Hidden Brains InfoTech

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Director of Banfield's Professional Medical English

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

BPME creates and delivers Medical English and Occupational Health (OET) courses for healthcare professionals who need sounds professional communication skills to work in their career in English Speaking countries and settings.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Hidden Brains InfoTech to accomplish?

• Build a website with integrated learning management system and eCommerce
• Maintain and troubleshoot function issues, updates and content

SOLUTION

How did you find Hidden Brains InfoTech?

Other

Why did you select Hidden Brains InfoTech over others?

• Pricing fit our budget
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned

What was the size of Hidden Brains InfoTech’s team?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Creating a LMS-based (LearnDash) WP website with wooCommerce integration. Delivery of the initial product was largely on time (6 months). They were and remain very responsive to troubleshooting any issues that occur (hosting, mailing, WP updates, etc), as well as updating website content in a prompt manner with no extended waiting period before implementation can start.

There is a set, assigned project manager which allows for getting to know how each other operates, which makes working together more comfortable. Communication channels are open, easy, direct and fast. Very responsive, even offering ideas on how to improve functionality. It has been 2 years after the launch of the initial project and we are very satisfied to continue working with them for the foreseeable future.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

• meeting delivery date
• response time to requests
• hours billed to complete tasks
• hourly cost continuing to remain within our budget

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

• Good delivery time
• very responsive to requests
• Admirable work quality and standard

What was your primary form of communication with Hidden Brains InfoTech?

Virtual Meeting

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

• Assigned project manager
• Personal feel to service
• Builds relationship with the client
• We were impressed with their affordable hourly rate for a small business.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Hidden Brains InfoTec could have done differently?

Wish they had the feature of rollover of unused cycle hours (even part) for lower work months.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am an executive at Elite Conceptz and Solutions Ltd

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Elite Conceptz & Solutionz (E.C.S) was founded in 2009, with the primary goal of filling a void in Western Jamaica’s entertainment industry, by providing essential event elements at affordable prices. These humble beginnings lead us to our motto of “Providing affordable solutions for your Entertainment and Technology needs.” We have stayed true to our values and commitments as we have also blossomed into a myriad of products and services.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Hidden Brains InfoTech to accomplish?

• Digital Transformation
• Business Process Automation,
• Enhanced customer experience
• Improved data management
• Increase productivity

SOLUTION

How did you find Hidden Brains InfoTech?

Online Search

Why did you select Hidden Brains InfoTech over others?

• High ratings
• Great culture fit
• Company values aligned

What was the size of Hidden Brains InfoTech’s team?

15

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

• Develop a comprehensive event management platform that can handle end-to-end event management processes such as registration, ticketing, scheduling, communication, and reporting.
• Create an intuitive and user-friendly platform that simplifies the event management process and provides a seamless experience for event organizers, attendees, and sponsors.
• Develop a robust and scalable platform that can handle events of different sizes and types, ranging from small business meetings to large-scale conferences and exhibitions.
• Ensure the platform is secure and complies with industry standards and regulations to safeguard sensitive information such as attendee and sponsor data.
• Incorporate advanced features such as social media integration, live streaming, and analytics to enhance the overall user experience and provide valuable insights to event organizers.
• Build a responsive and adaptive platform that can be accessed from any device, including desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones.
• Ensure the platform is customizable, allowing event organizers to tailor the platform to meet their specific needs and requirements.
• Develop a platform that is easy to integrate with third-party tools and applications such as marketing automation platforms, customer relationship management systems, and payment gateways.
• Provide ongoing support and maintenance services to ensure the platform runs smoothly and efficiently, addressing any issues or bugs that may arise promptly.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

• Increased Number of Events
• Increased attendees & sponsors
• More revenue
• Reduce Manual processes
• Increase platform adaption
• Improve customer satisfaction

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

I must say, their project management was exceptional. From the beginning, their team had a structured approach to manage the project's various phases, including planning, execution, monitoring, and control. Their project manager ensured clear communication throughout the project, addressing any risks and issues proactively.

