Octal IT Solution

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We have a website with user-generated content. Users can come and leave a review about businesses. I am the co-founder. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Octal IT?

We needed our web application to be developed from scratch.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We started off signing some white papers and moved onto developing the website. We told them what kind of website we needed and what content we wanted and then they developed it according to our needs. They worked on the frontend and backend, and it is all from OpenSource.

The website is a user-generated website where you can search for companies, review them, and give a star rating on the different scales. It’s somewhat like Clutch but for the hospitality industry. We are targeting more features and getting more detailed information about the companies. 

We'd like to test the website with our market before moving onto mobile applications. It’s almost complete, and we’re now at the stage of making enhancements and additions which is taking a little longer than the actual project did. After the website launches, Octal IT will provide one month of bug fixing and maintenance for 12 more months. After that, they provide paid services on a 40-hour minimum. Once we launch, if we need help, we may come back to them. 

What is the team dynamic? 

We have one project manager, a UX designer, a head developer, a junior developer, and testers. We have five to six people on our team. My main contact is the head developer. All information goes through him rather than going through the project manager.

How did you come to work with Octal IT?

I read reviews on developers in India on Clutch and then contacted several companies. The reason I chose Octal IT is I wanted PHP Symfony developers, which was hard to find. I contacted them through their website and they said they’d be able to provide the service that I needed. 

How much have you invested with them?

£10,000. [$13,150] 

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in April 2017 and the work is ongoing. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

My partner and I are very picky when it comes to web development because we like everything to be perfect. The main developer addressed all our needs and managed to get everything completed to perfection so far. The quality has been spot on. They managed to accomplish everything within the budget. 

How did Octal IT perform from a project management standpoint?

There’s good communication. We mainly use Skype for screen sharing and forwarding documents in lieu of emailing. I’ve been offered project management tools, but I use Skype most of the time. Their time management was perfect. Any time that I contacted them, they got back to me right away.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I was looking for Symfony PHP developers because that’s the framework I wanted to use. The other companies I contacted didn’t provide that but Octal IT could. I’ve been surprised and very satisfied with the service they provided. The price points they offer are quite reasonable and are within our budget.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They’ve done a great job. The only thing would be to have the designer more involved with the web development. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder and CEO of an e-commerce startup in Spain. We intend to provide organic and sustainable personal care products to the European market.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Octal?

We needed to develop our technology platform. Unfortunately, we’ve had two failed attempts to bring together a team of programmers, investing thousands of dollars with little to show for it. Our initial motivation for building our own dev team was the high cost of private developers in Europe and Latin America. Eventually, we decided to let go of our in-house dev department and look for resources elsewhere.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They are developing the application that we need to be able to operate. I informed Octal about the specifics through a full written briefing. Afterward, they made the quotation and presented a contract with their conditions. Once we agreed on the contract, I sent the first payment and they started working on our platform.

How did you come to work with Octal?

I did some research through Alibaba.com and wrote at least 30 companies in India and China. That’s when I found out that there is a large community of development companies in India. After I received responses via e-mail and even WhatsApp, I narrowed my choices down to three companies.

I chose Octal because of their professional image and excellent communication, which was a priority since I’d be working with developers who speak a different language and are unfamiliar with the project. I was also looking for people who could pay close attention to our needs. They responded quickly and tried to really understand my requirements.

Other companies gave more economic budgets and assured that they would deliver the desired product. However, I preferred to pay Octal’s proposed rate because it gave me the right impression.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent $10,000 –$15,000 on their services.

What is the status of this engagement?

We are already in the final phase of development. It’s a four-month project, and it should be finished next month.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Octal has fulfilled our requirements at the stipulated times. So far, we’ve been satisfied with their results and performance. If they continue to do so, they will most likely receive contracts for future projects.

How did Octal perform from a project management standpoint?  

