MODERNIZING SAAS PLATFORM FOR EDUCATION & MENTORING
A SaaS platform for education and mentoring [name is under NDA] that provides US institutions with an admin panel, comprised of the React-based website and iOS application.
KEY FACTS:
Country
USA
Industry
EdTech (LMS), Services
Cooperation period
2017-current
Cooperation type
Consulting, dedicated development team of 5 experts, team augmentation for support stage
KEY FACTS:
Country
USA
Industry
EdTech (LMS), Services
Cooperation period
2017-current
Cooperation type
Consulting, dedicated development team of 5 experts, team augmentation for support stage
What the Client Says
We’ve always appreciated MobiDev for all the invaluable consulting, for the communication and for reporting set up conveniently for us. They never feel like a remote team. They are immediately available for our requests. They are a reliable team that can build complex software from scratch, deliver it strictly on time, and later on, effectively evolve it. Our own ongoing collaboration with MobiDev fully confirms their professional reputation in the market.
The Story Behind
A US-based education company developed a solution for connecting applicants with mentoring students. Over time, however, the platform became outdated and lost its stability. MobiDev was engaged in modernizing the app, which involved redeveloping the architecture from scratch, expanding its reach to a new target region, and providing the platform with further support.
Industry Challenges
Users from various educational institutions seek stable software with a smooth interface that provides a convenient flow to connect students with relevant mentors and handle further communication.
How we delivered
1
Started with UX/UI design audit and upgrade
At the outset of our cooperation, the MobiDev team conducted a thorough UX/UI design audit to assess existing functionalities and user experiences. This evaluation allowed us to identify areas for enhancement and refinement. Then, a dedicated UX/UI designer transformed the platform into a more intuitive and visually compelling solution, setting the stage for enhanced user satisfaction and operational efficiency.
2
Performed software audit and created tech strategy prior to the development stage
We conducted a comprehensive software audit of the existing system to identify its limitations and key areas for improvement. For the complete architecture redevelopment, the creation of a tech strategy was crucial, as it helped determine the optimal tech stack, ensuring a more robust and future-proof solution.
3
Built new architecture for an already existing product
Having an existing platform, the clients reached out to us with the request to update it and optimize its performance. The dedicated MobiDev team has rewritten the product architecture from scratch.
4
Launched two self-sufficient platforms targeting different markets
Originally, the platform was targeted at the US market. Over time, there was a need for a separate platform for Asian high schoolers to connect with US-based mentors. By cloning the platform and implementing a different API and database, we established a completely independent new platform for this purpose.
5
Reduced server load and optimized performance
To ensure product reliability and stability for a large user base, our focus was on reducing server load and optimizing performance. This involved evolving the initial Ansible-based deployment into a continuous integration system. We further enhanced it by integrating Fabric and Jenkins, and implemented API autotests to streamline operations and maintain high standards of performance.
6
Flexibly changed the cooperation model to adapt to evolving project needs and enhance efficiency
At the beginning of the project, the MobiDev team undertook a substantial scope of activities encompassing complete backend rebuild and platform modernization. Upon achieving this objective, our collaboration transitioned to platform support, with project management handled on the client side. Thus, beginning with a dedicated development team approach, we shifted to a team augmentation format after the new version of the app went live.
Technical Details
Frontend:
React, Swift
Backend:
PHP, Yii 2, MySQL, Nginx, Nchan
Cloud Services and Infrastructure:
AWS/S3, Nginx, Nchan, Algolia, APNS, Twilio, Mailgun
Payment integration:
Alipay, Stripe
Analytics and Tracking:
Flurry, Mixpanel, Facebook, Branch
Signup APIs:
Facebook API, Google+ API
Testing:
Manual Testing, API Autotests (Python)
Continuous Integration:
Fabric, Jenkins, Ansible
Outcomes
After completing the architecture modernization and launching the second independent SaaS platform, MobiDev continued to provide ongoing support to maintain the stability of both platforms. The updated versions facilitated connections between over 15,000 students and more than 1,000 US college mentors.
