QBurst

BACKGROUND

Could you briefly describe your organization?

I run an interactive marketing company. We manage marketing technology solutions on behalf of our clients.

You’re the owner and founder, correct?

Yes, that’s right.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

Could you describe the business challenges you were attempting to address when you first approached QBurst?

At the time, this was late 2000, a lot of the client work we were receiving for marketing was becoming very technical; a lot of it involved email marketing, Web design, and blogging. At the time when these requests would come in for clients, it was getting to the point where it was getting so technical that we had to turn work away. It was beginning to hurt the business, so we began to think of ways to tap into the resources we needed.

I wasn’t able to fulfill the technology requirements. It got to the point where I got tired of referring the work away, so I started searching for a technology partner that I could collaborate very closely with us on these more technical projects. After some research, I learned of QBurst and we started on a tiny project. Five years later, we’re still together, tackling all kinds of marketing technology projects.

SOLUTION

Could you describe the scope of work in greater detail?

Most of their work has primarily been in custom Web development, which has since evolved into mobile application development. They deal with all of the custom coding, testing, and deployment. We take care of creative and strategy. Together, we’re able to offer an integrated and holistic solution to our clients.

How did you select QBurst as your solution partner?

It began with some basic research, but they were the first ones we reached out to and since we were impressed by their proposal, there wasn’t any reason to continue on with the search.

Could you provide a general cost estimate for this project?

The projects vary. We’ve had some between $5,000 and $20,000. But, we’ve also had some that range well more than $40,000.

When was this project completed?

The relationship remains ongoing, but the most recent project was launched in February [of 2014].

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

In terms of results, could you share any statistics, metrics, or user feedback that would demonstrate the effectiveness of their work?

The overall results have been that our clients are delighted. They’ve been very happy with all of the solutions that we’ve delivered thus far. There hasn’t been a perfect project because there’s no such thing, but the deployments have been relatively smooth. We haven’t experienced an incident since 2009, and even then, the communications issues were resolved rapidly. They make it a point to ensure quality project management.

When working with QBurst, is there anything you’d consider unique about their approach and/or development methodology that distinguish them from other vendors?

In my experience, they’re just very technically seasoned. I can ask any question and if they don’t know it, they have someone on the team that can come back and deliver a layman's explanation. We’ve always been impressed with the expertise available to their developers.

In retrospect, are there areas in which you think they could improve as a service provider?

If I had to pick one thing, it would be quality of their interface designs. They’re technologists at heart, so you’re not going to have fancy or extravagant designs, but they’ve improved that over the years. They’re great with design instructions. In other words, if you give them the guidance they can definitely deliver. But what you can’t do is go to them with an idea and something more subjective and have them build something out from scratch. They know where their strengths are, and it’s very clearly in the technical areas. 

BACKGROUND

Could you provide a brief description of your organization?

Our company creates apps for technical interests. Our apps cater to the business-to-business marketplace.

What is your position?

I'm the owner and founder.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

Could you describe the business challenges that you were attempting to address when you first approached QBurst?

This was a technical application for both iOS and Android platforms. Even though we do have some technical expertise, we didn't feel comfortable with the idea of deploying our app on our own within the timeframe we wanted. For that reason, we wanted to find a development partner that could develop the app for us under our direct supervision. Because timing and budget were key constraints for us, we knew we wanted to approach an offshore vendor.

SOLUTION

Could you describe the scope of work delivered during the course of this engagement?

Yes. They provided project management resources, custom software development, data preparation and migration, user testing and quality assurance, and ongoing support. We collaborated closely with them throughout the entire deployment.

How did you select QBurst as your solution partner?

We posted our project description on Elance.com and QBurst was one of a few offshore vendors that responded with a proposal. We followed up with them directly and had them show us some of their previous work for both iOS and Android. We were impressed with what they'd done and it was made clear to us that they had some considerable development resources, which was a nice reassurance because we knew that if we were successful, it was going to be likely that we'd have increased development needs. So, scalability was also a big factor for us. We felt that QBurst could offer us the best service for the most reasonable price. That's ultimately why we ended up choosing them.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

In terms of results, could you share any statistics, metrics, or user feedback you've received that would demonstrate the effectiveness of their work?

I don't know if I can share quantitative figures with you, but they've delivered work ahead of schedule on a regular basis. Their development output comes to us already tested, which means we have very few user-facing defects. The feedback we've received has been generally positive. We've heard positive remarks about both the layout of the app and its actual functionality. We've been very satisfied with the results.

