VT Netzwelt

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

 I am the Founder/CEO/Owner of a retail company 

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Sell antique, vintage, and new home decor. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire VT Netzwelt to accomplish?

• We approached VT Netzwelt with the goal of developing a custom wishlist app tailored to our store's specific requirements. Our products require detailed and customized input fields to accurately capture wishlist data, which standard solutions couldn’t accommodate. We also needed the app to function seamlessly across multiple Shopify stores. VT Netzwelt’s Shopify expert team helped us design and develop a fully custom Shopify app that met all our functional and technical needs.

SOLUTION

How did you find VT Netzwelt?

• Online Search
• Shopify

Why did you select VT Netzwelt over others?

• High ratings
• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Referred to me
• Company values aligned
• Other

How many teammates from VT Netzwelt were assigned to this project?

6-10 Employees

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

VT Netzwelt developed a custom Shopify wishlist app tailored to our business needs. The scope included key features like multi-wishlist support, wishlist sharing, product notes, custom badges, and advanced pricing options such as wholesale and call-for-pricing. Users could manage lists with copy, move, and rename functions, and export or print their wishlists. On the admin side, they built analytics tools to track wishlist usage, revenue, and customer engagement. The app also integrated with Mailchimp for email reminders and supported storefront features for both logged-in and guest users.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

VT Netzwelt delivered a solution that matched our vision perfectly. They implemented every feature we requested with great attention to detail, resulting in a custom wishlist app that works seamlessly across our stores. The final product was stable, well-designed, and fully aligned with our business needs, making it a solid success from both a technical and functional perspective.

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

VT Netzwelt’s project management was excellent. They maintained clear and consistent communication throughout the project, kept us updated on progress, and were always responsive to our feedback and change requests. They delivered all milestones on time and ensured everything was thoroughly tested before going live. Their team was flexible, easy to work with, and proactive in solving challenges as they came up.

What was your primary form of communication with VT Netzwelt?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

What stood out most about VT Netzwelt was their ability to truly understand our requirements and translate them into a well-executed solution. Their attention to detail, responsiveness, and commitment to delivering exactly what we needed made the entire experience smooth. They didn’t just build what we asked for—they offered suggestions that improved the final product.

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

No

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Marketing Manager of ResMart

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

ResMart is putting a new spin on the old model and empowering the plastic processor in the process. By offering up to 4 distinct quality grades per resin family, ResMart offers the plastic buyer line card optionality without sacrifice or compromise.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire VT Netzwelt to accomplish?

• Develop Website for ecommerce of ResMart products
• Create APIs between our website and our ERP

SOLUTION

How did you find VT Netzwelt?

• Online Search
• Referral

Why did you select VT Netzwelt over others?

Good value for cost

How many teammates from VT Netzwelt were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

Scope consists of the following:

• Transition from Magento 1 to Magento 2
• Data migration, including products, customers, orders, and configurations.
  Custom feature enhancements and module development.
• Backup management and disaster recovery planning.
• ERP Integration with Epicor P21: Bi-directional data synchronization between Magento and Epicor P21.
• Custom API development and middleware implementation for seamless connectivity.
• Implementation of a robust quote system within the Magento store.
• Automated pricing rules and dynamic quote generation.
• Marketplace Integration with Magento 2
• MSI - Multi Source Inventory setup
• Sales rep and manager portal setup and dashboard
  Reporting.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The B2B website now generates multi-million dollar revenue while serving as a comprehensive platform for product and technical information. It provides real-time inventory updates and includes a dedicated sales portal used daily by 50 sales representatives to access product details, pricing, and availability.

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

Project management was efficiently overseen by a single individual, ensuring daily responsiveness and seamless coordination. The team met weekly to review project milestones and upcoming tasks, maintaining clear communication and alignment. Deliveries were consistently on time, and the quality of work remained exceptional throughout the project.
What was your primary form of communication with VT Netzwelt?

Virtual Meeting

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

Technical expertise on ERPs and use of APIs certainly played a large role in the success of the project.

