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Product Strategy. Hands-on Consulting.

Writer's pictureYoel Frischoff

Introducing Haystackr, the add-on finder

Updated: 5 days ago


3rd-party add-ons and software components are all the rage
3rd-party add-ons and software components are all the rage

SaaS add-ons are hard to come by

From authentication to analytics, find the perfect software components that match your requirements, tech stack, and budget.

This is why I decided to build this product leaders friendly tool, that aims to improve the search for the perfect add-ons to add to their stack.

"It's like searching a needle in a haystack"

Product leaders face the following challenge when they define non-core functionalities within their product stack:

  • Discern between core and ancillary components

  • Decide which ancillary functionalities they should source

  • Search alternative off-the-shelf solutions

  • Decide which alternative is best for their current and near future situation

    • Functionality

    • Technical requirements (did anyone say integration, authentication, SLA?)

    • Critical features

    • Configurability

    • Pricing


"A huge drain of resources and time, and no guarantee, either, for success"

This process takes time, entails risk, for some choises would eventually prove wrong, and some integrations could fail.

  • Hidden costs

  • Unwieldy integrations

  • Legal and regulatory barriers (cross border payments, anyone?)


"Too much marketing fluff to go through just to find what's for me"

To add insult to injury, add-on vendors are more about themselves than they are about you.

  • Ever invited to a 3 hours webinar or 3 person demo and sales meeting to discuss initial interest from your budding startup?

  • Ever struggled to understand the cost structure for a service?

  • Ever went through the website, white papers, user groups, just to discover the one feature you cared for was not supported (and will never be)?


This is why I decided there is a gap worth filling up.


 

Why choose Haystackr?

It's early days for Haystackr. We're still collecting user needs and wants, but here's the thing: We believe we have a core understanding of the components that will make it a success among users:


Flexible, growing database

At the core of Haystackr is a flexible and growing database that comprises of both curated and user generated content. This is how we ensure users get access to the latest and greatest solutions available in the market.

Smart Search

Is google dead? Can ai tools replace dedicated directories?

We don't know this yet, as a society. As a search and recommendation engine, on the other hand, we want to merge all three to make selection a breeze.


Perfect Match

"A workman who wants to do his work well must first prepare his tools." Confucius

No one tool matches all contexts. A consumer grade social login won't do in an enterprise context (shudder) and conversly, a giga-click analytic tools would crumple any ERP server's performance.


Haystackr mission is to recommend options matching user context, size, performance, cost structure.


Quick Decision

How much time are you spending on selecting tools? You are reading this, so I guess a non zero amount. Our users say it's taking them days to select, then weeks to implement, while success is not guaranteed.


Our mission is to cut this time significantly, while improving the choice making, reducing integration failures.

 

Haystackr - Popping the needle out
Haystackr - Popping the needle out

How it works

Here are the principles leading our thought process:


Define your needs

Tell us in free text your needs. Haystackr will chat with you in several rounds to feel the gaps and see the whole picture:

  • Who are the users for this part of the product

  • What are the core features you need

  • What are the technical requirements: Scale, Security come to mind


Get matched

Our engine finds the solutions that match your criteria and your own industry, stage, budget

  • What are the cost you are willing to sustain

  • How far can you grow


Compare and choose

Review detailed comparisons and make an informed decision, based on the criteria most important to you.


Oftentimes there are many solutions to the same problem, each with its unique set of pros and cons. The solution you'll pick within a set of constraints is not necessarily the one you'll choose in another.


As a product leader, it is your job to weigh your options and take the decision right for you. It is Haystackr mission to help you take the best decision, quickly.


Bull's eye and double rings
Bull's eye and double rings
 

Introducing Haystackr, the add-on finder

Yes, if you are taking this kind of decisions, there is some promise for you. As we are introducing Haystackr, the add-on finder, you can make an impack and help us build this right: We want to learn about your process, your pain points, and why - in your view - existing solutions have much to improve.



 

Alternatively, you may settle by simply joining the waitlist...


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