A good example is SS7 testing we needed. Ian made a bunch of software mods to let us emulate multiple STPs in an SS7 network, whereas to do that [otherwise] we were looking at having to use a Telecordia lab facility. As a small company, it didn't make sense for us to go and buy test time there to use their million dollar STPs. Ian and the Valid8 team were able to look at the requirements, modify code, and emulate multiple STPs. It was an affordable test tool that saved us months of dev and testing as well as substantial cost.
Ever since Ian came through on that, I said OK, this guy really knows how to deliver.