Long term collaborative tie-up with US based IT consulting firm About the Client The Client is an IT consulting firm based in Virginia, with a focus on product development and product management, especially for startups/VC funded companies. The Client is a well-known name in the North Virginia technology area and most of its clients are VC-backed software companies looking for outsourced product development expertise. The Business Need The Client, being an acclaimed specialist in the software product development domain, was keen to realize cost benefits of offshore outsourcing so that the combined services package could be much more compelling for its customers. The Client wanted an offshore partner who: - has a similar focus & expertise in the product development domain - understands the aggressive environment in VC-backed software startups - has a robust process model to ensure on-time & quality deliveries - has flexible methodology to include Client’s best-practices - has a potential technical team capable of meeting challenging delivery requirements of startup software companies The Challenges The Client wanted to enter into a long-term relationship with a partner who facilitated the use of common metrics to manage the development team. It also wanted the partner to be able to estimate cost and schedule empirically so as to stay competent, have good margins and commitments that can develop mutual trust. Additionally the partner was required to have strong design services from both sides and enabled an environment where standard process was followed even while having ample room for flexible project management approach. BrickRed scored high on the Client’s search for an offshore partner after a long-drawn due diligence program undertake by the Client that included searching several offshore companies, some of them much bigger than BrickRed. Benefits to the Client The Client has significantly gained from a relationship with BrickRed. Following are the highlights of the same: Seamless integration with BrickRed processes: - Use of a methodology that gel with their onsite processes. - Use of the client’s proprietary Project Management platform to provide visibility to their clients. High degree of control over Human Resources: - Complete visibility and control over the resources working on their engagements and full choice in resource allotment to its clients. - Inputs on resources’ performance taken during appraisals. Constant Visibility of projects progress provided through a two-tiered approach: Platform to discuss issues in all aspects of offshore delivery: - Significant time of BrickRed management available to focus at a high-level on issues like human resources, retention & attrition, Communication & IT infrastructure, delivery processes & quality control. - Treated as a Partner, not as a client. The Status of the Outsourcing Partnership today The outsourcing partnership has been running successfully for one and a half years now, with the team size increasing from 0 to 60 during this time. Today, 60 BrickRed technical team members service 10 end-clients for the Client even while the present team strength is continuously growing.