SAVIAN

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm a communications coordinator and project manager for the Women and Children's Health Research Institute.

What challenge were you trying to address with SAVIAN?

Our old website wasn’t very good. It was on a pretty flimsy web server, and it got hacked quite often. In terms of design, the fonts were terrible, and it was difficult to navigate. Information categories weren’t placed correctly and visibly — it wasn’t obvious where our users should go depending on their needs, whether they were conducting research or were a member of our foundations. It was also on an outdated version of Drupal, and we wanted to create an entirely new site on WordPress.

What was the scope of their involvement?

To kick things off, we gave SAVIAN a detailed proposal. We had a good idea of what we wanted — we had spent some time delving into analytics, interviewing stakeholders, and coming up with an overarching architecture for the site. From there, they then worked on the actual web design. We paused their work on our main site at some point because we wanted them to work on a more high-priority website for our research. Once that wrapped up, they started working on the main project again.

They built the website from scratch using WordPress, handling its development, overall design, look and feel, and navigation. They also hosted it on our own server as opposed to the one we used to share with the university. 

One of its major functionalities is the ability to communicate directly with REDCap, an online database where our researchers can input their data. We wanted our site to harvest data straight from the database in real-time, allowing it to update whenever our researchers upload their findings. 

What is the team composition?

I worked primarily with Devin (Managing Director) and Chad (Senior Web Developer). They had other teammates who I didn’t personally work with, like the designers.  

How did you come to work with SAVIAN?

We sent out requests for proposals to around five local companies. We specifically sent SAVIAN a request because of mutual connections, as well as recommendations by faculty members.

How much have you invested with them?

For the two projects, we spent around $25,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked with them from March 2020–February 2021. They only started working on our main website in October until the end of the engagement.

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

SAVIAN produced a state-of-the-art website that is unique among other research institutes. They implemented certain interface design elements, options, and functionalities that nobody else has. The interface is very clean. We have multiple foundations that give us money to do research, and they really like using it because they can easily filter their search to only show stories related to the research they funded. 

We don’t have any metrics because we've only been live for less than a month, but I know that we've had a lot of good anecdotal feedback from our staff and upper management. Everyone loves the site, and I personally really like it, which is crucial because I’m the one who actually has to work with it — it’s now effortless for me to update the website. In contrast, it was frustrating to tinker with our previous site. 

How did SAVIAN perform from a project management standpoint?

In terms of communication, we kept in touch primarily through email and the occasional phone call. They were very responsive — every time I’d send an email, I’d quickly get a response through email or a phone call, or we’d jump on a Google shared screen session. We had weekly update meetings to go over their progress, the next steps to take, and minor changes from our side. 

The team would deliver their work directly to me, but several people had to approve it first — it wasn't really up to me, and a lot of the design decisions were actually based on feedback from our upper management. After getting feedback, I would then have a meeting with Devon to let them know what our team liked and didn’t like, and they’d relay our response to their graphics team. 

I kept track of the project through a personal spreadsheet that detailed the development process and the timelines. We had access to the project management tool they used, but I didn’t really utilize it because my tracker was enough, and I didn’t know how to work the data on theirs. I was the one who reported to my boss directly, so I chose to stick with my method.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We felt as if there was a personal touch because they were a small company. Although they were busy with multiple clients, they always made time to interface with us and see how things are going. I could directly reach out to certain teammates without going through a project manager who would respond that they'll get back to us in a week. 

They were pretty adaptable. We ended up making a lot of last-minute changes and minor pivots whenever upper management suddenly wanted to change something. When I went to SAVIAN with their feedback, they were completely okay with making modifications. The team was also highly skilled and had some of the most experienced WordPress development programmers that I've seen. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

I was pretty happy for the most part, but there were small things they could’ve done differently. Towards the end, our team would catch minor bugs just by using the site. They did do some testing, but it could have been a more rigorous phase involving more than just the programmer. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I definitely can't recommend SAVIAN enough. They were skilled, flexible, and responsive. We had such a great experience that we've decided to bring their team on for a third project.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the President of Bladeflex. We create and sell a unique piece of fitness equipment, the Bladeflex, which helps maintain posture.

What challenge were you trying to address with SAVIAN?

We needed a company to provide a range of product necessities to shape and define our digital marketing strategy.

What was the scope of their involvement?

SAVIAN’s provided a myriad of services, but their design work and creative direction have been most helpful. A team of graphic designers accomplishes project goals based on the concepts we bring them. They’ve developed a PR strategy, social media ads, and are currently finalizing our package and manual designs. We also collaborated to create scripts for future video ads.

In addition to those services, SAVIAN redesigned our website to be capable of e-commerce. They secured the site, integrated payment methods, and helped conceive and implement marketing graphics.

What is the team composition?

We mainly communicate with SAVIAN’s owner. He functions as our project manager. We also work directly with the creative director and a graphic designer.

How did you come to work with SAVIAN?

I worked with some team members of SAVIAN when they were associated with another company. They started their own firm and based on my previous experience; I knew they’d be able to execute what we wanted to achieve.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent around $8,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together January 2017 and the engagement is ongoing.

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

We haven’t launched the product yet, so it’s hard to quantify the results in terms of metrics. They’ve improved our marketing capabilities and perform above and beyond expectations. They always put in the extra time necessary to make sure we’re happy with the product.