The team was able to deliver the project on time, which was a critical factor for us. They had a detailed project plan with deadlines for each phase, and they were flexible enough to manage any changes in scope, budget, or timelines. Throughout the project, their team was very responsive to our needs and concerns.

We had a dedicated point of contact who addressed any issues or queries promptly. They also had a support team in place to provide post-project support, which was reassuring. Overall, I was very satisfied with the software development company's project management, timely delivery, and responsiveness to our needs. I would highly recommend their services to anyone looking to build an end-to-end event management platform.

What was your primary form of communication with Hidden Brains InfoTech?

• In-Person Meeting
• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

What impressed me the most was their attention to detail and their ability to understand our specific requirements. From the very beginning, their team took the time to understand our needs and the unique challenges we faced in our industry. They then developed a custom solution that was tailored to our needs and helped us streamline our event management processes.

Their expertise in software development was evident throughout the project. They were able to integrate various technologies to create a seamless end-to-end platform that met all our requirements. Their team also provided valuable insights and suggestions that helped improve the platform's functionality and user experience.

I was also impressed by their commitment to quality and testing. They thoroughly tested the platform to ensure it was error-free and met all the functional and technical requirements. They even conducted user acceptance testing to ensure the platform met our specific needs.

Overall, Hidden Brains's ability to understand our specific requirements, attention to detail, and commitment to quality and testing were the most impressive and unique aspects of their service. I would highly recommend their services to anyone looking for a custom-built event management platform.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Hidden Brains InfoTech could have done differently?

Something we could have together planned was for them to travel to Jamaica for understanding the business processes. However, their team is so competent that they understood everything without the visit and provided a good solution to me.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the CEO of Locally Maps, LLC

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We are a marketing firm.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Hidden Brains InfoTech to accomplish?

• Enhance the user experience on our iOS and Android App.

SOLUTION

How did you find Hidden Brains InfoTech?

Online Search

Why did you select Hidden Brains InfoTech over others?

• High ratings
• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned

What was the size of Hidden Brains InfoTech’s team?

6-10 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Hidden Brains was hired to help us fix up our iOS and Android App. At the time we had limited features and a low budget for app development. Since their hire, we have added completely new layouts, both Spanish and English translations, features for both users and business owners. We have done several sprints with them since 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

There have been many projects or sprints as we call them that we have completed with the help of Hidden Brains since 2019 for the Locally Maps App. Our app is based in southern California where we advertise mobile and stationary local food vendors, so that users can easily find the best food. Since 2019, a total of 6 app updates have been launched on both the Android and iOS stores, each designed to enhance certain user experience.

These include: tracking location features for mobile vendors, push notifications, English and Spanish versions for users, cleaner looking list view, updated business profiles with links to their social media, automatic timers that let users know when businesses are open and closed, features for businesses to post deals, pictures on their menus, voting features and much more.

Our small business/start up has depended solely on Hidden Brains for the release of our new version of our app and we are extremely satisfied and proud of their work. We look forward to continue doing business with them and are already in works of our new app update. Download Locally Maps if you'd like to see their work. It's free to download.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

While not every project has been delivered on time, due to unexpected circumstances, each and every project has been completed with the help of one of their best employees, her name is Dimple. We are extremely thankful to have had her taking care of our needs throughout the projects. Her response time is quick and has accommodated our needs very well. Even now she is working to ensure that the success of our launch has been great.

What was your primary form of communication with Hidden Brains InfoTech?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

What I liked most about Hidden Brains was that they really care about making sure that we are satisfied with their work. They are passionate and professional.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Hidden Brains InfoTech could have done differently?

