Client's Testimonial

"As an online school, our SIS is our most critical piece of infrastructure. We needed a partner who was an expert in security, scalability, and the unique demands of online education. Developers.dev delivered on all fronts. Their DevSecOps approach and SOC 2 certification gave us immense confidence. The new custom SIS they built is fast, secure, and has the specific features our teachers and students need to succeed in a virtual environment."

Sarah Jenkins, Founder & CEO, Global Digital Academy

Client Overview

Our client is "Global Digital Academy" a fully online K-12 school serving students across the United States and internationally. As a digital-native institution, their Student Information System (SIS) is their entire campus. Their initial off-the-shelf SIS was struggling with performance issues, lacked key features for online learning, and had significant security vulnerabilities.

Problem

The academy's existing software was unreliable and insecure. It couldn't handle peak loads during enrollment or exam periods, and it lacked essential features like integrated video conferencing, digital assignment submission tracking, and robust parent-teacher communication tools tailored for a remote setting.

Key Challenges

Data Security & Compliance:

Handling student data from multiple states and countries required strict adherence to FERPA and data privacy laws.

System Performance & Scalability:

The previous system would crash during periods of high traffic.

Lack of Online-Specific Features:

The generic software was designed for brick-and-mortar schools and lacked tools essential for virtual education.

Poor User Experience:

The clunky interface was frustrating for teachers, students, and parents.

Our Solution

Global Digital Academy engaged Developers.dev to build a new, custom SIS from the ground up, specifically designed for the challenges and opportunities of online learning. Security and scalability were the top priorities.

☁️ Cloud-Native Architecture on Azure:

We built the platform on Microsoft Azure to ensure high availability, performance, and scalability.

🔒 DevSecOps Automation Pod:

We implemented a rigorous DevSecOps pipeline, integrating security checks, automated testing, and continuous monitoring throughout the development process.

🏫 Integrated Virtual Classroom Module:

We built features to seamlessly integrate with video conferencing tools like Zoom and MS Teams, and included tools for tracking attendance and participation in live online sessions.

💬 Enhanced Communication Hub:

A centralized hub for asynchronous communication, including secure messaging between teachers, parents, and students, and forums for class discussions.

Implementation and Execution

Development Led by Pods:

Our "Microsoft Power Platform Pod" and ".NET Modernisation Pod" led the development effort.

Comprehensive Security Audit:

We began with a comprehensive security audit of their existing infrastructure to identify all vulnerabilities.

Agile Project Management:

The project was managed in two-week sprints, with regular demos to the client to ensure the product was evolving according to their feedback.

Enhanced Security Controls:

We implemented multi-factor authentication (MFA) and stringent role-based access controls to enhance security.

Independent Penetration Testing:

The platform underwent independent penetration testing before launch to validate its security posture.

White Glove Migration & Onboarding:

We provided a "white glove" migration and onboarding service to transition all users to the new platform with minimal disruption.

Positive Outcome

✅ Zero Downtime:

The new platform has maintained 99.99% uptime since launch, even during peak enrollment periods.

🛡️ Strengthened Security Posture:

Passed all security audits and penetration tests, ensuring compliance and protecting student data.

⏱️ 30% Increase in Teacher Efficiency:

The new, streamlined workflows and integrated tools saved teachers an average of 5 hours per week on administrative tasks.

😊 Improved User Satisfaction Scores:

Surveys of parents and teachers showed a 75% improvement in satisfaction with the school's technology platform.

Why Choose Us

🔒 Security-First Mindset:

Our DevSecOps culture and certifications were critical for this project.

🏆 Microsoft Gold Partner:

Deep expertise in the Azure and .NET ecosystem.

📚 Online Education Domain Knowledge:

We understood the specific needs of a virtual academy.

🚀 Scalability & Performance Engineering:

We built a system designed for high traffic and reliability.

🤝 Agile & Collaborative:

Our process ensured the final product was perfectly aligned with the client's vision.

⚖️ Compliance Expertise:

We built the system to meet the stringent requirements of FERPA.

🎯 End-to-End Solution:

We handled everything from security auditing to development, migration, and support.

🔎 Transparent Process:

The client had full visibility into our work at all times.

📈 Focus on Business Outcomes:

We delivered a solution that directly improved efficiency, security, and user satisfaction.

Conclusion

For an institution where technology is not just a tool but the campus itself, Developers.dev delivered a secure, reliable, and feature-rich SIS that provided Global Digital Academy with a competitive advantage and a stable platform for future growth.

Building a Secure, Compliant, and Scalable SIS for an Online K-12 Academy

Industry EdTech / Online Education