SmartTek Solutions

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CTO of Immersive Inc. We’re a VR ad company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with AVRspot?

There were two things: one was to expand our backend services, and the second was to revamp our Amazon Web Services (AWS) stuff to be cheaper and more manageable. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We had two engineers working for us. One was primarily focused on reorganizing our AWS services to be more container-based, versus having individualized machines for every service. The second one was helping us build new services and going through existing ones—they’re all Java-based—and integrating them into a runtime dashboard, which we put on a TV monitor in our office. This lets us see the application health statistics.

We’ve also had people working our ad software development kits (SDKs) and other small projects. Our SDK is primarily C++ and had to be integrated with iOS and Java for Android. They were responsible for writing the adapters into the actual platform.

In terms of initial requirements, it was different for everyone. The AWS guy liked abstract conversation, so I allowed him to pitch how he wanted to remodel the app, and then let him work. The other backend engineer was preferred two-way conversation, laying out the specs, and reviewing the code. He suggested some changes, like a big data processing idea using Apache Spark analytics, and we’d see some test data.

What is the team composition?

We’ve had two consistently work for us, and then we’ve had two others for between four and six months. There was also a UX designer for a month or two.

How did you come to work with AVRspot?

We had another team out of Romania, but they didn’t work out. AVRspot was recommended to us by one of our investors, and I was introduced to Andrew, the CEO.

How much have you invested with them?

They bill in a flat rate, which, for us, was $150,000—$160,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from September 2017 until August 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The AWS reorganization dropped our operating costs down by an order of magnitude. Our previous development used an older version of Kabana, a visualization and reporting tool on top of Elasticsearch, and it was a pain to get it to work on newer version of browsers. They got everything ported over and running on the new version. That’s huge for us because we use it every day, all the time.

How did AVRspot perform from a project management standpoint?

We didn’t really require much project management, but there were a couple times where I worked with the CEO if someone wasn’t performing or delivering. He was completely understanding—he’s the one who made the relationship work right. He was there whenever a problem needed to be helped. We had our weekly meetings on Zoom over video, and, after that, it was mostly email and HipChat.

What did you find most impressive about them?

It’s just a pleasure work with Andrew and the team. Of all the offshore people I’ve worked with, their CEO is the most attentive and accommodating person of all. His input contributes greatly to the success of the team dynamic we had.

Usually, with oversees things, I start having to work with the company, but they were very helpful in the whole selection process. We went through interviews with everybody on their team and they gave me CVs of people they have. Selecting the right people we wanted was a clean process.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There were some miscommunications here and there, but they took care of it all. It was a great working relationship. I'm definitely going to be working with them again at some point.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the CEO of a production services company. We provide production and marketing services to clients who utilize virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality. We also create customized strategies for the clients using 3D technologies.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with AVRspot?

We're creating a proprietary software that can be integrated into 3D technology. We needed a company to help us with development.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

AVRspot created a working prototype for us, which we're very pleased with. The software is based on a Unity platform and can be used for marketing and interaction with social media. It also incorporates visual tracking and voice command features.

What is the team composition?

I work directly with their partners and have a main point of contact.

How did you come to work with them?

I found them on LinkedIn. I looked at their website and was impressed with their clients (they work with some luxury hotels and well-known brands). Even though a lot of the technology is coming out of Ukraine, they have many clients in the United States. Besides, they have a great command of the English language.

How much have you invested with them?

We've spent about $20,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in January 2018 and the relationship is ongoing. They delivered the first working prototype by the end of May.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We haven't rolled the product out to market, but we're happy with the progress. We also plan to use AVRspot for ongoing support once the product reaches the market.

How did they perform from a project management standpoint?

They're very organized and professional. They've understood all of our needs and built positive relationships with our internal team. Also, they created a reporting schedule, providing us with all the benchmarks. When we need to make any changes, they're responsive to our feedback.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They're very cost-effective and do exceptional work. They can customize the product to any of our needs and have a firm understanding of the new and existing technologies.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No. I've been very satisfied.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder of United Spirit Games. We’re a micro startup with a healthcare focus. We design gaming with a Global Mission in mind, "Mobile Body Movement".