I have no complaints about their project management, as they’ve complied with the scope and schedule proposed in the contract. We communicate in writing, checking all the details through conference calls until their team understands my needs 100%.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They provide satisfactory work on an affordable budget, which means I won’t need to go to other companies. As an executive, I always seek to generate and support professional connections. It’s a way to increase the value of my network, and my partnership with Octal is part of this.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Nothing comes to mind. They are doing well based on my experience.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the director of a web development company. We service medium to large clients and have been in business for about 20 years, specializing in web design development and custom application development.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Octal IT Solution?

We didn’t have the expertise in one particular technology stack for a custom application, so we reached out to Octal to see if they could help.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement? 

We’ve worked with Octal on two projects so far. Both websites were developed for our clients, and in both cases, we provided them with a flowchart as well as the site’s design. They would then turn around and do all of the functions behind it: the programming, database architecture, and the development of the website. They are essentially working alongside our in-house developers, doing all the development themselves, but they are reporting to us and we make sure the project is going according to schedule, meeting all milestones and deliverables.

The first website was a business to business website, and the site had quite a number of unique construction-related products. Octal basically did all of the database work, the programming, development, as well as the backend such as the admin system. For the two projects we have had so far, they are using very different technologies. If it is not normal, or standard, we will reach out to them for their expertise.

What is the team dynamic?

We work with about five or six members of their team.

How did you come to work with Octal IT Solution?

We reached out to a number of potential developers to outsource. We had a list of about ten and shortlisted five. We sent out requests for proposals to each of those firms and liked the price and services offered by Octal. We decided to try them out with a couple of projects.

What is the status of this engagement?

The partnership started in March 2017, and we have an ongoing relationship.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Both projects were completed on time and on budget. In terms of qualitative feedback, everyone has been very pleased with the work and it has passed all of our benchmark tests. They usually have a quick turnaround, and since the launch, we haven’t had any problems with their code. We intend to keep using them for work we need outsourced. Their code has been good, and we have been pleased so far.

How did Octal IT Solution perform from a project management standpoint?

We usually manage the project from our side, so we can oversee what they are doing. They have a project manager on their side, too, which has worked well. They are definitely proactive and are have good, objective eyes when looking at our flow charts to make sure that everything is in line. They are easy to deal with and are responsive. We use Teamwork.com as a project management tool, and we mostly communicate via email and Skype.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their attention to detail and communication skills are above average. Their prices are reasonable; they aren’t the cheapest around, but it is still reasonable. They are responsive and present and go the extra mile. One of the best things about them is that we are not constantly trying to hunt them down to find out what has been done.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Their project manager’s communication skills are very good; however, I would say that their programmers’ English communication, could improve.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m an entrepreneur and I'm building a marketplace app for a specific niche hobby.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Octal IT Solution?

I needed a quality, budget-friendly app development company.  

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Octal developed the iOS and Android apps from scratch. I gave them my logo and brand and they provided the design based on my input. I provided wireframes and example apps to use as references, and they gathered requirements from me and put that into the development. In terms of the colors of the app, they designed those for me. I approved each screen, and if there were any issues, I would give my input.

In the app, users are able to search listings by location. They’re using Google Maps API for that. The app is similar to other marketplace apps; users are able to upload pictures and provide descriptions of the items they want to sell with a price - Octal was able to develop this feature in an infinite scroll style like Pinterest. There are ‘following’ and ‘followers’ features in the app. Users are able to see what other users have for sale and can follow them. Every time a person you are following posts an item, you are alerted as to when it’s posted and when it sold. Users can like an item so they can follow it and comment on it. There’s also a chat function where users are able to chat with each other.

What is the team dynamic?

I communicated with the project manager initially, and then when development started, I communicated with the project manager and his senior iOS developer.

How did you come to work with Octal IT Solution?

I found them on Clutch. I reached out to multiple companies to have a conversation and see what the price ranges were. I wanted to see if the initial person would ask the right questions and would understand what I was trying to do. After reading Clutch reviews, I decided to use Octal.

