Collaborative, DevOps Approach Modernizes​ Systems Quickly

Our Client

Our client is a UK leader in resource management services (RMS) and outsourced recycling services. This is a new client for Prolifics; MuleSoft introduced us. RMS chose Prolifics in part due to our DevOps expertise and hybrid delivery model.

Challenge

Over the past few years RMS has undertaken a massive business expansion – acquiring a lot of other companies to come under their group umbrella.

RMS had been using a monolith legacy application for more than 20 years. While it suited the business well in the past, it’s now reached a state where a simple change – like introducing an additional field – would take considerable time and expense.

In addition to this lack of agility and accommodation, RMS had a looming, drop-dead renewal date on the legacy license itself – with a huge cost connected to this extension.

RMS decided to replace the monolith legacy application system with Salesforce to enable various APIs and other integrations. They then decided to couple Salesforce and MuleSoft.

Action

RMS chose Prolifics based on our DevOps capabilities and our hybrid onshore/offshore delivery mix.

As with any Prolifics engagement, when we go in, we address the immediate needs while still working on the bigger picture. This means immediate value without a project being held up.

We went in for initial discussions on project approach. RMS saw the benefit from Prolifics – rather than just providing a group of offshore developers, we could provide the entire package through our hybrid delivery model. This included the local UK team supported by offshore architects and offshore development capabilities.

The first part of the engagement was understanding what RMS had and what the actual requirements were. So, we went through that inception phase to understand:

• What used to get done?
• What does the technical landscape look like?
• What is it that needs to be integrated?

In the phases that followed, a lot of time was spent with RMS as we configured the platform and built the new environment. RMS wanted to ensure that they could do rapid deployments and manage the platform going forward, correcting one of the original problems of changes taking months.

One of the themes through our entire work with RMS was that they had been learning and developing Salesforce at the same time. So, we would come out of phases without a fully signed-off, completed design, because we wanted to be able to work in the agile way. In true DevOps fashion, we wanted to accommodate changes as we were going along – accommodate the changes and the changing levels of knowledge that RMS had as they were going along.

Result

Prolifics is still currently in the implementation phase, with a “big drop and go live” scenario with MuleSoft, Salesforce and all other apps going live at one time. This is not the optimal method, but due to the workings of the legacy system, one large “cut over” is necessary.

To-date benefits include:

• Overall systems architecture is in place
• Implementation of reference architecture and platform has been set up
• Integration of all apps interacting with legacy system to Salesforce, Azure and AWS cloud using new integration platform
• Documentation of everything in a corporate-based wiki, as well as the MuleSoft platform

After “go-live,” RMS will have:

• Reduced costs
• API-led connectivity and reusable APIs
• Reduced time managing APIs
• Up to 20 percent time savings for the development of new applications

Prolifics has created the foundation for changes to occur at RMS in a swift and efficient fashion. To find out more about RMS’ transition away from their legacy system, read the full case study.

About Prolifics

Prolifics is a digital engineering and consulting firm helping clients navigate and accelerate their digital transformation journeys. We deliver relevant outcomes using our systematic approach to rapid, enterprise-grade continuous innovation. We treat our digital deliverables like a customized product – using agile practices to deliver immediate and ongoing increases in value.

We provide consulting, engineering and managed services for all our practice areas – Data & AI, Integration & Applications, Business Automation, DevXOps, Test Automation, and Cybersecurity – at any point our clients need them.

Email: solutions@prolifics.com or visit us atprolifics.com