Wollow

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a consultant hired by Blue Lynx, an HR company that focuses on recruiting multilingual candidates for international organizations.

What challenge were you trying to address with Wollow?

Blue Lynx opened up a branch in Bulgaria and asked if I could find a company to develop a new back-office CRM system to replace a 15-year-old solution that was at the end of its life. Technology had changed so since the system was built that they needed a new, customized application.

What was the scope of their involvement?

The back-office links to Blue Lynx’s website, to Salesforce, and to Textkernel, an AI-powered CV processing application. Wollow developed it on open-source technology, which required migrating old information from a proprietary Microsoft system.

Blue Lynx is an HR company, so their main objective is to place candidates in jobs and on projects. This requires high-speed CV processing. The new back office makes that possible in combination with a third-party application.

The system also handles all recruitment-related business processes. Blue Lynx’s sales activities had already been migrated to Salesforce, but there wasn’t an API connection between the back-office system and Salesforce, so Wollow created one.

What is the team composition?

I generally dealt with three people from Wollow: a UI developer on the frontend, a database developer, and a system designer, who acted as the main programmer, tackling all the pre-production legwork. They also had a project manager, Ivelin (Company Owner).

How did you come to work with Wollow?

They were local to the new branch in Bulgaria, and I selected them out of a group of five other companies. Wollow was a good fit because they were an informal team. Generally, I found them to be open and accessible. I wanted a development team that would work together with us, rather than just treat us like a client; the goal was to form an integrated work ethos.

Wollow had a good portfolio as well, and Ivelin was confident. Right off the bat, their main developer grasped how to piece together our project, even though it was very complex. This gave me a good feeling.

They also had experience with proprietary software, which came in handy as we moved from one system to another.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent €50,000 (approximately $59,600 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from March–December 2020. Their work is done, but the system isn’t live as we’re working with another company to build a separate tool that we need to launch the whole integrated system.

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

Compared to all the projects I’ve done, this project went very smoothly. Their attitude was really good. I never had a hassle with them, as they were keen to get on with the project.

When it comes to the technology we used — databases, APIs, etc. — it didn’t seem to me that Wollow was a novice at all. In fact, the questions they asked were of such an advanced nature that when I consulted Textkernel, they were surprised by the in-depth nature of my inquiries.

How did Wollow perform from a project management standpoint?

We set up a project plan and worked through an agile approach, using Trello for project management and setting weekly meetings. There was usually a deployment the day before the meeting so we would take a look at how it went. If necessary, we had meetings more often. Everything was well-documented and fluid.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They were honest, good people to work with. Rather than wait on issues, they notified us straight away if anything came up.

Wollow was very thorough with their groundwork before they built the system. Every process was sorted out thanks to their questioning. We had a lot of variables and options, and their preparation for those things was second to none.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t think of something they could have done better. They were perfect.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Make sure your requirements are well-specified. Their experience can help you clarify an idea, but don’t expect them to think out the project for you. In our case, we made sure our back-office processes were mapped out. This prevented the project from becoming overly complicated.

Please describe your company and your position there.

My company (Brite Apps OU) is mainly occupied in Mobile Software develelopment area, but we were in serious need of backend and web development partner. In 2015, trying to work with several teams from Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan we have finally found such trustworthy and reasonably priced partner in Bulgaria: Wollow Soft Ltd.

For what projects/services did your company hire Wollow?

We have started with few projects that were in the final production phase to understand if this company good in its field and became confident in theie expertise. Then, we engaged them for our main current project and now we are still in good collaboration. All of those projects are under NDA, but I may say that they represent the following features: CMS with the role management, file storage, chat functions, REST API, image editing, online document signing and much more. The main current app is the online books distribution service that implements the subscription model (Bookstore in futher text).

What were your goals for this project?

As far as the Bookstore is a startup, our clients are permanently trying to make this service better and better. So, the goals are to develop stable working backend and web-app and to implement new features and frameworks permanently in testing space.

How did you select this vendor?

We got aquainted in terms of working in the coworking space that they used to manage and, seeing how do things organized from the inside, decided to try to work with Wollow.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

Wollow Soft is mainly occupied with backend and web-development including implementing the following featues: — CMS with users and assets rights management; — Subscription model management; — Online store; — Several payment systems; — Frontend; — GDPR adaptation; — User profile; — Helpdesk; — Trial period; — REST API; And much more.

