Magazine Software Design February 2024 issue: Interview “Advantages of Building Services with the Latest Technology” with Donggun Shin and Jeongtaek Kim [Part 2]
※This article is machine translated.
Exploring Cocone’s Engineering Capabilities for Global Challenges
Top-level performance in the world’s favorite digital world
Part 8: Benefits of Building Services with the Latest Technology
“C.A.T. Club”, a 3D-based digital art toy collection, is a new application that was just released in September 2023, so from the beginning, it has adopted new services such as AWS Fargate and MongoDB Atlas to improve operational efficiency. What kind of effects have been achieved? We will ask Mr. Donggun Shin and Mr. Jeongtaek Kim of Cocone Global Studio about the details.
![Magazine Software Design February 2024 issue: Interview "Advantages of Building Services with the Latest Technology" with Donggun Shin and Jeongtaek Kim [Part 2]](https://cocone.co.jp/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/202402dd_ld-1024x576.jpg)
– Please introduce yourself and your responsibilities.
Shin: My name is Donggun Shin, and I am the Client Tech Leader of the C.A.T. Club Project Development Team at Cocone Global Studio.
Kim: I am Jeongtaek Kim, Server Tech Leader of the Global Studio C.A.T. Club Project Development Team. I am in charge of back-end development.
– What are the advantages of Fargate?
Kim: It is much easier to manage compared to our existing project, which was deployed using EC2.
Shin: Deployment has also become easier.
Kim: Until now, we had been doing rolling deployments with our own scripts. Even though we automated the process, it still took about 20 minutes to go around. This time, however, we were able to use the blue-green deployment method, and Fargate has a mechanism that allows us to leave everything to them, so it’s very easy. It only takes about 5 to 6 minutes. The extra mental burden of the release process was also reduced considerably.
Database is a fully managed MongoDB Atlas
– What database do you use?
Shin: MongoDB Atlas. Since this is a new service, MongoDB Atlas was the only choice, considering the speed of construction. With MongoDB, we needed to make a detailed estimate of how many EC2s we would need.
Kim: With Atlas, the fully managed service reduces the number of management points, which makes it easier from an operational standpoint. If I had to list a strong disadvantage, it would be the cost and the inability to fine-tune the specs when scaling up. Still, the advantages of Atlas outweigh the disadvantages when considering what to do in the event of a sudden increase in access.
Shin: Actually, Atlas has an advantage in search as well. Previously, apps using MongoDB had performance issues when doing multi-byte searches by user or item, and had to be connected to Elasticsearch.
Kim: However, Atlas has a standard implementation of MongoDB Atlas Search, which can search multi-byte data, so Atlas alone is sufficient. I am glad to have a simple architecture.
– What kind of functions do you plan to expand in the future?
Shin: Cocone’s services are often started small. We will first release the service with basic functions and gradually grow it. From now until about the end of the year (the interview was conducted in October 2023), we will expand the functions and contents planned from the beginning. After completing a set of features, we will grow the service while keeping track of the reactions and requests from customers.
At this time, we are planning to add multilingual support and enhance the functionality of the collection room. The collection room is a place to display the digital art toys that you have collected, but it is still not well utilized. We would like to improve the lead-in line from the field, which is the main screen of the application, and increase the number of functions that can be played with to make it more enjoyable.
Kim: As for the back-end, we would like to improve the ease of input and operation of the master database necessary for the operation of the service.
Shin: This is a great thing. Whereas with other apps, we are working on day-to-day operations and management, modernizing and improving the infrastructure, “C.A.T. Club” has a simple architecture with Fargate and Atlas in the new build phase, so now we can work on improving the master database, and we are We are one step ahead of other teams.
Able to challenge new technologies with colleagues and grow
– You both have been working at Cocone for about 10 years now, what are the advantages of working at Cocone?
Kim: Cocone is open to adopting new technology, so I think it is easy to make progress in resolving issues. I think this is good for people who want to actively try new technologies. Cocone has always had a flat working environment where all members, regardless of age or position, can freely express their opinions and communicate with each other. With new technology, there is sometimes difficulty and impatience, but I think it is better to have the opportunity to learn together with everyone at Cocone than to study and improve your skills alone.
Shin: Similarly, I like the fact that it is easy to take on the challenge of new technologies. Also, development at Cocone often proceeds on a small scale and in a fast cycle, so even developers can be actively involved in the service across the organization. It is challenging in some ways, but I think it is rewarding.
– What do you like about the benefits package?
Kim: I love the cafeteria (laughs).
Shin: Cocone has always placed great importance on the health of its employees, and I believe that its cafeteria and gym are among the best in the industry. Our previous office also had a deli and gym, but since we were a tenant in the building, we had to be considerate of the surrounding floors. However, since our current office is in our own building, we have cooking facilities next to the cafeteria, and we don’t have to be shy with other tenants when exercising to the fullest in the gym.
– What kind of engineer would be a good fit for Cocone?
Shin: One reason for this is our love of kawaii things, and since we do a lot of CCP (Character Coordinating Play) work, we have a lot of cute illustrations and characters on display in the company. Another feature of our company is that we have a large number of designers, with 40% of our employees being designers. I think the best part is that engineers are directly involved in the service and can easily feel the response to their own development work.
Kim: If you want to challenge new technologies while communicating with your colleagues, I think this is the place for you. You can enjoy developing services loved by customers together with everyone, so I think it is a good environment if you find such things attractive.
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