Galaxy Weblinks

What was the scope of their involvement?

Galaxy Weblinks helped us create a digital e-learning platform where our customers can take training courses. They led software development, implementation, and engineering management of the project. We led the product management and UI design. It’s a Java backend based on the Spring Framework, an AngularJS frontend, and a MySQL database.

While not a unique engineering challenge, the platform does have a wide scope in terms of required features. Course consumption—having customers enroll and move through different courses—is the primary objective. It’s an enterprise-grade application that houses a lot of content, primarily videos. Customers can login to see their progress, as well as get help from mentors.

What is the team composition?

It’s varied, but we’ve worked with between 6–12 developers. We increase or decrease our quarterly contract depending on what we’re planning or what features we need.

How did you come to work with Galaxy Weblinks?

We’d worked with them in the past on a project that was smaller in scope. So we had familiarity from that project, and we’d gotten to know the owner a bit. It’s grown from an informal engagement to a fruitful relationship over the last six years.

How much have you invested with them?

I can’t disclose the actual number, but we’ve spent more than $100,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

This project began in June 2016 and work is ongoing. We released version 1.0 after six months. We've done incremental improvements, adding new features just about every month since. We recently released version 3.0.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Galaxy helped us build our platform from scratch. We started working together on a contract basis, where we provided the inputs, they submitted an estimate, then they did that specific task. As we moved forward, the relationship has evolved into a retainer agreement. We have daily calls to discuss the project and their team is collaborating with our internal developers to update the platform. Currently, we are working to optimize some of the existing features.

The team built the website using PHP, Java, and CSS code on a CodeIgniter framework. The platform itself functions for both individual users and our distributors. Custom branded portals and specific URLs allow both groups to manage the e-learning content for their specific needs. For individual users, we operate under a subscription-based model. We have also sold the system to other companies to help them manage their content.

What is the team composition?

We work with a team of 5–15 employees at any given time. The team size and composition vary depending on the task we are working on. When I first started working with their team, we went through a phase of experimenting with different teams. Galaxy moved a senior developer to our project manager and she has remained in that position for over two years, but other positions continue to rotate.

How did you come to work with Galaxy Weblinks?

Our CEO had previously signed contracts with Galaxy and I inherited the relationship.

How much have you invested with them?

We have spent well over $300,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in December 2015 and the partnership is ongoing.

What was the scope of their involvement?

I’ve worked on about 20 projects with Galaxy Weblinks, each one with unique frameworks and requirements. I design the projects, compile build instructions, and create prototypes. Once that’s done, Galaxy Weblinks and I review the project requirements and confirm their understanding. After they give me a bid, we normally start development. During a normal scope of work, they handle backend development, database configuration, and architecture. We build from my existing schematic or process flow, making sure that everything works properly and that all the information to be processed or captured is integrated properly.

We normally collaborate on platforms or apps, which require a lot of backend integration. If we build an app, we develop for both Android and iOS. We also write apps in React Native and others frameworks that allow us to write code once and use it on multiple devices.

If the project requires any APIs or integrations, they get a mandate and perform research to ensure that the API is integrated properly. If it isn’t, then they create a custom script that captures the information and moves it to the correct database.

What is the team composition?

I work directly with three people. My primary contact is always their COO, who is based in Boston. The second is a gentleman who travels between India and the U.S. They also have a project manager based in India. That’s the standard setup for any project.

How did you come to work with Galaxy Weblinks?

I first got in touch with them when Facebook apps were extremely popular. My client needed one, so I looked for someone to handle the development and landed on Galaxy Weblinks. I decided on them because of our natural chemistry.

Although we didn’t build the Facebook app, the relationship grew and we worked on other projects. For our first project, I was building a video platform to compete with a popular humor website. They handled the backend video streaming integration and made the solution responsive.

How much have you invested with them?

I’ve spent $100,000–$120,000 on their services.

What is the status of this engagement?

I’ve worked with Galaxy Weblinks for years. Our most recent project finished two months ago.