FX is the first major project we have implemented using agile methods at EOS. Our success is down not only to the technologies we use, but above all to our shared project and working culture, based on mutual respect, and our constant drive to do even better. We can always rely on iteratec’s expertise and high-quality solutions.
THE EOS GROUP
Embarking on a journey of discovery into the world of agile through a major IT project
Cultural change and reorganisation through a new core system
In 2016, the EOS Group set out into uncharted territory in collaboration with iteratec. As one of the leading international financial services providers, EOS relies on the latest technologies to offer its customers financial security through smart services. This gave rise to the need to replace the old core system and build a completely new one from scratch.
The aim was nothing less than to create a state-of-the-art system for the coming years. The system is not only intended to be highly automated and to enable customer communication via new channels; thanks to machine-learning algorithms, it is also designed to learn autonomously, make decisions independently and suggest the next steps to case handlers.
However, the project – known as FX – is far more than just a new development. As the first large-scale agile project at the EOS Group, it also involved a cultural shift and a reorientation of the organisation.
Thanks to its many years of experience in agile software development and agile coaching, iteratec was able to contribute and embed vital expertise. Decision-making powers were delegated from management to highly motivated and self-managing teams. These teams had the courage to break new ground, to learn constantly, and to continually question and improve their work and their approach.
From the outset, there were interdisciplinary teams, which enabled a shared understanding of technical expertise and agility. As a result, the teams were able to go live with an initial Minimum Viable Product (MVP) of the new system at the end of 2017. The MVP met the core requirements, already delivered customer benefits and was continuously improved on the basis of customer feedback.
Gaining acceptance and understanding for an MVP is always challenging – and even more so in this particular case, as working with the MVP was significantly more time-consuming than with the existing system at the outset. Initially, five courageous case handlers embarked on this journey with the development teams, working in a completely new environment with a brand-new system. Through a rotation scheme, most of the case handlers were able to familiarise themselves with the new system and provide valuable feedback. They were willing to embrace the new approach, and this proved to be the key factor in the success of the MVP and in the agile reorientation of cross-departmental collaboration, which is becoming increasingly firmly established within the EOS Group.
- Java
- Spring Boot
- Camunda
- Big Data technologies
- React
- Kafka
- Docker
- Kubernetes
- PostgreSQL
- Scrum
The EOS Group is a leading provider of debt assessment and collection services, with around 20,000 clients in 26 countries. Through an international network of partner companies, the EOS Group, with more than 7,500 employees and over 60 subsidiaries, has resources in over 180 countries. EOS is part of the Otto Group. As part of the EOS Group, EOS Technology Solutions provides highly automated IT products and systems for scalable and flexible debt collection processes and organisations.