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with AVRspot?

We hired them to develop a demo version of our first app, which is a game aimed at physiotherapy patients.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They’re building an augmented reality mobile game called Kick Alley Soccer. It’s made for both iOS and Android. In order for it to work, they designed a unique algorithm for detecting the user’s foot via the phone camera. This was tricky because it hasn’t been done with AR before—most of the code that exists deals with the face or the hands. This is the first application of AR for foot movement, and the app not only reads the motion of the foot but also generates a soccer ball that moves toward a goal based on the speed and accuracy of the user’s movement.

They’ve completed our demo, which includes the first three levels of the game, and they’re continuing to develop the remainder of those to flesh out the full app.

What is the team composition?

Their CEO serves as our project manager day to day and we’ve also met with their Co-CEO who’s also their AR/VR expert.

How did you come to work with AVRspot?

We put out requests for developers on social media. A number of companies that contacted us couldn’t meet our needs on the AR development, but then we heard from AVRspot and they said they had the technical know-how to do it. They were very honest and we liked them right away.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent between $3,000–$4,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in November 2017. The first phase is completed, but we’re still working with them to finish the app.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’ve just started our “early adopter” phase using the demo version of the app, so we’ve got about two dozen beta testers. All of their reviews have been positive. They’ve also helped us identify some bugs, although those have been minimal. AVRspot responds immediately to that user feedback and has made the improvements promptly.

How did AVRspot perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re always available to meet with us via Skype, no matter what time it is, and they’re transparent about how much time they need to handle developments or updates. They take feedback very seriously. They’ve also been incredibly understanding about the fact that we’re a startup and our product isn’t ready to make income yet. They offered us a flexible monthly payment plan that’s been really helpful.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re visionaries. They believe in us and our product, and they view the project not just as it is, but as what it can become or what it can do for people. Not only that, their expertise with AR and VR solutions has made them uniquely skilled at finding new applications of this technology.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the founder of United Spirit Games, a consortium of innovative concepts for sports entertainment attractions and augmented reality (AR) mobile gaming. I also co-created KICK ALLEY Soccer, a AR mobile game app that realized my vision of connecting the fun of soccer with the exercise needs of the physiotherapy world.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire AVRspot?

We reached out to AVRspot for algorithm experts and programmers who specialized in the AR field to help us develop KICK ALLEY.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goal was to create a ground-breaking AR game in which the player moves his or her own foot to kick the soccer ball on a mobile device.  

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Several developers preceding AVRspot had failed to deliver what they promised, namely in-depth knowledge and AR skills, so despite having a prototype on GooglePlay, the project remained incomplete. AVRspot offered experience in advanced computer vision project creation and assured us that the game could be completed within reasonable cost and time frames. 

Describe the project in detail.

The project scope included a full range of development services, including design, development, and implementation of UI/UX elements, controls, and feedback-based updates; game design; GameSparks integration; testing, debugging, and assembly; pre-release for iOS and Android platforms using TestFlight and .apk; and ongoing support and updates. 

What was the team composition?

The team initially included two software engineers and one QA engineer. After completing the MVP, the team downsized to one software engineer and one part-time QA.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The object of the game is to kick a soccer ball straight down the alley and earn points by scoring goals into nets of various sizes. Because the highlight is that players use their own feet, the most difficult part of the project was developing accurate foot recognition and tracking. We had spent years searching for experts in "foot-detection” who were capable of coding the revolutionary algorithms necessary for full “foot kick” interaction; AVRspot created the first version in just one and a half months! 

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Team meetings, conducted via Skype video or audio calls, were scheduled at our convenience and in our time zone, and communication flowed seamlessly through all channels. Negotiations and meetings were clear and transparent; AVRspot took detailed minutes and repeated information back to us in order to confirm details. 

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They displayed both youthful exuberance and ambition for their work and absolute confidence and certainty that they could deliver results—which they could.  

