Challenges of an Outdated Platform
MMS Education’s School Market Access (SMA) platform had been in use for many years. Over time, it had undergone numerous updates and modifications from different developers. As a result, the platform accumulated a significant amount of technical debt, making it difficult to maintain and scale. Additionally, the platform’s functionality no longer aligned with the evolving needs of users. MMS Education needed a solution that modernized the platform while retaining its essential elements, particularly the existing database structure. Modern McGuire Productions stepped in to help.
A Fresh Start: Redesigning with Purpose
We approached this project as a "greenfield" opportunity, meaning we started fresh – using the old system as a historical reference. The goal was to redefine the platform’s functionality, focusing on how it should work, rather than how it used to. This allowed MMS Education to break free from limitations and imagine new possibilities.
A critical part of the process was collaborating closely with the client to redefine requirements and address any “pain points” from the previous system. We prioritized creating a platform that streamlined the user experience for both school districts and admins. This included building out features like:
An intuitive application system where admins could create and manage funding applications.
Advanced customization options for application questions, including validation rules and dependent questions.
Seamless integration with the existing database schema, ensuring a smooth transition between the old and new systems.
