Our Customers

IDesign’s customers range from some of the largest Fortune 100 companies to the smallest startup. This is no surprise since regardless of size of the company or the project; there is no substitute for good architecture and design, as well as honed development skills. IDesign's reach is not only world-wide, it is cross-disciplinary.
Our customers are much diverged: from high finance to manufacturing control, to insurance, fulfillment, software tools, corporate frameworks, on-line retail systems or classic IT in the private sector and government.

Architecture Consulting Testimonials

In just two days, Juval explained about and helped me set up a fully scalable, completely secure architecture for our application. Juval introduced concepts that I would have never been able to learn about by reading your basic .NET application textbooks, and he provided me with knowledge that I would have had to study for months to figure out. Thanks to his consultation, I now have a solid .NET model that I can use to complete my development in record time. His help was invaluable, and I highly recommend him to any other developer, or development team that does not have the expertise to develop such a slick .NET application.

Matt Schwartz
Software Engineer
Vital Link Business Systems
San Francisco, California

At Kinitos we required validation of our .NET architecture and audit of our security mechanisms. IDesign provided us with world-class expertise in .NET and .NET based security issues, and were not only great consultants, but also great mentors as well. IDesign helped us design world-class security architecture in a matter of days and left us with the expertise to continue on our own afterwards.

Steven Woods
CEO
Kinitos
Palo Alto, California

At n&k Technology we faced a tough challenge of training a new crew of recent CS graduates for sustaining engineering of a large code base, while at the same time setting up an infrastructure to support CMM key process areas for level 2 and 3. Juval Lowy of IDesign proved to be worth his weight in gold when he provided consulting and mentoring precisely targeted at our needs, which were:

• Object oriented design and coding standards
• Multi-threaded programming
• Synchronization classes that enhance programmer productivity
• Object oriented design patterns
• Enterprise Services
• .NET technology and the future of windows based programming

In addition to maintenance of our existing product line, our software team must create a new generation of software using interface-based modules to allow us to respond quickly to market demands by creating many variations and configurations of our products. As we go forward with the next generation design, it is good to know that we can rely on Juval for world-class expertise as a consultant to help us formulate our architecture and design.

D. Christopher Pinkard
Manager, Software Engineering
n&k Technology
Santa Clara, California

I just want to take a moment to say thank you. We are in the process of converting our application to services using the IDesign Methodologies. While it hasn't gone perfectly, it has been very successful. We've almost completed our third release using your architecture. We're definitely starting to see many of the benefits you described. This is a US Air Force Application in use across most of the AF. In addition to the many internal benefits we feel very prepared for the future. Our customers are very happy with our progress. Thank you for all of the information, mentoring, articles and presentations. We could not have done it without you.

Greg Sharp
USAF

The Actuarials Exchange was attempting to build a smart client trading application. We had gone through many iterations of connecting the distributed clients to the server but we were not getting appropriate results or achieving any service levels. We got Juval and the IDesign team involved. Within two hours Juval was able to locate the defect with our current solution. Within two days, he recommended both a tactical and strategic solution for client connectivity and he also identified other potential problem areas. Together we began the implementation of the tactical solution. We have now completely implemented the solution and everything is working satisfactorily with all service levels being met. I firmly believe that we would not be in the position that we are today without the help of the IDesign team. I would not hesitate to use their services going forward and would highly recommend their services for anyone building distributed, highly responsive .NET applications.

Gary Pollreis
Chief Architect
The Actuarials Exchange
Chicago Illinois

Our company was developing a very large service-oriented, WCF-based distributed banking management application. The week spent with Michele from IDesign was a very valuable experience for our team. In an intense and focused engagement we managed to tackle the important issues for our project, to leverage the new Microsoft technologies and to apply a number of architectural patterns to our concrete requirements. The amount of knowledge and insight we gained during this week is something we are going to remember for the rest of our professional careers.