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the owner and CEO of MySimpleBilling, a utility billing service provider.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with UkrInSofT?

We wanted to develop a new desktop app for a more efficient billing process.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We primarily provide utility billing services for apartment buildings and retail shops that receive a single bill for multiple units. UkrInSofT developed an app that tracks water and electric usage, calculates the total utility costs based on current city charges, and splits the price evenly amongst all tenants. The app also factors in spaces with individual smart meters and deduct their usage from the total bill.

What is the team composition?

We work directly with their co-founder. However, other team members are present during meetings in case we have questions relevant to their specific role.

How did you come to work with UkrInSofT?

UkrInSofT was one of 10 potential partners we discovered while scouring the web for app developers. We administered a relatively simple test to get a sense of how well they understood the project and how fast they produce deliverables. Whereas most of the contractors either didn’t reply or answered incorrectly, UkrInSofT quickly provided an accurate response. They were also the only company to point out a mathematical flaw in our test. After meeting with their team, it was clear that our search was complete. They weren’t the lowest bidder, but we were very confident that they could handle the job.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $32,000--$35,000 to develop the platform.

What is the status of this engagement?

They started working on the app in the latter half of 2013 and completed the project early in 2014.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We don’t have to measure statistics because our business growth speaks for itself. Our clients are so impressed by the app’s accuracy and efficiency that they’re referring their colleagues to our services. We’re continuously receiving emails and phone calls inquiring about our platform; astonishingly, these leads are generated through word of mouth alone. To adapt to our newfound popularity, we moved away from selling our manual billing services to vend the billing app.

How did UkrInSofT perform from a project management standpoint?

Despite being located in different time zones, they accommodated our schedule fantastically. We held weekly Skype meetings and scheduled phone calls when necessary. Project files were distributed via email. In addition to working diligently to meet the hard deadlines, they saved valuable time by informing us when our vision was impractical or prone to issues. Without their guidance, the app would have been a failure.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Most companies promote a personal client experience but fail to deliver once the sale is made. UkrInSofT actually followed through with their promise and maintained a one-on-one relationship throughout the project. We never had to go through multiple people to get something done. They’re very approachable and receptive to new ideas and overall a great partner.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Everything was perfect. We were pleasantly surprised that we never had miscommunication due to the language barrier, or issues with the difference in time zone. Their team is exceptionally talented, and their services were affordable.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Use their knowledge and experience as a resource. Although you may have a brilliant concept, their expertise will undoubtedly enhance your vision.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of Mobimex Group Ltd. Our platform allows mobile network operators to distribute content to end-users via SMS, and offers them a billing service to charge customers through.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with UkrInSofT?

I’d designed the current version of our platform, but I wanted to take it to the next level. We needed help with gateway connections and various API’s.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We spent one week explaining everything in detail, after which they started development. We connected UkrInSofT directly with our mobile-network aggregators, and they built our whole platform from scratch. Our platform involved a lot of micro-transactions, so we had to ensure there was no off-time, that the information was stored properly, and that our marketing team and partners could quickly pull out different statistics.

We added an affiliate extension to the platform last year, which gives companies that don’t have currently have a platform the opportunity to use ours. We’re also adding more load to the system, and we’re live in several countries. We have direct connections in Iran, South Africa, Thailand, some European countries, and we're also making a connection in Iraq.

Mobile network operators are always changing their regulations and upgrading their equipment, so we constantly need to keep up. Our gateway will get obsolete, and, at some point, we won’t have a connection, so we need to constantly update the gateway, optimize it, and make sure that everything is up-to-date.

They’ve also developed simpler items for us, like mobile apps. They created a dating platform in South Africa, for Android and iOS, and we’ve also brought them a couple of German projects. Some of the technologies and languages they’ve used with us include: Caml, PHP, Python, MySQL, and Oracle.

What is the team composition?

I’m in touch with two or three people, but they have a whole group of developers working behind them. When they were building our platform, they had 38 people based in Ukraine.

How did you come to work with UkrInSofT?

