IUA Business Solutions: High-Volume Insurance Sales Platform

Project Overview

IUA Business Solutions, a leading insurance provider, needed a robust, high-performance sales application capable of handling high transaction volumes across multiple countries. TTD Consulting was engaged to provide a dedicated managed team, including a Tech Lead and experienced developers, to design, build, and maintain a comprehensive solution that would transform their insurance sales operations.

Our managed team works closely with IUA to continuously develop and enhance the platform, which supports diverse sales channels including call centers, point-of-sale (POS) agents, and face-to-face agents, while maintaining high performance, security, and regulatory compliance across multiple jurisdictions.

The Challenge

IUA Business Solutions faced several critical challenges that needed to be addressed:

• High Volume Processing: The system needed to handle approximately 20,000 sales transactions per week while maintaining optimal performance and reliability.
• Complex Integrations: Multiple third-party integrations were required, including Nedbank for account verification, FICA compliance checks, and various account providers.
• Multi-Country Support: The platform needed to support operations across different countries with varying regulatory requirements and compliance standards.
• White-Label Capability: The solution required flexible branding and customization options to support different business partners and market segments.
• Multi-Channel Access: Support for diverse user types including call center agents, POS agents, and face-to-face sales representatives, each with different workflows and requirements.
• Security and Compliance: Stringent security measures and regulatory compliance requirements across multiple jurisdictions, including FICA and other financial regulations.

Our Solution

TTD Consulting provided a dedicated managed team to IUA Business Solutions, delivering comprehensive technical leadership and development expertise. Our Tech Lead spearheaded the design and development of an enterprise-grade insurance sales platform built on a modern technology stack, while our development team continues to build, maintain, and enhance the solution.

Architectural Design

The solution was built on a robust, scalable architecture designed for maintainability and high performance:

• Backend Services: Built with C# .NET Core to deliver high-performance, reliable services for all business requirements.
• Frontend Application: Developed using Angular with Angular Material for a modern, responsive user interface that works seamlessly across all devices.
• Database Layer: Utilizing Microsoft SQL Server for reliable, high-performance data storage and management.
• Hosting Infrastructure: Deployed on-premises using Microsoft IIS for reliable, high-performance hosting with full control over the infrastructure.
• DevOps & Monitoring: Leveraging GitHub for source control, Azure Pipelines for CI/CD automation, and Azure Application Insights for comprehensive application performance monitoring and diagnostics.

Key Features Implemented

• Secure Authentication: JWT-based authentication system ensuring secure access across all channels.
• Bank Verification: Integrated with Nedbank for real-time account verification, reducing fraud and improving transaction accuracy.
• Compliance Management: Automated FICA checks and compliance workflows to ensure regulatory adherence across all jurisdictions.
• Multi-Tenant Support: White-label capabilities allowing complete customization of branding, workflows, and business rules for different partners.
• Channel-Specific Workflows: Tailored user experiences for call center operators, POS agents, and face-to-face sales representatives.
• Performance Optimization: Implemented caching strategies, database optimization, and load balancing to handle high transaction volumes efficiently.

Technical Excellence

The project maintained the highest standards of software development:

• Code Quality: Implemented comprehensive unit testing with Jasmine, integrated SonarQube for continuous code quality monitoring, and enforced strict coding standards.
• Agile Development: Led the team using Scrum methodology with Azure DevOps for sprint planning, tracking, and delivery.
• CI/CD Pipeline: Established robust Azure Pipelines for automated testing, builds, and deployments to on-premises IIS servers, ensuring rapid and reliable releases.
• Monitoring & Analytics: Implemented Azure Application Insights for real-time application performance monitoring, detailed diagnostics, and proactive issue detection.
• Development Tools: Leveraged Visual Studio, Visual Studio Code, and PowerShell for efficient development and automation.
• API Development: Designed RESTful APIs using C# .NET Core with comprehensive JSON-based data exchange and JWT security.

Managed Team Model

TTD Consulting provides IUA Business Solutions with a dedicated managed team that operates as an extension of their organization:

• Tech Lead: Providing technical leadership, architectural direction, and strategic guidance throughout the development lifecycle
• Development Team: Dedicated developers working full-time on building, maintaining, and enhancing the platform
• Continuous Collaboration: Working closely with IUA stakeholders to understand business requirements and translate them into effective technical solutions
• Quality Assurance: Conducting code reviews, ensuring adherence to best practices, and maintaining high code quality standards
• Ongoing Support: Providing continuous development, technical debt management, and performance optimization
• Knowledge Transfer: Fostering a culture of technical excellence and continuous improvement within the team

Results & Impact

The successful delivery of the insurance sales platform delivered significant business value: