Client Overview

EZCORP, Inc. is an American pawn shop operator based in Austin, Texas, providing services across the United States and Latin America. As a publicly traded company listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange, it is the second largest pawn shop operator in the U.S. after Cash America International. The company operates 1,148 stores, including 516 in the U.S., 508 in Mexico, 90 in Guatemala, 18 in El Salvador, and 16 in Honduras.

Our client’s operations encompass pawn loans, retail sales of merchandise, and jewelry services. Known for their dedication to providing customer service and achieving operational excellence they are always on the lookout for new creative ways to improve their business operations and stay ahead in the retail sector.

The Challenge

The client faced significant challenges in scaling its operations and keeping up with the rapid pace of technological change. The current large-scale systems were getting more expensive and ineffective to update, making it more difficult for the company to adapt promptly to market requirements and operational necessities. They needed a solution to make system upgrades more flexible and cost effective, enhance integration capabilities, and lower operational risks.

    Our Approach

    Our microservices engineering team initiated a process to transition from a complex monolithic system to a modern architecture based on cloud-native microservices. We began by thoroughly assessing the current systems and processes, identifying gaps and areas needing improvement. Collaboration with the IT and operations teams was essential to understand specific requirements and challenges.

    Subsequently, we developed a detailed plan for the new architecture, prioritizing flexibility, scalability, and seamless integration. Utilizing up-to-date programming languages and backend technologies, we designed a microservices framework capable of handling real-time data and ensuring reliable system performance. Rigorous testing was conducted to validate performance, reliability, and user-friendliness. The new system was deployed with minimal disruption to ongoing operations, and we continued to provide ongoing support and updates post-deployment to enhance functionality.

    Industry

    Retail

    Benefits

    • Successful transition from a complex monolith system to a cloud-native supported microservices architecture
    • Enhanced flexibility in development, deployment, and operations
    • Easier integration with third-party services
    • Increased clarity and transparency into the infrastructure
    • Reduced risks and fault tolerance

    Business Challenge

    The client faced challenges in their scaling operations and accelerating the pace of change, along with increased costs associated with upgrading their existing monolithic systems.

    Technology stack

    Outcomes

    Thanks to VRIZE, we've unlocked a new realm of innovation. Their expertise and dedication have propelled our projects to unprecedented heights. From inception to execution, they have been our trusted partner every step of the way

    Mike Nettles

    Chief Digital and Technology Officer, Zaxby's
    On building next gen platform with VRIZE