ValueLabs - Client Speak: MarkRawlins, CEO - Infotrax

Introduction

For over 30 years, the core team of Infotrax has been dedicated to providing innovative solutions to the direct selling industry. This longevity has offered tremendous benefits, but it has also presented some technical challenges. A significant portion of our core Datatrax software was developed in the 1980s using a language centered around COBOL, albeit enabling code inheritance and some object-oriented features.

By the late 1990s, we had established a skilled team of developers who adeptly met our clients' needs. However, by 2010, we faced challenges in expanding our team. Despite our attempts to hire additional developers and exploring outsourcing options, these efforts proved unsuccessful. This is where ValueLabs entered the picture.

Initially, we engaged ValueLabs for quality assurance support. However, during a visit to their Hyderabad office, they persuaded me to explore the possibility of building a development team within ValueLabs. Skepticism was high among my team and myself, but desperation led us to take the plunge.

To kick off our collaboration, they sent one developer, Ramu, to our Utah offices for training. It had been so many years since we onboarded new developers that we were unsure how to start. Ramu immersed himself in our software and developed a training program, enabling us to cultivate our own team.

Currently, more than 90% of the coding for Datatrax is completed by our team in India, fully integrated with our Datatrax team in Utah. This partnership has been instrumental in our growth over the past three years, allowing our business to triple in size—something that would not have been possible without the Datatrax team at ValueLabs.

One of the standout attributes of ValueLabs is their flexibility; they design tailored solutions to meet our needs. For instance, in 2012, when we decided to develop a mobile application, we outsourced the entire development process to ValueLabs. This endeavor has been a resounding success, with the second major release of the product currently underway, entirely managed by the ValueLabs teams.

In the last three years, nearly half of our staff growth can be attributed to ValueLabs. The relationship has been crucial—I'm uncertain how Infotrax could have survived, let alone thrived, without our partnership with ValueLabs. They have been pivotal in helping us implement industry best practices, recruiting the right talent for our team, and providing proactive communication. If someone is not fitting well within the scope of our needs, they are likely to inform us before we even recognize the issue. Their commitment to rectifying problems is truly commendable.

I understand that outsourcing can be a challenging decision, and establishing a successful outsourcing partnership requires significant effort. However, having the right partner is invaluable, and in our experience, ValueLabs has proven to be that ideal partner.

Keywords

• Infotrax
• Direct Selling Industry
• ValueLabs
• Outsourcing
• Software Development
• COBOL
• Team Integration
• Mobile Application
• Growth
• Partnership

FAQ

Q: What industry does Infotrax serve?
A: Infotrax provides solutions to the direct selling industry.

Q: How long has Infotrax been in operation?
A: Infotrax has been offering solutions for over 30 years.

Q: What technical challenges did Infotrax face?
A: A significant portion of their core software was developed in the 1980s, leading to difficulties in expanding their developer team.

Q: What role did ValueLabs play in Infotrax’s growth?
A: ValueLabs helped Infotrax build a development team, integrate staff, and implement industry best practices, which contributed to significant business growth.

Q: What percentage of Datatrax coding is done by the ValueLabs team?
A: More than 90% of the coding for Datatrax is completed by the team in India at ValueLabs.

Q: What was the outcome of the mobile application project developed by ValueLabs?
A: The mobile application project has been very successful, with the second major release currently being deployed.

Q: What is a key attribute of ValueLabs according to Infotrax’s CEO?
A: Flexibility in designing solutions to fit client needs is a significant attribute of ValueLabs.