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SmartBIM Technologies

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Creative Control, Good Culture, and Open to Change - User Experience Designer SmartBIM Technologies Employee Review

5.0
11 June 2017
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

If you want to have creative control over how a set of applications are designed, this is a good fit. Be prepared to give and get critiqued. The development and product team have "throw your ideas on a whiteboard" design meetings generally at the end of the day once or twice a week. It provides a time to get our heads out of the weeds of day to day work and think about the future of the product we are making. It really helps us solve some of the bigger product architecture and design decisions. The product team and development team are closely knit. We all work in the same area, constantly communicate with each other, and are always open to change. The workplace has a very flat structure. If you have a question, find them and ask it, everyone. We all work together fairly well; the small company environment helps with that. The company caters to more flexible schedules, just be on time for the stand-up meeting in the mornings.

Cons

Before this last year we had some problems, and while most of them have been solved, it did cause frustration with the development team. We had communication issues between the product team and marketing. Randomization was a big issue then, as each sale had some new feature attached to it. At the time, the development and product teams brought these issues up on more than one occasion to little or no avail. As previously stated, these problems have largely been solved with the newer hires and some investor involvement. As a UX Designer, it can be a little difficult to receive customer feedback in a smaller company. We don't really get any documented information from missed sales (something the company is finally addressing) which can prolong user research times. The product team has to work with marketing and sales on the company website, marketing materials, and upkeep doesn't happen often, but can completely stop my work for a week or two. I would rather it fall on me than the rest of the team, which it does more often than not, but with a smaller company, you have to make some sacrifices. The product management team is spread a little thin and has to wear quite a few hats: quality assurance, sales training, website management, and tech support can and will fall under our purview.

Explore other reviews about SmartBIM Technologies

5.0
6 June 2017
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

SmartBIM has a long history in the AEC Industry, but they have done a good job pivoting and growing to meet the industry's current needs, as opposed to stagnating and fading into the past like several other companies. The company does a good job of taking employees' opinions seriously, and acting on them. I've had a few times where I felt like my voice wasn't being heard, but as soon as I felt that way I would discover that to actually not be the case. Transparency is really strong here, which is good for a smaller development studio. There are a lot of extremely talented people employed at SmartBIM, which seemed surprising as I had never heard of the company before I worked here. The developers come from all different backgrounds and bring unique viewpoints and skillsets to the team. They are a really great group to work with, and the environment is by far the most casual I have ever experienced. We use agile scrum as our project management framework. Our Scrum Master has a background in games and film, and does a really really great job setting up and planning our sprints. I experienced the company before we practiced agile scrum, and it was pretty tough, but as soon as we shifted no one looked back. Quickly growing company, development team is working on a pretty unique offering that is set to be pretty disrupting for the market. There's a lot of excitement and plenty of work to get done.

Cons

The company does have a long history of products and clients. Anyone who has worked at a small software company that has been around for over ten years know the feeling. Benefits aren't the best, but that is expected to change as we grow and release our new products. The software team is an extremely talented group of individuals. Sometimes it feels like they are the only part of the business with it's head on straight. There can be disconnects between sales and engineering about what is being built, what the value offering is, and disagreements over the best direction of the company. A lot of these issues stem from decision makers not being as informed as they should be about the industry or relevant technology. Disclaimer: The company has done a good job over the last year getting rid of bad seeds, planting new ones, but this can still be an issue. Not frequent, but when it happens you know.

5.0
30 May 2017
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

It is always good to being doing something your love in an atmosphere you thrive in. I have been with the company since its founding, and have held several different positions in the company. I would compare our benefits against any major firm. For being a small company, SmartBIM Technologies has great benefits. As a work place, the employees care about what they are doing. We all understand that we are doing is significant, and giving our work and the impact on our industry value.

Cons

Small companies are ...small. So a lot of multi-tasking needed. This means at times we all are called to serve outside our area of expertise.

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