How much have you invested with them?

I spent between $10,000 and $15,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

I started working with them in June 2017. They stated they are committed to installing, launching, and providing support for any issues that are under the scope of the current project.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We are currently beta testing the Android app, and the iPhone app is 90% done. I’ve tested the app and some of my close contacts have tested it as well. With app development, there are some bugs and misinterpretations. So far the quality is good, and I’m happy with the results. As it is now, I would happily launch it, and I think I would receive good feedback. Octal has delivered most of the things I requested within my budget.

How did Octal IT Solution perform from a project management standpoint?

They estimated certain hours for the project, and we have gone over time but not to the extent that I am displeased. The project has been managed well. Delays are normal to me. It’s more important to get it right. I don’t have a strict deadline, but other customers may feel differently.

I suggested we use Trello and Excel because it worked for this project. They mentioned they have a project management tool, but we never used it. They are pretty responsive. We have an understood workflow. Our time zones cross for three or four hours a day so I communicate with them through Skype during those times.

What did you find most impressive about them?

This is the first time I’ve developed something, so I don’t have anything to compare them to. As far as doing my research and hearing what it’s like to develop apps, it’s what I expected. I’m happy enough to continue to have them develop enhancements after launching the apps.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Sometimes they misinterpret items that I ask for them to do. If they’re working while I’m sleeping, they can’t ask me questions, so I have to communicate later what I meant for them to do. We eventually come to an understanding.

Do you have any advice for potential clients?

I recommend they pay attention to every detail before approving certain designs. Octal will implement those details.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of a business establishment in information technology.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Octal IT Solution?

I was looking for a company to develop a mobile application at a cost I could afford.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

In the agreement I signed with Octal, they clearly stated their process, their plan to execute the project, and the phases we would go through. We also agreed on the milestones and payments. After that, they introduced me to their team and team leader, and we conducted an introductory meeting via video conference with their key personnel. Then, they gave me an application to fill out to show them what ideas I had in regard to the logo and other details. Next, they developed the screens for the app, and we went through different versions of that. I then gave them my comments, and they started to develop the screens. We moved through the agreed development stages until they finally published the app on the market.

The main purpose of the app is to allow users to either receive or provide services through the app’s platform. The services vary including engineering services, construction services, and other related services that can be managed by an administrator. Services can be added or removed, and the types of services also are expandable so I can add services like car maintenance. Any service can be added to the app.

For example, a user can sign in to the app, fill out a form, and submit a request indicating that he is seeking engineering services. Once the request is submitted, it will be available in the market within the app, and the service providers who can provide engineering services are able to place a bid on that request. Their bid will be sent to the service requester. The service requester will see all of the bids, and they will choose the best bid through the app.

Octal built the apps for iOS and Android, and they are native applications. They also helped me launch the app in the App Store.

My agreement with Octal also included the development of a promotional website to show how my app functions for marketing purposes. The promotional website links to the app’s page in the App Store in case users want to see the developer’s website.

How did you come to work with Octal IT Solution?

Before finding Octal, I sought and received quotes from both the local and international markets. Octal was one of the companies that I reached out to, and I chose them and signed a contract with them after some negotiation. The challenge for me was finding a sophisticated company that had the mobile app development knowledge and charged a fair price. I found Octal online, either through Clutch.co or another website. I found them among the top companies that provide mobile app development services. I approached them through their website.

What is the status of this engagement?

I started working with them in January or February 2017, and I’m still working with them. They are currently working to fix bugs in the app; I think we are still in the two-month warranty period.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I haven't promoted the app or done the necessary marketing so that the public knows about the app and can download it. I did share it with my friends, acquaintances, and family members, and they have good impressions of the app. Some people say the colors are perfect, while others say the colors would be better if they were different. Some say the user interface is perfect and others say it’s not. I think it’s a fair design and it serves the purpose. Yes, it can be improved, but I think that should be done after getting real customer feedback, which I haven't received yet.