We experimented with different companies, but we couldn’t find a one-stop-shop for everything. UkrInSofT was recommended to me by the friend of a partner of mine, so we talked on the phone, and then I went to visit them in-person. They’d been working for Israeli security companies, which impressed me, because I believe they have high demands and standards. UkrInSofT showed me some of their previous projects and were honest about the fact that they had never created anything like our platform before. They told me that they did know coding though, and that they weren't afraid to jump into new arenas, which definitely stood out to me.

How much have you invested with them?

Including all the projects we’ve done, we’ve spent less than 1% of our what our company is worth.

What is the status of this engagement?

We've been working with them since 2011. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The platform is working and we’re seeing great results.

How did UkrInSofT perform from a project management standpoint?

We usually communicate on WhatsApp and Skype, and if I have an urgent need, I can write them, and they will react immediately. We have 24/7 communication, even in areas that have a shifted work week such as Iran, Iraq, and the UAE. Our partners sometimes demand development work during the weekends, and there’ve been situations where UkrInSofT had to be alert during night hours, but they always found someone who could immediately do what needed to be done. They didn’t charge me extra for those instances either.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We’ve had moments when something wasn’t working, and they were always ready to find a solution. They never give up and they work until the end. If they say something can’t be done, then I’m 100% sure that it’s the truth. I felt that they had a personal interest in us as well, that they were a part of the project. They were dedicated to us as a client.

What I like really is that I don’t have to talk to the developers. I’ve always wanted to have just one person to work through, and UkrInSofT delegates tasks to the people behind them. I just say what I need, how it should work, how it should look, and then they do it.

Are there any areas they could improve?

As a customer, I can always complain about something, but we have to be realistic about the fact that we’re working with people and no one is perfect. They could improve in terms of estimating tasks though. I’m very happy with what we have, and that’s why we continue to work with them.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

I believe that customers are in good hands, and I don’t have to give any advice. Bring your project, and get the best support there.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the owner of Festplanung and EventAgent, two startups which provide global, online marketplaces connecting event planners to service providers and other interested groups of people.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire UkrInSofT?

I originally hired UkrInSofT for support and maintenance on Festplanung. After successful work on Festplanung, I hired them to develop the site for EventAgent from scratch.

What were your goals for this project?

First, we needed to keep the existing Festplanung site running smoothly, updating the site periodically to enhance security. Afterward, we wanted to develop a new platform for EventAgent that had a better UI/UX, and was more robust, than Festplanung. We needed everything including software design, database management capabilities, DevOps activities (e.g., hardware setup and administration), and integration with payment and SMS gateways.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Before UkrInSofT, I had worked with a few other companies that I was unsatisfied with. I began asking associates for referrals and was recommended to UkrInSofT.

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

They use mock-ups to build the system architecture using HTML, CCS, and JS; aligned servers and testing environments; ran a full development cycle on the server and database; integrated the payment solutions (e.g., Paypal, Sofort/EBICS) relative to email and SMS protocols; and enhanced server security.

What was the team composition?

The team consisted of one project manager, one technical lead, two backend developers, two frontend developers, and two QA specialists.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Their work contributed to consistent revenue generation for these platforms - both of which struggled previously.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Despite some language barriers, communication through email or Skype was direct and effective. They responded immediately to my ideas and often provided supportive feedback suggesting solutions and best practices.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

After many disappointing interactions with other companies, I finally found one that I could trust and rely on. Even during disagreements, they always showed that their challenging of my ideas helped create the best product possible.

Are there any areas where they can improve?

Having a German speaker would've improved communication.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the technical director of Neat Media, an IT services firm. We provide IT support for small and medium-sized business in Chicago.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with UkrInsofT?

We had a client requiring some additional work but I was already occupied with another project for them, so I decided to outsource it.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

I coordinated the client’s requirements ensure the project ran smoothly while UkrInsofT did all the work. They developed an internal business solution for recruitment and staff management for a private business. It was for record keeping and processing new applicants. The client does advertising on social media platforms so has a lot of prospects coming in, and needed to manage those.  

