Magneto IT Solutions

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the CEO of Rockwell Trading, which teaches people how to trade stocks and options.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Magneto IT Solutions?

We wanted to create mobile and web applications to increase our customer experience.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They created several apps, including a stock scanner for finding the best stocks. Currently, we send trading signals by text message and we wanted to have another mobile app that sends push notifications instead. A third app replaces the Excel spreadsheets that our customers use to log their trades and send back and forth to us. We wanted to have a database so that they could enter the information online instead, allowing us to easily look at, manipulate, and analyze the data.

What is the team composition?

There are different teams and each team has a designated project leader. We interface with them on a weekly basis and more often if needed.

How did you come to work with Magneto IT Solutions?

They were a referral from a friend.

How much have you invested with them?

We've spent around $30,000 but I don't know the exact amount.

What is the status of this engagement?

Work began in May 2017 and we still work with them regularly.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We're receiving great feedback. The apps have around 115–120 downloads and the web application currently has 35 users. The solutions give customers the ability to find out what markets are most profitable, what days are the most profitable, and what hours of the day are most profitable. The mobile app makes it really easy for customers to see the trading signals and act on them.  

How did Magneto IT Solutions perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re very responsive. Every now and then we run into a small bug and they fix it immediately, usually within 24 hours. The team implements any request for enhanced functionality in a matter of days. We use email and Skype to communicate and they always accommodate me in my time zone.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They always deliver projects within the given time and budget. I've worked with other programmers and that never happens. Their estimates for the project were spot on; we were off by maybe 10 hours, which is nothing. They’re extremely responsive and I love working with them.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Not at this point. It's been a great experience and still is.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Just hire them. I’ve already referred them to friends and they’ve started using them.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the CEO of two companies. One specializes in outsourcing and project management for fintech, while the other manufactures components for electronic displays.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Magneto IT Solutions?

We worked with a previous vendor to develop our website, but were unsatisfied with the results, so we reached out to Magneto.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We provided most of the design elements, as well as a complex backend database, and Magneto built the website using PHP. It includes an e-commerce function that allow customers to make payments online. They also provided some design assistance and content.

What is the team composition?

They assigned a project manager and we work directly with a few developers.

How did you come to work with Magneto IT Solutions?

After our negative experience with the previous vendor, we found Magneto through an online search.

How much have you invested with them?

Between $40,000–$50,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in February 2013 and our relationship is ongoing. We're currently working on a project together.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The website they delivered satisfied our expectation, though there were issues related to a lack of testing. Overall, we are very happy.

How did Magneto IT Solutions perform from a project management standpoint?

We talk to their team on a daily basis when engaged on a project, either through email or conference calls. They also visit our office for in-person meetings. They’re highly responsive, deliver all scheduled tasks on time, and work around the clock. They’re always available if we have issues with the website, even late at night.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They have an excellent team that I hope can tackle future challenges as we take on more complex projects.

Are there any areas they could improve?

More robust testing and improved technical expertise would have guaranteed a better end product. Still, they addressed any issues immediately.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I recommend working with them.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the owner of an interactive design agency that’s been in business since 1998.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Magneto IT Solutions?

While we’re a design-centered agency, we’ve seen a growing–though inconsistent–demand for backend development. Magneto provides developers on an as-needed basis to provide backend support.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

As an interactive designer, we have a number of clients who reach out to us for web development. Rather than turn this business away, I contacted Magneto to take care of the coding. Their team produces websites quickly and efficiently.

We also help larger clients tackle unique challenges they can’t solve in-house. This typically involves short-term projects like the creation of company intranets. We provide frontend UX designs and Magneto provides the code. While I initially hired them to fill small employment gaps, I’ve given them more and more work over the years based on their success.

What is the team composition?

I worked with one project manager for several years, but he’s risen in the company and taken on different roles. I now work primarily with Love [Kshatriya, Junior PHP Developer, Magneto IT Solutions], who is very nice and a fantastic coder. I’m assigned additional developers as needed.

How did you come to work with Magneto IT Solutions?

My business was hit hard during the recession, forcing me to lay off a number of employees. I came across an email from Magneto one day and decided to take a chance. I had nothing to lose, but it ended up being the right decision.

