Xfive

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the CEO of Starlight

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We are a media production company that provides media broadcasting, game film, and video analysis for athletes participating in organized sporting events.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Xfive to accomplish?

• Build a video housing platform that can upload, organize, and sell all of our game film packages to athletes.
• Build a software within the videos being uplaoded that allows backend users to create a timeline of clips that breaks up sections of the game by stat and the players number.

SOLUTION

How did you find Xfive?

• Online Search
• Clutch Site

Why did you select Xfive over others?

• High ratings
• Great culture fit
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Xfive were assigned to this project?

6-10 Employees

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

Our project for xFive was to build a video housing website that could organize, package, upload, and sell large amounts of film all in a centralized site. Some of the key deliverables were to provide backend users the ability to create small snippets of each play throughout a game, then label those clips by stat and player.

This allows athletes and coaches that purchase their film package to easily search and download specific plays while watching their game. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The project was successful, delivered on-time, and within our budget. We can now succesfully begin contracting with events and start selling our film packages to events.

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

A project manager oversaw the communication between us and xFive. Our project manager coordinated weekly or biweekly meetings with us. These meetings allowed their team of specialists to ask us specific questions, show us their progress, and to give us updates on upcoming deliverables.

We never felt in the dark about the progress of our proect and we ultimatley were very satisified with the outcome. 

What was your primary form of communication with Xfive?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

Their ability to understand our business and develop unique ideas to solve our problems was impressive.

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

I could not find anything to change.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Lead Visual Designer of Deutsche Bank

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Digital design across web app, motion and advertising.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Xfive to accomplish?

• Worked with XFive on 5 projects which they completed to the highest standards. Their delivery was pixel perfect and they handled all projects in a professional manor, excellent project management, perfect delivery with a realistic and pragmatic approach exceeding expectations at all stages. The outsourcing solution any digital agency needs on tap.

SOLUTION

How did you find Xfive?

Online Search

Why did you select Xfive over others?

High ratings

How many teammates from Xfive were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

5 large responsive web projects for major brands.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Happy clients, happy designers. A magoical combination not often achieved in fast moving digital project development where dev is outsourced. Cant recommend X Five highly enough.

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

On time every time.Scope changes were dealt without issue and realistic costs.

What was your primary form of communication with Xfive?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

Realistic understanding of delivering a digital product where things are not perfect world and scope changes. The team's final delivery was pixel-perfect with them dealing with pixel chasing with no pushback ensuring final build was as design.

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

None other than would still love to be working with them but due to selling agency we have moved onto other areas of the industry.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Online specialist of DADS Advertising

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Dads focuses on branding, print, digital design, marketing, product placement with twenty years of work in international network agencies cooperating with major global brands.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Xfive to accomplish?

• Modernize client’s website
• Easy to manage content
• Easy to manage online store products
• Implementation of ecommerce
• Integration of the ecommerce shop with client’s accounting system

SOLUTION

How did you find Xfive?

Referral

Why did you select Xfive over others?

High ratings

How many teammates from Xfive were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

The scope of this project was the redesign of the website for the Internationally acclaimed and awarded wine producer. Key deliverables of the project include: modernizing the website, integration of e-commerce, integration with accounting system, improved user experience.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

• Number of visitors increased by 75% 
• Overall revenue increased by 25% 
• Online revenue increased by 100% 
• Client started to sell other merch online

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

The project has been managed by a project manager and 2 project members worked on a project. The project has been delivered on time and all requirements were implemented. Vendor paid attention to all requirements and the QA team ensured everything was completed as requested.

What was your primary form of communication with Xfive?

Email or Messaging App

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

Their processes are transparent, and their communication is very professional. They were flexible in terms of price and delivery. They also offer post launch services such as website maintenance and growth.

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

Their client care, communication and development standards are very high and we wish them to keep it at that high level.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Director of Software Enginering of ThinKom Solutions, Inc.

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

ThinKom is a provider of satellite antennas for commercial and military aircraft internet data connectivity.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Xfive to accomplish?

• System User Interface
• Data Analytics Dashboard

SOLUTION

How did you find Xfive?

