SynchSoftHQ

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the founder of Streamzy.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire SynchSoftHQ, and what were your goals?

I hired SynchSoft to create a mobile app that allows users to easily find the latest streaming movies and shows, and share their favorite movies with their friends.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

I searched online for mobile app developers, and short listed several. After interviewing them, I chose to go with Synchsoft due to their enthusiasm for the project and their technical knowledge and experience.

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and technologies used.

The team and I meet every couple of weeks to review the latest updates to the application, and discuss the upcoming features that need to be added next. We've utilized Slack and Trello for communication and story tracking. The app has been built using Flutter, for both iOS and Android versions.

How many resources from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

A project manager was assigned to me and has been my main point of contact. I've also met with a couple of their mobile developers.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?

The application is close to being in MVP state, and I hope to launch it in the next 30 days.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

The project manager is easy to communicate with, and we're in frequent contact about the latest updates to the app.

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

I've been impressed with the speed of development of new features. The devs are quick to get to work on new stories, and usually have results to show me within a few days.

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

More frequent status reports on when development is beginning and should be finished would have been helpful to keep me in the loop more closely.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder of Hop Lexington, a service that gives people discounted drinks to bars and food all round the city of Lexington. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with SynchSoftHQ?

Our business started out as a small idea, and it spread like wildfire. We grew to 1,500 people on our service, and as we expanded, we needed to develop an app. We were running solely on a website. For scaling purposes, we realized that running an app was easier and more efficient. As a result, we hired Sandeep (Marketing Officer) and SynchSoftHQ. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They built our mobile app for Apple using Swift. They wanted to build the app for Android, too, but it wasn’t necessary because iOS was superior. Apart from that, not a lot of our target market had Android devices. They were also going to help us with marketing, but we already had a marketing team, so that wasn’t necessary. 

At present, Sandeep is helping me with App Store optimization to set us up for success. He’s also helping me with things that I’m not familiar with, such as having my name show up on the App Store. In other words,  I’m not experienced in this field, so he’s helping me as a part of their service. 

Meanwhile, I work with their Swift developer whenever things come up with the app or if we need to do tweaks. Another developer has created the entire backend of the app, where I can put data that are then displayed on the app. 

What is the team composition?

I talk to Sandeep regularly. We’ve also communicated with multiple people in our Slack channel, but I don’t necessarily work directly with them. I also collaborate with their developers. 

How did you come to work with SynchSoftHQ?

I was referred to SynchSoftHQ by my mentor; one of his friends used them before. We conducted a phone call, where I explained my service and what I wanted to do. From there, the engagement turned into a massive project. 

Meanwhile, we decided they were the best fit for us because Sandeep was a truly personable man. At first, I was skeptical about hiring offshore. However, after we talked, Sandeep understood the picture I was painting. He was open in asking me questions to ensure that everything was correct. We didn’t want to work with people that we didn’t agree with, but I got along well with Sandeep. As a result, we ended up working together.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent between $5,000–$10,000. 

What is the status of this engagement?

I contracted them to create the app in May 2021, and we’re still working together. They’ll be by my side throughout the entire project. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

SynchSoftHQ has created the app in an extremely quick manner. The whole team, particularly Sandeep, has been awesome. Whenever I have questions, they’re on top of it. They’re in New Delhi, which is a bit of a challenge because of the time difference. However, their developer is nocturnal; he stays up at night and sleeps through the day. As a result, if I have a question, he can easily hit me up. 

Meanwhile, Sandeep is always the first one to assure me of things, whether it’s about our testing phases, bugs, or any similar issues; he ensures that everything is going to be done quickly and correctly. Moreover, my pet peeve is somebody who doesn’t follow through, but the SynchSoftHQ team is highly responsive, and they always hit their targets and deadlines. In other words, they’re the best in the business. 

How did SynchSoftHQ perform from a project management standpoint?

Sandeep serves as our middleman, so I can text him whenever we have questions. He’s extremely responsive. The developers are also awesome; they’re quick with revisions and understand me well — it’s a formula for success.

