*instinctools

BACKGROUND

Please describe your organization.

I work for a Russian company called Hawk House Integration based in Moscow. We are creating an enterprise resource planning system. It is being built on .NET, the Microsoft SQL server, and Android OS.

What is your position?

I am the chief technology officer.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What business challenge were you trying to address with *instinctools?

As the CTO, I required more resources in the area of product development. I needed specialists who knew the Android OS, and we were having trouble finding someone with that level of expertise. *instinctools, however, was one of the few companies able to provide that. They were chosen because of that and because they offered the best price. In addition, their references from past clients were excellent.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their involvement.

Because we needed front-end development, we hired three people from *instinctools, one as a lead developer and two junior developers. We were using an agile development process, which emphasizes teamwork and collaboration. Consequently, our in-house team lead worked closely with the three people from *instinctools, so it was much more of a collaboration than a strictly requirements-based outsourced project.

How did you come to work with *instinctools?

The selection process was actually quite informal. I did some research and contacted about 20 companies that advertised the services that we needed. I was trying to avoid the big, well-known companies because they are much more expensive and much more bureaucratic. I was looking for a smaller, less well-known company that could still offer high-quality work.

I described our situation to the 20 companies I selected, told them that we needed three front-end developers and got a clear sense of their prices. I also talked with their previous clients. I put all this into an Excel spreadsheet, narrowed our choices down to a short list of three and then talked in more detail with those three on the phone. *instinctools was chosen because they could provide better services than the other two companies at the best price.

Could you provide a sense of the size of this initiative in financial terms?

We have spent something around $60,000 working with *instinctools.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project itself is still under way. Working with *instinctools, we made a minimum viable product, which we will finish up in-house. The entire engagement with them lasted about five months, from March to August [of 2015].

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any statistics or metrics from this engagement?

It is very hard to quantify development work. We were using parameter methodologies, so we divided our work into discrete units, and they were successful in reaching each unit's goals. In terms of quality, everyone's code has some defects, but the quality of their work was more than acceptable for us. There were no critical problems, no bugs, and no strange code. Their work was very good, and we are quite happy with it.

What distinguishes *instinctools from other providers?

There were two things. Our system is really complex, but they came to understand it quite quickly. They asked a lot of questions and, in a short amount of time – maybe three or four days at the most – they were able to get into the implementation and become useful. They started to write a code that contributed to the project almost right away. It would have been very bad for the project if it had taken them weeks to get up to speed.

Second, there were no bureaucratic delays at all. From the time we wrote the agreement – the actual contract – until they started to work was no more than a week. Onboarding time and communication issues are the two things that can make working with a distributed team very difficult. *instinctools surpassed my expectations in these areas constantly. They are the best outsourcing team I've worked with.

A couple of times, my team was working against a specific date, and we were at the office late and were working on the weekends. I was delighted to see that the three developers from *instinctools were right there with us. I can't say enough good things about them.

Is there anything *instinctools could have improved or done differently?

There were bugs in their work, but that's part of the job. It's nothing that we didn't expect. We did argue about the architecture we were building, but that's actually a plus because they were able to contribute to the vision of how we could do things better. Actually, I can't say anything negative about them. OK, they could be cheaper – maybe.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company.

We’re a software company that makes products to connect event planners and event properties so they can work better together. Our main product is venue mapper that enables hotels and other large venues to plan out their space and represent that space to clients on a digital platform.

What is your role and responsibilities, please?

I’m on the product management team, so my role is to work with customers to determine their needs, and then work with engineers to actually build it.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What was your goal for working with instinctools?

We started the relationship because we didn’t have any mobile developers on-hand, and we wanted to develop an iPad version of our venue mapper tool. So we originally engaged them last summer, on a project to take that tool and make a very stripped down view-only version of it. We then engaged with them again, in October-November last year, to begin building the more robust version of the app on the iPad. I was the product manager for the duration of that engagement.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their work.

They just built the iOS iPad app, very few of our clients work with Android.

We were on a time and materials contract, so we had a scope and a set of features that we wanted them to build. The requirements were not as defined as we would have for most new products because they were essentially tapping functionality of our current app with maybe a little bit of a different design.

Please describe the scope of their work.

For the most recent version of the product, we really got started in mid to late November, and the project wrapped up in the beginning of April.

What was your process for selecting instinctools?

I can’t really speak to that. The company started working with them about month or two before my time. I joined about a year ago.

Can you give a sense of the size of the initiative?

It was around $30,000.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the results of the project?