Online Search

Why did you select Xfive over others?

• High ratings
• Strong References

How many teammates from Xfive were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

We engaged with xFive to develop a series of UI interfaces around our core products: 

1. General User Interface for Managing Antenna Systems. The primary deliverable was a Angular App, that interfaced with our RESTful API. 
2. Data Analytics Interface for monitoring system performance in production. The primary deliverable was an Angular App that integrated Plotly, RESTful API, and several Administration interfaces.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We use an agile approach to development. Each sprint consisted of a feature or service that we could test in real time. xFive did a fantastic job of performing QA on all completed work. By the end of each sprint, anything that was delivered was also QA verified. This allowed us to move quickly and effectively though ever stage of development. Progress and success were clearly identified as whether a feature worked as expected, met QA standards for UI and QA standards for code quality.

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

xFive project management was excellent. We were provided with a world class PM named Magda. We used the typical tools: JIRA, git repo, dev, deployment server, MS Project for roadmapping, etc. xFive was able to plug into our existing systems seamlessly. 

Despite the timezone difference, we were always abreast of the deliverable, realistic capability of the team and blockers. Often times Magda was the one to push us to go faster in API development in order to meet schedule. She is world class! xFive is world class!

What was your primary form of communication with Xfive?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

The structure of Xfive's organization was very impressive. They only work with the best and they are fast as a result. They also curate the team from the start. They consistently aimed to pair the right team members without team based on technology, language skills, speed and agility. it didn't take long for them to assemble the right team. 

In previous companies, I've noticed a reticence to replace people immediately. This was not the case with xFive. They focused on getting the right people from the beginning.

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

We had a long engagement with xFive. And the relationship continues today. Throughout this process, we've ironed out our working arrangement in a way that has been very successful. The careful attention to team selection in the beginning ensured that we have been very successfully.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Digital Technology Manager of Kelsey Media

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Kelsey Media is one of the fastest-growing, independently owned media businesses in the UK. Founded in 1989, the company can trace its roots back to 1969, when it started life as a typesetting business. The company has rapidly grown from a traditional print publisher into a pioneering media network that reaches millions of people every day in relevant ways. At last count, Kelsey Media’s portfolio consisted of more than 80 multi-media brands.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Xfive to accomplish?

• Enhance our technical stack of over 35 WordPress websites
• Upgrade and debug our Ad technology code
• Development & maintenance of our bespoke paywall plugin

SOLUTION

How did you find Xfive?

• Referral
• Other

Why did you select Xfive over others?

Good value for cost

How many teammates from Xfive were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

We embarked on a transformative journey by enlisting the expertise of a dedicated team to oversee the maintenance and enhancement of our multisite WordPress themes. This strategic move not only involved meticulous care for our digital ecosystem but also encompassed a holistic approach, encompassing site migration, refining onboarding processes, bolstering post template enhancements, and optimizing the underlying codebase for enhanced efficiency.

Our commitment to this undertaking was born from a desire to elevate the user experience across our network of WordPress sites. This comprehensive initiative required us to take deliberate steps in several key areas:

1. Multisite WordPress Theme Management: Our foremost priority was the meticulous management of our multisite WordPress themes. We recognized the importance of ensuring consistency and seamlessness across all our sites, which necessitated ongoing theme updates, compatibility checks, and visual improvements.
2. Migrating and Onboarding Sites: To streamline our digital presence, we engaged in the task of migrating sites. This not only involved a meticulous transition but also included optimizing our onboarding processes to facilitate a smoother experience for users and administrators alike.
3. Elevating Post Templates: Content is at the core of our web presence, and we understood the need to enhance our post templates. We scrutinized every aspect, from typography and layout to multimedia integration, to ensure that our content was not only engaging but also aesthetically pleasing and user-friendly.
4. Efficiency-driven Codebase Enhancements: Recognizing that performance is paramount, we delved into the very foundations of our websites – the codebase. Our team of developers worked diligently to refactor, optimize, and streamline the codebase, resulting in improved site loading times and overall performance.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Attentions to detail, Efficiency and Communication.

