Vizuri

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the director of software development at DISCUS Software Company. DSC provides specialized software solutions to the aerospace and defense manufacturing industry.

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

The DISCUS software suite is well established and successful as a desktop application. The next stage in the evolution of the product requires us to expand into the on-premises server and cloud solutions.

A project of this scope would have been too much for the DSC development team to take on while continuing to develop our legacy systems. We brought in Vizuri to accelerate the introduction of the new systems. Vizuri provides not just the extra capacity we need, but also the specific expertise to execute the type of system we need.

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

I've had the unique opportunity to work with Vizuri in the past as a consultant on their teams. When the need tor outsourcing arose at DSC, Vizuri was my first call. Of course, Vizuri offers the experience we need, but it's more than just that.

Those of us who have worked as consultants or with consultants know which of them we'd go back to in the future. The lasting impression I have from my time with Vizuri is the depth of integrity. On a Vizuri team, you don't hear conversations about how to disguise problems or get away with less quality or less effort.

The customer always gets a straight story and the inevitable problems are dealt with responsibly and professionally. As a consumer of development services, nothing is more valuable.

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

This will be a multi-phase, long-term project. Vizuri will be delivering the front-end application, all new code. Vizuri is taking a lead role in helping us define the UI/UX brand standards.

For Phase 1 we're expecting an Angular project architecture and implementation that integrates with our back-end system. We've selected Angular 10 with IgniteUI components.

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

In phase 1 we have a full-time development lead focused on building the Angular front end app. We also have a UI designer and project lead on a part-time basis.

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

The project is still in the early stages. We've established the basics of the UI/UX visual design. Much of the front end architecture is in place, as well as the back-end service communication.

The quality is high, as expected. The Vizuri team is experienced and independent, requiring minimal guidance on my part. Once the requirements have been established, they execute.

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

The Vizuri-hosted meetings are on RingCentral, but we communicate on a variety of channels. These include JIRA, Confluence, Slack, GitHub, as the primary tools, and several others that have made brief appearances. Vizuri project management is flexible.

We've settled on a structure in which the Vizuri tech lead is the front-end architect, coordinating with me for back-end services. The Vizuri project manager invests minimal time in a support role, backing me up as needed. Her coordination and advice have been crucial on numerous occasions. I'm convinced there's no project challenge we can't meet.

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

The deciding factor for me was my past experience with Vizuri. Of course, they bring all of the technical and project experience we need, and the work quality is consistently excellent. However, what really impresses me is the highly personal connection they make with their clients. The customer's project is their project, the customer's team is their team.

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

All of our project needs are currently being met. We have no recommendations at this time.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the President of Plynty which offers a unique approach to retirement financial planning.

For what projects/services did your company hire Vizuri?

We needed Vizuri to help design the financial planning application in a way that was unique, but also robust and scalable for the B2B market.

What were your goals for this project?

1. We needed to achieve a high plan completion rate. (At least 10%)
2. The planning process could not deliver bad news.
3. We needed to integrate multiple data bases into the product.
4. The plan needed to automatically update anytime a customer logged on.
5. The product had to pass due diligence with the largest financial institutions.

How did you select Vizuri?

I have worked with the Vizuri staff several times over the past 20 years. I was very familiar with Joe Dickman and trusted him to be able to help me scope out a product that would be relevant to today’s financial services customer.

Describe the project in detail.

This project was a little different from your typical technology engagement. We actually Co-designed the product with Joe’s team. This meant that we had to do the initial research, scoping, design and architecture work together. We worked together on all phases of the product and we continue to do so as we refine the product going forward.

What was the team composition?

We had a Project Manager, Architect, several software developers, and a person to translate our ideas into a statement of work that could be used to code the product. Joe personally stayed involved throughout the development process.

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

We keep financial results private but I can say that the product performed better than we expected. For example , we targeted a 10% plan completion rate but we are achieving over 30%. We were selected to present at both Finovate and Plug and Play which are both prestigious organizations where new Fintech is showcased.

Finovate chose us as one of their top 40 new Fintech products for 2018 in a worldwide competition. We receive very high survey results and we scored well over 4 points on a 5 point scale with a user research project implemented by one of the largest credit bureaus.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

As I previously stated, I have worked with Vizuri several times in the past and find them to be one of the most customer focused organizations I have worked with. We have regularly scheduled catch up meetings and I am always informed on any issues that come up.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I don’t know if I could have built this product with any other company. Vizuri was not given a clear statement of work or a clear product strategy. I think the most impressive thing is that we co-created what I think is the best retirement planning application in the industry.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Vizuri was not an expert at mobile design when we started but they learned quickly and I think mobile is now a core strength of theirs.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the Director of Application Architecture for a well-known Airline Industry Pricing & Retailing Data Services Provider.

