Scalefocus

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the co-founder of a small software company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Upnetix JSC?

We needed design for a new web site, which we intend to use for marketing.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to build a working site that could fully handle our marketing strategies.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I personally know one of the senior managers at Upnetix, and asked him to introduce me to their business development unit.

Describe the project in detail.

I prepared a small product requirements document, which described the design results I wanted. We clarified those through a few iterations, and then the actual work began. It was still interactive, since I was reviewing the progress and giving feedback. Everything was handled and evaluated in a fast, timely manner.

What was the team composition?

The Upnetix team included a product manager, who understood the requirements, and a designer, who worked with that product manager.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The project was a success. Now my company has a working site, which allows us to utilize our in-depth marketing strategies.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Very fast and efficient. High level of collaboration.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their fast responses and immediate adjustments to my feedback. They never complained about requirements changes, but focused on delivering the best possible product.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Taking into consideration that I have worked with Upnetix on only this project, I can't give them any recommendations. I am fully satisfied with the quality, the timeframes, and the price.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Based in Brussels, TechTour provides a networking platform for entrepreneurs, corporates, investors, and advisors. I’m the COO and leader of the community and IT team.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Upnetix?

We created a new platform with another company, but encountered issues with their culture and management style. Since we had very little personal experience with development and IT, we needed a long-term partner.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Upnetix started working in parallel with our other partner company. Now we’re working exclusively with them. It's an extremely complex JavaScript platform that requires custom development work for each element, from event registration and reviews to one-on-one meetings and CMS integration. They managed it well and very quickly got a grip on the platform. 

What is the team composition?

We work very closely together. We started with one junior developer and we now work directly with a frontend and a backend developer. In addition, we have a project manager on our side.

How did you come to work with Upnetix?

We were connected to the owners of Upnetix through a training program and contacted them for a different proposal. We liked their company culture and management, so we started a trial. That gave us confidence that they understood the project and the issues we face, unlike other companies. They also seem to look directly in some of the solutions.

How much have you invested with them?

Our ground costs in 2018 are $90,000 or more.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in June 2017 and the work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The platform is running. We’re doing a lot of adaptions, bug fixes, and functionality improvements. Although there have been some issues, Upnetix wasn't to blame. They didn’t start from scratch.

How did Upnetix perform from a project management standpoint?

They integrated extremely well, and their communication and project management are excellent. They’ve been very personal and straightforward.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The way they structure their processes and their team is very beneficial for us. They’re very hands-on with their staff, and even hold regular team demos to monitor code quality. Even the team leaders are fully aware of the project and can easily step in to answer questions. At other companies, the team leader isn’t completely informed about the project.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m head of the business support system department (as part of the IT group) of ALBtelecom, a large company with around 900 employees. We were established in 1912, and we initially offered landline services. Around nine years ago, the company merged with another telecom company, Eagle Mobile. The company offers fixed and mobile technology, along with IPTV [Internet protocol television], and dedicated internet access through ADSL and Wi-Fi.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Upnetix?

As a technical operator offering mobile services, we wanted the capability to give a mobile application to our customers. We already had a web version through which customers could see their accounts and usage, buy products, and make complaints independently. It was developed in-house, but we lacked knowledge for the mobile end. Mobile apps are the current trend, so we started a tender for the project.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

There were many features we wanted to make available for customers, most of which were similar to those on our web version. Upnetix helped us a lot with graphic design by presenting features in a more practical way from a mobile user’s perspective.

The features we introduced to the mobile app include balance reports showing usage, invoices, payments, bundle overviews, new offer purchases, and complaints.

We developed the app natively for iOS, Android, and Windows. We provided wireframes based on the existing web app. The original layout changed during the project as they came up with ideas on where to put different items based on their specific experience with self-care mobile apps.

We planned to have the implementation of the project done in two phases. A part of the solution was the actual data being exposed beyond the mobile app, which depended on our resource availability. Upnetix handled the app part and some of the integration, while the APIs which needed to be exposed were done by our telecom software development team.

They provided system tests, but we also had a three-week testing period on our side.

What is the team composition?

We worked with a project manager and a team manager who led the technical developers and graphic designers. There were developers assigned for each operating system.

How did you come to work with Upnetix?

We had a procurement process in place, and it may have involved other candidates as well.

How much have you invested with them?

The cost of their work was around €80,000 [U.S. $95,000].

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in September 2016 on the analysis phase. The first part was delivered 3–4 months later, in December, and the second phase was completed at the beginning of February 2017. The app was initially launched in December 2016 to the families of our employees, and the main launch to the Windows, Google, and Apple stores was in February 2017 .

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Their designers gave us very good ideas on how the design should match both the customer experience and our brand. They also gave us excellent suggestions based on their experience with self-care apps, which we followed.

The first version was launched to employees and their families, while the second one was launched to all telecom customers. The application was perceived as innovative and practical.

There are currently four telecom operators in Albania. After launching the app, we noticed that our competitors started launching similar ones in terms of design. Users can easily understand their usage through the dashboard.

Our sales also increased after introducing the app as a new sales channel. People are using it instead of sending SMSs or going to our shops. It gives our users to do everything independently.

How did Upnetix perform from a project management standpoint?

