IT-Tokyo Reviews

Observability stack that caught three production issues before any user reported them

Victoria Haines / Chief Product Officer - Solaris Media Group

Verified
May 18, 2026

Project summary: The project had a board-facing delivery date tied to a strategic initiative. We needed a partner who would treat that date as their own, not ours.

We gave this team an aggressive timeline, a technically complex scope, and a client-side project team that was stretched thin and not always available at the speed the engagement required. They absorbed all of that gracefully. Where they needed input they were precise about what they needed and when. Where they could proceed independently they did. The result was a delivery that landed on time despite the constraints on our side, which I regard as evidence of genuine professional maturity.

PROS

Collaborative culture that made the team feel like a genuine extension of our organisation, strong asynchronous communication across time zones, zero-drama handling of the inevitable mid-project changes

CONS

Their discovery process is more rigorous than we were accustomed to and required more preparation from our side than we had initially allocated — but the quality of what followed justified every hour of it

4.5

Overall

4.5

Quality

4.5

Schedule

5.0

Cost

5.0

Communication

Project TypeDevOps Services

IndustryAgriculture

Project Cost$500,000+

DurationApr 2025 – Feb 2026

Questions & Answers

Please describe your company, your role, and the industry you operate in.

Solaris Media Group is an established Agriculture organisation headquartered in Los Angeles, USA. My role as Chief Product Officer covers both strategic planning and operational technology delivery. We maintain high standards for our vendors because our clients hold us to high standards — a bar we expect our partners to meet.

What specific problem or business challenge led you to hire this company?

We had a defined product vision for our next phase of growth in the Agriculture market but lacked the engineering depth internally to execute it. The DevOps Services requirements in particular required specialist experience that we could not realistically recruit for on the timeline our business plan required.

What services did the company provide for your project?

Primarily DevOps Services, with adjacent work in solution architecture and quality assurance. They were responsible for the full build from requirements through to go-live, including integration with four existing systems in our technology landscape. The breadth they covered without requiring additional vendors was commercially and logistically valuable.

Why did you choose this company over other providers you considered?

The quality of the questions they asked during the briefing process was the first indicator. Vendors who ask precise questions in the sales phase tend to apply the same rigour during delivery. That hypothesis proved accurate. The technical proposal was substantive, the team structure was senior throughout, and the pricing was transparent.

How clearly did the company understand your requirements and business goals?

Thoroughly and precisely. The requirements document they produced was detailed enough that our QA team used it directly to write acceptance criteria. Every user story had a defined business objective attached. Nothing was left to interpretation. That discipline in the requirements phase paid dividends throughout development and testing.

How was your overall experience with their communication and project management?

Outstanding. The discipline around asynchronous communication was particularly effective given the time zones involved between Los Angeles, USA and the delivery team. Written updates were specific and consistent, response times were same-day for anything that required a decision, and nothing fell through the cracks across a six-month engagement.

Did the company deliver the project on time and within your expected budget?

The project landed on time. The budget was managed within the agreed ceiling, which included one client-driven scope addition that was quoted fairly and handled without affecting the original delivery stream. The discipline around budget transparency throughout meant there was no surprise at invoice stage.

What tangible results or business impact have you seen since the project was completed?

We went live four months ago. User adoption exceeded the target we had set by 23 percent in the first month. Support ticket volume has dropped measurably. The features we had deferred because the previous architecture made them prohibitively expensive to build are now in development. The platform they built has opened our roadmap.

What did you like most about working with this company?

The willingness to be direct. When our requirements were unclear they said so. When our priorities were contradictory they explained why. When a technical approach we had assumed was the right one turned out to have significant downsides, they told us before we had committed to it. That kind of intellectual honesty is what I look for in a long-term technology partner.

Would you recommend this company to others, and would you work with them again?

Yes, without reservation. I have already made two direct referrals within my Agriculture network — in both cases to peers facing DevOps Services challenges similar to ours. I gave those referrals with confidence because I knew the experience I described was reproducible, not the result of exceptional circumstances on our engagement.

Implementation delivered with the discipline, documentation, and change management it required

Eoghan Fitzgerald / VP of Engineering - Shannon Tech Solutions Ltd

Verified
May 05, 2026

Project summary: A merger had left us with two incompatible student information systems. We needed a consolidation path that preserved historical data, maintained service continuity, and met accreditation requirements.

