Konstant Infosolutions

BACKGROUND

Please describe your organization.

We developed a website with Konstant. The objective of the website application was to allow businesses to promote their specialty activities. There's not a good way to find businesses promotional activities in a searchable way. It allows business to promote their activities and categorize the information in a searchable manner.

What is your position?

I'm the sole proprietor.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What business challenge were you trying to address with Konstant Infosolutions?

It was my first endeavor into this space. I needed someone to help me build the site.

SOLUTION

How did you come to work with Konstant Infosolutions?

I had done some initial investigation into WordPress, but didn't think I could build the website on my own. I got in touch with a few different providers, and I used Clutch to help. Konstant was the most responsive, so that's why I engaged with them.

Could you provide a sense of the size of this initiative in financial terms?

This project was less than $10,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Initially, Konstant proposed the project would be completed in three months, so starting in July [2015] and launching in October. It actually didn't go live until January, and we're still working out bugs. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any statistics or metrics from this engagement?

We're still in the support period with Konstant and don't have any metrics to share. I haven't started pushing or advertising the website yet because we are still fixing a few production bugs.

What distinguishes Konstant Infosolutions from other providers?

The initial salesperson was able to get her head around what I was trying to achieve. I provided Konstant detailed specifications, screen shots, and wireframes they were able to turn those into a detailed proposal quickly. Once the proposal was handed to the project manager, it stagnated a bit. It took quite a long time to get to that same level of understanding of what we were trying to achieve. To get from A to B ended up taking quite a bit longer, and it took plenty of back and forth. Konstant was always willing to help, but it was a very long testing process that required quite a bit of effort on my end. I kept sending the same issue back to them on numerous occasions. In the end, they were always able to resolve the problem.

Is there anything Konstant Infosolutions could have improved or done differently?

I would say that Konstant needs a better scoping and definition stage. We jumped from the initial scoping with the sales team into a very high-level spec and scope document. There was not any wireframing during the process or discussion on what mobile capabilities the website would have. We went from concept straight to design. The website itself it was quite simple, but the design phase seemed to be overly high level. We only designed for desktop, and I was hoping for mobile, but we never went into those design phases even though it was in the initial quote. In the build process, there were quite a few issues with the responsive aspect of the website. It just really wasn't responsive. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your organization.

I have a two projects that I have worked with Konstant to build. The first is an app called Toy Bin, which is a toy-sharing application directed at parents. The second is a website called Gift Wrap My Face. 

What is your position?

I'm the owner of both businesses.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What business challenge were you trying to address with Konstant Infosolutions?

The largest project that I have with them is the app called Toy Bin that they are developing for me. They developed the first version of the Gift Wrap My Face website last year. I'm a designer, so they did all the development. 

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their involvement in detail.

The app is only available on iOS.

How did you come to work with Konstant Infosolutions?

Konstant came recommended by a colleague. We started working with them on the app, and then I started using them for other things.

Could you provide a sense of the size of this initiative in financial terms?

The app was a slightly more than $10,000, and the website was less than $10,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

I've been with Konstant for more than a year.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any statistics or metrics from this engagement?

The Gift Wrap My Face was done very quickly, and that was a big success. The Toy Bin app is still in development. They've done some other websites for me that have been great.

What distinguishes Konstant Infosolutions from other providers?

Konstant is eager to please. They try hard to get stuff done quickly and correctly. I work with many overseas developers, and Konstant is the most engaged in their projects.

Is there anything Konstant Infosolutions could have improved or done differently?

Nothing related specifically to Konstant, but I would improve the time difference if I could. That's the biggest pain with working with offshore companies. If I need to have a meeting with their developers I have to be up at one in the morning my time. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your organization.

We're a small company of 35 people. We make special seals and filters that are used in chemical analytical equipment. It's a niche market worldwide. The web is our primary marketing vehicle.

What is your position?

I'm the president.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What business challenge were you trying to address with Konstant Infosolutions?

We had a specific problem with our website that we had built on an obsolete Windows platform. I would say it spilled into being a business problem because of the inability to upgrade the platform. It had gotten stale and somewhat nonfunctional.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their involvement in detail.

Konstant did a ground-up replacement of our website.

How did you come to work with Konstant Infosolutions?

We found Konstant on the Internet. There's a United States sales representative who contacted us. We found them responsive in the selection process, so we were able to get answers fairly quickly on things like the architecture and what they're capabilities were. The very quick response, I would say, led us to the conclusion that they'd probably be responsive in the development process.

