Reengineering Investment Application Ecosystem for a Premier Advisory Firm

Remodeled and stabilized an investment application ecosystem that encompasses clients’ investment portfolios, transactions, and quantitative market data to facilitate effective investment management. This was achieved by enhancing application reliability, integrating native push notifications, optimizing CRM and CMS systems, and building an in-house support team, while laying the groundwork for future innovations in artificial intelligence.

Technologies / Platforms

About the Client

The client is a forward-thinking investment advisory and wealth management

company founded by a renowned investment banker and professor at the
Higher School of Economics (HSE). The company aims to create a
comprehensive ecosystem that facilitates investment management for its users.  With over 450,000 subscribers, the business provides both paid and free analytical materials to keep users informed and educated.

Project Background

The Bitkogan project was launched to develop a software platform providing investment-based information services. Initially, a third-party vendor was contracted to create a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). However, after two years, the resulting application failed to meet performance and functionality expectations, suffering from severe instability, frequent crashes, and inadequate data management.

 

In response, the client sought an independent audit from Itexus to evaluate the project’s viability before its planned production launch. The audit revealed critical deficiencies, including outdated libraries and poor system architecture. Despite these findings, the client continued collaborating with the original vendor, which exacerbated unresolved issues and led to a decline in user engagement.

After a year of ineffectiveness, the client shifted to Itexus for a complete overhaul of the project. This transition was complicated by the problematic state of the application, where many components were poorly documented. Ultimately, the Bitkogan project illustrates the importance of effective project management, timely audits, and informed vendor decisions in achieving operational success.

Engagement Model

Fixed price

Project Team

From our side: 1 Architect, 1 Backend developer, 1 Mobile developer, 1 SA (part-time), 1 PM (part-time)

 

From client’s side: 2 Backend developers, 1 Frontend developer, 1 Mobile developer, 3 QAs, 1 BA, 1 Devops

Tech stack / Platforms

Solution Overview

To address the critical issues plaguing the Bitkogan project, Itexus implemented a multi-faceted approach aimed at stabilizing the existing application while accelerating its developmental progress. The key components of this solution included:

 

Architectural Restructuring:

  – Transitioned from fragmented microservices to a cohesive modular monolith for improved performance and easier code management.

 

Infrastructure Improvement:

  – Configured cloud resources effectively.

  – Rectified the Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CICD) pipeline.

 

New Application Development:

  – Created a new application that utilized existing code while providing a more stable framework by effectively wrapping older microservices.

 

Rapid Issue Resolution:

  – Swiftly addressed bugs and implemented new features.

  – Automated operational tasks to enhance overall efficiency.

 

Enhanced User Experience:

  – Integrated data analytics and reporting utilities to improve insights and decision-making.

 

Auxiliary Applications:

  – Developed a back-office system to streamline operations.

  – Empowered the client’s in-house support team, enabling them to handle issues independently, significantly reducing response times.

 

This comprehensive strategy not only improved system stability but also enhanced the overall user experience. Four mobile app screenshots

Admin Subsystem

Project Challenges

The Bitkogan project encountered several significant challenges that impeded its progress and effectiveness, including:

 

Vendor Issues:

  – Initial collaboration with the first vendor resulted in a poorly executed product.

  – Significant instability led to frequent crashes and unreliable data management.

 

– Fragmented Architecture:

  – Inconsistent implementation of microservices caused conceptual problems at the domain level.

 

– Infrastructure Shortcomings:

  – Misconfigured cloud infrastructure hindered operational efficiency.

  – Inadequate management of Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CICD) processes.

 

– Communication Lapses:

  – Ineffective project management practices resulted in a lack of clear documentation and knowledge transfer.

 

– Knowledge Gaps:

  – The new team at Itexus faced significant challenges due to limited understanding of the existing project mechanics.

 

– Client Resistance:

  – The client struggled with reluctance to invest in necessary redesign efforts.

  – Attempts to salvage a codebase that was merely a makeshift prototype further complicated the situation.

These compounded challenges necessitated a comprehensive overhaul of the project to establish stability and functionality in the application.

Third-party integrations

ZeroHash is a financial technology company that provides cryptocurrency infrastructure solutions, enabling businesses to offer digital asset trading and custody services. They facilitate the integration of cryptocurrency buying, selling, and holding capabilities for companies, streamlining the process of connecting traditional finance with the cryptocurrency ecosystem.

By delivering services such as crypto liquidity, compliance, and transaction processing, ZeroHash supports businesses looking to enter or expand in the digital asset space. Iterable is a cross-channel marketing automation platform designed to help businesses create, manage, and optimize personalized marketing campaigns.

It allows brands to engage their customers through various channels, including email, SMS, push notifications, and social media, while providing tools for segmentation, analytics, and performance tracking.

Google Maps API serves as a crucial tool for facilitating user engagement and improving the convenience of finding and accessing kiosks, access navigational directions, and view relevant location-based information.

Plaid allows payment processing, account verification, personal finance management, and investment tracking. Twilio is a powerful cloud communications platform that simplifies building communication features into applications, enabling businesses to engage customers across multiple channels. Its programmability allows implementing a wide range of use cases.

Auth0 serves as a robust solution for businesses looking to implement secure and user-friendly authentication and authorization processes in their applications, streamlining user management while enhancing security.

An infographic illustrating a scheme that presents the integration of a mobile app, web app, and kiosk with a cryptocurrency platform through Plaid, Google Maps, and API communication.

Results & future plans

Within four months, Itexus’ cross-functional team of experts delivered MVP versions of two mobile applications and one web application. Currently, production is underway for the second stage, which is intended to launch in October of this year.

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