When working with QBurst, is there anything you'd consider unique about their approach or development methodology that distinguishes them from other vendors?

The first thing is that there's no element of surprise with them. Everything is well managed and their approach is very simple. It's not very bureaucratic. You don't have to go through a lot of approval processes. They're great at incorporating their client's feedback into the development cycle. We feel like they really listen and understand our desires and do their best to align their work with those things.

In retrospect, are there areas in which you think they could improve as a service provider?

I think cost is always an area for improvement, but I don't think they're unreasonable in terms of service. They definitely weren't the cheapest option for us, but given the level of service, I can't say it wasn't worth it.

BACKGROUND

Could you provide a brief description of your organization?

First of all, we're a very small company. We're about five people, with some additional contractors. We focus on delivering IT [information technology]-related services, such as e-commerce, development, and design expertise, to commercial clients. 

What is your position?

I'm the owner and founder.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

Could you describe the business challenges you were attempting to address when you first approached QBurst?

At the time, we were looking for a vendor to develop a custom Web application for us. We had the conceptual design, but we needed programmers to build a functioning model. We didn't have the resources in house, and we wanted to minimize the total amount of resources we had to invest in this first build. 

SOLUTION

How did you select QBurst as your solution partner for this endeavor?

We'd already been introduced to them through some sort of local event. Their local development team was present at the same event. When we first began planning our project, and we decided we wanted to find a partner, QBurst naturally came up in our discussion. We sent a description of our project to a handful of local vendors, including QBurst. We were ultimately most impressed by their proposal, so we invited them to present some of their relevant work. They showed us a few of their past projects that incorporated similar requirements to ours, which made us feel very comfortable in their capabilities. That's how they won the work. 

Could you describe the scope of work they've delivered to you during the course of this project?

As I'd mentioned, we really only needed them for the functional development of the Web app. We had the design and framework prepared when we first went to them. We needed them for their coding capabilities. They performed all of the custom development using HTML5 and handled all of the quality assurance testing. They continue to offer support to us. 

Could you provide a sense of the size of this initiative in financial terms?

In U.S. dollars, I think we probably spent between $60,000 and $70,000 for the development. 

When was this project completed?

It must have been near the end of April, perhaps the beginning of May [of 2014]. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

In terms of results, could you share any statistics, metrics, or user feedback that would demonstrate the effectiveness of their work?

I actually can't share any figures with you because we haven't released the functional version to users quite yet. We're still in the process of devising and rolling out our deployment strategy, and we needed some extra time to consider how we're going to market it to new users. I can tell you that in terms of performance, their team delivers high-quality code on a consistent basis. We've been very impressed by the diligence of their developers. We've rarely found bugs or errors in their code. Because of their vigilance, we don't really anticipate running into any technical difficulties when we do end up releasing it to users. 

When working with QBurst, is there anything you'd consider unique about their strategic approach or development methodology that distinguish them from other vendors?

Like I said before, it'd have to be the quality of their code. We've been working on the project for some time now, and we've never run into issues with functionality. It's clear to us that they've got some serious technical talent over there. At the end of the day, since we hired them exclusively for their coding abilities, I can't say that we've been disappointed.

In retrospect, are there areas in which you think QBurst could improve as a service provider?

To be entirely honest, my only recommendation for them would be to invest in their UI/UX [user interface/user experience] expertise. We were responsible for dealing with user testing and ensuring the interface was usable and accessible. It'd have been great if they could have also taken responsibility for that, even if just to review the work we'd done. That's the only area that I saw could really use some improvement. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company.

We are a startup that is doing an e-commerce app in the hospitality space.

What is your role and responsibilities, please?

I am the founder.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What was your goal for working with QBurst?

We used them as our CTO and team partner.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their work.

They’ve been our partner from everything from the strategy to the vision behind the product. They do everything from wireframes and specs to the coding. They did design work as well. We’ve spoken with them about doing some business intelligence work once we get launched, which they also do.

What was your process for selecting QBurst with which to work?

I looked at some of their top developers and spoke with a handful of them. I knew some people who had previously worked in the industry. I also spoke to some people who hired them to develop sites in the past that were actually live.

Can you provide a ballpark dollar figure for the size of the work that they’ve done for you?

The total cost is around $500,000.

