Stackfee

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the marketing manager for Friendly Planet Travel.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Stackfee?

We needed help migrating a legacy application, which our business relied on, to a modern language and infrastructure to develop it further.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Stackfee is currently migrating our web app from Classic ASP to .NET Core. We had an in-house developer who spent 20 years building this app, developing and adding to it. But he only knew ASP, which is outdated. The app is pivotal to our business as it manages all our bookings and functions as a combination booking engine, client management system, and CRM.

The team is also migrating the website to no longer use ASP. The ultimate goal is to rewrite the app's language to .NET Core, allowing it to be much more flexible and further developed.

What is the team composition?

We work with Harley, our team lead, a support team member, and four developers. Two developers work on the app's backend migration, and two on the frontend.

How did you come to work with Stackfee?

Stackfee was hired as a contractor by another company, and we were so impressed with their work that we transitioned our contract to them directly.

How much have you invested with them?

We've spent between $100,000–$200,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them directly in October 2024, and our engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Stackfee has already migrated two of the most complex sections of our app, including the ability to produce new tour pages in a CRM fashion and the ability to take a booking, which has integrations with many other third-party apps. The quality of their work is excellent. We've engaged a third-party consultant expert in development to review, advise, and ensure that the direction and quality of the work are solid and will set us up for a productive, functional, and modern project. 

He concluded that the work that Harley and Stackfee have done is perfect. They've used all the best business standards and made all smart tech stack decisions, and the project's direction and organization are excellent and clear.

How did Stackfee perform from a project management standpoint?

They deliver on time and within budget. We use GitHub to organize the project and tickets and Marker.io as our ticketing report system. We communicate via email and meet weekly on Google Chat. We also have regular touch-base meetings and office hours where my team can talk to their developers. Stackfee also offers emergency support services.

Are there any employees from the service provider's team that you would like to give a shout-out to in this review?

I want to give a shout-out to HarlStackfee'see's CEO. He took our crazy project and put it in a way that created a clear path forward for us. He committed to completing it in a specific timeframe, which gave us a lot of confidence.

He is confident and has a clear direction, which makes the whole project easier, especially for our growing company. He took something that was a giant confusion for us and helped us distill it down, and that's a remarkable asset for him and his company.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Stackfee is communicative, and they have a plan. Since they manage the system, they offer emergency service support. If something breaks or goes down, they manage that. And we have Harley's phone number to get a hold of him.

Are there any areas they could improve?
There's a learning curve around figuring out who to talk to when something is broken and how to communicate those issues. We've gone through a couple of iterations of the best way to test things, and in some cases, we've agreed that hasn't turned out to be the most effective way to do it.

We haven't lost a lot of time because they're really responsive. We've had to work closely together to develop the right ways to manage QA testing, knowing that our team is so little on our end. Harley has had to return to his drawing board and rethink how to do things because we don't have the resources. We've learned through that. That's one of the things that was the most challenging.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be clear about what you're looking for and proactively ensure your priorities maStackfee'see's. There are many moving parts in a big project like this, so you want everybody's eyes to be on the priority order, in-house and with Stackfee.

Give them clear instructions because they know how to get from point A to point B, but you must ensure they understand the implications so you all are good to go. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of Calisthenics Gym, a group class gym and wellness center in Montreal.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Stackfee?

We needed to build a website.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Stackfee conceptualized and created my website using a template. They designed and developed the site using WordPress. The team provided some media and created content for the site in French and English. Stackfee also hosted the website and worked on SEO minimally.

What is the team composition?

We worked with three people: Harley, the owner; a content creator; and a programmer.

How did you come to work with Stackfee?

I met Harley randomly and talked about my gym. He proposed their services, and we started working together.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent at least $4,000 CAD.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from September 2023 to September 2024.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The website was the work's success. The functionality was good, and we were very satisfied with the quality. 

How did Stackfee perform from a project management standpoint?

It took a long time to finish the site simply because I was not providing content. My business was slow to bring up to a level where I thought it could be content-worthy, so it's more like I stagnated the project. This did not represent the speed of their work; their work speed was effective. Stackfee's project management and communication were excellent and efficient. We used Instagram and talked in person.

Are there any employees from the service provider's team that you would like to give a shout-out to in this review?

The whole team was great, but I want to give a shout-out to Harley, the main person behind the organization.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I appreciated the relationship and connection with Stackfee since I knew them personally.

Are there any areas they could improve?

We should have spent more time on quality translations. The French content was translated with ChatGPT, and there were many mistakes. However, I take fault for that since it could have been my part to provide the content.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I highly recommend working with Stackfee because they do quality work.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Owner of SEMSoft

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Delivering solutions that are fully integrated across all our Private Cloud, Maintenance and Support services.practices to identify any risks and areas of weakness.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Stackfee to accomplish?

• System Replacement and Customization: Develop a custom web-based CRM system, integrated with an SQL database, to replace the existing master Excel sheet. This system should be dynamic, accommodating specific client data needs and offering the flexibility to add additional data fields as required.
• Enhanced Security and Data Privacy: Implement robust security measures including: Granular access control to manage user permissions for viewing and modifying sensitive information. Data encryption at both the column level within the database and full encryption of the database at rest.
• Reliable Database Infrastructure: Ensure the database is secure and includes a replication feature to mitigate data loss, maintaining continuous data availability.
• Authentication and Client Ownership: Implement CRM integration with the company's Active Directory (AD) and two-factor authentication (2FA). Ensure client's full ownership and access to the application, data, and source code, with on-premise data storage.

SOLUTION

How did you find Stackfee?

Referral

Why did you select Stackfee over others?

