PYCOGroup

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

FPS FA is the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I am acting as Program Director in charge of a collection of projects among which the TravellersOnline mobile application.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire PYCOGroup?

We hire PyCoGroup for the definition, design, build and delivery of a mobile application intended to the citizens.

What were your goals for this project?

The organisation does not have any expertise nor knowledge in building up mobile application for citizens. The objective was to hire specialists who could help us defining and building up the solution.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Official process via tender. Three parties have been consulted and PyCoGroup provided us with the best answer, demonstrated the best understanding and the best experience with regards to our objectives.

Describe the project in detail.

Development of a mobile application merging some existing web services but on a true mobile application, and leveraging the capabilities of the mobile devices to increase the nature, quantity and quality of the services provided to the travelling Belgian citizens.

The DB and API services were under the responsibility of the internal development team while all the mobile application knowledge, design, development, delivery was contracted to PyCo Group.

What was the team composition?

Mix of FPS FA internal people and PyCoGroup local and offshore people. One project manager on both side; product owner on FPS FA side. Technical lead on PyCoGroup side.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

The application has been delivered by PyCoGroup on time. The team has been really efficient and helpful to build up and deliver the solution. The application is ready for launch ... just waiting for Belgium having a new government for the future Minister of Foreign Affairs to publicly launch the application.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The workflow was very fluid, efficient, and professional on PYCOGroup's side.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The quality of the work, the competence and experience, the easiness to work with offshore resources ... Great partners.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Probably but none we have been confronted with.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the VP of client development and store operations for a fashion company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with PYCOGroup?

We were looking at developing a product customization app for customers to use in our stores.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The app lets customers pick a bag and then pick different customization options, including tea roses, souvenir pins, and prairie rivets. To improve user-friendliness, we wanted to upload images so customers can visualize the bag and pick their colors. Once they have the final item, they can submit the order and a craftsman will create it live in front of them in the store.

It’s a web-based app, and we downloaded the link onto all the iPads in the store. Currently, PYCOGroup updates the app when we have new offers and customization options. Initially, we only used the app in a handful of locations, but now it’s available in over 150 locations.

What is the team composition?

There was one lead architect we worked with, and that person had 1–2 people supporting them in the background.

How did you come to work with PYCOGroup?

We were referred to them by a colleague who’d worked with them before on another project and were very satisfied.

How much have you invested with them?

Last year, we spent $250,000

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in February 2017, and the app was done in three weeks. It’s been maintenance and updates since then.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Overall, our business has grown thanks to the app. We’ve also done marketing and visuals in the stores where the app is live, and it’s become 5% of our business. Customers find the UX easy and seamless, and the fact they can see the bag being crafted in front of them is special and unique.

How did PYCOGroup perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re very professional and timely, as well as great communicators (90% is over email). Additionally, they’re super responsive to our needs. Everyone on our side is satisfied with their attention to detail. It’s been a very positive experience over the past two years.  

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their team’s responsiveness and accuracy regarding details stand out. We’ve had a lot of rushed projects with them and they’ve been supportive and timely, even supplying resources we needed in crunch moments facing deadlines. They’re a great partner and have never complained.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Whenever we’ve brought up challenges, they’ve ironed them out quickly. Every relationship has challenges, and they’re very solution-oriented.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Always be clear with expectations and what your objectives are. Be specific in your business requirements and about the product and experience you want. This will help avoid back and forth later on. The clearer we were, the more conversation we stimulated and decreased turnaround time.