How much have you invested with them?

Between $50,000–$60,000 annually.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in January 2009 and our relationship is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I was on the verge of closing, but working with Magneto allowed me to recreate my business around a sustainable strategy we’re still using to this day. Over time, their support has allowed me to take on additional full-time staff, helping my company grow.

I measure their success by our ability to complete a project on time and on budget. My business loses money if we fall behind, but Magneto always meets my expectations. Every client presents us with a unique challenge, but I’m confident knowing that their skilled team is there to help me find a solution.

How did Magneto IT Solutions perform from a project management standpoint?

This was my first partnership with an offshore vendor, so I had to adjust to working with a team in a radically different time zone. Still, they worked with me to develop an effective communication strategy. We speak for 30 minutes each day, either early in the morning or late at night.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Having a trustworthy team is important when working with a remote vendor. Thankfully, this is one of Magneto’s best qualities. Their friendly team goes out of their way to accomplish my goals. My requests never receive any negative pushback. They’re nice, cooperative, and everyone has a can-do attitude, which goes a long way.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I can’t think of any areas for improvement.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Working in different time zones can be difficult, but they’ll help find what works best for you. You’ll find a solution as long as you remain patient and flexible.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the managing director for an event organization called KonnectApp. The app helps organizations organize events and conferences.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Magneto?

We needed help developing our app.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They helped us create an app to help different businesses with events. We came up with the concept and they assisted with its design. They completed the whole process, from design to development, and launched the app. We worked together for a long time during the whole process, and they still support the IT side of the app.

They also helped us improve the app, added more features, and came up with solutions when we encountered issues. Sometimes they presented us with ideas.

The app was built for iOS and Android. Apple is a little high maintenance with their release requirements, so we went through that process with them. The app has a mapping feature, which can sometimes be hard to implement, and the app has chat capabilities. Users can log in, chat within the app, and upload pictures and graphics. Eventually, we’d like to add live, interactive polling. Magneto guaranteed that they will be able to implement that feature when we’re ready for it.

What is the team composition?

I worked with the main project manager and 3-4 developers. All of them were easy to work with.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent $30,000. Their pricing is really aggressive. Usually they allow 50% upfront and 50% at the delivery time, which guarantees security. Sometimes you don’t want to give all the money upfront if they can’t deliver the product. Sometimes people overpromise and underdeliver, but I liked their pricing model.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in June 2016 and the work is ongoing. The app was completed in September 2016. I originally started working with them in 2015 to build my website.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They’re the foundation of our success. They were professional, efficient, and timely with their deliveries. Working with them was a pleasurable experience, and I would recommend them to any company. The app received a lot of good feedback and reviews for its user-friendliness and navigability. They delivered what we wanted.

How did Magneto perform from a project management standpoint?

They work overtime to make sure we meet our deadlines. They’re really responsive, helpful, and collaborative about solving our problems. We used several different methods to reach them, including email, phone, WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I was impressed with their capability. Some of our projects are really complex, but they built a user-friendly app that looks nice.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They come up with helpful solutions, but they could be a bit more proactive. It would be nice if they shared their ideas, thoughts about industry trends, and more knowledge about IT. I’d like them to be more proactive with compliance. Sometimes we had to figure out Apple compliance ourselves.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

We are a creative management company based in New York City that represents independent artists in the branding, advertising, and publishing fields. Our company also provides branding and content development for consumer, beauty, fashion, and tech brands. We’ve worked with ad agencies, PR companies, magazines, and more.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Magneto IT Solutions?

We’ve worked with Magneto on projects through the years, including our own website.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted them to implement our designs while ensuring proper functionality and seamless integration on all related platforms.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

They originally had reached out to me. At that time, I was working with another group with whom I was not satisfied with.

Describe the project in detail.

Magneto helped us build the backend and frontend of our own website. They’ve also helped us with several of our clients’ websites. Currently, they manage ongoing updates and work with us on SEO.

What was the team composition?

We have a good team in place that allows us to follow a constructive path. There are one team leader and two individuals who are dedicated to daily updates for both our website and SEO.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What outcomes or results can you share that demonstrate progress and/or success?