We use multiple channels to communicate. We use Slack for formal revisions because it’s easier for us to track them there. They put green checkmarks underneath a revision when it’s done. On top of that, I have text conversations with Sandeep on WhatsApp. He’s the main communicator who bridges the gap between me and the developers. I also meet them regularly on Google Meet. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Sandeep is the best part of working with them; he’s awesome — there’s no doubt about it. In fact, I’ll keep in touch with him. He’s gone above and beyond and exceeded my expectations. Whenever something goes wrong, he’s the first one to assure me that everything will be ok, and it becomes ok all the time. 

On top of that, I tip my hat to him because he’s been truly great. He’s hilarious and personable, and I value these things as a consumer. Overall, I’m truly glad that I’ve met them and this project happened. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there aren’t any. If anything, I’ve been the one at fault for not being specific enough. I definitely can do better in that department.

For instance, since I didn’t provide enough information, we had a couple of issues in the backend. However, as soon as I clarified the matter, it was fixed in two days. They probably spent 20 hours in those two days to finish it. Overall, they were efficient, and I was the one at fault.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be highly specific in what you want because whenever there’s a grey area, SynchSoftHQ developers have to make a guess. Being extremely specific takes the guesswork out of the situation. You won’t be wasting their time. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the co-founder of a game development company

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire SynchSoftHQ, and what were your goals?

We were in transition looking for a new development team that would not shy away from projects and code in progress. The SynchSoftHQ team helped us finish and polish a few larger projects left incomplete by previous developers.

Specifically, the team took the lead and brought "Bingo A Go Go" and "Game of Coins" across the finish line. These were two of our more complicated games made from scratch and the SynchSoftHQ team successfully delivered.

The SynchSoftHQ team also took the lead on our 2 emoji apps. Since the first iteration of the emoji projects, we have revamped and/or replaced the code. In addition to the projects mentioned above, SynchSoftHQ has been an ongoing partner, helping us keep our various apps up-to-date with SDKs and any new iOS needs.

SOLUTION

How did you select SynchSoftHQ and what were the deciding factors?

SynchSoftHQ was recommended to us by a a trusted colleague. She had a very successful iOS app business and we'd had some trouble finding reliable and qualified developers. As soon as the first project, we knew that we had found the right team to partner with.

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and technologies used.

For two of our more complicated projects, the SynchSoftHQ had to understand the code they'd inherited in fairly short order. These game apps included in-app purchases, levels, sound effects, logic.

The amount of testing and attention to detail was vast and essential to success. Milestones were set for every level with rigorous quality testing. Adarsh Srivastava, SynchSoftHQ's founder, personally ensured we were meeting our deadlines.

Each time a milestone was met and the deliverables successfully passed QA, we received a build for final approval. At this point, either the app was ready for submission to the app store or we'd progress onto the next step in toward a finished product. We worked in Unity and XCode.

How many people from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

The teams varied in size from 2-3 dedicated members which included a project manager, a designer and a developer. Most often, we worked directly with one developer dedicated to us.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?

The main measurable outcome is a better user experience across the board for the apps where we updated or completely replaced the code. One example was an emoji app we coded from scratch back in 2014. This code did not stand the test of time and we desperately needed to update for our customers.

SynchSoftHQ re-coded the entire app from scratch doing wonders for load times and a much smoother and more pleasant experience. At the same time, we launched a new emoji app with a completely different codebase -- all recommended by Adarsh. This launched with great success.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

The SynchSoftHQ team are very flexible, which worked out great for us. We live on the West Coast of the U.S. on the other side of the world and they were always amenable to meeting at a time convenient for us. If I required more regular updates, we scheduled them in. For the most part, we communicated via Basecamp. We used Slack, email, Skype.

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

This company really cares about satisfying the client. Adarsh and the SynchSoftHQ team are kind and professional and put heart and soul into each project I handed them, no matter how small. I trust their recommendations because they are in the trenches keeping up with the trends.

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

None that I can think of. I feel well taken care of as far as mobile development needs are concerned.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Co founder of an Australian based photo printing company- Pocket Prints. Our customers use Pocket Prints app to print photos from their devices, Instagram and Facebooks albums. We print and dispatch orders from our production facility in Melbourne.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire SynchSoftHQ?

