Parallax Engineering

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of a medical distribution company called SPRE or Specialized Performance and Rehab Equipment.

What challenge were you trying to address with Parallax Engineering?

We needed a software built for one of our new products, which Parallax Engineering is helping develop.

What was the scope of their involvement?

We have a machine that could be used to fight osteoporosis by measuring loads on the body. It has ancillary hardware that deciphers what the load sensors read and sends that data to the CPU. There, the data is organized and turned into a visualization of the current loads on a user’s body. 

The CPU also calculates a workout based on a user’s target load for each body part. A user will do a test prior to working out to see how strong they are, and the machine will automatically adapt the weights for an optimal workout. It then spits out a rolling progress report based on these actions.

We started off with a rough sketch and outline of the software that could go with our machine. Parallax Engineering then moved into the integration of different hardware components and built a UI that could communicate properly with them. We got into setting up real-time visual feedback and progress reports of the treatment being provided to patients. 

The last thing we have recently scheduled is to network and look into virtual payment solutions.

What is the team composition?

We interface with Alex (Senior Software Engineer) but has other people working on this project.

How did you come to work with Parallax Engineering?

I found them through a reviews site similar to Clutch and reached out to them via Linkedin. 

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent around $30,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been working with Parallax Engineering for over a year, since June 2019. They’ve completed the bulk of the work but we’re retaining them for any other updates that we might need. 

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

We did six phases in total, with the seventh one in the works, and for each one, Parallax Engineering has delivered what they were supposed to in a timely manner. During the fifth phase, the coding would sometimes interrupt the fourth phase, so we’d have to go back. They were able to fix the issues really quickly. 

How did Parallax Engineering perform from a project management standpoint?

We’re using Google Sheets to be able to make and see changes in real-time. For each phase, there were probably around 10 light items that needed to be done, so I would simply color-code a cell on the spreadsheet to denote if an item is a ‘problem’, ‘open’, or ‘solved’. This makes it easy to see what has been completed. We would also track progress by inputting dates and updates on the spreadsheet. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Parallax Engineering had the ability to understand my questions surrounding, for example, peripheral devices being tapped into a computer or building a UI around that computer. Other people I used to work with often didn’t get my questions, perhaps due to them being inexperienced. Parallax Engineering, however, was able to grasp something that wasn’t super complex, but not exactly simple either. 

Our project involves multiple components being put together from scratch, and they delivered just as they said they would.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Not at all. It is a learning experience.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

If you’re planning to have a full-blown development that merges hardware and software, prepare a timeline and a spreadsheet to go off of. This is especially useful in the time of COVID-19, where everyone is working remotely.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I started a company called Odyssey Espresso last year, and what we do is design and manufacture espresso machines to hit that mid-market value.

What challenge were you trying to address with Parallax Engineering?

I’m a mechanical engineer so I was able to do all the mechanical engineering design fabrication of the espresso machine, but I’m not as proficient in electrical design. That’s why I brought in Parallax Engineering to do the build the design of the circuit board.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Parallax Engineering is helping us develop a production-based board. At the start of the project, I gave them the requirements that I needed for a heating element, and certain types of switches and controls. I was able to give them the information they needed, as well as the space requirements, to design a board for me.

We then worked on three separate stages of the program. The first one started all the way back in 2019, where they gave me a rough prototype just to get it working. We went back to the drawing board after that, and they stepped up to the next stage where they delivered a custom-printed circuit board for another prototype. At the start of this year, I contacted them to do a production-based board, which they’re still working on right now. 

We hired them to basically work on the electronic side of the project, and they’ve been delivering the hardware. They basically design the board, which then gets sent to a manufacturer to actually print the board and make it. They have been super flexible in terms of providing me with what I need.

What is the team composition?

I only work with one person directly, and that is Alex (Founder). He may have another person working on some of the manufacturers of the prototypes they’re developing, but all the interface has just been with Alex.

How did you come to work with Parallax Engineering?

I actually went to college with Alex. He was actually the first person I thought of to fill this need I had. I reached out to him, got some information, and we were able to work through it pretty easily.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent anywhere from $3,500–$4,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in July 2019, and it’s still ongoing.

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

I’m actually the only one interfacing with their work, so I’ve been doing a bunch of testing with the actual machines we’ve been building. The quality of their work has been great — the boards turn out fantastically, and we haven’t had any issues with them so far. I pay for all the costs and all the work of getting it sourced out and I haven’t had any problems with getting quotes or getting the boards made.

The quality of the design has been just fine, and in terms of the functionality, it’s been great. We’ve run into some issues which are expected on some prototypes, but we’ve been able to work through each iteration. I think the upcoming final review of the production board will be pretty spot on.

How did Parallax Engineering perform from a project management standpoint?

Most of the communication is done through email, and occasionally, through text or some other source. During the early stages, communication was done frequently as we went over the needs and deliverables I was expecting from them. Once that was all sorted out, the communication became more of an as-needed basis — if I was to order parts, I will send them the tracking number, and if he runs into some issues or has some questions, he reaches out and sends updates as the project progresses.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The most impressive thing would be probably their flexibility. They’ve been super flexible with hitting timelines and deadlines, and they’re always willing to work with me in terms of costs. Whenever I have any questions or when I’m trying to resolve any issues, they’re there to help me out on all the stages, which is nice.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There are some small things they can improve on, such as communications as it can be lacking at this stage. If I reach out with a question, the best-case scenario would be hearing back from them right away as I’m troubleshooting something. However, sometimes it takes time, especially with some of the more complicated issues that pop up. It’s difficult when you’re working with someone who is several states away.

It’s also tough as you can’t just send the board back and forth and checking it over and over again, but I think that just comes with this type of work setup, where it’ll take time to figure out the issue and get updates. I also think it’s part of being in a one-man show, with one person doing all the electrical stuff.

I think it just takes patience, because they might be working on other projects as well.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

That’s tricky since Parallax Engineering is versatile in terms of what they can do. I would just say have patience if you do decide to work with them. They’re a small business and they’re juggling several projects at the same time.