Codify

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a senior employee at Evest, a Cyprus-based investment firm. We provide a trading platform for professional clients.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Adraba?

Our business is online, so our website is the most important tool we have for attracting clients. We needed a swift, user-friendly processing system to use for onboarding clients en masse. It also needed to align with all of our regulatory requirements.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We began by giving them our vision for the site’s workflow, and they provided suggestions and amendments. After we approved their designs, they developed the site. Their team created a full “client zone” and developed the onboarding logic for that process. From there, they implemented features for our client questionnaires, scoring systems, and various other actions. They also added a section for legal information where we uploaded the policies, procedures, and documents. Though they've finished development, their team still provides maintenance and additional development assistance when needed.

What is the team composition?

We received a dedicated project manager who was our main point of contact. We didn’t work directly with their team, but we discussed the main elements of the project with the CEO.

How did you come to work with Adraba?

A company who had previously worked with them referred us. After seeing the successful work this company received, Adraba was my first choice for the project.

How much have you invested with them?

Without getting into specifics, our costs were within the five-figure range.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began the project in 2017, and it took two months to complete.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We are pleased with the final results; they met all of our expectations. The portal allows our clients to do everything on the site.

How did Adraba perform from a project management standpoint?

We communicated through Skype, and their responses were immediate. They were there whenever we needed them, and we could schedule extended sessions when necessary.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The execution of their work and their overall responsiveness were valuable to me. Adraba followed through on their promises and did it on time. Also, the founder was always available and hands-on throughout the project, so everything progressed smoothly.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

It’s important to set the right expectations and make sure everything is specified. Ensuring that both sides know the details of the scope eliminates any possibility for misunderstandings.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the manager of the development department for Finance Magnates, an economics publishing and events company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Adraba?

We host numerous events around the world for the economics industry and needed a platform to help develop our events website. We’d tried building one before, but it didn’t work out.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Adraba has done various projects for us, including building a platform to replace our WordPress events site. It's a reusable platform that our internal team designed and they developed. Using our specs, Adraba developed the administrative back office panel, which allowed us to build the pages ourselves and fill them with content each year. On the site, users can register to the event on the website, either by purchasing a ticket or through a VIP/free ticket. We also have pages that promote our sponsors, announce big-name attendees, outline the event agenda, and display photos and videos. Their team incorporated chat features that let users directly message one another.

What is the team composition?

They assigned project managers, dev team leads, QA and multiple developers.

How did you come to work with Adraba?

We had a past acquaintance with Adraba's CEO and found Adraba to be reliable and trustworthy. They had the manpower and technical skills to accomplish what we needed.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked on this project from February–August 2018, but also have two different ongoing projects.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The website looks good, and the event sold well. Adraba resolved any issues or bugs quickly, even if it was due to third-party software errors. Our previous back office panel didn’t support all of our needs. However, Adraba built a rich administrative side that gave us lots of control over the website. Now, we don’t need technical experts to build or change our site, which is fantastic.

How did Adraba perform from a project management standpoint?

They were timely and responsive, making sure we were satisfied with the build. Their work was both personal and professional, and they made us feel like an important client. We used Jira and Google Sheets to track progress and stay organized.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re great people whom I loved working with. The entire team is service-oriented and incredibly helpful. They were proactive and professional, accomplishing what we wanted with little oversight.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, not that I can think of.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

If you give them detailed specs, they’ll work quickly and efficiently.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the co-founder and CTO of TESTMASTER Education. We’re an exam preparation platform that mainly develops products for developing markets. We’re now going to launch in Nigeria.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Adraba We simplify IT?

We made learning books that are full of questions, and each question has a QR code that provides the answer. We had to simplify everything because users have technical limitations in terms of internet availability and the quality of devices they’re using. Most of these kids don’t have experience using apps for education.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They were patient and guided me through the process. Joseph (CEO, Adraba We simplify IT) spent a lot of his time with me and explained how it would work, what we know and what we can’t ever know in advance, what prices are fixed, and what could change due to change requests. He explained the limitations of the languages of development and the processes. I provided designs and mock-ups. I was given a project manager and a general timeline, and we set up arrangements for how we wanted to work.