The thing that retrospectively seems most significant is how little drama there was. Complex technology projects tend to accumulate incidents, escalations, and tense conversations. This one did not. Problems were surfaced before they became incidents. Scope changes were handled with process rather than conflict. Risks were managed rather than avoided. That level of maturity is rare in my experience and it made the delivery feel almost effortless from our side, which I know it was not from theirs.

PROS

Commercially transparent throughout — no hidden assumptions, no bill shock at the end, change requests that were fair and clearly explained rather than used as a margin-recovery mechanism

CONS

Their insistence on a detailed functional specification before development began felt like friction at the time. In retrospect, it was the reason the development phase ran without the ambiguity that has derailed similar projects for us previously

4.5

Overall

4.5

Quality

4.5

Schedule

4.0

Cost

4.5

Communication

Project TypeERP Development

IndustryEducation

Project Cost$150,000 to $499,999

DurationSep 2025 – Mar 2026

Questions & Answers

Please describe your company, your role, and the industry you operate in.

Shannon Tech Solutions Ltd is an established Education organisation headquartered in Dublin, Ireland. My role as VP of Engineering covers both strategic planning and operational technology delivery. We maintain high standards for our vendors because our clients hold us to high standards — a bar we expect our partners to meet.

What specific problem or business challenge led you to hire this company?

A competitive threat had accelerated our roadmap. We had planned a significant ERP Development investment for the following year. External pressure moved that timeline forward by six months and required us to find an external partner rather than attempting to build internally in the time available.

What services did the company provide for your project?

The scope covered the full ERP Development lifecycle: discovery and requirements definition, solution architecture, iterative development across twelve sprints, integration testing, performance validation, production deployment, and a structured four-week hypercare period. They also provided system documentation and a knowledge transfer programme for our internal team.

Why did you choose this company over other providers you considered?

We had a failed engagement behind us and were more rigorous in our selection process as a result. We asked detailed questions about how they managed scope change, how they handled estimation, and how they communicated problems. The answers were specific, evidenced, and consistent across the team members we spoke to. That gave us confidence that the process was real rather than rehearsed.

How clearly did the company understand your requirements and business goals?

Extremely well, in part because they had relevant Education experience that reduced the context-setting overhead significantly. They understood the domain vocabulary, asked the right questions, and translated business requirements into technical specifications with a fidelity that meant the development phase had very few clarification cycles.

How was your overall experience with their communication and project management?

Communication was proactive, timely, and appropriately calibrated. Technical updates for the engineering audience, executive summaries for the steering group, risk flags with proposed mitigations rather than just problem statements. The fortnightly sprint reviews gave our stakeholders visibility without requiring them to attend every working session.

Did the company deliver the project on time and within your expected budget?

Yes to both. There was a single sprint where a dependency on a third-party API introduced a one-week delay. The team identified it three weeks in advance, presented two mitigation options, and we agreed on an approach that recovered the schedule within the same sprint cycle. That level of foresight is what separates good project management from reactive problem management.

What tangible results or business impact have you seen since the project was completed?

Quantifying the impact precisely is complicated by other variables in our business, but the metrics we can attribute directly to the ERP Development work are meaningful: session duration up, conversion rate up, error rate down, and our NPS for the digital touchpoint has improved by eleven points. Our account managers report that the new capability is coming up positively in client conversations.

What did you like most about working with this company?

The willingness to be direct. When our requirements were unclear they said so. When our priorities were contradictory they explained why. When a technical approach we had assumed was the right one turned out to have significant downsides, they told us before we had committed to it. That kind of intellectual honesty is what I look for in a long-term technology partner.

Would you recommend this company to others, and would you work with them again?

Yes, without reservation. I have already made two direct referrals within my Education network — in both cases to peers facing ERP Development challenges similar to ours. I gave those referrals with confidence because I knew the experience I described was reproducible, not the result of exceptional circumstances on our engagement.

Custom modules that fit our operational processes rather than forcing us to change them

Clémentine Aubert / Head of Digital Products - Arc-en-Ciel Digital SAS

Verified
Feb 02, 2026

Project summary: Our agents were spending more time managing data across disconnected systems than managing relationships. We needed a unified platform to give them that time back.