Could you provide a sense of the size of this initiative in financial terms?

This project was in the range of $10,000 to $50,000.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What distinguishes Konstant Infosolutions from other providers?

Our experience in the past has always been with U.S.-based companies. They've always been very rigid in terms of their project organization, so it's been a transition to have direct interaction with the developers that were interacting with the code. I would say that Konstant proved to be very flexible in that regard. We've never seen that before with a U.S. team. We're able to actually, on many occasions, deal directly with experts there to solve specific problems with a very quick turnaround. It's extremely helpful and builds trust.

Is there anything Konstant Infosolutions could have improved or done differently?

No. I think Konstant is a great company. We've really enjoyed working with them. We intend to work with them for a long time. If I think of improvements, I know they'll act on them.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your organization.

Advertiise.com is an online marketplace where we have buyers and sellers for advertising space.  We started the business 6 - 7 years ago.

What is your position?

Owner.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What business challenge were you trying to address with Konstant?

Working with Konstant to build our website we started to understand what it was like to work with third party and offshore vendors. 

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their involvement in greater detail.

We work with Konstant to build my customers’ websites. 

How did you come to work with Konstant?

We found Konstant on Elance.  They were also recommended by a friend.  It’s always a real struggle to find a really good partner and someone you can trust on Elance.  Even using Konstant I’m sure there’s a revolving door.   Some people leave and some join the Konstant team.  I’ve been lucky to be able to use Konstant consistently regardless of people moving in and out of the business.  What started as a referral grew into a relationship that we trust Konstant.  I’m bringing new projects to their table and the relationship has been good.

Could you provide a sense of the size of this initiative in financial terms?

The partnership is in the $20,000 - $30,000 range.

What is the status of this engagement?

It’s an ongoing partnership.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What distinguishes Konstant from other providers?

Number one is the cost savings. Konstant's cost savings far outweigh everything else. The websites look good.  They’re done in a reasonably good time. There’s great communication. So cost, reliability and communication are the big ones.

Is there anything Konstant could have improved or done differently?

The communication is the most important thing.  I can’t say that every interaction has been positive over five years.  That’s impossible.  When you’re talking with people who don’t necessarily speak English as their first language or the fact that we’re talking over Skype and it is hard to understand or hard to hear someone when you’re working in a loud office. 

Communication is the key.  I’ve sent out emails and messages to them when I haven’t been happy.  Things have been resolved very quickly.  It’s something I’m very cautious of.   If communication isn’t good it doesn’t matter how cheap they can build a website.  I’m also very cautious not to get angry when working with them because I would never get someone here at $20 an hour.  You have to give them respect in order to earn their respect. 

The second part is that we have such a broad time difference.  It’s around 12 hours different. I imagine they’re going to have to catch up if they’re going to work with North American businesses like us.  It might mean a fundamental shift in the hours they work.  What’s happened in the past is you lose a day and a half every time you’re waiting to speak to them.  I’m sure they’re waiting that long to speak to us as well.   We can’t afford that.  Things have to be time critical and task critical.  The flip side of that is you’ve got someone working when you’re sleeping.  That’s the reason why we use Konstant so that our business is working 24 hours a day.  The disadvantages is they’re not always reliable with that communication.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your organization.

We're a marketplace for college students to buy second-hand items, things like furniture, electronics, and textbooks. We'll be opening our platform soon to everyone else here in New York City.

What is your position?

I'm the CEO.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What business challenge were you trying to address with Konstant Infosolutions?

We started our mobile development with another development company, and we were having a lot of challenges with our developers there. We approached Konstant to help us develop the technology that we needed in order to have the product that we wanted. Konstant is helping us to develop our mobile applications and our website.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their involvement in detail.

Our app is available on both the iOS and Android platform. Konstant helped us to get the app where we wanted it to be by helping us integrate new features.

How did you come to work with Konstant Infosolutions?

We found Konstant through a referral here in New York who we met at an industry event.

Could you provide a sense of the size of this initiative in financial terms?

Our project landed in the range of $10,000 to $50,000.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What distinguishes Konstant Infosolutions from other providers?

I haven't had the best experience in the world with offshore developers. We're new to the development industry, but compared to our first development team, Konstant Infosolutions is great. They helped us a lot. They were very responsive, and they stick to deadlines.

Is there anything Konstant Infosolutions could have improved or done differently?

