HebronSoft

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the director of global projects for a charity called FaithTech. We bring people together in technology who are willing to volunteer their skills to build technology that helps the world be a better place.

What challenge were you trying to address with HebronSoft?

We had a volunteer team that built the MVP of a particular platform, which was very much related to families being isolated due to COVID-19. They got it to a really good stage, but we wanted to push forward for a pre-Christmas release of the second version. Instead of getting volunteers, we got HebronSoft involved to handle the coding and software development for the second release. 

What was the scope of their involvement?

We came to them with the first MVP and a list of design requirements for the second MVP, along with the functional specifications for the second version that we put together. Their team then went through the design mock-up process with us and engaged our team to also build screens. Once we reviewed that and made any adjustments, we entered the building process.

HebronSoft coded the entire platform, which was mainly frontend work using React. Their project manager guided us then through the different stages of the coding, testing, bug fixing, and the final release. 

What is the team composition?

I personally worked with Liliya (CEO) for updates, and there were two people consistently working on the project itself. There was a designer involved at the beginning for a month, but the rest of the project involved the React developer and project manager. 

How did you come to work with HebronSoft?

I met the CEO in Toronto in January through a mutual connection. I learned about their company and what they do; they’re not just a software development company, they also have a training foundation that helps disadvantaged young people gain software development skills.

The whole cause and the way they do things matched so closely with our charity’s own values. I knew if we ever needed to do software development, they’d be the company I’d like to use. We also had 2–3 recommendations from people who had known of HebronSoft and worked with them in the past.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent almost exactly $20,000 CAD (approximately $15,700 USD). 

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together on creating and releasing the second MVP from August–December 2020.

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

The volunteer team we’re working with on the MVP, which includes a very experienced software developer and entrepreneur, was very happy with the work. The speed of their work and the ability to deliver to our timeline was great. 

How did HebronSoft perform from a project management standpoint?

They were great. The project manager was very good at communicating. Any delays came from our end, not their end. We had some issues on our side at the beginning to get volunteers together and moving at the same speed, but that was all fine when we got to the core of the project. 

A consideration we had was around whether we could communicate with them being in Ukraine, and their English was good enough for us to communicate well. They understood our requirements and were able to deliver on them without too much need to go back and forth. 

I was really impressed with how quickly they were able to pick up on each task, bug, or feature that needed fixing. I was having regular calls with the project manager and CEO to make sure everything was being delivered on time and within budget. 

As a nonprofit, we were dealing with donor funds, so we had to keep a close eye on the budget. They were really flexible with us on that. At a certain point, I realized what we wanted to build was bigger than we’d planned, so it would go beyond the budget and the restricted funds, but HebronSoft was patient and paused while we raised more funds. As soon as the funds came back, they were ready to start again, so they were really responsive in that way. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

In terms of their strong ethos and values, they stand out from other software development agencies because they operate a foundation to train and build up other people’s skills. I found that inspiring, and the way they operate their organization struck a chord with us. Since we’re a charity that deals in tech all the time, seeing an organization bringing on at-risk youth and giving them opportunities showed us they matched our values. 

Another benefit of working with them was their cost and rate being very reasonable when you compare to North America rates, especially for React development. It wasn’t the primary reason we chose them, but we found their rate was less than 50% of the market rate in the US. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

Right at the beginning, when the volunteer team was bringing out their design requirements, it could have been beneficial if HebronSoft asked if we realized the design was much bigger than we expected. That fell on our internal communications as much as anything HebronSoft could have done, though. Also, when we did get to the point where we needed to find additional funds, they really showed their flexibility, so that was good. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Have standup meetings and regular touchpoints right from the start. HebronSoft will be flexible and able to respond to that, so that would be key. Working with them was pretty seamless, so treat them like a member of your own team to get the most out of them — that’s how well they can integrate into the project.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder and owner of CJ2 Solutions LLC. We specialize in software technologies for consumers. I’m currently working on a product called Lead Me Not.

What challenge were you trying to address with HebronSoft?

I needed a development partner to architect and engineer this entire solution end-to-end, starting with mobile devices. Lead Me Not is designed to focus on or solve a particular problem. The approach we’re taking is called accountability. So, essentially, it’s accountability software.

What was the scope of their involvement?

I had a set of requirements and designs that I had already drafted and written up. I handed those off to HebronSoft, and we initiated the project with an agile approach. We broke everything down into monthly sprints. HebronSoft executed on my requirements and designs, providing technical expertise and know-how along the way.

I rely on the development team to provide guidance. At the end of every month, we have a set outcome. However, as they are developing, they send me APK files to look at and provide feedback on. I got to see incremental updates every couple of days.

What is the team composition?

I’ve been working with full-stack developers.

How did you come to work with HebronSoft?

