Unified Infotech

Please describe your company and your position there.

We provide a software solution for stylists, freelancers and small businesses to manage their appointment scheduling and market their business using our marketplace.

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

We are a brand new startup and we hired Unified Infotech to build out our entire software. We provided the figma designs and they were hired to build the software for web and mobile. Our goal was to have a functioning product that we could take to market.

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

We selected this company based on the pricing which was affordable as well as reviews we had seen online and lastly, the promise of a quick turnaround time.

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

They were to deliver our software using Node js and Angular tech stack. Our mobile application was built using react native tech stack. We divided the project into milestones which were all to be completed within a timeline of 5-6 months.

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

We had 6 developers working for us during the time of the project. This consisted of frontend, backend and react native developers as well as a project manager and QA tester

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

Unfortunately the project that was delivered to us with riddled with bugs and did not function as expected. We gave the company many additional months to fix the issues - ultimately we went from thinking the project would be finished within 5-6 months to spending over a year.

After which we were still unable to launch our product due to many issues with the code and standard of software that was delivered. Unified Infotech claimed to have in-house testers but there were many bugs and clear items that were overlooked.

We ultimately had to hire a new team and spend tens of thousands more just to fix all of the issues with the product. Upon doing a code review we found many instances of bad code and overall a poor standard of work.

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

We used slack to communicate as well as google sheets for tracking bugs and issues and lastly we housed project specifications on Confluence.

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

Initially, we loved the communication; however, several team members left shortly after the project started which seemed to cause confusion with the teams

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

The project timeline should be adhered to and if there are complications this should be communicated to the client. Additionally, there should be actual testers involved in each project to ensure the standard of work delivered is of the highest quality as our product had many obvious bugs and issues that were overlooked.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of PinDo Inc. We’re an online service marketplace.

What challenge were you trying to address with Unified Infotech?

We hired them to build our platform.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Unified started with design. Once that was completed, they built the platform in a microsystems architecture approach. There were a number of technologies used. Primarily, it’s a LAMP stack, but they’ve also used different JavaScript systems for both the front and backend, which is React, Angular, and Node.

What is the team composition?

Right now, our main point of contact is Indranil (Head of Operations). We’ve been working with them for a few years now, so our point of contact has changed several times.

How did you come to work with Unified Infotech?

We originally found them online. One of the things we liked about them over the competitors is that they had some presence in the US. 

How much have you invested with them?

So far, we’ve spent about $120,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been working together since August 2019.

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

We don’t have any metrics yet, as we’re still trying to get the project off the ground.

How did Unified Infotech perform from a project management standpoint?

Unified communicates well. We’ve been working together a long time, so we’ve learned to communicate with them effectively. We use JIRA.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Unified has a robust team.

Are there any areas they could improve?

It took us a little while to get better with QA testing, but we worked with them to get there.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Make sure your documentation is very clear, your standards are in place, and that everybody is on the same page.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of eBinaa.com, a construction-services-related website.

What challenge were you trying to address with Unified Infotech?

I went to them to build an e-commerce website.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Unified Infotech is designing and developing my website. They’re using AngularJS and Node.js.

What is the team composition?

I work with a project manager.

How did you come to work with Unified Infotech?

I found them on Upwork and vetted them through Clutch.

How much have you invested with them?

So far, we’ve spent about $35,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

I started working with Unified Infotech in December 2019, and we have an ongoing time and materials agreement.

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

Although we had a few issues earlier on in the project, they took my first Clutch review seriously and responded well to my feedback. The CEO of Unified Infotech took immediate action toward my project and replaced the project manager, UI/UX developer, and business analyst we initially worked with. Then they brought a senior designer on board to ensure that we get the quality of work we expect.

As a result, development improved drastically. They committed to making updates and fixing bugs quickly. Since then, they’ve delivered everything I wanted, and almost everything was on time.

How did Unified Infotech perform from a project management standpoint?

Our new project manager is prompt and has resolved a lot of the issues we had earlier in the engagement. He established communication channels and scoped the project well so we had a set timeline. We used email, Slack, Zoom, Jira, and Confluence to communicate with them and manage the project.

