Operating in a data heavy industry, your problem isn’t merely finding an IT solution. Technology based solutions are everywhere, and there are no lack of companies creating them. Getting the tech is easy; creating a technical solution that actually works for your various stakeholders, that’s hard. ------ We build online experiences with purpose & without B.S. ------ From re-engineering old IT to building fresh agile software, Focus21 is ready to deliver on time and on budget with no BS. When your project is ready for launch, we complete a knowledge transfer with your team ensuring long-term success before our departure. ------ www.focus21.io

1. GETTING GOOD
IT DONESH
A guide to building
user experiences with purpose

2. O V E R V I E W
• Introduction
• Systems with purpose
• The essentials of making good shit
• The bottom line
1

3. I N T R O D U C T I O N
Operating in a data heavy industry, your problem isn’t merely finding an IT solution.
Technology based solutions are everywhere, and there are no lack of companies
creating them. Getting the tech is easy; creating a technical solution that actually
works for your various stakeholders, that’s hard. We’re talking about a solution that
works for the technicians, clinicians, bureaucrats and the consumers who make up the
relational ecosystem surrounding your purpose.
Ensuring that everyone using your utility can actually make use of it, understand and
implement the results - that’s what makes an IT solution worth investing in. That’s what
we do at Focus21.
Operating in a data heavy industry, your problem isn’t merely finding an IT solution.
Technology based solutions are everywhere, and there are no lack of companies
creating them. Getting the tech is easy; creating a technical solution that actually
works for your various stakeholders, that’s hard. We’re talking about a solution that
works for the technicians, clinicians, bureaucrats and the consumers who make up the
relational ecosystem surrounding your purpose.
Ensuring that everyone using your utility can actually make use of it, understand and
implement the results - that’s what makes an IT solution worth investing in. That’s what
we do at Focus21.
2

4. “Our clients are happy.
Our own staff is happy
because Focus21 increased
the knowledge, capability
and capacity of our own
team.”
Don’t just take our word for it, we’ve
got results to back it up. Take a recent
project of ours, the Vaccine Ordering
and Management System (VOMS). The
VOMS streamlined vaccine delivery
statewide, increasing efficiency,
efficacy and ease of use. Simply put - It
helped a lot people and saved a lot of
money.
The success of VOMS shows our design
philosophy in action. It works because
it’s been designed to address human
psychology as much as IT necessity. A
system that doesn’t just aggregate
data, but puts the results in a
conversational interface. That means
it’s easy to understand, even easier to
use, and capable of complex and
meaningful action.
Don’t just take our word for it, we’ve
got results to back it up. Take a recent
project of ours, the Vaccine Ordering
and Management System (VOMS). The
VOMS streamlined vaccine delivery
statewide, increasing efficiency,
efficacy and ease of use. Simply put - It
helped a lot people and saved a lot of
money.
The success of VOMS shows our design
philosophy in action. It works because
it’s been designed to address human
psychology as much as IT necessity. A
system that doesn’t just aggregate
data, but puts the results in a
conversational interface. That means
it’s easy to understand, even easier to
use, and capable of complex and
meaningful action.
Mike Popovich, CEO
Scientific Technologies Corporation (STC)
”
3

5. FOCUS21 IS
READY TO
DELIVER
ON TIME
AND ON
BUDGET
WITH NO
BS.
From re-engineering old IT to building new
nimble software applications, Focus21 is ready
to deliver on time and on budget with no BS.
Sure, we’ve got the technical expertise to
design any sort of IT solution you could need. So
do a lot of companies, and a lot of companies
still manage to screw it up. They deliver
solutions that are functional, but not useable;
technically fulfilling their purpose, but
cumbersome and confusing to the user.
Ultimately, they end up creating more problems
than they solve.
We don’t make that mistake, because we
understand what matters: designing systems
with purpose.
From re-engineering old IT to building new
nimble software applications, Focus21 is ready
to deliver on time and on budget with no BS.
Sure, we’ve got the technical expertise to
design any sort of IT solution you could need. So
do a lot of companies, and a lot of companies
still manage to screw it up. They deliver
solutions that are functional, but not useable;
technically fulfilling their purpose, but
cumbersome and confusing to the user.
Ultimately, they end up creating more problems
than they solve.
We don’t make that mistake, because we
understand what matters: designing systems
with purpose.
4

