Pyango GmbH

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the CEO of Creaitor AG

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We are a Gen-AI content creation platform for marketers.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Pyango GmbH to accomplish?

• CTO as a service

SOLUTION

How did you find Pyango GmbH?

• Referral
• Other

Why did you select Pyango GmbH over others?

• Close to my geographic location
• Referred to me

How many teammates from Pyango GmbH were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

1. Project Overview: 

Pyango was engaged to provide "Chief Technology Officer as a Service" (CTOaaS) along with design services to improve key components of the business's technology infrastructure and user experience. Their work spans across multiple areas, including system architecture, UX improvements, database setup, microservices concepts, and CI/CD implementation, with the goal of enhancing the product’s scalability, speed, and overall performance.

2. Key Objectives:

To streamline and modernize the technology infrastructure.
To improve the user experience by enhancing onboarding processes and UI components.
To ensure faster and more reliable releases through continuous integration and deployment (CI/CD).
To establish a scalable backend using microservices and cloud technologies.
To enable a development environment that encourages faster feature releases with the adoption of trunk-based development.
3. Specific Services:

3. CTO as a Service:

Providing strategic technology leadership, consulting on the overall tech stack, infrastructure, and long-term product roadmaps.
Advising on system architecture, tools, and processes for efficiency and scalability.
Design as a Service:

Conducting user experience (UX) improvements to optimize user journeys and interfaces.
Improving the onboarding process, ensuring it is more intuitive and user-friendly.
Redesigning other key components to enhance usability and aesthetic appeal.
Database Architecture:

Setting up a dedicated archive database hosted on Microsoft Azure for scalable data storage and retrieval.
Ensuring the database infrastructure is optimized for performance and security.
Microservices Concept Development:

Designing the architecture for microservices to ensure that each component of the system can be scaled independently and managed effectively.
Introducing modularity into the system, enabling easier maintenance and feature expansion.
CI/CD Setup with GitLab:

Implementing a Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipeline to automate testing, builds, and deployments.
Setting up GitLab pipelines to streamline development workflows and accelerate the release process.
Establishing trunk-based development practices for quicker iteration and faster releases.
Frontend Development (Vue.js):

Enhancing the front-end components of the application using Vue.js to improve responsiveness, performance, and user experience.
Implementing new features and maintaining the front-end architecture.
Backend Development (Laravel):

Strengthening and scaling the backend with Laravel to ensure robust and secure server-side performance.
Implementing additional features, ensuring that the backend integrates seamlessly with the front-end.

4. Deliverables:

UX/UI Enhancements: A revamped onboarding process and improved user interfaces across various components.
Database Setup: Fully configured Microsoft Azure archive database ready for data storage and retrieval.
Microservices Design: Documentation and implementation plan for transitioning the architecture to microservices.
CI/CD Pipeline: A fully functional GitLab-based CI/CD pipeline, including automated tests, deployment processes, and trunk-based development integration.
Frontend & Backend Features: Updates to the front-end (Vue.js) and backend (Laravel), along with new features and optimizations.
Technical Documentation: Documentation covering architectural decisions, database design, CI/CD setup, and codebase changes.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

1. Improved User Experience (UX):
Onboarding Improvement:

Metric: Reduction in user drop-off rate during the onboarding process.
Outcome: More users successfully completed the onboarding process, indicating improved usability and user retention.
Success: A measurable increase in new user sign-ups and retention post-onboarding.
Component Improvements:

Metric: Increased user satisfaction scores (via surveys or in-app feedback) for key UX components.
Outcome: Positive feedback regarding UI enhancements and streamlined user flows.
Success: Higher user engagement and reduced bounce rates for key pages within the app.

2. Database Setup on Microsoft Azure:
Metric: Successful deployment and operationalization of the archive database.
Outcome: Scalable and secure data storage solution implemented, reducing operational risks related to data management.
Success: Faster data retrieval times, reduced system downtime, and improved data security.

3. Microservices Architecture:
Metric: Transition progress from monolithic to microservices.
Outcome: Clear plan for microservices implementation and initial steps towards decoupling components.
Success: Easier scaling and maintenance of individual components, resulting in reduced technical debt and increased flexibility in adding new features.