On top of that, he followed up every meeting with minutes that highlighted what actions needed to be taken next, ensuring that everyone knew exactly what to do and when things were due. It became easier to interact with the development team; I knew exactly what they needed from me in order for them to deliver on time.

They were very timely, but they communicated with me whenever there was a problem. The project manager was very clear on what they needed from me and how it would impact the timeline.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I was impressed by their persistence and knowledge. Our new project manager gives excellent advice and presents many well-informed solutions. When I give them a task to work on, they think critically about how each solution will affect the cost and quality.

Compared to our previous project manager, the one we work with now is well-informed of the possibilities and solutions. He provides very valuable advice.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Initially, I had communication issues with them and I didn’t think they were qualified. However, their performance has consistently improved since I left a review on Clutch in September 2020.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

I would recommend them for development, but not for UI/UX design. Although they have the capacity to deliver a good design, it’s not outstanding.  

This review was published on September 23, 2020. 

Founder, Construction Tech Startup

Construction

1-10 Employees

Muscat, Oman

$10,000 to $49,999

Dec. 2019 - Ongoing

Project summary: 

Unified Infotech is designing and developing an e-commerce website for a construction tech startup. They conducted front- and backend development.

Feedback summary: 

At the start of the collaboration, Unified Infotech was quick to fix bugs. As the relationship went on, they lacked a plan and didn't follow through on their promises. The team hasn't been available or responsive, making communication challenging. This review includes the vendor's response.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder of a construction tech startup.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Unified Infotech?

We needed an e-commerce website designed and developed.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They built the website from scratch doing both front- and backend development. They used Angular.js and Node.js for development.

What is the team composition?

I interact with the CEO and a project manager who oversees the developers.

How did you come to work with Unified Infotech?

I found them on Upwork and decided to hire them based on their Clutch profile.

How much have you invested with them?

We've spent about $25,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working together in December 2019, and it is currently ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They did well initially; however, they didn’t have a clear plan or manage the process well. I had given them some requirements, and we were supposed to discuss UI/UX after they did development but we never discussed it. They didn’t provide the design experience they’d promised, and merely put the functions required. When they first launched the site, they were quick to fix any bugs, but they slacked off as the engagement continued.

How did Unified Infotech perform from a project management standpoint?

Their project manager had meetings with the developers. The business analyst prepared documents with me for development, which were converted into proposals of images for my feedback. They were not available or responsive, and I had no direct contact with anyone. Communication was done via email, Slack, and Zoom video calls.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their developers are very good, have good attitudes, and tried to be helpful.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Upper management needs to improve greatly regarding the management of projects and they also need to finish projects. They told me this could be done in three months but weren’t able to do it, and they eventually said they needed the project split into two phases. They want additional fees for the second phase, but they aren’t responding and are making communication a struggle for me. The team also needs to be more systematic in taking requirements and submitting more documents that are properly structured.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Only go to them for development, not UI/UX. You should hire a different company for that.

Star Ratings

Overall rating: 2.5

Quality: 3

Schedule: 1

Cost: 4

Willing to refer: 2

The vendor responded on September 30, 2020.

With due respect, this is a completely false and untruthful allegation. We believe in partnership in every project we undertake. Being a partner for the client's project, after accommodating several change requests to the initially approved scope of work within the original cost, the client wanted further functional changes at no additional cost, to which we had to disagree. We explained to them the budget constraint on our end, but they wanted to create pressure points to make us agree to their unjustified demands. We rather take our first negative feedback than to work for free with an unreasonable client because that's against the spirit of true partnership.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We’re a pharmaceutical manufacturer and supplier. I’m the manager of business application for the commercial and technical services space within our company. That involves supporting and managing legacy systems and new applications. I have a team of project managers, business analysts, and developers that supports CRM systems, marketing automation, and websites in each of those areas.

What challenge were you trying to address with Unified Infotech?

We were looking for a frontend web development partner to create a portal to complement our marketing website.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Our team was handling backend implementation internally, so we needed a partner that could take on the UI and frontend development work as well as collaborate in integrating our APIs with their frontend screens. They used Angular and React to produce the platform. We aimed to focus on a serverless component to avoid dealing with server maintenance. They addressed that requirement in their work as well.