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

We have found xfive to be methodical in their approach, hence keeping us appraised of all deliverables.

What was your primary form of communication with Xfive?

Virtual Meeting

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

We have found Xfive to be thorough in their approach and quick at solving problems.

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

There were some teething issues at first but these were soon rectified.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Multimedia Producer of a media company

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Media company specializing in long form journalism

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Xfive to accomplish?

• Design our subscription site
• Design our website

SOLUTION

How did you find Xfive?

Referral

Why did you select Xfive over others?

• High ratings
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Referred to me
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Xfive were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

Project Overview: XFive was tasked with redesigning and revamping your magazine website to improve its user experience, modernize its design, include a subscription feature, and enhance its functionality. The goal was to create a visually appealing, responsive, and user-friendly website that aligns with your magazine's branding and engages visitors effectively. 

Discovery and Planning: 

• Requirements Gathering: The team conducted thorough discussions with us to understand our specific goals, target audience, content structure, and desired features. 
• Competitor Analysis: The team performed an analysis of competitor websites and identified industry best practices to ensure our website stands out. 
• Information Architecture: They created a sitemap and wireframes to outline the website's structure, layout, and navigation flow. 
• Design and Development: 
  • Visual Design: XFive crafted a custom design concept for the website, including color schemes, typography, imagery, and other visual elements, to align with our magazine's identity. 
  • Responsive Design: They ensured the website's design and functionality adapt seamlessly to different screen sizes and devices, providing an optimal user experience on desktops, tablets, and smartphones. 
• Content Integration: The team integrated our magazine's existing content into the new design, ensuring it's organized logically and presented attractively. 
• Custom Development: Custom features, such as article categorization, search functionality, and user registration, were developed to meet our specific needs. 
• CMS Integration: XFive integrated a content management system (CMS) to allow easy content updates and management. 
• Interactive Elements: Interactive elements like sliders, carousels, and multimedia features were incorporated to engage visitors and enhance user interaction. 
• Testing and Quality Assurance: 
  • Browser Compatibility: The website was tested across different web browsers to ensure consistent performance and appearance. 
  • Functionality Testing: The team thoroughly tested all interactive features, forms, and user interfaces to ensure they work as intended. 
• Performance Optimization: They optimized the website's speed and performance, ensuring fast loading times for a better user experience. 
• Launch and Deployment: 
  • 13. Staging and Review: A staging version of the website was set up for final review and approval, allowing us to provide feedback and make any necessary adjustments. 
  • Data Migration: XFive company assisted with migrating existing content from the old website to the new one. 
  • Launch Preparation: Final checks, including proofreading, broken link checks, and cross-device testing, were conducted to ensure a smooth launch.
• Training and Support: 
  • User Training: XFive provided training sessions to familiarize us with the content update process. 
• Ongoing Support: The company offers post-launch support to address any technical issues, bugs, or questions that may arise.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

• Increase in average session duration on the website. 
• Increase in the number of pageviews per session. 
• Decrease in bounce rate, indicating improved user engagement. 
• Improvement in mobile responsiveness, measured by reduced bounce rate and increased mobile traffic. 
• Positive feedback from users about the improved mobile experience. 
• Decrease in average page load time, leading to better user experience and lower bounce rate. 
• Positive impact on search engine ranking due to improved site speed. 
• Increase in the number of newsletter sign-ups, subscriptions, or other desired user actions. 
• Tracking of specific conversion rates, such as the percentage of visitors who complete a contact form or make a purchase. 
• Collection of user feedback through surveys or feedback forms indicating higher satisfaction with the new website design.
• Favorable comments on social media or other platforms about the improved user experience. 
• Improvement in organic search engine rankings for key target keywords. Increase in organic search traffic to the website. 
• Increase in the number of social media shares for articles and content. 
• Higher engagement rates (likes, comments, shares) on social media posts linking to the website's content. 
• Measurement of user engagement with newly introduced features, such as interactive sliders, video content, or user-generated content sections. 
• Increase in the average time users spend on the website. 
• Improved navigation behavior, measured by a decrease in the number of users leaving the website from the homepage.