Well the only improvement that I can think of was due to the world pandemic, in terms of response time but I know that things got really bad during the shut down.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Director of an Energy & natural resources company

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

"A Pan-African conglomerate of companies diversified in activities, but focused on capturing the entire value chain in oil trading, shipping, storage, distribution and retailing of petroleum products. Working on complete downstream together with having Retail Stations, Logistics & Supply chain, Retail Stores, Aviation Process, Tank Farms, Throughput Process, Lubricant plans, Blending plants, Packaging & labeling, Warehouses, Truck parks, terminals operations. "

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Hidden Brains InfoTech to accomplish?

• Increase productivity
• Digital Transformation
• Risk Management
• Regulatory Compliance
• Cost reduction
• Innovation
• Enhanced customer experience
• Improved data management
• Automation

SOLUTION

How did you find Hidden Brains InfoTech?

• Online Search

Why did you select Hidden Brains InfoTech over others?

• High ratings
• Great culture fit
• Company values aligned
• Other

What was the size of Hidden Brains InfoTech’s team?

60

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Scope of work:

• Assessment of current IT infrastructure
• Assess the current IT infrastructure of the company to identify areas that need improvement and optimization.
• Development of a digital transformation roadmap: Need to develop a roadmap that outlines the steps needed to achieve digital transformation in the company.
• Identification and implementation of digital solutions: Identify and implement digital solutions that can improve the efficiency of operations, reduce costs, and enhance the customer experience. These solutions could include IoT devices, automation technologies, cloud computing, and advanced analytics.
• Integration of new technologies with existing systems: Ensure that new technologies are integrated with the company's existing systems, to ensure a seamless transition.
• Data management and analytics: Implement data management and analytics tools to help the company analyze data and gain insights that can inform business decisions.
• Training and support: Provide training and support to the company's employees to ensure that they are equipped to use the new technologies.

Key Deliverables:

• Digital transformation roadmap: Outlining the steps that were taken to achieve digital transformation, including timelines and milestones.
• Implementation plan: Specific digital solutions that were implemented and how they were integrated with the company's existing systems.
• Data management and analytics reports: Demonstrate how data was managed and analyzed to provide insights that informed business decisions.
• Customer feedback: Feedback from customers to demonstrate how the digital transformation journey has enhanced the customer experience.
• Employee feedback: Feedback from employees to demonstrate how the training and support provided by Hidden Brains has helped to ensure a smooth transition to the new technologies.

Key Modules Covered:

• Custom ERP Solution
• Sales portal
• Terminal automation system
• Procurement platform
• Accounting & finance system
• warehouse & inventory management system
• Human resource management, production planning
• asset management platform
• Logistics solution
• Smart station automation
• maintenance management system
• customer support system
• document management platform
• Smart & intelligent central dashboard.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

• 100% Terminal Automation across 5 terminals
• 70% reduction in turn-around time
• 60% improved efficiency
• 40% reduction in operations cost
• 30% increase in revenue
• 60% improved customer satisfaction
• 50% improvement to Business processes
• 700 retail stations automated

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Throughout the entire project, Hidden Brains demonstrated a high level of professionalism, attention to detail, and effective communication. In terms of delivering on time, Hidden Brains exceeded expectations. They provided a clear timeline and consistently met all milestones and deadlines. Any delays that did occur were quickly addressed and resolved in a timely manner. When it came to responding to our needs, they were always responsive and attentive.

They listened to our concerns, provided clear and concise explanations, and offered effective solutions to any issues that arose. Overall, we were extremely satisfied with the project management of Hidden Brains, their ability to deliver on time, and their responsiveness to our needs. They demonstrated a high level of expertise, professionalism, and commitment to ensuring the success of the digital transformation project. We would highly recommend them to any company seeking to undergo a similar transformation.

What was your primary form of communication with Hidden Brains InfoTech?

• In-Person Meeting
• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

what I found most impressive and unique about Hidden Brains was their ability to understand our unique business needs and tailor their solutions accordingly. They took the time to understand our existing systems and processes, and worked closely with us to identify areas that needed improvement. They then developed a custom digital transformation roadmap that was specifically designed to address our business needs and goals.