Throughout the engagement, we gave them requirements but they were responsible for putting them into practice on the frontend to create a site that would require less maintenance. That required technical knowledge and capabilities with Rest APIs and transaction-level interactions.     

We also required that they be able to support this system for the long term and assist with new initiatives, maintaining uniform designs as the portal is enhanced over time. 

What is the team composition?

We were in contact with a project manager, UI specialist, and a handful of other technical development resources throughout the project. 

How did you come to work with Unified Infotech?

I found them on Clutch, and their reviews helped us identify them as a strong candidate for a partnership. We hoped to hire a company of a similar size that could handle QA of their screens. It was apparent that they were capable of fulfilling our needs. 

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent under $50,000 on their work at this point in time.  

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been working with them since June 2019.

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

They were easy and flexible to work with. When our timelines changed, they were always able to accommodate our needs. Sometimes there was some confusion in the handoff between our teams, but their design work was very smooth. However, they didn’t provide the level of technical guidance we were expecting. Other than those growing pains, the quality of their work has been pretty strong. 

How did Unified Infotech perform from a project management standpoint?

Our timelines and deliverables changed, so we caused any delays. They supported us throughout that, which was appreciated. Sometimes, communication was not as clear regarding roles and responsibilities for certain tasks. After bringing that issue to their attention, the problem was resolved. We started out using Jira, which has helped us tremendously in managing releases, production requests, and feedback. Jira played a role in solving some of our initial communication struggles.  

What did you find most impressive about them?

I appreciate the connection we have with their business development manager. Additionally, they were able to scale rapidly to fit our changing needs. That flexibility was appreciated. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

It would be good to see them proactively provide more clarification on roles and responsibilities from their team and what is expected of the customers. Understanding their team activity more thoroughly would be ideal.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of a company that produces educational content for medical students.

What challenge were you trying to address with Unified Infotech?

We needed a new website. Our old site was too slow and clunky.

What was the scope of their involvement?

They created an entirely new website for us on Node.js. Now, we have videos you can watch and organize into a playlist. There are also practice questions to track individual performance.

What is the team composition?

We worked with a team of 4–5 programmers. One was the lead and others were working under that person.

How did you come to work with Unified Infotech?

We found them on Google. We also looked at other companies that streamed videos and looked at the vendor they used. We narrowed it down to three companies and they each gave us a formal proposal. We liked Unified Infotech the best.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent $200,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in December 2019, and we launched in August 2020.

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

We measure success based on strong sales, which we’ve achieved. We also measure success based on complaints and how quickly they turn around requests for changes to the site. With all three of those metrics in mind, their work was a success.

How did Unified Infotech perform from a project management standpoint?

They were very good. The owner gave us his cell number and he joined many of our calls, especially around our site’s launch. We used Slack for communication.

What did you find most impressive about them?

It’s clear that they know what they’re doing. They have a lot of people with a lot of experience. They’re very knowledgeable and resourceful.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There’s a bit of a time difference and we don’t work at the same time. If there’s a problem they don’t typically have the whole team working in the middle of the night on their end. I don’t know if they could fix that.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the co-founder and director of technology for an e-learning platform. In my role, I handle all matters related to technology and operations.

What challenge were you trying to address with Unified Infotech?

We were looking for an application development firm. Specifically, we needed something web-based and mobile. We engaged Unified Infotech to develop an Android, iOS, and web application for us.

We’ve developed the very first virtual coaching software where the user doesn’t have a proxy. The solution is bordering on AI. The coaching is designed to coach an individual who’s taking a course of study. They can complete the course and apply what they’ve learned toward their goals.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Unified Infotech built the entire platform for us. They utilized PHP and HTML5 for the web app as well as Native for the mobile application. We took the idea to them, having done a rudimentary alpha test and proof of concept. Then, they did a lot of graphic design work for the application itself as well as some logo and branding work. Additionally, their team did a lot of information architecture for us.

What is the team composition?

I’ve worked with Pratip (Founder & CEO), Saptarshi (Executive Director & COO), and Samrat (Senior Project Manager). However, I also worked with many of their other team members including individuals from their sales, pre-sales, and customer service departments.

How did you come to work with Unified Infotech?