Is the work ongoing or completed?

The work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Do you have any statistics or metrics to track improvement from the project?

We had a budget, and the projects have all changed as we move along. It wasn't like I handed them a spec and asked them to build it. It was an iterative process. From that standpoint, we were quite a bit higher than what the project was originally quoted, but a lot of that was from us evolving the vision of the project. It wasn’t on them.

Are you satisfied with their work?

Yes. The work has been very good. They did exactly what I asked, and they moved the project along without a lot of management oversight from me. Their senior people are good about keeping projects moving forward.

Is there anything unique about them that really makes them stand out, compared to other companies?

They can put a lot of resources on a project quickly, which is nice. I haven’t done a lot of other projects and don’t have a lot of data points to compare them to.

Looking back on the work so far, is there any area that you think they could improve upon or that you might do differently?

If they could improve on anything, it would be on the creative design side. They are very good at executing things the way the majority of websites have been done, but they could also take some risks.

BACKGROUND

My company was established in 1989. The company operates in the IT [information technology] industry. It employs about 50 people in the Head Office in Białystok, Poland, and in Warsaw. The main markets are small- and medium-sized enterprises. The main products include the ERP [enterprise resource planning] system and mobile solution SFA [sales force automation]. I am a member of the board responsible for R&D [research and development] and finance.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

The aim of the project was to investigate the key elements of the technology necessary to implement the ERP system expansion of a mobile solution using the iPhone/iPad. The results of the research were to allow the preparation of assumptions about the architecture of the new solution, which was to provide mobile access to the ERP system using the iPhone/iPad. Mobile access to the ERP increased system availability for current users, and its attractiveness to potential new customers.

SOLUTION

Used software and technologies include Objective-C, Web API, SOAP Web Service, WSDL, UDDI, RESTful Web Service, XML, JSON, JDBC, SQLite.

The criteria for selecting a service provider were having a solid team with experience in the use of the aforementioned commercial projects technology. During the project, the contractor was responsible for the execution of the overall research and collaboration with client staff responsible for the execution of work on the ERP. The project lasted six months.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

They successfully examined the key technological elements necessary to implement the ERP system expansion of a mobile solution using the iPhone/iPad. The service provider provided the scope of work performed in accordance with the agreed schedule and a fixed budget. We appreciate the knowledge and experience of the team members from QBurst.

BACKGROUND

Could you provide some background information on what your company does?

I represent a freight forwarding company. We arrange international transport for our customers. Others and myself are located in Poland, but our mother company and sister companies are located in other European countries.

What is your position in the company?

I’m the general manager for the Polish division.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What business challenge were you trying to address with Blue Fountain Media?

We purchased the Salesforce platform for our company quite some time ago. We had an external company implement it for us. From that point forward, the software was not really maintained by anyone in terms of administration. There was of course general, daily administration, but there was no formal guidance towards development, or increased functionality.

Later, I was appointed to the Eurogate Group of Companies to maintain it and to begin the much needed development work. I began conducting research on potential development partners. I ended up receiving a shortlist of potential companies from a Salesforce representative. The list included Qburst Technologies and a few others. After a brief discussion with them regarding our requirements and goals, they submitted their proposal, which I reviewed and accepted.

SOLUTION

Could you describe the scope of the project? What components were involved, such as design, development, and support?

We worked much of the time remotely using GoToMeeting, so we didn't need to meet in person. I’m working with the Qburst team in India. They are there whenever I need them. Collaboration begins with email and then we connect remotely so we can talk face-to-face.

As for the scope, the software was designed and implemented by someone who didn’t really know the company or the employees in great detail. It ended up being a very blunt instrument for us. After some time, we had an excess of data that wasn’t validated. At that point, our employees began to dismiss the platform and usage began to plummet. This only added to our inefficiency and it really meant we had wasted a lot of resources on a system that ended up being entirely neglected.

Qburst worked with me to identify those bottlenecks and we were able to validate all of our data. We also added some forced functionality to the platform so data wouldn’t fall through the cracks or end up unused.

We are using basic functionality because we have the professional version only. We are not ready yet to upgrade to the advanced versions. We are using the system to first record all of the information on Eurogate companies and second to distribute access the entire organization. We are also using the system to handle leads registration, accounts registration within accounts for prospect customers, customers, suppliers, non-operational suppliers, and contact staff.

We have two or three sections similar to tabs where we have customized items, but this had been done in the past.