I found them through a marketplace that connects faith-based workers with faith-based job seekers. I’m building something that has a Christian perspective and world view. I wanted to partner with an organization that could understand, believe, and get into what we are trying to develop — the values, mission, and vision.

HebronSoft had that alignment with faith and value but they also had the necessary technical chops and ability. My conversation with their CTO coupled with their background and what they represent was the perfect combination.

How much have you invested with them?

So far, I’ve invested about $21,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our ongoing project started in May 2020.

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

I’ve been very happy with the quality of work thus far. Once we start getting more testing and traction, maybe we’ll unearth more challenges and issues. For what it’s worth, the amount I’m spending is significantly less than working with an American vendor. However, quality has not been compromised at all.  

How did HebronSoft perform from a project management standpoint?

Communication is awesome. Their ability to meet deadlines is great but could be improved a little bit. It really depends on what was initially articulated based on the resources, and how those shifted.

What did you find most impressive about them?

HebronSoft is super communicative; they are in it with me every day. We have daily standups and telegram communication. They’re responsive and get back to me in a timely manner.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Our initial developer left the project and that caught me off guard. We received a new one, but I was in the mindset that it’d be the same individual for the whole project. In actuality, we agreed that I’d have a full-stack developer, but didn’t necessarily agree it would be an exact person. That change increased the timing of the project but everything still worked out.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Come to HebronSoft with a clear vision and initial plan of how you think you should execute. You don’t need every detail fleshed out; they’ll bring that to you.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder and CEO of Thriller Innovations Inc., a software development firm. We build various mobile applications. We build software that is meaningful and provides value to users.

What challenge were you trying to address with HebronSoft?

During COVID-19, working from home has been the norm and even before that, technology could be made from anywhere. Unfortunately, it’s very expensive for getting software created, built, and designed in North America and the exchange rates are very difficult to support so we outsourced it.

What was the scope of their involvement?

They developed a service provider listing service that facilitates innovation. I provide the requirements and they interpret it and find solutions.

For guidance, I provide wireframes and they design it professionally. I come with ideas, requirements, and concepts and they help with the polishing up, consultation, solutions, and development.

What is the team composition?

I work with eight people which spans from design, project and product management, architecture, frontend development, backend development, mobile development, and web development.

How did you come to work with HebronSoft?

I found them through a networking app. We looked at their website and reached out to them because they have really great talent and know what they’re doing.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent $25,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in May 2020 and the work is ongoing.

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

They work remotely and their expertise is incredible. They provide a level of support and professionalism that I was looking for. Their work has been so good that I have gone back to them for another project. Their recommendations benefit our end-users and they deliver quality development and testing and QA.  

How did HebronSoft perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re very organized and coordinated. They send out minutes and they schedule out the calls. They approach communication in a very simple and modern way through WhatsApp and online video conferencing tools. We quickly message each other through those mediums and they work in a very agile way. They’re a truly great team.

We’re on track with budget and timelines. They’re not there to focus on my business — they’re there to understand my business challenges and provide a level of consultation for the solution and how we can achieve an MVP.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re very knowledgeable about what they do. They step into the project to understand the problem and what I want to achieve. Their focus is coming up with the best approach to achieve my goals. I’m impressed with their out-of-the-box thinking, attention to detail, design skills, and overall pragmaticism.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There’s nothing to pick at, at this point. Everything is working fine and I don’t have any issues.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be as prepared as possible — that goes with meeting with any developer and company. The more prepared you are with what you want, the better estimates you will get for the project. If you have requirements, wireframes, screenshots, a clickable prototype, it can significantly expedite everything and make it a lot easier for everybody including yourself.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am a Co-Founder and Managing Partner of an electric scooter rental company.

For what projects/services did your company hire HebronSoft?

We wanted to launch a sharing service of electric scooters in our city since there are no analogs of this service there at all. And for this, we needed a company to develop Mobile iOS App, Mobile Android App, Web Admin Panel, Web Landing, MQTT broker, and API.

What were your goals for this project?

The main goal was to launch an electric scooter sharing service and for that, we were focused on building an app that could send commands to the scooters we use in our service. The main objective was to build a server to relay storage commands utilizing an MQTT system. Also, we wanted to create a user-friendly design for our mobile application for avoiding any misunderstandings by our users.

How did you select this vendor?

We were looking for local people who could help us to develop all the needed software for launching our project. HebronSoft was recommended to us by our friend as a company with a good IoT experience. And after our first meeting with them, we came up with that they could fill all our gaps and after that we started to work with them.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

We had very limited time to implement all our plans, approximately 3 months. And first, they built a whole business logic with a system that would scale with our business requirements. After that, their engineers created a Web Landing - the one-page website where the users can find information about the service. Also, they developed a web admin - a panel that contains all information about users, their status, payments statistics, ride history, etc. This admin panel also allowed us to manage the whole system: add / edit / change the status of scooters, add the allowed using area of the scooter on the map. Also, they built a mobile app for iOS and Android that communicates with and controls IoT devices. Using an MQTT system, they developed a server that relays storage commands. They created API that connects all systems with each other and with which the scooters can be controlled.

