WallTree

What was the scope of their involvement?

I’ve worked with WallTree on an augmented reality project for medical applications, specifically remote breast cancer diagnostics. They were my only partner, and they built the entire biometric-data application. It was developed for Windows, Android and iOS, and distributed as enterprise software.

They’ve worked on a facial recognition functionality, application login, and pulse detection, which was a sophisticated feature. They used my algorithm for it.

They didn’t provide marketing or strategy services.

What is the team dynamic?

We made a statement of work with our own client, breaking the process down in technical documentation. I delegated a part of the project to WallTree, and created another statement of work and technical documentation. We have an internal UI/UX designer working on this project, who provided wireframes to WallTree.

There were 4 people from their team assigned to the project. My main point of contact was Peter Voloshchuk, [co-owner] who acted as project manager. We spoke on a daily basis.

We’ve used project management software, email and Slack for communication on a daily basis.

How did you come to work with WallTree?

There are 8 other companies I’ve used from time to time, based on their skillsets, and I also have a 7-person internal team. All development mostly occurs in-house, but we do need additional resources from time to time, and we prefer to outsource instead of hiring developers.

Peter approached me on LinkedIn about a potential collaboration. I had another team working with my company, and, when I had a couple of projects running at the same time, I decided to give WallTree a try with a smaller task. I liked their performance, and gave them a bigger project. I also liked Peter’s personality, and the fact that they provided their own opinions on the technical aspects for our second project. I was appreciative of this, since I needed someone who was able to doubt my own decisions, and tell me I’m wrong.

How much have you invested with them?

WallTree’s work has been in the low 6-figure range.

What is the status of this engagement?

I started working with WallTree a couple of years ago. The current project started in January 2017, and was soft-launched in June.

What was the scope of their involvement?

WallTree is developing an Android and iOS app, as well as a web version and the backend of the platform. They assigned a 10 member team, including designers and frontend and backend developers.

We gave WallTree a list of requirements and the initial flow of the app. We wanted them to collaborate with our own designers and architects, and I was impressed by the team’s creativity and ideas. I made sure that we could work together in order to come up with the best architecture and design possible.

We’re working on an advanced video editing tool with analytics capabilities, which is a core part of it. The product is also heavily dependent on social media sharing. It’s complex but easy to use at the same time, and through it, we’re trying to find a new use for existing technology. It’s based on existing platforms like YouTube and Vimeo, but it’s using the technology in a much different way.

How did you come to work with WallTree?

We had outsourced to Bangalore, India in the past, but not being able to visit the developers in person was a problem. Their performance was okay, but it was still difficult to get detailed information and have the team do exactly what we wanted. We had some problems and additional costs, and I couldn’t simply leave my work here and jump on a plane to see the team. I didn’t trust their quality and wanted to find a place where I could go and meet everyone working on our project.

I had a friend who had used a company in Ukraine, which I was considering along with Bulgaria. I found the former to be cheaper and they offered very good quality at reasonable prices, compared to Bulgaria. During my research, I actually got messages from around three companies, including one of WallTree’s sales managers. I replied to all three and got in touch with their owners. The price was a factor in the decision, so I shared my idea and got estimates from each one, and WallTree's was the best. We went from there.

How much have you invested with WallTree?

The cost of WallTree’s work has been between €50,000 and €60,000 [US $55,902 and $67,082]. We have been paying in installments.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started the initial discussions in November 2016. The work fully started in January 2017. The platform is 90% completed. It was supposed to be done by May, but we added more features. We will start testing and hope to finish everything by the end of June.