Velvetech LLC

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am a project manager and analyst with a consulting firm servicing the real estate industry.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

We sought Velvetech's help to complete our partially built web-based application that is the backbone of the analysis and consulting services we provide to our clients. We were in a bind when our in-house talent was no longer able to continue development on our new application. This was in the midst of the pandemic with our office all working remotely and we needed a quick solution that did not require the hiring of additional staff. The goal was to complete the development of the online application.

SOLUTION

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

My company has been a Velvetech client for many years however the nature of the work was different (big data management, no UI/UX). We were aware that Velvetech had expertise in web-based applications and UI/UX and when we had a sudden and critical need for these services, Velvetech was a natural fit for our company. The deciding factors were the speed at which they could complete our project and an overall excellent understanding of our needs despite not being experts in our industry. It was obvious to my team that they would be a much faster solution than hiring talent to work in-house.

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

Velvetech took over the development and management of our web-based application that is the backbone of the analytical services our company provides. The first step for Velvetech was to get into the application and review the code and how the app works with the massive amounts of data that feed into it. They had to also learn the intricacies and nuances of the data that powers the app. Our main goal was to add new functionality to the online app however in the discovery process, Velvetech also identified opportunities to streamline and make our app much faster.

They were able to clean up the existing UI/UX and the result was a greatly improved user experience. They also completed our original stated goal of building out the app to provide analysis on a different sector of the real estate brokerage industry. Velvetech continues to be our partner as we add even more features to our toolset. The best part is that they have suggested several enhancements that we never considered or thought possible. The Velvetech experience has been a true partnership.

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

I primarily work with 2 people who communicate our needs to a larger group that supports our project. One is a project manager and the other has more of a developer background.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We were able to launch new development that allowed for more detailed analysis of real estate agent production and comparisons to other sales professionals. We were also able to launch new analytical tools related to real estate sales brokerages, market share and market place trends. All of the data can be filtered by variables such as geographical location, sales type or time period. The data is served up in tables and charts and is visually pleasing. Velvetech improved the speed of our app (in some cases queries would take a minute or two to almost instant results).

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

It was very easy to work with Velvetech! We communicate through email and Confluence (Atlassian). They are willing to receive information from me in any way I can share it and they also suggested some toolsets for me to use which were easy. This was especially appreciated because no one in our company has a developer or project manager background. We know what we need, but don't always know the most current lingo and acronyms used in the developer world/project management world. This was not a problem at all for Velvetech! They made it pretty easy for us. They exceeded expectations on timeliness! In most cases they delivered quicker than we could digest.

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

I most appreciate that Velvetech looks for all opportunities for improvement. Several times throughout our relationship they have suggested changes or new enhancements that we never knew were possible. They have actually pushed us forward in what we can offer to clients. In this regard the relationship feels like a true partnership.

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

Honestly...no. This is one of the rare times in my life where I am speechless and have zero constructive criticism to offer!

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the president of an IT technology company that develops custom software systems for the Metals Service Center and manufacturing markets.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Velvetech LLC?

Our customers were asking for mobile user interfaces capable of streamlining warehouse operations and reducing errors.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We provided our hardware and software requirements, mock-ups of the Mobile App screens, and the REST APIs for the application. Keeping our goals in mind, Velvetech recommended changes to our screen designs, application workflow, and developed all of the Android code.

What is the team composition?

There was a designer/project manager, a technical lead, a developer, and a QA resource. 

How did you come to work with Velvetech LLC?

I found them on Google. We submitted a detailed RFQ, and they responded with a high-level project plan.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent approximately $25,000. The project was billed on actual hours, but they ended up coming in under the original estimate.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started in the last week of July 2019 and finished the second week of October 2019.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The app has only been live for a few weeks.  The initial feedback from our customers has been very positive.  Easy to use and logical UI.  They’re already asking for more features!

How did Velvetech LLC perform from a project management standpoint?

We met every Monday, and they always had an agenda. They managed the project with Confluence and Jira. We ran through 2–3-week long sprints, and the QA plan was always accessible and visible. They also implemented automated testing. They were very professional.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They were friendly and responsive. The day the app was released for testing, we needed to update some of the UI translations, and we were having trouble doing it ourselves. Even though it was the weekend, they fixed it for us. It was a great relationship. We plan on working with them again.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

The documentation we provided made this project successful. It was very detailed and didn’t leave much room for interpretation. The more detailed the spec is, the easier the project will be.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am a partner at 20/20 Foresight, an executive search firm that specializes in placing C-level and executive level positions at real estate investment companies. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Velvetech LLC?

Our company maintains an expansive database of companies and people, including their current contact information. Because our entire workflow is centered on this platform, we have a team of researchers responsible for manually updating fluid information related to these records on an hourly basis. We hired Velvetech to build an application that would automate a large portion of this process. 

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to improve our scalability and reduce or eliminate the need for additional personnel to perform remedial tasks. 

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We selected Velvetech based on their knowledge of our end goals. We were especially impressed with their CEO. 

Can you go into detail about the services they provided and the scope of the project?

Velvetech developed a proprietary application. They engineered the entire lifecycle from the process mapping to product delivery and training.

What was the team composition?

The team consisted of a project manager with a team of developers beneath him. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The impact is significant. We are now able to import and update data into our database nearly three times faster than we could before. 