What was the team composition?

There were 7 people working on our project: one Senior Full-stack dev (Web, Mobile, App, Deployment), two Mobile Devs (Mobile), two Middle Web Devs (Web), one QA engineer, and one Designer.

Can you share any information that demonstrates the impact that this project has had on your business?

The product is live now and working thanks to HebronSoft. For one month of existence in the App Store and Google Play, our mobile application was downloaded by more than 5000 users and for us it is a success.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

HebronSoft was very professional! They followed all requirements, helped us to define roadmaps and find the right solutions specifically for us. It was very much a partnership and a highly collaborative effort between us. We use Jira for project management and sometimes we also had face-to-face meetings.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They have always been fantastic to work with. They're responsive and timely with deliverables. We communicate perfectly, we always have access to the project manager and the whole development team. And the most impressive thing about them was their ability to explain all technical things in a clear, simple language as we don't have any technical background. We are also very impressed with their performance and with their services. We highly recommend them. They are so much more than we could hope for.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, they were perfect in everything they did.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the managing partner of Tiche, a blockchain platform.

What challenge were you trying to address with Hebronsoft?

We needed someone to develop web and mobile apps for our online banking system.

What was the scope of their involvement?

We provided them with our idea and logo, and in turn, they presented us with options for different functionalities. They guided us on which features would be best for our company and for the market.  

The team proceeded to launch into app development for both web and mobile. They created graphics and designed the frontend. They then extended their blockchain knowledge to code for the backend. They’re currently providing ongoing maintenance.

What is the team composition?

Our main point of contact is Liliya (CEO, Hebronsoft). A graphic team and a development team worked on the project.

How did you come to work with Hebronsoft?

My wife knew Liliya, so we knew who to call when we needed development work.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent approximately $172,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working together in late February 2019, and our partnership is ongoing.

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

We’re currently in beta testing, but we’re very satisfied with all that they’ve done.

How did Hebronsoft perform from a project management standpoint?

They’ve been perfect. We communicate through weekly or bi-weekly conference calls via Zoom. They’re very easy to communicate with; my wife frequently serves as a translator, since she speaks Ukrainian.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Everything was well done, and the collaboration was smooth. They took charge and delivered within our timelines.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I can’t think of anything.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the executive director of a nonprofit startup called Volunteer Centre County. We provide a platform that’s designed to share information about the needs of local nonprofits with potential volunteers who are willing to donate time or goods.

What challenge were you trying to address with HebronSoft?

We needed to create our website.

What was the scope of their involvement?

HebronSoft built an interactive website from the ground up. Nonprofits sign up their organizations through the website for me to process their forms. If the organizations meet all of the legal guidelines, I approve their access. Then, the nonprofits can start to post their needs, which are monitored. Their team developed features to ensure any information's secure because we didn’t want to show any private information such as emails or phone numbers that could be hacked easily.

What is the team composition?

At first, we worked with an educational group within HebronSoft, but the project was above their heads. Now, we work with Volodymyr (Web Development Lead) and Roman (Senior Business Development).

How did you come to work with HebronSoft?

I’ve known Liliya (CEO) for years and have a connection with Ukraine. When I heard that she started her company, there was no question about going with HebronSoft.

How much have you invested with them?

We spend about $500 a month on HebronSoft’s services.

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been on a monthly retainer with HebronSoft September 2019 and their team still tweaks the site.

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

The site’s under review by a local leadership project, so we haven’t gone out and chased many nonprofits yet. We’re waiting for that project’s feedback but HebronSoft made the platform happen. If it weren’t for HebronSoft, we would have to go with a local coding firm, which isn’t cost-effective. They’re up on their communication, which is one of their good qualities.

How did HebronSoft perform from a project management standpoint?

We talk through email or JIRA posts. If there’s a big request, we have a meeting via Zoom. Their team uses JIRA to manage edits, which I like. I can access the platform and submit changes. Then, their team bids the cost of those changes. If I approve of the cost, their team makes them. There are no surprises because of their communication. When the site has an issue, they know it’s a big deal and contacts me with a timeframe for a fix. Their responsiveness is key.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I like the communication that HebronSoft provides. I also like that I can trust Liliya. It’s important to be able to trust that an outsourced team’s work will hold up to changes in technology. A web project’s always an ongoing process because technology evolves by the second. HebronSoft has my back and that trust is priceless.

Are there any areas they could improve?