Their manager was professional, and also had good IT skills. Everything was delivered on time, even after the rescheduling that was done during the analysis phase. We had a critical schedule, given that the integration part was developed by our internal team. Upnetix also managed our resources in terms of delivering goals.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The overall collaboration was very good, even during the implementation and development phases when we had to makes some change requests. Upnetix was flexible in accepting these changes, even though the elements were not essential. The atmosphere was good during implementation and testing, and we received fast responses.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of a small startup that specializes in offering ancillary sales opportunities to hotels. We attach ourselves to the reservation process during the booking process for hotels. For instance, after a reservation is made, we allow customers to customize their stay by buying additional items and services.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Imperia Mobile?

We built our company around the product we developed with Imperia Mobile. We originally developed a prototype, but it needed major improvements. It didn't have universal behavior, and it wasn’t mobile responsive. There were quite a few issues on the backend as well, the side that the hotels used to load their products.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We had challenges with both the consumer side and the hotel side of our product. The bigger problem was for the consumers. We needed Imperia Mobile to go in and completely redesign the online shopping experience: from the prompt that asks about customizing the guest’s stay to the shopping cart, and from the shopping cart to checking out. On the backend, where the hoteliers go, Imperia Mobile also needed to do a smaller redesign. The consumers use the front-end to choose how to customize their stay after they reserve a room, and the hoteliers use the backend to load conditions that fence off an offer and make sure it’s made to the right person.

How did you come to work with Imperia Mobile?

My CTO recommended Imperia Mobile. I have no idea how he found them, but he put them forward. I saw some of their work, spoke to them, and decided to give them a go. During our process, we considered at least 10 companies if not more. Then, we shortlisted three and eventually went with Imperia Mobile.

How much have you invested with Imperia Mobile?

I’m not going to mention cost at all. Compared to everybody else I spoke to, Imperia Mobile was average. They weren’t the cheapest or the most expensive.

What is the status of this engagement?

I think we started working together in September 2016, and it lasted for at least a couple of months.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or the impact of the engagement?

The conversions we are achieving are unbelievable, and I’m happy with them. I’m confident in telling hoteliers to buy my system because after guests make a reservation, more than a third of them will select an additional customization using the app that Imperia Mobile built.

How did Imperia Mobile perform from a project management standpoint?

Imperia Mobile was professional and on the ball, and they were faster than I expected. We had a couple of delays, but they were mostly on our end. The project did run over a little bit, but I was OK with it. In terms of how responsive they were, I wish I had more people like them to work with. I've worked with other companies before, and I would call them once a week or every few days, and they still wouldn't be able to deliver with the kind of clarity that Imperia Mobile did.

I’m not sure how many of their people worked on the app; I think it could be over 10. We had at least one designer and a project manager, and we also probably had at least three specialists working on the different technologies we needed. 

What did you find most impressive about Imperia Mobile?

They are high-caliber, well-rounded people who provided fast, high-quality work that was just lovely. We designed the minimum viable product, but we didn't have all the talent that Imperia does. Their talent really impressed me. I previously had hired some designers who were coming up with terrible designs which were unbelievably bad and full of obvious mistakes. Working with Imperia Mobile was just a smooth experience. The interactions I had with Imperia were on par with the best service I got with Amadeus, which is a huge development company. My project manager knew the technology, knew the pitfalls, and knew what she was talking about. If I came up with an idea and ran it past her, she could tell me, “From a mobile design perspective, I’m fairly sure they’re going to say this won’t work,” and I could tell that she was being genuine.

Are there any areas Imperia Mobile could improve?

I would have loved to have found them a little bit cheaper, and if they were, they would be the perfect company. But I guess you get what you pay for, and they were a good value overall, so I can't really complain. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

 I am the Head of Software Development of an energy data analytics services company 

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Providing data analytics services for the energy industry

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Scalefocus to accomplish?

• Implement a new data store solution for time & depth series data

SOLUTION

How did you find Scalefocus?

• Referral
• Conference

Why did you select Scalefocus over others?

• Close to my geographic location
• Industry background

How many teammates from Scalefocus were assigned to this project?

6-10 Employees

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

Implementation of a new time & depth series data store solution for storage of measured sensor data received from drilling platforms. First the right data storage technology got selected, then a POC got implemented and finally the new solution got integrated within our existing software solution.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

• Technology selection
• POC implementation
• software code for integration

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

Project got delivered in three phases

1. Requirements analysis within an agreed period
2. POC implementation delivered within an agree period
3. Custom software development for integrating the solution into our existing software by managing tasks via Jira and regular standup meetings for alignment between the two teams

What was your primary form of communication with Scalefocus?

Virtual Meeting

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

The combination of different disciplines with expert knowledge to resolve the problem/project with one provider (data engineers, DevOps engineers, software developers).

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

Not applicable

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am a senior PHP developer for Nabed, a company that specializes in optimizing healthcare outcomes. We communicate educational content to patients in an engaging manner and empower health practitioners with tools to better serve their patients.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Upnetix JSC?

We outsourced the process of developing the mobile application.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

They were referred by a contact.

Describe the project in detail.

They built a mobile application that focuses on selective health topics. It was packaged as one of the services of STC [Saudi Telecom Company], which acted as the mobile operator.

What was the team composition?

We’ve worked with their head of mobile, 1 project manager, at least 1 iOS developer, at least 1 Android developer, and at least 1 QA [quality assurance] officer. That number increased with time.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The overall feedback has been positive. The quality of the final product exceeded expectations.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

It is highly effective.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

We are dealing with a highly professional team, and we’ve never had any issues with them.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Sometimes, they follow rules literally, which leaves very limited space for flexibility when situations require it.