Online Banking Performance Optimization

The Customer

A leading provider of web front-end solutions for banking.

The Project

Online Banking Performance Optimization

Overview

The Customer faced a critical performance challenge when they onboarded their first major client. The client demanded proof that the Customer's production environment could handle a significant increase in user traffic, with 80,000 members logging in simultaneously. The Customer turned to our team at Improving for immediate assistance in solving their performance issues and ensuring the success of their new client.

The Challenge

The Customer's login screen was experiencing a significant delay, taking up to 12 seconds for a single user to log in. This performance bottleneck was hindering their ability to handle the increased load from their new client. They needed an expert to identify and resolve the underlying database problem quickly.

The Solution

Our team promptly responded to the Customer's urgent request for assistance. Within hours, we had diagnosed and resolved the login performance issue, which was rooted in their in-house Hibernate system.

This initial success led to an extended engagement, as we continued to identify and address other performance concerns. We collaborated closely with the Customer's technical lead and gained access to their source code, allowing us to analyze and optimize their systems effectively.

We began with the Hibernate system and later shifted our focus to improving the Windows Communication Foundation and services infrastructure. By addressing these key areas, we aimed to stabilize the Customer's overall performance and ensure their ability to handle the increased user traffic.

The Business Benefits

• Improved Login Performance: We reduced the login time from 12 seconds to subsecond, enhancing the user experience and increasing efficiency.

• Optimized Resource Utilization: By fine-tuning the Customer's application servers, we increased their utilization from 20% to 80%. This optimization allowed them to handle higher loads and improved their overall system performance.

• Successful Onboarding of Major Client: The Customer's ability to meet the demands of their new client’s 80,000 members logging in simultaneously on the first of the month was crucial for their continued growth and success.

• Expanded Client Base: The Customer's successful implementation of our performance improvements led to increased recognition and trust in their capabilities. This success paved the way for landing larger clients in the future.

Lessons Learned

• Responsiveness: The Customer's urgent request highlighted the importance of being responsive to clients’ immediate needs. By quickly identifying and resolving their performance issues, we established a strong foundation of trust and collaboration.

• Value-Driven Recommendations: Performance improvement projects require a focus on delivering value that aligns with the client’s business objectives. We ensured that our recommendations were not just based on metrics but also on the bottom-line impact and relevance to the Customer's success.

• Building Executive Relationships: Developing a trust-based relationship with the Customer's executive leadership was crucial for the success of the engagement. This allowed us to align our recommendations with their value definition and make informed decisions that would drive their success.

Why Improving?

Through our expertise and swift action, we helped the Customer overcome their performance challenges and achieve significant business benefits. By optimizing their login performance, resource utilization, and overall system stability, we enabled them to successfully onboard their major client and expand their client base. Our close collaboration and value-driven approach ensured that our performance improvements aligned with the Customer's business objectives. As a result, the Customer continues to thrive and serve as a leading provider in the banking industry.