Quovantis Technologies

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO at CAARMO, Inc.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Quovantis Technologies?

We needed a professional development team that would treat this project like their own.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Their team developed a software application. We generally work with SQL databases and use JavaScript. Our team spent time with Quovantis Technologies fleshing out the idea. The abstract concept didn't exist in the automotive industry. We communicated challenges and feedback between the teams. Our team provided mock-ups, and their team took control, reporting back frequently.

The application monitors the diagnostic health of a vehicle. It converts the data into readable language for the average user, making it easy to use and understand.

What was the team composition?

We worked with two to three developers.

How did you come to work with Quovantis Technologies?

We wanted to leverage relationships we already had. Quovantis Technologies was a company that we employed in the past. We considered the embedded affiliation and pricing when deciding.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent between $60,000-$90,000 each year.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in September 2014, and the first version of the product launched in August 2015.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Users understand the application without asking for assistance. The UI is well-designed and intuitive, which is a strength. Customers know when to pay attention, and when to ask questions. The application aids that, which is what we wanted Quovantis Technologies to develop.

How did Quovantis Technologies perform from a project management standpoint?

Their team ran weekly sprints. My CTO talked with Quovantis Technologies daily. There are always challenges with communication, and sometimes things get lost in translation. I never felt that our teams completely misaligned concerning what we needed and what they delivered. As their team understood more and more what we do, miscommunication improved.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We’ve had developers transitioned throughout the project, and each one has been great. I was happy with their team.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No. I expect the UI to get more complex, and I’m confident they’ll meet that challenge when the time comes.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I’ve built a tremendous amount of confidence in Quovantis Technologies. During an operational relationship, results happen over time, and you have to let Quovantis Technologies show your company their level of diligence.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m Sunpreet Narang, and I manage business and program development for Studentnest. We’ve provided technology-based tutoring for over 12 years by offering after-school, weekend, and summer educational programs.

Our programs focus on math, science, English, robotics, and STEM-based education. Students from local communities utilize the Studentnest tutoring service to receive both technology-based and in-person educational services. Our services are available available 24/7, 365 days a year.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Quovantis Technologies?

We received a contract in Montana where there is a large Indian reservation, and many students don’t have internet access. There was no accessible way of sending tutors to their homes in the winter, so we decided to develop an offline-based adaptive learning app. LOTUS Learning Mobile App uses individual assessments to create tailored learning plans that work with students based on their skill levels.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

I shared the LOTUS design and development plan with Quovantis, and we had weeks of calls for planning. They put a team together within two weeks’ time, then we began development.

They created an InVision document which I could enter my requirements into, and it also allowed them to design and share screens with me. These initial screens were 99% true to what I was expecting the first version to look like.

They developed an algorithm that creates adaptive learning plans based on student assessments. There are adaptive tools available for SAT, SET, and GRE tests, but there is no pre-assessment on them. They continue to further develop future versions of the software.

What is the team dynamic?

They provid an innovative and dedicated team of mobile and web developers, designers, people who handle QA, video editors, scrum managers, project leads, and more. I work with their technical product manager, Shalvika Sood, their CEO, Tarun Kohli, and their project lead, Gautam Gupta.

We had a team size of 18–22 people for the first year, and some of the designers worked on an as-needed basis. Once we made the first major release, the team size was reduced to 12–14 people. Most of the functionalities have been completed now, so the team size has been further reduced to 6–9 people.

We go through different phases, dividing each one into multiple sprints which each last for two weeks. Each week, they demonstrate their progress, and if I don't request changes, they conduct testing and release that version.

We currently speak every week, whereas before, we were speaking every other day. Everyone is involved in the meetings, which are conducted through 45-minute calls. The major weekly development discussions usually take a couple hours.

How did you come to work with Quovantis Technologies?

They came as a reference to us, and they provided some of their past work for us to go over. They specialize in major education-based product development, along with medical and product-based systems. Their pricing, team size and caliber, experience, and commitment made them stand apart from the other two companies we were considering. The entire process was seamless.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent between $200,000–$1,000,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in July 2015, and had an initial release in September or October 2016. We have reached version nine of the software since then, and the relationship is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We have 25 clients and almost 50,000 users on a monthly subscription basis. Generally, these kinds of products are licensed for around $10 per year, but we’re able to get a sufficient amount of funds on a monthly subscription form thanks to Quovantis’ ability to design and create our algorithm.

They provided great, innovative ideas that allowed us to get the online and web-based LOTUS application versions running. Users in Montana, Oregon, California, Arizona, and Texas all love how the product is put together. They've ultimately helped us achieve our goals.

How did Quovantis Technologies perform from a project management standpoint?

Our product was completely original, but we were able to release the first version within the timeline through a combination of various sprints. Before we move into a new sprint, we have a pre-sprint meeting where we prioritize the features we are looking to release. 

Our project lead makes sure to keep our best interest in mind by informing us when a smaller team can fulfill our requirements. They are transparent in their team-assignment process, and, whenever we need more people, they do a quick assembly. I like their flexibility.

