ISL (iStrategyLabs)

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We are one of the five major pro leagues in North America, and are the most elite ice hockey league in the world. I work for the league office in digital business development and digital strategy, with a focus on managing our key technology partners and our road map for emerging technologies.

What challenge were you trying to address with ISL (iStrategyLabs)?

We're building a foundation for a voice recognition platform to engage our fans.

What was the scope of their involvement?

This platform was our first product in voice recognition. They were supportive and proactive in building a multi-modal solution for Amazon Alexa devices that have companion display. The system we used was in beta, so the technology was pretty new. They created all the voice UX and provided design mockups. They examined our long-term goals and defined a phase one that was future-proof. We could launch in stages, and their work is the initial building block. We plan to leverage it and add new innovation and updates next season.

What is the team composition?

We worked with their owner and founder, and the initial scoping was completed by a sales lead. We had a dedicated project manager who acted as our primary point of contact throughout. After an initial meeting with the design and development team, we worked with a team of six or seven, led by the project management and account management teams.

How did you come to work with ISL (iStrategyLabs)?

They were recommended by one of our clubs.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project ran from July-October 2018, and we worked together throughout the season for adjustments and maintenance. That part of our interaction is ongoing.

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

This was our first foray into voice recognition, and the platform is still relatively new. Our engagement numbers still have room to grow, but it is an excellent building block for our success in this arena. They did a great job of helping us navigate through an uncharted platform.

How did ISL (iStrategyLabs) perform from a project management standpoint?

They were extremely responsive, and their project management team was dedicated. We had regularly scheduled calls and updates, and whenever an issue or request came up, they responded within the hour.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their customer focused approach and flexibility were outstanding. They were willing to adapt on the fly, and there was no hesitation to customize the project to meet our exact needs.

Are there any areas they could improve?

This is a small consideration, but their resources are locked and prevent them from scaling on demand. If we wanted to complete a project in a rushed time period, I'm not sure they have the ability to support that kind of speed at this time.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Spend time at the beginning to explain your needs. Be transparent, and they will customize a solution for you.