From data chaos to seamless reporting

Initially designed without comprehensive documentation, the product primarily served as a data aggregation and display platform rather than strictly AdTech-focused. Acting as a middleman, the client sold campaigns across various websites, with the revenue being split between the publisher and the client. However, this model presented significant challenges, especially when fetching and aligning data from various panels.

The primary technical obstacle was the intricate task of integrating with multiple AdTech platforms to collect and process data related to ad campaigns. The absence of APIs in some media and the inconsistent nomenclature used across different platforms further complicated data alignment. To add to these challenges, the system was built on a legacy codebase, utilizing an unsupported version of Angular, which brought its own issues.

With about seven years of experience at the company, Mateusz Bajda delved deep into the challenges and solutions of the project. "The issues with data importing were inherent due to the nature of how AdTech platforms managed their APIs," he began. "Our goal was to create a system allowing robust data processing and a good reporting solution. The challenges were not just technical; they also stemmed from the client's evolving understanding of their needs and frequent personnel changes on the project."

"We focused on maintaining connections to AdTech platforms, which was the system's core," Mateusz continued. "While some parts of the system used a legacy frontend framework, our primary goal was to ensure the system's core functionality remained intact. Over time, as system requirements changed, we adapted to meet those new demands."

On the technical front, the team implemented a solution to gather data from multiple AdTech platforms and store it in their database. This approach ensured publishers could view their stats daily, reflecting data from the previous day, which was especially crucial regarding financials.

Beyond the technical aspects, the project faced challenges related to changing system requirements and the need to adapt continuously. The client's evolving understanding of their needs, coupled with frequent personnel changes, added layers of complexity.