Their project and team leads are able to meet our unexpected client requirements ahead of time. Sometimes, they even work 18 hours a day to meet our expectations. They’ve also done an immense amount of gorilla testing before any release, and afterwards, they remain committed to the product and its features by monitoring the system.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I’ve worked with other companies in India, but Quovantis is the only one that’s provided a completely committed, understanding, and innovative team. They are determined to achieve goals and meet deadlines, and they’ve also been able to seamlessly convert vague ideas into technical requirements.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I would like them to inform us when a deadline from us or a client is unrealistic, so they don’t overwork themselves to achieve it.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

Start working with Quovantis immediately.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company.

ZippSlip is a kindergarten through 12th grade public school, cloud-based software application. We sell to K-12 districts nationwide. We’re deploying all around the country in different states. We’re three years old and still growing very fast. We’re a new company that’s still very small.

The application allows people and districts to communicate more effectively with their parent community, first by relaying all the paperwork and second, by adding in all kinds of communications features on top of that – all electronic.

On a snow day, for example, the school could use the app to communicate to parents that the schools are closed. The major applications include things like student enrollment, other kinds of forms, such as the emergency card health forms and participation forms.

There is also an electronic newsletter capability in the system to send out multimedia information to parents. We’re adding some other features as well. It’s a next-generation communication tool that allows people to send out information, but also allows them to see what the parents are saying, including what kinds of questions or feedback they may have for the districts.

What is your role and responsibilities?

I’m one of the founders and the chief technology officer.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What was your goal for working with Quovantis?

Quovantis developed the app for us, which is cloud based. We used to have one developer here, but he left us. Right now, Quovantis is our developer team.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their work.

The app had to be extremely easy to use. We have different kinds of users using the product, such as parents and students, but also district staff, teachers, administrators, and the schools themselves. We have a wide variety of users, and each of them have different kinds of functions, including teachers in the system. For the parents and students, there has to be zero training, very much like other cloud-based apps. For teachers, staff, and administrators, it has to be very low-training as well. We needed simplicity; all of those things were very important.

We developed it for iPhone and Android. Most of it is HTML5, and we’re developing iOS and Android applications as well. We have an HTML5 version for smaller screens.

What was your process for selecting Quovantis to work with?

I got to know the CEO from a previous set of contacts I had from a previous company he worked for. He impressed me as being somebody who was innovative and energetic. So, I worked with him.

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

I’d rather not give out costs. The model is a per-student fee model. If the district has 20,000 students, we’ll charge on a per-student basis. The product will be used by parents, school staff, and so on. The per-student fee model was the simplest for the districts to understand. That’s the approach we’re taking.

When was the latest milestone completed for that work?

It’s an ongoing project. The first delivery was five months or so after we started our first data trial, which was in May of 2011. We’re continuing to add features. We have districts deploying all over the country, and we’re adding a lot of districts this year. The product is getting more robust, with more features being added. There are always new things to do. We’re adding new modules, features, and functions that districts will pay additional dollars to receive.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

So far, it’s been a fantastic success. The product has been incredibly stable, with virtually no down time at all. There were no high-severity problems, meaning we didn’t have any system crashes. It’s been just about 100 percent up time.

How did Quovantis perform?

When there are minor or priority issues, Quovantis takes care of them very quickly. The team is very dedicated. Most importantly, because we deploy to parents, the adoption rate we see with parents has been outstanding. In some districts, we’ve seen more than 90 percent adoption rate of this product, which has never been seen before. We’re incredibly excited about that. There are always new things to do, but so far it’s been very good.

As a team, Quovantis performed incredibly well. There are always risks when you go offshore like this, but we have a team that’s worked incredibly well. We’re just passing the three-year mark. I can rely on them to do even complicated design work. I don’t have any problems with respect to relying on them further.

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

As an offshore company, they like to do interesting projects. They don’t want to do the boring service-oriented work that some other firms have been known to do. They’re more in the product-oriented, product innovation categories. I place them more in the mold that startups like to be in. I like that a lot. It’s good for us.

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 have very few complaints. I always want more. Quite honestly, they’ve done a good job.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the SVP of big data analytics for Mobileum. We create telecom products, specifically around roaming, security, and test tools.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Quovantis Technologies?

We needed to create a UI using HTML5.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted an on time and quality deliverable.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We found them through personal contacts.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

They developed the UI for our counter-fraud product and now doing the same for our roaming analytics product. 

What was the team composition?

We’re working with a UX/UI designer, an HTML5 developer, several backend developers, and a system testing resource.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The first project was delivered satisfactorily.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Our team handles project management for the most part. Whenever Quovantis does management, it 's satisfactory.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their dedicated resources stand out to us.

Are there any areas for improvement?

They could improve their quality and productivity.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the CPO of Catalog, a content-as-a-service tool for small and medium-sized businesses to produce and acquire custom-branded content.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Quovantis Technologies?

We needed ongoing product development and to build an minimum viable product (MVP).

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to go to market with our product.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

A previous customer referred them.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

They developed our software platform and provided end-to-end design work.

What was the team composition?

They had a team of 12, including frontend and backend developers, designers, and a product manager.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We wouldn't have been able to build this business without them.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Their attention to customer needs is unparalleled. They have the highest degrees of professionalism, quality, and resourcefulness. It was as if we had a local dev team working for us.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They're easily the best vendor we've ever worked with. Their atention to details makes them better than any other providers.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No.