Client: Confidential
Industry: Technology
Project Duration: 12 Months
Services Provided: Frontend Redesign, Backend Development, Data Management, Security Enhancement

Background

Our client approached us with a Svelte codebase that incorporated Firebase services but was riddled with security vulnerabilities and performance issues. The app was not functioning correctly and exhibited significant lag, posing a critical challenge for its large data management and synchronization needs.

Challenges

1. Legacy Code and Technology Stack:
   • The existing frontend was built with Svelte, which, at the time, was still in its early stages and did not integrate well with TypeScript.
   • Heavy dependency on Firestore, which was being misused as a backend, resulting in security issues and performance bottlenecks.
2. Performance and Scalability Issues:
   • The app’s performance was hindered by the inefficient use of Firestore, which was not suitable for the project’s growing data needs.
   • External data sources were slow and contained a large volume of irrelevant information, which needed to be filtered and cleaned.
3. Security Vulnerabilities:
   • The lack of a proper backend led to multiple security vulnerabilities that needed immediate attention.
4. Data Synchronization and Change Detection:
   • Managing and synchronizing large volumes of data from external APIs posed a significant challenge, especially with slow and error-prone external data sources.

Solutions

1. Frontend Redesign and Technology Shift:
   • We transitioned from Svelte to React, a mature and well-supported framework, to leverage our expertise and the broader industry’s trust in React (used by corporations like Meta).
   • The redesign was approached incrementally to minimize disruption and gradually shift the project in the right direction.
2. Backend Overhaul:
   • Replaced Firestore with PostgreSQL to handle the growing data requirements efficiently and securely.
   • Developed a robust backend service to address security vulnerabilities and improve data handling practices.
3. Performance Optimization:
   • Implemented a more efficient data processing pipeline, reducing the data synchronization time from several hours to just minutes.
   • Enhanced the system’s fault tolerance, logging, and automated testing to ensure reliability and quick debugging.
4. Data Cleansing and Integration:
   • Cleared up mistakes and duplicates in the data from external sources before use.
   • Built a hosted proxy to access data sources unavailable from Europe and mitigated IP bans by moving to self-managed VMs.
5. Security Enhancements:
   • Fixed various security issues by establishing a proper backend and implementing best practices for data management and user authentication.
6. Routine Improvements:
   • Automated deployment processes and integrated Stripe for subscription management.

Results

• Improved Performance and Reliability:
  • The app’s performance and reliability improved significantly, with data synchronization times reduced from a full day to several minutes.
  • Security vulnerabilities were eliminated, providing a more secure and robust platform.
• Scalable and Maintainable Solution:
  • The transition to React and PostgreSQL provided a scalable and maintainable solution that can grow with the client’s needs.
  • The new backend and data processing pipeline ensured consistent and reliable data management.
• Enhanced User Experience:
  • The frontend redesign improved the user experience, making the app faster and more intuitive.
• Operational Efficiency:
  • Automated deployment and better resource management through self-managed VMs increased operational efficiency.

Conclusion

Through strategic planning and execution, Rollout IT successfully transformed a struggling app into a high-performing, secure, and scalable solution. Our expertise in large data management and synchronization, coupled with our commitment to best practices and innovative problem-solving, delivered remarkable results for the client. This project stands as a testament to Rollout IT’s capability to handle complex technical and business challenges effectively.

Contact Us: For more information on how Rollout IT can help with your large data management and synchronization needs, please visit our website or contact us directly.

This case study demonstrates Rollout IT’s proficiency in managing large data volumes, enhancing security, and improving application performance through strategic technology choices and robust engineering solutions.