How 99.co enhanced it's property search experience using Kubernetes(GKE)
In this case study, we will be looking at how 99.co had enhanced their property search experience using Kubernetes. But before that let's understand what is Kubernetes? Kubernetes is a container-orchestration system for automating computer application deployment, scaling, and management. Kubernetes was originally developed by Google and now maintained by the Cloud Native Computing Foundation.
99.co is a Singapore-based property technology business that aims to help people discover homes that suit their lifestyle needs and aspirations. When searching for an ideal property we consider lots of factors. 99.co believes that the process of searching properties shouldn't be tedious. They want to redesign the user experience of the renting and buying journey through powerful search. Instead of a conventional pay-to-list model, the listings on 99.co are classified based on their quality.
To meet with a wide range of customers, 99.co requires a range of different microservices. Before using Kubernetes(GKE) the company mainly ran most of its microservices in virtual machines(VM) via custom docker images. At this point, they have to manage their own microservice architecture and load balancing. Also, this causes the use of extra resources because to meet certain requirements, they may require to launch some extra systems in advance.
The chief architect of 99.co, Eric Ng, says that they run a lean team, so they don't have DevOps to manually operate the Kubernetes platform for microservices offerings. So, they had shifted to use Kubernetes through one of the managed services provided by Google Cloud that is the Google Kubernetes Engine(GKE).
With the Kubernetes, 99.co had deployed all of their microservices to improve its property search experience. Also, with Kubernetes, they don't have to look for the availability of the services because Kubernetes comes with a High Availability(HA). Kubernetes has one concept called a pod. So if any container in the pod goes down, then a pod will detect that and will automatically launch the new container to meet the High Availability. Also, Kubernetes has an auto-scaling feature. That is based on the requirements it will decide to launch an extra pod or to remove the extra pods. This will helps to save resources while meeting the requirement.
The chief architect of 99.co, Eric Ng, says that with Kubernetes(Google Kubernetes Engine) they managed to reduce the overall cost by 30%, due to the flexibility of Google cloud and hence the Kubernetes.
Benefits that 99.co got using Kubernetes(GKE) are:
- It helped 99.co to improve efficiency with the automation and scalability of Google Kubernetes Engine.
- Improves microservices offering with the flexibility of Google Kubernetes Engine.