Upgrading Integration and Connectivity with a Zero-Downtime Migration Framework
Nations Trust Bank partnered with Mitra to modernise WSO2 middleware and enable secure, API-driven banking
About Nations Trust Bank
Established in 1999, Nations Trust Bank (NTB) is rated in the top fifteen business establishments in Sri Lanka, offering world class financial products and services for individual, corporate and institutional clients. NTB launched Sri Lanka’s first digital banking experience, FriMi, and was the first to adopt Open Banking. The Bank operates over 90 branches across the country and is the issuer and sole acquirer for American Express® Cards in Sri Lanka.
Opportunity
As a pioneer of Open Banking in Sri Lanka, NTB was an early adopter of WSO2 middleware so was running on older versions.
WSO2 does not support any product version older than three years, so to ensure their infrastructure continues to be supported and has the latest security updates and product features, NTB needed a migration path.
The upgrade would also ensure continued collaboration and data sharing with financial services providers across the country, while adding new functionality and products to the bank’s existing digital offering.
NTB offers a vast range of services to their customers, and a major consideration was ensuring no downtime was experienced at any stage of the upgrade. NTB was also looking to extend their services through secure APIs to bring in new revenue streams.
Solution
Mitra used its Migration Framework to determine the safest and shortest route to upgrade for NTB.
Mitra developed a digital upgrade plan for the WSO2 middleware layer, migrating to WSO2 API Manager 4.0.0 and WSO2 Identity Server 5.11.0.
The upgrade spanned multiple systems, and included all the features of WSO2 APIM version 4.0 below:
Merging of integration capabilities along with API Management
Support for Asynchronous APIs (AsyncAPI)
Introduction of service registry
Support for API revisions (on top of versions)
Support for external Identity Providers as key managers
The upgrade allows multiple integrated systems to be exposed as managed APIs providing an omnichannel experience for users.
Prior to this version of the API Manager, integration and API management capabilities were offered separately.
Mitra built a highly available cluster setup for both WSO2 APIM and IS products and deployment was done across development (DEV), user acceptance testing (UAT) and production (PROD) environments.
Key Solution highlights include:
Migration Framework for Zero-Downtime Upgrade
Mitra used its Migration Framework to determine the safest and shortest route to upgrade for NTB.
WSO2 API Management and Integration Upgrade:
The upgraded API Manager allows for the rapid design, deployment, testing, and implementation of APIs using the in-built tools, without interrupting existing customer services.
Identity and Access Management (SSO Enablement):
Mitra upgraded the Identity Server used for authentication and identity management, ensuring customers have only one set of credentials across all services offered by NTB, providing an omnichannel experience.
Impact
Classic CRM solution with a centralised customer and secure contact database
Bespoke CRM solution, customised to the exact needs of client
Accurate revenue stream forecasting allows for planning and capital investment
Rapid deployment using Creatio low-code functionality
Insight into lead and opportunity management process