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

XFive's project management approach was truly commendable, showcasing their commitment to delivering a successful and well-executed project. They consistently demonstrated their prowess in keeping things on track and meeting deadlines. 

Throughout the project, XFive's adherence to timelines was particularly impressive. They had a knack for setting realistic but ambitious milestones, and remarkably, they consistently met or even exceeded them. Their dedication to delivering on time not only instilled confidence but also ensured that the project progressed smoothly. 

What truly stood out, however, was XFive's responsiveness to our needs. They possessed an innate ability to listen keenly to our requirements, making us feel truly understood. Whenever we had questions, concerns, or new ideas to discuss, their team was always ready to engage and provide valuable insights. 

Their responsiveness extended beyond just addressing inquiries. XFive was proactive in their communication, providing regular updates and progress reports. This level of transparency reassured us that our project was in capable hands and allowed us to provide timely feedback, resulting in a seamless collaborative process. 

In instances where we requested adjustments or modifications, XFive's flexibility shone through. Rather than being rigid, they embraced our suggestions with open arms, integrating them seamlessly into the project plan. This adaptability not only showcased their versatility but also demonstrated a genuine desire to meet our vision. 

In a nutshell, XFive's project management was marked by their punctuality, responsiveness, and willingness to adapt. Their client-centric approach left us with the impression that our project truly mattered to them, fostering a sense of partnership rather than a mere business transaction. We can confidently say that XFive went above and beyond to ensure our project's success.

What was your primary form of communication with Xfive?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

What truly set XFive apart was their exceptional attention to detail and their unwavering commitment to excellence. Every aspect of their project management approach was executed with meticulous precision, leaving no stone unturned in their pursuit of perfection. 

One of the most impressive aspects was their ability to seamlessly blend creativity with efficiency. Their designs weren't just visually appealing; they were strategically aligned with our brand's identity and goals. It was evident that each design element was carefully chosen to resonate with our target audience, creating a harmonious blend of aesthetics and purpose. 

XFive's communication skills were nothing short of remarkable. They had an innate ability to translate complex technical concepts into easily understandable terms, making it effortless for us to grasp the intricacies of the project. This open and transparent communication fostered a strong sense of trust, ensuring that we were always on the same page. 

Adaptability was another standout quality. Even as the project evolved, XFive was quick to adapt to new ideas and requirements, seamlessly incorporating them into the project without missing a beat. Their flexibility showcased a deep understanding of our evolving needs and their commitment to our project's success. 

Perhaps what impressed us the most was their genuine passion for their work. It wasn't just about completing tasks; it was evident that they were invested in our project's outcome. Their team approached each challenge with an enthusiastic mindset, turning obstacles into opportunities for innovation. 

But beyond all the technical prowess, it was the personal touch that truly left a lasting impression. XFive treated us as partners, not clients, which created a collaborative and supportive atmosphere. They took the time to understand our vision, and their enthusiasm for bringing that vision to life was palpable in every interaction.

 In a world where mediocrity can often prevail, XFive's commitment to going above and beyond in every aspect was genuinely impressive. They turned what could have been a typical project into an extraordinary journey, leaving us not only with a remarkable end product but also with a lasting admiration for their dedication and skill.

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

Nothing too noticeable.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m an executive at a news and media network.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Xfive?

We needed someone to design and develop our website.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Xfive has designed and developed our WordPress website from scratch, using Figma as their main tool.

What is the team composition?

I mainly work with a project manager from Xfive's team, but I can contact anyone else on the team if I want to.

How did you come to work with Xfive?

We stumbled across their parent company, which had worked with a major company. We contacted their parent company, who put me in contact with Xfive because they were their division dealing with smaller companies like ours.

How much have you invested with them?

So far, we've spent over $200,000 with them.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in August 2022, and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I've been delighted with the website that Xfive created because they've been able to keep it simple.

How did Xfive perform from a project management standpoint?

