The migration project, which involved the rewiring of more than 30,000 merchants from the Dotpay platform to the Przelewy24 platform, was one of the challenges requiring precision, meticulousness and extraordinary harmony of actions. The project was part of the process, started in 2019, of merging the two companies PayPro S.A. and Dotpay Sp. z o.o. belonging to the Italian Nexi Group,. It was one of the biggest challenges in the history of both companies. We invite you to read the case study prepared by Michał Bzowy, CIO of Przelewy24.

The key objective of the project was to ensure a smooth migration without any changes on the merchant side. The aim was to replicate the operation of the Dotpay platform's API in the Przelewy24 system, enabling a smooth and seamless rebuilding of communication with partners' systems. This undertaking required technical precision and, at the same time, care for the business relationships of external partners.

The first step. Planning

The project was carefully divided into several key stages, providing a structured approach to the complex migration. The first analytical phase was fundamental, focusing on scoping the work and defining key tasks. Next, the implementation stage was dedicated to developing the key elements of Dotpay's API proxy in the Przelewy24 system, underpinning the migration. The next stage, the merchant switchover, was split into two parts - the first covered standard integrations, accounting for the vast majority of the scope of work (98%). The second focused on the migration of key merchants, requiring the involvement of the Business Relations team to keep operations running smoothly and maintain relationships with key partners.

Breaking the project into phases was key due to the need to address the specific requirements of each integration. This structured approach allowed the migration process to be managed effectively, enabling gradual adaptation to any turbulence and ensuring a smooth transition for the majority of merchants, while allowing for specific engagement and oversight with key business partners. With each successive sprint, another set of functionalities was added to the microservices. It allowed the switching of those merchants who used the options.

Migration of key Partners. Shared responsibility

Collaboration between cross-functional teams is a key element of success in today's business world. Particularly evident in the example where the Developers team and the Business Relations team combined their skills and experience during the migration of the trading platforms. This dynamic coexistence between two disparate groups brought many benefits, from mutual understanding to effective problem solving.

The Development Teams are undoubtedly technically strong specialists whose main goal is to deliver quality solutions. Their involvement in the transaction platform migration project provided a solid foundation in terms of analysis and code. However, they can often overlook the communication and relational aspects that are key to maintaining positive interactions with business partners. The Business Relations team, on the other hand, specialises in relationship building, communication and customer management. They are a group of people with strong interpersonal skills, able to negotiate effectively and maintain a positive corporate image. Their involvement during the migration of the platforms was crucial in enabling a smooth understanding between the company and its business partners.

Division of work in the project

When looking at the synergy between these teams, it is important to note the benefits of such a partnership. Firstly, both groups were able to learn from each other. The development team was able to better understand the nature of communication and relationships in a business context, while the Business Relations team was able to learn about the technical aspects of platform migration. This exchange of knowledge led to a broader view of project processes and issues.

Effects for the company

Another advantage was effective problem solving. Difficult cases and errors in the migration of trading platforms could occur, but the strength of both teams lay in their collaboration. Their diverse skills and perspectives allowed them to quickly identify the problem and effectively develop a solution. It was the combination of technical know-how and communication skills that avoided potential client losses.

In addition, this collaboration influenced the building of trust and relationships between the teams. It allowed them to better understand and appreciate the effort they put into the project. By observing each other's work, the development team was able to see the importance of maintaining relationships with clients, while the Business Relations team was able to appreciate the complexity and technical challenges they face.

Migration summary

The lessons from this example are clear - collaboration between teams with different competencies is a key element of project success. Sharing knowledge, skills and perspectives leads to a more holistic approach to problems, fostering innovative solutions and increasing efficiency. Therefore, building bridges between different groups in an organisation is not only an investment in specific projects, but also an investment in the development of the entire company.

In the end, despite the original plan of 18 months, the migration project stretched to 30 months. This extension was not only the result of many undocumented cases that required additional development. The last few months were spent in careful negotiations with partners on the migration rules. The aim of these negotiations was to ensure that the migration process was as smooth as possible, which was crucial for maintaining good relations with key business partners.

The scale of this undertaking is best illustrated by the brands that were included in the project, including significant players such as Cyfrowy Polsat, Totalizator, Empik and the Ministry of Justice, among many others. Their involvement and participation in the migration process required special attention and care, which posed a significant challenge for the technical teams and the Business Relations department.

Despite the protracted project time, together they achieved the desired goal. The commitment, cooperation and effort of not only the "Pandora" Development Team and the Business Relations Team, but also the other teams (IT, Implementation and Helpdesk), played a key role in the success of the migration. Their contribution to the process was invaluable, helping to identify and resolve issues, as well as providing technical and operational support at key points in the project.

It was possible to ensure that the partners' migration went smoothly and the final outcome was in line with expectations, confirming the comprehensive and effective collaboration between the cross-functional teams. The project succeeded in maintaining the trust of the business partners and strengthening the company's position in the industry, becoming a benchmark for successful and scalable migration of a trading platform. The joint effort and coordination of the various teams played a key role in achieving this goal.

Michał Bzowy, CIO, PayPro S.A.