The thing that retrospectively seems most significant is how little drama there was. Complex technology projects tend to accumulate incidents, escalations, and tense conversations. This one did not. Problems were surfaced before they became incidents. Scope changes were handled with process rather than conflict. Risks were managed rather than avoided. That level of maturity is rare in my experience and it made the delivery feel almost effortless from our side, which I know it was not from theirs.

PROS

Collaborative culture that made the team feel like a genuine extension of our organisation, strong asynchronous communication across time zones, zero-drama handling of the inevitable mid-project changes

CONS

Time zone coordination required some deliberate overlap management from both sides in the first couple of sprints, after which we had an efficient async rhythm that worked for the whole project

4.0

Overall

3.5

Quality

4.0

Schedule

3.5

Cost

4.0

Communication

Project TypeERP Development

IndustryReal Estate

Project Cost$500,000+

DurationAug 2025 – Dec 2025

Questions & Answers

Please describe your company, your role, and the industry you operate in.

Arc-en-Ciel Digital SAS is an established Real Estate organisation headquartered in Bordeaux, France. My role as Head of Digital Products covers both strategic planning and operational technology delivery. We maintain high standards for our vendors because our clients hold us to high standards — a bar we expect our partners to meet.

What specific problem or business challenge led you to hire this company?

The immediate problem was that our ERP Development capability had become the bottleneck limiting our ability to grow. Every feature request, every new client requirement, every internal initiative was delayed by a platform that had been extended beyond its original design. We needed a rebuild, not a patch.

What services did the company provide for your project?

Primarily ERP Development, with adjacent work in solution architecture and quality assurance. They were responsible for the full build from requirements through to go-live, including integration with four existing systems in our technology landscape. The breadth they covered without requiring additional vendors was commercially and logistically valuable.

Why did you choose this company over other providers you considered?

The quality of the questions they asked during the briefing process was the first indicator. Vendors who ask precise questions in the sales phase tend to apply the same rigour during delivery. That hypothesis proved accurate. The technical proposal was substantive, the team structure was senior throughout, and the pricing was transparent.

How clearly did the company understand your requirements and business goals?

Thoroughly and precisely. The requirements document they produced was detailed enough that our QA team used it directly to write acceptance criteria. Every user story had a defined business objective attached. Nothing was left to interpretation. That discipline in the requirements phase paid dividends throughout development and testing.

How was your overall experience with their communication and project management?

Outstanding. The discipline around asynchronous communication was particularly effective given the time zones involved between Bordeaux, France and the delivery team. Written updates were specific and consistent, response times were same-day for anything that required a decision, and nothing fell through the cracks across a six-month engagement.

Did the company deliver the project on time and within your expected budget?

Yes to both. There was a single sprint where a dependency on a third-party API introduced a one-week delay. The team identified it three weeks in advance, presented two mitigation options, and we agreed on an approach that recovered the schedule within the same sprint cycle. That level of foresight is what separates good project management from reactive problem management.

What tangible results or business impact have you seen since the project was completed?

The ROI case we presented to our board was conservative by design. Current performance against the financial model suggests we will hit the projected payback point in under twelve months against an eighteen-month target. The operational efficiency gains in particular have exceeded the model, in part because the quality of the data the new platform generates supports decisions that the previous system could not.

What did you like most about working with this company?

The willingness to be direct. When our requirements were unclear they said so. When our priorities were contradictory they explained why. When a technical approach we had assumed was the right one turned out to have significant downsides, they told us before we had committed to it. That kind of intellectual honesty is what I look for in a long-term technology partner.

Would you recommend this company to others, and would you work with them again?

Absolutely. With a specific note that the value starts in the discovery phase — clients who approach that process with seriousness will get the most from the engagement. We invested appropriately at the front end and the returns are evident in what was delivered.

AI integration that genuinely transformed our operations

Anna Kowalski / Project Lead - EuroSoftware GmbH

Verified
Jun 20, 2025

Project summary: Our company needed a reliable technology partner to deliver a complex project within a tight timeline.

Working with this team was genuinely refreshing. They brought creative ideas to the table, executed them with precision, and managed the project with a level of professionalism we rarely see. Feedback was acted on quickly, the documentation is excellent, and the end product has transformed how we operate. Our customers have noticed the difference immediately. We have already recommended them to three other companies in our network.

