Case Studies

Loan System Integration and Website Redesign Improves Business Processes

Project at a Glance
RDA was tasked with analyzing and implementing integration with a new loan origination and disbursement system that was acquired by our client, a nonprofit lender. The implementation required RDA to design a flexible architectural framework to support the student loan origination process.

About Our Client

RDA's client is a nonprofit private lender for student loans that focuses on the graduate market.

Background

Our client acquired a new loan origination and disbursement system (AppWorks) to replace a 10-year-old system that did not meet the needs of the growing business. The implementation of the new system required reintegration with several supporting systems as well as the company's website to achieve full integration. Our client also took this opportunity to redesign the architecture of their website. (The primary function of the website is to support the student loan origination process.)

Solution Detail

RDA was tasked with analyzing and implementing integration with the new loan origination and disbursement (O&D) system and reengineering our client's website.

The initial effort focused on identifying the existing integration points and determining an integration strategy with the new O&D system. This effort also included the development of a data conversion strategy for the company's historical and in-process loan data. Once the integration strategy was complete, .NET interface applications were constructed and deployed to implement integration.

The existing website was built in ColdFusion and its aging structure meant that a technology refresh (using .NET) would improve its maintainability, reduce the time to market for new functionality, and ultimately lower the cost of ownership of the site.

A flexible architectural framework was developed using the Microsoft application blocks for data access, security and error handling. This reduced development time and increased maintainability since the framework utilizes existing and well-documented code blocks. The user interface was developed using cascading stylesheets to provide the layout, look and feel. If necessary, the user experience can be changed by simply making style sheet modifications.

Challenges

There were numerous existing business processes in place that were not supported by AppWorks. RDA needed to work very closely with the business community, client IT group and the AppWorks vendor to achieve integration.

Technically Speaking

Integration: AppWorks Adapters were built using the .NET 2.0 framework.

High Level Architecture:

 

Description of AppWorks Adapter:

 

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