Daksha System and Services

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CTO of a tech startup that does mobile and web applications for small businesses.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Daksha System and Services?

I needed to hire a development team to work on a mobile app.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Daksha System and Services provided design and model work for the applications. They developed the mobile app from scratch, for iOS and Android, using whichever technologies they determined to be best for the platform. Also, their team implemented key features and functionalities that I wanted, in a cost-effective way.

What is the team composition?

The lead coordinator is my main point of contact. There are also 5–6 others working, including 3–4 developers, and two QA people.

How did you come to work with Daksha System and Services?

I was referred to them as a professional company that understands the confidential aspects of projects. They were willing to sign NDAs.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve invested between $15,000–$20,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began the project in October 2018, and it’s ongoing. We’re now releasing the second version.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The quality and UX of the solutions are good. I’d rate Daksha System and Services very highly. Our users have given positive feedback.

How did Daksha System and Services perform from a project management standpoint?

They do an excellent job, going above and beyond. They’re very reasonable in price negotiation for additional features and requirements that come up. Daksha System and Services has given me access to their feature-tracking platforms, allowing me to see progress and testing reports as well as check what’s being worked on.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They have great attitudes and provide helpful input that makes the product better. Daksha System and Services is also technically capable of handling new features and projects tasked to them.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They could fine-tune the speed with which they acknowledge and address feedback.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Make sure to define the requirements upfront so everyone is on the same page before starting.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Rekhta Foundation is not-for-profit organisation working for the preservation and promotion of Urdu language, literature and culture. Our flagship website www.rekhta.org is world's largest and most extensive resource platform for Urdu poetry rendering content in three scripts - Devanagari, Urdu and Roman. We have a user base of more than 18 million per annum coming across form more than 190 countries. We have digitized more than 75,000 rare books, journals and magazines, chronicled the works of around 45,000 poets and has recorded on its website over 72,000 ghazals, sher and nazms in three scripts – Urdu, Devanagari and Roman. A very unique feature of the website is the Qaafiya dictionary – touted as the world’s first Urdu rhyming dictionary for aspiring poets. No wonder that in just six years, Rekhta Foundation has achieved the status of a colossus in the domain of digitization and preservation of languages. Rekhta launched Aamozish – a free Urdu learning website, RULP (a Rekhta Urdu Learning Programme) – an interactive classroom program, Sufinama.org – a website dedicated to the Sufi-Bhakti tradition of the Indian subcontinent and Rekhta Publishing – a platform for talented, upcoming poets and writers. In 2015, Rekhta made an important paradigm shift when we brought forth the first edition of Jashn-e-Rekhta – a tremendously successful festival attracting thousands lovers of Hindustani to celebrate its prolific art forms. Constructed around the belief that language can bring people across different age groups, economic backgrounds and religions closer, smaller cultural events Shaam-e-Rekhta and Rang-e-Rekhta are organised in cities in India and abroad. Far away from home, we have formalised the establishment of Rekhta Americas – an outreach organisation in New York. We are all set to launch Hindwi.org – a repository of Hindi literature and poetry – in December 2019.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Daksha System and Services?

We have hired Daksha System and Services to develop iOS and Android application of our website www.rekhta.org

What were your goals for this project?

To create a user friendly app of Rekhta which can render content in three different scripts - Devanagari, Urdu and English. Having many critical functionalities such as word-click-meaning, langauge switch option and rendering poetry content, our website has been very unique in terms of development and technology and we wanted that the same kind of features and user expereince is being provided in our apps.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We have got them made POC (proof of concept) before finalising the project. We have given them 4-5 tasks which were very unique and critical for development. They had done those tasks with substantial success. Thus we got the confidence to work with them.

Describe the project in detail.

We wanted to create a user friendly app of Rekhta which can render content in three different scripts - Devanagari, Urdu and English. Having many critical functionalities such as word-click-meaning, langauge switch option and rendering poetry content, our website has been very unique in terms of development and technology and we wanted that the same kind of features and user expereince is being provided in our apps.

What was the team composition?

- Founding members of Daksh were leading the project and were having 2 junior developers with them to support us.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

- They have completed the project in defined timeline - We could launch our iOS app on time as planned - The app has been liked by our users. - the app has got increasing traffic and improved ratings on app store

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

It was pretty effective. Daksha's team and founding members have a great attitude and an amazing work culture. They are responsive, attentive listeners. They are always willing to go extra miles to satisfy the need of the customers.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

- Their honesty - work ethics - punctuality - technical expertise - willingness to solve technical problems

Are there any areas for improvement?

Nothing much.