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

The project's success was made possible by the dedication and technical expertise of their team, whose contributions were instrumental in achieving outstanding results.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Ecommerce Project Manager of EZ Living Furniture

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Furniture and home accessories retailer

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire VT Netzwelt to accomplish?

• Online store development and managment
• Online store front end and architecture redesign
• Online store growth

SOLUTION

How did you find VT Netzwelt?

Online Search

Why did you select VT Netzwelt over others?

• Pricing fit our budget
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from VT Netzwelt were assigned to this project?

6-10 Employees

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

This project entails a comprehensive overhaul of the existing codebase, architecture, and infrastructure to address identified performance issues and outdated design components, following a detailed analysis and revamp. The work includes:

• Conduct a thorough review and audit of the codebase and architectural implementation.
• Identify and document all components causing performance delays, enabling precise issue targeting.
• Optimize identified modules and components to address performance issues.
• Clean up redundant or unnecessary data
• Recognize infrastructure design deficiencies for a comprehensive infrastructure revamp to meet performance expectations.
• Transition to a new, optimized infrastructure to support enhanced functionality and user experience.
• Explore PWA (Progressive Web App) components to facilitate a transition to modernized UI/UX design, identifying and addressing outdated modules and misaligned customizations.
• Plan and implement a complete upgrade of the technology stack, re-architecting the UI/UX in line with best practices and industry standards.
• Refactor existing features, customizations, and integrations, ensuring alignment with current best practices while removing redundant or suboptimal code.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

• Time efficient new website launch.
• Stable environment allowing high traffic.
• Well-performing online store.

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

• Very well-organised team management.
• Fast response time to all queries and issues.
• On-time delivery within a project scope.

What was your primary form of communication with VT Netzwelt?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

• Organisation. They have very well-structured teams and processes.
• Process orientated.
• Knowledge. 

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

Nothing I can think of.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the VP DTC/B2B of Petmate

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Petmate is a Manufacturer and supplier of non-food pet products designed for cats, dogs and other small birds. The company's variety of pet products, including:

• carriers
• shelters
• collars and leashes
• feeding and watering systems
• toys and pet beds

enabling the pet owners to find pet items and thereby enhancing their experience of being a pet parent more enjoyable by creating a healthy and happy life for pets.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire VT Netzwelt to accomplish?

• Petmate served both B2B and B2C customers. Although we had successfully transitioned our B2C operations online with a separate platform, the B2B segment required a dedicated portal to handle their needs. Our B2B customers didn’t have a dedicated user interface to place bulk orders and instead submitted order details to the Petmate team, who manually managed these orders through their Oracle ERP system.
• This offline approach presented significant scalability challenges, demanded considerable manual effort, and was prone to human errors. Consequently, customers experienced dissatisfaction due to the absence of real-time updates. By addressing these issues, Petmate had the opportunity to redefine their business landscape and expand their online capabilities in the B2B segment.
• We hired VT Netzwelt to design and develop a solution to automate the complete B2B Segment with our specific business needs e.g. Seamless integration with the Oracle ERP system. Real-time synchronisation for companies, customers, customer addresses, orders, products, inventory, and price lists. The ability to configure different price lists for each company by creating and assigning shared catalog. 
• The creation of multiple company users under a single company, each assigned specific roles. Bulk order capabilities through CSV uploads. Cart splitting functionality based on the warehouse associated with the products. Empowerment of sales representative users to place zero-amount orders. Real-time order status updates for customers, including shipping and tracking information.
• In essence, the goal was to bring their B2B operations online and empower both customers and sales representatives to access the complete catalog. This would enable them to select products, view pricing based on the company's associated price list, determine quantities based on case pack/inner pack configurations, utilise specific payment and shipping terms, place orders, and receive real-time updates on order processing.

SOLUTION

How did you find VT Netzwelt?

Referral

Why did you select VT Netzwelt over others?

• High ratings
• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from VT Netzwelt were assigned to this project?

