Scopic

Please describe your company and your position there.

Provider of laser eye surgery services. I am the Vice President of Information Technology Services

For what projects/services did your company hire Scopic, and what were your goals?

We wanted to develop a Telehealth web application that would use webRTC to allow our staff to talk to patients using a browser. The goal was to replace an existing application that patients had to download and install with one that would work in the browser.

How did you select Scopic and what were the deciding factors?

We have been working with Scopic for years. They have been fantastic to work with. Their developers are knowledgeable, hard working and creative.

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and technologies used.

Scopic worked on the patient portion of the project - anything that the patient would see in the browser. This included using webRTC for accessing the webcam and microphone and chat. The application had to be responsive so that it looks good on mobile, tablet and desktop.

How many people from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

Two developers worked with us. One was more user-interface focused and one was focused more on the webRTC integration.

Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?

The Scopic team was great to work with. They had great suggestions, understood our needs and provided exactly what we wanted.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timelines.

During the core development, we met daily with the team and made shared the interface using Microsoft Teams. A list of follow-ups was updated daily. This allowed us to develop this web application very quickly.

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

Scopic has a great combination of talented developers who were easy to work with. They also offered a reasonable price.

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

No issues.

Please describe your company and your position there.

We develop, sell, and support 3D design software to woodworkers. We have been in business 10 years and have customers worldwide. I am the owner and president.

For what projects/services did your company hire Scopic, and what were your goals?

1. Take an existing version of our software and improve its function and appearance. This is an ongoing project and we are about to release our fifth version - 3 of which Scopc has designed, programmed, and implemented.
2. Provide the infrastructure necessary to distribute and support our products. This includes customer portals, CRM type data management, and web security and performance.
3. Design and develop a new product offering.
4. Total marketing design and support.
5. SEO.
6. Created a KickStarter campaign that as of now is more than 500% funded.

How did you select Scopic and what were the deciding factors?

Honestly the initial attraction was price. However from the very beginning of their work for us they impressed me with their professionalism, depth of skills in many technical areas, and highly structured approach to design, development, and delivery.

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and technologies used.

There are too many projects to spell this all out. The key delivarables were SketchList 3D versions 3, 4, and 5. The Cabinet Wizard version 1 and 2. Setting up distribution systems for getting new and existing customers copies of products. On the marketing side they redesigned our webpage entirely.

They manage our social channels and whatever publicity we do. SEO - our web page is leading many of the keywords that we have targets in tems of hits from searches. They put together a plan - which was long term - and executed it perfrectly.

How many people from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

The number varied from 2 or 3 to a dozen over time. As we prepare our V5 release it's probably 10 or 12. Postions? Project manager, developers, designers, UI/UX experts, designers, CNC programmers, SEO experts, copy writers, designers, tecfhnical writers, and probably more.

Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?

SketchList 3D is one of the leading woodworking software packages for woodworkers. This year we have doubled sales and with the introduction of our newest version may very well double again in 2021. SketchList.com, according to the firm Semrush, is the top company in web visibility for its marketplace.

It had more than twice the visibility of its next competitor. Considerable since some of the companies on the list are very large. Scopic employees hold high standards for their work and for each other. Deliverables are on-time unless of course we change the project in some way that affects the schedules.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timelines.

Very professional. At every level. Timelines are taken very seriously. Each project has documented steps and measurements. From a relatively simple spreadsheet, to a formal project planning structure, to problem reporting and tracking systems they are well versed.

When a problem comes up they are very transparent about the issues and always, it seems, come with a suggested solution. Outside factors (as with Apple making some major changes) that distract the normal flow are analyzed and a plan is developed and implemented.

I am usually fully confident that things are in control and moving along. When I am not I call and either get an answer or a time at which an answer would be available. I am comfortable with our relationship, in part, because of the way the people I work with are really invested in my success.

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

Depth or understanding of my business and technical problems. Committment. The deep pool or skills resources. Organization, procedures, and tools.

