The Project
Client and brief project overview
Scaling globally in the financial services sector is often hindered by outdated systems, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and customer experience challenges. Avior, an independent, globally recognised Capital Markets Broker firm company based in South Africa, addresses these issues by offering innovative research and trading solutions to institutional and private investors.
In Q3 2022, Avior partnered with Khanyisa Real Systems (KRS) to develop a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) that would modernize its legacy systems, enhance scalability, and optimize operations. The project was designed to support Avior’s expanding global client base, including corporate management, private investors, institutional investors, and partner brokers.
A central requirement of the initiative was implementing white-label functionality. This capability enabled Avior to onboard partner brokers via 15a6 agreements seamlessly, providing them with personalized research portals. The MVP approach ensured a controlled environment to minimize risks such as budget overruns and scope creep, while providing a solid foundation for refinement and expansion.
Project highlights
- Scope: Build a scalable research platform to improve internal operations and support white-label services.
- Timeline: Six months (from development to implementation).
- Outcome: Successful deployment of a multi-tenant platform, followed by a second development partnership to enhance user experience and streamline the portal design.
Development Process and Methodologies
Agile Development in Action
The KRS team utilized an Agile methodology to adapt to Avior’s evolving needs effectively. Delivering functional components iteratively in two-week sprints allowed continuous feedback and ensured alignment with project goals.
Key Practices:
- Collaborative Communication: Regular standups with Avior’s product owners provided clarity and accelerated decision-making.
- User-Centric Design: The system leveraged intuitive UI/UX principles, emphasizing simplicity, responsiveness, and consistency to enhance user experience.
- Streamlined Testing: Deployments to a User Acceptance Testing (UAT) environment ensured rapid feedback and timely approvals.
Technology Stack and Integration
A Robust Technology Foundation
The solution was built using a modern and reliable technology stack:
- Frontend: Svelte, JavaScript, HTML, CSS
- Backend: C#
- Cloud Infrastructure: Azure Cloud (leveraging KRS’s Microsoft Gold Partner expertise)
- Integration: REST APIs for third-party software tools
Integration Challenges and Solutions
Integrating multiple international third-party tools via REST APIs posed several challenges. KRS mitigated these risks with the following strategies:
- Proof of Concept (PoC): Validated integrations early to identify and address potential issues.
- API Stability Assessments: Conducted thorough reviews of API reliability and scalability.
- Proactive Collaboration: Maintained open communication with API providers to resolve issues promptly.
White-Label Scalability
The multi-tenant platform design empowered Avior to onboard partner brokers effortlessly, offering each a customized research distribution portal. This white-label solution minimized operational overhead while providing clients with a tailored, branded experience, positioning Avior to meet diverse client needs effectively.
Client Feedback and Results
A Satisfied Partner
The MVP deployment addressed Avior’s legacy system limitations, enabling the company to expand its market presence and enhance its service offerings.
Key Benefits
- Enhanced Scalability: Streamlined the process of adding broker-specific portals for research distribution.
- Customizable Services: Delivered a flexible platform that could be tailored to individual client requirements.
What Avior Valued Most
- A sense of partnership and seamless collaboration.
- Transparent project updates through backlog refinement and Microsoft Teams communication.
- High-quality deliverables that inspired trust and confidence.
Client Testimonial
“KRS demonstrated exceptional partnership and technical expertise, helping us achieve a scalable, modernized solution that exceeded our expectations.”
Ongoing Partnership
Following the MVP’s success, Avior extended its collaboration with KRS to include a second development project and ongoing maintenance. This partnership underscores the importance of aligning technology solutions with business objectives to drive sustainable growth.
Conclusion
The Avior-KRS engagement showcases how the right blend of cutting-edge technology, Agile methodologies, and effective client collaboration can yield transformative results. By delivering a scalable and user-friendly platform, KRS empowered Avior to achieve its growth objectives while building a foundation for long-term success.
Closing remarks
Led by Project Manager Brent Blake, the KRS team continues to support Avior through ongoing system monitoring, Azure infrastructure administration, and innovative solution development.
