DB2 Limited

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

My business is an online reputation management platform called Repute.ai. I primarily work in data engineering and data science. As a consultant, I also have a project that's in the big data mobile space.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with DB2 Limited?

As a software developer, I built a prototype that would support an MVP, but wouldn't scale very well. The app had reached a stage where I needed support adding features to make it more enterprise ready.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Initially, we collaboratively formulated the ideal architecture and design for the app. DB2 Limited helped me consider the various tradeoffs associated with these decisions. Ultimately, we aligned on one they thought would scale well and require the least ongoing maintenance. I had built the backend using Django, and wanted to continue using that web framework so I could understand what goes on. The frontend had used Bootstrap, and I’d deployed it on Amazon Web Services’ Elastic Beanstalk.

They did a complete refactor of the app and rebuilt it from the ground up. After decoupling the two, the frontend is now entirely API-driven from the backend, which is running Node.js. The best way to describe it is angular2-materialize, which is a combination of Node, Angular, and Materialize. It functions much better now, and is in a place I'm really happy with and can take to market. As I receive user feedback, they help me prioritize which features to add first. A customer just pointed out one of the few bugs we’ve seen, and they’re currently resolving it, as they provide ongoing support.

What is the team composition?

I've worked with Denys [CEO, DB2 Limited], a project manager, a frontend developer, a backend developer, and a designer.

How did you come to work with DB2 Limited?

I found DB2 Limited on UpWork. Upon reviewing several contractors, Denys was clearly the most holistically technically competent. He really understood both my challenges and the difficulty of finding a good vendor. Since he 'd worked on similar things in the past, he knew what I was grappling with.

What is the status of this engagement?

We've been working together since September 2017. They provide ongoing maintenance and support and continue to add new features. I expect to have an ongoing relationship with them.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I measure the quality of their work based on functionality. My technical background gives me a fairly clear sense of what’s possible. Oftentimes, I’ll first walk through the application as a user to check out a new feature, then look at the code they've committed to the GitHub repository. After reading their comments, I’ll ask any pertinent questions. I've been systematically impressed by their ability to write good code that is thoroughly documented, runs quickly, and works well. It's been incredible.

How did DB2 Limited perform from a project management standpoint?

I've worked in both big and small companies, including tech startups and big enterprise corporations, and they’ve done a great job comparatively. The team follows best practices without me having to prompt them continuously. They use Jira to keep track of issues I raise and future requests I make. I can easily keep tabs on what's going on. Everyone is extremely communicative and responsive.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I've been able to completely outsource product development to DB2 Limited. They’ve yielded a live product with customers that's making us money.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I provide them with a lot of feedback on an ongoing basis, mostly around the app itself. A few weeks ago, we had a check-in about the team’s progress. I wanted more visibility on which tasks were being worked on at any given time. They gave me access to the Jira so I could read the comment boards and see the planning process. As it turned out, I really don't have enough time to survey those things. They do a good job managing that, regardless.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Only that having a high-level vision makes accurate estimation difficult. It’s impossible to predict every potential issue, so the bias is usually toward underestimating timelines. The more I worked with DB2 Limited, the more things I wanted to include, which increased the scope. I was cognizant of and happy about that, however, because I knew we were making good progress.

Also, understanding the technology is important. The better you prepare the architecture and design, the more accurate specs they'll create. The team likes to have autonomy and not be micromanaged. I've gotten good results by giving them the flexibility to make small decisions on their own.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the CEO of a web agency dealing with digital product transformations from a user experience perspective. We generally work with clients who require either an app, a website, or something in between. After studying how well a system would interact with its users, we ask experts to provide the best solution for the client.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with DB2 Limited?

We had a client who wanted to make a customized app for virtual tours of the UK coastline from the viewpoint of several artists. The client was very specific in terms of the technology needed. The client wanted a Django backend, but we specialize in Laravel PHP. We didn’t have the in-house expertise to build the database and the API that would feed that kind of system. That meant we had to find reliable and scalable services from a partner.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

DB2 Limited had the expertise we were looking for. They built a Django framework with an SQL database, allowing us to log in and upload pictures and sounds on the backend. Based on the specifications we provided, they ran the whole technical side. The app needed to have certain types of interactions. DB2 Limited identified the ideal framework and how it could be scaled on Amazon Web Services. The solution was developed for all major browsers and virtual reality services. The desktop, iOS, and Android versions were included in the scope.

How did you come to work with DB2 Limited?

Previously, we worked with another Django company. While that company wasn’t a good match for the virtual tour project, they recommended DB2 Limited to us. During the negotiation stage, we were very happy with what DB2 Limited had to offer.

How much have you invested with DB2 Limited?

The total cost was around $55,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with DB2 Limited in December 2015. The project lasted for 3 or 4 months, ending in March 2016.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or the impact of the engagement?

We had very strict SLAs [service level agreements] and KPIs [key performance indicators] in place. One of them stated that for the first review, the project had to be delivered at least 1 week before the initial deadline. DB2 Limited exceeded that by presenting it to us 3 weeks in advance. The code quality was highly accurate with thorough documentation. DB2 Limited’s work improved our negotiations with the client and helped us secured a bigger contract. We expanded the project from 10 artists to 100. Fortunately, DB2 Limited planned the product so that it was scalable from the beginning. Aside from helping us expand, that helped us with future development and maintenance. We have had no bugs or other issues with the system.

How did DB2 Limited perform from a project management standpoint?

I had no issues getting in touch with my rep from DB2 Limited. We communicated through Skype video calls quite often. If I had an urgent concern, I could call his office number. He was very responsive. When I sent him an email, I’d receive a detailed response within 6 hours. He’d usually come up with a solution to a problem which we might have had. For example, the client wanted to move away from a certain API core to another one—from SOAP [Simple Object Access Protocol] to REST [Representational state transfer]. DB2 Limited’s approach was to take very quick X, Y, and Z steps. They amended the timescale to match the revisions and even put in a QA process for the new setup. We were happy in the end.

What did you find most impressive about DB2 Limited?

I was impressed by DB2 Limited’s level of knowledge, which gave them an intuitive understanding of what a project will require. DB2 Limited asked difficult questions up front, which helped us figure out what the project actually entails. We saw that DB2 Limited is committed to the project’s success and not just in it for the money. In terms of communication and coding levels, they surpassed any of the companies I’ve worked with in the past. They sent detailed emails, which is exactly what we required to pass on information to the client or to our own team. They’re a brilliant company to work with.

Are there any areas DB2 Limited could improve?

The biggest hurdle was the cultural and language barriers. Our main contact was not a native English speaker, so he was unfamiliar with some of the acronyms and terms we use in the UK. However, he picked them up quickly and always verified what we actually meant. If they plan to deal with native clients, I recommend that they improve their English. There’s not a lot of feedback I can give outside of this.

What tips or recommendations could you share that might increase the likelihood of success with DB2 Limited?

I would recommend having as much detail available before initiating the project. DB2 Limited will quote based on the exact details you provide. They won’t quote other options, which is as it should be. If the client wants the best project available, they need to provide as much detail as possible. This would allow the team to make the best decision.