What was the team composition?

The team, in general, consists of 4 persons (backend, frontend, server management, general management and coding). If there's need in more power, Wollow can provide trusted fellow-specialists.

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

The specific part of this project is tightly connected with the fact that it is start-up that operates on specific market, where the physical books market is still strong, publishers are very conservative and investors are strict enough. So, there is always a lot of issues coming from all of those parties. Sometimes, it becomes a challenge, but there's always an option to solve the unexpected issues with help of Wollow.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

The project management from the Wollow Soft side is always precise. They prefer to ask a lot of questions to make everything clear and inform you about every point of their work. They do not give you leaves without figs and always warn you if there are any issues with the deadlines of anything else.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I believe, that the most impressive part is their personal attitude about the job. You may always expect the sensible participation in solving any issues that you may face.

Are there any areas for improvement?

For now, everythings works fine for us.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the CEO of MamiExpress.ch. We provide housekeeping personnel to private clients, such as babysitters, cleaning people, and so on.

What challenge were you trying to address with Wollow International?

We're working with them on another product, which will be called NannySharing.com. Our aim was to set up a platform to provide nannies to private clients that is easy for clients to use.

What was the scope of their involvement?

They bought a software solution and customized it for us. It was originally intended for a cleaning company, which was how they found us as we also work in that area. The app can be used on both desktop and mobile devices. The platform is fully automated and payments are done via credit card.

It was developed as responsive web software, rather than as native apps. I'm sure that Wollow would be able to develop native versions in the future, based on our experience so far.

What is the team composition?

Ivelin (Executive, Wollow International) was our main contact. We got in touch with him whenever we had changes to make. He's very fast and has vast knowledge—he’s done a great job.

How did you come to work with Wollow International?

They reached out to us.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve paid around $10,000 for their work. I found this to be a very good price, relative to the Swiss market. We're operating in an expensive country with high salaries.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in November 2016. The app was ready six months later, in the summer of 2017.

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

They did a great job—the platform has worked well during our testing. We still have mass testing to perform, to see if everything is stable, but there haven’t been a lot of issues.

We're happy with their work. They got in touch with us proactively and worked fast throughout.

How did Wollow International perform from a project management standpoint?

They maintained a professional image while proposing their software to us and they managed the work well and fast. I can only say good things about them.

We used email for communication and had occasional conference calls via Skype. They also used TeamViewer once or twice, in order to show us something.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Even after we finished communicating, they came back and asked us if we needed any more work done and if everything was fine. They left a perfect impression. I can only say good things about them.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Everything was perfect, and they worked extremely fast—sometimes too fast for us. That's perhaps a subjective impression, given that we may have been too slow at times. They were more prepared than we were.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

They're clear in terms of communication and they quickly understand what the customer wants. They’ve done the job perfectly, they respond to emails fast, they speak English well, and they’re friendly. There haven’t been any inconveniences. I have no specific advice for potential customers.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO and founder of The ALIX Experience. We offer thoughtfully selected services for women who travel internationally for business and for pleasure. We cater to our clientele’s specific needs during their leisure time in foreign cities. Our content focuses on what to see, what to do, and where to dine. We also provide resources to minimize female-specific concerns around traveling alone overseas.

What challenge were you trying to address with Wollow International?

We hired them to design and develop a user-friendly app that was equally functional and visually compelling. Our project focused on enhancing our brand and reaching out to a broader audience. Our easy-to-update resource sought to empower women to digitally network around the world. The app we wanted to build aimed to fill the previously unmet need for pre-vetted restaurants that are safe, comfortable, and offer excellent cuisine.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Wollow International designed and developed our signature mobile app, “ALIX for ONE.” This iOS app showcases our exclusive networking opportunities and curated collection of global experiences. They tied the entire program together through a hamburger menu that links to our main website for greater brand awareness. They carefully designed each aspect so it’s easy for us to expand and edit the fully developed app in-house.

Digital restaurant guides feature profiles that tie in online reservation booking, interactive maps, contact information, photos, and website links. Text and symbols indicate special or noteworthy features, and a sort function lets users search within each distinct category. The in-app networking platform includes member applications, personal profiles, and a secure chat function. The freemium portion is available to any subscriber, while our members-only paid section offers vetted clients more in-depth opportunities to connect.

