Method Advanced Logistics (Method), a delivery company, was dealing with delays and inaccuracies in the data flowing through their third-party Software as a Service (SaaS) platform. The SaaS struggled to proccess changes in data formats and could not easily accomodate new input field, creating operational inefficiencies.
How can Method ensure accurate, up-to-date delivery information for clients while minimizing operational disruption and customers from facing downtime?
Develop a fully custom SaaS (high control, high cost, long timeline)
Switch to a different third-party SaaS provider (moderate cost, risk of similar limitations)
Develop a hybrid integration layer (low cost, fastest implementation)
Method should implement a Hybrid Layer that intercepts incoming delivery data, validates and formats
it, then passes it into the existing SaaS.
This approach provides immediate value because it
eleminates errors without requiring customers to change their data formats. It also avoids the high cost
and long timeline of building a custom SaaS and reduces the risk of switching to another SaaS.
Operationally, the Hybrid Layer offers the highest return on investment; it minimizes downtime,
reduces dependency on external companies, and preserves Method's existing workflows.
Method was given 3 options for their Hybrid Layer SaaS: Option A, a quick timeline
but double the cost of the other two. Option B, which was only longer by two weeks, was half the cost
of Option A. Option C, the same length of Option B, cost ~20% more than Option B and had no other benefits.
Due to the size of Method as a company and their goals moving forward, Option B is the best option for them.
It is the cheapest, but with a difference in downtime of only two weeks, Method is far better off going with
Option B.
This case study is a good exercise in making Information Technology decisions as if I were in charge. Throughout the case, I learned more about how companies have to make large, impactful decisions on the fly while they run into issues. Decisions could also have been easier to make with more information (finances, etc.).