I’d say in terms of general performance, their output was pretty good. I think we got into some miscommunications around the time and materials contract. There were a couple issues that came up just related to integrating the app with our servers and database, and that ended up taking longer than expected, and caused the project to drag on a little longer than we would have liked. I would put the full blame on them for that, though. It was partly our fault for not being specific enough.

Do you have any stats or metrics on the project?

We initially launched the app to a small audience, and we wanted to get 100 active users. We blew past that goal. In a three week period, we got to about 110 or 120. We’ve released it more widely to all of our customers at this point, and we’re pretty excited about the metrics there. The use is growing pretty well. We’re generally pleased with it, and it’s gone past our goals in terms of adoption and performance at this point.

Is there anything unique or special about instinctools that really makes them stand out?

I think the best thing about them is that they were always willing to get the job done, whether it was working really late or taking our feedback and implementing it. Our team is pretty demanding, and they met most of our expectations. I’d say just their general work ethic and making sure that we were always happy with the end product was great.

They weren’t satisfied with just doing the bare minimum, that’s the main thing that set them apart in my mind.

Looking back on the work so far, is there any area that you think they could improve upon or something that you might do differently?

As I mentioned earlier, I think because it was a time and materials contract, when we would look at the app and do QA, we would sometimes ask for something to be changed, and they would just do it instead of saying that it was out of scope. So the project did go longer than we thought, and the costs were higher than we anticipated. Still, I think the end product that we got, for the amount of money we paid, was still a pretty good deal, and I’d still recommend them. In the future though, I think that we’ll do a fixed-cost contract to avoid that kind of miscommunication.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company.

We're  a very new startup, working out of Oslo and Berlin. We're developing a loyalty program platform, combining everyday online activities, such as shopping, watching movies, streaming music, booking vacations. 

What is your role and responsibilities, please?

Right now, I'm working as a project manager, working on smaller projects, for instance, this first one with instinctools.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What was your goal for working with instinctools?

We didn't have the time to develop a quality launching site as we're still developing the whole platform. So we wanted to outsource the development of a launching site.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their work.

They designed and developed our launching site.

Can you give a sense of the size of the initiative?

I'm pretty sure we're looking at somewhere around $50,000 right now. We've been using somewhere between one and five people from their company. I'd say they are pretty good when it comes to costs.

When was the project completed?

The collaboration started in late January with the designs, and they started developing in mid-February. We had a lot of changes coming in and we were stacking up a whole bunch of new ideas, so we ended up just scratching the whole project and starting a new one. In a sense, we are now currently finalizing our second project together. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the results of the project?

In terms of the quality of the product itself, I can't really give a proper final answer for that, since we're still wrapping it up. But we're really close now, and I can see the whole thing has shaped up as we wanted it to. Everything works as it's supposed to do, and it looks great. All in all, the look and feel is good. 

Is there anything unique or special about Instinctools that really makes them stand out?

It's been nice having the ability to communicate one on one with their developers and designers. If I have an idea or a challenge or something that I want to look into, I can always approach them and they'll research to find the answers if they don't already know it. They seem to always hit the spot.

Looking back on the work so far, is there any area that you think they could improve upon or something that you might do differently?

There is a slight language barrier sometimes. If you're not a 100% crystal clear in what you say and what you want, they might misunderstand sometimes. That's maybe the only thing that stood out. They also have a way of managing their work more through a project manager on their side, and that might slow down the process sometimes because it just adds an extra layer of lost time and communication difficulties then if you were just able to communicate directly with the developers, as I prefer to do.

We can always find the proper answer to whatever we're discussing, but sometimes that can take a day or two longer than it should have. 

What advice would you give a future client of theirs?

N/A

BACKGROUND

Please provide a description of your company. 

We are an IT [information technology] consulting firm specializing in identity management software. Headquartered in Munich, Germany, 90 percent of our customers are DAX-30 companies including Daimler, BMW, Audi, VW, Adidas, and Merck. 

What is your role at the company?

I'm a senior developer and software architect.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What was the business challenge that you were trying to address when you approached *instinctools?

We were looking to bring on some cost-effective, outside resources to assist with software project implementation. We wanted to be able to scale the development team up and down quickly while ensuring that the contractors had the necessary skills. 

What was the scope of the project, and can you describe the specific services provided?

We worked with *instinctools for a period of time around 2012 to 2014. In that time, we probably worked with anywhere from three to five software developers at a time depending on the implementation needs.

