Problem statement:
- Enhance system infrastructure and data processing.
- Develop reporting system and custom solutions.
- Improve ETL processes and overall system stability.
Approach and solution
- Improved system infrastructure and internal data processing algorithms.
- Developed and implemented a reporting system using MS Reporting Services.
- Built custom solutions with SQL server jobs, stored procedures, and custom SQL functions.
- Developed ETL processes based on SSIS.
Impact achieved
- A faster, more stable and secure system
- 24/7 online availability
- Greater scalability and reduced maintenance of the system
Expertise and scope
- Technology Stack: .NET Framework, C#, Web Forms, Winforms, LINQ To SQL, Web Services, Rest Services, Windows Services, JQuery, Bootstrap, MS SQL Server, MS SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS), IIS
Overview
NowCerts is a software development company focused on the design and implementation of insurance-related solutions. It offers an Insurance Agency Management System designed with the independent agent in mind. With the fast-growing client base and constantly evolving requirements, however, the system was unable to satisfy the clients’ expectations for performance, functional features, stability, reliability, and security.
NowCerts trusted us to help them overcome the challenges they were facing and significantly improve their system so that it could meet the end client requirements.
Challenges
After the release of the SaaS platform, NowCerts’ client base grew so quickly that the system was not able to meet either the functional or the non-functional requirements, including performance, stability, reliability, and security.
There were many challenges that needed to be tackled as the platform was running slowly and was often unresponsive. Users often encountered errors due to bugs, timeouts, or other issues. Moreover, the system was originally designed for internal use only and therefore the security was weak as it was not a top priority during the initial product development.
Solution
We gathered a team to analyze NowCerts system, identify the problems, and define possible solutions and requirements. Based on our analysis we decided that we could address all identified issues by improving the existing features and further developing new ones.
We improved the infrastructure as we changed several aspects of the system’s architecture in order to improve performance security, stability, and reliability. To achieve this we added more servers and developed a high-availability system based on web farms. The team also improved the internal data processing algorithms by building several solutions based on the MSSQL, which allowed for a better performance of the data layer of the system.
To meet end customers’ requirements, we further developed and implemented a reporting system based on the MS Reporting Services, which provides them with a better overview of their business. Further custom solutions were developed in the form of SQL server jobs, store procedures, and custom SQL functions, in order to improve the overall speed and functionality of the system.
Furthermore, we have been supporting the client by importing all end-customer data received from different systems to the client structure. To achieve this we developed ETL processes based on SSIS.