Softnauts – Digital Innovation Partner

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

We support small and medium-sized companies in the implementation of management systems. We offer our customers web application software. We also advise customers in the area of ​​management systems.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Softnauts?

Softnauts has developed everything for us from the concept to the end product. This includes design, development and project management. Also the structure of our server structure.

What were your goals for this project?

A working web application with API interfaces. Software as simple as possible so that it can be developed further.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

By a recommendation from a supplier.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

Design development in invision. Logo designs. the design for the complete branding. Website in cooperation with our supplier. Complete web development. Project management in Trello and Jira. weekly meetings of progress.

What was the team composition?

On our side two company owners. From the Softnauts to the meetings mostly project managers and developers or designers. At meetings in the office, usually the owner is also present.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Softnauts is our most important strategic partner. All of our development has been outsourced to them. Also the further development of the system that we do at Softnauts.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Project management was very good. Receive weekly reports. Weekly sessions conducted. Also worked with good tools like Trello or Jira.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The company is like a family. The Softnauts have so many employees that the necessary expertise can be found everywhere.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Conduct more customer visits.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of Herzog Neue Medien & Marketing, a consulting firm.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Softnauts?

We needed help with development.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Softnauts provides all kinds of web and application development. We create the concepts, and Softnauts does graphic design, mockups, and development.

Most recently, they developed a web app with scheduling software. They started with the development of a landing page for a hospital group in Switzerland. They also did an online booking system with a remote session solution for those doctors. The scenario was that their patients couldn’t meet the doctors in person due to COVID-19.

What is the team composition?

We usually work with the graphic designer, one frontend developer, and one backend developer. There’s also a project manager.

How did you come to work with Softnauts?

We’ve done 20 projects with them already.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent $10,000–$49,999.

What is the status of this engagement?

For this particular project, we worked together from April 2019–May 2020.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The end client is very happy. It’s very likely that we’ll develop further features for the scheduling software. A doctor I met the other day said that it was one of the most pleasant cooperations he’s been involved in. They deliver quality work on time. We’re happy working with them. We will have more reliable metrics in June.

How did Softnauts perform from a project management standpoint?

Project management is very good. They had some recent changes on the project management team, which has been the hardest part of the cooperation. However, I’ve never worked with any project manager from their side that wasn’t reliable. They do their job very well and meet the deadlines.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I have a good relationship with their CEO. We meet twice a year in Poland or Switzerland. They have a very skilled, young staff. The knowledge transfer is brilliant.

Are there any areas they could improve?

It’d be nice if the project managers could stay a little bit longer.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I have a few clients that now work with them quite closely. It’s a very pleasant cooperation. For Swiss companies outsourcing the first time, it’s hard to give away some control. It’s very important that you bring in a certain amount of trust. They’ve never underdelivered. It was always perfect. It can be hard for Swiss people to let go, and they expect very detailed reports. Softnauts has a very agile project management, and they do a very good job. My advice is to trust in their skills and project management.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m an international marketing specialist at AGH University of Science and Technology.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Softnauts?

I needed an IT company to develop a geo-location mobile app for our university. We have the largest campus in Poland, and countless international students informed us they needed help navigating it.  

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

I gave them specifications, and they developed an iOS and Android mobile app and a landing page. The app and landing page are available in Polish and English. The app features a geo-location and navigation feature that helps students locate themselves on campus when they’re lost. Other vital information such as opening hours, sports/clubs, and copy centers is easy to access. Important locations on campus have their own profile that displays photo galleries and information about staff members (via a program connected to our university database).

What is the team composition?

We worked with around nine people. I only met the project manager and the designer, but I loved their whole team.

How did you come to work with Softnauts?

I looked online for IT companies and was impressed with Softnauts.

How much have you invested with them?

I spent between $25,000–$50,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from November 2018 until January 2019. Their speed was quite impressive.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

People were very impressed by the app’s innovative design and simple onboarding process. It’s aesthetically pleasing and will be very useful for our university.

How did Softnauts perform from a project management standpoint?