Their approach is highly collaborative, and they engage us at every stage to ensure we are aligned on objectives. They were also highly flexible and adaptable, able to pivot quickly when our needs changed or new challenges arose. What was also impressive was their ability to provide end-to-end solutions, from design to implementation to ongoing support.

They provided a comprehensive suite of digital solutions that not only addressed our immediate needs but also positioned us for future growth and success. Overall, I found their deep understanding of our business needs and their ability to provide tailored solutions to be highly impressive and unique. It set them apart from other technology consulting companies we have worked with in the past and was a key factor in the success of our digital transformation project.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Hidden Brains InfoTech could have done differently?

I have to say that we were extremely satisfied with Hidden Brains work and did not encounter any major areas for improvement. If I had to identify one area where they could have done something differently, it would be in terms of visiting our country of business early during the start which they eventually realised and started doing. That being said, this is a minor point and in no way detracts from the overall positive experience we had with Hidden Brains.

Their level of expertise, commitment to delivering results, and willingness to go above and beyond to ensure the success of the project was truly impressive. Overall, we highly recommend Hidden Brains to any business seeking a partner to help them navigate the complex world of digital transformation. Their focus on delivering tailored solutions and providing end-to-end support sets them apart from other technology consulting firms, and we are still proudly working with them.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the CEO of apronic GmbH. apronic stands for the simple acquisition of machine data to complex digital assistance systems for manufacturing in all industries: Digital manufacturing is our expertise.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Hidden Brains InfoTech, and what were your goals?

Hidden Brains was hired for developing a android app for wearOS for use in the manufacturing industries. Hidden Brains Job was to take our user stories and technical requirements and with the help of shared testing and and on the fly technical refinements, to create a reliable app.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

Hidden Brains had a very professional view onto the projects. Not just on a developer view but also on a business knowledge and project management standpoint. They introduced some project managers who had already some experience in the business we are dealing with. Which is hard to find. It´s the combination of the the professionality and and available high qualified ressources that forced us to use Hidden Brains as our partner in this project.

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

It was required to build a android app for wearOS for all the wear os watches starting with samsung brand. the app purpose is alarming. It was required to use mqtt for communication protocol. Other specific technical reqirements in terms of used libraries and technologies was part of the job of hidden brains.

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

1 Project manager, she was set in place to have the helicopter view of the project and making sure communication between us and developer is alwys fine. 1 Project lead developer - responsible choosing the technologies and understand the business logic and forward it to the: 1 developer - coding, testing

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The deliverables had a good, expected quality with a minumum ammount of bugs.

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

In the project we used microsoft teams, jira, github. Hidden Brains perfectly adapted to our tools for communication, workstrace, documentation and deployment.

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

Even if there are issues that needs some research the team was alwys able to solve the issues or to find the right solution.

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

There is alwys room for imorivements. In this case the estimates not perfectly matched the real outcome. But with hidden brains we found a gentle and fair way to deal with this.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Remuda is a company to help connect equine enthusiast of every discipline. Giving them a place to communicate and have access to a market place where they can look at horses, equipment and tack for sale. I am the owner/ founder of Remuda.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Hidden Brains InfoTech, and what were your goals?

Hidden Brains was hired to develop and code Remuda for us. Our goal is to create a user friendly and easy to use App for equine enthusiast to connect.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

Hidden Brains was selected by our team after finding them online and seeing multiple excellent reviews and the fact they specialize in what my company is focused on. My deciding factor was that they understood and had experience in the type of App I was wanting to build. Most importantly, they had great communication with us and I felt we shared the same vision for the end product.

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

We had a kickoff meeting to discuss the status of where the App was. A team was assembled that they felt fit my needs. The team went through the coding that was already developed and came up with a plan to fix the issues they had found.

The process of fixing the issues was felt with rapidly in week sprints. Once all issues were fixed the team started make adjustment to make the App fit our vision. Now we are nearing a launch and they will help manage the app post launch and add additional features.

