From six months to four weeks: We helped Howden supercharge processes
Howden is a leading insurance broking corporation specializing in providing insurance and risk management services to companies from all across the globe.
The challenge: Improve processes to increase software production and reduce cost
Howden’s xTrade team had built multiple applications that enable Howden to digitise certain operations and streamline processes for different lines of business.
Although this approach proved to work, it unveiled a series of new challenges for the client, including:
High implementation and ownership costs
Digitising each new product or line of business required a range of processes, including software development, infrastructure setup, and integrations with existing systems.
Beyond the costs of implementation, Howden struggled with the ongoing expenses associated with the system maintenance and upgrades.
Therefore, the client’s goal was to optimise the process without compromising the quality or scope of their digitisation efforts.
Performance issues and slow time to market
Due to the limitations of their existing digital solution, the client needed help to accurately predict delivery timelines, which resulted in project delays and slow time to market.
To address those challenges, xTrade was looking for a comprehensive and scalable digital solution that would minimise delays in app development, testing, and deployment. Their primary goal was to develop a Proof of Concept (PoC) solution over a six-week period.
Furthermore, they wanted to digitise approximately 200 products by the year 2030.
The team: A 10-person team fueling xTrade’s success
xTrade was looking for dedicated software development experts who would work in sync with their in-house team. In addition to delivering extensive technical knowledge, they wanted to hire a reliable partner who understands the insurance sector and all of its challenges, values, and complexities. That’s exactly what sets us apart from other software development companies.
To meet the client’s requirements, we developed a team consisting of six software engineers, two QA engineers, a software architect, and a Scrum Master.
The solution: Centralised processes and automation
We helped xTrade optimise processes on multiple levels. Here are some of them:
Configuration files
xTrade’s platform is based on specific configuration files. They rely on unique syntax and semantics tailored to their specific requirements.
These configuration files are used for the comprehensive display and design of the platform. They determine its functionality, the complexity of the workflow, and the visual presentation of its various components.
By simply adding the necessary configuration files, the product digitisation process is significantly accelerated. What once took months or even years to accomplish can now be accomplished in a week. This fast turnaround time not only increases efficiency but also ensures that the platform remains agile and adaptable to evolving needs.
Furthermore, the modular nature of configuration files facilitates scalability. That is exactly what ensures that the platform remains scalable and future-proof.
One configurable platform
We developed a unique platform adapted to all digitised products. The platform enables the use of configuration files, which describe the various behaviours as well as provide the visual representation of specific components.
The configuration files not only detail product-specific attributes but also outline the integration process with third-party services.
Test automated platform
We identified manual testing as one of the client’s most significant performance issues. Namely, given that they have a large volume of products, testing all of them manually would consume lots of their time and effort. Not to mention that the manual testing and regression testing needed for adapting products to new changes would be impossible without automated processes.
Given the specifics of xTrade’s platform and the configuration files, we decided to leverage automation that aligns with these configuration files. Using the code generator, we could efficiently process many products and produce a tailored test automation suite for each one.
Through regular code generator maintenance, we can easily generate test automation suites for new batches of products and incorporate new features with ease. This approach allows the client and us, as their tech partner, to adapt to the evolving system requirements.
The implementation of versioning
We worked on managing changes in configuration files that describe individual projects. At the same time, we needed to maintain compatibility with existing and new data. We chose to implement versioning, where each dataset created for a specific product corresponds to a particular version of its configuration files.
To streamline this process, we developed an API that automates versioning. The automation process removes the need for product specialists to manually structure configuration files. That way, the overall product configuration management process became more accurate, efficient, and less time-consuming.
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Read moreThe results: Time to market reduced from six months to four weeks
Historically, Howden's software delivery process was slow and costly. That is where we, as their insurance software development partner, stepped in, helping them overcome their thorniest challenges.
A Proof of Concept app launched in 12 days
Initially, we developed the Proof of Concept application, proving that the client’s idea was achievable and viable. Most importantly, we successfully launched the platform within 12 days.
This solution encompassed the digitalisation of two products through a centralised platform. After the six-week period, Howden decided to keep collaborating with our insurance software developers to help them develop the MVP solution.
The MVP rolled out in three months
In collaboration with the xTrade team, we successfully completed the MVP in just three months. Currently, our focus lies on improving the insurance software and expanding its scope to include additional products through the digitisation process.
Accelerated time to market
One of the achievements both the client and us are proud of is the reduced time to market. Within the past four weeks, we’ve achieved what formerly required a six-month timeframe.
We also helped the client streamline change management processes, facilitating prompt adjustments to stakeholder and client requirements within hours.
Finally, we stabilised infrastructure expenses despite accelerated product releases. That is how we minimised the risk of exponential cost escalation caused by duplicating environments, components, and so forth.
Deep technical expertise and collaboration
We worked shoulder-to-shoulder with the client’s in-house team. We weren’t only an extension of their in-house team. We were Howden's tech partners and innovators who constantly provided thought-provoking insights and innovative solutions that helped the client stand out. We were one team, working together to deliver highly innovative solutions.
The team at Vega has been much more than a development partner for us. First and foremost, you are thought partners. We’ve worked together to solve highly complex problems to create a bespoke, low-code platform. It’s fair to say that the quality of development talent has also been exceptional, but this would have been of limited value if you hadn’t helped by bringing critical thinking and design capability.
The full tech stack:
Client-side:
- React – the use of React's virtual DOM further enhances performance by efficiently updating and rendering changes.
- Redux – state management solution that ensures consistency and predictability, as well as facilitates effective communication between components.
- Typescript – enhances code maintainability and reduces errors through static typing
Server-side:
- .NET 8 – ensure access to the latest features, enhancements, and optimisations, contributing to the development of robust, scalable, and high-performance application
- Microservice architecture with Onion Architecture and Modular Monolith structure – enhance scalability, maintainability, and flexibility, allowing for the efficient development and deployment of independent, loosely coupled services
- Microsoft Azure Cloud ecosystem – Services are hosted on Azure Cloud as Azure App Services. Out of the other Azure services, we're using:
- Cosmos DB – a globally distributed, multi-model database service
- Application Insights – monitoring and diagnostics
- Azure Storage – secure and scalable cloud storage solution
- Azure Key Vault – secure storage and management of sensitive information
- Service Bus – facilitates reliable and scalable messaging between services, ensuring efficient communication and coordination between services
- Azure functions – serverless computing
- Integrations – We have integrated the system with a range of existing services in xTrade’s existing ecosystem
Test automation side:
- Robot Framework – offers a scalable set of libraries
- Browser Library – serves as the primary tool for UI automation
- Data Driver Library –for data-driven testing
- Excel Library – for reading and manipulation of Excel files
- Requests Library – executes API calls
We deeply appreciate Vega IT’s proactive approach to understanding and aligning with our objectives. This symbiotic relationship has been instrumental in fostering innovation and expediting project delivery. We eagerly anticipate further successful collaboration in the future.
That’s what the client has to say about our collaboration. And us? We’re extremely proud and thrilled to be an inevitable part of xTrade’s growth story. Relentless passion. Innovation. Stellar results – achieved throughout our mutual work and collaboration. We can’t wait to see where the future will take us.