Calder

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

OutsourcedIn is a custom solution to help companies take back control of their e-commerce business, our solution enables a manufacturer to have control and drive profitablitly. I am the President of OutsourcedIn.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Menklab, and what were your goals?

We needed a company that had the skill set to build out the software that would allow our solution to come together in a seamless way. Along with the expertise to fill in the gaps with the technology that would best serve what we set out to create. With the ongoing goal of having a technology partner for the long term.

The company needed to understand not only the technology, they needed to have a general understanding of how it would be used, while eliminating the complexities exist within e-commerce. With working in the budget that we set forth.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

A friend of mine gave me the introduction, so that helped with the start. After I had met them they truly understood what I was going after and trying to accomplish, which is very rare because what we are doing is something that is not understood very well and new. So that and the plan they laid out for me all solidified the deal for me.

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and technologies used.

Starting out we had several meeting to hone in what all needed to be done and talk through ideas. Once we had that honed in we went to discovery. That was about a 2 week process. They then delivered the basic frame work on how our solution would operate. After that they gave me the costing for the build out.

When I decided to move forward they then had a full roll out with their team. They gave me the basic framework around timing, and we had weekly, and bi-weekly deliverables. We also had bi-weekly meetings for them to present those milestones along the way.

How many people from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

There were in total probably around 10-12 people working on the project. Project lead handled all the communication and that was my direct contact. Then various lead developers, designers and others would come in with the different projects. Owner, VP, Project Manager, Development, Marketing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?

The overall project came out great and we have a solution that is extremely robust and meets the goals that we set out to achieve. I believe that what we created is better and well positioned for the future growth we are seeing. The project and software got better throughout the process in terms of scope.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

Project manager had great communication, we used slack and email, she was always available and walked me through everything at each step. Very organized and had everything mapped out from the beginning and let me know as soon as a timeline was going to change even a little bit.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

The entrepreneurial spirit that exists is very unique. They not only deliver at a high level they take the time to make sure the vision is in alignment with the technology being created.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

I am having a hard time thinking of improvement as my company and their's worked so well together.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of a childcare company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Menklab?

I wanted to be vertically integrated and less dependent on outside vendors for the different business functions that we need to operate the business.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Menklab developed an app that serves as both a communication tool and a payment gateway. We started the engagement by conducting a review of our business processes and looking for areas where we could make improvements, implement efficiencies, and save money.

Menklab then started working on developing the app. It allows our teachers to record all of the important data from the children that they’re caring for, whether it be a diaper being changed, a feeding taking place, or the recordings of naptimes. It also allows parents to see how their kids are doing in real-time. The system also features a video camera system, which records all of the activities in the classroom.

What is the team composition?

I’ve worked with four people from Menklab.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent somewhere between $1,000,000–$1,500,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in January 2019, and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Menklab has come up with an all-encompassing software suite that meets all the needs of our business. Whereas before that, we needed to utilize either legacy systems or outside vendors, and now we’re vertically integrated from the inside. We went from paying an outside payment processor to creating our own payment gateway and platform, allowing us to save about $20,000–$25,000 per month. 

Aside from that, our customers are thrilled with the solution, and our teachers love it as well. It performs very efficiently and is very user-friendly.

How did Menklab perform from a project management standpoint?

Menklab has performed well in terms of project management. They communicate well and are very thorough in their work.

We typically communicate through Google Meet and Slack.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I’m impressed with Menklab’s ingenuity and entrepreneurial approach.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I don’t have any complaints. Menklab has been a really good partner.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Make sure to ask them all of the questions that you have.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the CEO of custom woodworking and design business in Raleigh, NC. I am a single man operation, so I am in charge of marketing, furniture/project design, and fabrication of those designs.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Menklab?

In order to separate my woodworking business from others in the area, I needed a website that stood apart from my competitors.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

I was attempting to build my own website using Wix and was not getting the results I wanted. I searched professional help in wix and was provided with a list of professionals. After interviewing with a few of them, Menklab stood out as the most prompt in responding to questions and had previous projects that I really liked.

Describe the project in detail and walk through the stages of the project.

We had a series of meeting going through what I wanted the website design to look like. I provided color pallets, a very rough oultine of the webpages, and discussed the Mid-Century/Modern feel I wanted for the site. Over the course of the next few weeks, the provided me with multiple website layouts and I was able to pick and choose aspects from each layout that I liked.

Menklab combined all of the ideas into a uniform website. I was in charge of providing the language used on all the pages of the site wo to review and make final edits before my official website launch.

How many resources from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

In total, I think I worked with 4 individuals:

• Helen - Managing Director of Menklab UA
• Dmitry - Business Analyst
• Justin - CEO
• Kate - UA Business Development Manager.

There were probably others, but Helen, Dmytro, and Kate were who I had the most contact with.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

My website turned out exactly how I wanted. Additionally, Menklab designed the makers mark with I will be adding to all of projects I build. I could not be happier. I am biased, but my website looks to be more in line with large furniture companies than a one man, backyard operation.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

I have never worked with a more responsive company in my life. Helen and Dmitry responded to my emails in less than 24 hours. In general we had one or two virtual meetings each week to go over the project. On top of that, in February of 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine which happened to be where Helen, Dmitry, and Kate lived. Even with all that going on, a meeting was never missed, emails were promptly responded, and the project was never delayed.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

The people I worked with on this project were incredible. I provided Menklab with the overarching theme of the website and they made it real. The Menklab team brought their own unique ideas to the website design and was always willing to make the extra effort. For example, some of the photographs of previous projects i have made, were not professional looking. They made the effort to whiteout the backgrounds to give the site a more polished look. This was not discussed by me at the onset of this project, but Menklab did it anyways.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

Nothing. My project turned out better than I thought possible.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the president and CEO

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Menklab, and what were your goals?

We needed secure software for on-line results reporting system, as well as a testing system for ballots

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

Past history with Justin at Menklab. His knowledge, and background.

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and technologies used.

Many Steps for this project over the last 3 1/2 years. It has been an on-going development as our customers and our needs change.

How many people from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

There are up to 4 people working on the development side of Menklabs, along with our team of 3

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?

The results are very good, Menklabs has accomplished many of the results we needed.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

Communication is very key. Justin and his team have been there when needed via. email, zoom, etc.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Their willingness to find the best way and tools to develop our software is amazing.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

While there is always area for improvement it has been great.