Modernization
Modernizing a Network Data Analytics Platform for Capital Markets.
December 23, 2020
How a Network Data Analytics Platform revitalized
its services by embracing User Experience upgrades,
operational efficiency and a distributed architecture.
its services by embracing User Experience upgrades,
operational efficiency and a distributed architecture.
We at Blue Ripples Technologies believe that great products begin with great partnerships.
This could not be more evident than in our user story. While we are
proud of the technological aspect of our service, it’s often much more than
that. When a company approaches us with a particular challenge or an idea, it
often means translating a unique vision into a functional product. And it
always starts with people.
The Background.
Our client had a well-established product which was extremely good at what it
did. They provided a network data analytics platform for capital markets. Their
team focused on the core analytical engine that ran the analytics. However, to
improve user experience they had to go beyond their core product. The skill set
necessary to build these new capabilities was outside their domain. But how do
you trust a new technology partner with your intellectual property, especially
when you don’t have any outsourcing experience?
did. They provided a network data analytics platform for capital markets. Their
team focused on the core analytical engine that ran the analytics. However, to
improve user experience they had to go beyond their core product. The skill set
necessary to build these new capabilities was outside their domain. But how do
you trust a new technology partner with your intellectual property, especially
when you don’t have any outsourcing experience?
Project Challenge
There were specific business concerns to be addressed before the consultations
even began.
even began.
- We were new to the domain.
The client approached us through a reference. But we were new to the domain.
- Our client was new to out-sourcing.
Our client was a pioneer with 15 years of expertise, but with no outsourcing
experience.
experience.
- The product itself was the business.
The core analytical engine was highly sensitive, proprietary software. But since
most of the features were to be built around their core product it had to be a
highly trusting, collaborative effort between the two teams.
most of the features were to be built around their core product it had to be a
highly trusting, collaborative effort between the two teams.
Business Challenge
Then there was the existing system itself. To tackle their core business challenge,
extensive upgrades had to be made to compete in the modern marketplace.
extensive upgrades had to be made to compete in the modern marketplace.
- The existing configuration was a set of hierarchical XML files which made it difficult for the end-user to configure.
- Their Operations Team spent a lot of time configuring the end user applications.
- The product only offered limited dashboard customization with a few pre-sets for Data visualization.
- The existing product was a standalone installation which made it difficult to integrate and visualize data deployed in different data centres.
Our Approach
One of the big advantages of following a ‘product oriented’ approach to software
development is that once you identify the shared objectives, the process follows
suit. This usually means a thorough understanding of the domain, the product
and the end user. We started with the domain.
development is that once you identify the shared objectives, the process follows
suit. This usually means a thorough understanding of the domain, the product
and the end user. We started with the domain.
System Study
Since we were working with a product that is deeply integrated with the domain, a
system level understanding of the domain was critical to problem-solving. We were
able to gain a working knowledge of the system and be productive in a month’s time.
system level understanding of the domain was critical to problem-solving. We were
able to gain a working knowledge of the system and be productive in a month’s time.
Collaboration
This was one of the most challenging aspects of this product. We were working with
the client to establish a basic operating procedure since they were outsourcing an
important part of their product development team for the first time. We responded by closely following the value system that inspires our process.
the client to establish a basic operating procedure since they were outsourcing an
important part of their product development team for the first time. We responded by closely following the value system that inspires our process.
We understand how sensitive the proprietary data or software can be. That’s why
our Managing Partner led the project from the front with the CEO and CTO of the
organization, regularly updating them on the progress till they were confident about
our timelines and deliverables and moved to a more supervisory role.
our Managing Partner led the project from the front with the CEO and CTO of the
organization, regularly updating them on the progress till they were confident about
our timelines and deliverables and moved to a more supervisory role.
The Blueprint
Following a month long system study, planning and UX Design, we were able
to present a detailed road map with clear milestones, deliverables and
an implementation strategy. The user-friendly data visualization aspect of the
product was translated to a well-defined feature list.
to present a detailed road map with clear milestones, deliverables and
an implementation strategy. The user-friendly data visualization aspect of the
product was translated to a well-defined feature list.
- A Configuration Builder Tool. So that the end-user can easily configure the network analysis requirements.
- A drag & drop dashboard designer.The end user could easily build dashboards of their choice with an intuitive and highly customisable drag & drop builder. Freeing up their core operations team and at the same time exponentially improving productivity and efficiency for their customers.
- A Dashboard Visualization Application. This helps the end-user keep track of all the dashboards in one place making it easy to monitor the relevant information.
- Upgrading to a Distributed Architecture. The existing configuration worked as a standalone installation. But with a distributed architecture, the network analytics data stored in multiple data centres could be integrated and visualized from the dashboard seamlessly. It allows correlation of data from different data sources.
Implementation
Our implementation strategy was based on technological as well as business
aspects of this project. Since we were working closely with client’s development
team, everything had to be seamless. We also had to account for the
fact that the client was new to the process.
aspects of this project. Since we were working closely with client’s development
team, everything had to be seamless. We also had to account for the
fact that the client was new to the process.
Facilitating Collaboration
While working on the supporting features, we had daily interactions with the sales and technical team to refine the requirements list.
Responsible Product Development
Once the shared objectives were defined we assumed responsibility for the development of the components freeing their team to focus on the core product and matching their pace, every step of the way.
Real-time Progress Reports
Rather than reporting our progress we were able to present small iterative demos so that they could watch the product evolve in small iterative demos.