6-10 Employees

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

• Seamless integration with the Oracle ERP system.
• Real-time synchronisation for companies, customers, customer addresses, orders, products, inventory, and price lists.
• The ability to configure different price lists for each company by creating and assigning shared catalog.
• The creation of multiple company users under a single company, each assigned specific roles.
• Bulk order capabilities through CSV uploads. Cart splitting functionality based on the warehouse associated with the products.
• Empowerment of sales representative users to place zero-amount orders.
• Real-time order status updates for customers, including shipping and tracking information.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Launch of site and immediate revenue impact

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

They always delivered projects on time and responded to our needs

What was your primary form of communication with VT Netzwelt?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

Business and technical accumen

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

None Known

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the President of Living Well Stores, Inc.

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Living Well Stores is an international online retailer of home healthcare products intended to help seniors and those with disabilities be more active.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire VT Netzwelt to accomplish?

• Ongoing development and maintenance of a Magento ecommerce website
• Provision of sysadmin services across several of the technology platforms we use.

SOLUTION

How did you find VT Netzwelt?

Referral

Why did you select VT Netzwelt over others?

Referred to me

How many teammates from VT Netzwelt were assigned to this project?

6-10 Employees

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

To date we utilize VTNetzwelt in three areas:

1. Magento website maintanance and customization/development to suit our needs including product presentation, website optimization and back end communications with other apps that we use.
2. Amazon product advertising analysis and campaign development including delivery of measurable results.
3. Social media campaign dev and execution, search engine optimization.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Measurable success on campaigns plus accomplishments of specific objectives we assigned. 

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

We find Vtnetzwelt team members to be very responsive- so much so that we don't really consider bringing any of the services that the provide in-house. They employ a process of regular communication via Teams and project management tools. Projects are delivered on time >80 pct of the time

What was your primary form of communication with VT Netzwelt?

Virtual Meeting

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

Their client commitment is impressive. They understand that there's implicit risk in outsourcing critical/near critical tasks. They take that responsibility seriously. 

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

N/A

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am an executive of So Dialed Racetech

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We build apps to support the RC car racing community.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire VT Netzwelt to accomplish?

• Build an app for our customers
• Build accompanying online functions and web pages
• Be available for emergency maintenance
• Continue to support and build out all features over time

SOLUTION

How did you find VT Netzwelt?

Upwork

Why did you select VT Netzwelt over others?

• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Company values aligned
• Breadth of services available

How many teammates from VT Netzwelt were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

VT is the team solely responsible for our flagship app. We provided mockups and basic product documentation, and they did all of the front- and backend work to create our apps on both iOS and Android (in Flutter/Firebase.) 

Because our users may be out of cell range when they are racing, the app allows users to create and modify their data offline, and it automatically syncs when they are back online, and VT engineered that entire system.

They have also been instrumental in providing backend services and APIs that allow us to connect our production website to the data coming in from our users, helping the site feel dynamic and fresh.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

• Delivery of technical project plan
• Delivery of finished apps
• Regular delivery of app updates per request
• Consistent site uptime
• Responsive to emergency situations

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

For the initial project particularly, the project management involved frequent communication, meetings, and updates from their team. They were always on the ball and responsive. 

As time went on, our time pressures were lessened, so we required less immediate communication, and we were able to manage most projects over email and in our online project management system.

What was your primary form of communication with VT Netzwelt?

Virtual Meeting

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

It has to be the dedication. The VT team has been working on my project for 3 years now and have always been very responsive and eager to tackle new projects. The field of interest for my app is pretty niche, but they have done a remarkable job in understanding the user's needs and building apps that meet them well. They turn out quality work every time, with very little need for revisions.

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

Considering the budget (and the resulting hours they can spend on our project), I think they have done an excellent job.  My company cannot afford to hire them full-time, so they still need to switch between projects for other clients, which is not easy for developers to do often, but they manage it well. I can't say I can think of anything they really need to improve on.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I'm an executive at Great Dwellings

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Short Term Rental property management

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire VT Netzwelt to accomplish?

