Octaria Software Development

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

 I am the CEO of a software company 

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Custom cloud and data infrastructure solutions for organizations with complex needs.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Octaria Software Development to accomplish?

• Provide a capability that we did not possess (Product Management)
• Solve a client problem that we could not solve
• Explore potential join offerings

SOLUTION

How did you find Octaria Software Development?

In-Person Networking

Why did you select Octaria Software Development over others?

• High ratings
• Close to my geographic location
• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Referred to me
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Octaria Software Development were assigned to this project?

1 Employee

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

We brought Octaria in to save a complex disaster of a project. Multiple stakeholders, messy engineering, no time from anyone, bad code left over from the last team - the works. Octaria provided a product manager to act as air traffic control for the entire mess, managing client feature requests, balancing developer workload, and even assisting the client with project scoping, budgeting, and scheduling after their internal team broke down.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Transformative. I had tried management solution after management solution with this client and it just kept failing. Until Octaria. Their lead PM, Matthew, consistently broke through the noise and delivered results, delighting the client and our internal stakeholders alike. The communication I experienced was absolutely second-to-none - seriously the best vendor I have ever worked with.

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

Consistently above and beyond. I gave them a challenge that no one on my team had ever solved, and they figured it out. The complexity of the project required a delicate balancing act to keep everyone happy while keeping the project on time and on budget, and they pulled it off handsomely.

What was your primary form of communication with Octaria Software Development?

• In-Person Meeting
• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

They genuinely cared. About me, about the client, and most importantly of all they cared about my employees. At multiple points throughout our engagement, Matthew approached me about ways to take care of our internal people on the project, not just advocating for their rest and balance (though he did a great job with this), but also for their career advancement and personal/professional development Core values are often BS like "integrity" - with Octaria that was just assumed. 
If I had to give them a singular value that stuck out, I'd say "Ownership." They treated the entire relationship as if it was their team and their client and their product, which consistently delivered superior results.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Octaria Software Development could have done differently?

Not much. They suffer from the same inefficiencies that all boutique firms do. However, they mitigate those shortcomings better than any sub-100-person company I've ever seen, all while preserving the benefits of that small size. 
As they grow - and they will - these challenges will be overcome with increased available administrative overhead. To reiterate - I have never seen a small company with their crap together as well as Octaria does. They also need to raise their prices - the services they provide are far too valuable to be costing what they're charging.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Founder, CEO of Lokum

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

A recruiter-less solution that gives clinicians more gig-work and work-life autonomy.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Octaria Software Development to accomplish?

• Create an MVP
• Get MVP to launch
• Iterate based on customer feedback

SOLUTION

How did you find Octaria Software Development?

Referral

Why did you select Octaria Software Development over others?

• Close to my geographic location
• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Referred to me
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Octaria Software Development were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

Lokum App is a 2-sided mobile matchmaking platform that connects specialists in medicine with employers for gig-work. The scope of work with Octaria included an MVP build that would allow users on one side to connect with employers on the other side by applying for jobs. Key deliverables: 

• A web-app
• a mobile app
• an admin panel.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Launched MVP in January 2023 with over 700 user sign-ups. Users were able to sign up and register successfully. Team worked tirelessly to get us ready to launch on time. They really care!

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

Matthew was our Product Manager and he is now a friend. He took on my concerns as his own, invested in me as a Founder, and goes above and beyond to support our company. His values match the values of this team!

What was your primary form of communication with Octaria Software Development?

Email or Messaging App

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

I'm impressed with their ethics; these are great people who just want you to be successful!

Are there any areas for improvement or something Octaria Software Development could have done differently?

They are a start-up just like we are, which means there is a lot of room for flexibility, but it also means they are still learning as well. That meant ups and downs at times. However, communication and reconciliation is an area where they score 10/10

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the president of PiggyBack Cabling LLC, an infrastructure solutions business that does structured cabling, data communications security, and smart building technologies.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Octaria Marketing & Software?