4. CI/CD Pipeline Implementation with GitLab:
Metric: Number of successful automated deployments via CI/CD.
Outcome: Introduction of automated testing, build, and deployment pipelines, drastically reducing manual intervention.
Success: Faster release cycles, with a measurable reduction in time between development and production (e.g., from weeks to days or hours).Specific Metrics:Increased deployment frequency (e.g., multiple releases per week instead of monthly).
Reduction in errors in production, improving software quality.
Success: Enhanced developer productivity and faster delivery of new features.

5. Frontend & Backend Development (Vue.js & Laravel):
Metric: Feature completion and time to release.
Outcome: Implementation of key features in both frontend (Vue.js) and backend (Laravel) in alignment with project timelines.
Success: Increased user engagement due to the availability of new, optimized features.
Frontend Metrics: Reduced page load times and improved responsiveness on mobile devices.
Backend Metrics: Improved backend response times, ensuring a smoother and more scalable user experience.

6. Overall Project Efficiency:
Metric: Development velocity and trunk-based development adoption.
Outcome: Faster iteration and release cycles, improving the ability to deliver features quickly.
Success: The adoption of trunk-based development contributed to higher developer efficiency and the ability to push features to production faster.

7. Ongoing Support & Maintenance:
Metric: Number of post-launch issues and time taken to resolve them.
Outcome: Timely bug fixes, updates, and improvements to the system after deployment.
Success: Reduced customer complaints and improved system uptime.

Overall Metrics:
Faster Release Cycles: A measurable reduction in time between feature development and production deployment.
Increased Scalability: The new microservices architecture allows for independent scaling of components as the user base grows.
Improved Software Quality: Fewer bugs and issues in production due to CI/CD and automated testing.
Increased User Engagement: Positive user feedback and improved metrics like retention rates, session times, and overall app usage.

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

Pyango's project management was highly effective, with a clear focus on timely delivery, adaptability, and strong communication. They consistently met project milestones and deadlines, delivering key components on schedule, such as UX improvements, the Azure database setup, and the CI/CD pipeline.

They were flexible in responding to evolving requirements, such as new frontend features or adjustments in microservices design. Pyango maintained proactive communication, providing regular updates and addressing issues quickly. Their ability to adapt to changes while keeping projects on track was a key factor in the success of the project.

What was your primary form of communication with Pyango GmbH?

Virtual Meeting

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

What distinguished Pyango the most was their holistic approach to technology and design, offering CTO-as-a-service alongside design expertise. Their ability to seamlessly integrate strategic consulting and hands-on development made them a true partner and not just a service provider.

Another impressive aspect was their flexibility and responsiveness. They quickly adapted to changing requirements and ensured smooth communication so that the project stayed on track even as requirements changed. Their expertise in modern technologies such as microservices, CI/CD pipelines and cloud solutions (e.g. Azure) helped to future-proof the project and position it for long-term success.

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

One area for potential improvement was the frequency and size of meetings. Occasionally, there were too many participants in discussions than necessary, which could sometimes slow down decision-making and lead to longer meetings. Streamlining the meetings with a more focused group of key stakeholders could have made discussions more efficient and decisions quicker. However, this did not hinder the overall progress, as the collaboration and thoroughness were important to the project's success.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Co-Founder of Kanbii Solutions AG

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

A Start-Up offering a candidate drive job marketplace through an easy to use mobile app.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Pyango GmbH to accomplish?

• Developing Mobile App on React Native
• UI/UX Design for the whole Mobile App
• Website Design

SOLUTION

How did you find Pyango GmbH?

Referral

Why did you select Pyango GmbH over others?

• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Referred to me

How many teammates from Pyango GmbH were assigned to this project?

6-10 Employees

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

• Concept, Design, Implementation of the website
• concept and design (UI/UX) of the mobile app
• front end and back end development/programming 

All Goals have been delivered or are in progress as we speak (according to set timelines)

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

• Weekly and monthly milestones.

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

• Always on time.
• The collaboration is very open. When we ask for something they deliver, but they also give their inputs and help us to come up with the best possible outcome (win win)

What was your primary form of communication with Pyango GmbH?

• In-Person Meeting
• Virtual Meeting

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

The engagement and commitment of each individual team member. They give us the feeling as they would be part of our company/team. For them it's not about delivering or performing a task in a specific amount of hours, it's more about the overall outcome and everyone pulls together and goes beyond in order reach the best possible outcome no matter what it takes. I am really impressed by their overall attitude.