Aleksandar Milošević
Product Line Manager
Pexim
Beograd, Serbia and Montenegro

Through IDesign’s mentorship and specifically that of Juval Lowy, I was armed with an elaborate arsenal of resources, tools and techniques that have added a tremendous value to the quality and sophistication of my work. My professional and career development, both in management and technical proficiency has SKYROCKETED in the last year since I began to follow the principles of the IDesign Method and adhering to the tenets of service-oriented development. I have ushered my career- and that of those I lead- beyond mere craftsmanship and into software engineering. To this end, IDesign’s abounding influence in this disciple does not stop in the classroom. Regularly published articles, interviews, books, lectures and countless resources generously offered through the IDesign website continue to empower the enlightened and help to maintain a razor sharp heartbeat on relevant technique; pacing them significantly ahead of the pack.

Rick G. Garibay
Lead, Distributed Application Technologies
DriveTime Sales & Finance Company
Phoenix, AZ

IDesign’s week long Architectural Consulting engagement was an incredibly productive exercise for Emportal. From a business stand point, the process gave our architecture an enormous leap forward. We, literally, could have spent years learning from trial and error how to properly put together a large WCF-based system. Instead we spent a week being guided by IDesign, the experts in the field. That kind of opportunity is priceless for any company.

Geoff Heeren
Software Engineer
Emportal
Walnut Creek, California

Training Testimonials

"I know no other software architecture class taught by a non-academic. Kudos for offering it"

"Sean Connery war born to play 'James Bond'. 2PAC Shakur was born to rap. Juval Lowy was born to teach this class. He is NOT a software legend; he is a software icon."

"I will use these techniques every day, for the rest of my professional career. You are a visionary and truly a legend".

"Juval's the best!! I get so many ideas is a short time. Best training available IMO."

"It seams like I have a Hubble telescope on my eyes after this class. I can see software architecture and technology much better now".

"Thank you! This validates where I am, and where I want to head!"

"A triumph of clarity & consistency in a sea of nonsense"

"The discussion and the clear description of the architect's job – I did not know, in a clear way, what my job should be – nobody could tell me."

"The IDesign Method gives me the substance to the intuitive void that I've struggled with for years."

"Juval Lowy did amazing job, he has provided an amazing set of tools to take my business to the next level."

"This week was without has without a doubt changed my professional life. Thank you."

Various Attendees

"A truly unique class of an incredible value. Many thanks."

"This class, by far, has been the most valuable educational experience of my professional career. I have seen Juval's "Zen of Architecture" sessions at multiple conferences and while they always resonated with me it took this week of immersion to really get the depth of understanding I needed."

"This week was both professionally and personally profound. I discovered that what I hoped might be true, really was true; and then I was shown how to achieve it."

"The best technical course I have taken bar-none."

"Fantastic class. I wish you could have zapped me when I was 25."

"It was a great class. I needed it years ago."

"Provided lots of material to chew on for the rest of weeks, months, years"

"Best training I have ever attended. Will do more for my career than any single decision I have ever made"

"This class cost me $7000+ when factoring tuition, lost income and expenses. I think it was worth it as it will change the trajectory I'm on professionally and position me for the future."

"I felt very privileged to be part of this class."

"Worth its weight in gold"

"Mind expanding"

"You cannot obtain the knowledge and expertise imparted in this class anywhere else, not in any book, or on the web for any amount of money"

"I would never have believed that someone could keep my undivided attention for 5 straight 8-hours days. Juval did it. That's insane. Thank you so much!"

Various Attendees

The Architecture Clinic was an exceptional week designing systems in a highly collaborative and fun environment. It was great to be involved in robust discussion about all aspects of system design and architecture. It was amazing how Juval steered us towards the right conclusion while not giving away the answer but really providing the tools and thought processes that you must go through to solve the same problems for any project. Probably most of all, I really enjoyed spending time with the other participants and IDesign staff. I find it always good to get different views on application design and architecture and often the company environment does not allow the kind of discussion that takes place during the clinic. Either due to lack of qualified peers or the general political environment. It was awesome how everyone had an open mind - there was a lot of challenging stuff thrown at us and most of it was not easy! It was really interesting to see a design evolve as we discussed different aspects of the system, threw the design back and forth and (yes really!) disagreed on some of the decomposition. You can't learn this stuff from a book... Evening discussions were another highlight - we talked all angles of software from the future of enterprise systems, mega style corps all the way to startups, managing teams and careers. Thank you to all the participants and the IDesign people for putting on the clinic.

