Cybirical recently partnered with a utility client to enhance the performance of a custom software tool used to compare relay settings data from the field against a default template. The tool was designed to flag discrepancies and support design validation, but its slow processing speed was costing the team hundreds of engineering hours annually.
Identifying the Bottleneck
Upon review, our engineers discovered a small loop buried in over 1,000 lines of code that recalculated the entire dataset with each iteration. This inefficiency was the root cause of the delay. By restructuring the logic to process all data simultaneously, we eliminated the bottleneck and achieved a 10x speed improvement, reducing load time from over 60 seconds to under 6.
Streamlining the Workflow
Beyond performance, we addressed a key usability challenge. The original workflow required users to manually open three separate files: the program, the default template, and the XML field data. This process was time-consuming and cluttered the workspace.
To streamline operations, we redesigned the interface to prompt users for file directories and handle all data processing behind the scenes. A custom XML parser was developed, and additional code optimizations were implemented to support the new system. Users now launch a single item, and the program performs all necessary calculations automatically and instantly.
Results
- Processing time reduced by 90%
- Simplified user workflow
- Delivered under budget
- Positive client feedback on usability and performance
This project demonstrates Cybirical’s commitment to delivering software solutions that go beyond functionality, combining technical precision with user-centered design.
Authored by Ethan Farrow, Software Engineer at Cybirical.
Ready to turn engineering pain points into performance wins?
email our team at info@cybirical.com.