We had some inefficiencies between our channel sales and our sales staff. Typically, there was a lot of data entry and overhead intensive tasks for little margin, which I wanted to automate. For that reason, I engaged Octaria.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Octaria is in the process of building a fully automated quote tool that our partners can use. We use AWS. We have a form entry on our website where our reps can enter customer information and upload PDFs. Octaria was able to take all of the manually entered data and PDFs from the sales reps and send it over through AWS. That data goes back to our estimating software, which creates a fully built estimate for us.

I have a lot of these requests, so the software is very complex and customized. The software has a lot of inputs and variables. The end goal is for the software to be able to take an input, put it through our estimating service, and then spit a quote right back out, without any need for human interaction or overhead on our end. 

What is the team composition?

We worked with one person for the most part, although there might have been two people at some point.

How did you come to work with Octaria Marketing & Software?

Essentially, I came to work with them through word-of-mouth and previous engagement. I engaged with the owner before Octaria became a company. We talked and found that we had a very similar background and understanding of things. I told the owner what I was looking to do, and he drafted the problem and a solution. We built out multiple scopes from there.

How much have you invested with them?

As of now, we’ve paid $3,500, and I will be billed $3,300 once they finish up the maintenance. In total, we’re looking at an almost $5,000 investment.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started the first scope at the end of July 2020, and we began the second scope that September. The main scope has been completed, and now Octaria is providing us with some specialized requests and fine-tuning maintenance. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

So far, I don’t have any metrics — I’m still getting that data together. However, I can say that it has absolutely saved us more time in terms of man- and brainpower than I can calculate at this point.

We’ve also gotten fantastic feedback from our partners themselves. I take their feedback to Octaria, and they make modifications to really customize the software so that everybody’s really happy. Overall, feedback has been great from our partners as well as my staff. 

How did Octaria Marketing & Software perform from a project management standpoint?

Project management couldn’t be better. Octaria was very clear and communicative on every deliverable in the scope. The scope was detailed and clearly laid out, and they provided estimated times of how long they thought each portion of the scope would take to complete. 

We maintain constant communication. Any time any feedback or issues come up, or there are changes made, Octaria is on point in making sure that it’s taken care of. The communication is fantastic.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The owner’s attention to detail is impressive — you can tell that he takes pride in what he’s doing. He does things from his perspective and wants it to work like he’s working for himself, and he puts that into his work. I can definitely see the results of his attention to detail. He wants the software to work correctly and be successful, just like we do.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No — I have nothing negative to say whatsoever.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

If you’re looking for anything digital as far as marketing and software, or you’re just looking to invest in a tool that can help your business and identify actual problems, Octaria is helpful in those situations. They analyze and help you figure out your business problems, and then they find solutions to those problems.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO at Duraquant, a fintech startup that works on loan evaluation software.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Octaria Marketing & Software?

We’re building out our MVP and going to market. Octaria Marketing & Software has been crucial in that effort.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We’ve identified a part of the market where we think there’s an efficiency in how loan buyers and banks are valuing non-performing loans. We have the industry-level experience, but not the technical.

Greg (Founder) and his team put together the technical requirements. Their team coded our software during a set project timeline. We went through different technical options to put together a working prototype.

What is the team composition?

We mainly worked with Greg.

How did you come to work with Octaria Marketing & Software?

We have a mutual acquaintance. We also interviewed a few other groups and decided that they were the best fit, given our timeline and budget.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent less than $10,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our work with Octaria Marketing & Software began in July 2020.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’re putting our ducks in the row for a launch next year. But we’re excited to see how it will be received in the market. I’m thrilled with it. I think the product will definitely make a difference in the market. Octaria Marketing & Software had the skills to make this happen.

How did Octaria Marketing & Software perform from a project management standpoint?

Greg is extremely organized and thoughtful. He always comes forwards with different plans and recommendations. The entire process has been streamlined.

All of our communication has been over phone calls and Zoom.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I was impressed with the flexibility and communication level from my short amount of time in the software world.