Peter Nieuwenhuizen
Software Engineer
Call Design

In the Architecture Clinic we had great people, weather, food and a hard work. I did expect it though based on format of the class: 12-14 people designing and reviewing 3-4 projects plus training sessions at night. We had two instructors, Juval Lowy and Michael "Monty" Montgomery. I have seen Monty's astute discussions on the IDesign Alumni, and in person I found him to be a very bright guy, smart as you could never imagine. And Juval? Juval is a God, a true master. Would you like his personal attention, here is your chance. Both were there just for that, listen, understand, help us in turn to listen and understand, show us the right way of designing the systems. We were like a big family that week, I missed you All. If you are going to the clinic, be prepared, bring your questions, bring your project and be ready to participate. Just as important, bring an open mind. You'll get out of this clinic everything you'd like to get, but you have to know what it is. It's different from any other class because you have to put yourself to work in the environment with the projects you are not familiar with, with people you just met. Raise your concerns about your work, life, everyone would love to hear them because we are all have similar ones and would like to know how to fix them, as such, the this class will benefit any level of people, from developer to a Senior Architect.

Leila Koziy
Iron Mountain

I found the Architecture Clinic to be a really unique opportunity for gaining condensed hands on experience on designing a variety of real world systems. I liked the concept of putting strong emphasis on practicing the proper decomposition of software systems. Providing feedback on every system from experienced architects was extremely valuable since it really revealed the reasoning and thought process behind architectural decisions. Mixing up teams for every new system also was definitely a very good idea that you should stick to. All in all a great week with a lot of work and fun and a bunch of very interesting people – thanks!

Thomas Blome
Bitflag IT-Consulting GmbH

Thought I would drop a note regarding the Architecture Clinic which I attended last week in San Jose - it was FANTASTIC, and everything that I wanted to be. My only regret is that it was over too quickly, even though we worked most days from 8AM to 11PM. (No we were not in class after 7PM - and yes we DID work until 7PM - but after class we all stuck together and simply continued the discussion.)
That was the point of the clinic however, discussion. The exchange of ideas, and how to structure and convey those thoughts via diagrams at a high level. That made this clinic, in my opinion, priceless. How often do you (an aspiring architect) get to review 4 systems, in 4 days (+1 day for an intro), and define an architecture for them. This type of experience in the real world would take many years! There are very few architects working in large corporations that would see 4 systems per year, let alone have the freedom to architect those systems without any restrictions (politically, environmentally). On top of all that, there is a room of Architects exchanging ideas across these systems – the learning in this environment simply is exponential!

Richard Reukema
Solution Architect
Ontario, Canada

Just to let you know, the class really opened my eyes to a whole different way of seeing things. I remember getting back and telling a co-worker that I felt like I’d been working in black & white before and after the class everything was in color.
Cheers & Thanks!

Nathaniel Jones
Vice President, Architecture
Everyday Health

IDesign’s Architect’s class is far and away the best training class I have ever taken. It transcends technological trends and gives you practical knowledge that will be useful for almost any platform and for the rest of your career. Easily the best thing I've spent my money on in quite a while.

Geoff Heeren
Lead Architect
Emportal

Having just completed IDesign's WCF Master Class, I have only one word to describe it: AMAZING!. IDesign's depth of knowledge and level of technical understanding on the topic is simply beyond reproach. This, combined with the instructor's ability to keep students both engaged and entertained throughout the week, made for a enjoyable yet incredibly productive learning experience. I have no doubt that the lesson's and techniques learned from this class will prove invaluable both immediately in my everyday work and for years to come throughout my career. Thanks IDesign!

