While technology can be a blessing, it can sometimes come with its own set of challenges, particularly with regards to legacy systems. Most platform providers created their software systems several years ago, without knowing what technologies would be crucial today.
Vulnerabilities within systems can often remain unresolved as companies require their software development departments to deliver new functions rather than covering the technical debt – something which can build up over time, making it hard or impossible for any company to sustain its technological advantage.
Vladislav Artemyev, head of development at Gamingtec B2B projects, emphasised that the key to overcoming such challenges requires ‘appropriately qualified and knowledgeable staff’ and the use of semi-centralised frontend solutions.
One of the key issues that operators face, according to Artemyev, is the inefficiencies caused by legacy systems – especially when they are used by middle and big user bases, which he explained are often lacking in modern services, and can be quite slow in performing reports.
While using a decentralised system can mean that new features implemented by the developers can become available to all clients immediately, it can often result in higher development and maintenance costs as each feature must be developed separately for each project despite the fact that they have the same code basis.
As a result, platform providers implement new features reluctantly, and all processes such as casino launches, response speeds, data reporting, metrics reporting, monitoring, etc. are delayed.
By using a semi-centralised system, Gamingtec has divided all code bases into two main categories: functionality and user interface. This system allows the most qualified developers to work on features to increase functionality which become available to all projects built on the platform immediately.
According to the software platform provider, this has meant that each project can have a unique and competitive design, without any delay in the launch of new features.
To support this, Gamingtec is also working on splitting the whole system into different microservices and implementing wide-ranging monitoring services which are expected to generate responsive technologies.
This approach, explained Artemyev, has accelerated the launch of new projects, meaning that new operators can be launched in just four weeks.
To overcome any issues that may arise, metrics are provided to partners’ analytical teams, while Gamingtec’s specialists also monitor all issues and control the website’s availability.
Combining such an approach with an effective product management means that the platform has better functionality than its competitors, stated Artemyev, resulting in a game-changing product for the customer.
He said: “Some companies save on technical staff, hiring juniors or middle developers. They expect this level of skill will be enough to provide typical solutions to clients. On the contrary, we put a lot of effort into forming a strong team of highly qualified developers, so we can update the system regularly and provide a competitive platform to our B2B partners.”
The development of modern stable igaming platforms from scratch is undoubtedly challenging, but developing legacy systems and rebuilding them is so much more complicated and requires appropriately qualified and knowledgeable staff. To succeed in such a competitive market, software companies should heed this message.