What is the team composition?

We worked with two resources from Wollow International. Their talent, expertise, and guidance were terrific throughout every phase of the project.

How did you come to work with Wollow International?

After developing and sending out an RFP, we interviewed more than six developers we found through other UX designers. In Wollow's case, we found their team through a former client and decided they were the right vendor for our needs. Their skill level, cost-effectiveness, ability to understand our quality standards, and willingness to guide us and provide technical recommendations made them stand out from the competition.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $10,000–$49,999 on their services.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our project lasted from June 2017 - May 2018.

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

We couldn’t have been in better hands than Wollow International for our first mobile app development project. They're talented, dedicated and honest in a world where neophytes such as ourselves could easily be taken advantage of. Thanks to them, we now have a functional app that works well. We have high hopes that it will be a big success in the marketplace.

How did Wollow International perform from a project management standpoint?

The workflow was excellent. We’re based in New York City and they're not, so we used Skype as an effective way to hold regular meetings and emailed each other about day-to-day issues.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Wollow International generously shared their incredible knowledge base with us. They provided us with the best guidance and advice at their disposal. The great deal of pride they take in their own work is a win-win for both partners in the client relationship. Their work ethic guarantees the best possible quality of the final product they deliver. Not every vendor offers this level of customer service.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Overall, our partnership with Wollow International was a great process. We feel very fortunate to have a developer we can turn to as we continue to expand our product and services.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Wollow International is a really great team. We didn't experience any problems with a language barrier. They’re committed to doing top notch work and ensure that the projects they work on are truly successful. I have no advice, really; I have nothing but really great things to say about them.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO and founder of FadeCase. We make collectible items and memorabilia from video games. We draw inspiration from digital items you can have in a game and we make physical copies of them.

What challenge were you trying to address with Wollow International?

We turned to Wollow International to create our website because we are doing a lot of B2B sales and we needed a backend system to track and get statistics on our warehouse stock levels and product sales rates. The challenge was creating the complex system that can handle processing bigger orders, so we looked to Wallow International for their skill in that area.

What was the scope of their involvement?

They were involved from the beginning of our efforts to upgrade our website and they helped in all aspects of the process. We discussed the type of strategy, what model we should use, and they helped us figure out the best approach to take when upgrading the website.

What is the team composition?

You are assigned a team and, although you may work with various members of that team through the project, the main form of communication goes through the assigned project manager.

How did you come to work with Wollow International?

I found them through a few business friends that had used them previously and were happy with their work and professionalism.

How much have you invested with them?

I estimate it to be approximately €10,000–€12,000 ($11,938–$14,326 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

They did the website update work for about three weeks in March 2017. We are still working with them. They do the website maintenance for us on a monthly basis.

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

When we first approached them for help upgrading our website, we were operating at a much smaller volume of orders and were limited in our growth. The new platform they delivered has been a great tool for us and has allowed us to take big steps toward expansion in the international market.

How did Wollow International perform from a project management standpoint?

They are really structured in assigning a project manager to you as your contact throughout the entire project. It is quite obvious they work in a team structure and you get involved with the other team members, but everything goes through the project manager. How they organize their projects and how they execute them is what makes them stand out.

Our main form of communication with them was Skype. Through chat, call, and group calls. We also used the screen sharing function, which gave us an interactive experience as they updated us on the progress of the project.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I’m happy with the entirety of their work, but I was consistently impressed by their technical skills. We’re based in Sweden, which has always been at the forefront of technology, we were pleasantly surprised that Wollow International’s work actually raised the bar for what we expected. Their technical abilities and knowledge they have in the space are really impressive. Their professionalism and level of knowledge absolutely makes them stand out.

Are there any areas they could improve?

The only feedback we’ve given them is related to the pricing. If you have a complex project that requires a lot of time, the price point is great. However, for some of the simple tasks, they’re a bit expensive. Sometimes, you would want to use the same company for all the services you need. We’ve noticed that for a few simpler tasks, it is more cost efficient to go with someone else.

Any advice for potential customers?

They put a lot of effort into understanding your scope and in working with you to develop that scope. When you approach them, you’re in good hands already. Be very clear with them because they take what you say seriously and if you forget to say something, they may take your words for what they are and not include it even though, for you, it may be an obvious decision to include it. So, be very clear and bring up every point you want to include in the project and you’ll be fine.