Clutch was a part of the initial process when we were looking for the development company we wanted to work with. We created an RFP and sent it out to over a dozen companies.

We approached Unified Infotech because of their capabilities and pricing. However, what really stood out about them was their willingness to take a project from just an idea and then handle implementation and roll it out; not to mention, everything in between. Their total package seemed like the best out of all the companies.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project was from November 2018–July 2020. We have an ongoing engagement with them for future iterations and support.

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

They’ve been instrumental and critical in building our solution. The application is done, has gone through final testing, and is excellent. We added some changes along the way that pushed the timeline and cost. But that isn’t something we weren’t expecting or didn’t budget for. There’s also been a success in terms of commitment and how many resources they’ve allocated to us.

How did Unified Infotech perform from a project management standpoint?

Their ability to meet deadlines is at 80% out of 100%. Communication has been excellent considering the time difference. They’ve been responsive, and there have been no issues. We use Jira and Confluence for project management. Our teams communicate through Zoom, email, and Skype.

Samrat has been absolutely phenomenal and instrumental in helping us realize our vision for the application. He’s also helpful in terms of making suggestions on additions and better ways to do things. He’s been amazing. It’s clear that he’s personally invested and wants to see the application succeed. We’re very grateful for that.

What did you find most impressive about them?

What we’ve created is very complex, and there were a tremendous number of challenges along the way. Unified Infotech has been instrumental in meeting those challenges and finding innovative ways to take our vision and manifest it into a system. They’ve been phenomenal in holding our hand throughout the process.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They could improve on communicating certain organizational changes that may have an effect on the client. Their proofreading and copyediting work could also use some improvement. I understand that English is not their native language.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder of a project management platform for designers. It helps designers and clients work better together.

What challenge were you trying to address with Unified Infotech?

I didn’t have the technical knowledge to do it myself. I’m a designer by trade and know how to run projects, but needed a technical partner that could help me realize my vision.

What was the scope of their involvement?

They developed the frontend of the web application. I had another website and Unified Infotech added to that platform.

What is the team composition?

I worked with a salesperson for a short period of time, then I worked with a project manager and developer. Indirectly, I know they also work with a frontend developer.

How did you come to work with Unified Infotech?

I found them through Upwork. I was reviewing a number of different organizations, and Unified Infotech impressed me most because of how they handle projects. They assigned me a project manager to ensure everything ran smoothly.

How much have you invested with them?

I’ve spent $100,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together around September 2017 and our collaboration is ongoing.

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

This has been an ongoing process, and they’ve been able to accurately achieve the design that I sent to them and it works. They’re my go-to team now.

How did Unified Infotech perform from a project management standpoint?

I usually show them the design and the functionality and let them know when I want it to be working. They do a pretty good job meeting those standards.

Sometimes they push back on the time if the tasks turn out to be more complicated, which is fine because they always have a conversation with me. I trust that they’re going to give me the best work they can. 80% of the time they’re good on timeline and only 20% of the time do they need more time. They always keep me informed .

They’re pretty good. There are moments when project management could be a little better. We’re in different time zones, but they’re more than happy to work around my schedule.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their ability to adapt has really stood out. We’ve gone through several iterations of the project and sometimes needed to add new features. They’ve always been adaptable and have adjusted staffing as needed. They’re able to bring in experts that guide me through the process. Leadership and execution are very impressive.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Not too many. I’m sure there are areas where they could improve, but I’m fairly happy with them. They could be a bit clearer on the dates on which functionality will be released.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Make sure you have a clear roadmap for when things will be delivered and hold them accountable.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder and CEO of an online services company that specializes in events.

What challenge were you trying to address with United Infotech?

We hired United Infotech to build a fully functional website where users can both purchase and sell tickets.

What was the scope of their involvement?

United Infotech managed the creation of an e-commerce website, including design and development. We collaborated on which design decisions would be the most customer-friendly. The resulting functionalities include a fully functional ticketing portal. Throughout the project, the team made all decisions with an optimal user flow in mind. The site is now live, and the team is providing continued maintenance in anticipation for the launch date.

What is the team composition?

United Infotech has managed the entire project.

How did you come to work with United Infotech?