We've had a few problems with the software, but this isn't Konstant's fault. We're asking Konstant to do a lot. Their strength is on developing the code, and they have great developers. But there is room for improvement on putting it all together and the strategy. That's where we have had a slight challenge.

BACKGROUND

What is your position? Please describe your organization.

I am the founder of app which leverages the "ripples in information" in order to share relevant content across the globe.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What business challenge were you trying to address with Konstant Infosolutions?

I felt like there was a gap between how relevant content spreads between people. That was the issue that I wanted to face and solve.

SOLUTION

How did you come to work with Konstant Infosolutions?

It was important to me that if dealing with a company that was overseas that I wanted them to have at least some sort of representation domestically. When I went through the interview process of companies, I looked specifically at those who had offices that were close by that I could communicate with personally. Konstant was one of the companies that had an office in New York City so it made the interviewing process a lot easier and more direct. I was looking at a few other companies, but I felt the lines of communication between Konstant and me were the most transparent. Konstant really catered to my needs. They knew the budget I was working with. Konstant was able to meet my expectations, go the extra mile, and make sure that we had the best relationship. It was an easy decision.

Could you provide a sense of the size of this initiative in financial terms?

This project was somewhere between $10,000 to $20,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We just launched the app about a week ago. I started talking to Konstant in August 2014. We didn't start the project until the end of September. It was about a nine-month relationship.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any statistics or metrics from this engagement?

The app is doing well. We continually check to make sure the app is performing at peak performance. It's hard to give any other metrics since it's so new. I couldn't be happier. As time goes by, I feel like metrics will only improve.

What distinguishes Konstant Infosolutions from other providers?

When I've spoken with other people who have outsourced development – it's very challenging working with developers that operate under a different time zone. Being able to communicate with them and making themselves available seems like it would be difficult. But, the analyst who I work directly with made herself available every day, five days a week. I was always in the loop. Other people I've talked with it, seems like that's a unique experience. Konstant Infosolutions did their best to make me feel like I was a part of the process even though I couldn't be there physically.

In hindsight, are there areas in which they could improve, or things you might do differently?

No. It's hard to say because usually when people outsource these projects they're not completely well-versed in the world of engineering and how long things take. I'm very happy with the project. I'd like to think that the timeline could improve but, again, that's really hard to say. I think they did a great job.

BACKGROUND

I work for a brand new startup in Sydney, Australia. I am the only employee and we started less than one year ago. I oversee the development, distribution, and marketing of the apps as well as producing content for the site. I also manage daily operations.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

I want to sell the app on the App Store to thousands of users and generate revenue to reinvest back into the company to build more products.

SOLUTION

The scope included design and development – all marketing was and is done by me. Agile was the development model primarily used. 

We researched a bunch of companies and spoke with multiple using Skype. Konstant Infosolutions was able to answer our questions regarding the project best and seemed to be the best fit for us.

Konstant Infosolutions handled all development and design. We did not write any code on our end, but merely provided feedback and direction for them to follow. The project cost more than $7,000 and was completed in June 2015.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

The app is yet to generate the downloads we need to make decent revenue. However, we will continue to invest in marketing to find what works and, hopefully, see some results.

Konstant Infosolutions was great. They were very helpful, attentive, and accommodating to my instructions. They were collaborative and encouraged communication to speed up the project. Compared to other developers I have worked with, Konstant Infosolutions were much more collaborative and communicated openly. Nothing went wrong with our project. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your organization.

We manufacture LED illuminators both white light and infrared for security CCTV [closed-circuit television] camera systems. We provide the lighting at night – visible and invisible lighting. 

Our main markets are military security, defense, and regular residential applications. We are based in Canada and service North America, Central America, and South America. I cover all three regions. We are comprised of seven people in different roles. We have a warehouse in California and the head office is in the U.K. 

What is your role and responsibilities?

I’m the solutions specialist. I deal on the technical side and with sales. I also take care of logistics and purchasing.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What was your goal for working with Konstant Infosolutions?

When we talk to customers, one of the challenges is trying to figure out which one of our 600 products will suit the customer’s application. We make very small lights and lights that will cover 2,000 feet. We wanted to develop an app that would help the customer determine the proper products. Right now, we plot the illuminator on Google Earth to show what the coverage area will look like.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their work.