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

It is hard to say because it has been such a learning experience for me. There are many thing I could have done differently - for example provide better specifications. But that's not how I do things and they supported that.

A while back I asked for more reporting - since so much was going on - and it took a bit for them to hone in on a useful way to provide the updates. In this long term relationship people have come and gone - which it the most difficult experience for us.

Those who leave have a wealth of knowledge and those who come one are unknown to us. But that's just how it is. Generally they've provided good replacements and the times when there wasn't - for whatever a reason - they working with me to get it right.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of a music software company. We developed a digital audio station and a VST (Virtual Studio Technology) drum machine.

What challenge were you trying to address with Scopic?

We needed a partner to manage development initiatives for the company.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Since the beginning of the company, Scopic has manned our development projects. They manage software development recruiting and pick the right talent for our product.

They built a WordPress website, which runs on AWS servers. Their team built the site’s entire infrastructure. They also implemented the APIs needed for our marketing initiatives. Their team connected the platform with our MailChimp user database and data collection program.

Their team also developed both of our core products. For the VST product, they implemented a cross-platform music production API called JUCE—an industry-standard for music technology. Their team built the audio workstation on a cross-platform API called Qt. Both products were entirely built in C++ for Mac and Windows. Their team continues to provide cross-platform desktop C++ development.  

What is the team composition?

They provide us with the developers we need. While Scopic could supply project managers and QA people, I took on the role of project manager and hired QA testers. We needed to hire professional music producers for QA processes for their industry know-how.
 

How did you come to work with Scopic?

I posted the job on various sites. Tim (Founder & President) reached out and offered an all-in-one solution with experience. They could supply us with technologies to report bugs, store code, and collaborate virtually.

I was happy to receive interest from a US-based company. Based on our budget, we needed to outsource our development team. However, their team's location in America meant liability could be held domestically. 

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent between $500,000–$1,000,000 on their services.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with Scopic around March 2014, and our partnership's ongoing.

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

Our software currently has 200,000 active users, so we’re happy. The developer from Scopic’s a genius. He had experience in audio processing and building software audio. He was able to teach himself JUCE just from that minimal background.

Overall, Scopic has been able to recruit the best developers who fit within our budget. It’s difficult to find quality developers at competitive rates, so we’re pleased with the talent Scopic has found.

How did Scopic perform from a project management standpoint?

We communicate well with Scopic. If there’s a delay or regression in the project, their team clearly explains the reasons for them. We only missed deadlines because we added a million other tasks to Scopic’s plate.

As far as deadlines, they’re the best we could request. It’s a complicated environment, and their team doesn’t overpromise. They’re professional.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Scopic recruits talented, high-quality, and professional people who get their work done. They’re team players who complete their jobs well the first time.

For several years, they’ve provided a team with good synergy. They initially recruited individuals who weren’t perfect. Once we identified them, Scopic quickly switched them out.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Nope, Scopic is great all around!

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

Pick Scopic!

Please describe your company and your position there.

We are a solutions company that provides equipment and services to hospitals, practices and clinics. I am the President.

For what projects/services did your company hire Scopic?

We had an existing web application that was dated and needed to be rebuilt with newer technologies.

What were your goals for this project?

The new web app needed to reproduce the functionality of the older system while utilizing newer technologies. We wanted to utilize the Laravel framework for its security benefits and hosting cost. The update also allowed for a faster application response.

How did you select this vendor?

With months of research by my team Scopic was the company that continually stood out among the others.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

The Scopic team designed, developed, and deployed our new web application. At the start they examined the old application code. Then made mock-up screens for approval. Once all was approved they began working on a development application which happened rapidly.

The project manager would reach out with updates and questions for approval daily. After completion the project was deployed and we continue to fine tune and update weekly.

What was the team composition?

The project team consisted of maybe 5-6 people. There was a consistent project manager and core team. However, individuals did come and go depending on the stage of the project and what was needed at the time.

