Challenge
The client faced multiple challenges with their web add-ons and infrastructure, impacting user experience and operational efficiency:
- Unstable Web Integrations: Persistent bugs in add-ons for Microsoft Word and APIs disrupted user workflows.
- Lack of Documentation: No clear guidelines on system functionality or how to add new formats in the future.
- Licensing & Subscription Issues: API licensing details were not readily available, leading to frequent errors and user frustration.
- Scalability Concerns: Inefficient infrastructure resulted in high database costs and performance bottlenecks.
Our Solution
Our Web Development team implemented a comprehensive modernization strategy to ensure a better user experience, enhanced automation, and cost optimization:
✅ Enhanced UI & Authentication:
- Resolved bugs in Word & API authentication, improving user accessibility.
- Developed a new Excel add-on for seamless data access and usability.
- Created separate, dedicated web interfaces for add-ons, enhancing visibility and user onboarding.
✅ Web Automation & Licensing Workflows:
- Built a custom licensing utility for automatic expiration & renewal.
- Automated subscription processes to reduce manual interventions.
- Integrated payment gateway fixes, ensuring a smooth purchase experience.
✅ Infrastructure & Performance Optimization:
- Upgraded the core API codebase to .NET 6 and Azure Functions v4, ensuring better scalability and compatibility.
- Migrated the database from vCore to DTU model, reducing costs by 90% (from ~$50 to ~$5 per month).
- Optimized Azure monitoring, reducing downtime and proactively addressing support tickets.
Impact
📌 Enhanced Web & Add-on Functionality: Streamlined authentication, licensing, and automation, improving user workflows.
📌 Faster & More Scalable Web Infrastructure: Reduced downtime, improved response times, and ensured smooth integrations.
📌 Significant Cost Savings: The database migration cut hosting costs by 90%, freeing up resources for future enhancements.
📌 Better User Experience: New web interfaces and optimized add-ons improved accessibility and usability across platforms.