How did SAVIAN perform from a project management standpoint?

They provide a high-level of customer service and reliably make suggestions to improve the project. We communicate through phone calls but often have in-person meetings. I find that easier than coordinating over the phone and the owner is flexible with his time. That allows us to sit down and brainstorm.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I appreciate SAVIAN’s open communication and knowledgeable approach. I trust their opinion and don’t have to seek information else ware. They have all the knowledge and experience required.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I honestly can’t think of any criticisms. We’ve never had an issue and they’ve helped move the company in a good direction.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the marketing supervisor for TRINUS. We supply hardware to our clients and then provide installation, maintenance, and support services. We also own and operate a computer center based in Stony Plain, a small town just west of Edmonton.

What challenge were you trying to address with SAVIAN?

We had grown unsatisfied with our previous web design company and were looking for someone new to redesign our site, as well as help us with our social media presence.

What was the scope of their involvement?

They helped us reinvent our online image. We wanted to come across as personable and approachable to clients as well as tech-oriented, futuristic, and in touch with the latest trends. This extended beyond our website to our social media profiles—they showed me how to make better use of platforms like Facebook and Twitter, and then updated our profile pages to ensure that our branding was consistent. In addition, they created four animated videos that we use for marketing purposes. Each one depicts a core service that we provide to clients, and we run them at trade shows as well as on our website.

What is the team composition?

I interact primarily with the owner, and then he manages his team.

How did you come to work with SAVIAN?

Their owner originally worked for our previous design company. He was preparing to launch SAVIAN at around the same time we started looking to change partners and redesign our existing website. I knew him well and admired his creativity, and I felt like he was the right candidate to spearhead our site overhaul.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in May 2017 and finished all of the website and animation work in October. They still provide minor edits and site maintenance.

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

Their videos have been a major success for us. They’re funny, eloquent, and the messages hit home effectively every time. We broadcast them simultaneously at trade shows using a futuristic display structure that looks a bit like the monolith from 2001: A Space Odyssey, and it always draws a big crowd. People have given us a lot of positive feedback.

We also just won the “Business of the Year” award in our region, and recently found out that we’ve been nominated as one of four finalists for the Alberta Chamber of Commerce’s "Marketer of the Year" award. It’s an incredible accomplishment because we’re a tiny tech business against hundreds of thousands of competitors, and SAVIAN played an instrumental role in this success due to all the work they put into overhauling our image.

How did SAVIAN perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re always accessible. We use email for some things, but I touch base by phone every couple of days and we’ve also had numerous face-to-face meetings. Their team is intricately connected to our company and they respond with so much enthusiasm that they feel like part of our staff.

What did you find most impressive about them?

It’s so easy to communicate an idea to them. Not only do they interpret concepts well, they enhance them and come back with additional proposals that build on our ideas. They’re also easier to work with than any other company I’ve partnered with in the past. Other website design experiences have been frustrating for me because as creative as those people were, they weren’t truly business-oriented. SAVIAN are consummate professionals: they balance business with creativity, they’re on time, they’re respectful of your needs, and they forge great working relationships.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a Nurse Practitioner at Stollery Children's Hospital.

What challenge were you trying to address with SAVIAN?

We have children who need long-term medication at home. However, the medication is complicated to use and requires significant learning on the part of the family. We wanted to update our teaching materials to offer consistent information in an easily digestible format. We also wanted to design a website were patients could access information regarding their treatments.

What was the scope of their involvement?

First, we sat down with SAVIAN to establish specific goals. Then, we provided content that they turned into a script. They had to make detailed material fun and interesting to both adult and child audiences. From there we developed storyboards and draft videos. They refined the videos over time. Additionally, they designed and updated a website that houses our online resources.

What is the team composition?

I mostly communicate with their managing director. However, I’ve been in contact with four additional people including a scriptwriter, graphic designer, videographer, and a web developer.

How did you come to work with SAVIAN?

I initially looked for quotes to develop a fairly comprehensive online education program. We contacted a number of companies but really liked SAVIAN’s response. They seemed creative and had an understanding of what we were trying produce.

How much have you invested with them?

They donated a fair amount of time on the project as volunteers. However, we did spend around $36,200.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project started in January 2017 and is ongoing.

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

SAVIAN successfully developed an educational video series that meets the needs of a wide age range. As part of the University of Alberta, we have a formal research study underway relating to this project. It’s evaluating the effectiveness and sustainability of knowledge translation through this mode.

How did SAVIAN perform from a project management standpoint?

They've been responsive and move things along at a pace we can manage. Sometimes we’d delay the project because of a lack of resources on our end. They’re always accessible and field questions. Anytime I ask something they provide an answer within 24 hours or less. Furthermore, they met all established deadlines throughout project development.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We’re a healthcare organization with limited funds and they went above and beyond to maximize what we could do. We’re impressed by their commitment, creativity, and receptivity. They listen to our goals and are eager to respond. They’re an absolute pleasure to work with.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, they’ve been outstanding. We’re continuing to build this project and wouldn’t consider going to another company.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

If you give them the freedom to be creative you'll end up with an outstanding project. Sometimes we’re too prescriptive in the way we want things to look. Allow them some freedom and they’ll accomplish goals effectively.