Their project manager performed very well. She was always available to come to a meeting or talk to me, even after hours. I couldn’t believe she made time to have personal meetings with me. Normally, we communicated over email and phone. She also gave me access to a panel when I could comment on their work.

Their team was professional, friendly, and responsive and delivered high-quality work for a reasonable price. The focus on brainstorming and creativity led me to develop ideas I hadn’t thought of before. Beyond their physical work, they possess an intangible value that makes cooperating with them worthwhile.

What did you find most impressive about them?

While allocating plenty of room for creativity, they still worked within stable procedures. Their combination of price, quality, and speed was great.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, not that I was aware of.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Clients shouldn’t be afraid of laying out their vision. Softnauts provides space for your ideas and gives reasonable feedback. They’ll tell you what’s possible for your price.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder and CEO of a social networking company in the mental health sector. I started the company while working in a different industry as a way to keep contacts up to date on my new projects. But once the platform got picked up by a mental health institution, I decided to continue developing it in that direction. We currently offer a web and mobile app that allows mental health professionals to interact and discuss the different issues they run into with clients.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Softnauts?

I’d been outsourcing to a company in India, but the long-distance relationship became too difficult to manage. My perception of the concepts simply didn’t match theirs, which led to lots of frustration and work I couldn’t use. Based on that, I decided to look for a new development team a bit closer to home.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We initially hired them to take our web app and create a mobile app version, but they performed so well that we eventually transferred our front- and backend web development to them, too.

One of their primary tasks was replicating the functionalities of our web platform in an iOS/Android mobile app. Push notifications were especially important since we have a social networking platform. We ended up liking the very first design Softnauts produced, so we chose to keep developing it.

Beyond that, we’re hoping to start migrating our platform over to React. They’ve hired a backend developer specifically for us who has that coding expertise, so we’re looking to start that soon.

What is the team composition?

We have a project manager; Android, iOS, and backend developers; and a QA tester. The CEO also meets with us occasionally.

How did you come to work with Softnauts?

They were the best fit out of all the companies we researched. Konrad (CEO, Softnauts) is around my age and made sure to have personal contact with us, which is a major reason we’ve stuck with their company for so long. He understood us well and made it feel like we had control over the direction of our projects.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent over $200,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been working together since August 2016, and the work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They’ve significantly reduced the development time for new functionalities for our products, which has been a big improvement over our previous vendor. Now that the mobile app has launched, we’ve also received lots of positive feedback about its usability. Since we deal with mental health professionals, our users are a bit on the older side, but they’ve reported that the app is intuitive and user-friendly.

Going forward, we have at least another year’s worth of improvements and new features to roll out. Softnauts has done good work, and we’re especially appreciative of the backend developer they hired specifically to meet our needs. That’s sped up our development process a lot.

How did Softnauts perform from a project management standpoint?

We work in two-week sprints and manage them with weekly calls. Our in-house project manager coordinates with theirs via Slack most of the time. We can also use Slack to get in touch with the developers if we need to, but their project manager usually handles everything. Besides that, we use Jira and Confluence to keep track of project tasks and use GoToMeeting for voice calls with screen-sharing. We also visit their office in person at least four times a year.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Whenever we make a trip to their offices, the CEO invites us to have lunch with him and always makes it feel like we’re a top priority. He’ll spend two or three full days listening in on meetings with our team. It helps us feel like we’re all part of a unified team and that he really understands what’s going on with our account. It’s a big risk to have all development done by a single party, for continuity reasons. But they make it clear that they’re invested in our business from top to bottom. Having the ability to sit down and discuss our issues with the CEO directly is a great comfort, especially after feeling like we were lost in the shuffle with our previous vendor.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There’s always room to improve, but I don’t really have anything to complain about. There are always some bugs that appear after you release new functionalities in an app, and with Softnauts it doesn’t happen very often. Their QA tester does a good job.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

It’s important to maintain constant contact when outsourcing, both by using Slack and also by organizing weekly phone calls at a fixed time so the whole team can meet. Even if there’s nothing to discuss, it’s still beneficial to spend five or ten minutes touching base with the team in order to build stronger rapport and team spirit.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the managing director at StoryTEQ. We work with brands to enhance their video marketing through our dynamic platform and campaign strategies.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Softnauts?

