How Avonet Empowers Val.Ai to Scale Their Technology MVP

How Avonet Empowers Val.Ai to Scale Their Technology MVP

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. The Partnership with AWS and NAB
3. Finding the Right Technology Provider
4. Choosing Avanet
5. Process and Implementation 5.1. Timelines and Budgets 5.2. Working with the Avanet Team 5.3. Iterative Sprint Process
6. Benefits of Working with Avanet
7. Cultural Integration and Communication
8. Recommendations and Future Outlook

Introduction

The Partnership with AWS and NAB

Finding the Right Technology Provider

Choosing Avanet

Process and Implementation

Timelines and Budgets

Working with the Avanet Team

Iterative Sprint Process

Benefits of Working with Avanet

Cultural Integration and Communication

Recommendations and Future Outlook

The Journey to Success: Working with Avanet for Tech Solutions

The process of bringing a product to market involves various challenges and considerations, especially when partnering with leading technology companies like AWS and NAB. At Val AI, a startup specializing in sustainability and carbon emission Data Insights for residential properties, we faced the challenge of finding a technology provider that could help us in upskilling our team and deploying our Minimum viable Product (MVP) within a limited timeframe and budget.

Introduction

As the co-founder of Val AI, I had the responsibility to explore various options, both locally and offshore, to find the best solution for our needs. It was crucial to partner with a team that not only had the technical capabilities but also a proven track Record of successfully executing similar projects.

The Partnership with AWS and NAB

Our partnership with AWS and NAB provided us with a unique opportunity to test hypotheses and gain insights for our project. However, to execute our go-to-market plan and release our MVP, we needed the expertise of a technology provider that could work within our timelines and budget. We considered recommendations and explored different options, but Avanet stood out due to their close association with our team members and their successful track record.

Finding the Right Technology Provider

In our search for the right technology provider, we were introduced to Avanet through word of mouth in the Radley community. We also engaged with other software providers and explored opportunities interstate and offshore. However, Avanet's close association with our team members, coupled with their impressive proof points from past projects, made them the ideal choice.

Choosing Avanet

The decision to go with Avanet was Based on several factors. Firstly, their solid recommendations and previous successes were instrumental in building trust. Secondly, Avanet was available within our timeframe and budget constraints, which were crucial for our time-bound and finance-bound statement of works for the MVP.

Process and Implementation

Ensuring that we work within the scope, budget, and timeline was one of the biggest challenges we faced during the implementation phase. With user testing and continuous sprint-based iteration as our primary use cases, it was essential to stick to key activities that aligned with our technical capabilities and wider project release.

Timelines and Budgets

Our MVP statement of works had specific timelines that we needed to adhere to. The engagement with AWS's Innovation Advisory Services, along with Avanet's support, required coordination with all parties involved. Avanet's availability on our timeline allowed us to participate in activities such as hypotheses testing with Amazon's user testing team, providing valuable insights on adopting the Amazonian approach into our workplace.

Working with the Avanet Team

Avanet proved to be a seamless addition to our team, bringing their diverse skill set and technical capabilities to the table. As a lean startup, it was challenging to hire all the necessary talent in-house, and Avanet acted as a reliable external resource, ranging from high-end DevOps engineers to UX/UI designers. Their accessibility, both in Adelaide and offshore, allowed us to work efficiently, even with overnight production releases.

Iterative Sprint Process

To ensure a successful outcome, Avanet worked closely with us during a 6-month project, comprising face-to-face interactions, offshore collaborations, and one-on-one Sessions for the final Proof of Concept (POC) MVP release in 2022. With a 12-week iterative sprint process alongside AWS's team, Avanet's participation in Zoom meetings and scrums was crucial for efficient communication and troubleshooting opportunities.

Benefits of Working with Avanet

Collaborating with Avanet brought numerous advantages to our partnership. Their close involvement not only as a technology provider but as a committed team helped us deliver a product of higher value. By integrating the Avanet team culturally, we were able to establish a strong working relationship, addressing concerns, and making decisions together, ultimately serving the needs of our customers and delivering the best product to the market.

Cultural Integration and Communication

Avanet's communication approach and willingness to work closely with our team allowed us to seamlessly integrate them into our processes and culture. Regular face-to-face meetings, weekly sprints, and channels for quick communication ensured smooth collaboration. This level of involvement Promoted a better understanding of the why behind crucial release points and troubleshooting opportunities.

Recommendations and Future Outlook

Having experienced the benefits of partnering with Avanet, I have already recommended their services to colleagues and friends. Additionally, the University of Adelaide's ThinkNav team, with whom I am affiliated, is familiar with Avanet's capabilities. We wish Avanet continued success as they help other startups navigate the challenges of technology implementation effectively.

Highlights

• Partnership with AWS and NAB for insights and testing
• Finding the right technology provider - Avanet stood out
• Timelines and budgets - crucial factors in the implementation process
• Working seamlessly with the Avanet team - both locally and offshore
• The iterative sprint process for efficient collaboration
• Benefits of working with Avanet - diverse skill set and cultural integration
• Recommendations and future outlook for Avanet's services

FAQ

Q: How did Avanet stand out from other technology providers? A: Avanet came highly recommended with a proven track record of successful projects. Their close association with our team members and their ability to work within our limited timeframe and budget made them the ideal choice.

Q: What were the biggest challenges in the implementation process? A: The primary challenge was ensuring that we worked within the predefined scope, budget, and timeline. Iterating every two weeks on user testing while sticking to the project's larger release plan required careful coordination and efficient execution.

Q: How did cultural integration play a role in the collaboration with Avanet? A: Avanet's seamless integration into our team, both culturally and communication-wise, allowed for a stronger working relationship. By involving them in scrums and fostering open communication, we were able to address concerns and make joint decisions, delivering a better product to the market.

Q: What were the benefits of working with Avanet? A: Collaborating with Avanet provided access to a diverse skill set, from DevOps engineers to UX/UI designers. Their involvement in the project not only as a technology provider but as committed team members fostered a deeper understanding of our goals and enabled quicker troubleshooting and iteration.

Q: Have You recommended Avanet to others? A: Absolutely. I have already recommended Avanet to colleagues and friends. The University of Adelaide's ThinkNav team, which I am part of, is also familiar with their capabilities. We wish Avanet continued success in helping other startups navigate technology implementation successfully.