- Whilst we had already built an iOS and Android apps we'd parted ways with our original developer when we were introduced to Adarsh from SynchSoft. We decided to outsource a new build and rebuilding the entire architecture of our apps seem to be the best way forward.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted more control of the back end/ dashboard with improved functionality and features that would give us more options to customize our offering to customers.  

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We had already planned to outsource the project- SynchSoft was recommended to us via their existing client Plann. The communication was great and given SynchSoft already had an existing Australian client we felt confident .

Describe the project in detail.

SynchSoft built our iOS app, website and our back end from the ground up.

What was the team composition?

1 project manager 1 iOS + 1 Web

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

This much-improved app and particularly admin dashboard has helped us reduce alot of the manual handling of files, customer information and dispatch details. This helps us steer the business to a more automated backend and production process giving us more resources in Marketing and customer service.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

SynchSoft helped to set up a streamlined workflow which is as simple as Trello cards and numerous specific Slack threads. 

What did you find most impressive about this company?

SynchSoft is trustworthy and as a small business (and team) we have come to depend on them almost every day at times. They have never let us down

Are there any areas for improvement?

They are great, there is no improvement required from our side.

We consider SynchSoft part of our team and crucial to our success.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the COO of Plann. We’re a social media, scheduling, analytics, and strategy company. We launched in 2016 and have grown to have over two million downloads in 160 countries. Our platforms include mobile and web apps. About 50% of our users are located in the US, and our software is heavily media-based. Our user base is B2B and B2C, and we’re focused on Instagram at this time. We service brands of any size that want to grow their influence through social media.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with SynchSoftHQ?

We started our platform's development work with a different team and ended up needing SynchSoftHQ to rebuild it from scratch.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

SynchSoftHQ developed iOS and Android mobile apps for our platform. They built them natively for iOS (Objective C) and Android (Java). The primary function of the apps is a screen where users can drag and drop images. First, they upload the images they want to use. This can be pulled from their camera roll, Google Drive, and Dropbox; or they have the option to take a live photo or repost another one.
Then, users can create a grid that emulates an Instagram profile by moving and manipulating the images they uploaded. Users can also schedule posts and set reminders via the Instagram API as well as directly post their grids to their Instagram Stories.

The apps also feature separate workspaces. In one workspace, users can create their social media strategy. They can pull their personal analytics from Instagram API or public API endpoints. There’s also a notes workspace that allows users to write down strategy notes and make the most of their Instagram grid.

Another function allows users to store and search hashtags they’re thinking about using. By searching a hashtag, they can see how much traffic it receives for any particular word or order of words. Then, they can choose the ones they want to use by a color-coded system that relays which hashtags would be best for them.

What is the team composition?

Our project manager is Adarsh (CEO & Founder). We also had direct contact with the developers.

How did you come to work with SynchSoftHQ?

We originally heard about them through a recommendation and after speaking with them, we found they were a good match for us.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve invested approximately $300,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started the engagement in September 2016 and the project will wrap up in May 2020.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Since their launch, the apps have been downloaded a total of 1.8 million times, with 70% of those being iOS downloads. The iOS capabilities are definitely better than Android. As for crash-free-user metrics, the iOS app’s average is about 98%, however, the Android app’s average is under 90%.

SynchSoftHQ’s strength definitely lies in iOS development as opposed to Android; however, it’s definitely improving. The user ratings also reflect this. The iOS app has a 4.6 and the highest the Android has received is a 3.7, but it has fluctuated.

How did SynchSoftHQ perform from a project management standpoint?

SynchSoftHQ is a great team because we receive better quality from them than we would from many other companies. They do require a lot of hands-on project management though. We were able to get the results we wanted with a great deal of hand-holding. They’re very open to feedback, which is relatively rare. Our team gave them direct feedback on their designs in order to achieve what we were looking for.