How did Octal IT Solution perform from a project management standpoint?

Octal’s project management is perfect. I usually speak with their project manager. Whenever I reach out to them, they answer, they respond, and they are willing to conduct videoconferences and teleconferences.

In the beginning, they introduced me to a project management tool to see the development of the project. I don't have a lot of time use a different tool to manage the project, so I relied on the daily or weekly follow-ups with them through videoconference or teleconference.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They are reachable, and I feel comfortable reaching out to them. Even after I signed our agreement, if I thought something needed clarification, they were willing to change the wording of any product or the agreement in a way that would be mutually accepted by both of us. They also were willing to negotiate the terms within the contract. That gave me more confidence in proceeding to work with them.

Also, throughout the design phase, Octal never showed any discomfort when I sent my comments to them asking for improvements or changes. They wanted me to provide them with as much commentary as I could, whereas other companies may not be as welcoming to new comments or change requests. Octal is focusing on building long-term relationships with their customers.

Octal asked me if they could share my contact information with their potential customers, and if I would talk to those customers and give them my feedback. The potential customer may or may not continue to do business with Octal based on my feedback, but Octal was still comfortable doing that. That shows their level of transparency and professionalism.

Are there any areas they could improve?

We’re doing business internationally, and it’s always challenging to do business with a company without having that face-to-face interaction. For example, sometimes when I send them comments, they might misunderstand them. Sometimes I had to explain the comments more than once for them to understand them. These situations can happen in any business process, especially in engineering or design. I’m not sure how to improve that, but maybe they can think of ways to improve that communication.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there. 

I’m an entrepreneur and founder of Tourixt.com, a map-based tour and travel guide application for Europeans and North Americans traveling to the Middle East.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Octal IT Solution?

We wanted to build an iOS and Android compatible application to provide substantial information in one place to tourists traveling to Tehran.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

I defined the requirements, pages, and branches for the product, including suggestions for the interface and wireframe creation. Octal made some modifications, then implemented the programming and CMS [content management system] for us. The platform they designed will be used for other cities as well.

It’s a native application that has two sections: a map and content. There are numerous tourist attractions arranged into categories and subcategories that each have content, audio, and photos. The locations can also be located on a map where users can select a zone to see what kinds of attractions are available in that area.  It’s a GPS-based map which shows the user’s current location, so it works more efficiently when connected to the internet. However, it’s still available to the user if they’re offline.

Although Octal has helped, our internal marketing and graphics team has been responsible for 90% of the graphics, branding, and social media involved. I personally did the marketing and strategy for this particular application.

How did you come to work with Octal IT Solution?

I searched on Clutch.co and found 50 companies with my regional request. I provided the 20 companies that contacted me with more information on the project, then they each gave me a quote. I chose five companies based on price, location, and previous work. I then conducted phone interviews where they provided project details, including timelines and code. I decided to go with Octal, and I’ve since been happy with our relationship.

How much have you invested with them?

We have spent between $10,000–$50,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in February 2017, and the project is ongoing. We finished the application in February, but since we had in-app purchases, the App Store asked us to add registration. This took about a month and a half to develop, and we’re now moving on to maintenance and adding features. We have a plan set out for the next year that includes different goals every three months.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I don’t want to go to market until we’re 95% finished because I don’t want negative feedback on an incomplete product. However, our application has somehow been downloaded by 2,000 users in China. Although we haven’t received any negative feedback from them, we’re waiting until we release the product in Europe and North America before we obtain metrics.

We haven’t done any marketing, and we're planning for a public release in October 2017.

How did Octal IT Solution perform from a project management standpoint?

I’d rate them within the top five of the many companies I've worked with in the past 20 years because they have exceeded my expectations. They’re as good as it gets when it comes to choosing an outsourced company. We use Skype, email, and Google Drive to share documents. I also traveled to India to spend time with their team.