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

A project manager has been my main point of contact along with a lead developer. While we have had multiple developers working on the project.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We have yet to launch; however, we have made great progress and made multiple fixes as we near our launch. The work that had been delivered to this point has been nothing short of great.

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

We have daily communication through Hidden Brains platform of Instaconnect. While also having weekly progress meetings. These tools have been very good to keep up on everything and in contact. The timelines have all been correct and if an issue came that pushed the timeline back I was promptly informed and updated.

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

Hidden Brains has been extremely efficient with all of the work. I am new to the technology industry and they have been very good at not only helping create a great product but educating me about the process along the way. I am extremely happy with how professional Hidden Brains has been every step of the way. They meet dead lines and what they say will be done is done.

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

I have had no issues or any thoughts on things that could have been done differently .

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the owner of a web based entertainment company that offers members an opportunity to connect and win real cash. At Might Bytes, our mission is to encourage others to give more as a vehicle to receive more. Using our internal currency, members sponsor each other with Bytes bundles and entries into our game of chance to win cash.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Hidden Brains InfoTech, and what were your goals?

After running a few contests I found delivering the prizes to the winners enjoyable and rewarding. Soon I devised a plan where I could legally offer cash prizes to company members on a web platform. I hired Hidden Brains to combine a host of web features into a unique cash giving machine.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

Over ten years ago I attended a tech network group that suggested I seek offshore development for my unique project on a tight budget. Pleased with the product and service, I have returned to Hidden Brains with my new endeavors.

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

We met to discuss goal and objectives of the project where I produced the wire frames and flow charts. The team later submitted a Functional Requirements Document that summarized the project as a whole. The development team began creating the demo site from the specifications of the document. After numerous tests and runs a final project was finalized and delivered.

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

I was first introduced to the Customer Relationship manager who was the main point of contact, who then introduced me to the project manager who set goals and timeframes to move the project along. In a few meetings I met 1 or 2 of the web developers but I could sense there were more developers working on the project.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

As our site is new, the measure of success is based on its expected functions of the site. All functions work as expected and within 2 weeks time we have attracted and retained close to 100 members.

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

We met regularly once a week for a Skype session. Due to the time difference the team was very considerate about meeting at times that were convenient to me often meaning they would meet late in the day and sometimes late nights. Aside from our regular meetings, we text daily through the Instaconnect app and if there were ever misunderstanding or confusions we would immediately switch to a call session when necessary.

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

They are dedicated to customer service and producing a quality product. After completion and delivery of the site the team still reaches me to ensure that all is well with the website.

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

I wish I was given an explicit breakdown of the feature costs as it pertained to the overall cost of the project.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am a Director of a Service Industry Business

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Hidden Brains InfoTech, and what were your goals?

To develop a CMS incorporating Mobile Apps on Android and IOS integrated into a Web management system to allow expansion to similar businesses to create a global network expansion model.

SOLUTION

How did you select Hidden Brains Infotech and what were the deciding factors?

Based on meetings via Skype and proposal offered.

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

The project outline was extremely detailed in our brief, however many modules were not built to the requirements. The technologies that were advised to be used in the contract, were changed during development without consultation.

How many resources from the Hidden Brains Infotech team worked with you, and what were their positions?

There were several developers that were very professional, however the project manager was changed several time which created issues. Poor hand over and pushy communications to complete the task due to miss management of funds.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I feel that I was manipulated to sign off of sections of the project so that more funds could be extracted. The scope of the project was clearly under quoted but rather than discuss the situation and advise more funds were required (was a fixed cost project) they cut corners and new work quotes were completely unreasonable.

The outcome is that I had to change companies and now I am paying huge money to fix the issue this incompetent company created.

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

Management were excellent while funds we available only. Communication tools work effectively.

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

Based on the mess this company left us in and the tens of thousands we have now had to find to complete the project, I find it difficult to answer this?