SOLUTION

What was your process for selecting them with which to work?

The most important factor in choosing to work with *instinctools is the relationship we have with the CEO. He is a person of high integrity with exceptional business and technical skills.

Can you give us a general estimate of the size of the project in dollar terms or personnel work hours?

It was between $100,000 and $200,000.

When did the project begin, and when was it completed?

We were working with *instinctools in 2012 to 2014. *instinctools developers were involved in several projects during the active development phases.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the results of the project, and are there any metrics you can share?

All of the projects, in which *instinctools developers augmented our staff were completed on time and on budget with exceptional quality.

How did they perform?

*instinctools surpassed our expectations and were in all aspects far superior to the offshore development companies we've worked with in the past.

When working with them, was there anything unique or special about them compared to other partners with which you may have worked?

Their customer service is phenomenal. *instinctools consistently went above and beyond to ensure the project's success, often going outside of the agreed scope.

Looking back on the project do you have any constructive criticism? Is there any area that they could improve or you would do differently?

It would have been nice to have more opportunities to meet with them in person.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company.

We are a Web and app development company. We do everything from client management, design, and development to ongoing client support.

What are your role and responsibilities?

I am the founder and chief executive officer.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What was your goal in working with *instinctools?

We were getting more mobile work than anything else. Our team is mostly a Web app development team. *instinctools already had the capacity for mobile work, so we partnered with them to do development on the iOS side for a couple of early projects.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their work.

They did everything after the design phase. We handled the interaction with the client, while they handled everything from getting the resources to the actual iOS development. Even though we handled the client management, they were very good in getting us reports and details when we asked for them.

What was your process for selecting Instinctools with which to work?

Their founders had an existing relationship with our chief technology officer, so we already knew about the quality of their work. As with a lot of Eastern European companies, they wanted to do work with companies in the United States. For our part, we needed quality iOS developers without having to pay the monstrous rates that developers in this country can command. I saw no difference in quality between their work and work we could get done in this country; they may be even more talented.

Can you provide a ballpark dollar figure for the size of the work that they’ve done for you?

We pay them between $30 and $50 per hour, and our projects with them have ranged from $3,500 to $30,000.

When did you start working with them and is the relationship ongoing?

We started working with them in late 2012, and we continue to work on projects with them.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Do you have any statistics or metrics to track the quality of your work with *instinctools?

From a purely development perspective, they are very strong. We recently had them do a project for one of our clients, a very large American auto manufacturer, and the client was very happy with the results.

Is there anything unique about *instinctools that really makes them stand out compared to other companies?

It’s a cost versus quality issue. They’re producing results that are comparable to U.S. quality without charging U.S. rates. That might sound simple, but to a business that’s trying to do mobile app development, that’s extremely important.

What advice would you give to their future clients?

I would recommend that whenever possible it is better to work on a specific project rather than on the basis of time and materials, since working on a project-specific basis will reduce the unknowns. I would also suggest that they begin with a specific design for a specific project. Eastern European design generally does not come up to U.S. standards, so having that nailed down at the outset will make for a much better end product.

Looking back on the work so far, is there any area that you think they could improve upon or something that you might do differently?

No. We’ve been very happy across the board. However, the relationship works much smoother when we do project-based work rather than one based on time and materials.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the co-founder of Healthmatters

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Health and wellness.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire *instinctools to accomplish?

• improve website

SOLUTION

How did you find *instinctools?

Online Search

Why did you select *instinctools over others?

Good value for cost

How many teammates from *instinctools were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

optimisation of current and development of new features.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Enhanced value for customers.

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

The items are delivered within a reasonable time, and sometimes the outcome exceeds expectations.

What was your primary form of communication with *instinctools?

Virtual Meeting

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

They team is open to requests and always willing to discuss and resolve any issues that arise.

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

We found everything satisfactory.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Product Manager of a software company.

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Software define file & object storage

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire *instinctools to accomplish?

QA for software

SOLUTION

How did you find *instinctools?

LinkedIn

Why did you select *instinctools over others?

• Pricing fit our budget
• Good value for cost

How many teammates from *instinctools were assigned to this project?

6-10 Employees

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

• Provide release and feature qualification of our 2 storage software. 
• Implement state-of-the-art QA practices.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

A significant amount of customer-impacting bugs were caught by the teams prior to release.

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

They were very autonomous, proactive, professional, and always open to help.

What was your primary form of communication with *instinctools?

Virtual Meeting

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

Technical skills

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

Nothing in mind yet