Responding to Unexpected Disruption with Agility and Speed
Event-management software company nimbly expands offerings and finds a new audience in response to global pandemic.
In early 2020, drastic measures became necessary across the globe to prevent further spread of the COVID-19 virus, dramatically impacting the conference and trade show industry.
Situation
Conference Scheduling Solutions (CSS) provides a technology platform that uses sophisticated algorithms to facilitate matchmaking and 1:1 meetings within groups of professionals attending in-person trade shows and conferences.
This unique value-added service enhances the experience for event attendees with a seamless user experience that drives productivity.
Impact
When the COVID-19 pandemic upended operations for the conferences and events industry, CSS faced the risk of drastic revenue reduction.
As trade shows and conferences worldwide moved to an online format, CSS had to make a choice: essentially shut down operations and wait for the pandemic to pass or rapidly build an alternate product that was viable in the new landscape.
CSS turned to Object Computing to rapidly develop a scalable, highly secure platform that could support not only matchmaking and 1:1 breakout meetings for virtual conference attendees, but an entire virtual conference — We implemented this solution on AWS using Micronaut as the development framework in a matter of 4 weeks.
Resolution
CSS chose not to wait for the industry to return to normal. Instead, they recognized an opportunity to bolster their competitive advantage by developing a solution that could provide all of the existing platform’s benefits in a virtual setting.
But, they didn’t stop there. CSS took advantage of this opportunity to reimagine the entire virtual conference experience.
CSS turned to Object Computing to rapidly develop a scalable, highly secure platform that could support not only matchmaking and 1:1 breakout meetings for virtual conference attendees, but an entire virtual conference.
Expanding their operations in a time of volatility required a development plan focused on speed and stability. Any misstep along the way could mean forfeiting the first-mover advantage.
We implemented this solution on AWS using the Micronaut framework as the development framework in a matter of 4 weeks. The choice of technologies was key to this compressed timeframe. With other technology choices, completion time was estimated at 12 weeks or longer.
As a result of our technical leadership and consulting engagement, CSS hosted their first-ever virtual convention of 4,000 attendees within a month of their decision to reimagine business as usual in response to the crisis. The company is now well on its way to hosting multiple virtual events in the future.
This example of innovation through times of disruption is precisely how Object Computing, the Micronaut team, and AWS can provide further value to all of our clients.