• Business Analysis
• Automation

SOLUTION

How did you find VT Netzwelt?

Online Search

Why did you select VT Netzwelt over others?

• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned
• Attention to Detail

How many teammates from VT Netzwelt were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

Their team of highly skilled professionals analyzed our processes and developed a custom IT system that automated key aspects of our operations, leading to increased efficiency and client satisfaction. VT Netzwelt's scope of work included process analysis, bespoke solution design, development, seamless integration, rigorous testing, and comprehensive training and support.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

• Time Savings: The automation of key processes resulted in a significant reduction in time spent on manual tasks. This allowed our team to allocate more time to high-value activities, such as building relationships with clients and improving our service offerings. 
• Error Reduction: By automating various aspects of our operations, we saw a notable decrease in manual errors. This led to increased accuracy in tasks such as booking management, invoicing, and reporting, ultimately enhancing our overall service quality. 
• Increased Productivity: With the new IT system streamlining our daily operations, our team's productivity increased substantially. The efficiency gains enabled us to handle a larger volume of clients without compromising on the quality of service. 
• Enhanced Customer Satisfaction: The improvements in our operational efficiency and accuracy, as well as our ability to focus on customer service, translated into higher customer satisfaction rates. This resulted in positive reviews, increased customer retention, and a stronger reputation in the short-term rental market. 
• Scalability: The custom IT system designed by VT Netzwelt was built with scalability in mind, allowing us to easily accommodate our business growth. As our client base expanded, the system was able to handle the increased workload without any performance issues.

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

VT Netzwelt's project management was truly top-notch! From the get-go, they were organized, efficient, and super attentive to our needs. They consistently delivered items on time and made sure that every aspect of the project was well-coordinated and executed. One of the best things about working with VT was their flexibility and responsiveness. 

Whenever we had questions or needed any adjustments, they were always quick to address our concerns and make necessary changes, ensuring that everything was tailored to our specific requirements. Their open and regular communication was key to the project's success. We had frequent progress updates and check-ins, which made us feel very involved in the process. This collaborative approach not only built trust but also ensured that our vision was perfectly aligned with their work. 

So, in a nutshell, VT Netzwelt's project management was outstanding. They were always on top of things, timely with their deliverables, and incredibly attentive to our needs. They truly made the entire experience a breeze for us!

What was your primary form of communication with VT Netzwelt?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

What truly stood out and impressed me the most about VT Netzwelt was their exceptional project management skills combined with their unwavering commitment to keeping us in the loop at all times. They genuinely valued our input and made sure we were informed and engaged throughout the entire process. The regular updates on project status and progress were invaluable, ensuring that we always knew exactly where things stood. 

Their transparency and open communication not only instilled confidence in their work but also allowed us to provide feedback, which they were always eager to incorporate. It was this emphasis on collaboration and partnership that really set VT Netzwelt apart from other companies. Their proactive approach to addressing our needs, along with their incredible adaptability, made the entire experience feel like we were working with an extension of our own team. 

VT Netzwelt's unique blend of top-notch project management, excellent communication, and genuine investment in our success left a lasting impression and made the whole collaboration a truly remarkable experience.

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

Honestly, it's tough to pinpoint any areas for improvement, as our experience with VT Netzwelt was nothing short of fantastic. Their dedication, expertise, and outstanding project management really exceeded our expectations. They were proactive in addressing our needs, and their level of communication was exceptional. It felt like they genuinely cared about our project's success, and that made all the difference. So, I'd say there's nothing I can think of that they could have done differently – they truly knocked it out of the park!

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am founder / CEO. We are building a web application to help companies access the capital and expertise needed to avert distress and grow.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire VT Netzwelt?

We hired VT Netzwelt to add a bunch of features to an initial product we had built.

What were your goals for this project?