Kevin Fitch
Senior Software Engineer
EMC Corporation
Franklin, MA

Michele,
I wanted to thank you again for an incredibly valuable week here. You have provided us a great foundation from which to build out our knowledge base and helped validate some of our existing design decisions. Equally important, we will be able to make our future design choices with more confidence.
Thanks again.

Doug Durham
NebraskaGlobal

After taking the WCF Master Class last year, I felt the Architects Master Class would be the perfect follow up to take things to the next level. This class is light years ahead of the industry in terms of content and the sheer volume of knowledge the IDesign team presented. It’s a unique experience to be able to see the world through the eyes of world class architects, learn their techniques and way of thinking.

Stuart Snaddon
Software Engineer
United Kingdom

At the WCF Master Class, from the very first minute, right through the very last second, we were honored to be subjected to a non-stop top notch stream of 1st class information. As excellent as learning about specific technology such as WCF is, something else much more important and deeply profound had occurred during the WCF Master Class – I adopted the mindset and thought processes used to answer the questions of how to apply WCF correctly. We had a chance to spend a full-on, intense week with a true Master of the Craft. While we learned the WCF specifics, we were exposed to the refined and expert thought processes of IDesign. For this, I cannot say "Thank You" enough. My professional life has changed for the better in a truly substantial way. It's as if, as a generous bonus, I also learned how to think right. If you can bring yourself to study with the true Masters of IDesign, please do yourself a BIG favor and go!
Thank you the IDesign Team.

Michael Gurevich
COO
Cygnusoft Inc.

I just wanted to thank IDesign for the class, Brian for teaching it, and Juval for promoting it to me. I used things it taught me immediately in my work and found the ideas presented to be quite excellent. I would even say those that gave testimonials were not blowing smoke on this whatsoever. If anything they are underselling it. I started architecting my current system based on your methods, and am finding it to be a really intelligent way to go about my work. Juval, everything you said is coming out in spades. I feel I can handle pretty much anything that is thrown at me and I will create a great system for my company. Thanks again for the class and the ideas presented.

Steve Portock
Software Architect
St. Louis, Missouri

Attending the Architect Master Class by Juval Lowy was simply the most rewarding professional experience of my career. The material was a world class combination of methodology, process, and technology that no one else in the industry is teaching. Juval’s extensive experience and knowledge base allowed him to present the material in a historical context that changed my perspective on current technologies in ways I did not previously think possible. I also thoroughly enjoyed Juval’s witty presentation style which kept me on my toes and, more importantly for such an intense class, kept my attention firmly focused. I now feel more prepared than ever to take my career to new heights and continue to build upon my newfound knowledge. I would recommend this class to any serious Architect looking for that elusive next level of enlightenment. Thank you Juval!

Joe Crabtree
Solutions Architect
SharePoint360

The WCF Master class is "THE” seminar for WCF. It's a life saver, compressing many years of learning and providing a significant advantage and knowledge. The workshop presents the pros and cons of applying different techniques. The "why", "how", pitfalls and "what can you do about it?" are illustrated, articulated as well as supported by real-world scenarios and demos. This seminar forces you to think thoroughly, and by doing so making you a better software engineer, understanding how things should be done right the first time. IDesign are the WCF insiders, and the time was spent on hard-knocks no B.S software engineering and architecture par excellence!

Noel Arienza
Software Architect
Chevron

Wanted to thank you for the highly impressive Architect’s Master Class.
I have never walked out of any training, whatsoever, so stunned as walking out of this. It has the exact mixture of practical and theoretical content. My only regret is that it didn't last longer :)
I have already started talking with our project managers and architects about process leadership and the role of an architect.

