OVERVIEW
A fast-developing US-based SaaS provider (under NDA) with a successful portfolio of business software products engaged OBLIQ to help them enter a new market. Our objective was to rapidly design and develop a competitive Human Resources Management (HRM) system that they could launch as a new product line and cross-sell to their extensive existing client base.
Involvement
- Product Strategy & Lifecycle Management
- End-to-End Application Development
- Gamified Digital Experiences
- System Integration & API Development
Challenges
The client faced a dual challenge of speed and quality.
- Aggressive Time-to-Market: To capitalize on the market opportunity and stay ahead of competitors, the development and release of the new HRM product needed to be fast and efficient.
- Leveraging an Existing Client Base: The new system had to be robust, feature-rich, and reliable enough to be confidently offered to their loyal existing customers.
- Market Expansion Goal: As a new entrant into the HR tech space, the product needed to be compelling enough to attract new customers and establish a foothold in a competitive market.
The OBLIQ Solution
OBLIQ delivered a full-cycle product development engagement, from concept to deployment.
- Accelerated Development Cycle: We utilized the Ruby on Rails framework to significantly shorten the development timeline and speed up the product's release to the market.
- Agile Project Management: The development was structured using the Scrum methodology, with 2-month release cycles and 2-week sprints. This allowed for rapid iteration, continuous delivery of value, and the flexibility to adapt to emerging requirements.
- Feature-Rich Platform: We built a scalable HRM system that included comprehensive and customizable employee profiles, tight integration with social networks for data enrichment, and engaging gamification elements to drive user adoption and engagement within client organizations.
Our Approach
Our approach was centered on speed and strategic alignment, designed to mitigate the risks of entering a new market under pressure. We understood that for our client, getting a high-quality product to market quickly was the primary measure of success.
MVP Prioritization
We conducted intensive workshops with the client’s product team to define a core feature set for the initial launch. We focused ruthlessly on prioritizing items that would deliver the most value to early adopters and establish a strong foundation.
Rapid Application Development (RAD)
Our choice of the Ruby on Rails framework was a strategic one, allowing us to leverage its conventions and extensive library ecosystem to accelerate the development process without sacrificing quality or scalability.
Agile Execution
By implementing a strict Scrum methodology with disciplined two-week sprints, we ensured a predictable development cadence, transparent progress tracking, and continuous delivery of tested, functional software.
Overcoming Competitive Pressure
Our entire process was engineered to help the client achieve first-mover advantage. We focused on building a lean, powerful, and stable product quickly, allowing them to enter the market with confidence.
The Results
The new HRM system was a commercial and strategic success for our client.
- Successful New Product Launch: The client successfully expanded their SaaS portfolio with a competitive and stable HRM system, on time and on budget.
- Increased Revenue Per Customer: The new offering was successfully cross-sold to their existing client base, significantly increasing customer lifetime value and loyalty.
- New Market Entry: The solution allowed our client to successfully penetrate the HRM service provider market, opening up a significant new revenue stream.