Xfive's team meets deadlines and communicates with us via email, Jira, and Figma, which are the main tools they use.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Xfive has delivered what I need. They've been able to create solutions for each one of my requests.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They could improve their ability to understand our wants and needs during the discovery phase, which can save some time. In addition, we're in different time zones, which is not too bad, but it's still a factor.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I recommend partnering with them because they're a good team.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

We are a Digital Humanities project stationed at Leiden University in the Netherlands, working under the European Research Coucnil framework on a 5-year research project titled 'Open Philology.' I am one of the key project members, and a post-doctoral researcher at the University.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

A key goal of our project was to develop an open-source digital web-based application for the production of scholarly editions of historical documents. The editing application takes the output of a collation of multiple text witness files produced by the script CollateX and permits editors to select a main text, establish lemmas, determine if variants attested in witnesses are significant or insignificant, offer emendations, make multi-user col-laborative comments, and output the result in a form suitable for the production of a critical edition, online or in print. It is for the development of this web application that we hired Xfive.

SOLUTION

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

Ours was a rather unusual software development undertaking, and most other development companies that we had contacted before finding Xfive showed little interest in our specific technical objectives. Xfive stepped in and handled the challenge brilliantly. Right from the start the team demonstrated a confidence-inspiring willingness and ability to understand our unique needs, and the discovery process convinced us that Xfive was the team that would enable us to attain our goals. In addition, business-wise, Xfive were transparent, fair, and realistic: the cost estimates we received were reliable and allowed for confident budgeting on our side, which further encouraged us to work with Xfive.

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

Xfive developed for us a web app for philological use. Work began with a meticulous discovery process that resulted in a comprehensive Figma prototype. Development proceeded in 2-week sprints, punctuated with video meetings between our team and Xfive. The meetings focused on any issues that would arise in the process of development, and on ideas for improvement either side would come up with in the time between meetings. The end result is powerful web application that allows multiple users to collaborate on creating, processing, and discussing scholarly editions of texts in multiple witnesses.

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

Six people from the team worked with us: UX designer, Product Manager, Backend Developer, two Frontend Developers, Account Manager, QA Tester.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Collaboration with Xfive put our project on the fast track. Deadlines were met, despite the high complexity of our project and despite the occasional unavoidable complication, to which Xfive allocates extra resources in order to ensure timely progress.

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

Management was transparent and fuss-free. We communicated mainly through Zoom, occasionally through Jira. The project managers were quick to adapt to our language and way of thinking, which was humanistic and not technical, and successfully translated that into technical concepts for the development team.

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

One of the great strengths of Xfive is that the UX design and the software development are both done in-house as an integrated process, which ensures swift resolution to any functionality issues that are bound to crop up in the development process. Working with the Xfive team has been a consummately enjoyable experience from day one: each member of the team, in addition to technical prowess, showed flexibility, compassion, and sense of humor.

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

We do not see much room for improvement.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I own a gifting e-commerce company. We specialize in corporate gifts for companies in all sectors.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

Most of our business comes from corporate clients, and we needed a better solution for managing their bulk and custom orders. We also wanted to give website visitors a way to offer gift choices to their own clients right through our site with an app that felt custom, seamless and brand-able. And at the end of the day, everything had to be easy and connected to Shopify on the backend.

SOLUTION

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

I interviews three firms, and despite my initial preference that the firm be in the U.S. (for time zone purposes), ultimately I decided on XFive because of their impressive portfolio and grasp of what I was looking for.

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

We had a kickoff meeting and a discovery process, and then we moved right into design. XFive created a 100% custom app that solved virtually every problem I had and resulted in fun, engaging and valuable tool for our clients. Clients can now design their own gift pages with custom imagery (they even gave me 15 custom illustrations for background choices), logo, text, and gift selection that ties into our Shopify inventory.

When their recipients select a gift, it automatically creates an order in our system and relays tracking information back to both the customer who placed the order and their recipient. Orders can be uploaded via CSV by both us and the recipient, and they added tons of little features that delight our customers.