We have an agreement through the retainer system. The efficiency of our engagement with HebronSoft fits me but other companies may want a big statement of work or an extensive invoice system that Silicon Valley companies provide. Given the size of my project and my trust in HebronSoft, our documentation includes my bank statements and our contract. They’re all above board.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Treat them as you want to be treated. An engagement’s a two-way street. If you want frequent and responsive communication, let that be known and reciprocate those qualities. When they need you to respond, respond to them. If you can’t respond, let them know your schedule. When someone throws you the ball, don’t let the ball site. Keep your communication good.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Flint Learning Solutions primarily creates custom content for online e-learning solutions. We also focus on classroom-based learning in compliance, sales, logistics, and leadership training. I’m one of two managing partners at the company. We own and run the business.

What challenge were you trying to address with HebronSoft?

We’ve developed a new leadership training platform that requires a software solution for our students to access course material in a simple dashboard. We’re not developers, so we reached out to them to assist us with the project.

What was the scope of their involvement?

They delivered a completely customized software solution for us. It follows our leadership training program. It’s essentially a dashboard that contains various training modules and components. There’s also a social component that enables learners to interact with their managers and discuss the training. The built-in algorithm also sends users assessments based on the training they’ve completed. It also recommends other training options based on courses they’ve taken in the past.

What is the team composition?

There are about 8–10 people working on the project in total. I communicate primarily with a project manager, but there are also designers, developers, and QA specialists assigned to the account.  

How did you come to work with HebronSoft?

My business partner met one of their owners at a conference and connected there. When we were searching for a partner, we considered a total of four companies. Two were based in Canada, one in Ukraine, and another in South America. After seeing their proposal and pitch, HebronSoft seemed like the best option. They weren’t the cheapest or most expensive, but their solutions were superior to our other options.

How much have you invested with them?

The project is going to cost about $60,000 CAD (approximately $46,000 USD). 

What is the status of this engagement?

We started the project in October 2019, and it’s ongoing. Our team expects a beta delivery in January 2020 and a final product in February 2020.

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

While we haven’t launched yet, my internal team is very happy with the work they’ve done. They’re working with constant feedback, producing prototypes that everyone is pleased with.  

How did HebronSoft perform from a project management standpoint?

We meet three times each week over Google Hangouts to connect and discuss their work. They use Jira to manage the project on their end. We have access to that account, so we can see what they’re working on at any point in time.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their project management abilities are very strong.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I can’t think of anything that needs improvement. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

You need to have a solid idea of what you want from their team. With that, they’ll be able to execute on your idea. If you have a half-baked idea, it won’t work as well. We came to them with a fully developed idea, and they were able to take it on.

Introduce your business and what you do there. 

I’m CEO of a medical device manufacturer. We've been around for 40 years, primarily serving people with medical conditions. Now we're breaking into the consumer market such as sports and the military.

What challenge were you trying to address with HebronSoft?

We needed to design a new software platform to manage our mobile apps and backend systems. The platform will allow hospitals, home health agencies, and all of our current customers to monitor patients while they’re using our devices. The mobile app is for the actual patient (or consumer) to track their progress as they use our devices.

What was the scope of their involvement? 

HebronSoft is building the platform from scratch. It's a complicated project as they’re developing a full-blown backend and the frontend. There will be a dashboard section where the clinician or the coach or military commander can log in and monitor data. I don't know the exact technologies they’re using, but they are an open source shop. 

Because there are so many user stories and paths, we actually took a year to design the platform ourselves. I have a software background so I initially thought we could build it in house. It got to be too hard so we brought on HebronSoft. We gave them our learnings, our use cases, and our personas to inform their work. 

What is the team composition?

My main contact is Liliya (CEO, HebronSoft).

How did you come to work with HebronSoft? 

They came to me through a referral from friends of mine who know the software industry. 

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent around $75,000.

What is the status of this engagement? 

Work began about five months ago and the project is ongoing.

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

HebronSoft is on track to launch the MVP a month from now. There’s actually a quietly distributed app on App Store but we haven’t told anyone. They're a great company to work with. They’re so trustworthy and they try hard. HebronSoft always over-delivers by doing more than expected. They feel like they're an extension of our team. 

How did HebronSoft perform from a project management standpoint? 

HebronSoft does a good job. We use Zoom to do video conference calls usually three times a week. They also invited me to use their project management tool but I forget its name. 

What did you find most impressive about them? 

HebronSoft’s customer service is phenomenal. They care about us as more than a client. We're not just a customer; they actually take a personal interest in our success. Liliya even introduces me to potential clients in the US even though they're based out of Ukraine. 

Are there any areas they could improve? 

As the scope's gotten bigger, the MVP is costing more than I originally thought. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers? 

Spend more time upfront building out the initial scope of work. That's really crucial. Part of the cost overrun is my fault. We came up with new ideas and the scope got bigger.