Thanks Again,

Ally Pearl
SharePoint Consultant
OBS

IDesign is my IT fire department…you hope you never have to call, but when you do, you’re glad they are there…..our most recent call came when we only had weeks to learn .NET work flow (WF) and deliver a quality solution. Brian Noyes of IDesign arrived promptly, assessed our requirements and abilities and quickly had us developing a solution that was specific to our project before the end of the day! Brian quickly adapted to our specific project requirements, guiding us to a solution by leveraging the skills and abilities of our team. Brian Noyes is truly a world class professional who possesses the uncanny ability to get to the correct solution fast.

Willis "JB" Blankenship
Web Development Manager
ASM Research
Fairfax, VA

The Architect’s Master course was the single most relevant and useful professional training I’ve ever attended. Juval brings his deep experience and Zen master-like wisdom to the class and makes it easy to apply the lessons to real world scenarios. If you are lucky enough to attend, you will emerge from the class, a lean, mean, service-oriented machine.

David Carrico
System Architect
ITG

IDesign's WCF Master Class not only taught me the skills I needed to get to another level in .NET development, but even better the material is immediately applicable with significant productivity gains right out of the gate. Less than two weeks after the class and my team and I are already utilizing the practices I learned in the WCF class with great success. I particularly liked that they didn't just teach us how to use WCF out of the box, but to enhance on it where it is weak, and use the technology the way that it should be used.
Thank IDesign for the opportunity to attend such an excellent class!!

Todd Morrey
Applications Architect
Black Diamond Equipment

It has to be the most influential and profound course I have ever undertaken; it has given me a depth and breadth of knowledge that was unbelievable.

Robert Dyball
WorkCover NSW

The IDesign WCF Master Class is really outstanding. Be prepared for 5 very tough but fascinating days where you will dig into the secrets of WCF. If you plan to use this technology in your future development - and you will have to - you must be among the few privileged people who attend it. IDesign, it rocks!

Olivier Rouit
Architect
Gemplus

The Architect’s Master Class rigorous approach to software design and development will enable you to engage in software architecture as an engineering discipline. I can see how my past failures could have been prevented if I had applied the IDesign method. My understanding of what the software architect is actually supposed to do has been clarified and reshaped by the class. The IDesign Architect’s Master Class is an essential part of any software architect’s training. You should not in good conscience call yourself a software architect if you don’t posses the skills and techniques presented in the class.

Russ Ferrill
Software Engineer
Vendor Safe Technologies

IDesign has a unique way of presenting the design alternatives and narrowing them down to the best practices. The Architect's Master Class will teach you everything you need to know about architecting and building service-oriented applications. Not only will you walk away with a great learning experience, you will also have a host of tools and examples that you can put to work in your applications right away. This alone saved us months of development time and effort.

Michael Marchiondo
Spectrum Technology Consultants
Columbus, OH

You will be challenged by the depth of the IDesign knowledge, The WCF class will constantly surprise you with new paradigms. The WCF class summaries and best-practice approaches have saved me probably years of wasted time. You quickly learn the proper techniques and every example has some real world business use. In the end, you leave with a framework of designs that can be expanded to almost any high level that might be used in the industry. In some ways you feel they are giving away knowledge that most others would charge huge sums of money for, but in the end the purpose is made clear -- they wants others to adopt best practices and turn the art of programming into a full-fledged engineering discipline; attempting to make our jobs (and theirs) easier. I believe the IDesign WCF Master Class is one of the few ways to get over the hump and start moving towards being a disciplined professional.

Charles Wilson
Senior Developer and Analyst
Transamerica

Thanks for sharing your wisdom and experience to us and it was the best technical class I have ever attended. You have provided answers to many of the lingering questions I used to have and that too without me asking all these questions, again it was wonderful and enchanting class.

Manoj Garg
FIS Global

The incredible amount of experience and knowledge presented during the Architect’s Master class, in a few unbelievable days, has completely changed the way I think about software architecture. One of the main takeaways is the IDesign Method which is simple and effective was of designing systems. The method is so clear, simple and to the point that it can be implemented into our existing or future projects immediately, improving project schedules and increasing quality.