• Close to my geographic location
• Pricing fit our budget
• Good value for cost
• Referred to me

How many teammates from Stackfee were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

As a Managed Services Provider (MSP), we were approached by a property management firm to develop a custom web-based Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, integrated with an SQL database. This project was aimed at replacing their antiquated Excel-based client management system. To achieve this, we collaborated with Stackfee, a specialized development firm, for their expertise in this area. 
The project's deliverables were:

• Customized CRM System: Tailor-made to meet the specific operational needs of the property management company, ensuring a perfect fit for their business processes. 
• SQL Database Integration: This advanced database system was implemented for effective data management, marking a significant upgrade from their previous Excel-based setup. 
• Enhanced Data Security Features: We incorporated several layers of security, including granular access control, column-level encryption, and encryption of data at rest. Additionally, we implemented a redundant database system to prevent any data loss. 
• Robust Authentication and Security Protocols: The system includes Single Sign-On (SSO) capabilities integrated with Active Directory, along with two-factor authentication for added security. 
• On-Premise Data Storage and Source Code Access: Ensuring the client has full control and ownership of their data and the system. This approach provides greater assurance and autonomy over their information and operations. 
• Flexible and Dynamic System Design: The CRM was developed with the ability to easily add custom data fields, allowing it to adapt to the client’s evolving requirements.

This project significantly enhanced the property management company's client data management capabilities. It streamlined their operations and bolstered their data security, resulting in a more efficient and secure business environment.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

• Efficiency in Data Management: Reduced time for data entry, retrieval, and processing, compared to the old Excel-based system.
• Data Security Compliance: Improvement in compliance with data security standards, evident from audit results or a reduction in security incidents.
• Reporting Efficiency: Enhanced speed and accuracy in data retrieval and reporting.
• Security Incident Response: Improved response time to security incidents with enhanced security protocols.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Stackfee excelled in adapting to the client's needs with remarkable efficiency and dedication. At the outset, the necessity of replacing the client's outdated Excel system was clear, but the project was challenging due to the client's busy schedule and uncertainty about their specific needs. Despite this, Stackfee skillfully navigated these challenges. Their approach was highly iterative and collaborative. 
Notably, Stackfee went above and beyond by presenting a working version of the application in each weekly meeting. This consistent demonstration of progress allowed the client to see and interact with the evolving software, ensuring that the development was in line with their needs. 
These regular, tangible updates facilitated open communication and allowed for real-time feedback and adjustments, ensuring that the final CRM system was precisely tailored to the client's unique requirements. 
Stackfee's commitment to understanding the client's needs, coupled with their ability to provide a functional application at every stage of development, was pivotal in crafting a solution that not only replaced the old system but significantly enhanced the client's operational capabilities and user satisfaction.

What was your primary form of communication with Stackfee?

• In-Person Meeting
• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

What stands out most impressively about Stackfee is their exceptional commitment to client collaboration and their agile development approach. Their ability to present a functional version of the application at every weekly meeting is particularly noteworthy. This practice is not only indicative of their technical proficiency but also demonstrates a deep understanding of client engagement and project management. 
This iterative approach, combined with real-time demonstrations, sets Stackfee apart. It allowed for continuous feedback and adaptation, ensuring that the final product closely aligned with the client's evolving needs. This method is especially effective in situations where client requirements are initially unclear or subject to change, as it fosters a dynamic and responsive development environment. 
Additionally, their dedication to truly understanding the client's and end-users' needs, despite initial ambiguities, speaks to their customer-centric focus. Their level of involvement and commitment to client satisfaction is a unique quality that differentiates Stackfee in the field of software development.

Are there any areas for improvement or something {provider_name} could have done differently?

While Stackfee handled the project effectively, enhancing their initial requirement gathering process, though beneficial, could have potentially delayed the project's start. Employing more structured methods like detailed questionnaires or workshops early on might have provided clearer client needs, but this additional step might have extended the initial phase before development could commence.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the VP of global product of a biotechnology research company. We have medical products that users can connect to their mobile apps.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Stackfee?

We needed a frontend developer for a software desktop platform we were creating.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Stackfee did software development for us. They worked with our designers and backend software team to create the frontend of a software solution that doctors can use to monitor their patients' well-being.

To jumpstart the process, we gave them the designs and a list of our requirements in terms of functionalities. The desktop platform allows doctors to oversee their patient's medical history, which patients input through our mobile app, which is connected to that desktop web-based application.

What is the team composition?

We mainly worked with Harley (Co-Founder), who delegated to the development team.

How did you come to work with Stackfee?

A trusted partner referred them to us. After reaching out to them, they gave us a project quote based on our designs and the scope of work we gave them.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from February 2021—July 2022.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The product they created for us generated a lot of excitement and attention within our team because it was very disruptive in the industry.

How did Stackfee perform from a project management standpoint?

Project management was great in terms of delivering within deadlines and budget. In addition, they were flexible in adapting to our scope’s changes throughout the process. Regarding communication, we used email and Google Meet.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their best attribute was their ability to understand our project without explaining the same thing several times.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I didn’t think there was anything they could improve on — we plan to continue working with them on future projects.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Ensure you check their work and communicate if you think something’s wrong. Stackfee’s team will clean it up for you without extra charge.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Software engineer of a software company

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Software development

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Stackfee to accomplish?

• CICD pipeline

SOLUTION

How did you find Stackfee?

The contact us

Why did you select Stackfee over others?

Close to my geographic location

How many teammates from Stackfee were assigned to this project?

1 Employee

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Provide infra as code for our software plus a cicd pipeline

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

having a cicd that help us develop business logic faster

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

The work was finished on time and fit our acceptance criteria

What was your primary form of communication with Stackfee?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

We were impressed with their flexibility and our the work was presented (using video)

Are there any areas for improvement or something Stackfee could have done differently?

nothing