Service: software consulting
Solution type: desktop solution
Business area: insurance automation
Period: 2009
Key problems
Arcadia's client, working in insurance business for many years, had created an internal software system which supported business processes in core business activities (insurance) and accounting. As the system became out-of-date, the client decided to renovate legacy applications in both insurance-related (technical) and accounting (financial) parts to make business operations more efficient.
As a strategy for application renovation, the client considered a possibility to replace one or both parts of the system with 3rd party application(s). Arcadia’s task was to investigate possible solutions for separation and step-by-step replacement of technical and financial parts of the system without stopping main client's activities. The client considered 1C and/or SAP as possible 3rd party applications that could replace the legacy system.
Solution
In order to suggest a proper solution, Arcadia performed two parallel investigations: technical analysis and gathering business requirements. Arcadia investigated the architecture of the client’s application and data interaction between insurance-related modules and financial part of the system and interviewed key client’s personnel to collect business requirements.
Based on the results of investigation, Arcadia's analysts provided:
- Requirements report: summary of investigation findings.
- Several solutions for gradual separation and replacement of technical and financial parts of the system. For each of suggested options, estimations of time and budget needed were provided to support client's decision-making.
- Solution for the transition period (when one part of the legacy system is already replaced by 3rd party module, while the other one is still in use): a middle-layer application providing interaction between new and legacy parts of the system. To prove the concept, Arcadia's team implemented a prototype of suggested middle-layer solution.
Benefits of co-operation
Involving technical expertise from the company that specialized on software solutions helped the client to make the right decision how to renovate their current software application while maintaining smooth operation of core business activities and reach their business goals.
Duration and scope
1 month / 2 person-months