Wireless Matrix Reviews

Pros

Best things about working there were:
1) Many good people to work with and learn from, across the different technical teams
2) Open to trying new technologies or methodologies when appropriate
3) Interesting product line and space (GPS fleet management)
4) Established company that still has some startup excitement
5) What you work on and develop gets put to use immediately with very little "shelfware"
6) Good mix of personalities and backgrounds across the company
7) Benefits/salary were good, so this wasn't an issue

Cons

The major downsides are:
1) A little too much micro-management
2) Too much change of direction causing chaos, lost time, and burnout symptoms
3) Some amount of fear and distrust although communication is still good
4) Direction of the company seems to change often -- this has resulted in several layoff waves

The other reviews were fairly accurate in terms of describing what is happening at the company. The direction of the company seems to change frequently, resulting in uncertainty and frustration for both customers and employees. Sometimes they seem to be trying too much at once and taking a shotgun approach.

There have been several waves of firing -- one of which occurred while the company was spending a lot of money several different groups of consultants. In the past several years they have bought 2 companies and almost none of the people that came from these acquisitions are still with the company.

In short, it was a great place to work for a while but the frustrations listed above might get to you after awhile.

Advice to Senior Management

Realize that there is a cost to constant change. Consider hiring an industry expert who knows where things may be headed and can give some direction. Then pick a course and stay with it.

Pros

The management is good as it is an open door policy and they are always willing to listen. The lifestyle in the office is easy going as long as everybody gets their work done.

Cons

You will always feel as though the company is not making significant steps forward, or simply has no direction to go. The senior management are trying their best to direct the company, but it just seems as though they are guessing at what they should do. They also rush into projects to get product out to clients, even if the product is unfinished or not operating properly.

Advice to Senior Management

Realize that the company is no longer a start up and that you will require expert help to get you pointed in a proper direction. You cannot succeed if you keep trying to figure everything out on your own.

Pros

Interesting product (Fleet GPS tracking) with a positioning for the Enterprise.

The benefits are OK.

Cons

The total lack of management and direction is appalling with WRX. They have gone down market due to there poor quality and inability to maintain enterprise customers. Their strategy is to sell to the small business market which is already saturated with GPS companies.

This company is on the "we need to be acquired and make the executive staff rich" track.

Management has hired over 40 engineers, yet cannot field a product that compares favorably with competition having less than 15 developers. The company has excellent HW developers and capabilities, but now they are selling the HW business to position themselves for acquisition.

Their SaaS product is plagued by high down time, many bugs, and total lack of proper and consistent reporting, and an inability to lead in a crowded market place.

The work is frustrating, as priorities change at the drop of a hat. There is no technical leadership and poor executive leadership.

Other than that, it is a fine place to work for until they are acquired.

Advice to Senior Management

Management needs to focus on long term goals and position themselves for the future. Managing to the stock price and acquisition is a poor management strategy and no direction for your employees.

If you are planning to be in business for longer than a year, then restructure the software, hire project managers, and put in a quality team to correct the poor product.

Pros

It's a startup as far as software as a service go. They don't like to spend a lot of money on upgrades. In other words, they spend when necessary. This has enabled them to keep their profits high. Benefits are good. I think they are doing the best they can considering that they are a startup in bad economic times.

Small group of people closely knit. No politics. People help each other out.

Cons

They don't spend on technology even though there is dire need. They also need to hire more talented people.

Advice to Senior Management

Spend more to earn more. Buy the needed hardware, software and manpower (or womanpower)