Their SEO work is highly satisfactory, keeping us present in an industry and market that's fairly saturated. They also keep us highly ranked where needed. We are constantly changing and evolving, and the needs of the industry are also evolving as well. That means we are constantly learning and challenging ourselves, so it's great to have someone to do this with.

How effective was the project management?

Their project management and responsiveness are excellent.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

What I find most impressive is their ability to embrace any problem and provide solutions.

What tips or recommendations do you have?

It's essential to develop a long-term relationship based on trust and mutual communication, which is what we have with Magneto. I would suggest being on a retainer with them so that you can benefit from a long-term relationship. You definitely want to have a team in place that focuses on your work.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I've worked with Magneto on two projects, both for different tech startups based in New York.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Magneto?

We worked on the design and build of different mobile apps. For our first project, we had an internal frontend designer, and needed support with backend development. More recently, the team supported the entire web build and app development for our work in emerging markets.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Our most recent project was an end-to-end build, because we only had one resource available internally. We provided requirements for an on-demand site for home services. I sent them bullet points outlining the concept was and desired flow. We also showed them sites we liked in terms of design or look and feel, including color schemes. Blending these suggestions together, they did most of implementation. After giving us feedback, they built wireframes, and we collaboratively completed the design.

We intentionally phased out the different iterations of the build. We built the site like a skeleton, assessed if there was a market for our idea, and then developed multiple versions. Six months into the project, they started building an Android app for the same platform. It’s essentially like Uber for home services. If you need to hire a cleaning crew or plumber, you can enter your location and it will match you on the backend with a vetted professional for the job. After wrapping up development, we did a three-month test prior to launch. The website is still in beta, but has been up and running for about a year.

What is the team composition?

Typically, I interfaced with three resources from Magneto. A business analyst does all the requirement writing, and relays our requests to the development team. One programmer was in charge of mobile development, and coordinated that effort. A specialist in architecture and backend optimization fixed things when needed.

How did you come to work with Magneto?

We were introduced to Magneto through a marketing agency in New York. When I started our company, we needed to hire a developer because our team had shrunk significantly. My friend recommended using them, and we went forward with the engagement.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent around $30,000 on our latest project.

What is the status of this engagement?

We did our first project together four years ago. Our latest engagement started in February 2016. End to end, the project took between six and nine months, including all the iterations.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

For the most recent idea that they helped roll out, we already have thousands of recurring customers. Early on, we were frequently asked about who built the site and app. Our users really like the look and feel. It looks fresh, works well, and has very few bugs on the frontend. One of our internal product managers was actually being offered jobs under the premise that he’d led the project and built the site. In terms of satisfaction, they've consistently been good. I'd rate them in the high 90th percentile.

How did Magneto perform from a project management standpoint?

We mostly spoke through email, which I prefer to phone calls. Written communication also worked better with the time differences, since I travel a lot for work. They are good at maintaining thorough documentation, which helps us backtrack and follow through. When we need to discuss challenges, we use Skype or screen sharing. We've never had reliability issues. They delivered on time, built what we wanted, and it works well.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They're twice as good as most people I've worked with in the outsourcing space, in terms of delivery and quality of work. They were miles ahead of the competition.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They could improve their frontend and UX work. I always try to have my own designer or personally design the product. That's a weaker area of theirs, but they've significantly improved since we started working together.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Our partnership worked well because we’re both fairly structured. They will do all the documentation, and are very good at communicating. They thrive on clarity, so having a nebulous idea might make it take longer to get the right answer. Be as detailed as possible about what you want, and they will give that back to you.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm a project manager with BoerenBed. We provide glamping (glamorous camping) locations across Europe.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Magneto IT Solutions?

We had an online booking engine built by a domestic company but wanted an affordable overseas vendor to build a new iteration.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They provided us with developers. We started by taking a close look at our existing platform to determine what was salvageable. They then built our new application on an open-source framework using Yii PHP. I had specific requirements for the database, so that was built using MySQL. It’s operated in a Linux environment.

They also provided WordPress developers to upgrade our frontend.

