SOFTVAN

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder of Whyte Automations. We offer smart home and office systems including air conditioning, TV, lights, fans, and appliances. Our product is a cloud-based voice service device.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with SOFTVAN?

We needed an outside partner to develop and integrate Amazon Alexa functionality for our system that was already built.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We needed them to build Amazon Alexa functionality for our system because we don’t have those kind of resources in our company. They developed the skills from scratch and updated Alexa commands into our system. They supported us in development and going live and fixed every malfunction.

They used Python and Node.js. Our system is in Firebase, so they had to understand a little bit of that as well. It’s basically an Alexa smart home system. If you already have a smart home, then you can enable that skill and control home equipment that’s already configured into our system through Alexa using your voice commands. You have to authenticate yourself as the owner in order to enable the skill and integrate Alexa. You have to enter your user ID and password.

They developed Alexa skills as well as Google Home skills. They are handling both of those voice assistants for us and providing updates. We’re still finalizing with them an image recognition project with them. One of the government organizations in India wanted this kind of technology in their labs. We’re working on three different projects right now.

What is the team composition?

I had a point of contact. There were four team members in total.

How did you come to work with SOFTVAN?

I found them through Upwork.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in January 2018 and the work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I am very satisfied with their services, which is why we continue to work with them. Their work is solid and the team is really good.

How did SOFTVAN perform from a project management standpoint?

Their response time is fabulous. We initially met face-to-face because we’re in the same city, but we now communicate via email and Skype. We have regular calls as well. We’re in constant communication during the projects with updates.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They understand requirements very well. We have a good relationship with them.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, we’re completely satisfied with their service.