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

not as far as I can judge

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the founder and main developer of a small web agency that does all kinds of software products for the web.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Pyango GmbH?

We needed an external professional development partner.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Pyango GmbH helped us develop a management tool for four agencies, including time tracking, project progress, and invoicing features. They created a web application that works as a software, which we wanted to use to manage agency operations. To jumpstart the process, we provided them with the designs and concepts, and they handled everything else. The server setup was done from scratch on Docker and using Django, Python, Nuxt, Vue.js, and GraphQL.

What is the team composition?

I worked with around four members of their team, including a team lead, their main developer, and two junior developers.

How did you come to work with Pyango GmbH?

I had personal contact with their main developer. In addition, we had worked on previous projects together, and they gained a level of trust.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent around $20,000 with them.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started around December 2019–August 2020.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The product's technology was advanced and up to standard in terms of quality. As a developer, I was happy with the outcome.

How did Pyango GmbH perform from a project management standpoint?

Communication was mostly in person; they came to the office for meetings, but we also used Slack, Google Meet, and Pivotal Tracker for project management.  

What did you find most impressive about them?

They brought in new experiences and transferred some know-how to us. They also took ownership of the project and treated it like their own.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Communication on the finance part was unclear, so we reviewed the budget several times.

Any advice for potential customers?

Be involved in the process with them, communicate regularly, and even as a non-technical person, have an interest in the operations and understand the issues.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the CEO of I Donate My Way

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Donate My Way (IDMW) is on a mission to help charities significantly reduce or eliminate their product costs.  

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Pyango GmbH to accomplish?

• Help to clarify clear plan for platform development
• Map out milestones for platform development
• Map out and deliver on milestones for project

SOLUTION

How did you find Pyango GmbH?

Online Search

Why did you select Pyango GmbH over others?

• High ratings
• Close to my geographic location
• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit

How many teammates from Pyango GmbH were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

The work releated to the following tools: 

• Frontend:
  • Next.js
  • tailwind
  • next-intl
  • zustand
  • Typescript
• Backend:
  • Django
  • Celery
  • Redis
  • Postgres
  • Traefik
  • MJML
• Design:
  • Figma

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Create and manage a web platform for a product based donation application.

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

After the initial discussions, they were very solid in their ability to create a milestone based process which we could all follow.

What was your primary form of communication with Pyango GmbH?

Virtual Meeting

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

Great people to work with, who were always looking for bright solutions to the issues we faced along the way.  Pyango GmbH wanted to be a big part of the process rather than just executing it.

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

Not that I can think of

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the CEO of Embana AG

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Establishment, organization and management of private schools and provision of educational services.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Pyango GmbH to accomplish?

• Website Creation
• Branding
• Social Media
• Project Management

SOLUTION

How did you find Pyango GmbH?

• Online Search
• Other

Why did you select Pyango GmbH over others?

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

How many teammates from Pyango GmbH were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

Pyango became a partner in developing a private school in Switzerland. Pyango took full ownership in creating, developing and positioning the brand and showed great entrepreneurial spirit to implement own ideas where needed.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

• New leads
• increased subscriptions to newsletters
• new applicants for private school thus higher sales

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

very responsive and professional team, take tasks very seriously and work very detail-oriented show high creativity and flexibility while delivering solutions (not only outcomes) ability to multi-task

What was your primary form of communication with Pyango GmbH?

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

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

I'm impressed with their ability to multi-task and their high degree of professionalism at every level of a given deliverable.

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

+

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Project manager.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Pyango GmbH, and what were your goals?

They have both the technical and design expertise to do a novel data project.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

Ease of working with the vendor, and complete staff.

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

Deliver impactful website that shows maps and firm portfolios and metrics. Django, Python, and web tools, JSON, Google Cloud

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

• Owner
• senior programmers
• marketing head

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We have the first backend and API running.

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

Management is friendly professional, with emphasis on outcomes rather than scoping documents. Very responsive communication through discord (client probably could follow everything there), timeliness is reasonable.

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

They are pleasant and helpful people to deal with all-round. They like building things.

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

More formal channels with the external partner.