The Agile/KANBAN Model
Since both the teams were veteran developers we adopted a KANBAN model of execution which required a lot of experience but made the Product Development journey efficient and seamless.
The Impact
A complex Data Analytics Platform was transformed into a customer friendly application with a modern user experience suite. The end-user was able to configure, design and visualize the network analysis data with minimal support from the client’s operations team.
The modernized product has significantly increased the capabilities of what was already a great product. The upgraded configuration was feature rich and intuitive. There were radical improvements in data processing and data visualization at great value. By moving from a standalone installation to a distributed Architecture Packets2Disk was able to offer new analytical perspectives for their clients with an easy- to-configure, user-friendly interface. These upgrades were pivotal in encouraging financial professionals to pick Packets2Disk as their trusted (Network Data) Analytics Platform.
Support
Our team continues to support the Packets2Disk team fulltime with on-going enhancements. Our Managing Partner has monthly meetings with the CTO and quarterly meetings with the CEO of Packets2Disk to address the progress of the product.
- Industry : Insurance
- Services : Legacy System Modernization
- Geography : UK
Features
- Configuration Builder
- Drag & drop dashboard designer
- Dashboard Visualization Application
- Migration from a standalone architecture to a distributed architecture
technologies
- Chatbot
- Data Extraction from documents.
status
- Product Deployed
- On-going support
How a Network Data Analytics Platform revitalized
its services by embracing User Experience upgrades,
operational efficiency and a distributed architecture.
its services by embracing User Experience upgrades,
operational efficiency and a distributed architecture.
We at Blue Ripples Technologies believe that great products begin with great partnerships.
This could not be more evident than in our user story. While we are
proud of the technological aspect of our service, it’s often much more than
that. When a company approaches us with a particular challenge or an idea, it
often means translating a unique vision into a functional product. And it
always starts with people.
The Background.
Our client had a well-established product which was extremely good at what it
did. They provided a network data analytics platform for capital markets. Their
team focused on the core analytical engine that ran the analytics. However, to
improve user experience they had to go beyond their core product. The skill set
necessary to build these new capabilities was outside their domain. But how do
you trust a new technology partner with your intellectual property, especially
when you don’t have any outsourcing experience?
did. They provided a network data analytics platform for capital markets. Their
team focused on the core analytical engine that ran the analytics. However, to
improve user experience they had to go beyond their core product. The skill set
necessary to build these new capabilities was outside their domain. But how do
you trust a new technology partner with your intellectual property, especially
when you don’t have any outsourcing experience?
Project Challenge
There were specific business concerns to be addressed before the consultations
even began.
even began.
- We were new to the domain.
The client approached us through a reference. But we were new to the domain.
- Our client was new to out-sourcing.
Our client was a pioneer with 15 years of expertise, but with no outsourcing
experience.
experience.
- The product itself was the business.
The core analytical engine was highly sensitive, proprietary software. But since
most of the features were to be built around their core product it had to be a
highly trusting, collaborative effort between the two teams.
most of the features were to be built around their core product it had to be a
highly trusting, collaborative effort between the two teams.
Business Challenge
Then there was the existing system itself. To tackle their core business challenge,
extensive upgrades had to be made to compete in the modern marketplace.
extensive upgrades had to be made to compete in the modern marketplace.
- The existing configuration was a set of hierarchical XML files which made it difficult for the end-user to configure.
- Their Operations Team spent a lot of time configuring the end user applications.
- The product only offered limited dashboard customization with a few pre-sets for Data visualization.
- The existing product was a standalone installation which made it difficult to integrate and visualize data deployed in different data centres.
Our Approach
One of the big advantages of following a ‘product oriented’ approach to software
development is that once you identify the shared objectives, the process follows
suit. This usually means a thorough understanding of the domain, the product
and the end user. We started with the domain.
development is that once you identify the shared objectives, the process follows
suit. This usually means a thorough understanding of the domain, the product
and the end user. We started with the domain.
System Study
Since we were working with a product that is deeply integrated with the domain, a
system level understanding of the domain was critical to problem-solving. We were
able to gain a working knowledge of the system and be productive in a month’s time.
system level understanding of the domain was critical to problem-solving. We were
able to gain a working knowledge of the system and be productive in a month’s time.
Collaboration
This was one of the most challenging aspects of this product. We were working with
the client to establish a basic operating procedure since they were outsourcing an
important part of their product development team for the first time. We responded by closely following the value system that inspires our process.
the client to establish a basic operating procedure since they were outsourcing an
important part of their product development team for the first time. We responded by closely following the value system that inspires our process.
We understand how sensitive the proprietary data or software can be. That’s why
our Managing Partner led the project from the front with the CEO and CTO of the
organization, regularly updating them on the progress till they were confident about
our timelines and deliverables and moved to a more supervisory role.
our Managing Partner led the project from the front with the CEO and CTO of the
organization, regularly updating them on the progress till they were confident about
our timelines and deliverables and moved to a more supervisory role.
- Industry : Insurance
- Services : Legacy System Modernization
- Geography : UK
Features
- Configuration Builder
- Drag & drop dashboard designer
- Dashboard Visualization Application
- Migration from a standalone architecture to a distributed architecture
technologies
- Chatbot
- Data Extraction from documents.
status
- Product Deployed
- On-going support
Learn more about optimizing your
business process or discuss your project
by scheduling a free consultation
Learn more about optimizing your business process or discuss your project by scheduling a free consultation