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

Once the web application was completed my team was able to utilize the benefits immediately and seamlessly. This allowed us to focus on new markets with a huge potential for growth.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Project management was spot on! The entire team seemed to work extremely well together without issue.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

That the project was able to be completed 100% virtually. We had at best 2 video chats and the rest was completed via their online tools.

Are there any areas for improvement?

On Scopic's side I cannot think of any areas for improvement. However, for my team we could have done a better job at listing requirements throughout the new build. We made it hard on them at times but they never failed at making it perfect.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder and president of an orthodontic laboratory. We offer orthodontic software solutions.

What challenge were you trying to address with Scopic?

We needed support building our software platform which aids orthodontists in their treatment planning.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Scopic provided all of the coding services for our software, which is a virtual environment that allows doctors to place braces on teeth and “fast forward” to the end of treatment and see the results. The predictive outcome then allows doctors to adjust their treatment accordingly.

The solution, a desktop application, is written in C++. The team also used Qt for the UI components, which is the current focus. 

What is the team composition?

There are about 15-16 people on the team, most of whom are developers. My main point of contact is Misel (Technical Lead, Scopic). I also work with Artur (Web Developer, Scopic) and a UI expert. 

How did you come to work with Scopic?

We conducted online research for a company that could handle the graphics-intensive desktop application we had in mind. Scopic received good reviews, and so we ultimately partnered with them.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent around $850,000 on the project.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project began in 2015 and is ongoing.

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

We’re very impressed with the quality of work they’ve provided. Scopic has a great talent for finding highly skilled developers to join their team and onboard them quickly. They hold their team members to a very high standard, which has been very valuable to us.

In terms of the software itself, we’ve received a great deal of positive feedback from many of our orthodontists who are pleased with the efficiency the platform brings to their treatment processes. 

Throughout the project, Scopic has been really effective at understanding our ideas and vision and being able to implement them into the technology itself. They also offer advice and feedback on features they think aren’t necessary or right for our platform, which we’ve appreciated. 

How did Scopic perform from a project management standpoint?

They’ve performed really well. If we’re every behind schedule, it’s on our side rather than theirs. Even though we’ve had some challenges with a few of the developers working in different time zones, the team has done their best to work around our schedule. My Skype meetings with Misel often take place late in the evening for him, and he’s never complained about it. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

We’re extremely impressed by the value we’ve received. The quality of Scopic’s coding compared to their rates really stands out. They do their best to stay as affordable as possible.

Are there any areas they could improve?

The difference in time zones has been problematic at times, but we can’t really solve that issue and the team does their best to work around it. Ultimately, the value and quality we’ve received from the team have outweighed the challenges.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Make sure to have one person in your organization who really understands the vision and can dedicate as much time and effort to giving direction as possible.

Please describe your company and your position there.

We are a small software company that sells software to the glass industry in North America. Our mainstay product allows glazing contractors to estimate, order, and fabricate jobs of all sizes. This company was started by a glass industry veteran in 1985.

For what projects/services did your company hire Scopic?

We needed help rewriting our software with a SQL Server back end, and .NET front end. After spending a couple of years trying to find the write developer to add to our team, and not getting much done, we decided more manpower was needed at a reasonable price. We wanted Scopic to bring back end and UI knowledge to the table to make the new product as good as possible.

What were your goals for this project?

We have a working legacy product in VB6 that our entire customer base is currently using. Our in house developers are keeping that product viable, while Scopic develops the new product. Incorporating our functionality and feature set is critical while working with Scopic designers and developers. Getting all existing functionality in the new software, along with new features is key before releasing this new product. Expediting development is also a new goal for us with Scopic.

How did you select this vendor?

We saw that Scopic had experience in all areas that we wanted to utilize in our new software.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

Scopic has provided UI design, SQL back end development and security recommendations. They have also provided C# .NET coding and production. In most cases they are working from a specification that we wrote. They also can leverage the existing software for needed feature sets and use cases. In some cases we have UI started that they could work with, and in other cases, they created forms and logic from scratch.