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

They should have taken control of the situation when they realised that the quote was not going to complete the job. They told me they would "honour" the quote, but all they did was cut corners and in one case, turn off a module so they didn't have to fix it! HB locked us into a contract for the Amazon Server and loaded the price by 100%.

HB also refused to release the code to me unless I signed a "completed project" form stating that the project was free of faults or bugs and working as intended. Pure bribery!

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We are a mobile and desktop platform that allows people to purchase items from third-party sites in the U.S. and in the U.K. through all parts of the world. We’re essentially a plugin that allows people to buy products and shop internationally. If you’re in Kenya and you want to buy something from Macy’s, you can use our plugin to complete the acquisition. I’m the founder and CEO.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Hidden Brains InfoTech?

I have some development knowledge and I knew it was possible. We reached out to Hidden Brains with the idea for people in other parts of the world to be able to acquire products using local currency, being able to manage an account and the buying system and going through a whole purchase strategy online very easily using different languages based on where they live.

We also wanted to prevent fraud by creating a fraud alert and modification system. We needed someone to create a tool that does all of that very easily, something the customer can download, install, go through, and integrate with over 200 stores globally. It was a very big challenge.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We talked with them to map out the project. We had many interview calls to collaboratively finalize the scope documents. We looked at it, reviewed it, modified it, and worked together to build that out. Once the scope document was built, we then worked on the timeline together to make sure we were all on the same page as far as deadlines and resources go. We also looked at the backend. We needed to know if this would be a Microsoft or PHP platform. We also looked at code bases together to decide on that. Then we started the project.

They would build out different modules and design concepts, and we would simultaneously test them. We worked with the design team to make sure that the flow was easy to follow. While the design team was developing the cognitive architecture, the developers were developing the backend and testing.

After the design phase was done, we did several benchmark reviews and timeline reviews and tested the product. Then we moved on to various waterfall-type tests, followed by customer tests. Finally, we launched, and since then, they’ve been helping us maintain the product.

The product is both mobile and web. They developed apps for iOS, Android, and Windows. Back then, the Windows platform on mobile was still a big thing. They also worked on the Blackberry platform for us. For the web version, they did an app for us for both PC and Mac and they’ve done web apps for us for Chrome and Safari. They’re working on Firefox right now.

They have helped with strategy and branding. They’ve been very helpful in telling us how we can improve the customer journey with the code base we are using. They’ve been able to give us very interesting information on security and how it can secure our platform.

They created the logo for our platform and came up with our color scheme. They’ve also been helping us with branding, which has been amazing. The only thing they’ve done in the marketing space is making sure our platform is SEO-friendly. We’ve taken care of the other marketing internally.

What is the team dynamic?

The team has varied. In the beginning, there were about 35-40 people working on our project because we needed developers, designers, and project managers. That number has come down to about 20. We still have a head of design, a project manager, a project manager assistant, iOS developers, an Android developer, and developers for Chrome and Safari extensions.

How did you come to work with Hidden Brains InfoTech?

I did a Google search for Indian developers. I was trying to find a developer either in India or in Russia; those were 2 areas that I knew we could get some relatively fair-priced developers. I found some I was interested in and gave them tests. Out of the 10 companies,I tested in both Russia and India, Hidden Brains came out on top.

The reason I chose them was because of the way they wrote the code and the way they initiated conversation with us and asked questions. The test was somewhat simple, to create a very quick platform, but everybody writes code differently. I looked at the way they wrote the code, the simplicity of the code, and if they documented items within the code that follow some pretty standards rules, and they did that. They went above and beyond which was very nice. They actually did the whole design layer. They asked a bunch of questions that nobody else asked, and what they ended up delivering was nothing short of really good. It was a clear winner.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent between $1.3 million and $1.4 million since we started working with them. The initial project cost $450,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in January 2014.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I don’t have any metrics. We haven’t sent surveys or anything out to users or to our staff, but Hidden Brains has been phenomenal every step of the way. We’re very happy.

