HTD Health

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the chief product officer at a company that is focused on population health management within healthcare.

What challenge were you trying to address with HTD Health?

Healthcare providers use an electronic health record (EHR) system, and when you give them yet another tool, they feel overwhelmed. So, one of the ways we try to ease that burden on them is to provide our application embedded within their EHR workflows. 

To accomplish that, there’s an emerging industry tech stack standard called SMART on FHIR that is used to embed third-party applications into the EHR workflows. Our engineers weren’t familiar with it because it’s a new technology.

We already had a pretty heavy workload to get our product launched, so we consulted with HTD Health to fast forward our development efforts since they already had that expertise. We hired them to build that SMART on FHIR connectivity.

What was the scope of their involvement?

HTD Health’s role was to integrate with a number of EHRs. They built the middleware that stands between the EHRs and our system and allows us to connect to those EHRs that all support SMART on FHIR. 

Additionally, the team conducted multiple proofs of concept (POC) to ensure that we were actually able to connect.

What is the team composition?

We worked with a sales lead initially, and then we worked with two engineers once the contract was signed.

How did you come to work with HTD Health?

We found them thorough the SMART on FHIR community website where there is information about the standards. We also looked at a list of companies that worked in this area. After considering and reaching out to a number of companies, we received a few proposals and quotes. 

We felt that HTD Health was a better fit because they communicated their understanding of the technology and because of the methodology that they had put together in the proposal. It was obvious that they understood what we needed and we felt comfortable with them. 

How much have you invested with them?

We spent $40,000–$60,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working with them in August 2019, and HTD Health completed what they were contracted to do in February 2020. We’re no longer working with them, but once our engineers free up, we will likely reengage them for implementation.

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

We’re incredibly happy with their work. The fact that HTD Health has gone through and done all of the POCs has added value.

Even though the product hasn’t been implemented in a production environment, it’s had an impact in that, during the sales cycle, we are able to tell our clients that we’ve worked with their EHR vendors and are able to launch SMART on FHIR versions of our applications in their software.

How did HTD Health perform from a project management standpoint?

We communicated via Slack and the team was very responsive. We met with them at least once a week. The senior engineer led the project on a weekly basis. There was no formal project management, but the engineers worked with me and my senior application architect.

What did you find most impressive about them?

HTD Health’s knowledge of and experience with SMART on FHIR and with different EHR development environments was unique. Their previous experience with some EHRs allowed them to jump into the project quickly and accomplish their goals. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I have no suggestions. There was no aspect of the project that didn’t go well. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be dedicated to communication. Some of their developers are offshore, so the time difference can be hard to deal with sometimes. HTD Health was very responsive despite the time difference. Additionally, be open to their agile development cycle.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

My company is called Jessie.  Our platform helps users navigate to appropriate virtual care services. If they have a sinus infection and need antibiotics, we can help them find someone to connect with through a live video visit. The same thing goes for someone looking to find a licensed therapist. I’m the co-founder and CEO.

What challenge were you trying to address with HTD Health?

We had an early version of our web-based app and I got some interest from some larger investors. I know they’d be pulling up the app on their phones, and it looked clunky in a mobile version. I needed all of these customizations done within a week.

What was the scope of their involvement?

We needed them to improve the layout of the content. Basically, what appeared on the web-based app is how it looked on the mobile version, so I needed content to be rearranged.

I also had some interactive pieces that they needed to redesign. For example, if a user wants to refill a prescription, they need to scroll to the bottom of the page, but I wanted users to be able to select the prescription and then it would navigate to the appropriate vendor who could prescribe the medication. They built that all into the mobile version.

They continue to update the app and provide other services as well.

What is the team composition?

I worked with Zach (Founder & CEO), and he managed the development team.

How did you come to work with HTD Health?

We met HTD Health through an organization in New York. We did a pitch event and Zach was plugged in. They were carving out their niche in health care technology. It’s always beneficial to work with organizations  that are part of our specific area of development. We were a new company, and they were an early stage dev shop.  There was that work ethic and sense of urgency on both sides. I had a sense that it would be a good partnership and it turned out that it was.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent less than $2,500 for the first part of the project. I expect the ongoing services will be about $10,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in December 2019 and they continue to support us.  

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

Zach and his team were able to accomplish everything I needed in less than four days. We use Google Analytics to track how users are engaging with the platform. Before the project, it was very clunky, but I can tap them to make even minor changes when it comes to UX. I can see how it impacts the site because users are stay on the page longer, and we’re getting more return users They’ve been great partners. They use a trial and error process to make improvements that are affordable, but important enough to impact UX.

How did HTD Health perform from a project management standpoint?

I’m a little bit more old school, so I email them when I need help on a project. I like to put all the facts and specs together. We typically get on the call and go through it in detail and who we need to bring onto the project to execute on those pieces. Within a few days, they get it going.  

What did you find most impressive about them?

