Price Tracker Case Study

In the realm of online shopping, keeping track of fluctuating prices across multiple retailers can be a daunting task. This is where our client's innovative PriceTracker application comes into play. Let's delve into their journey of building and optimizing this essential tool.

The Challenge:

Our client sought to develop a web application tailored for the Canadian market, enabling users to effortlessly monitor prices from various retailers. Their vision required a sophisticated blend of technology and strategy to deliver real-time updates and alerts on price drops.

The Solution:

Embracing a microservices architecture, the application was segmented into distinct modules, each fulfilling a crucial role in the price tracking ecosystem.

Frontend Brilliance with React JS: The user interface, crafted with React JS, provided a seamless and intuitive experience for customers. Its role extended beyond aesthetics, serving as the gateway for users to interact with the application's functionalities.

Java-Powered Price Fetcher: Behind the scenes, a Java-based module tirelessly scoured the web, fetching prices from retailers' APIs. This robust backend ensured accuracy and reliability in data retrieval, forming the backbone of the application.

Smart Backend Management: Another Java module orchestrated the backend operations, orchestrating notifications and alerts for subscribers in the event of price drops. This intelligent backend processing ensured timely communication with users, enhancing their overall experience.

The Evolution:

As the application matured, attention turned to optimizing costs without compromising performance. A strategic migration plan was devised to leverage cost-effective hosting solutions while maintaining seamless functionality.

Cost Optimization Strategy: Evaluating the monthly expenses, the team identified opportunities to reduce overheads. By transitioning the frontend to Vercel, a free hosting platform, and migrating the Postgres database to fly.io, costs were significantly slashed.

DigitalOcean Continuity: Despite the migration, critical backend services remained housed within DigitalOcean, ensuring reliability and performance without sacrificing budget constraints.

Seamless Migration:

The migration process was executed flawlessly, with zero downtime or disruptions to service. Users experienced uninterrupted access to price tracking functionalities, unaware of the backend optimizations underway.

Results:

By embracing a modular microservices architecture and implementing strategic cost optimization measures, our client achieved a remarkable 75% reduction in monthly expenses. The application continued to thrive, delivering unparalleled value to users while maintaining financial sustainability.

Conclusion:

The PriceTracker application stands as a testament to the power of innovation and strategic planning in the realm of web development. By prioritizing efficiency, reliability, and cost-effectiveness, our client has successfully revolutionized the landscape of price tracking in Canada, setting a new standard for excellence in the industry.