Enhancing Client Services with Data Products-as-a-Service

Challenge

Deliver data products as a service with minimal IT dependencies

Our latest project had one clear point of focus, seamlessly delivering data products to the customers of our client. To facilitate this, our client had to bring their data products out of their standalone environments and into an online platform where their customers could access them. This online platform was an application constructed and maintained by our client. This required emphasis on reusable components to minimise technical debt and reduce dependencies on other IT departments in the future.

However, our project’s requirements extended beyond the confines of integrating in a singular application. We also needed to connect with an external application dedicated to managing the access levels of every user. This strategic integration not only fortified data security but also granted our client granular control over the services extended to their diverse clientele. This control was crucial for their strategy because the overarching goal was to offer a select set of subscriptions which allowed access to certain data products and services dependant on the tier chosen.

In essence, the overarching goal was crystal clear: Empower our client to offer tailored services using existing applications for both platform and user management. This approach facilitated the creation of service packages, each offering client’s access to a curated spectrum of services, ensuring a dynamic and personalized experience for end-users.

Approach

A Tale of Webcomponents, Frameworks, and Client Empowerment

We started small, our project focused on integrating a single data product, with the business already aligning on the desired look and feel. A collaborative effort unfolded as we worked together with the teams overseeing the database and the client's development teams responsible for both the platform and user-management system.

In the project's initiation, we conducted workshops to understand all the components within the architecture. After thoughtful consideration, we chose to harness webcomponent technology for seamless integration into the existing platform. This technology allowed us to create a versatile building block for our client-facing component, offering configurability over managing code, thus minimising technical debt.

To facilitate effective communication among all services, we defined a robust framework. Our approach included crafting an initial Proof of Concept (POC) in a language of choice to test the architecture. This POC was later migrated to a solution supported by the client's tech stack, ensuring long-term maintainability.

The development of the client-facing component unfolded methodically. We began with a straightforward integration from the reporting environment to a clean web page. Following that, we integrated communication with a back-end service to remove sensitive data from the client-facing component. The culmination of this process involved integrating the component into the client's platform, marking a significant milestone in our progressive development journey.

Impact

Empowering Scalable & Flexible Client Services

We strategically positioned two pivotal elements to propel our project towards comprehensive success. The first crucial element was creating the capability for our client to provide data products as a service. This feature aimed not only to augment the client's service portfolio but also to usher in a new era of adaptability and dynamism within their data-oriented offerings.

By enabling the client to deliver data products as a service, we sought to empower them with a scalable and flexible approach. This not only expanded their service capabilities but also positioned them to meet evolving market demands and client expectations. The client, now equipped to provide data products as a service, could offer tailored solutions, ensuring a personalised experience for their end-users.

Simultaneously, our initiative recognized the importance of cultivating new collaborations within various IT departments. Recognizing the interconnected nature of modern IT landscapes, we prioritized fostering partnerships and synergy among different departments. This collaborative ethos was integral to the success of our project, ensuring that all stakeholders within the IT ecosystem were aligned and working cohesively towards common objectives.