What is the team composition?

I served as project manager and communicated directly with their developers on a daily basis.

How did you come to work with Magneto IT Solutions?

We regularly receive emails from a number of development companies. We chose a few based in India and visited their offices. Magneto stood out. We could tell there was a difference in their development strategy and they also specialized in the coding languages we were interested in.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from January 2015 to January 2017 - roughly 2 years. With the project largely complete, we plan to shift control to our in-house team.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We're a small company, and while I was functioning as a developer, working with Magneto allowed me to focus on managing the project. In the end, I’m really happy with the work they’ve done. They met all of our expectations at a reasonable price. We received four developers for the cost of a single domestic developer.

How did Magneto IT Solutions perform from a project management standpoint?

I served as project manager and coordinated the project through Jira. We used a ticketing system that allowed me to keep track of any tasks. In terms of communications, we typically used Skype during office hours and they were always quick to respond.

Because I worked directly with the developers and visited their office on occasion, we formed personal connections. I was able to contact them through phone, email, or WhatsApp if we had a technical emergency after office hours.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They got to know our business and helped create a solution to meet our needs.

While I had to carefully explain the details of the project, they gained a firm understanding of our goals over time.

Are there any areas they could improve?

It can be difficult to maintain pace in the event of turnover on their end. Having to explain the scope to a new developer slows the process, so it would be helpful if they did more to maintain a working knowledge of their clients’ projects.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Keep communication short and direct. If you’re not comfortable with their project management tool, choose your own. This will ensure you have a good overview of the project.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am an independent consultant that works with small businesses to help them transform their e-commerce offering.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Magneto IT Solutions?

A specific company, a furniture manufacturer, commissioned this particular project. They had been struggling at the time with the depletion of their sales network through the loss of dealers and resellers. We were working to reorganize their sales platform to streamline it and make their business more efficient.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We developed a business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce platform that enabled customers to place their orders directly with the manufacturer and avoid sending orders via email or fax.

A key component of the project was ensuring that the platform Magneto built was fully integrated with the client’s accounts package, which was Sage. All three of our teams worked together to fully understand the business’ processes and how to best streamline this solution integration without altering their internal systems or workflow.

Because this was a B2B platform, it was built on Magento, with a focus on account management and visibility of order tracking. Rather than having a traditional retail theme, we had to completely rebuild the user experience from scratch. We developed out a dashboard for the customer which showed them the current health of their account, the current outstanding orders, and a number of other key KPIs for both them and the internal salespeople.

Magneto worked very well with us in terms of providing the data feed that we needed to be able to give the customer the best experience possible.

What is the team composition?

My main point of contact was Amesh [Developer, Magneto IT Solutions].

How did you come to work with Magneto IT Solutions?

I first worked with them on a separate project, wherein I was helping another client put together a traditional e-commerce site on Magento. We had initially engaged a local contractor based in the UK, but they pulled out of the project halfway through. We conducted something of a desperate Google search to find a replacement, and that is how we identified Magneto IT Solutions.

How much have you invested with them?

Magneto’s element of the project was about $10,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began work on this project around September of 2017, and they delivered it within their predicted eight-week schedule. The project itself is not yet complete, but that is due to delays from a third party partner and not Magneto.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

At this stage of the project, we do not yet have substantive metrics or results, although we have been satisfied with their work. We have undertaken a lot of testing to get the integration element working with the outside third party.

The functionality of the website is exactly as specified and its usability is extremely good. In terms of the benefit the site will have for businesses, the initial feedback we have had from data-testing customers has been extremely positive.

How did Magneto IT Solutions perform from a project management standpoint?

Amesh and I speak on a daily basis, communicating primarily through Skype chat with the occasional conference call. We conduct much of our work through other tools such as Google Docs and Mockingbird. Although we are geographically separated by thousands of miles, we worked closely and efficiently throughout the process, despite the additional theoretical hurdles of both language and time.