We develop our platform in-house, which is often very time-consuming work. I needed a team to help reduce that workload.

What were your goals for this project?

The delivered website needed to align with our company’s platform and values.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I worked with Softnauts on various projects in previous years. I knew they were transparent, reasonably priced, and capable of delivering great work.

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

The Softnauts team designed, developed, and tested the website. Their proactive thinking improved the site’s features, speed, CMS integrations, and more.

What was the team composition?

They provided a project manager, a designer, and a developer for this project.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’re pleased with the website’s design and it’s still functioning properly. Because of the team’s strategy in the development architecture, we can easily make adjustments when necessary.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

We communicated efficiently through Trello and Skype. Despite the language barrier, there were no miscommunications or misunderstandings.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They produce high-quality work for an extremely reasonable price.

Are there any areas where they can improve?

At one point, our project manager left the project, which resulted in a few scheduling issues and developmental delays. Eventually, they delivered on the missed requirements.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

We are an intergovernmental organization dealing with customs matters.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Softnauts?

We hired them for the development of a mobile app.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to use the mobile app to help disseminate knowledge about a specific international customs tool.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We approached several companies and Softnauts provided both the best offer and the best understanding of our project.

Describe the project in detail.

We wanted to develop an app that would train people on a specific development topic while also testing their knowledge and providing some practical tools. The app is available in our two official languages, English and French. This app is connected to our Moodle-based LMS to save users' progress. One of the main challenges was to make it usable for people with no access to the LMS; solutions were found to address this.

What was the team composition?

A project manager was our main point of contact. We had initial kick-off meetings with the management and the development team, including iOS and Android developers. Only when technical decision making arose did we converse with the development team.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We are just at our release stage so it is too early to comment on this.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

I enjoyed communication with Softnauts as they have defined processes and are always available and responsive. All the people I met are fluent in English, which has made communication a lot easier.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They are very professional and easy to work with.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I own Cool Running Software and Olmsted Ice. The former develops operations software for ice businesses.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Softnauts?

Originally, the software was a server-based system that ran on a Windows mobile app and an SQL database. We then needed to transition to an Android app when Windows Mobile became obsolete.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We asked Softnauts to write an Android app that would work with the Windows system. However, that was a mistake because we needed to rebuild the entire system, which they finally did a few years later for our cloud-based server. We just launched the new system in beta with a web-based system for the app’s licensing. Since those licenses are stored in the cloud, I’ve asked Softnauts to develop an emergency bypass feature that will ensure our partners won’t lose data. They’re now building that functionality, and continue to do bug fixes and enhancements. The team is also creating push notifications, which will run from mobile app to the web system.

How did you come to work with Softnauts?

I researched mobile app developers via Upwork and met with a few international agencies. Although I was hesitant to hire a foreign vendor, Softnauts’ English skills made them stand out.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent at least $100,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in 2014 and the partnership is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our customers have been very happy despite initial concerns that their employees were too old to handle the new technology. Although there have been a few issues, Softnauts successfully streamlined my business’ technical components in a step-by-step process with immediate fixes.

How did Softnauts perform from a project management standpoint?

The project management role has experienced turnover, but new resources onboarded quickly by leveraging their predecessors’ comprehensive documentation. The team works effectively with our in-house web and API developers, adhering to our requirements. We use Trello, which keeps everyone in constant contact and in the loop. We’ve only met via Skype.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They provided feedback and responsive service, even when the office was closed. I’m always able to message the owner and get someone online to provide assistance in real-time.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I wish I could pay less, but costs are good.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

Get full quotes upfront–ones that include the cost of bug fixes.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the CEO of a learning platform company for schools and universities.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Softnauts?