Many other companies wanted to start with a much larger budget, but Greg was able to taper that down for us. He ensured we had a useable project within our budget and delivered on time. I couldn’t ask for more.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don’t think so. I’m very happy.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

My advice applies broadly to any software development. Know your strengths and communicate effectively with your partner.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Founder of Small Biz Brands

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We offer a starter social media scheduling app for small business owners that lets them post in 1/2 the time for twice the results.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Octaria Software Development to accomplish?

• Debug
• Add features
• Find Product Market Fit

SOLUTION

How did you find Octaria Software Development?

Referral

Why did you select Octaria Software Development over others?

• Close to my geographic location
• Pricing fit our budget
• Referred to me

How many teammates from Octaria Software Development were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

My app has ongoing bugs. A key deliverable was eliminating these. I needed an integration with LInkedIn and this was delivered on time and correctly done. I needed to find product market fit. Through consulting and specific tactics, a solid product market fit was found.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

No more user complaints about bugs. Users successfully accessing and using the LinkIn integration from Day 1. The work Matthew did to find product market fit has only been reinforced over time. The market they identified has continued to outperform others.

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

I worked with Matthew of Octaria. He' s very knowledgable, professional, and hard working. His sincere interest in helping his clients succeed is key to the project going well. It allows him to really become part of the client team -- seeing the big picture, identifying new opportunities, and other extras you would not normally have access to. He goes above and beyond what I would expect to see in this role.

What was your primary form of communication with Octaria Software Development?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

Their knowledge, client service, and professionalism were impressive.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Octaria Software Development could have done differently?

No. 5/5 rating from me. I give them my highest recommendation.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am an executive at a vehicle management platform.

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Our company is a comprehensive vehicle management platform that integrates an interactive live vehicle ID system to seamlessly connect vehicle owners with personalized products and services, while offering features like service tracking, document storage, and a community space for vehicle enthusiasts.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Octaria Software Development to accomplish?

• Product Management

SOLUTION

How did you find Octaria Software Development?

Online Search

Why did you select Octaria Software Development over others?

• High ratings
• Close to my geographic location
• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Octaria Software Development were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

Our company's experience with Octaria in product management services was transformative and crucial in accelerating the development and launch of their MVP. Octaria stepped in at a critical time when our company's development was lagging due to a cycle of staging, testing, and fixing, compounded by continuous feature expansions. They took charge of daily scrums, efficiently managing the team's agile development process, which fostered better communication and task execution. 

Additionally, Octaria's effective handling of the Jira backlog ensured tasks were tracked and managed efficiently, breaking the cycle of delays. The strategic planning and management of the product roadmap by Octaria were instrumental in setting realistic timelines and prioritizing features, which directly contributed to the timely launch of the our app. 

Their rigorous approach to requirements gathering was essential for understanding and aligning the product with user needs, leading to a more user-centric development. Quality assurance and testing under their guidance significantly improved the app's stability and user experience. They also adeptly managed the production deployment, ensuring a smooth transition from development to a live environment. 

Furthermore, Octaria facilitated a continuous feedback loop with early users, essential for refining the app based on real-world usage. This process of gathering feedback, testing, fixing, and updating led to the evolution of the app into a fully stable and production-deployed version. 

Octaria's comprehensive approach in handling various product management duties, including project management coordination, backlog management, roadmap planning, and more, was pivotal in navigating Motorcode from a phase of stagnation to a successful launch and user acquisition.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Engaging with Octaria Software Development for product management services marked a turning point for our company. The measurable outcomes from this partnership were both clear and impactful. Firstly, the swift launch of our MVP within just a couple of months of collaboration was a critical milestone. This not only signified a breakthrough in our development cycle, which was previously mired in delays, but also marked our transition from concept to a tangible product available to users. 

The subsequent acquisition of our initial user base following the MVP launch was another key indicator of progress, reflecting the market's interest and the viability of our product. Furthermore, the process of continuously gathering feedback, testing, fixing, and updating, leading to a stable and fully production-deployed version of the app, demonstrated our ability to evolve and refine our offering effectively. 

These outcomes, from the MVP launch to user acquisition and the final stable release, were instrumental in showcasing our growth and success, and were largely attributable to the structured and efficient approach brought in by Octaria's product management expertise.