They bid on a job profile I created on Upwork. After reviewing their qualifications and experience, I decided they were the best fit for the role.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in winter 2018, and the partnership is ongoing

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

Their expert insight added value for internal stakeholders. Now, I understand how users will interact with my site and how to improve that experience.

How did United Infotech perform from a project management standpoint?

They have been very vocal, sharing detailed updates throughout the timeline. The team has been responsive and professional when communicating through email, Upwork messaging, and weekly Zoom conference calls.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The resulting website design is exceptional, and it was completed on an efficient schedule. It was easy to trust their expertise about which technologies to incorporate in the project. I plan to continue working with the professionals in the future.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There isn’t much they could improve on. Ensuring there’s no language barrier could be an opportunity for the team. The Zoom conference calls have been a great tool for clear communication.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I would tell a client to be transparent, organized, and to provide a blueprint for them to fully understand the scope of the project. This will assist them in creating a website that has all the desired attributes.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the co-founder of Make A Change Co, a donation-based platform that rounds up debit or credit card purchases to the nearest dollar and then donates the change to whatever cause the user sees fit.

What challenge were you trying to address with Unified Infotech?

We needed a partner to develop our Android and iPhone apps, website, and backend calculations and bank transferring system.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Unified Infotech built the website in HTML and used JavasSript for the app backend. The frontend is built to be compatible across all three platforms, and the team also did the frontend graphics, font, and scrolling features. They integrated the platforms with two APIs: Plaid and Stripe

What is the team composition?

We mainly worked with a project manager and lead developer.

How did you come to work with Unified Infotech?

We put our project on Upwork. Numerous people reached out, so we did some interviews and eventually hired Unified Infotech.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent $50,000–$200,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The partnership lasted from February 2017–April 2019.

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

The site is live and works well, but we haven’t had any testers yet. The design isn’t amazing, but that wasn’t the reason we hired Unified Infotech.

How did Unified Infotech perform from a project management standpoint?

We mainly communicated via Upwork’s messaging feature. The time difference caused some problems, and we typically had to get up early or stay up late to communicate in real time. However, they had a 24-hour turnaround time, which was pretty good.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They were willing to take on new challenges and always accomplished whatever tasks we assigned them.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They do excellent programming but could improve their frontend and design skills.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the co-founder of Synapses Creatives, a technology company. We develop mobile applications and websites for startups and small to medium-size companies.

What challenge were you trying to address with Unified Infotech?

We needed talented developers who could deliver on our clients’ expectations.

What was the scope of their involvement?

I’ve worked with them on more than 10 different platforms and mobile projects. Most of our past efforts were custom designed websites that required Laravel and Angular and Node.js. We’re currently doing three projects together. One is a fleet management platform, the second is a call center project, and the third is a hotel management platform.

What is the team composition?

For each project, they assign me a project manager and several developers and UX/UI designers depending on the project's size. 

How did you come to work with Unified Infotech?

We found them while looking for top-notch UX/UI designers. We started with smaller projects to build trust with them first.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent between $50,000–$199,999.

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been working together since 2016.

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

We’re quite happy with most of the work they’ve done for us. It’s difficult to find a company that can provide the kind of quality Unified Infotech provides. With their help, we can take on projects we didn’t have the size or expertise to handle before. For example, we used to focus on WordPress, but now we build advanced platforms and tackle projects in all the popular programming languages.

Additionally, we’ve been able to trim back our freelance relationships. Unified Infotech has everything we need so we don’t have to outsource different parts of the project to different houses.

How did Unified Infotech perform from a project management standpoint?

They’ve been really good. We have Skype groups for each project, and they’re constantly in touch through email. They usually respond quickly, but if someone isn’t available they’ll let you know in advance. Our collaboration always deepens when we’re working on a particularly challenging project.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their designers always deliver a top-of-the-line UX/UI. Whatever our client has in mind, I know Unified Infotech can deliver it. They always do their best to make us happy.

Are there any areas they could improve?

The main thing I’d like them to improve is their quality testing. Sometimes obvious things get missed. They need to ensure every product they deliver has been thoroughly tested.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Make sure requirements are clear on both sides. If they aren’t clear, and there are changes in the middle of the project, you’ll have to go back to your client regarding their budget.