Could you provide a sense of the size of the initiative either in monetary terms or in personnel dedicated to the project?

I was really the only representative from Eurogate, and Qburst dedicated one developer. This allowed us to minimize the budget requirements. It was much cheaper than working with Polish consultants who are usually five times more expensive than their Indian counterparts.

Has the project been completed, or is it still ongoing?

The first two projects have been completed in terms of objectives met, but they still provide ongoing support for malfunctions and other related issues. In this sense, we request their assistance with a problem we are having. They provide a solution or fix, and once it is complete and we approve the outcome, they charge us. We are now in the process of agreeing on a third project.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

How would you evaluate QBurst in terms of performance?

My experience with them has been very positive. It’s not the same experience as working closely with developers on-site. In terms of effective cooperation, the partnership has been quite positive. I’m actually surprised that I managed to do this.

When we finished the first phase of the project, I had a presentation for our management team. This was something new for us because in the last few years, no one was handling the development of the system. Suddenly, someone proposed that we handle the structure of key customers and strategy in the system.

I know that from the technology point of view, this is very simple. They finished in two weeks; they programmed the entire thing. It was not so simple for me because I lack professional training with Salesforce.

Is there anything you would consider special about Qburst compared to other development firms you’ve worked with in the past?

For one thing, I’m certain they’re working diligently after 4:00pm during a normal workday. Typically, in Europe, this is not the case. If you sign an agreement with Qburst for one or two weeks of work, they will be working on Saturdays and Sundays if they have to. They do whatever is necessary in order to complete the task on time and meet the expectations of their clients.

BACKGROUND

Could you please provide a brief description of what your company does?

We’re creating a distance consumer network. We’re thinking of something akin to LinkedIn, except we don’t combine all users in the same pot. We’re trying to balance supply and demand of people providing services and people demanding them. The point of difference is we’re a transactional network not just a relational one.

I came to QBurst after having a very bad experience with a Salesforce consultant, probably at this stage subject to a legal case. We’ve lost $80,000 because of it. I approached Salesforce to do something about this. They acknowledged there were a lot of problems, but they weren’t able to step in because they said the provider in question was not a Salesforce partner.

I find the QBurst team extremely helpful. In my opinion, they’re technically competent and pleasant to deal with. They’re polite in the way they go about in their work and, in that sense, they’ve been very pleasant to deal with. It’s been a big relief to me because with the previous provider, I can tell you, during a period of five months, it was a very stressful experience.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

Could you explain the process by which you selected QBurst to work with?

When the things fell through with the other provider, I was looking around for someone to help salvage it, of course. I picked QBurst and another company to audit the partial work. QBurst reviewed the delivered work, and submitted a report on the functional details. They supported all of my criticisms,  and identified all of the areas of underperformance and/or incompetence. More importantly, they didn’t bill me for this evaluation. It was conducted out of decency and good faith. I appreciated that wholeheartedly. From there, I asked to be their client and for them to resume the project. That’s essentially the selection process in a nutshell.

SOLUTION

Could you describe the scope of the project? Did it include design, development, and support?

It’s hard to be explicit. I’m not a developer myself. The workload was quite comprehensive. There was certainly custom application development and some design work necessary. We’re still in the process of tweaking elements in the application and its integrated information.

Could you describe the size of the project in either monetary terms or personnel dedicated to it?

The long-term project is global in scope. I’m shooting for three million new users in three years, which is ambitious. For now, QBurst has six developers dedicated to the project and two project leads. That number will surely increase as we continue to make progress.

BACKGROUND

Can you briefly describe your company?

We are a daily deals destination that targets a specific demographic. We provide our target demographic great offers while enhancing their loyalty to local businesses. We are based out of San Francisco, Calif..

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What were your goals going into the project?

We wished to extend our current Web service into the mobile space to target users on the go. Since we provide deals based on location, a mobile application offers a more intimate customer experience. As a startup, we needed to find a cost-effective but high-quality development partner.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of the project?

QBurst completed all of the design and development for our Android and iPhone applications. They based the user experience and visual style based on our existing website.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What was the result of the project?

The application was a big hit and was a factor in the successful acquisition of our company.

Was there anything unique about QBurst?

They were highly conformant to the processes that we proposed.

Is there any area where QBurst could improve?

If I were to be picky, I'd say that they could have paid more attention to design artifacts.