Smacon Technologies Private Limited

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the managing partner at Ez Parts Tec. We’re a B2B e-commerce company that operates exclusively in the UAE. We facilitate the distribution of spare automotive parts from suppliers to garages.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Smacon Technologies Private Limited?

We needed a vendor to develop our website.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

I provided Smacon Technologies Private Limited with a mockup for an online portal that connected auto-part suppliers to garages. Then, their team built out the system using Magento as the base platform. They also developed a corresponding Android application. Our suppliers provide a product photograph and some basic information through the app, then we create a listing.

What is the team composition?

Initially, I spoke with Sreekesh (CEO and Managing Director, Smacon Technologies Private Limited). As the project progressed, the team grew to around six people. There was a graphic designer, a business analyst, and a few developers.

How did you come to work with Smacon Technologies Private Limited?

We did some market research and asked around our network for recommendations. A friend pointed us toward Smacon Technologies Private Limited, so we reached out. They were very energetic, and we ultimately chose to partner with them.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent around $30,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from late 2016–June 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

In our region, people were hardly using computers. It was very challenging to secure suppliers and convince them to add their products to the website. Smacon Technologies Private Limited’s accessible application design helped us introduce this distribution concept to our network, bringing our market into the IT space.

How did Smacon Technologies Private Limited perform from a project management standpoint?

The team showed good project management skills. I was worried that they wouldn’t fully understand my concept and the complexities associated with different car parts, models, and brands. In the end, I was impressed. They’re a smart group with an efficient work ethic. In terms of communication, we primarily spoke via Skype and WhatsApp. I also personally visited their offices on occasion.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Initially, I approached several different companies. Two of them immediately backed out when I started explaining my requirements. Smacon Technologies Private Limited was different. They showed a thorough understanding of my needs, even though they weren’t that familiar with the automotive industry.

Are there any areas they could improve?

In hindsight, there are a few things that could’ve been done differently in developing the application. Looking at the requirements originally given, the Smacon Technologies Private Limited team performed excellently. I’m confident that they’d willingly make any changes if I asked, but I’m not looking to do that at the moment.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of Baby Marine Seafood Retail. We’re a fish ordering service, that cooks and cleans frozen fish, and displays it on our website and mobile application. Customers can choose to order online through our payment gateway.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Smacon Technologies Private Limited?

We needed help with our app and web development in order to increase our online presence.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They developed our iOS and Android app as well as the frontend of our website. We have a different vendor who does the backend.

Smacon integrated the customer experience with the mobile app, as well as the website, and integration into the system application product (SAP) channel. They used Magento for the work, and the mobile apps were developed from scratch.

What is the team composition?

My main point of contact is Sreekesh (Co-founder/Director, Smacon Technologies Private Limited).

How did you come to work with SmaconTechnologies Private Limited?

They were a lead from some of my contacts.

How much have you invested with them?

$20,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in July 2017 until January 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We're now live. The app, the website, and the call center are complete. We have 40,000–45,000 users through the mobile app.

How did Smacon Technologies Private Limited perform from a project management standpoint?

We had to make some adjustments to the timeline because our requirements changed. They have a good structure. We communicated via email and phone calls, and we could reach them at any time.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They have a good attitude.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Our company develops websites and mobile apps. We have a lot of Australian clients. I'm a project manager.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Smacon Tech?

We've outsourced website CMS and mobile app development projects to Smacon.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Smacon Tech has built responsive websites using PHP and Java, along with PostgreSQL and MySQL databases. 

Using MySQL and Postgre SWL, they recently developed an account management system with a user-friendly interface. It’s a travel portal where registered users can upload photos and sort them by location.

Users can comment on, like, tag, and review the photos, and the homepage is populated with the most interesting ones. The site also features information about the images.

What is the team composition?

They assigned a project manager and requirements manager, along with sales and business developers. I’m in constant contact with their director. 

How did you come to work with Smacon Tech?

A friend recommended them.

How much have you invested with them?

The total cost of their work has been around $18,000 AUD (approximately $13,000 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with Smacon on a mobile app around two years ago. We started the latest project around August 2017, and we’re continually changing and updating it. The beta version is live.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Smacon supplies committed people that work with the latest technologies. We’re happy with their work.

How did Smacon Tech perform from a project management standpoint?

We communicate using email, phone, and WhatsApp. We use the agile methodology and communicate regularly about sprints. I constantly bring client requirements, updates, and changes to the appropriate Smacon member. They develop, test, and deliver the work, and we receive new releases monthly.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re dedicated to the work. They communicate effectively and implement updates quickly.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

The client's documentation skills are important.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the managing director of a product design company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Smacon Technologies?

We were building an app that would link with a hardware device via Bluetooth.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The app has geolocation capabilities through Google Maps, and it features Bluetooth synchronization and communication with a piece of hardware. Smacon Technologies didn’t have physical access to the device, so they sent me the app for testing. It was developed for Android as a native app.

What is the team composition?

Their CEO and managing director was my main point of contact.

How did you come to work with Smacon Technologies?

I searched online for Android and iOS developers. I sent quote requests to about 15 firms, and Smacon Technologies was one of five that responded. They communicated well and offered a reasonable price, so we selected them for our project.

How much have you invested with them?

I’ve spent about $2,500 on their work.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked with Smacon Technologies from February 2016 through July 2016.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The work has been completed, and the app works as I wanted it to. I have been unable to get users onboard, but this has nothing to do with Smacon’s work. I am happy with the work they provided.

How did Smacon Technologies perform from a project management standpoint?

Their performance was reasonable. The schedule was extended longer than it should’ve been, but I asked them to develop the app without having access to the device to pair it with. They sent me the latest versions for testing, and we went back and forth. That’s a time-consuming process.

They were responsive throughout the project, which was important for me. We mostly used email for updates, which I prefer because it serves as a point of reference. I rarely had to wait for an answer. Seeing their replies confirmed that they were listening.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I was impressed with their willingness to continue the work and to continue trying. When I started the project, there was no existing app similar to mine. Smacon conducted independent research, and they told me what parts of the project were feasible. They were persistent in their effort, and they eventually got it done. They didn’t get bogged down if something stumped them. They come back on track and get it sorted.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They initially underestimated the work on the Bluetooth connection. We ran into a bit of trouble, and it took them a week and a half to get more appropriate people on the project.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

I would advise future clients to work with Smacon because they will finish the job. But to avoid the underestimated scope troubles that I experienced, it would be wise to fully develop as much of the project in-house as possible before involving them.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the CEO of a company that provides IT support and services for public and private clients.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Smacon Technologies Private Limited?

We hired them to restore a website and its associated services.

What were your goals for this project?

Restoring the website within a tight schedule was critical. We wanted to improve the site’s user-friendliness, functionalities, and responsiveness while staying within budget.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Initially, we received proposals from four vendors. After discussing ideas with them, we chose Smacon Technologies Private Limited.

Can you go into detail about the services they provided and the scope of the project?

Based on high-level requirements, they redesigned and redeveloped our website. They also provided maintenance on some IT projects.

What was the team composition?

We worked with multiple designers, software developers, software engineers, testers, etc.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’ve seen improved customer satisfaction and increased efficiency.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

At every stage of the project, we had constant communication through Skype and emails. This was a plus. We also shared documents using SharePoint. They helped us stay within our budget.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

We were impressed with their communication and innovative ideas.

Are there any areas where they can improve?

Time zone differences caused some minor disruption. However, I’m not sure how that can be improved.