this vendor?

They came to us via a referral.

Describe the project in detail.

Our team (which consisted of two app developers, a scrum manager, a product owner, and two web/backend developers) had been working on the YourDriverApp for about a year. BusyMachines’ resource joined our team to provide external expertise for the new platform.

What was the team composition?

BusyMachines supplied one senior backend developer.

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

BusyMachines helped us to successfully implement improvements in the project approach, technology stack, and architectural design of our solution.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We communicated in weekly online sprint meetings and daily standups via Slack.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They were really thoughtful, and great about communication.

Are there any areas for improvement?

It took us a bit longer than expected to get the resource up to speed.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the CEO of a firm that delivers state-of-the-art marketing solutions for the real estate industry.

For what projects/services did your company hire BusyMachines?

We hired them to provide custom software development.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to deliver a stable software solution for real estate agents around the globe.

How did you select this vendor?

We asked them to do a small trial task, then assigned them bigger projects.

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

They provided frontend and backend development as well as project management.

What was the team composition?

We have a “grow as we go” model, so their team scaled with our needs.

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

We can now serve real estate agents better with our tailor-made solution.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Their lead developer and project manager collaborated really well with our team. Senior staff would get involved when problems occurred.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They strived to deliver.

Are there any areas where they can improve?

They could provide more insights during the development process, say comparing estimates with actual figures.