Everything gets responded to, and I hardly ever noticed the time and location difference. We established an effective way of working together to deliver the project well within timescales. When a third party partner delayed delivering on their work, Magneto was very patient and willing to continue to work with everyone to complete the end product.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They are incredibly good value for money, and there is no compromise on quality despite the lower cost. It is very rare that a company can deliver both high quality and reasonable pricing together.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

This is generally good practice, but it is important that you establish a detailed brief and specification document at the beginning, to make sure that there is a clear understanding of what the contractors need to deliver. It is also important to establish a workable process for testing and fault management, so that everyone understands who is responsible for which elements of a project.

Magneto works very well with project management tools that allow them to keep consistent track of the above, so you need to be flexible about not depending on other, average forms of communication.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the CEO and Founder

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

A b2b marketplace connecting sellers and buyers in the market selling industrial goods. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Magneto IT Solutions to accomplish?

• Web development services

SOLUTION

How did you find Magneto IT Solutions?

Online Search

Why did you select Magneto IT Solutions over others?

Company values aligned

How many teammates from Magneto IT Solutions were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

Work includes development of the product description page, homepage and transportation allocation cost

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Quality of work. Dedication to completing the work in the correct manner. Project managment skills. 

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

They were organized and focused. 

What was your primary form of communication with Magneto IT Solutions?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

Commitment to long term vision

Are there any areas for improvement or something Magneto IT Solutions could have done differently?

Better allocation of manpower to the project. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the CEO of Geniusee

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Geniusee is a software, and product development company that helps businesses gain competitive advantages and increase ROI. Founded in 2017, the Geniusee team counts 200+ skilled professionals with a sales office in the USA and 2 engineering hubs in Poland and Ukraine. Geniusee delivered 180+ notable projects in Fintech, Edtech, and other industries. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Magneto IT Solutions to accomplish?

The primary goal was to develop a user-friendly e-commerce website that could support seamless transactions, efficient management of digital products, and an engaging customer experience.

SOLUTION

How did you find Magneto IT Solutions?

Online Search

Why did you select Magneto IT Solutions over others?

• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Magneto IT Solutions were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

Magneto IT Solutions took a comprehensive and systematic approach to the project. They started with a detailed discovery phase, gathering insights into our requirements, understanding our target audience, and analyzing competitors to recommend a platform that suited our needs.

The scope of work included:

• Designing a responsive and visually appealing e-commerce website aligned with Geniusee’s brand identity.
• Developing a secure and scalable platform with features like a dynamic product catalog, seamless checkout processes, and multi-currency support.
• Integrating with our CRM system for centralized customer data management.
• Incorporating advanced search and filtering options for easy navigation and product discovery.
• Building a detailed analytics dashboard to monitor sales performance, user behavior, and customer insights.
• Ensuring compliance with data protection regulations and implementing robust cybersecurity measures.

Magneto’s team also focused on performance optimization, ensuring that the platform was fast, responsive, and capable of handling high traffic volumes. Post-launch, they provided extensive training to our team and ongoing support to ensure smooth operations.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The e-commerce platform Magneto IT Solutions delivered has been transformative for our business. The new platform significantly improved our ability to manage and sell digital products efficiently, providing a seamless experience for both our team and our customers. The integration with our CRM has streamlined client interactions and enhanced customer relationship management.

The analytics dashboard has been a game-changer, offering actionable insights into sales trends and user behavior, which has empowered our team to make data-driven decisions. Additionally, the website’s intuitive design and user-friendly interface have received positive feedback from clients and partners.

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

Magneto IT Solutions demonstrated exceptional project management throughout the development process. They adhered to all deadlines and maintained clear and consistent communication, keeping us informed of progress at every stage. Their responsiveness to our needs and feedback was commendable—they always made us feel like a valued partner.

What was your primary form of communication with Magneto IT Solutions?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

What impressed us most about Magneto IT Solutions was their expertise in e-commerce development and their ability to tailor the solution to our unique business needs. They combined creativity with technical know-how, delivering a platform that exceeded our expectations. Their attention to detail, especially in design and user experience, stood out as a key strength.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Magneto IT Solutions could have done differently?

If there’s one area for improvement, it might be the onboarding process for some of the more advanced features of the analytics dashboard. While their training was thorough, additional interactive tutorials or step-by-step guides could have made the transition even smoother for our team.