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UBI BANCA


  •   CONTESTO E OBIETTIVI - UBI Banca, uno dei cinque principali gruppi bancari italiani, stava sviluppando una nuova piattaforma home banking web e mobile. Abbiamo progettato e implementato un framework proprietario di performance monitoring per guidare il team di sviluppo attraverso dati oggettivi e misurabili sin dalle prime fasi del ciclo di vita del software, eliminando i rischi di degrado delle performance prima del rilascio in produzione.

  •  IMPLEMENTED SOLUTIONS - We developed MacJyver, a proprietary suite based on bytecode instrumentation for the automated collection of hundreds of JVM metrics. We integrated a frontend test automation framework with Karma, Protractor, and Selenium, correlating the performance of the AngularJS layer with that of the JEE backend. We introduced a systematic APM methodology applied to the entire testing cycle, with graphical forensic analysis of the stack tree and continuous optimisation reports for the development team.


  •  CHALLENGES - There were no off-the-shelf tools available in the market that could meet the specific requirements of the project, making the development of a proprietary solution necessary. The correlation of frontend and backend metrics in a complex distributed system required an innovative architectural approach. Operating as a subcontractor for Oracle imposed particularly high delivery and quality standards, with full visibility on the end banking client.


  •  SUCCESSES - The framework produced an average performance improvement of +400% across all platform components, with peaks of up to +8,000% on critical AngularJS components. The UBI team's development method was transformed from reactive to data-driven and measurable. MacJyver has become a proprietary technological asset successfully reused in subsequent projects, consolidating its position as an APM centre of excellence in the Italian banking sector.


  • TECHNOLOGIES -  Bytecode Instrumentation, JVM Internals, JEE, AngularJS, Karma, Protractor, Selenium, MacJyver Suite (proprietary).


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CONTEXT & GOALS

UBI Banca, uno dei cinque principali gruppi bancari italiani, stava realizzando una nuova piattaforma home banking web e mobile basata su tecnologie JEE per il backend e AngularJS per il frontend. Il progetto richiedeva un sistema di monitoraggio automatizzato delle performance capace di guidare il team di sviluppo attraverso dati oggettivi e misurabili, sin dalle primissime fasi del ciclo di sviluppo software.

K-Tech è stata incaricata da Oracle — system integrator principale del progetto — di progettare e implementare il framework di performance monitoring per entrambi i layer applicativi. La sfida principale consisteva nel rilevare e quantificare i problemi di performance in un sistema distribuito complesso prima che questi si manifestassero in produzione, in assenza di strumenti di mercato adeguati ai requisiti specifici del progetto.

IMPLEMENTED SOLUTIONS

  • Development of the MacJyver Suite: realisation of a proprietary agent based on bytecode instrumentation for the non-invasive collection of hundreds of aggregated JVM metrics for 15-second intervals — including min/max method execution times, number of executions per interval, and degree of concurrency.
  • Forensic Analysis of Test Sessions: implementation of graphical representations of the stack tree with temporal waterfall, enabling precise root cause analysis and early identification of bottlenecks.
  • Frontend Test Automation Framework: integration of Karma, Protractor, and Selenium into unit and integration tests of the AngularJS layer, with direct correlation to backend metrics.
  • End-to-End APM Methodology: systematic application of Application Performance Management across the entire testing cycle, transforming the development process from reactive to data-driven.
  • Reports and Continuous Optimisation: production of performance reports and operational recommendations for the development team, with measurable impact on the quality of the final product.
  • Reusable Technological Asset: MacJyver has subsequently been adopted in other projects — including Telecom/ISTAT and Autostrade — becoming a valuable proprietary strategic asset for the company.

CHALLENGES

  • No market tool met the requirements: need to develop a completely proprietary APM solution from scratch
  • Frontend-backend correlation in a complex distributed system, with two heterogeneous technology stacks (AngularJS + JEE) to be measured in an integrated manner.
  • Operate as a subcontractor for Oracle with full visibility on the end banking client, imposing particularly high standards of quality and delivery
  • Detect and quantify performance issues before they emerged in production, in the absence of previous data or benchmark references

VICTORIES

  • Average performance improvement of +400% across all components, with peaks of up to +8,000% on critical AngularJS components
  • Transformation of the UBI team's working method: from reactive development to a data-driven and measurable process with objective data
  • MacJyver has become a proprietary technological asset successfully reused in subsequent projects (Telecom/ISTAT, Autostrade), generating value beyond the scope of the individual project
  • Consolidation of positioning as an APM centre of excellence in the Italian banking sector, with Oracle as the direct client