Our aim was to achieve a much more robust product within a tight time frame and budget.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We found them online and ran a competitive bid with several other agencies. VT Netzwelt did the most thorough job up front to understand our project and estimate the hours it may incur to complete. They offered several current clients for us to speak with as referrals, which we did. Each referral had exceedingly positive things to say about VT Netzwelt. VT Netzwelt's professional manner interacting with us, thorough homework ahead of their bid, strong referrals, and competitive pricing made it an easy decision to engage VT Netzwelt.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

We began with a recorded kickoff call on which we walked through the current application and discussed the new features in greater depth. We together then prioritized the features and began work. They offered up a weekly call to discuss what was accomplished in the prior week and on deck for the next week. In addition to regular communication over the phone/Skype, Slack and email, these calls helped us stay in sync and adjust the project plan as we went. They significantly enhanced our application beyond just the features requested, which we appreciated.

What was the team composition?

They provided a project manager, a lead full stack developer, a technical architecture developer (2nd set of eyes), and a QA individual. This whole team was engaged from start to finish, and we were pleased with their talent. Management seems to have been intentional about allowing staff to find roles they enjoy and are well-suited for, and in providing training for staff to grow in those roles or take on new responsibilities as each so desires. It seems like a healthy culture (we visited them in India), which made for a strong team.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any information that demonstrates the impact that this project has had on your business?

They delivered a more robust product than we expected within the time and budget we had laid out. They allowed us to achieve our goals for that season.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

At the start, they laid out a spreadsheet detailing tasks and expected hours for each. We moved this detail onto Asana once we got started, and built on it from there. They maintained the Asana project to allow me and team to provide updates regarding upcoming tasks and priorities. On their side though, they maintain a homegrown internal project management system, which seems to work great for their team. Their project manager was effective orchestrating the project, and periodically we would engage directly with others on the team as needed. All seemed seamless. We used Skype, Asana, Slack, and email for communication. There was no issue with language barrier as all was done in English.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The quality of the team, the quality of the processes, and thereby the quality of the work.

Are there any areas for improvement?

None.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the owner of an online meal planning system.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with VT Netzwelt?

We worked with a different company to initially develop our iOS and Android applications and create a new design for them, but we engaged VT Netzwelt to execute that design and maintain our applications.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We hoped to make our applications more accessible, so we needed an improved UX. Once we received a satisfactory design from another vendor, we called on VT Netzwelt to implement it. The redesign allowed users of different technical skill levels to use the apps how they’d like. The apps are customizable so that they can be used very simply or have added complexity. VT Netzwelt also maintains our apps, which sometimes involves writing new native code for Android and iOS.

What is the team composition?

We work with a project manager and various developers. We sometimes work with a small team of designers, as well.

How did you come to work with VT Netzwelt?

I initially found them through their sales representative, who presented the company well. They have an active project manager who was able to communicate clearly what his team would be doing.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent more than $250,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our engagement began in 2017 and remains ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Most importantly, the company has a robust mobile app presence. Last year, we were among the fastest growing private companies in the United States, so having functional and practical mobile applications is essential for us to continue our growth.

How did VT Netzwelt perform from a project management standpoint?

VT Netzwelt has no weak spots. They’re consistent, and they work hard to meet our internal deadlines. It’s evident that they care about the project and want to do a good job. I rest easy knowing that I have VT Netzwelt backing me up.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They have been able to draw from their past experiences to find shortcuts and smart recommendations for how we should progress. Their foresight into all of our design decisions has saved us a lot of money and heartache.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I’ve never had a cause for complaint.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

It's important to keep in mind that what you initially describe is unlikely to be what you receive at the end. You might assume that the development team is going to magically transform your ideas into the product that you want, but that's rarely the case. It's vital to participate in the iterative process that is bound to unfold. You come to learn that ideal solution shifts and changes quite a bit, so it’s best to prepare for those turns.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the CEO of Offerista Group GmbH, which operates multiple apps with a joint install base exceeding 25 million users. One of our easy-to-use applications helps customers obtain more information about a product by scanning the barcode printed on the product packaging. These details include nutritional information, the ecological carbon footprint, lowest prices, price fluctuations, aggregated ratings, and general background information about the manufacturer.

