FastLogic

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m CEO of the Polish Institute of Research and Development. We’re an investment fund that supports early-stage tech startups.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with FastLogic?

We needed a firm to help us develop solution-oriented electronics.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

FastLogic created a proof of concept (POC) for one of our bike manufacturers. That involved developing a special algorithm to support the electronic steering of rotating power generators. They also added a unique piece of hardware that triples the power output possible from each generator. As a result, each generator can create nine or ten watts of energy.

After that, we moved the project further by experimenting with higher power machines. We received a new POC from a leading mining company, so we hired FastLogic to build that deliverable. They designed all the circuit switches that are necessary to utilize their algorithm at higher powers. Their efforts doubled the power of larger machines.

What is the team composition?

They assigned a project manager and 2–3 engineers.

How did you come to work with FastLogic?

We heard about them from the Lodz University of Technology. They were also referred to me by several colleagues.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent $20,000–$30,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in October 2015, and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Due to the success of the prototype, we managed to find an investor for the company. Additionally, the improved power unit they created for a large mining company ended in up being an official POC for our company. That project started our entire business vertical of building special power units with dedicated devices dedicated.

How did FastLogic perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re well organized and have an excellent project management system. Communication is done electronically. We have a system where we can log in and check all the tasks, timelines, Gantt charts. They keep us updated each week.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re technology experts. There are at least a few people on staff with PhDs. They know what they’re doing and have a significant network of specialists in different fields. That enables them to find the resources they need to accomplish complicated projects. They under promise and over deliver.

Are there any areas they could improve?

FastLogic should invest more in sales. They’re capable of impressive things, so they deserve a large client base.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

If someone wants to do a project with them, they should be familiar with the bios of FastLogic’s central engineers.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the manager at a marketing firm. We deliver both B2B hardware and services to our key customers.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with FastLogic?

We were building a scent delivery IoT device that was controlled by an electronic controller. FastLogic came on board to design the hardware components and embed our software.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Since we already knew what kind of device we wanted, we provided FastLogic with a detailed brief of the technical specs for the controller. Their team then used our documentation to design and develop a controller that allows users to tell the device what to do and when.

Some of the software functions were easy to implement such as the steering while others needed more problem-solving skills. For example, we didn’t know how to execute the weight measurement and wireless communication functions. FastLogic identified those challenges and resolved them.

What is the team composition?

In addition to their developers, we worked with a project manager and one of their technology managing directors who oversaw the main business communication. Together, we discussed business cases, went over technical details, and outlined the steps to design and proof our knowledge.

How did you come to work with FastLogic?

They were recommended to us, so we met with them to explain our business, expressing our needs in terms of product and technology development. As it turned out, they could design the electronic components and produce them in small batches. Everything just clicked, so we decided to work with them.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $30,000–$50,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Their work lasted from March 2017–March 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They’ve proven to be a professional partner and have provided a unique and highly sought-after service. Together, we were able to discuss our business from many different angles, not only in terms of our projects, but also the implementation and impact on our final device. They even helped us from the design level, getting us in touch with a graphic designer who created the first sketch of our appliance.

How did FastLogic perform from a project management standpoint?

The project management was very good. We’re a 90-minute drive from each other, so we met 5–6 times in total to give and collect feedback on our controller. They also communicated with us consistently online about the project status, using a ticket system to track tasks. At the end of the project, they delivered all technical documentation and validations. I also appreciated that they gave us recommendations for next steps should we decide to move forward with the project.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Besides their knowledge and experience, FastLogic is able to see things from the customer’s perspective. They asked a lot of questions throughout, which helped them understand our business and come up with appropriate solutions.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, not that I can think of.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the CEO of a startup called Olympus Sky Technologies.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with FastLogic?

I don't have engineers on staff, so I was looking to outsource a team to help me with software development.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They handle IoT development for our security software, managing everything from the web-based aspects to the Cloud solutions and the embedded systems. They mostly use C++, but they've also used Java and C for some of the solutions.

What is the team composition?

I work with a project manager and 2–5 developers, depending on the time of the year.

How did you come to work with FastLogic?

They were referred to me.

How much have you invested with them?

I've spent between $200,000–$300,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

I started working with them in December 2015 and the relationship is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They've succeeded in every project I've given them. We have an ongoing pilot project with our customer and FastLogic even flew out to Michigan to work on site there. The feedback from our clients has been very positive.

How did FastLogic perform from a project management standpoint?

They're responsive and great communicators.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They're very flexible and willing to go an extra mile when needed.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They don't need to do anything to improve, but they need to hire a sales person to help them market themselves.