Camilo Orozco
Bioinformatics Programmer
GNF

The IDesign WCF Master Class is a great vehicle for those who want to become exposed to WCF and quickly gain detailed technical knowledge about its many features. IDesign is unmatched in its ability to grasp and communicate the full range of information about WCF, from high-level concepts to low-level details, and everything in-between.

Tom Kent
Software Engineer
Netflix

I wanted to let you know how impressed I was with the Architect’s Master Class. I have had a somewhat chequered career and for the last ten years or so have been in IT. During that time, I have attended more lectures, training courses and conferences than I care to count, but never have I walked out of any them as affected as last week left me. The course was entertaining, enormously thought provoking and yet, still managed to walk that fine line between theoretical and practical content. More importantly, it reignited my enthusiasm for the industry and my role in it. In addition, I will be seriously adopting the IDesign process for a project that we are just commencing. It is also the case that the knowledge that you divulged during the course will form part of our core architectural direction over the coming few years; in particular, your ‘every class as a service’ approach has ignited a great deal of curiosity and excitement amongst our senior developers!
Thanks Again,

Malcolm Young
General Manager, Architecture and Technology
F1 Solutions

The class was a mind blower, and a perfect educational complement to the WCF class. Juval was on fire. By the end of the week he had led the discussion beyond skills and techniques to address the larger concerns of professional and personal responsibility, which was truly inspirational. (And daunting. He sets the bar so high.)

Steve Taylor
Technical Lead
HEA Consulting

The IDesign Architect’s Master class was first rate. I never thought it was possible to learn so much in a few days, and my only regret is that the class was not longer. Juval’s clarity of thinking, precise examples, and anecdotal information has enabled me to start thinking more like a software architect. I highly recommended for anyone contemplating an architecture career or needing to work closely with architects.

Blair Shaw
Senior Consultant
Microsoft Partner Services
Redmond, Washington

The IDesign Architect's Master Class is a true awakening. Juval spoke candidly about our software development crisis and presented his insight and solutions. His incredible knowledge of the software development history and methodical analysis of its evolution and future enlighten and inspire me. I am eager to apply the IDesign Method and WCF in our future projects along with the IDesign effective software development process using the templates for project management, top-level design, and share these techniques with management and fellow developers at Circle K.

Chao-Sha Huang
Senior Software Engineer
Circle K Stores

Just like most of you I have become accustomed with the high quality of Juval Lowy's body of work (articles, books) over the years. So, when I heard of his WCF Master Class and then Architect's Master class I have decided to attend them. I was not disappointed. Juval’s classes are above all an intellectual pleasure, both in breadth and depth; he gives you the ins and outs of the topic and then distills this immense body of knowledge into best practices. Juval engineering approach illuminates his classes and will win you over. I would recommend these classes to anyone interested in acquiring top notch skills.

Sabin Blejan
Software Engineer

Thanks again for your brilliantly executed week of training. I cannot begin to tell you how much I feel I have learned except for articulate that after your class I have reached a level of new enthusiasm for my career that rivals the even the first time I complied source into a working program. My team and I have come away with an incredible set of new skills that will prove to be a tactical advantage on any of our projects. I’m certain this knew knowledge by itself would prove to have a positive impact on any task we would need to accomplish. Couple this with the fact that you framed the use of these skills in the context of a solid and executable process and the value of the class becomes immeasurable. You have redefined what we thought we were capable of and I truly thank you.

Joshua Dees
Director of MIS
Black Diamond Equipment Ltd.
Salt lake City, Utah

Software architecture is engineering. Design and development of software systems must be done using a methodology that demystifies the process, reigns in technology and complexity and enables the teams’ productivity. The Architect’s Masters Class targets precisely these goals. The curriculum is built from Juval’s amazing in-depth understanding of architecture and original analysis techniques along with years of actual experience. All elements give architects the skills to deliver successfully on quality, on schedule, on budget, on features, for now and as the system evolve. I consider this the graduate class for real world Architects charged with providing solutions to real world businesses.

Joshua Dees
VP of MIS
Black Diamond Equipment Ltd.