Our other app helps brick-and-mortar stores reap the benefits of digitalization. It publishes digital brochures and offers. Using location-based services, it attracts customers from relevant target groups. Expanding the customer base that visits stores increases sales.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire VT Netzwelt?

We needed to develop a variety of new spin-off apps that capitalize on the product information search technology that drives our existing products. Tight deadlines and an ever-growing story backlog kept prolonging our project schedules. To tackle this challenge, we commissioned VT Netzwelt to extend our IT team and help us launch the products faster.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goal for the project was to develop five mobile apps that each connect to our product data backend. By commissioning VT Netzwelt to develop these products, we anticipated a significantly shorter time-to-market. We also needed to build new APIs following a stringent MVP development approach and adhering to the latest Android requirements.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We actively sought recommendations from our business network and shortlisted 8-10 vendors who came highly recommended for an initial review. VT Netzwelt was among the organizations on this list. Based on location, relevant experience, work portfolio, and company size, we narrowed the list to three options who we invited to our office for technical workshops. 

As each agency discussed how they would solve specific technical problems, it quickly emerged that VT Netzwelt showed the highest degree of client-orientation, strategic problem-solving skills, and technical capabilities to best fulfill our requirements. We especially valued their transparent, accessible, and highly Agile approach to software development. 

As the next step, we asked VT Netzwelt for three references from their existing clients and contacted each one to get a first-hand experience. Once this was also cleared, we signed an LOI and NDA, and we assessed their financial stability.

Describe the project in detail.

The project involved software design and software development for three Android and two iOS native mobile apps using an MVP design pattern. Our dedicated agency provided the UI design. VT Netwzelt also built the REST API web services for each Android app from scratch and refactored and enhanced two other API codebases for the storing of user-specific preferences.

The apps’ modularity allows us to add new functionality faster with less effort and conduct more thorough A/B testing to increase user interaction and gain more monthly active users. Combining automatic testing with the latest app development techniques should also reduce ongoing efforts for regression testing in the future.

What was the team composition?

The size of the team changes from time to time depending on the project requirement. On average, the team included a project manager, two iOS developers, three Android developers, two mobile app testers, and a database administrator. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our experience with VT Netzwelt over the past five years has exceeded our expectations. We managed to develop the applications in record time, even accounting for last-minute changes along the way. Similarly, the time-to-market for new feature additions (or occasional bug fixes) drastically improved. 

The new apps have an average rating of 4.34 in the Google Play store and 4.5 in the App Store. The products receive fewer customer support requests, which reduces overheads in our department and helps us enlarge our product management team.

Overall, we are more than happy with VT Netzwelt which why we’ve extended our relationship throughout the years. They have demonstrated excellent management and development capabilities while sticking to agreed timelines. They even go the extra mile by working on weekends or outside of office hours to meet time-sensitive deadlines. The team is highly responsive, committed, and above all communicative. They always provide prompt feedback on our inquiries. We hope they keep up this good work so our relationship will continue to benefit both of us.

 How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We mostly use Google Hangout, video chats, Skype, and email for communication methods. VT Netzwelt maintains the code in GitHub and Gitlab uses Confluence and Jira for documentation and the epics and stories.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I’m most impressed with VT Netzwelt’s problem-solving capability when confronted with difficult challenges. Their technical response and depth of thinking have completely amazed us multiple times. They continuously recommend better solutions than our own suggestions and have caught eventualities and conflicts in the requirements we didn’t notice. 

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The only possible improvement I could think of would be a quicker ramp-up time when adding resources to manage a sudden spike in the size of the backlog. However, we completely understand that this limitation comes from employees’ availability and long-term commitments with other clients, so it’s not really a “flaw.” From time to time, additional resources are already available when we need them temporarily. We’re thankful we can avail of this support on a priority basis.