We wanted to develop a custom learning management system for schools.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted extensive functionality that would create a modern user experience, and we wanted to finish as quickly as possible.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We met with Softnauts at a conference, and they impressed us the most through the interview process.

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

Softnauts provided full stack development for the system. They assisted with project management in a dedicated team model.

What was the team composition?

We worked with three developers, two QC managers, and a project manager.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The end product was high quality and exactly what we needed for that stage of development.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Softnauts worked well within our project timeline. They were professional and dedicated to our product’s success.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They are talented with their UX development.

Are there any areas where they can improve?

Their project management could have been more proactive, but overall, our engagement was very good.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the former mobile solutions manager at Unibet, an online gaming company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Softnauts?

We needed additional development resources to improve one of our existing applications for a client.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Softnauts integrated with our team on various projects, including a client-server application. They helped develop a mobile app, for example, including a database and server within an API consisting of an admin panel that allowed the customer to manage the backend. They even helped reshape the design requirements of the project, mostly using JavaScript and Native environments to build the apps.

What is the team composition?

We worked with a project manager, a team of web and mobile app developers, and some designers.

How did you come to work with Softnauts?

I was looking for developers in Poland specifically, because the location was more accessible to us from the UK than other vendors in areas like the Ukraine and India, and there's less of a language barrier. We chose to work with Softnauts, because their prices were competitive and we liked their approach after meeting with their team in person.

How much have you invested with them?

We invested about $150,000 in total.

What is the status of this engagement?

At Unibet, I worked with them from 2015 to around November 2017 on a specific project. They continue to work with that client on maintenance and improvements as needed, and I've also continued my relationship with them in my new role at a different company since.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The project Softnauts worked on was a huge success, leaving the client very happy. In fact, that client has continued their relationship with Softnauts as a result of their high-quality work.

How did Softnauts perform from a project management standpoint?

Softnauts' project management approach is seamless. They were accessible and stayed organized through Jira, which I always felt helped keep me in the loop throughout the stages of the project. They're also good about following client requirements and providing additional feedback where they feel it would improve outcomes.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I'm most impressed by their agile approach to projects; they keep an open mind throughout the process, which can be hard to find in most vendors. They remained positive and proactive, without fluctuating in cost, even when we had to make changes to the scope of work. I felt like they genuinely cared about client satisfaction at the end of the day. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

The more detailed your requirements for development are, the better. Make sure you know what you want and it's clear within the initial scope of work for more the most accurate outcomes.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder of Attractiv B.V., a rating and dating app.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Softnauts?

I needed a company to help me develop an app and a landing page for our website.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They developed my iOS and Android app for rating and dating, as well as a landing page. People upload their picture, then other users rate them based on that picture. They end up in a ranking. The dating part comes into place where people can look at the rankings and filter the results to see, for example the highly-rated people in their area, based on gender preferences, age, and distance. They then can wink at each other and start dating. The website was to explain the app and encourage people to download it. I had the script and they developed the wireframes.

What is the team composition?

I worked with Konrad (CEO/Founder, Softnauts), a project manager, and a developer. There were multiple developers working on the project.

How did you come to work with Softnauts?

I found them through a friend who had worked with them on several projects. He was very happy with their partnership.

How much have you invested with them?

75,000 euros [$88,440 USD].

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from October 2016 until April 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We had some issues launching the iOS app because Apple didn’t allow it. We then developed the Android one. We had a soft launch, then a real launch of the Android app.

We performed several tests during the development, working with test groups and users. Those experiences were really good and helped us to nail the product quickly. Users provide positive feedback and continue to return to the app. We’re going to launch it in the Netherlands and hopefully see real results there.

How did Softnauts perform from a project management standpoint?

They give very rapid feedback with very tiered scheduling. If something isn’t possible time-wise or technology-wise, they’re very clear about it. Their communication is very good­—we used email and Google Docs.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The price for the quality is unmatched.

Are there any areas they could improve?

When we wanted to develop the Android app, they didn’t have Android developers at that moment. They worked it out though.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be very clear in your briefings to avoid going back and forth since you’ll be working with a lot of people remotely.