We’ve won a techie award for best app. We were just announced as a Drapers finalist, which is a highly coveted app award in the U.K. We’ve received five awards so far about how good the app is. We have over 100,000 downloads and the average rating has been 4 out of 5. The feedback has been good. The app has also won awards on cognitive architecture.

How did Hidden Brains InfoTech perform from a project management standpoint?

They’ve been very good with project management. Deadlines and costs shift depending on what we’re doing. Right now, we have a certain number of resources we pay for every month. If we need to modify that and scale up or down, we can discuss it with them.

They’re very good at keeping to their timeline. The project manager is very communicative with us and keeps us in the loop on everything. We use Slack and a bug tracking system that they’ve created. They have their own proprietary bug tracking system. They test the product, and if there are any issues, they definitely get those bugs or issues taken care of and then we move on. We launch the product and then we move to the next project.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I would say their communication and their keen sense of detail. They go all out when it comes to asking questions and making sure they’re very detailed on projects and assignments. They make sure they know the ins and outs of not just what we want to be done, but why we want it done. They question if we’ve thought of doing things another way, and in doing that we’ve definitely improved our product.

They ask these mind-boggling questions that make your company and your platform a better platform, because they think things through and ask you questions before starting to build, which is rare. Most people just do what you say. They don’t come back and ask you questions and give you different insights.

Another interesting thing they do is that they conduct a lot of research into competitors. They tell us what they notice about a competitor and ask if we have thought about doing something similar but adding a certain element to it. We have those kinds of deep conversations. They’re not just a development company, they’re part of the team and they want to make us successful. You get that sense from them, which is extremely rare.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Hiring more designers in the beginning, but they took care of that. We got more designers on our team. I can’t think of anything else; we’re very happy with them.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

The business is called SimpleFund. We are a mobile fundraising technology platform that uses advertising dollars to raise money for nonprofits. We are based in Buffalo, New York and I'm the co-founder and CEO.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Hidden Brains InfoTech?

We were looking for a mobile app developer and web developer. We needed an advantage for our startup so we wanted to do overseas development to cut costs.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They built an iOS and Android application. It allows users to raise money for any US non-profit by consuming content within the application. We had a basic wireframe and general concept of what we needed.

We gave them a 20-page spec document. They came back with us with ideas on each point. They put together a proposal for us. They came up with solutions that did things that we wanted that were even better than our original ideas. They have done a ton of mobile app development so they were able to explain things better and provide better ways to do many things.

We had seven or eight SDK integrations with third-parties. That was a big part of the project and probably took the most time. They also built a back-end admin with controls and reporting functionality.

How did you come to work with Hidden Brains InfoTech?

I researched overseas development shops and picked ten that looked very experienced. I reached out to about ten total and provided a RFP. I narrowed it down to three or four companies. Hidden Brains wasn't the cheapest but also not the most expensive. They had a ton of experience in what we wanted and their price was in our budget. I felt the most comfortable with them.

How much have you invested with Hidden Brains InfoTech?

That information is confidential.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in June 2016 and we are still working with them every day. The application was launched in November 2016.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We have about 50,000 users, which isn't necessarily because of Hidden Brains but we were able to build a valuable mobile application. Users are using it on a normal basis. 

Our ratings in the various app stores are positive. They always do what we ask, which is their job.

How did Hidden Brains InfoTech perform from a project management standpoint?

They are great. There is always a communication barrier between the US and India but for the most part, they have reduced this. We use Basecamp for project management and communicate over Skype.

What did you find most impressive about Hidden Brains InfoTech?

I think they truly want to do a good job. Their reputation matters to them.

Are there any areas Hidden Brains InfoTech could improve?

It's hard to say what they can do better. Communication is always the biggest challenge when you work with an overseas partner. That is always something to work on. Besides that, I have nothing specific.