What was the team composition?

Scopic has assigned us a Project Manager, Team Leader, and two developers. Our own lead developer and I meet with the managers on a regular basis to discuss concepts, specs, functionality, and design. Scopic always makes sure we have developers on our project, even when one is on holiday or away.

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

Our project is not yet complete, but the progress we have made is significant, and our own teem can keep our current software maintained while all of this new development is underway. We do believe that our dollars are going farther in terms of development with Scopic on our side.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Scopic helped determine the structure of the team and the current configuration was settled on in the first few months. This was our first try at a contract group like this, and they made the process very easy and effective.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Scopic has been extremely reliable and professional in every sense of those words. The project manager is always on top of the weekly work reports, work flow tickets, meetings, and planning. It literally is like having this person as an employee since they are always in contact with us regarding all aspects of the project.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Short of having our Scopic team in the office next door, there isn't anything I can see improving on.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the chairman at OPROGROUP, a manufacturer of custom mouthguards based in the UK.

What challenge were you trying to address with Scopic Software?

We wanted to move from the traditional method of making dental models for mouths and mouthguards into a more digital space and were looking for a software development partner.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Scopic Software developed a custom software system for us. The software takes a raw 3D file of a scan of a mouth and on the other end creates a model that can be printed in a configuration that we require to make our mouthguards. It uniquely handles the incoming files to create a bespoke model output. 

What is the team composition?

We have always worked with a project manager at Scopic Software, although that position has changed hands over the years. They’ve been my main point of contact in numerous Skype meetings. I also am in contact with one of the main software developers.

How did you come to work with Scopic Software?

I spent some time looking on the Internet for companies that could develop 3D dental software. Through research, I found Scopic Software and saw examples of work they had done in the past. After I sent them a raw specification for what I was looking for, they indicated that it was within their skill set and we began to work with them.

How much have you invested with them?

We have invested about $100,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our ongoing engagement with Scopic Software began in January 2018.

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

I am the chief person who tests anything that comes through and looks for bugs and ways to improve the software. The software created by Scopic Software is really quite groundbreaking. Whenever I’ve come across anything that isn’t working as well as I’d like, they’re very quick to make the necessary modifications. When people see what they’ve done for us, they’re quite amazed.

How did Scopic Software perform from a project management standpoint?

Their project management is absolutely excellent. Everything is done via online portal so all communications are in one spot. The detail in their responses is always quite good. I can always turn to my project manager at Scopic Software and they’re always very responsive. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

They don’t have a physical office in a city but instead pull talent from all around the world based on their skill sets. That’s worked very well in my case. Scopic Software brings together talented individuals from all over to form the best possible team. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, Scopic Software has been excellent. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Always make sure to provide them with a long and detailed scope of work before they start. It’s good to be specific and thorough so they know exactly what should be done.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I run a farm called the Pallerico Family Partnership, and we’re based out of California.

What challenge were you trying to address with Scopic Software?

We needed help in developing plant simulations.

What was the scope of their involvement?

The plant simulations took the form of a software development project, which we brought Scopic Software in to handle. I provided them with some of the technical information, ensuring that they’re aligned on our goals for the modules, and they handle all of the programming. Built using MATLAB, the final software calculates the changing water needs and quality parameters of a plant.  

I’m also working on this software to move the project forward. If I have any trouble, they’re able to step in to resolve issues.

What is the team composition?

I worked mostly with the developers directly. 

How did you come to work with Scopic Software?

I found them while doing an online search for software development companies. They were the first team I found that could do the job. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We started the engagement a few years ago and are still working together.

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

With them, we’re able to continue moving forward with our projects. I’m very pleased with their work. When I need help with any aspect of the development, I’m able to call on them to take care of it.  

How did Scopic Software perform from a project management standpoint?