They created the entire platform in Vue.js. Then, we decided to migrate it to React native. They created the CMS, the user management system, the analytics, the website, and Android apps.

Our users are African children who don’t have a PC or broadband in their houses, so they built mobile apps for them. The apps have more functionality, allowing registration and the capability to snap pictures of the QR codes from the books. The websites are mainly for administration purposes but also have video content.

In the beginning, we tested the single codes and they worked great. Once we tested on real books, we got the wrong code every time because the camera focused on a different part of the page. They figured out that our problems were because the QR codes were too close to each other on the page and promptly fixed the problem.

Then, we went to Nigeria and put it on old, inexpensive phones and it didn’t work. We bought Adraba We simplify IT some devices like the ones our users had and they optimized the app so that it would run on them and it worked.

We’re finishing up the second app now. After that, we’ll do another website.

What is the team composition?

There was one person for the backend, one for the frontend, the project manager, and a QA team.

How did you come to work with Adraba We simplify IT?

The owner and I have a mutual friend. I posted on my LinkedIn profile that I was looking for a company to develop an app, and my friend responded. I found out that they are well known in the industry in Israel. Joseph set up his own operation in Ukraine because it’s half the cost of development in Israel. It was a big advantage to have a personal connection from a great friend who vouches for him. I searched his name and saw that he has a reputation as an accomplished man. It seemed like the right fit.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in October 2017 and the work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

You can take a primitive phone with a bad camera and snap a picture of the QR code and see the answer to the question in the book. It was a big technological challenge because I don’t believe anyone’s used this technology of QR codes in this scenario. We had some technical issues and Adraba We simplify IT fixed them. It’s a great, impressive product. Now, the app has a 4.8 rating in Google Play.

I got high standards of production and management with the good price of working with Eastern European developers. I would have paid double if I would have done it here. I got the best of both worlds.

We didn’t expect to have technical issues. We figured it was generic and simple to do, but then we had technical challenges with QR scanning. Joseph made some calls for me. He pulled strings in the industry and got some major brainpower to help overcome this technical issue. It was impressive that they solved it quickly.

How did Adraba We simplify IT perform from a project management standpoint?

I had one project manager for the initial product, and now it’s being run by the Adraba We simplify IT support team. For the second product, I was given a new project manager. That’s still in development, and I have a team that I talk to every day. I also have a direct line to Joseph. They’re extremely responsive, and I’m happy with their response time.

I’m happy with their performance. Sometimes there were bugs, but that’s to be expected. They worked hard whenever they had unexpected problems that extended the estimated completion date. The project manager sometimes sent me messages at 9:00 or 10:00 PM letting me know they’re still working on it. They always solved the problem and it never took too long. The team is exceptionally dependable and attentive.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They have a well-run operation. In a world of software development, it’s almost impossible to get information from the client to the developer without there being misunderstandings, mistakes, and change requests. They limit their risk by working in a really organized way. They send questions and clarify. I don’t get the feeling they’re trying to make me fall into some kind of trap by pretending to misunderstand and then charge us to change it. They diligently try to make sure we’re on the same page.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I introduced a project management software that I personally use for all my projects. I gave them access and told the project manager to talk to me through that platform. She told me that it makes everything much better. If I didn’t introduce this and communication was based on Skype and email, it wouldn’t be as successful or efficient. My recommendation for them is that they would use some kind of project management program with all of their clients.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

With any service provider, you must make sure you have designs that are as close to the last iteration as possible to reduce your risk. Use a project management tool.

