Gift-giving
application
Industry:
Ecommerce
Project:
Kupatana
Team:
3 Software Developers
1 Project Manager
1 Business Analyst
1 Data Migration Specialist
2 DevOps Engineers
Duration of project:
11 months
Country:
Tanzania
Tech stack:
Ecommerce business specializing in local free classified ads — offering a wide range of categories for its users, including Cars, Real Estate, Sports, Leisure, Jobs, Men’s Fashion, Women’s Fashion, Accessories, and more.
Client value
to end user
Online marketplace that allows users to find the most diverse range of goods & services. Kupatana offers users the ability to transact in a geographically convenient manner, with a secure and stable environment for transactions, by focusing on local classifieds.
Risks
Security Breaches
Given the nature of the platform, there was a substantial risk of security breaches, which could compromise user data and transaction safety, leading to legal liabilities and loss of user trust.
Overrunning Budget & Time Constraints
Data Sync Issues
Ensuring that data remained consistent and accurate during the transition was a major risk. Inconsistencies could lead to functional errors and user dissatisfaction.
Challenges
Data Migration Complexities
Managing the intricate process of migrating data from two different platforms into one consolidated system was a significant challenge, requiring careful planning and execution.
System Integration & Compatibility
The technical challenge of integrating different systems and ensuring their compatibility while maintaining performance standards was crucial for a seamless transition.
AI Tech Implementation
Developing and integrating AI algorithms for ad placement and content moderation in a way that met the platform's needs and user expectations was a complex technical and operational challenge.
Objectives
Short-term
- Migrate data from Kupatana and Zoom Tanzania, ensuring no data loss and minimal downtime
- Seamlessly integrated both platforms into one cohesive system, maintaining compatibility and optimal performance.
- Maintain a consistent user experience throughout the transition, keeping the existing user base engaged.
- Beta version release to selected users for early testing and feedback, aiding in iterative development feedback.
- Implement basic AI functionalities for ad placement and content moderation, with an emphasis on immediate operational efficiency.
Long-term
- Creating a platform that is robust and scalable enough to accommodate future growth and expansion into new regions or markets.
- Develop and refine AI systems for more sophisticated ad placement, content moderation, and potentially personalized user experiences.
- Full platform integration and optimization of all technological components (Java, Spring, Swift, Kotlin, React).
Development Phases
Conducted thorough market research to understand the eCommerce and marketplace landscape.
Technical feasibility study — a deep dive into Kupatana's existing infrastructure and an assessment of the integration potential with Zoom Tanzania.
Risk assessment and strategy formulation, focusing on leveraging Java, Spring, Swift, Kotlin, and React technologies to create a robust and scalable platform.
Developed a seamless integration of the Kupatana and Zoom Tanzania platforms, utilizing Java and Spring for a robust backend, and React for an interactive front-end user experience.
Agile methodology application for iterative development, allowing for flexibility and continuous improvement based on real-time feedback.
Ensured a user-friendly interface with Swift for iOS and Kotlin for Android, enhancing the mobile user experience.
Migrated approximately 100 million data points from both platforms, with a focus on ensuring data integrity and zero downtime.
Implemented advanced AI algorithms to automate the categorization of ads and product listings, as well as to monitor and filter out prohibited content.
Developed custom scripts for automated data migration, reducing manual effort and minimizing the risk of errors.
Launched a Beta version to a select user group, collecting and analyzing feedback for refinements.
Applied the feedback to enhance user interface design and functionality, ensuring the platform is intuitive and meets the needs of diverse user groups.
Final rollout of the consolidated e-commerce platform, emphasizing on stability, user engagement, and scalability.
Performance & Optimization
System Scalability: The platform was designed with scalability in mind, using technologies like Java and Spring, and the backend architecture was optimized to handle increased traffic and data loads.
AI integration: AI algorithms were implemented to automate the categorization of ads and product listings.
Infrastructure & Server Optimization: The server infrastructure was optimized for load balancing and efficient handling of simultaneous requests, ensuring high availability and minimal downtime.
Quality Assurance & Testing: Rigorous testing was carried out throughout the development process, including load testing to ensure the platform could handle peak traffic without performance issues.
Results
Data Migration
100 million
data migrated
Migration of all the data assigned to the users of the platform without a negative impact, for instance (loss of data, or issues in synchronization).
Customer Engagement
+40%
more users
2 million
active monthly users
Once with the scaling and the migration process, the business activity and number of users increased.
Agile Development
2400
</dev> hours
70+
meeting hours
Due to constant collaboration with the Client/stakeholder and receiving feedback on each step, permitted to improve and adapt this methodology specifically for this project (following a process of planning, execution, and evaluation).