They have a project manager who has a technical background, and they were involved from the very beginning.  

I interviewed two companies in Poland, one in Ukraine, and two in India. I have confidence that project management in these other companies wouldn’t be better than what Octal has provided.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I haven’t worked with any other app development companies, so I can’t really make comparisons. However, I have confidence in their programming capabilities. Octal is very flexible when it comes to minor requests, and they find solutions without complaining. They are very ethical and cooperative, and if I have another project, I’d work with them again.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I provided them with feedback that they should implement within their project management. As a former project manager, I believe constant communication with engineers is vital. Octal could improve on how often they report project statuses, but this issue isn’t specific to them.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Our business is barbacoa.pro and we sell Kamado grills. I'm CEO of the company along with my partner.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Octal IT Solution?

We want to give our customers who buy Kamado grills an app to put their recipes in. We’re hoping that it gives us more marketing.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

I researched and collected a list of existing apps that I liked. I shared my ideas as well as the findings from my research with Octal IT Solution. For example, my app is a mixture of the Big Green Egg app and a product we use in our supermarket; I told them the features that I liked and wanted to include in my app, and they listened and understood. Together, we decided how the app would look and function. I also provided our logo for them to include in the app.

They created the app from scratch to contain recipes, categorizing foods by their region of origin and subcategorizing by the type of food. It allows users to input their own recipes and tips, and I am working on uploading recipes and tips to share as well.

Each time they delivered part of the app, I tested and approved it and let them know if I wanted to change anything. We did this for about half a year now, and now it's finished. They built the app for both iOS and Android and launched it in the app stores.

By using the app and asking other people to use it, I am finding things that need to be changed, so I'm still in contact. They make changes for me to make it more user-friendly.

What is the team dynamic?

I have been working with Anjani, and sometimes Naveen steps in.

How did you come to work with Octal IT Solution?

It all started with a joke. I thought I would like to have an app. We started to look for app builders here in Holland, but they were expensive. We then found Octal on the Internet, and we noticed that they have several offices, one of which is in Singapore. My husband planned to go to Thailand and to China, so he made an appointment with them in Singapore and he decided to work with them.

How much have you invested with them?

We've spent about €8,000 with them.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them late January 2017, and we're still working with them. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

My testers say it looks good and works really well. We have small issues sometimes, but I just send them an email and they solve the problem within five minutes. They stayed within the budget. The project was supposed to be done sooner, but I came up with new ideas along the way and I wanted some things to be changed so it took about five months instead of three, but it’s good.

How did Octal IT Solution perform from a project management standpoint?

They did great; no problem at all. We communicated by email or Skype, but I understand them better when they use email because of their accents, so we used mostly email. We don't use a project management system, but they sent me an update at the end of every month.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I have been meeting people that do the same work here in Holland and Spain. My husband went to Singapore and he talked to them, felt comfortable with them, and they listened to what our wishes were. Here in Holland, when I tell them these are my wishes, people would always try to direct me in another way. Octal never did that. They said our ideas look great, and they understood where we were going, so they made it for us.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am a private consultant working with clients in the US. I provide solutions for infrastructure setups.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Octal IT?

After getting a solution approved, I usually outsource the development in accordance with the client’s wishes. Most of my work is done in partnership with Octal IT. However, I do not use other parties when all the work has to be done on-site.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Octal IT is a web and mobile development company that provides complete bundled solutions. They provide PHP, .NET, and native mobile development using Java and Swift. The technology depends on the client’s local infrastructure. Octal IT also has a dedicated team that provides design and marketing services when required. The marketing team can handle search engine optimization, search engine marketing, and other activities for promoting websites or brands online. They handle blog submissions, writing articles, and so on.

Our current project involves data management for a client who provides delivery services to buyers from different stores. They didn’t have any kind of management capabilities to track sent items and truck locations. We built a system that provided tracking information and paths. It uses historical data, geocaching, weather forecasting, and other factors to assess the correct delivery times.