There haven’t been any issues with project management. They use email, phone, and Skype to get in touch with me to discuss progress. Their billing system also smooths out the payment process.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re professional, completing tasks in a timely manner. Whenever I request help, they respond. So, everything’s been just fine.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t think of anything major. The only thing that would beat this partnership would be having a developer working right next to me. When communicating over the web, communication takes longer and intent can get lost in translation.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the co-founder of Mobile Outfitters, a US manufacturer and consumer brand of cell phone accessories with a network of 750 retail locations across 50 countries.

For what projects/services did your company hire Scopic Software?

We needed to create live dashboards, some utilizing Klipfolio and others being built from scratch, that looked at a variety of inputs (MS SQL databases, shipping software using their API, etc) to display our company metrics in real-time.

What were your goals for this project?

To create these custom dashboards, and use them on a regular basis throughout the company.

How did you select this vendor?

After learning about Scopic's attention to detail, their timely response, and the fact that you get a dedicated project manager - we were very impressed by their level of involvement in the project (which is rare amongst offshore dev companies), and their willingness to go the extra mile in creating a detailed scope (which is the key to a successful project).

Describe the project in detail.

We provided a description of the reports that we wanted, and the reason why, as well as access to all of the data. Scopic really took the reigns from there, interpreting what we wanted, investigating how to do it, and ultimate executing our vision (along with some of their feedback to make it even better) to create an amazing end product that we continue to use every day at the company. We have over 50 live reports that we monitor every day.

What was the team composition?

We were assigned a dedicated project manager, who served as our main point of contact. The PM managed all developers, collecting our feedback, etc which was a very effective way to manage the project and resulted in an on-time, on-budget delivery.

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

The project was executed on time, on budget, and according to our vision. I couldn't ask for anything more! The reports work every day, without error.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Scopic was the single best offshore development company I have every worked with. Their model of providing a dedicated PM who manages all of the developers and serves as a single point of contact is a game-changer.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The dedicated project manager, who is always available when needed, and who also provides weekly summary reports with a detailed line item of hours spent, is very helpful and rare when working with development companies.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Scopic does a fantastic job, and I can not think of anything I wish they did differently.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m an assistant professor in psychiatry and behavioral sciences at a university.

What challenge were you trying to address with Scopic Software?

I hired Scopic Software to develop a website for a research study that’s designed to help patients in addiction treatment.

What was the scope of their involvement?

For development, their team used Laravel, ReactJS, and Shibboleth. The site needed to be secure because of the health-related information on it. It also needed to integrate with our university’s single sign-on system. The website also has interactive graphs that change when patients complete surveys regarding their healthcare.

What is the team composition?

I primarily worked with Miloš (Senior Software Engineer, Scopic Software) and Dejan (Project Manager, Scopic Software). There were also other team members that they assigned work to.  

How did you come to work with Scopic Software?

I found Scopic Software during an online search. I assigned them a small piece of the website first to get an idea of how they worked. I liked them, so I continued to work with their team.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve invested about $25,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started engaging with Scopic Software in April 2018, and the work is ongoing.

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

We’re not tracking anything specific. I’ve found Scopic Software to be helpful and knowledgeable about the work they’re doing. We’ve had some challenges integrating the website on our research server. Miloš is very adamant about figuring things out. He’s taking on a lot more than we anticipated, but that’s due to a technical issue on our side. They’re sticking through and reaching out to find as much information as they can for fixes.

How did Scopic Software perform from a project management standpoint?

In terms of how they delegate tasks, they’re well-organized. The process is straightforward, and from our end, we can see each piece of what everyone is working on. Their tracking is very detailed, allowing me to communicate changes when I need to. I’m not very tech-savvy, but their team does an excellent job of communicating my wants into technical language. We use email and Teamwork for project management.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their team is fantastic at delivering what I ask. Internally, they have a nice structure in place. Some of their team handles quick and straightforward tasks, while others are strong technical experts that can go in and solve more profound challenges that take more time.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, not that I can think of.