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Their sprint methodology facilitated effective and highly collaborative project management, with clearly delineated assigned roles for each developer. Communication was systematic and always on schedule.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

We appreciated their engaged approach to the process design prior to building the technology. Rather than simply ask us what we wanted, they quickly grasped the nuances of our business, offering their own experienced advice and ideas to optimize and enhance certain aspects. 

Are there any areas where they can improve?

There are none that I can think of. We look forward to working with Velvetech in the future.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the president of Whatmed, S.C. We offer a healthcare app with three main services. First, users can find information on over-the-counter and herbal medications for early symptoms of minor illnesses. Second, users can schedule a paid consultation with a specialist through our virtual medical office. Lastly, users can purchase over-the-counter medications and have them delivered to their home or office. The platform is available on iOS, Android, and web-based devices.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Velvetech LLC?

We’d initially developed the application offshore, and we were running into many problems. Frequent crashes, blank pages, and display problems were hurting our business. We needed to refurbish the app and redevelop some of the functionality to improve our user engagement while staying within our cost and time constraints.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to recreate all of the original functionalities of the app, with all of the bugs and crashes worked out. We needed the UX to be the same across all platforms—iOS, Android, and web devices.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We were looking for vendors with strong communication skills and a good culture located in the Greater Chicago area. We also wanted a team with experience in the healthcare industry. After a vigorous internet search, we narrowed our options down to five candidates. Velvetech LLC was very responsive and showed a real commitment to our project, so I chose to partner with them for this project.

Can you go into detail about the services they provided and the scope of the project?

We started with a discovery session to establish a mutual understanding of our business challenges and our goals. They submitted a proposed workflow and mockups for our approval. Then, they began the development process, which was structured in two-week sprints. During each period, they made improvements and implemented any changes we requested.

Velvetech LLC worked on our platform and built a landing page. They created, configured, and refurbished the functionality of our site while fixing bugs that trigger our system to crash. They continue to support our development efforts.

What was the team composition?

There are three people on our core team, but they provide additional specialists when necessary. Our main point of contact is our project manager, who holds progress report meetings during every phase of the project.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’re still working, but so far, we’ve seen an astronomical increase in user registration and customer engagement. The platform is more robust than its previous iteration, allowing us to confidently deploy new services and grow our business.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Their project management skills far exceeded my expectations. They routinely meet deadlines and regularly communicate any delays we should be aware of. All of our interactions are through GoToMeeting, Jira, and GitHub. If we do email or call their team with problems or questions, they respond promptly.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

We have direct access to every part of their team, and their culture is highly communicative. They’re always available for discussions and patient when trying to understand goals and challenges. The team’s knowledge and drive help them complete tasks.

Are there any areas where they can improve?

I can’t think of any aspect of their service that needs improvement. I hope they maintain this level of excellence ad infinitum.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO and founder of MJS Apps. Our dating app is called CIND, which stands for Chivalry is Not Dead.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Velvetech?

We hired them to develop our dating app for the iOS platform.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

I made detailed mockups in PowerPoint as a substitute for wireframes. Velvetech used those files to draft designs and refine the look. The team then provided design options. They programmed the solution after I made my selection.

After a six-week iterative publishing process, CIND is now live in the App Store. As a dating app, the solution’s core functionality enables users to browse profiles and match with other people. Features include a system administrator interface, chat, and geolocation-based searches. Users can post commentary and their demographic information, as well as upload photos and videos.

What is the team composition?

I interfaced with a local business development professional in the United States, two program managers in Europe, and at least one technical coder. Those resources had a larger team working behind the scenes.

How did you come to work with Velvetech?

My business partner and I searched for American app developers, but later narrowed the search to local vendors. My experience with remote software developers—which I found difficult—made me partial to a nearby agency. We interviewed several companies including one software developer that recommended Velvetech to us. Velvetech’s costs were lower than the four other estimates we received. We hired them because they offered native app development at a lower price without sacrificing quality.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent approximately $30,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked with them from April–August 2018. Currently, my team is building the proof of concept for the Android version. Velvetech is now competing with other companies for that build.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Apple required modifications for the app’s publication; Velvetech executed those fixes quickly. The team appreciated that Apple’s feedback made us anxious. They’ve completed 59 additions to date. Although we had some flexibility for this timeline, Velvetech’s efficient interactions with Apple were valuable.

We don’t have substantive metrics because the app has only been live for two business days. I look forward to seeing how the code and downloads perform. So far, Velvetech has done well.

How did Velvetech perform from a project management standpoint?

Velvetech was the best vendor I’ve worked with. They were proactive, thorough, and punctual. The team had fair pricing and provided concrete cost ranges for complex components. Their extra hours for functionality creep were reasonably priced; Velvetech won’t build extra functionalities for free, but they don’t overcharge either. We used Confluence as the build’s program management system while submitting some requests via email. Their team used Jira internally and a conference call system for our weekly conversations. The user-friendly system—which we could access via computer or phone—made screen sharing easy.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Velvetech was organized, professional, and responsive to all of our concerns. I raised about 10 issues on a daily basis, but the team didn’t let anything fall through the cracks. They helped us navigate new technologies including screen recording on iPhones. Recording helped us convey issues more effectively. A knowledgeable team, they delivered promptly and made the experience enjoyable.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Compared to industry standards, Velvetech was above average for nearly every metric.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

Projects are successful when clients develop their ideas fully before starting the engagement. Detailed mockups and clear visions make the experience easier. Provide Velvetech with a comprehensive idea and they’ll flesh out the concept.