Microservices Migration Services: Electronic Flight Bag Software

Challenges of Migrating a Legacy EFB Backend to Microservices

Our client, being a top industry player in aviation tech, wanted to create a fully integrated EFB solution that transforms flight operations into a seamless, paperless experience. Designed for aviation professionals, it should help to automate workflows, deliver real-time updates and centralize critical flight data, enhancing safety and efficiency at every stage. It should also be fully compliant with industry EFB standards, adapting to the unique needs of airlines, charter operators and private pilots.

They approached Fively with a targeted need: to modernize their existing .NET 8.0 backend by rewriting specific legacy functions as standalone Node.js microservices. The goal was to improve system scalability and operational stability as they prepared to scale their Electronic Flight Bag platform.

To achieve this, they needed highly experienced Node.js engineers who could integrate into their existing development workflow, reverse-engineer legacy components, and deliver production-ready microservices within a fixed engagement window.

This project posed several technical challenges:

• Reverse-engineer existing .NET 8.0 functions to fully understand their business logic and data flows before any migration work could begin;
• Rewrite legacy monolithic functions as independent Nest.js microservices without disrupting the live production environment and ensure backward compatibility so the newly built microservices could seamlessly replace their legacy counterparts once deployed;
• Implement an inner system messaging layer to enable reliable device synchronization and role-based data delivery between the new microservices and the existing system;
• Help to automate processes such as pre-flight checks and post-flight reporting, in order to reduces stress for pilots and make the workflow seamless;
• Ensure that the system is fast, stable, and fully compliant with industry EFB standards, adapting to the unique needs of airlines, charter operators, and private pilots.

They chose Fively for our deep expertise in Node.js, app modernization, and event-driven architectures, which aligned precisely with the technical requirements of this migration, and our fruitful collaboration began in August 2025.

How Fively Helped Modernize The EFB Backend with Microservices

The client partnered with us to bring their innovative platform to life and transit key parts of their legacy .NET backend to a modern Node.js microservices architecture. Our team of 2 dedicated Node.js engineers worked closely with their internal development team to analyze, rewrite, and prepare 6 legacy functions for production deployment over the course of 5 months.

Project architecture. The primary architectural goal was to decompose tightly coupled legacy functions into independent, scalable microservices that could be deployed and maintained separately. Then, we designed the new services to coexist with the existing .NET 8.0 backend, enabling a gradual, low-risk migration path:

• Nest.js served as the framework for building the new microservices, providing a modular, TypeScript-based structure well-suited for enterprise-grade backend development.
• Kafka was introduced as the messaging backbone for inter-service communication, enabling asynchronous, event-driven data exchange between the new microservices and the legacy system.
• MongoDB was used as the primary database for the new microservices, supporting flexible document-based data modeling suited to the varied data structures across migrated functions.

The migration covered 6 distinct legacy functions, each rewritten as a self-contained microservice with its own data layer, business logic, and Kafka-based communication interface. This architecture ensured that each service could be independently scaled, deployed, and maintained, in order to create a fully integrated platform that transforms flight operations into a seamless, paperless experience.

Team structure. This project was delivered by a compact but highly effective team of a senior front-end engineer and a tech lead. A tech lead was responsible for analyzing the legacy Node.js codebase, designing and implementing microservices with Nest.js, integrating Kafka-based event flows, modeling data in MongoDB, and preparing the system for deployment. Supporting him was a front-end engineer who assisted with development tasks, helping implement features and ensure smooth integration across the platform. Together, the team modernized the architecture, streamlined service communication, and prepared the system for stable, scalable operation.

Communication tools. We collaborated in short, focused iterations with regular syncs to keep progress transparent and aligned. We provided the team with weekly sprint reviews, while Slack enabled quick feedback, day-to-day coordination, and fast issue resolution. Tasks, milestones, and deadlines were tracked in Jira, providing full visibility for both the Fively team and the client throughout the project lifecycle.

Thanks to clear sprint planning, efficient communication, and a development approach tailored to event timelines, we successfully delivered a fully integrated EBF solution that transforms flight operations into a seamless, paperless experience in December, 2025.

EFB Software Project Results

Through our collaboration with the client, Fively successfully modernized a critical part of the Electronic Flight Bag platform by transforming legacy backend functions into scalable Node.js microservices.

• Our team analyzed the existing .NET 8.0 codebase, reverse-engineered key business logic, and rebuilt selected components as independent NestJS-based services designed for reliability, maintainability, and future scalability.
• The newly developed microservices were designed to integrate seamlessly with the existing platform while preserving backward compatibility with the legacy system. This allowed Logipad to gradually replace monolithic backend components without disrupting their live production environment.
• Our team also implemented a robust inter-service messaging layer using Kafka, enabling event-driven data exchange between the new microservices and the legacy system, and real-time synchronization between connected devices. ensuring reliable data delivery across pilots, crew members, and ground staff.
• In addition to improving system architecture, the new services helped automate important operational workflows such as pre-flight checks and post-flight reporting. By streamlining these processes and centralizing key operational data, the platform now supports faster decision-making and reduces manual workload for aviation professionals, ensuring reliable data delivery across pilots, crew members, and ground staff.
• Special attention was given to performance, stability, and compliance with industry EFB standards. The updated backend architecture ensures that the system remains responsive even under heavy operational load while supporting the diverse requirements of airlines, charter operators, and private pilots.

As a result, the company now benefits from a more modular and scalable backend architecture that strengthens the foundation of its EFB ecosystem. The new electronic flight bag software is fully compliant with industry EFB standards, and integrates effortlessly with systems like Fuel Efficiency Programmes and Safety Management System, adapting to the unique needs of airlines, charter operators, and private pilots.

With its highly customizable and scalable design, our client not only optimizes costs but also builds confidence and ensures a future-ready solution for safer, smarter and more efficient flight operations. This positions the platform for continued growth in the market of aviation technologies and software.