Qualium Systems

Please describe your company and your position there.

Space Nation is a cross-media startup that produces an international competition. Using a mobile app, viewers select a cast for a TV broadcast. The winner goes to space. I was CTO until September 2018.

For what projects/services did your company hire Qualium Systems?

Using React Native, Qualium Systems implemented our cross-platform mobile app for Android and iOS. 

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to build a world-class mobile app for space enthusiasts while sparking interest in the Space Nation contest. The app was one of the cornerstones of the project.

How did you select this vendor?

Qualium Systems contacted me when we were looking to implement the app. The process took half a year, and we met in Finland before starting anything. I considered a few companies, but Qualium Systems stood out because of their spirited attitude.

I contacted their previous and current clients, who convinced me that they were a viable partner. They had the right technical knowledge, adequate English skills, flexible team sizing, and the right timezone. Cost was also an important factor, since we were a startup with limited funds.

Describe the project in detail.

We designed the UI and implemented the backend APIs in-house, working with scriptwriters, graphic artists, video producers, actors, and NASA. We created the the UI specifications, animations, and the backend API, although our documentation was poor. 

Qualium Systems handled architectural design, implementation, and maintenance. They produced in-game content using Javascript, HTML5, and CSS, but only some parts were published.

What was the team composition?

They provided two developers, one tester, and a part-time project manager. Our team changed a bit during the project. I was their main contact. 

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

In terms of software production, the project was successful. We were satisfied with the app's performance and received good feedback on its core functionalities. From a business perspective, however, the app didn't gather the momentum we expected.

The project scope was unfortunately not fixed, although I thought it would be. Our designs changed radically throughout the project, which caused issues with implementation. The app was originally intended to complement a TV series. We later decided that it should stand alone, but changed our emphasis too late. If I started this project again today, I would use a game engine rather than React Native.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We used agile methodologies, Github for source control, and JIRA for workflow management. I regularly contacted Qualium Systems about the project. They addressed any issues brought to their attention. The language barrier did become a problem with one developer.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Qualium Systems was as enthusiastic about the project as we were. It was easy to communicate with them, and they weren't afraid to say that our process needed improvement. That blended well with our Finnish communication style.

Their developers had high standards for code quality, and they showed great commitment to our project when things got tough. We're forever grateful to them. 

Are there any areas for improvement?

At the beginning of the project, we should have been completely sure of our goals rather than rushing into development. That's a point about our team, though, not theirs. 

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the owner and managing director of Infinium Systems. Our company is based in Vancouver, Canada and was established in October 2005. We provide web design and mobile app development services to clients across North America, including Canada and the US.

What challenge were you trying to address with Qualium Systems?

After securing a new client, we didn't have enough resources to provide the work they needed or achieve their goals. We partnered Qualium Systems to provide the best possible service and product for our new client. 

What was the scope of their involvement?

Qualium Systems has helped us with web and mobile app development projects for several private clients and government organizations. Their developers help us with system integration, building web applications, and migration to a service-oriented architecture. We also partner with their team for smaller-scale engagements for private companies which often require a different approach using new technology to attain the goals. 

We have a choice as to what technologies they use, but typically use the set Microsoft provides or open source options like PHP and JavaScript. They often use Linux on the backend and MySQL or another database depending on the client's preference. 

They provided wonderful work when we built a geographic information system for the city of Seattle. We've also collaborated for the government of British Columbia government on a healthcare project with the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA). One of our engagements for the Attorney General related to liquor distribution across the province. 

What is the team composition? 

I've worked with the owner and technical lead. The team includes about five different developers plus QA testers.

How did you come to work with Qualium Systems?

When I was looking for additional resources, I assessed numerous vendors based on the value they could provide. I also considered how they advertised and the response they've received from past clients. I checked references and verified feedback. Based on these factors, Qualium Systems provided high-quality services and offered the best value for our purposes.

How much have you invested with them?

We've spent around $90,000 so far. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We've been working together since 2014. Currently, we're creating a plan to develop a new product.  We actively communicate and share ideas. Our business relationship is ongoing, and we plan to continue it in the future. 

