eproductions

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the director of an e-commerce rewards company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenges were you trying to address with eproductions?

We hired them to develop a website for us using Ruby on Rails.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They provided development for a custom Ruby on Rails e-shop where users earn Yolos and climb up tiers with every purchase. When users share products with friends, they also earn points and climb the tiers. There are four reward tiers – blue, silver, gold, and platinum. 

We provided some UX design mockups and wireframes. They provided some feedback on the design, but the bulk of their work was in development. 

What is the team composition?

I worked with a team of 3–4 people. 

How did you come to work with eproductions?

I did a web search and found them, but I don’t remember on which site. 

How much have you invested in them? 

We’ve invested $20,000–$25,000. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in May 2019, and our relationship is ongoing. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They understand what I’m asking for and provide multiple options for me to choose from. I’m very happy with them so far. 

How did eproductions perform from a project management standpoint?

Generally, they’re good at sticking to deadlines. They’ve done a really good job. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

The functionality of the website is great, and they developed it quickly. They understood how I wanted the rewards system and tiers to be structured. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, generally, I’m really happy so there’s nothing I’d have them change. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers? 

Know what you want, and they’ll be able to provide you with good options. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the general manager of Elgea Ltd, a premium Greek food production company. We export our products to 15 countries around the world. I’m responsible for running the day-to-day aspects of our business.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with eproductions?

We needed a vendor to redesign our website to match our new brand guidelines and provide SEO support.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Working diligently and exactingly, eproductions focused on our most important needs. They interviewed us to thoroughly comprehend our business model and goals. The team made sure our website works well on tablets. In the next few months, we plan to revamp the website again and expand our SEO strategy. We’ll also use them for their social media expertise.

What is the team composition?

I’ve met with four resources from eproductions. We worked with the business owner and a team of designers and programmers. I have no complaints about any of them.

How did you come to work with eproductions?

Of the three vendors in consideration, eproductions had the most professional presentation. I liked their straightforward, globally informed approach. They offered a great combination of technical knowledge, strong ethics, and international expertise. A compatible fit for our company, we bonded easily from the start.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent $10,000 on their services so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in 2011 and have an ongoing partnership.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’re impressed by how drastically our web traffic increased. Our SEO success is the direct result of eproductions’ design and programming proficiency. They built our site to be fully compatible with Google’s algorithms and data analytics. We’ve received a high volume of phone calls from American users who found us via Google searches. A major retailer even found us online, which led to a strong business relationship we’ve had since 2014.

How did eproductions perform from a project management standpoint?

In the beginning, I made frequent visits to their offices to discuss the design. Our thorough, two-way dialogue helped us successfully complete the site. They compiled and distributed detailed daily agendas that overviewed pending tasks. After providing accurate estimates, they worked rapidly and diligently to fulfill their initial promises. They’re great at time management. We didn’t experience any delays, and I have no complaints. I’d rate them a 9 out of 10 in this area.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They understand the customer’s needs better than any comparable vendor in their field. eproductions takes the time to research, analyze, and conduct interviews. This degree of due diligence empowers them to thoroughly understand what’s required both at present and in the future.

Are there any areas they could improve?

It’d be nice to receive more frequent email updates. I’d also like them to ask us if we need additional support proactively, instead of me having to reach out first.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We are a mobile marketing company working with mobile operators around the world in emerging markets. We contacted eproductions when we had issues with an internal project. The application has been used as a contact management interface for putting together brief text communications. It’s a library of all the content that has been produced across our apps and projects. It’s also an interface for producing more content and managing daily operations.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with eproductions?

They assisted with creating an application and a database system. Initially, we wanted an application to replace our customer’s older XL file system in putting together content for SMS text. Traditionally, the operators need to exchange content between teams for review and approvals. Using XL files for this purpose was cumbersome. It’s difficult to keep track of what happened.

Also, all content history was held in folders. It was difficult to recycle and check data against other projects with similar content. Through the new application and database, we’ve been able to set up a better content structure, which has significantly improved our business. We’d worked with a development company from Morocco on this project but had many quality issues, so we decided to look for another provider.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

First, eproductions looked at the code to get a feel for the quality. After a few days, they told us the code needed to be totally rewritten and restructured. We agreed to work on a retainer fee and got a dedicated developer to clean up the code within a month. Their proposal was reasonable considering the project was already 16 months into development.

What were some features you asked for?

We needed an option for users to insert comments and assume different roles. Usually, the content is compiled by copywriters and reviewed by campaign managers. We also needed a third role to support the MNOs (mobile network operators). Each of these roles had different permissions. The cooperator can’t edit or change content; only the campaign manager can do those actions.

We also needed the app to function in multiple languages to avoid unnecessary duplication in the library. We wanted to export content in a particular format based on the final content destination. This was supposed to be an automatic upload from an interface directly to the production system. Now, we’re working on creating a viewer role that lets users see the content and provide comments.

