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Kubernetes and Terraform experts

4.5
2 reviews

SHALB provides DevOps, SRE and System Architect Services for software teams throughout the world.

We use Infrastructure as a code approach that delivers a significantly faster DevOps setup and management on any cloud

We develop and support infrastructures for a different kind of SaaS and PaaS, Private Clouds and any other Web Tier products.

We are not limited by a certain set of software and support all modern stack based on non-functional requirements and business needs.

Our portfolio includes the full DevOps and SRE coverage for:

- Backendless.com - Backend as a Service provider. The leader in codeless programming for mobile apps.

- Ajax.systems - The best professional IoT based home security system.

- Airbeem.com - Innovative Video Broadcasting Platform and Content Delivery Network

Among other projects we help to maintain servers for:

- Marketplaces. auctions and price aggregators

- High traffic news websites

- Social networks

- Online stores

Our experience is extensive in managing and automation high load solutions, including Unix-like OS, AWS, VMWare vSphere, OpenStack, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Mongo/Cassandra/Elasticsearch/Redis, Gluster FS, Docker, etc..

Also designing and implementing DevOps services: Kubernetes, Terraform, Docker Swarm, Continuous Integration/Delivery systems like Jenkins, TeamCity, Ansible, Chef, .

READ MORE...
 
$1,000+
 
$25 - $49 / hr
 
10 - 49
 Founded
2002
Show all +
Kiev, Ukraine
headquarters

Portfolio

Key clients: 

Backendless, Airbeem, Ajax Systems, Hotline

Reviews

4.5
2 reviews
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Managed IT Services for UK Tech Company

“I’m very happy with SHALB’s services and the work they’ve done for us.”

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
Confidential
 
Aug. 2016 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

SHALB provides ongoing operational support to a cloud-based system. They also built and manage a significant portion of a Terraform infrastructure that supports a content delivery system.

The Reviewer
 
11-50 Employees
 
London, United Kingdom
Mark Hamlin
CTO, Airbeem
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

SHALB’s staff consists of content distribution experts that can reliably support a variety of online video platforms. Their talented CTO leads a skilled and responsive team. They communicate via Jira, Slack, and email. A collaborative approach makes them a potentially valuable long-term partner.

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CTO of Airbeem. We offer over-the-top (OTT) software as a service to people acquiring video distribution on websites, mobile applications, and set-top boxes.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with SHALB?

Our infrastructure is based entirely in the cloud on Amazon Web Services (AWS). We also use a variety of third-party services from online video platforms (OVPs) and content delivery systems. We reached out to SHALAB for application support and 24/7 operational support for our cloud-based systems.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They built and continually manage half of our Terraform infrastructure as code (IaC). This technology works with our AWS intense continuance integration and facilitates a scalable business. They also manage half of our AWS systems that have been rolled out in the last year.

What is the team composition?

I work solely with Volodymyr (CTO & Co-founder, SHALB).

How did you come to work with SHALB?

I’m not sure. We were advertising in Kiev, which is where they’re located, and got connected somehow. We have a development resource in Kiev, so maybe that was it.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in August 2016 and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I’m very happy with SHALB’s services and the work they’ve done for us. They’re reliable and very responsive. Volodymyr is a talented guy and his team is reliable.

How did SHALB perform from a project management standpoint?

I’m not aware of how Volodymer manages his team. We communicate via email and Slack. Initially, we put our Jira systems together and that integration has been beneficial to our internal processes.

What did you find most impressive about them?

SHALB has specific expertise in the business of OVPs, AWS, and content delivery networks. I expect the relationship to prosper going forward.

5.0
Overall Score
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer

SysAdmin Support Team for SaaS Product

“They serve an extremely important function and we wouldn’t be where we are without their partnership.”

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4.0

Quality: 
4.0
Schedule: 
4.5
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$50,000 to $199,999
 
Aug. 2015 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

SHALB provides continuous monitoring and support for an online platform. They oversee installations and configuration updates to reduce system outages.

The Reviewer
 
1-10 Employees
 
Dallas Metro Area
Founder, Mobile Software Platform
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

They are involved in day-to-day operations and are disciplined. Their operational model is unique among their competitors and their technical abilities and expertise add value.

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder of a mobile and API services platform. We provide an online platform that enables software developers with server-side capabilities for mobile and web applications. Our tools allow developers to focus on UX and their client-side logic.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with SHALB?

We needed someone to provide continuous monitoring and support for our infrastructure, both from a development perspective and for our production servers.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

As a development organization, our product lifecycle goes from development to testing, staging, and eventually production. It is an iterative process that needs support from their system administration team. Because it’s a large system, our software is deployed for both development and production.

They oversee the system for updates and configuration changes. They also monitor installations and support us if the system goes down. We have developers in different time zones for continuous coverage.

What is the team composition?

We don’t have dedicated resources assigned as account managers. There is a team of about 10 people, with a few at the helm of the company. We mostly interact with a large team of engineers and system administrators who answer in rotation. We have 24-hour coverage.

How did you come to work with SHALB?

We posted vacancies on a few job search sites for a system administrator. They reached out to us and introduced us to their outsource model. They were very proactive and seemed very knowledgeable. They had experience with systems and architecture similar to ours and injected the whole process with a level of confidence.

How much have you invested with them?

We pay a monthly retainer. The arrangement is scalable, so the retainer can grow with the size of the project.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in August 2015. They still provide support.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They are a very important part of our business as we grow. They serve an extremely important function and we wouldn’t be where we are without their partnership.

How did SHALB perform from a project management standpoint?

We don’t have a dedicated account manager, so we communicate with whoever happens to be on-call. They’re pretty involved in day-to-day tasks and are fairly disciplined. We communicate via chat or email with multiple people to resolve issues.

There is a tracking system in place, but it’s not the most effective. Sometimes, we submit requests that aren’t acknowledged very quickly. We aren’t always sure our issues are being addressed, which is something they could improve. They do listen to us, and I’m satisfied with them overall.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They offer a unique model for outsourced system administration and functionality. I don’t know of anyone in the field who does something similar, especially for SaaS companies. Coupled with their technical acumen, they provide powerful value.

Are there any areas they could improve

Switching to a better tracking system like Jira would be fantastic. The current system has poor visibility. We don’t get notifications that our requests have been received and are in queue. They could kind of improve communication and their management of customer expectations. Even just giving timing estimates would go a long way.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Make sure there is a clear understanding of responsibilities on both sides. Establish policies in your agreement, including daily operations and strategies for those critical times when there are system issues. If you are looking for basic assistance in support and system administration, I would recommend them. We would not be where we are today without them.

4.0
Overall Score There is some room for improvement.
  • 4.5 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    They conformed well to project timelines, but could improve their availability.
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    They provide a tremendous value.
  • 4.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    As they get more familiar with us and the reoccurring issues we face, we’d like them to become more knowledgeable about our product.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    I would highly recommend them.