Advisory Firm’s Software: Full Transition and Modernization
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A leading Business Advisory company had been working with an offshore development team for over eight years to build and maintain their core platform, using PHP for both the backend and frontend, with React integrated in select areas. However, over time, they began to experience significant challenges related to performance, infrastructure, and scalability, signaling a clear need for modernization.
To address these issues, the company sought a new partner capable of not only taking over the development from the existing team but also enhancing the platform’s overall performance and user experience. With 3,000 advisors relying on the platform, delivering on roadmap features was critical to maintaining user satisfaction.
Azumo was selected as their new partner to lead the transition, modernize the platform, and ensure the smooth delivery of future enhancements.
Business Advisory Firm
“Azumo has a track record of delivering on time and achieving results. They are responsive to the needs of the business and can change direction as needed.”
The Challenge
Upon taking over, Azumo encountered several significant challenges:
- Complex Legacy Codebase: The software, developed over 8 years using PHP in both the backend and frontend (with React), had evolved into a complex structure with excessive abstractions and performance issues.
- Infrastructure Challenges: The existing infrastructure was difficult to replicate in local environments, with no proper documentation or processes for setup, which added complexity.
- Low Availability & Frequent Downtime: Frequent application crashes led to low availability and recurring downtime, which significantly impacted the user experience.
- Inefficient Workflows & High Staff Turnover: The offshore development team faced high staff turnover and ineffective workflow practices, including a lack of proper project management tools and best practices.
The Solution
- Discovery & Due Diligence: Azumo conducted a comprehensive audit of the codebase and infrastructure, identifying key performance and availability issues. This process was crucial in determining the scope of work required to modernize the system effectively.
- Smooth Transition: Over a two-month period, Azumo successfully took over full ownership from the offshore team, deploying a senior, cross-functional team skilled in PHP, NodeJS, and React. Their technical expertise, combined with strong communication, allowed them to efficiently manage the complexities of working with a legacy system.
- Infrastructure Modernization: Azumo introduced New Relic for system monitoring, implemented CI/CD pipelines to streamline deployments, and migrated the infrastructure to Kubernetes. These upgrades dramatically improved system reliability, eliminated downtime and ensured scalability for future growth.
- Feature Development & Scalability: Azumo developed new features using NodeJS and React within the single-page application (SPA), while keeping the legacy PHP system operational. This dual approach enabled the addition of modern functionality without disrupting the existing architecture, ensuring a smooth evolution of the platform over time.
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“Azumo has a track record of delivering on time and achieving results. They are responsive to the needs of the business and can change direction as needed.”
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Getting Results
Integral Development, Performance and Scalability:
- Seamless User Experience: The new SPA frontend integrates smoothly with the legacy system, allowing users to transition between them effortlessly, enabling the addition of new features without disrupting the old system.
- Eliminated Downtime: Improved infrastructure and monitoring eliminated recurring downtime, achieving 99.9% availability.
- Cost Efficiency: Optimizing AWS and migrating to Kubernetes reduced infrastructure costs by 80%, making the system more cost-effective.
- Scalability and Team Growth: With the improved system, added features, and workflows, we scaled the development team from 4 to 15, built a strong client relationship, and established a long-term roadmap for continued growth and innovation.
