Call Control
We possess considerable product development expertise within the telecommunications sector, as evidenced by our dedicated team of 10 professionals specialising in Call Control. Our team has successfully developed web, mobile, hardware, and enterprise-level solutions from inception. This collaborative effort has enabled us to create innovative, high-quality products that address the challenges facing the industry and deliver exceptional value to Call Control and its clientele.
About the client
Call Control is a leading US-based software company specialising in advanced call-blocking technology that eliminates nuisance calls, phishing attempts, and unwanted telemarketing calls. Their innovative applications and tools empower users to take control of their telephone experience, offering solutions for mobile, landline, and enterprise subscribers. Call Control's services utilise a crowdsourced blacklist of known nuisance numbers, allowing users to block unwanted calls with ease. Their robust, user-friendly products protect millions of users from intrusive calls. By continuously updating their database and staying ahead of emerging threats, Call Control ensures its users enjoy a safer, more secure communication environment, providing a seamless and enhanced telephone experience for customers worldwide.
About the Project
The Call Control Project is a cornerstone of FlexMade's portfolio. Initially starting as a vendor, FlexMade quickly became a comprehensive partner, responsible for all aspects of product development, including software engineering, hardware development, DevOps, and customer support. Over the last 10+ years, FlexMade has helped create an interconnected product ecosystem that provides robust robocall-blocking and spam-prevention services.
Aims and Challenges
The client's objective was to develop both software and hardware solutions to prevent automated and telemarketing calls. In 2008, Call Control sought a distributed team with a proven track record in comparable projects and a comprehensive understanding of the challenges involved. Discussions between Call Control's CEO and FlexMade demonstrated a mutual understanding of effective communication, strategic planning, and cultivating an open-minded culture that prioritises problem-solving over assigning blame. Call Control required exceptional technical expertise and resource flexibility for a project of this nature. Collaborating with a startup necessitated the ability to adapt resources to address budgetary and staffing considerations. Partnering with FlexMade enabled Call Control to reduce resources during quieter maintenance periods and increase them for major product launches. Furthermore, Call Control sought a team capable of innovative thinking, impressive engineering skills, and the ability to address challenges across a range of technologies, including web and mobile development, hardware engineering, firmware creation, machine learning, and more.
Approach and Methodology
FlexMade adopted a multi-faceted approach to deliver Call Control solutions. From initial website development to mobile and hardware solutions, FlexMade led the entire development lifecycle. By embracing agile methodologies, FlexMade ensured rapid iterations, adapting to Call Control's evolving needs. Moreover, the company maintained a flexible resource model that allowed the project to scale up or down based on product phases and market requirements. FlexMade took a creative approach, from software development to hardware production, including procurement, packaging, and FCC certification.
Spam Protection Powered by CommunityIQ
CommunityIQ is a crowdsourced database that utilises machine learning to identify robocallers and telemarketers. It processes between 1,200,000 and 1,400,000 monthly reports for accurate call filtering.
Integrated Hardware Solution for Landline Telephones
FlexMade developed a hardware device to protect landlines, which integrates seamlessly with a mobile app. This solution blocks unwanted calls based on user preferences and CommunityIQ data.
Mobile Apps for Android and iOS
We have developed mobile applications for Android and iOS platforms that synchronise with CommunityIQ, providing real-time spam detection and blocking capabilities.
Enterprise API for VoIP Providers
FlexMade developed an Enterprise API to integrate call-blocking functionality into VOIP systems, serving companies such as Cisco, Avaya, Broadsoft, and Nextiva.
Task completed
The solution
The project commenced with the creation of Everycaller.com, a website enabling users to obtain information regarding their callers and share their own experiences. Several years later, the site evolved into the core of CommunityIQ, a knowledge base designed to identify spammers. Leveraging machine learning, big data, and scoring algorithms, CommunityIQ quantified the activities of telemarketers and automated callers. Subsequently, FlexMade developed mobile apps for Android and iOS that verified each incoming call against the CommunityIQ database and blocked unwanted calls. We created a hardware product to protect landlines – a small box connected between a wall socket and a handset. This device filtered incoming calls based on user preferences and the CommunityIQ knowledge base, and could be managed via a mobile app. The creation of this hardware solution required industrial design, firmware development, and a full cycle of production management, encompassing components procurement, field testing, packaging, and CE certification. Later, FlexMade developed solutions for VOIP providers such as Avaya, Nextiva, Cisco, BroadSoft, and many others, as well as an Enterprise API to provide incoming call screening functionality for PBX owners. These products have operated successfully and helped millions of users take control of their phones, ensuring a more pleasant and secure calling experience.
The outcome
FlexMade constructed a fully interconnected ecosystem of products – from mobile apps to hardware – that operated seamlessly on a large scale. Millions of users regained control over their mobile phones, significantly reducing the number of nuisance calls they received. The CommunityIQ solution proved exceptionally effective at identifying and blocking automated calls. FlexMade's resource elasticity enabled Call Control to adapt to evolving requirements, helping them reduce costs during maintenance periods and expand resources for major releases.
The Call Control project has proven to be an invaluable learning experience for FlexMade. Throughout the project, the company delivered significant value and continuously conducted numerous experiments to improve the product. This endeavour has allowed FlexMade to refine its skills, gain deeper insights into the industry, and develop a broader understanding of best practices, which can be applied to future projects and collaborations.
The technologies
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PHP
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Laravel
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MySQL
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TensorFlow
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SnowFlake
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Kotlin
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Swift
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C++
Client feedback
John Adler
Over nine years ago, I approached FlexMade in search of a partner to assist with software development on a limited budget for a bootstrapped start-up. Looking back, all my expectations have been, and continue to be, surpassed. I have recommended FlexMade to several colleagues seeking outsourced development work, who in turn have recommended them to others. I wholeheartedly recommend Max and his team at FlexMade; you can rely on honest business practices, consistent communication, skilled and talented software developers, and a culture of motivation and a genuine interest in the success of your software project. FlexMade remains my preferred vendor, and I am grateful to Max and his team for our collaborative efforts over the years.
Get in touch
- Telephone Number: +1 (425) 247-0867
- Email Address: [email protected]