How did you come to work with Octal IT?

I looked for a coding company on freelancing websites like Upwork and Elance. When I asked Octal IT to work on a small module for me, I got more than what I expected. There was an added value, which I liked. Since then, I started to give Octal IT bigger assignments.

How much have you invested with Octal IT?

The cost of Octal IT’s work on the current project has been around $75,000. I have a strong feeling that the figure will extend further. After the actual development starts, we often find that the scope was not captured correctly. We keep adding more features to projects but have agreed to separate those into a second phase.

What is the status of this engagement?

The current project started around six months ago, and it is still ongoing. I have preferred to keep Octal IT as a partner.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I am very satisfied with Octal IT, and we have a good rapport. Whenever I give Octal IT a set of requirements, they can understand what I want.

How did Octal IT perform from a project management standpoint?

Timelines could be improved, but I’m not sure that I can hold this against Octal IT. No one can estimate exact timelines when planning a project since we won’t know how different technologies will perform.

Are there any areas Octal IT could improve?

Octal IT could take extra time on estimations, rather than on the delivery itself. While Octal IT is good at delivering code, I have noticed a gap at times. That’s probably because they come from a different culture and mindset. We have different approaches here in the US compared to India. However, that gap grows smaller as we collaborate on more projects. Octal IT is getting used to our culture and mindset. Apart from this, everything is good. I’m happy with them.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I co-founded a startup company with a partner and a couple of other people that is to be an online marketplace for craft goods. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Octal Info Solution?

I had a concept that I had been toying with for a number of years. Knowing that I did not have the technical savvy to create my own site beyond the standard Weebly-type site, I needed to engage somebody. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Octal Info did a little bit of designing and consulting. Early in the conversation, there was consulting involved and refining of my business model. I don’t think that was my direct intent, but as I talked through some of my concepts and scenarios, I was given guidance based on what they’ve seen in the market and from other marketplace sites in relation to my needs, as well as some features that I couldn’t bypass and some that I could live without. It was not a formal paid consultation—more like a business partnership as they walked through the pre-development planning.

They did have a designer on my project, which included the full website design concept. I do have an in-house designer who I use for marketing content as well as logo creation and those sort of things. They provided a designer for the project that really built the look of the website. It was a fully custom site.

How did you come to work with Octal Info Solution?

In a perfect scenario, I would’ve brought a developer onto my team as co-owner and work through it that way, but the market doesn’t have that kind of talent in my local network and market. I started looking around and saw some positive reviews for a few companies, including Octal Info.

So, I put out a bid for my concept to probably three or four domestic US companies, some companies in Eastern Europe, and a couple of companies in India.

From the beginning, Octal Info stood out as an excellent option.  It came down to their level of expertise and professionalism. Certainly, their price point was very competitive in the market; it may not have been the lowest quote that I received, but it was very competitive in comparison to some domestic bids.

The biggest hurdle they overcame was that I never thought I would’ve have gone with a company based in India. I’m not a world traveler, nor do I have a ton of experience with international dealings, so there was a concern on my side with sending thousands of dollars to somebody in another country from just an email. But, after doing some research and looking at reviews online, my comfort grew.

Again, the biggest selling point for me was their professionalism and the knowledge that they exuded throughout the process. I ended up using their proposal for internal use, including investor pitches. They were able to capture my thoughts better than I was.

How much have you invested with Octal Info Solution?

The original project, before I go through the second iteration of changes, hasn’t gone to market yet. It’s still kind of in the beta internal mode. Once that goes live, I will have probably $9,000 in total cost from them, which at this point feels almost unfair. They certainly provided me more than in value that based on the timeline of this project, but I think that’s where I’m at financially with them.

What is the status of this engagement?

