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Case Study: Transforming Checkout for a Swedish Furniture Retailer with Decoupled Architecture

Client: Global Furniture Retailer

Challenge

A leading Swedish furniture retailer approached Frostlogic with a critical challenge: their monolithic architecture was hindering the agility and scalability of their e-commerce platform, particularly their checkout process. The monolithic design limited their ability to roll out new features swiftly, optimize the customer journey, and handle the growing demand for seamless online shopping experiences. Additionally, their on-premise infrastructure struggled to provide the scalability and resilience needed to meet modern consumer expectations.

The retailer sought a solution that would:

  • Accelerate the release of new features to improve conversion rates.

  • Provide a robust and scalable checkout experience.

  • Enable a smooth transition from an on-premise setup to the cloud.

Solution

Frostlogic devised a phased approach to decouple the checkout process from the monolithic architecture, focusing on delivering incremental value while minimizing disruption:

  1. Frontend Decoupling with a Single Page Application (SPA):

    • The first step involved separating the frontend of the checkout system from the monolithic backend.

    • Frostlogic developed a modern, responsive SPA that could deliver an enhanced user experience while consuming data via APIs.

    • This immediate decoupling enabled the retailer to introduce UI/UX improvements and new features without waiting for backend changes.

  2. API Layer Implementation:

    • Frostlogic built an API layer above the monolith to serve as the communication bridge between the new SPA and the existing backend.

    • This approach allowed the SPA to retrieve and update data without being directly tied to the complexities of the monolith, reducing the risk of instability.

    • It provided a scalable pathway for the retailer to test and deploy new features with faster feedback loops.

  3. Backend Transformation to Microservices:

    • With the frontend and API layer operational, Frostlogic transitioned the backend into a microservices architecture.

    • Redundancies in the monolithic system were identified and eliminated, ensuring a streamlined and maintainable codebase.

    • Key functionalities, such as payment processing, inventory checks, and order confirmation, were modularized into independent services.

  4. Cloud Migration:

    • Frostlogic orchestrated the migration of the backend to a cloud infrastructure, leveraging its elasticity and reliability.

    • This transition allowed the retailer to scale their services based on demand, enhancing stability and performance during peak shopping periods.

Result

The phased decoupling and modernization of the checkout system yielded significant benefits for the Swedish furniture retailer:

  • Improved Conversion Rates: The new SPA allowed the retailer to implement and test conversion-driving features faster, leading to a noticeable uplift in completed transactions.

  • Faster Feature Deployment: With the decoupled architecture, the retailer achieved a 60% reduction in time-to-market for new checkout features.

  • Enhanced Stability and Scalability: The microservices-based backend, combined with the cloud infrastructure, reduced downtime and ensured a seamless checkout experience during traffic spikes.

  • Operational Efficiency: Eliminating redundancies in the monolith reduced maintenance overhead, allowing the IT team to focus on innovation rather than firefighting.

Conclusion

By partnering with Frostlogic, the Swedish furniture retailer successfully overcame the limitations of their monolithic architecture. The decoupling strategy, starting with the frontend and API layer and culminating in a microservices-based backend, delivered immediate and long-term value. The transition to the cloud further positioned the retailer to scale and adapt to the evolving needs of their customers.

This case exemplifies Frostlogic’s expertise in modernizing legacy systems and enabling businesses to thrive in a competitive digital landscape. Whether it’s accelerating time-to-market or improving system resilience, Frostlogic delivers tailored solutions that drive impactful results.