Deborah Walliser

KindGeek was hired to design and build a cloud database, wireless environment sensors, and irrigation control system for a hydroponic greenhouse company.

Feedback summary

KindGeek's talented and diverse team has been pointed out as a strength for complex projects that need a variety of skills to be successful. The team's friendliness and lively personalities made it an enjoyable and easy project.

Challenge

What business challenge were you trying to address with KindGeek?

The value add of our business is in providing automated control systems that operate the greenhouse, both on the ground and remotely. The reason I came in touch with KindGeek was to get them to help us in cloud-based projects, in IoT [Internet of Things], and the control system and [upright] servers, so we could offer that as a value-add to our product range.

Solution

Please describe the scope of their involvement in detail.

KindGeek provides a range of services for us. They created a cloud database for us, and then they created [environment] sensors and actual control system, which acts like a small computer. They control irrigation and some other things. They set up and did the programming and assembly of the control system. They did design and assembly of wireless sensors. Traditionally, we [moved] from a wired version, or Internet tether version, to a wireless version. They did all the database and UI [user interface] work.

In the beginning, the database was just a MySQL database. I think that the computer serves the system that runs the irrigation controller. 

How did you come to work with KindGeek?

I was looking to outsource this work. Because it involved [design] work, physical assembly of parts, creative thinking, and all these things, it didn't fall under the kind of engineers that we would normally use. I [contacted] different places and two or three different groups when we outsourced this. After talking to Anton [Skrypnyk, CEO at KindGeek], I really felt KindGeek was the right place to go.

What is the timeline of this engagement?

We've been working with them almost a year, since August of last year [2015].

Results & Feedback

Could you share any statistics or metrics from this engagement?

Our business model is built around these automated controls, so without having automated controls, it knocks the legs out from under our business model. They provided that for us so it allowed us to continue advertising and doing the value add. [What it amounts to is we] would not have the capacity to grow at all. With their help, we have the capacity to be 10 times what we are.

How did KindGeek perform from a project management standpoint?

They have multiple people, all with different talents, which is fantastic. That's one of the reasons I chose KindGeek. I think that they have a good basic structure going through an analysis of what the project needed, to get the talent for the project that you need. I'm really pleased with the way KindGeek was able to source and provide the right people with the right skills that we needed.

What distinguishes KindGeek from other providers?

I've enjoyed working with them and I can't quantify that. If you're going to have a partner that you're working with long term, I think it helps to have personalities aligned and visions aligned. They're polite and they're knowledgeable – just a good group of people and nice to work with.

Is there anything KindGeek could have improved or done differently?

The only thing I would say is in hindsight, having better access to the online project management, like a tracking tool. They did provide some [analysis] and, whenever I asked for breakdowns, they did provide it. It would be nice just to have continuous online access to tracking.