Overall, they’re hard workers who give their all to get a project done. They put in the effort and the hours.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Of all the cost-effective companies you could work with, they’re the nicest and most personable team. They’re very lovely people, and they work hard for the work they’re given.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I would recommend their Android development for smaller-scale projects only.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

A lot of communication makes a big difference. The more you speak with their team, the better outcome you’ll get. By putting in the time and effort, you’ll get a much better result. As long as your expectations are in the right spot, you’ll be happy.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder of Webbome Labs. We mostly serve SMBs for security maintenance, network maintenance, and custom programming.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with SynchSoftHQ?

I brought on SynchSoftHQ at a time when I needed support on a project. We were doing database management, and I couldn’t do what the project required.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They provide programming support. For example, they helped me create a mobile website that provides cost estimates for used cars. The site sends a dozen pictures of a used car to a dealership, and the user will get a real-time review of it. 

Now, we’re wrapping up the ability to use the API for CARFAX. When they take a picture of a VIN, the Optical Character Recognition (OCR) will give information about what CARFAX would pay. They’re also setting up a monthly database that will send reports. They’re using Square for the credit card memberships, which they put in using the API.

What is the team composition?

I work with Adarsh (CEO), and I don’t speak with anyone else. However, I know there are others working on programming. 

How did you come to work with SynchSoftHQ?

I found them on oDesk several years ago.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve invested around $20,000 and $25,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in July of 2013, and the partnership is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Every project eventually gets scrutinized by other developers, and they always report that his code is exceptionally clean. For example, he created an e-commerce website to sell women’s leggings and implemented the inventory. The third-party client was very surprised by how extremely clean the code was.

Also, we set pretty aggressive database targets for a project we’re currently wrapping up, and he was able to hit our MVP about two weeks early.

How did SynchSoftHQ perform from a project management standpoint?

He does cradle-to-grave project management, and he handles everything really well. He’s proactive about suggesting better options during projects. He will set goals and maintain consistent communication about them. In particular, he’s very good about following up with me to make sure I have everything a customer needs. 

It’s easy to communicate with Adarsh. He’ll send me a link to an example or reference projects we’ve worked on before. I’m appreciative of how good his English is. His time estimates are very accurate. When he had his son, he let me know that he wouldn’t be available and referred me to someone else. He took care of everything I needed for those two weeks.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The quality of his code is impressive. I’ve had his code audited by a couple of different people over the years. A third-party company in Houston audited the code, and they said: “that code is amazingly clean.”

Are there any areas they could improve?

We have different working hours. But, he’s very generous with me. I just had a long meeting with him this morning at 10:30 a.m., which is 2 a.m. his time. 

A lot of times, he’s busy enough that his deliverables are pushed out a little further than I would like them to be. If he could scoot up the time on his deliverables, that would be great. But, if you tell him something is an emergency, he’ll take really good care of it. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Do your best at letting him work hands-off. Give him direction, but if he runs the entire project, he’ll do a fantastic job. If you give him room to run, he will impress you every time.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Director of a printing & wall art company

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Online printing and wall art.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

• Create a mobile application with customised functionality to create live previews of printed products with users images.
• Create a ecommerce backend to support this mobile application

SOLUTION

How did you find SynchSoftHQ?

Online Search

Why did you select SynchSoftHQ over others?

• High ratings
• Pricing fit our budget
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from SynchSoftHQ were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

• Create a mobile application to provide a mobile first version of our ecommerce website using the latest technologies. 
• Create a new ecommerce backend for our internal team to utilise to process the orders that come through via the application 
• Create a customised app that allows users to utilise their mobile phone images to create, preview and order custom wall art products.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Launch of the app and continual updates based on our changing business requirements.

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

Together Sandeep and Adarsh covered both aspects of project management and technical discussion, both were very helpful throughout the whole process and were quick to respond to any requests or changes that we had.

What was your primary form of communication with SynchSoftHQ?

Virtual Meeting

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

Technical knowledge and understanding,communication, and friendly nature. No request was ever turned down, they were able and keen to work on any concepts we had.

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

I think the main challenges we had were outside of their control, COVID was a tough period with illnesses, and there were times of slower progress due to office changes, but these are all standard parts of business.