Platform Upgrade & Modernisation
Anonymised Client — Existing SaaS Platform Evolution
Overview
A growing SaaS platform had reached the limits of its original architecture. Rather than dealing with unstable legacy code or undertaking a risky full rewrite, the client needed a controlled upgrade and modernisation.
Objectives
Modernise an existing SaaS platform without disrupting live users
Upgrade architecture to support faster development and safer releases
Remove structural constraints limiting scalability and extensibility
Introduce modern patterns without inheriting fragile legacy code
Establish a clean foundation for future features and integrations
Our Approach
We approached the engagement as a platform evolution project, not a legacy recovery exercise. Instead of working deep inside brittle legacy code, we identified clear boundaries where the system could be upgraded, replaced, or isolated. New components were designed using modern patterns and tooling, gradually assuming responsibility from older parts of the system. This allowed the platform to evolve incrementally — improving performance, developer experience, and reliability — without the risk or downtime associated with a full rewrite. Modernisation was treated as a series of deliberate upgrades, not an open-ended clean-up effort.
Engineering Highlights
| Focus Area | What We Delivered |
|---|---|
| Architecture Upgrade | Clear separation of concerns and modern service boundaries |
| Incremental Replacement | New, clean components introduced alongside existing functionality |
| Performance Improvements | Targeted optimisations and caching in upgraded paths |
| Modern Tooling | Updated build, deployment, and development workflows |
| Release Safety | Safer deployment strategies enabling confident iteration |
| Observability | Improved visibility into system behaviour and performance |
Outcomes
Faster and safer delivery of new features
Improved platform performance and responsiveness
Reduced friction for developers working on the system
Clear architectural foundation for future scaling
Ability to iterate without fear of breaking unrelated areas
Business Impact
The upgraded platform enabled the business to move forward confidently. By modernising the system incrementally, the client avoided the risk of a full rebuild while gaining the benefits of a cleaner architecture, faster development cycles, and improved long-term maintainability. The platform was no longer a constraint — it became an asset that could evolve alongside the business.
Reflection
This project demonstrates how existing platforms can be modernised deliberately without inheriting long-term technical debt. By focusing on upgrades, boundaries, and forward-looking architecture, we help teams move away from legacy constraints and toward systems that support growth — without getting trapped maintaining fragile codebases. This upgrade-first approach underpins how we modernise SaaS platforms at Canarlo.
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