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

Qualium Systems has a skilled and reliable team that can help us with any project we need. Since we have a mutual client, our primary shared goal is to deliver high-quality work. We conduct code reviews to assess their programming work. 

Based on the metrics we consider, they definitely provide the right level of quality. Qualium Systems delivers their work on time. They've always been responsive to our needs when we've had unexpected changes beyond the scope of the original technical requirements documents. 

How did Qualium Systems perform from a project management standpoint?

Qualium Systems uses a modern approach and has up-to-date expertise. I think highly of their project management skills. We use tools like Slack, Skype to communicate with their team and track progress and software bugs with Jira.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Qualium Systems employs personable, active young people who travel often and have robust social lives. I’m always impressed with their ideas and enjoy their personalities. On a personal level, they're a team of wonderful people.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There are always ways to improve resource management. Any company owner could potentially perform slightly better. We haven’t had any issues so far, though. Qualium Systems uses cost-effective methods to manage their resources. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Future clients should be open and straightforward, define what they need, and communicate effectively. Everything will get done on Qualium System's part. I was very impressed that they went far beyond the technical scope of our agreement. I also suggest planning carefully and working diligently together. 

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I own Green Mango Systems, a software consulting firm.

What challenge were you trying to address with Qualium Systems?

I was doing high-level consulting and needed a development team to build out custom software for one of my clients.

What was the scope of their involvement?

The product was a web-based risk management software for financial portfolios on the Node.js stack. We provided Qualium Systems with the design software specifications. They iterated on that software and managed the cloud infrastructure. The team then designed initial prototypes and did backend work around loading data from other systems. This process included verification to ensure Qualium Systems had loaded the data correctly. The team also completed five integrations, including the initial sales traction that came in on the platform.

What is the team composition?

The number of people varied throughout the engagement. At most, we had up to 10 people including part-time employees, but otherwise about six or seven full-time resources. The full-time team included a backend software developer, a frontend software developer, a project manager, a QA specialist, and a resource that worked on the quantitative analysis system.

How did you come to work with Qualium Systems?

The company I worked for at the time asked me to hire an offshore developer for cost reasons. I talked to about three or four companies and then hired the teams to test them out. An acquaintance had recommended Qualium Systems and I reached out to include in the consideration process. I hired Qualium Systems multiple times since that first project with the other company. They always outperformed the companies.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent close to $1 million.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in 2015 and the partnership ended in late 2017.

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

Qualium Systems followed instructions very well. As long as our side was clear, the deliverables came back exactly as we expected. Unlike other offshore teams I’ve worked with, they asked questions whenever they had concerns or needed clarification. I always appreciated their questions because they asked about things I hadn’t even considered—and I’ve thought about this a lot.

How did Qualium Systems perform from a project management standpoint?

We used a Kanban board for part of the project but mainly used task lists over email to track progress and monthly deadline releases. The team used a bug tracker as well.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The quality of the product stood out.

Are there any areas they could improve?

The timezone difference was the biggest issue. That was my only complaint, but the team was very good at communicating. I can’t think of anything else. We had a really successful experience with them.

Any advice for potential customers?

Clients should know how to communicate with the remote team. Relationships benefit from as much face-to-face communication as possible. We used to do Skype video calls, but in-person meetings were always important to the partnership.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the VP R&D for Incentives Solutions. We manufacture cloud-based off-the-shelf Sales and Service Performance Management (SPM) platforms.

For what projects/services did your company hire Qualium Systems?

We needed external full-time development resources to create our product.

How did you select this vendor?

We did a LinkedIn search.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

Qualium Systems does full-stack development using JavaScript libraries and the .NET platform.

What was the team composition?

The team includes three developers and a lead.

Can you share any information that demonstrates the impact that this project has had on your business?

We completed the project, which pleasured our internal stakeholders and investors.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

The team’s skills in this area distinguish them from other vendors. Qualium Systems regularly complies with deadlines; they communicate delays well in advance. We did experience unexpected turnover, but they kept it from affecting progress. We use Skype and Kanbanize.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The team is highly professional.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No. We’re completely satisfied because the team immediately fixes problems.