OVERVIEW
Toutt.io, a promising startup in the professional services technology space, approached OBLIQ with a powerful vision: to create a single, elegant SaaS platform for independent consultants. Our mission was to transform this concept into a tangible, market-ready Minimum Viable Product (MVP) that would not only serve the needs of its target users but also attract the attention of investors. We delivered an end-to-end solution, from strategic product design to full-stack development and quality assurance.
Involvement
- Product Strategy & Lifecycle Management
- UI/UX Design & Research
- End-to-End Application Development
- Cloud & DevOps Strategy
Challenges
The primary challenge was to solve the fragmented and inefficient workflows of independent consultants.
- Disconnected Tools: The target audience was juggling a mix of non-integrated tools like Excel for tracking, Google Calendar for scheduling, and QuickBooks for invoicing, leading to lost time and a high potential for error.
- Lack of a Centralized Hub: There was no single source of truth for consultants to manage their client data, track billable hours, and handle their finances in one cohesive environment.
- Need for a Compelling MVP: The product needed to be more than just functional; it had to be a polished and compelling prototype to validate the business concept with real users and secure crucial pre-seed funding.
The OBLIQ Solution
OBLIQ delivered a comprehensive solution that went beyond simple development to encompass the full product lifecycle.
- Strategic UI/UX Design: Our process began with deep-dive workshops to map out core features and user flows. We designed a clean, intuitive interface that simplified complex tasks like calendar-based time tracking and automated invoicing, creating a user-centric experience.
- Agile MVP Development: In just 12 weeks, we delivered a fully functional, web- and tablet-optimized MVP. This included custom-built modules for time and client management, along with secure Stripe integration for subscription billing.
- Scalable & Secure Architecture: We engineered a CCPA-compliant platform, ensuring data privacy from day one. The architecture was also optimized to run efficiently on minimal server capacity, respecting the budget constraints of a startup.
- Integrated Marketing Platform: To support their go-to-market strategy, we developed a separate, easy-to-manage WordPress website, empowering the Toutt team with independent control over their marketing content and communications.
Our Approach
Our engagement was rooted in a true partnership model, acting as a strategic extension of the founder’s team. We recognized that for an early-stage startup, flexibility and strategic guidance are just as important as technical execution. Our approach was designed to navigate ambiguity and transform a high-level vision into a concrete, market-ready product.
Collaborative Discovery
We began with an intensive discovery phase, working closely with the founder to deconstruct their vision into detailed user stories and a prioritized feature backlog for the MVP.
Agile Methodology
Adopting a Scrum framework, we structured the project into two-week sprints. This iterative process allowed for continuous feedback and rapid adjustments, ensuring the product evolved in line with the founder’s vision and early market insights.
Overcoming Ambiguity
We excelled in an environment where not all features were fully defined upfront. Our team proactively provided solutions and made recommendations to fill in the gaps, helping to shape a more robust final product.
Holistic Partnership
Our role extended beyond code. We acted as strategic advisors, providing guidance on product strategy, feature prioritization, and market readiness to ensure the MVP was not just technically sound but also commercially viable.
The Results
The MVP we engineered was instrumental in Toutt.io’s successful launch and early-stage growth.
- Validated the Business Model: The polished, working solution was tested with over 100 beta users, generating crucial feedback that overwhelmingly confirmed the core business concept.
- Secured Pre-Seed Funding: The high-quality prototype served as a key, tangible asset that helped the client successfully close their pre-seed funding round.
- Established a Foundation for Growth: The successful MVP provided a scalable and robust foundation, paving the way for ongoing product development and positioning Toutt for long-term success.