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

My primary POC at XFive was their Head of Design, who was an exceptional partner in every way. He wasn't just a fantastic designer, but he was also an invaluable partner as far as brainstorming ways to make the product as intuitive as possible for our users. He also re-designed our product pages and several pages on our site, which leveled up our entire look significantly. The developers we worked with (both to code the custom app and to do custom work on our Shopify site) were exceptional.

There were remarkably few bugs on the very first iteration, all of which were fixed at warp speed. Tweaks and edits were made almost in real-time despite the nearly opposite time zones, so that I always felt confident about addressing customer needs quickly.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We've already onboarded our biggest customers to the app, and we've acquired multiple new customers through the site because of this product - and it's only been life a few weeks! It's robust but easy and fun to use. The design and the code are both exceptional.

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

We primarily communicated via Slack. Developers and designer were extremely quick to respond.

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

The quality of the deliverables and the accessibility of the team were impressive.

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

The discovery process could have been smoother.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the director of administration at the University of California, Berkeley. We’re one of 10 universities within the system, and I represent three departments: African American Studies, Gender and Women’s Studies, and Ethnic Studies.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Xfive.co Pty LTD?

We were seeking a partner who could provide comprehensive web development and management services to two of our academic departments. Our university offers an independently managed platform with a standard, more vanilla layout that can be easily replicated. However, we wanted to develop unique sites for our departments to showcase our mission effectively.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Xfive.co has developed two websites: one for our African American Studies department and another for our Ethnic Studies department. They’ve used Web5 and WordPress to create the websites, which are subdomains that branch off our existing infrastructure. They’ve also linked the sites to our social media platforms.

Within our contract, we have access to a certain number of troubleshooting hours, so Xfive.co has continued to answer questions and help us whenever we’ve had issues with either site. They’ve also been responsible for training our new staff members. 

What is the team composition?

We’ve worked with Stano and one other teammate from Xfive.co.

How did you come to work with Xfive.co Pty LTD?

The partnership with Xfive.co predates my joining the institution, but I believe Xfive.co came to us as a recommendation through our university network. 

When our team searched for development partners, we wanted to engage a service provider who could work within our existing infrastructure. Xfive.co provided the most cost-effective and innovative bid aligned with our requirements, so we moved forward with the engagement.

How much have you invested with them?

We invest about $1,600 with Xfive.co per year. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been working with Xfive.co since January 2016; we just renewed our yearly contract.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Xfive.co has developed high-quality, user-friendly websites, and we’ve been pleased with the partnership. They’ve genuinely managed the whole kit and caboodle; they just let us know when they need action on our end. 

They’ve also offered us the opportunity to grow our pages within WordPress, which our original website didn’t allow for. When the campus changes the internal infrastructure or wants to run maintenance, we can still update our website in real time, which is great.

Since working with the Xfive.co team, we’ve been able to easily update the sites ourselves without needing to engage a development partner, which has been excellent. Overall, we’ve had a great experience.

How did Xfive.co Pty LTD perform from a project management standpoint?

Xfive.co has been a fantastic partner from a project management standpoint. They’ve never turned us down when we’ve had questions; their availability is fantastic. The team has consistently met deadlines; they’re actually better at following deadlines than we are, so they keep us organized. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we had some staff turnover, and Xfive.co was willing to work through questions and troubleshoot with new staff, which was helpful. Xfive.co was very supportive during a difficult time; they trained our team and made themselves available during off hours. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

I’ve been most impressed with Xfive.co’s professionalism and responsiveness. Despite the time difference, they’ve gotten back to us promptly, even when we’ve reached out during the middle of our day and their night. We’ve been very happy with the partnership.  

Are there any areas they could improve?

It’d be great if they could move to San Francisco, but other than that, I have nothing they could improve on. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I advise going into the Xfive.co partnership with a clear idea of your goals. Web development can be an enigma for many, and companies can sometimes get stuck in unsustainable contracts, so try to go in with questions and clear expectations. Try to set guidelines for your needs so you can purchase their services from a knowledgeable position. 

On the other hand, I truly believe that even the least tech-savvy person could engage Xfive.co’s services and walk away with a quality product they’re proud of. Fortunately, my predecessor had web development knowledge and decided to work with Xfive.co.