The timeline was very drawn out. I think the original proposal was a 6- to 10-week development schedule or somewhere in that realm, which included the case study design, actual website design, and full development. Due to my current position, I was not as available as I needed to be in order to meet that timeline, particularly from a testing perspective when I wanted to confirm with the site. The actual timeline dragged out probably close to a year by the time it wrapped and went live on the web.

The project concluded in March of last year, and they delivered code fully complete for testing somewhere in February of this year. They continue to work with me through the hosting setup as well as server configuration. I’ve actually had to upgrade my hosting options a couple of times because of the resource requirements of the website, so they helped me through that as well. They’re still on board with me as a tech consultant as well as a support provider. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Their work has been good. While they’re good at extrapolating my concept and ideas, I’ve not necessarily given them the full picture from the beginning. Some of the iterations took a while to get through, and I maintain that while they got some use cases for me, they kind of just went and built it. I expected more of a “here a fork in the road, which decision do you want to make?” process. They made a lot of those decisions based on their experience. I think that we ended with a good site, but it took an iteration process to get to where I wanted it to be.

As far as the reception from a user perspective, I haven’t gone to market, but I have rolled the site out to some users and it’s been received well. The clean design and the key features are pretty solid. The team internally loved it, so we’re very happy with the product that Octal Info delivered. I don’t have any metrics yet.

What did you find most impressive about Octal Info Solution?

I think the biggest thing is their willingness to work with you. I’m not a tech wizard. I certainly don’t consider myself tech illiterate, but when it comes to coding and even our server setup and that sort of thing, they have been a ton of help. They’ve gone above and beyond, which has been the biggest benefit for me. They’re a very good company as far as sticking with you. They value a long-term relationship and hope that the success of my business drives success for them.

Are there any areas Octal Info Solution could improve?

I think that they need a clear vision—a real definition of exactly what the project needs to be. Since they’re across the world, there’s not a lot of opportunity for immediate back and forth discussions, so decisions were made a little more quickly on their side than I would’ve expected. I don’t know if that’s necessarily a bad thing, but it took us down a few rabbit holes at several points throughout the project. I’m not sure how that could be improved without increasing time and cost.

What tips or recommendations could you share that might increase the likelihood of success with Octal Info Solution?

Make sure that you have somebody on your team who can ask the right questions. When presented with technical jargon that I’m not savvy to, it would’ve been good to know the implications up front. For example, when it comes to hosting, a site built with MS Sequel kind of limits my options for selecting a hosting provider and creates some conflicts from an ongoing maintenance perspective. While there are probably counterbalancing benefits, it’s stuff that I don’t know.

So, even if they’re not going to develop it, having a resource internally that you could trust and speak to about some of the technical jargon would be helpful. I think it would’ve increased my comfort in working with any company.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We are developing a media database of journalists and institutions. The information is used by our clients for press releases, articles and so on. I am the testing manager of the company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Octal Info Solution?

I have been the main tester for our product, aside from a few other resources which never lasted. We've had quite a problem on this front, which is where Octal Info Solution came in.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Octal Info Solution provided a testing team for our platform.

How did you come to work with Octal Info Solution?

Our head of IT had worked with Octal Info Solution in the past and recommended them.

How much have you invested with Octal Info Solutions?

I am not privy to financial information. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with Octal Info Solution 4-5 months ago, and have no plans to stop the collaboration.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I used to be the only resource in charge of testing, which amounted to a lot of pressure. Octal Info Solution came in and performed very well in terms of maintaining our time scale and work quality. 

How did Octal Info Solution perform from a project management standpoint?

As long as we provide proper demos of what is being tested, they will get on it straight away.

What did you find most impressive about Octal Info Solution?

Octal Info Solution has been outstanding in helping us with our testing. We wouldn't have had the same success with our past releases without Octal Info Solution's help.

Are there any areas Octal Info Solution could improve?

What Octal Info Solution is doing at the moment is very good, so we don't need any changes.

What tips or recommendations could you share that might increase the likelihood of success with Octal Info Solution?

Octal Info Solution should be given the right understanding around the project.