They initially offered to give UI/UX expert advice, but I didn’t take it because I had my own resource. You can prevent wasting money by getting an indication from the people who are going to build for you. Putting a lot of resources on the design initially will save you a lot down the road. Once you go into production, it will be expensive to change. Pay more attention at the beginning so the rest of the project can go more smoothly. I should have paid the extra for their service to save down the road with all the changes that needed to be made.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm a co-founder of a startup company. Our travel app offers a unique method of hotel booking that lets travelers reserve rooms with flexible check in and check out times. The price is prorated, so the nightly rates change based on the exact time. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Adraba We Simplify IT?

My business partner had completed most of the backend development and needed help with the rest of the app. We hired Adraba We Simplify IT to provide all the frontend development. It was too expensive to work with a team from the U.S. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Our app is an incredibly sophisticated and complex project that has required substantial development. It includes versions for Android and iOS. We invested lots of time and money into this product. Adraba We Simplify IT implemented all the UX/UI designs we created into the frontend. Upon completion of the build, they connected it to the backend. 

Adraba We Simplify IT is continuously upgrading the app. They’ve created several iterations and added numerous features over the course of our partnership. Recently, we decided to shift more responsibilities to their team. They're now helping us with backend development in addition to the frontend.

What is the team composition?
 
My partner, the CTO, and his team work directly with Adraba We Simplify IT’s developers on coding. I usually work with the account manager, mainly because I have less of a technical background.

In the beginning, we also used local contractors. We quickly shifted all the work to Adraba We Simplify IT. Having one dedicated team cut costs and simplified communication.

How did you come to work with Adraba We Simplify IT?

I was introduced to Joseph (CEO, Adraba We Simplify IT), the owner of the company. During his interview, we really clicked. Adraba We Simplify IT is a well-managed company with an impressive vision. We gave them a try as we shopped around for different developers, and ultimately selected them as our exclusive development partner.

How much have you invested with them?

We've spent between $25,000–$100,000. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We've been working together since July 2016. The first version of our app launched four months later, in October 2016. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I feel fortunate that I found Adraba We Simplify IT. They delivered everything they promised within the correct timeframe and offer fantastic value. We've never had problems receiving what we requested. Their competitive prices saved us a lot of money. Furthermore, their developers are much more skilled than the other teams we interviewed. 

Adraba We Simplify IT brainstorms creative solutions based on their extensive experience. The fact that we're still working together after two years is a testament to their skill. I'm so pleased with the results of their work that I recommended them to a company in New York. That client is also quite satisfied with their services. 

How did Adraba We Simplify IT perform from a project management standpoint?

Adraba We Simplify IT is incredible at project management. They never let the fact that we're located in different time zones impact our progress. Either a manager or the owner himself is always available. They respond to our emails almost immediately. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

I most appreciate Adraba We Simplify IT 's transparency and honesty. Everything they've developed works very smoothly. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

Expanding the range of their services would now be helpful. We've actually discussed this prospect together. Although we mainly use them for programming, they also offer options like marketing and design. We haven't mastered those efforts yet, although they're very talented at development. Becoming a one-stop-shop would help clients like me who require multiple types of expertise. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Mobile apps require planning. Clearly define the scope of work before you contact Adraba We Simplify IT. Listen to their restrictions, timeframes, and challenges. Patience is key. Staring with a small portion of the project is a good strategy. After refining your requirements, you can expand the specifications. Try to avoid making changes if possible and notify the team when you need modifications. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm a co-founder and CTO of a company that helps other companies sell their products by providing them with leads.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Adraba?

Adraba helps us recruit new employees for Node.js, HR, and general management.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to empower our employees and expand the business.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

A friend recommended Adraba.

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

They brought us the talent, and we manage the team members.

What was the team composition?

We’re working with a two-person team, and it’s expanding.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The team members recruited by Adraba are proficient and productive.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

We manage the project.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

We’re impressed with the people, from the developers to the HR staff. Everyone at Adraba cares about our success.

Are there any areas where they can improve?

I have nothing to add as I'm quite pleased with their work.