Breaking the Boundaries of Software Scalability

Scalability – a mysterious word that is increasingly being discussed in the context of modern enterprises’ needs. We had the opportunity to speak with experienced analyst and system architect, Michał Biel, about why software scalability plays such a crucial role. The focus was on thoughtful application structure and catering to individual business needs.

Interested? From this text, you will primarily learn:

• What’s the deal with software scalability?
• Can a system architect effectively eliminate potential scalability issues from the start?
• Why does an individual approach guarantee the selection of optimal technologies?
• Are there general patterns useful in efforts to enhance the quality and usefulness of software for enterprises?

And all of this is supported by examples. Ready? Let’s get started!

Marta Skiba: first of all, I have to say it’s great to have such an experienced and busy specialist like yourself here. Was it difficult to break away from your daily responsibilities?

• Michał Biel: in practice, our conversation revolves around what I do daily, so I’m glad to introduce others to this reality. And yes, a lot is happening – that’s true – there’s no room for boredom in this line of work!

Marta Skiba: OK, so why do we see an increasing interest in custom software despite the availability of off-the-shelf subscription solutions in the market?

• Michał Biel: from my perspective, the driving force behind this trend is the tremendous growth and expansion of businesses. Times of uncertainty, such as the recent pandemic, have clearly shown that standing still is not an option in today’s world. And since the only constant changes, brands are focused on accelerated development. Development that relies on modern technology and useful software. Systems and applications that keep up with the pace of change and allow flexible adaptation to continuously unstable economic conditions. It is precisely in the context of personalized functionality that companies are turning towards “tailor-made” software. I know it may sound like a cliché, but off-the-shelf solutions cannot offer the same level of customization as our software. The scalability of the system is at the foundation of its success.

Marta Skiba: you mentioned the mysterious concept of “scalability.” Can you tell us more about it?

• Michał Biel: software scalability is nothing more than the system’s ability to smoothly adapt to growing needs and workloads without sacrificing performance. Specifically, an optimally designed system or application should be scalable, as it will be able to efficiently handle an increasing number of users, data, transactions, or resources. Processing larger amounts of information and accommodating higher traffic are all factors that contribute to achieving a company’s business goals. Evaluating the effectiveness of implemented software can be done through the lens of achieving these goals and return on investment (ROI).

Marta Skiba: that sounds serious. Can you discuss software scalability in a more illustrative way, with specific examples?

• Michał Biel: I completely understand. Let’s start with the most common example, which is the use of mobile applications. For now, let’s choose an application that offers personalized loan offers. The application has been operating in the market for a while without any issues. Now, we’re approaching a period of increased interest in a new type of support: the 2% loan. We anticipate a surge in inquiries and loan applications. The workload will increase, but thanks to the scalability of the application, we’re ready for it. Always 😉 Modern applications can be configured to automatically scale in response to increased demand for specific resources. In practice, this means that when a certain user threshold is exceeded, the software automatically launches new resources to ensure optimal performance. It continuously analyzes server load, response time, and user traffic. The provisioning of new resources may involve increasing network bandwidth, launching additional servers, scaling databases, and so on. It all depends on the current needs, but the result is always the same: smooth task execution, meaning uninterrupted operation of all application functionalities.

Marta Skiba: thanks to scalability, we can ensure smooth application operation and avoid issues even during periods of increased workload. The example we discussed, the mobile application in the financial industry, likely has similar patterns that can be observed during sales events in e-commerce or the tourism industry just before vacations. How does this translate to other sectors of the economy?

• Michał Biel: You’re right, which is why I chose that example to start with, as it’s easy to see the analogies. Scalable enterprise software helps large businesses achieve greater operational efficiency. Among our clients, we have examples from the energy sector that utilizes scalable software to handle and process large volumes of energy data, monitor network assets, and provide integrated solutions for customers. The scale of their operations is enormous, as they deal with production, distribution, and network and service management for clients. The transportation industry is similarly characterized by large-scale operations. Scalability allows for optimizing the flow of goods through effective order management, warehousing, and logistics. In the manufacturing sector, companies monitor their machinery fleets and possess data on performance, energy consumption, and quality. With dedicated software, they can analyze this data in real time and quickly adjust resources to changing needs, such as increased demand or testing a new product line. I apologize for providing condensed examples, but the range of clients appreciating the potential of software scalability is vast.

Marta Skiba: I see… thank you for elaborating on that. You mentioned real-time data analysis, which seems to be a highly complex topic, especially when dealing with large volumes of.