6. S Y S T E M S W I T H P U R P O S E
When we say purpose, we don’t mean some disposable buzzword. We’re talking about
solving specific problems with real world consequences. Not abstract or theoretical
applications; actual, measurable effects.
We’ve spent a lot of time in data-heavy industries. Science, medicine, civic
infrastructure - we know these industries inside and out. It’s why we know that data
analysis is one thing, but understanding the real world effects of that data is how you
make good shit.
When we say purpose, we don’t mean some disposable buzzword. We’re talking about
solving specific problems with real world consequences. Not abstract or theoretical
applications; actual, measurable effects.
We’ve spent a lot of time in data-heavy industries. Science, medicine, civic
infrastructure - we know these industries inside and out. It’s why we know that data
analysis is one thing, but understanding the real world effects of that data is how you
make good shit.
When we say systems with purpose, just what the hell are we talking about?When we say systems with purpose, just what the hell are we talking about?
5

7. T H E
E S S E N T I A L S
O F M A K I N G
G O O D S H I T
6
There’s no magic bullet, no one
size fits all approach. We’re
focused on the overall solution,
no ego, no bullshit, just results.
We’ve got a way of doing that,
a framework we adapt to each
and every project we take on.
There’s no magic bullet, no one
size fits all approach. We’re
focused on the overall solution,
no ego, no bullshit, just results.
We’ve got a way of doing that,
a framework we adapt to each
and every project we take on.

8. NOBULLSHIT No bullshit means we’re upfront about everything, both on our abilities
and on any difficulties a given project may pose. It means we own any
mistakes as much as any success, and by being completely
transparent about project updates and progress at every step. As a
client, you’ll be able to see these project updates in real time. New
iterations are always immediately available for the client to peruse
and use, ensuring the product is useable and fulfills all client
expectations and needs.
We take this idea seriously. The client is able to “walk through” the
product interface before coding even starts, so that everyone is on the
same page for the end result. This ensures that the design works for
the client, that miscommunication can’t screw anything up.
We’re confident, sure, but it’s confidence gained from experience. No
project is ever perfect in the first iteration, and we know it. That’s why
we take the client with us every step of the way. We’re focused on
being upfront because it gets the best results.
Bottom line: When you look good, we look good.
No bullshit means we’re upfront about everything, both on our abilities
and on any difficulties a given project may pose. It means we own any
mistakes as much as any success, and by being completely
transparent about project updates and progress at every step. As a
client, you’ll be able to see these project updates in real time. New
iterations are always immediately available for the client to peruse
and use, ensuring the product is useable and fulfills all client
expectations and needs.
We take this idea seriously. The client is able to “walk through” the
product interface before coding even starts, so that everyone is on the
same page for the end result. This ensures that the design works for
the client, that miscommunication can’t screw anything up.
We’re confident, sure, but it’s confidence gained from experience. No
project is ever perfect in the first iteration, and we know it. That’s why
we take the client with us every step of the way. We’re focused on
being upfront because it gets the best results.
Bottom line: When you look good, we look good.
7
1.

9. Making things that
work for the user
Making things that
work for the user
2.
DESIGNING
FOR
EXPERIENCE
8
Our work starts with establishing a
clear direction: what’s the client’s
business, what’s their goal, what
purpose does this project achieve?
Data heavy industries are Focus21’s
realm of expertise; we understand
the language, the applications,
and the market. You won’t need to
mince words or use layman’s terms
- just tell us what you’re trying to
do and we can figure out the best
way forward. It all starts with
understanding your needs. Once we
can understand that, we can
understand the project and create
something that truly delivers.
Our work starts with establishing a
clear direction: what’s the client’s
business, what’s their goal, what
purpose does this project achieve?
Data heavy industries are Focus21’s
realm of expertise; we understand
the language, the applications,
and the market. You won’t need to
mince words or use layman’s terms
- just tell us what you’re trying to
do and we can figure out the best
way forward. It all starts with
understanding your needs. Once we
can understand that, we can
understand the project and create
something that truly delivers.

