Vivino – Marketplace for wine

01 The Challenge

Our Client looked for opportunities to improve its Chinese application to meet the same high standards as its European version. The existing app required substantial performance improvements, bug fixes, and architectural refinements to handle the extensive database workload with ease. Among other things, our Client wanted to:

• Align the Chinese app with the European version while maintaining a localised user experience.

• Manage responsibilities across cross-cultural distributed teams

• Handle a vast database containing millions of wines and images while improving app performance.

As Altamira has hands-on expertise in the eCommerce industry and a proven record of successful projects under the belt, our team was brought in to support the development effort.

We helped the Client cope with their technology challenge, providing two Flutter developers for front-end enhancements, two Node.js developers for back-end improvements, and a QA specialist for quality assurance checks throughout development phases (e.g., unit testing). We also provided project management oversight to ensure smooth collaboration between our team members working remotely alongside local staff at Client sites globally.

During the project, we faced some substantial challenges related to integrating with existing architecture and optimising speed and reliability. Our team tackled these by systematically refining the codebase and ensuring smooth collaboration with Vivino’s in-house teams.

Altamira, acting as an extension of the Client’s team, simplified the technical decision-making, adapted to the product’s needs, and provided clear communication along the way. From day one, we focused on refactoring the app to enhance its performance and stability.

02 The Solution

Our developers worked on key areas of the app. Mainly, we focused on process optimisation.

Bug elimination & code restructuring

We identified critical bugs within existing codebases before restructuring key components. As a result, we enhanced overall system stability by reducing crashes during peak usage periods when thousands log onto platforms simultaneously, looking up various products or brands available.

Performance optimisation

Our experts streamlined load times, ensuring smoother interactions even when accessing extensive databases for quick data retrieval without delay.

Flutter app refactoring

By optimising key functionalities within this cross-platform framework (Flutter), we made sure that users experienced as intuitive and responsive interface as native apps built around iOS/Android ecosystems, respectively – no lagging behind after opening multiple tabs at once.

Database management

We refined the way our app could manage large catalogues such as one containing over 16 million different types/bottles, etc., thus reducing lags faced previously whenever searching through lists based on ratings/prices/personal taste preferences, etc.

03 The Result

The integrated improvements yielded great results:

• Users reported a more responsive app with reduced lag and improved stability.

• The app now provides a smooth and intuitive browsing experience compared to its European counterpart.

• Optimised algorithms improved wine discovery, allowing users to quickly find relevant wines based on ratings, price, and personal taste preferences.

• Systematic refactoring eliminated critical issues, ensuring a smoother experience for millions of users.

Altamira’s expertise in cross-platform development, performance optimisation, and database management enabled Vivino to elevate its Chinese app to the highest standards, ensuring an excellent experience for its growing user base. As a result, Vivino streamlined the customer journey, increased customer satisfaction and retention, and grew revenue.

After 15 years in the field of social networking and working with large amount of developers I can hereby sign on that Altamira has been the best.

Alexander Frederiksen​, CEO