Multi-Programming Solutions

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We’re a business directory, and we list businesses around the world. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Multi-Programming Solutions?

I needed a stable system with a huge amount of data and a huge amount of traffic. We needed to outsource to an experienced company that could provide these services. They basically developed the whole website, and now they maintain the infrastructure. I only have to worry about the product. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We’re sort of like the Yellow Pages or some type of Yelp. We host about 40 million companies and handle 10 million users per months. Our database is between one and two terabytes. So, we use open source technology, PHP. Previously we had used MySQL, but we switched from that because it didn’t really work with the size of our database. We used MySQL in the beginning because I defined it that way, but I didn’t think we’d end up having such a big database. So, we switched to a more flexible one that can handle the amount of data and traffic we have.

Multi-Programming Solutions did the whole development from scratch. Since 2009, when I started the business, I’ve never had a problem with them. They developed the infrastructure and the backend, plus the frontend—basically the whole software, the website.

How did you come to work with Multi-Programming Solutions?

I found them on Elance.com. I was looking for a company that could provide me with outsourcing. They give me the programmers, basically. Since 2009, I’ve had the same programmers. I picked them because they were the cheapest option. I was also looking for a stable relationship that could provide me with outsourced technology engineers.

How much have you invested with Multi-Programming Solutions?

I have a monthly bill of $6,000–$7,000. Sometimes, it’s $8,000, sometimes it is up to $12,000 per month I am investing.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started in May of 2009, and the relationship is ongoing. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We have around 300,000 visitors every day, sometimes more than that. That’s a metric. We have a stable platform that has no offline time. There’s a huge amount of risk every day and a huge database that exceeds one terabyte. Our system is easily scalable, so we can double the traffic or have it increase by tenfold, and it will be okay. That’s the difference between what we had years ago and what we have now. The infrastructure has the monthly cost. If you want to have redundancy and this amount of data, it has to cost. Finding information in less than a second on that big of a database is really something. I have experience with open source and big amounts of data, so I know the constellation of the infrastructure we have today is much better. It’s not perfect, but it’s better than what you can usually do with open source.

How did Multi-Programming Solutions perform from a project management standpoint?

It’s completely remote. I visited them one time in 2010 or 2011, and since then we only communicate online. We usually don’t have any calls; we manage everything with a ticketing system called Redmine. With the ticketing system, you can manage priorities and document what has been done and what you’re going to do. That’s basically how we structure the work. It’s been working well for years. For me, it’s comfortable. The programmers have a structured work pattern.

What did you find most impressive about Multi-Programming Solutions?

I don’t have experience with other outsourcing companies. But, what’s special about them is that from the beginning, they’ve had the same prices. I outsource my content team with a different company, and they don’t have that price stability. Also, if I have a problem, it’s solved pretty quickly as well as personally. I wouldn’t work with a big company; I prefer working with Multi-Programming Solutions because they have personality.

Are there any areas Multi-Programming Solutions could improve?

I don’t know. Obviously, you can improve everything—getting it cheaper, getting it faster, getting the tickets done in less time—but it’s okay. I don’t have a big problem. Maybe we could just get to work and not have to discuss things all the time. We always find a compromise. I get good feedback from their team in terms of product development. They have their own ideas and try to improve what I have in mind.

What tips or recommendations could you share that might increase the likelihood of success with Multi-Programming Solutions?

It depends on what kind of customer you are. For a medium-sized or small company, they’re a very good solution. For big companies, I think they don’t have the structure to provide the right services, as I don't know how their internal structure is now, as I visited them many years ago in 2010, but I am confident that they are able to serve big companies and bigger projects as well. But, they have the personal treatment, which is what I like about them. They take their work seriously. If you need something, you’ll get it. If it seems difficult or impossible, they’ll still get it done somehow. If they can’t do it internally, they’ll find someone to get it done. For example, we had an infrastructure update, and it’s the best that I’ve had so far. I’ve never had a problem with the infrastructure. When we change things and put somebody else there because the admin didn’t have a lot of time, things didn’t work out like they worked before. I know their experience, and I know what they can deliver. Since I’m an engineer myself, I can provide some stuff as well, which also helps us get the right technology solutions.