What challenge were you trying to address with Vizuri?

We contracted Vizuri to help build, develop, and host a settlement processing system for one of our clients. The solution would replace legacy implementations as well as a collection of manual processes. The aim was to have a modern, automated platform that could serve our needs well into the future.

What was the scope of their involvement? 

Once our client decided to move forward with us, Vizuri was heavily involved in our Phase 1 effort. This was a 10-week initiative to scope out the solution, gather requirements, and understand our client’s business needs.

They’ve recently entered Phase 2, which involves designing and building the solution. We expect that to last until next year before we release it into production.

How did you come to work with Vizuri?

Vizuri had been our partner on prior initiatives, so we were already familiar with them. They bid on our project along with a few other players. 

Ultimately, we selected them because we thought they were a good fit for the project. This was a task that required forward technical thinking to figure out how we could build a modern solution, and that’s where they excel.

What is the status of this engagement?

We talked with them in late 2019, but the project really began in early May 2020. We’re still working with them on Phase 2 of the project.

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

Overall, they’ve produced quality work. They were flexible and responsive to our needs during the FRP process with our client. By helping us formulate our responses in certain areas, they were able to build confidence with our client and win the bid.

Then, in Phase 1, they were effective in gathering requirements and understanding our client’s needs at a deeper level. Their team got through quite a bit of content in a short period of time, resulting in a high-level architecture design for future development. Their efforts have teed us up well for Phase 2.

How did Vizuri perform from a project management standpoint?

They took on the project management for Phase 1 and are sharing those responsibilities with us for Phase 2. There are resources on both their side and ours who will be involved in the design and development.

I’ve noticed that they’re effective at breaking down sprint plans. Even during Phase 1, they’ve been able to manage a lot of back-and-forth in a limited time to make the most of it. We use Microsoft Teams as our primary collaboration tool along with daily calls, instant messaging, and email. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Vizuri is interested in the quality of the solution, taking a “right-size-and-fit-for-the-job” approach. And, again, they’re very accommodating, so it’s easy to work with them.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There were some questions around the estimations for Phase 2, but Vizuri reworked the information to be more understandable. Otherwise, everyone is happy and impressed with Vizuri’s work. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Vizuri is definitely a good option for many things, depending on the scale of the effort. For projects similar to our size, I’d put them up there along with the best of them.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m an assistant professor at Columbia University.

What challenge were you trying to address with Vizuri?

We hired them as part of a research study that is being funded by the National Institute of Health (NIH). They’re helping to develop a data collection tool, part of which includes scraping social media data.

When we send out the survey to participants, one of the steps is logging into social media and the system that Vizuri is creating automatically scrapes the data with the participant’s consent. 

What was the scope of their involvement?

Initially, we pitched the project to a funding agency, and then, once it was funded, there were multiple stages of review it needed to go through. It needs to get approval from the ethics committees, review boards, IT security, and things like that, so Vizuri has been accommodating in working with us through those stages.

For the last six months or so, we’ve been in full development mode with their team. Now, we’re finalizing our testing. Since the system is up and running, it’ll be much more hands-off on their end and they’ll be monitoring the data as it comes in and sending it on to us. 

What is the team composition?

I’ve had contact with four people from their team, and a project manager has been the main point of contact. There are two main developers who are working on it, too. 

How did you come to work with Vizuri?

I found them through word of mouth and hired them. 

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent a little over $50,000. 

What is the status of this engagement?

The project began in January 2017 and our engagement is still ongoing. 

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

Although we’re still doing our final checks on the tool, we’re going to be ready hopefully within the next week to go into the field and use it. Vizuri has been outstanding. 

How did Vizuri perform from a project management standpoint?

We have weekly meetings and they provide updates on the work itself. In terms of understanding the rigors of scientific research, they’ve been great. We’ve had to get final approvals through the university and wait on funding through a couple of rounds of submissions, which is why it has taken a few years and they’ve been very understanding. 

With deadlines, they’re very punctual and professional. If there’s any type of delay, they let me know immediately. They keep me up to date with any problems that arise. Bugs come up with every project but they’re very adept in navigating all the nuances. I haven’t had to micromanage any of the decision-making or anything like that. We mainly use phone and email to communicate. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re clearly accustomed to working on large projects and the quality of their work has been excellent. The systems they have in place translate between big and small projects very easily. Their communication has also been outstanding. 

It’s an unusual set of circumstances where you propose a project and don’t get to work on it for 2–3 years, but they’ve been very accommodating about all of the nuances that come when working with academics. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there’s nothing that comes to mind. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Wind them up and let them go. Tell them what you need doing and they’ll figure out how to do it.