PROS

Excellent communication, high-quality deliverables, on-time delivery, proactive problem-solving

CONS

Initial onboarding took a couple of extra days, but the team hit full stride very quickly

5.0

Overall

5.0

Quality

5.0

Schedule

5.0

Cost

5.0

Communication

Project TypeBlockchain Development

IndustryNonprofit & NGO

Project CostLess than $10,000

DurationApr 2025 – Jul 2025

Questions & Answers

Please describe your company, your role, and the industry you operate in.

We are a Project Lead-led organisation operating in the Nonprofit & NGO sector. My role involves overseeing strategic technology decisions and vendor partnerships. We have been growing steadily and needed a trusted partner to help us scale our digital capabilities.

What specific problem or business challenge led you to hire this company?

Our primary challenge was modernising our Nonprofit & NGO operations through Blockchain Development. Legacy systems were limiting our agility and we needed a solution that could scale with our growth ambitions and integrate with our existing infrastructure.

What services did the company provide for your project?

They delivered a comprehensive Blockchain Development engagement covering requirements analysis, solution architecture, full-cycle development, QA testing, deployment, and post-launch support. The scope was well-defined and executed without scope creep.

Why did you choose this company over other providers you considered?

Their demonstrated expertise in Blockchain Development and a strong portfolio of Nonprofit & NGO projects set them apart during our evaluation. The discovery call gave us confidence they truly understood our domain, not just the technology.

How clearly did the company understand your requirements and business goals?

Exceptionally well. They ran a structured discovery process, asked insightful questions, and produced a detailed requirements document that captured nuances we hadn't even articulated ourselves. That foundation made the entire project smoother.

How was your overall experience with their communication and project management?

Outstanding. We had a dedicated project manager, weekly status calls, a shared project board, and same-day responses to queries. There were no surprises — risks were flagged early and resolved before they became issues.

Did the company deliver the project on time and within your expected budget?

Yes, the project was delivered on the agreed date and within budget. Their estimates were realistic and they managed scope carefully, flagging any potential changes before they impacted the timeline or cost.

What tangible results or business impact have you seen since the project was completed?

Significant. Since go-live we have seen measurable improvements in operational efficiency, customer satisfaction scores have risen, and the solution has already paid back a substantial portion of the investment. The team built something we are genuinely proud of.

What did you like most about working with this company?

Their genuine investment in our success. They didn't just execute a spec — they brought ideas, challenged assumptions, and cared about the outcome as much as we did. The quality of the codebase and documentation also stood out.

Would you recommend this company to others, and would you work with them again?

Absolutely and without hesitation. We have already referred two colleagues, and we are actively scoping the next phase of work with them. They are our go-to partner for Blockchain Development projects going forward.

Stunning web platform delivered on time and on budget

Lisa Thompson / Product Manager - Digital Wave Co

Verified
Oct 30, 2023

Project summary: Our company needed a reliable technology partner to deliver a complex project within a tight timeline.

From day one, the team felt like an extension of our own organisation. They immersed themselves in our domain, challenged us to think bigger, and delivered a solution that is both technically sound and strategically valuable. The project came in on time and within budget, which is rare for an engagement of this complexity. We are delighted with the outcome and look forward to a long-term partnership.

PROS

Proactive risk management, domain expertise, fast turnaround on feedback, genuinely invested in our success

CONS

None — every aspect of the engagement exceeded our expectations

5.0

Overall

5.0

Quality

5.0

Schedule

5.0

Cost

5.0

Communication

Project TypeWeb Development

IndustryGovernment & Public Sector

Project Cost$150,000 to $499,999

DurationJan 2025 – Sep 2025

Questions & Answers

Please describe your company, your role, and the industry you operate in.

We are a Product Manager-led organisation operating in the Government & Public Sector sector. My role involves overseeing strategic technology decisions and vendor partnerships. We have been growing steadily and needed a trusted partner to help us scale our digital capabilities.

What specific problem or business challenge led you to hire this company?

Our primary challenge was modernising our Government & Public Sector operations through Web Development. Legacy systems were limiting our agility and we needed a solution that could scale with our growth ambitions and integrate with our existing infrastructure.

What services did the company provide for your project?

They delivered a comprehensive Web Development engagement covering requirements analysis, solution architecture, full-cycle development, QA testing, deployment, and post-launch support. The scope was well-defined and executed without scope creep.

Why did you choose this company over other providers you considered?

Their demonstrated expertise in Web Development and a strong portfolio of Government & Public Sector projects set them apart during our evaluation. The discovery call gave us confidence they truly understood our domain, not just the technology.