How many resources have been assigned to your project?

Initially, we agreed to a single development resource. Starting last year, we wanted to boost the pace, so we hired a second developer. The second developer worked with us for 3 months last year and another 6 months this year on automated testing primarily. We realized that deployments took a long time due to bug fixes, as the application has grown beyond the limits of manual testing. I primarily communicate with the owner, and the project manager also was involved when we had architecture discussions.

Late last year, we found an issue with the backbone architecture. This was due to a misunderstanding between us and the original developers about the data structure. We only recognized the problem when we started using the app in production. eproductions explained that they’d need to rewrite large sections of code to fix this issue. The second developer helped with this repair for a couple of months before taking over the automated testing.

How did you come to work with eproductions?

We talked to 2 companies based in Greece. eproductions specializes in Ruby on Rails, which is what we needed. Our end customer was concerned about designing something from scratch without talking with the provider in person. eproductions fit our profile very well. We made up our mind to partner with them before even getting a quote. For the first call, their senior developers were all trying to understand the problem we had. They were very professional.

Did you find the process difficult or surprising?

Considering the issues we had with the previous vendor, we wanted to work with someone who specialized in Ruby. I was a bit frustrated because I couldn’t find more companies to look at initially. But, I appreciate that eproductions works with Ruby exclusively because they love that technology.

How much have you invested with eproductions?

We pay $60,000 per year for a single resource. With the second resource, it’s been $120,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in January 2016. In October 2016, we added the second resource. We continue to work with them. Right now, we’re back to a single developer. We kept the second developer for the testing. We work in 2-week sprints. For each delivery week, we have QA and use an extra person for that deployment. They accommodate us because we didn’t want to increase the capacity beyond a single person. They still have a hefty road map to work on, but we’re happy with the pace and the budget. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

It’s difficult to quantify the results right now. We’ve definitely saved money by no longer working with XL files, and using the application should make our client's internal workflow faster. Our library of content is more stable, and we’re able to recycle items with fewer mistakes.

Our biggest concern was ensuring that the customer would use the product. They’re used to working with XL files in a moderately efficient manner. After some initial resistance, the customer has shown accelerated usage as far as the pace of the content being put in the library. We’ve gotten positive comments, and everything seems to be on track. For the projects where this solution has been implemented, the teams have fully replaced their XL files and work solely within this interface. For us, that makes the project a success.

How did eproductions perform from a project management standpoint?

We only meet with the primary developer. In general, their team is very responsive. Compared to the previous company, the feedback has been fantastic. I know they have weekly sprints and formal meetings. I’m getting the minutes from those meetings. They also talk to the team on Skype when they need to. When we came across the testing issue, we agreed to have meetings for 3 weeks in our office to expedite the fix. They were always available.

We’ve had no delivery delays. After we implemented the automated testing, for the past month, things have been running smoothly. They fixed the problem.

What did you find most impressive about eproductions?

From the beginning, eproductions has been open and honest. They always meet our timelines but refuse to cut corners. When we wanted to expedite work, they managed to shave off 2 weeks.

Are there any areas eproductions could improve?

I wish that they’d brought in automated testing 9 months earlier when they wrote the code. They said they told us about that service, but we never got to the bottom of that miscommunication. It's affected 9 months of sprints. It could have been picked up by our project manager, but he missed it. I think the situation could’ve been managed better on both sides.

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

I really trust them in terms of cost-quoting, honest communication, and timely delivery. Give them enough chances to speak up so you don’t run into issues. Trust their expertise, especially if you don’t have the same knowledge in-house. For us, I never had a developer in the room to balance the discussion on the technical side. I had a technical product manager, but apparently that wasn’t enough.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

BUY A BOO is an e-shop by Mairi Sinatsaki, one of the most recognized bloggers and influencers in Greece.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with eproductions?

We had a previous e-shop that we just abandoned. Instead, we wanted to create a custom e-shop platform for both B2C and B2B sales. Aside from wanting to increase sales, we wanted to have better sales management. We were looking for a vendor with expertise in Ruby on Rails and who could expand as our team grows.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?   

We worked with 2–3 developers and designers from eproductions. They built the content management system from scratch using Ruby on Rails. Initially, they did the wireframes, and we approved them. They designed the frontend using HTML5, CSS3, jQuery, and adaptive mobile design. They also did integrations with ad platforms and helped with SEO meta tags on Facebook. Then, eproductions created coupon management tools for various events and promos. For our B2B sales, they worked on custom PDF and Excel reports. All of the product photos and descriptions were entered by our team. We also sent them our logo.

How did you come to work with eproductions?

One of their former clients referred eproductions to us. We had a meeting in their offices, where they showed us their custom CMS tool. We also looked at 3 other providers, but we decided to go with eproductions because of their excellent work and their reasonable offer.   

