CQL

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the technology project manager at Weld North Education’s consumer division. We make online homeschool curriculum books. We also do brick-and-mortar curricula for secular and non-secular schools, too. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with CQL?

We needed CQL to provide support services for our software and internal tools.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

CQL provides technical, app, and website support for our internal software pieces and apps. These include admin tools, and they’ve created 2–3 such tools for us. They’ve also helped build our e-commerce infrastructure. 

In terms of features, I use the admin tool to check any pending orders. There, we can see queues for orders. We can also see if people have signed up for our newsletter. At present, we’re looking to add more features to our tools. For instance, when we’re looking at stuck orders, we shouldn’t have to click six times just to find the information we need. That’s what they’re currently working to improve. Meanwhile, our platform is custom-built; we’ve migrated from Magento to an internal e-commerce platform. 

Moreover, our company is getting bigger. We have three different suites, and we’re merging them into one. As a result, CQL is going to help us connect our e-commerce platform to the newly merged and larger net suite. 

What is the team composition?

There’s a huge team behind CQL, but I mainly work with Eric E. (Business Development Manager) and Eric P. (Software Engineer).

How did you come to work with CQL?

I wasn’t part of the process when we hired CQL. I was in the procurement team when we got rid of the Magento platform, so I wasn’t sure how or why we picked them.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent between $50,000–$200,000 throughout the years. For context, we currently don’t have a contract with them, though we’re looking to get one. Right now, we only pay their hourly rate. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with CQL in January 2013, and the engagement is ongoing. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

If I need something done before a critical deadline, CQL is the company I use. They’re much better than other vendors when it comes to timelines and understanding our needs. In other words, if I give them a time-sensitive project, it’s because I can trust their team to do it and hit deadlines. 

How did CQL perform from a project management standpoint?

I enjoy working with Eric E. and Eric P. — they’re great. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Firstly, CQL knows our product well because they’ve helped build it. Secondly, if I put in a ticket, I’ll hear from them within 24 hours, and I need that kind of response time in my world. In other words, their communication skills far exceed those of other vendors without a doubt. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there aren’t any. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Have a contract for a set amount of hours every month allotted to your business. Right now, we don’t have that kind of contract with CQL, and it’s our fault. As a result, we’re prioritized after their costumes with better contracts.