Client's Testimonial

Developers.dev transformed our operations. The custom ERP they built is the backbone of our network now. For the first time, we have a single source of truth for student data, financials, and academics. Their team felt like our team, and their CMMI Level 5 process was evident in the quality and predictability of their work.

Johnathan Lee, COO, Innovate Academy

Client Overview

"Innovate Academy," a network of 15 charter schools across three states in the USA, serving over 10,000 students. They were expanding rapidly but their administrative and academic operations were crippled by a patchwork of disparate systems, including multiple SIS instances, separate accounting software, and countless spreadsheets. This lack of centralization created massive inefficiencies, data inconsistencies, and made network-wide reporting nearly impossible.

Problem

Innovate Academy's growth had outpaced its technology infrastructure. They couldn't get accurate, real-time data on enrollment, attendance, or financial performance across the network, which hampered strategic decision-making and burdened school-level administrators with redundant data entry.

Key Challenges

Data Silos:

Critical information was fragmented across more than 20 different software tools and spreadsheets.

Lack of Scalability:

The existing systems could not support their projected growth to 25 schools.

Inefficient Workflows:

Simple processes like inter-campus student transfers and consolidated financial reporting required days of manual work.

Security Concerns:

Managing user access and data security across so many different platforms was a significant risk.

Our Solution

Developers.dev was engaged to design and build a custom, cloud-native ERP platform from the ground up. The solution was architected as a multi-tenant system on AWS, allowing the central office to manage all schools from a single, unified dashboard while providing each school with its own secure portal.

📚 Centralized Student Information System (SIS):

A core module that unified student records, enrollment, attendance, and grading for the entire network.

💰 Integrated Financial Module:

We built a custom financial system for centralized billing, fee collection, and network-wide financial reporting, which integrated with their existing accounting software.

📊 Role-Based Dashboards:

We designed intuitive dashboards for every user type: network administrators, school principals, teachers, parents, and students.

📈 Automated Reporting Engine:

A powerful tool to automate the generation of reports for internal analysis and state compliance.

Implementation and Execution

Discovery Phase:

Conducted a 4-week discovery phase with stakeholders from across the network to map all existing workflows and pain points.

Agile Methodology:

Utilized an agile methodology, delivering the project in phases, starting with the core SIS module.

Dedicated POD Assembly:

Assembled a dedicated POD including a Solution Architect, Project Manager, 2 UI/UX designers, 6 backend developers (.NET), 4 frontend developers (React), and 2 QA automation engineers.

Data Migration Plan:

Executed a meticulous data migration plan to consolidate and clean data from all legacy systems.

DevSecOps Pipeline:

Implemented a DevSecOps pipeline with automated testing to ensure high quality and security throughout the development lifecycle.

Training & Rollout:

Provided comprehensive training and a phased rollout to ensure smooth adoption across all 15 schools.

Positive Outcome

📉 40% Reduction in Administrative Overhead:

Automation of manual tasks freed up hundreds of hours per month for administrative staff.

🔗 100% Data Centralization:

The platform became the single source of truth, providing real-time, accurate data for decision-making.

🚀 Enhanced Scalability:

The new system is built to seamlessly onboard new schools as the network continues to expand.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Improved Parent Engagement:

The unified parent portal led to a 60% increase in parent logins and engagement.

Why Choose Us

🏢 Multi-Tenant Architecture Expertise:

We designed a solution built for network growth.

⭐ CMMI Level 5 Process:

Ensured a predictable, high-quality delivery.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Dedicated POD Model:

Provided a focused, expert team that acted as an extension of the client's staff.

🚚 Complex Data Migration:

Successfully consolidated data from over 20 sources.

🎯 User-Centric Design:

Created intuitive interfaces for diverse user groups.

☁️ Cloud-Native Solution (AWS):

Delivered a scalable, secure, and cost-effective platform.

🔄 Agile & Transparent:

Kept the client involved and informed at every stage.

🔒 Full IP Ownership:

The client owns their mission-critical asset outright.

🛠️ Post-Launch Support:

Continue to provide ongoing maintenance and support.

Conclusion

By replacing a chaotic collection of tools with a single, elegant, and powerful ERP, Developers.dev provided Innovate Academy with the technological foundation they needed to manage their current operations efficiently and pursue their future growth with confidence.

Developing a Unified, Multi-Campus ERP for a Rapidly Growing K-12 Charter School Network

Industry K-12 Education