How much have you invested with eproductions?

We paid €18,000– €20,000 [$20,101–$22,335], plus tax.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project was completed in 3–4 months, and we went live in November 2016. Since then, eproductions has provided support for our CMS.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I can only give you estimates because we didn’t have Google Analytics for our previous e-shop. In terms of growth, referral traffic has increased and sales conversion went up by 170%. The organic search result placement showed a 100% increase. That’s not surprising since our previous e-shop had no meta tags, so our products were not showing at all on Google. In terms of user engagement, the bounce rate has decreased significantly. The average time on site improved, from 1.30 to 4. Their custom e-shop platform is extremely user-friendly. However, we don’t have any data available for the clickthrough rate.

How did eproductions perform from a project management standpoint?

The project management was very good. All the feature requirements were completed within the specified timeframe and budget. We usually exchange emails with their team and their developers.

What did you find most impressive about eproductions?  

The most impressive thing is that we feel 100% safe with them—they solve problems immediately. We feel confident that they are watching our back. Overall, we’re very happy with our collaboration with eproductions.

Are there any areas eproductions could improve?

No, there isn’t anything that we can think of. We are very satisfied with their work.

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

Clients can expect efficiency from eproductions, and that all tasks will be delivered on time.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We are a houseware, hotel, and restaurant equipment supplier. I am the CEO of the company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with eproductions?

We needed to build a website for the company.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Our Ruby on Rails websites were built by eproductions. We are running three online stores connected into one platform which handles the whole process of order taking, payment, invoicing, ERP [enterprise resource planning] connection, logistics, and delivery.

How did you come to work with eproductions?

We initially found eproductions by asking around and getting referrals. I also knew eproductions’ owner but hadn’t been aware of his business.

How much have you invested with eproductions?

The cost of eproductions’ work has been between €40,000 and €50,000 [Approx. between $43,000 and $53,000].

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with eproductions in August or September 2015. In the last six months, we’ve met a few milestones for the project. The last delivery was in January 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We have not officially launched the e-commerce portion, so I don’t have a lot of data on its traffic. In general, it’s a very nice website. It has a very low bounce rate, with the average time spent on a page being seven minutes.

How did eproductions perform from a project management standpoint?

We had a bad experience in the past, with another supplier, but we’ve been very happy with eproductions. They are quick and can make good decisions on what we need for the development.

What did you find most impressive about eproductions?

I appreciate the feedback and communication with eproductions. For the rest of the process, they did exactly what was promised in time, actually delivering ahead of us. They have remained close to us and actually pushed our team to provide them with information in time.

Are there any areas eproductions could improve?

At this time, I have no suggestions. Once we have launched the online store, we may have more feedback.

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

I have recommended eproductions to a number of organizations, and they have made an agreement based on one of these referrals. They offer a personalized approach, instead of delegating our project to low-end managers. The owner himself has remained very much involved.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Chief Operating Officer at Rokas Law Firm

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

Design & Launch Rokas Law Firm new Website

SOLUTION

How did you select eproductions and what were the deciding factors?

Having checked relevant works and the professionalism of the presentation / commitment to timeline

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

website development on Wordpress platform

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

two: the manager & the technical advisor

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

much faster launch of the website and general lift to the rebranding of our firm

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

constant communication to every step of the project and detailed delivery process

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

professionalism, detailed oriented, able to deliver the tech specs to non field users in an understanding way

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

No

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the co-founder and chairman

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

We hired e-productions to design an easy to use (by a lay man) back end service for our corporate website.

SOLUTION

How did you select eproductions and what were the deciding factors?

We have worked with e-productions on over 5 projects and they have delivered quality work, on time, often going beyond their mandate to ensure that client needs are satisfied.

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

e-productions uses Ruby on Rails for their web development. We insisted on something different than wordpress or Wix...something professional, but easily adaptable by anyone in the team. Most importantly, a web service that removes the need for coding to make changes. The deliverable was a turn key project, fully adaptable to our needs.

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

2 project managers were assigned to our project. Lead web designer and founder of e-productions were involved in the deliverables.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Outstanding service. Quick delivery and easy to use website back end.

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

Timelines were established and met from day one. We are satisfied with their service.

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

They produced a professional site that was easy to update.

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

To include a fee for maintenance or changes to each project.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the founder of allstarstv.gr, an extreme sports streaming website.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire eproductions?

I needed someone to design and launch my online TV website.

What were your goals for this project?

I wanted an amazing looking website that worked flawlessly.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We compared them to various web design agencies.

Describe the project in detail.

We launched a web-based TV station with original extreme sports content from around Greece.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

When we contact our viewers, they tell us they love our site and how navigable it is.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

It was quite effective and easy.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They’re friendly and had solutions for everything.