Modernization - ValueLabs

End-to-End Case Study

Geo location

Global

Platform

Web, Mobile

Engagement

13 Years

Service

Modernization

Challenges

Our client is a leading global provider of software applications for the commercial real estate sector. They wanted to employ legacy modernization services to switch from on-premises solutions to a cloud-based product and improve the end customer experience. Here, they wanted to convert their monolithic desktop applications to modern cloud solutions and web applications.

Reliance on outdated legacy apps

Factoring technological dependencies

Switching to a SaaS model

Desired shorter time to market

The client’s existing legacy applications prevented them from transitioning to a new SaaS business model.
The client was keen to take advantage of the latest technologies and best practices to ensure an outstanding user experience.
The development of a new SaaS-based business model was essential to the client’s continued commercial success.
The client wanted to reduce development time for more efficient delivery.

Our Solution

To achieve legacy system modernization for our client’s flagship product for the cloud, we re-architect their desktop applications into slick, modern web applications. The client was keen to take advantage of the latest technologies and best practices to provide a smooth and enjoyable user experience to their commercial real estate customers. To achieve this, we implemented a micro-frontend and microservices approach.

Solution Impact

Legacy modernization

Converted client’s legacy desktop applications into slick, modern web applications.

Seamless transition

Facilitated the transition to a quick-development, SaaS-based architecture.

Consistent look & feel

Created a consistent look, feel, and user experience across all front-end applications.

Our Approach

Our singular legacy app modernization approach involved completely re-designing the client’s back and front-end architecture. To do so, we implemented all new functionalities as web applications on the cloud using micro-frontends and microservices. We also worked to simplify the new SaaS architecture by grouping a large number of platform APIs under multiple microservices.

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Re-designing back-end architecture

The project brief required us to give significant thought to how the back-end services, the business logic, and the front-end user interface were architected. For back-end services, we built a platform in the AWS cloud and rewrote the existing service layer as microservices for that platform.

APIs connect to core business functionality and standard services like user authentication and access control, and the platform can onboard multiple line-of-business web applications. Grouping these APIs under multiple microservices enabled us to streamline and simplify the back-end architecture. This approach to legacy modernization resulted in a 30% reduction in development time and the creation of significantly more efficient workflows.

Adopting a micro-frontend approach

We took a micro-frontend approach for the web applications, creating a single host for all of the individual line-of-business applications. We then rebuilt each one as multiple micro-frontends rather than single monoliths. The micro-frontend approach supports the subscription-based SaaS model by optimizing application availability on the host.

Combined with the changes to the back-end architecture, these changes enabled our client to deliver powerful real estate digital solutions to their customers far more quickly and efficiently than ever before. This facet of our legacy software modernization module guaranteed brand consistency across all channels, enabling the client to grow their brand awareness and cement their reputation as an industry leader.

Delivering a consistent UE through changes to UI

As with all SaaS businesses, delivering a stable user experience across all products was critical to our client’s success. We implemented a library of reusable UI controls and components to guarantee consistency. Our effort enables developers to maintain a consistent look, feel, and user experience across all front-end applications. At the same time, we also streamlined software product development.

These efficiencies are complemented by the way we have convened dedicated scrum teams for each micro-frontend and microservice. Our specialist development teams empowered us to deliver functionality at a significantly improved speed and contributed to the 30% reduction in overall development time.

Delivering a consistent UE through changes to UI

Business Impact

We successfully replaced the client’s outdated legacy desktop applications with modern Cloud web applications. This was essential in transitioning their on-premises product to a cloud solution. The cloud application modernization reduced development time, streamlined and simplified the client’s digital architecture, and guaranteed a consistent user experience across all products.