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

Working with Octaria on our company was an experience marked by exceptional project management and coordination. Octaria's team consistently demonstrated punctuality and responsiveness, which was especially evident in our regular video meetings. Their commitment to maintaining open and effective communication channels significantly contributed to the project's smooth execution. 

They were not only prompt in their responses but also attentive to our specific needs, ensuring that our feedback and requirements were adequately addressed. In terms of deliverables, Octaria was commendable in their adherence to timelines. They consistently delivered items on time, a factor that was crucial in breaking our previous cycle of delays and stagnation. Their ability to meet deadlines effectively expedited the development process, leading to the timely launch of our MVP. 

The structured approach Octaria brought to managing the project, including the handling of daily scrums, backlog management, and roadmap planning, was instrumental in keeping the project on track. Their responsiveness to our needs was particularly noteworthy. Octaria was quick to adapt to changing requirements, ensuring that the project remained aligned with our goals and vision. 

This adaptability was key in navigating the challenges of product development and in implementing the feedback received from our initial user base. Overall, Octaria's project management was a blend of punctuality, responsiveness, and adaptability, contributing significantly to the successful launch and continued development of Motorcode.

What was your primary form of communication with Octaria Software Development?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

The most impressive and unique aspect of working with Octaria was their unwavering commitment to customer support and their genuine desire for our success. Their approach went beyond mere service provision; it was characterized by a deep commitment to understanding our needs and ensuring that these were met with precision and care. This level of customer support was not just about solving problems or answering questions; it was about actively contributing to our success. 

Octaria's team showed a real passion for our project, often going above and beyond to ensure that we were not just satisfied, but that we were in a position to succeed and excel in our market. This dedication and customer-centric approach truly set Octaria apart and made a lasting impression on us.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Octaria Software Development could have done differently?

No, there weren't any areas for improvement in our experience with Octaria Software Development. We had a highly positive and successful collaboration with them and would definitely consider hiring them again for future projects. Their approach and execution met all our expectations, contributing significantly to the success of our endeavors.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the COO & Co-Founder of Voythos

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Building models to predict clinical deterioration in patients with cardiovascular disease.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Octaria Software Development to accomplish?

• Electronic health record integration with our first client
• Backend software maintenance

SOLUTION

How did you find Octaria Software Development?

Referral

Why did you select Octaria Software Development over others?

• Close to my geographic location
• Pricing fit our budget
• Good value for cost
• Referred to me

How many teammates from Octaria Software Development were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

• Complete backend API integration with our first client.
• Maintain application front end and back end.
• Help us meet HIPAA requirements.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

• completed API integration
• frontend and backend software maintenance
• product roadmap improvement

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

• Very attentive and easy to communicate with.
• They were very responsive to changing needs and requirements.
• Great technical partners.
• Met deliverables on time.

What was your primary form of communication with Octaria Software Development?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

Greg the CEO serves like a fractional CTO. He is such a valuable resource for all things related to tech and product. A resource that we really needed. He was truly a pleasure to work with.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Octaria Software Development could have done differently?

No.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the founder of a customer software automation company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Octaria Marketing & Software, and what were your goals?

Software development. The end goal was to create a novel application to leverage optical character recognition to extract important data from standardized forms and push the data into third party software.

SOLUTION

How did you select Octaria Marketing & Software and what were the deciding factors?

Personal connection. The founder's background and skillsets were perfect for the job.

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and technologies used.

Octaria designed and developed the entire solution from scratch. Leveraging existing software packages in python and the third parties REST API, we were able to deliver exactly what the customer needed.

How many people from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

3 Software Engineers.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?

The end product was capable of saving each customer hundreds of hours of work a year and subsequently hundreds of thousands of dollars in overhead.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timelines.

Re-occuring meetings were set up for syncs / touchpoints. Very clear on next steps, potential roadblocks, etc.. I wish all software teams were this high touch.

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

The quality of their solutions was impressive. Better yet, they were proactive about potential delays and were able to almost see into the future to tell us exactly how the development cycle would play out.

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

None that come to mind.