Being an early-stage company, they’re more than happy to take on the more difficult part of the project while we work on the easier things, so we can manage the budget appropriately. There are a lot of little things, like formatting content and images that take a lot of time and can be incredibly expensive. They’ve given me the flexibility to take on the piece of the project, so they can do the hard coding, and the difficult pieces of building up the platform.

Their flexibility really sets them apart. I’ve worked with smaller dev shops before, and it seems like they’re angling for a larger contract for themselves. They really understand the healthcare space, and that’s super valuable.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don’t think we any critiques right now. Time will tell as we continue to scale.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

The advice I would give any founder is to be very clear on what you’re looking for from your dev shop. If you haven’t tried to build products on your own. They probably should, so they can appreciate what an expert has to offer

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of Format Health. We provide software to clinicians and hospitals to improve the way they train resuscitation skills.

What challenge were you trying to address with HTD Health?

We needed software development and design support. We wanted to reengineer one of our platforms from the ground up.

What was the scope of their involvement?

HTD Health came on to redesign and rebuild our software. We needed a fresh UI/UX that would also match the clinical workflow of our customers. We also needed software that was device agnostic, up-to-date, and compliant with HIPAA and individual hospital security requirements. Lastly, it needed a data schema to interface with a variety of other systems.

What is the team composition?

I’m not sure how many people touched our project. My product manager oversaw the project directly.

How did you come to work with HTD Health?

They were referred to us by another partner. We interviewed a number of firms, and we found HTD Health to be the most capable in our field of healthcare. They also were really excellent at communication and focused on creating value from the start of the process. It felt they were the easiest to work with for a very complex process.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent around $100,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The partnership started in December 2018 and is ongoing.

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

We’re very pleased with the end product. HTD Health has been an excellent partner in the process. They helped our company stand out and grab the attention of the top organization in our critical field of medicine. We’ve been featured in leading publications and able to partner with the most influential organizations in our field. All that attention is directly correlated to our work with HTD Health.

How did HTD Health perform from a project management standpoint?

We communicate through phone calls, texts, emails, and Slack. They’re willing to adapt to a variety of methods that match and mirror our needs.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their commitment to doing more than what is fair stands out to me. We have places in our requirements that lack clarity around the details and responsibilities, and HTD Health always takes care of the problem. Their top priority is to deliver superior customer service and products at the end of the day. We have a high degree of trust in their team in terms of their integrity and commitment to excellence.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I’m always excited when I can take calls and make a referral for them. I’ve worked with hundreds of different vendors across a variety of industries over a decade. HTD Health stands out as one of the best companies I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with. I have no critical feedback. It’s been a stellar experience the whole way down.

Any advice for potential customers?

Their software design and development skills are only the start of the value they can create for you. They’re excellent thought partners in strategy as well. We’ve been surprised numerous times by HTD Health making a referral or suggestion in an area that’s outside their core scope of services.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I work for a mobile optometry company called 2020 On-Site. We bring mobile eye clinics with optometrists to businesses and perform exams onsite.

What challenge were you trying to address with HTD Health?

We wanted to add some new technology. Optometry has been slow in making improvements because we’re subject to HIPA laws while not having industry knowledge. They helped us with overcoming that challenge.

What was the scope of their involvement?

They created a booking system for our clients. We wanted to have our own proprietary booking system. We also implemented a new electronic healthcare records system and patient tracking. Right now, we’re doing Salesforce integration to get better reporting. They’re working on automating and optimizing systems so they don’t require duplicate work.

What is the team composition?

We have three engineers working with us.

How did you come to work with HTD Health?

Our deputy CTO had worked for them previously.

What is the status of this engagement?

They started with us in June 2019. The project is ongoing

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

They’ve been instrumental in automating and optimizing the process. It’s really helped us grow as a startup company. I really appreciate every improvement. They’re nice people and they work hard. The quality is great, even though they’re all in different locations. I couldn’t ask for a better team.

How did HTD Health perform from a project management standpoint?

We used to have a ticketing system. Now we work with a distributed system. They’re very bright, clever, and conscientious. The project management and collaboration are great.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re willing to go above and beyond to “future-proof” things. They’re real people with creativity and design skills. We have them do research on their own time because they like to invest in the project.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I wish we had the same time zone in Poland and Texas.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Just have your plan in mind. They’re happy to help you achieve your goals.

Please describe your company and your position there.

Founder at digital health startup

For what projects/services did your company hire HTD Health?

Technology strategy and Front end design

What were your goals for this project?

Help develop customized technology strategy and tool

How did you select this vendor?

Recommendation

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

Worked with our team weekly to develop and refine strategy and tool

What was the team composition?

1 Managing Partner 2 Designers

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

Project met our needs and goals

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Weekly working sessions

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They continued to work with us to make recommendations and ensure the product met our needs

Are there any areas for improvement?

A little more emphasis on communicating timeline and workplan