What is the team composition?

I worked with the owner and a staff member of their team.

How did you come to work with UkrInsofT?

I was previously involved in a software development outstaffing project. From time to time, there were leads for smaller jobs and a friend of mine recommended UkrInSoft as a good provider for these smaller types of projects.

How much have you invested in them?

We spent around $15,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked with them from February to July 2016.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The business is still using the solution, so it has been of value. The client was happy with the work.

How did UkrInsofT perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re excellent. They were pretty flexible even though there was a time difference. Most of the time it was not a problem to reach out and give feedback, or for them to get back to us within 30 minutes if any issues came up. We used Redmine for project management.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I was happy to work with them and plan to work with them in the future as I am just getting back to outsourcing right now. I’m happy we were on good terms when the project finished and everyone was satisfied from all sides. Everything was good and there were no complaints.

Are there any areas they could improve?

It was pretty smooth from start to finish.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

The client has to know what they’re looking for as sometimes they’re not completely clear in their needs. As soon as things are clearly outlined, it should be smooth.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the founder and CEO of an educational website where people can contribute instructional video content.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with AVRspot?

I was interested in getting a volumetrics-driven app out there using 4D holograms. I needed help with the augmented reality (AR) part of the app.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They worked on a personal trainer app. The end user is able to walk into a gym, scan the room for any kind of equipment, and the app detects the equipment. Then, it suggests all the exercises that you can do with that specific equipment.

Once the user selects the exercise, a realistic hologram of a personal trainer doing the exercise is displayed. They built the iOS app using Unity and Google Vision.

What is the team composition?

I was in contact with three people from the firm, but mostly the project manager. He would take my descriptions and communicate with the development team separately.

How did you come to work with AVRspot?

They reached out to me at the right time. I had in my mind that I needed something like this done and within a week or two, they reached out with a portfolio. I looked at it and the videos were on par with what I wanted. The way they marketed their service was good because I've received different requests from different companies, but they never stuck with me like AVRspot.

How much have you invested with them?

I invested less than $8,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from October 2017— February 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They were cost effective and did a good job of delivering the requirements on time. It felt like they were in-house instead of just an outsourced company.

How did AVRspot perform from a project management standpoint?

We mostly used email, but connected initially over Skype. As far as making deadlines, they were pretty good about it. We set the expectation and they delivered. When a bug needed to be fixed, they added more resources to the project and fixed it.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They came up with suggestions of their own. Instead of just doing what was asked, they brought other suggestions to the project.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t think of any room for improvement.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

No. I don’t have advice at this time.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of Polygon CGI. We specialize in 3D computer-generated images and mobile interactive 3D.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with AVRspot?

We needed help with mobile application development.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

To date, we’ve collaborated on two mobile-based projects for iOS and Android; both were interactive 3D. For the car configurator project, they supplemented development for 3D content. The team helped with Google Analytics and Firebase’s new mobile-friendly version.

The second project involved augmented reality and VR for a nightclub environment. They created a virtual character for first- and third-person simulations. The VR also include multi-player options. Functionalities included audio streams and a live video plug-in, which allowed users to play their iPhone content within the virtual nightclub.

What is the team composition?

The team includes two resources; one was a dedicated developer.

How did you come to work with AVRspot?

They contacted me. Although I wasn’t initially interested, their international location made me think they’d be less expensive than domestic firms. The team was open to a “pay as you go” arrangement.

How much have you invested in them?

They charge hourly rates, which we negotiate. We’ve spent under £10,000 ($14,185 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

Work started in August 2017 and is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They increased my capacity to deliver results while charging me less than most British firms. AVRspot works well as an ad hoc partner. They’re always accessible, which distinguishes them from other firms I’ve engaged.

How did AVRspot perform from a project management standpoint?

They make remote development convenient. There’s no need for in-house resources, especially considering our ongoing relationship. We Skype when necessary; they speak English well.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They deliver accurate results and provide explicit instructions for integrations. The team is also responsive. They respond to emails within minutes.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I can’t think of anything.