[We wanted them to handle] app development on iOS and Android. When that’s done, they’ll convert it to a desktop app as well. The apps are great when we’re at trade shows. When we’re at the office, we’re working on desktop computers. We can also put the application on our websites so customers can download it. 

What was your process for selecting Konstant Infosolutions with which to work?

Konstant completed a very simple app for us several years ago. We wanted to take that concept to a new level. I used Elance initially to find a contractor. They bid aggressively for the project. It was 10 times better than what everyone else was quoting. I had a meeting with them. They set a timeline and price and we accepted Konstant’s offer. For this engagement, I only invited Konstant Infosolutions to bid because they had done such a good job on the last project.

Can you give a sense of the size of the initiative in dollar terms or a personnel work-hour figure?

It was less than $10,000.

When was the work completed?

We’re finishing up the mobile part of the engagement. We’re looking to go live May 15 [2015].

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Do you have any statistics or metrics to track improvement from the project?

We showed it at the biggest security conference at Las Vegas last week, and it received rave reviews. Everybody loved it. It’s very intuitive. It’s very well done. With that feedback, we’ll tweak and fix whatever we need to before we make it live on both the iTunes and Android stores.

Are you satisfied with their performance?

They completed the work on time and on budget. It was great. We’ve very satisfied. The creative process took a while because we have a small team. They were patient with us. They’re very responsive. 

I came to them with an idea, but I wasn’t sure how to carry forth that idea. They came out with a couple renditions, and we picked one out and ran with it. The creative process was awesome. I was impressed because they have no idea what our business is. I gave them a crash course on our business. They grasped the concept very well and very quickly. They gave us some good suggestions.

Is there anything unique or special about Konstant Infosolutions that really makes them stand out compared to other business partners?

I have used Elance quite a bit and a lot of contractors can be very cut and dry. They charge for everything. However, Konstant is helpful and understanding and, if our request didn’t really take too much time, they were happy to include it in the scope of work and explain everything in detail. We always got a full explanation if they needed to charge more for something.

What advice would you give to future clients of theirs?

Be sure that the scope of work is clear, concise, and exact. What you need to have accomplished needs to be written out. The timelines and level of effort need to be clear in the contract so that there’s no ifs, ands, or buts. I would say this about anyone you engage on Elance or similar type of contract work. We have referred back to the contract several times.
 

Looking back on the work so far, is there any area that you think they could improve upon or that you might do differently?

I would have sped up the timeline and focused a lot more on the project rather than taking two weeks to get back to them. On Konstant’s side, I can’t think of anything.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company.

JustAvailable is a multilingual dating website, which provides user facility to find an ideal match for them as per their entered preference. In contrast to the other free online dating website, this website will work for subscribed users. This website allows registered users to search for available matches, manage their profiles, and contact friends. The registered users will receive notifications regarding events, added by the administrator, and they can update their status as attending or not. 

What is your role and responsibilities?

I’m the president. I also oversee what the investors want to have done to the site.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What was your goal for working with Konstant Infosolutions?

Our goal was to have them design and develop two websites.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their work.

They did everything from actual conception of the website to designing and developing the websites. For the dating site, they did everything, from adding the pictures to creating the layout to design. They did exceptionally well.

What was your process for selecting Konstant Infosolutions with which to work?

 I found them on oDesk, and I had a lot of people bid for the job. A lot of people sent previous work, but I was more impressed with Konstant’s work. They sent me about 20 samples detailing all the different capabilities they could offer. I liked the fact they were prompt to answer my questions. With everyone else, it was a day or two to get response.

Can you provide a ballpark dollar figure for the size of the work that they’ve done for you?

It took between $10,000 and $15,000.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the results of the project?

I started working with them in August of 2014, and the work is still ongoing. The sites are live, but they’re continuing to make sure that I have good service.

Do you have any feedback from the project?

I’ve had a lot of positive feedback. People have been very pleased with the colors and the layout they provided. Everyone that sees the website wants to know who developed it. The group that I worked with is phenomenal. Everybody was always in the loop, which made it much simpler. When I asked them to make changes, they did it immediately. They’ve been on top of everything, they get it all done. 

Is there anything unique about them that really makes them stand out, compared to other companies?

I wasn’t very computer literate going into the project, and they educated me on the process, and made the site look more professional than what I thought was possible. We developed a close and personal relationship, and they helped me understand a lot. I think that the whole team who worked on my site deserves so much.

Looking back on the work so far, is there any area that you think they could improve upon or something that you might do differently?

At this point, I don’t think so.