10. BUILDINGTRUST
Onemilestoneatatime
We’re here to work with your team, not to replace them. Maintaining
and supporting something is a very different skillset from designing
and creating something. We’re designers, creators, and we’re damn
good at it. It’s our passion, our focus, and it’s what you bring Focus21
in to do. We’re not interested in replacing your own team, because
their skillset isn’t ours. What we are interested in doing is working with
them to create the perfect solution.
Building trust is an iterative process, and so is finding the working
relationship between the various levels of a company. We’re not
offering a snake oil cure, this takes time, and we’re the people willing
to put the time in. That’s why we do what we do, why we’re focused on
designing experiences with a purpose. Not just to improve productivity
and workflow, but because our solutions make real world impacts in
people’s lives.
Often, a client’s previous experiences with IT solutions predisposes
them towards anxiety about project overrun. We get that. We also get
that trust is built over time, and that’s why our commitment to
transparency starts at day one.
We’re here to work with your team, not to replace them. Maintaining
and supporting something is a very different skillset from designing
and creating something. We’re designers, creators, and we’re damn
good at it. It’s our passion, our focus, and it’s what you bring Focus21
in to do. We’re not interested in replacing your own team, because
their skillset isn’t ours. What we are interested in doing is working with
them to create the perfect solution.
Building trust is an iterative process, and so is finding the working
relationship between the various levels of a company. We’re not
offering a snake oil cure, this takes time, and we’re the people willing
to put the time in. That’s why we do what we do, why we’re focused on
designing experiences with a purpose. Not just to improve productivity
and workflow, but because our solutions make real world impacts in
people’s lives.
Often, a client’s previous experiences with IT solutions predisposes
them towards anxiety about project overrun. We get that. We also get
that trust is built over time, and that’s why our commitment to
transparency starts at day one.
9
3.

11. T H E B O T T O M L I N E
10

12. 11
No added costs, no unexpected delays. We deal in bi-weekly
milestones and fixed project budgets. Our reputation comes from
making damn good products and happy clients, and we’re
committed to continuing that trend.
At the end of the day, it’s not that complicated. Our solutions work
because we take the time to understand the project’s purpose. Its
most important aspect, its most singular trait, and ultimately the
reason you want to make the damn thing in the first place.
We can craft a solution that realizes that purpose; no BS, just
results that speak for themselves.
Want to make software that changes the world? We can make it
happen. Get in touch, and let’s make some good shit.
No added costs, no unexpected delays. We deal in bi-weekly
milestones and fixed project budgets. Our reputation comes from
making damn good products and happy clients, and we’re
committed to continuing that trend.
At the end of the day, it’s not that complicated. Our solutions work
because we take the time to understand the project’s purpose. Its
most important aspect, its most singular trait, and ultimately the
reason you want to make the damn thing in the first place.
We can craft a solution that realizes that purpose; no BS, just
results that speak for themselves.
Want to make software that changes the world? We can make it
happen. Get in touch, and let’s make some good shit.

13. LET’S CHAT
12
Check out our website
www.focus21.io
Shoot us an email
makeithappen@focus21.io
Ring our line
1-855-72-FOCUS
(1-855-72-36287)
Pop by the office
151 Charles St. W Unit 100
Kitchener, Ontario
Canada, N2G 1H6
Check out our website
www.focus21.io
Shoot us an email
makeithappen@focus21.io
Ring our line
1-855-72-FOCUS
(1-855-72-36287)
Pop by the office
151 Charles St. W Unit 100
Kitchener, Ontario
Canada, N2G 1H6
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h t t p s : //g o o . g l / 6 o a j V R
h t t p s : //g o o . g l / 6 o a j V R
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