Supply Chain Collaboration
A tech-enabled services provider functioned with semi-automated transaction workflows using Microsoft Access for its UI and Microsoft SQL Server for managing the data.
An unexpected sales opportunity arose that had the potential to geometrically increase the firm’s monthly transaction volume. During test scenarios to see if they could manage the increased load, the existing system failed miserably with limited success at data recovery and massive adverse impact to both internal users and existing customers.
"In the face of the largest sales deal in the history of the company, our tech stack left us dead in the water."
CEO
 Tech Services Firm
Custom Solution
The timeline was a focal point of all discussions. Failure meant that the firm’s prospective customer would build their own solution, likely becoming a competitor instead.
After reviewing the existing architecture, code, and test results, it became clear our solution would need to incorporate some past design flaws. Additionally, it would have to accommodate existing workflows and connecting applications with no performance impact.
Approach
The team first gained an understanding of the technical capabilities of the firm and its enterprise partner. This involved analyzing the existing applications and workflows to identify potential bottlenecks. An electronic data format was then established along with the design of a high-level architectural layout. Throughout the process, the team worked closely with the firm and its enterprise partner in end-to-end testing and benchmarking performance based on the design concept.


Process
- Business Strategy
- Architecture
- Web Services/API
- Development
- QA & Performance Benchmarking
Overcoming Roadblocks
Flaws in the existing system meant only a single transaction could exist within a batch sent to the database. Further, this firm did not practice any meaningful revision protocols and lacked a test environment in which to develop without fear of affecting live data.
Building outside the existing system with new components fixed those issues. Since transactions were arriving electronically, we were able to implement an asynchronous flow of data.The new solution was equipped with database monitoring and metrics along with a queuing system to avoid performance impacts during transaction volume spikes.

Results
A robust and lasting solution was deployed into production far ahead of the leadership team’s timeline.
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“These guys killed it. After the first failure, we were nervous, but the P1ston team delivered. And this platform feels as easy as any of my favorite apps.”
Chief Executive Officer
Contract Manufacturer