• Michał Biel: did you know that scalability plays a crucial role in processing and analyzing large datasets? If a company collects massive amounts of data, it needs software that can efficiently handle it. That means having software that can scale as the amount of data being fed into it grows. Big Data software allows for scaling the available infrastructure and computational resources, all to provide valuable insights that can genuinely support decision-making processes in businesses. Scalability is the key to success, and there’s not even a hint of exaggeration in that statement.

Marta Skiba: interesting… interesting… The question is, is ensuring scalability an easy task?

• Michał Biel: now we’re entering a truly fascinating path. Success in ensuring software scalability lies in the collaboration between the system architect, the development team, system administrators, and the client-side project team. Each role has specific tasks to accomplish. A lot depends on the choice of technologies, code optimization, and database management approach – there are many factors involved. A comprehensive approach to task execution translates into the quality of the end product.

Marta Skiba: Could you please explain the role and responsibilities of the system architect within this chain of project interdependencies?

• Michał Biel: the system architect plays a crucial role in the project’s interdependencies. Their tasks include identifying and designing solutions that ensure software scalability. They analyze the business and technical requirements to determine the potential limitations and bottlenecks that could hinder scalability. By taking into account the unique needs of each client, the architect can design an architecture that allows for dynamic monitoring and automatic scaling based on changing workloads. They consider factors like user growth, data volume, and tasks to ensure the system can handle increased demands without sacrificing performance. Additionally, the system architect prioritizes security to protect the system and its data. It’s a complex and vital role that requires expertise in designing robust and scalable architectures.

Marta Skiba: You’re talking about anticipating potential increases in workload. Are there any proven mechanisms that allow us to prepare for such situations during the system design phase?

• Michał Biel: let me briefly outline the directions we can take. Firstly, it’s worth paying attention to historical data analysis and market growth forecasts. All of this provides us with an understanding of the anticipated workload. Advanced systems designed based on microservices, introduced during the architecture creation phase, are essential for flexible system development in the future. The advancement of cloud technologies is an additional opportunity because flexible resources can be easily adjusted to changing needs. The requirements set for the new system determine the choice of the appropriate cloud platform and the creation of the entire infrastructure. Architecture based on events, known as event-driven architecture, can also facilitate scalability. In this concept, all communication between system components is based on event-driven messaging, which enables asynchronous and flexible processing. As a result, depending on the needs and increases in workload, individual components can be added or removed. Tests and load simulations are also crucial in the software architecture design phase. Data collected from analyzing various test scenarios help assess the system’s performance and scalability. If conducted under heavy loads, they help identify bottlenecks and performance issues. Of course, all of this is done to address potential difficulties during the design phase and effectively mitigate them.

Marta Skiba: will a system that we design with such a carefully planned architecture continue to function efficiently in the future?

• Michał Biel: it’s important to understand that software scalability is an ongoing process. By implementing automation and monitoring mechanisms, we can effectively adapt to changes. Regularly monitoring the software’s performance, workload, and resource utilization is essential. This enables us to continually exceed scalability limits and achieve our goals with ample room for growth.

Marta Skiba: I like the statement about pushing the boundaries of scalability, you know what? I’ll use it as the guiding principle of our conversation!

• Michał Biel: Haha, I’m glad you like it. As a conclusion, I can even give you a few schematic steps that are worth implementing in the project phase to make exceeding the boundaries of scalability possible.

Marta Skiba: I don’t think I could have planned a better summary. I’m listening attentively.

• Michał Biel: the key to exceeding the boundaries of scalability lies in a thorough analysis of the system’s requirements and potential right from the start. The more attention we dedicate to this phase, the fewer potential surprises we’ll encounter in the future. Effective code optimization allows us to eliminate bottlenecks, code redundancy, and inefficient operations. When I mention code optimization, I mean things like using more efficient algorithms, optimizing database communication, and eliminating repetitive operations. Efficient code is essential. If possible, consider dividing the system into microservices or focusing on an event-driven architecture model. Leveraging clusters, distributed systems, and cloud solutions are all elements that enable handling a greater number of requests simultaneously. Technology has power, we just need to know how to adapt available solutions to the specific needs and capabilities of the enterprise.

Marta Skiba: and this is where you and your team come in, right?

• Michał Biel: exactly! We know, we have the experience, and we are passionate about our work. Few things can compare to the feeling when software created from scratch, backed by a significant amount of analysis, conceptual work, and implementation, starts functioning in practice. At Opsenio, we value client relationships, so receiving positive feedback over time is the best reward for us.

Marta Skiba: you have a sense of doing a good job, right?

• Michał Biel: Absolutely! My own and the entire team’s. The commitment of everyone contributes to the quality. As a result, we create systems that are considered critical by our clients. It’s the trust that we have earned by accomplishing tasks step by step.

Marta Skiba: thank you, Michał, for the conversation, and we encourage anyone interested in more details to get in touch.