Google Cloud Platform Case Studies Google Cloud Platform: A Recipe for Success at Allthecooks
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Google Cloud Platform: A Recipe for Success at Allthecooks

Google Cloud Platform
Platform as a Service (PaaS) - Application Development Platforms
Construction & Infrastructure
Glass
Maintenance
Construction Management
Infrastructure Inspection
Cloud Planning, Design & Implementation Services
System Integration

Allthecooks, a social media platform for cooking enthusiasts, faced the challenge of managing a rapidly growing user base. The platform, which allows users to find, rate, comment on, and post their own recipes, had to process hundreds of thousands of simultaneous API requests whenever popular chefs updated their content. The company, which started with just three part-time engineers and no external funding, needed a scalable and reliable infrastructure to support its growth. The challenge was not just about speed, but also about scalability. As the user base grew, the need for a more robust backend processing architecture became evident. Cost was also a significant concern as the company was using its savings to build the platform.

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Allthecooks is a social media platform for people who love cooking. It is available on Android, iPhone, Windows Phone, Google Glass, and Android Wear, and is a top recipe app on Google Play. The platform connects passionate chefs with casual and first-time cooks on every major mobile device. Users can find, rate, and comment on dishes they can cook themselves, or post their own ideas complete with directions, ingredients, servings, and nutrition information. The platform has chefs with tens of thousands of followers, meaning that whenever they make an update, hundreds of thousands of simultaneous API requests need to be processed.

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Google Cloud Platform played a pivotal role in addressing Allthecooks' challenges. The platform helped Allthecooks grow without worrying about their architecture. Google App Engine and Google Cloud Datastore were used to manage millions of daily interactions. As the user base expanded, Allthecooks began migrating significant parts of their backend processing architecture from App Engine to Google Compute Engine. This transition allowed the company to operate at higher performance levels using cheaper CPU and caching more data in the large RAM configurations supported by Compute Engine instances. The company also planned to use Google BigQuery to simplify the process of finding the perfect recipe. The recommendation engine was built on Compute Engine, enabling it to run entirely on RAM for immediate response times.

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The use of Google Cloud Platform has resulted in a reliable, manageable, and scalable system that requires minimal oversight for Allthecooks. The platform's stability is such that it can be left alone for a week without requiring maintenance. Google's support team has been quick to respond and has provided excellent services when needed. The recommendation engine built on Compute Engine has been particularly effective, providing users with immediate results. The social interaction level on Allthecooks, facilitated by the reliable infrastructure, is unmatched by other cooking apps, leading to users spending more time on the app. The platform has also enabled hands-free recipe following for Google Glass users, enhancing the user experience.

User base grew to over 12 million users with a million monthly active users since launching in December 2012.

Application now sees millions of interactions daily.

Migration to Google Compute Engine allowed for higher performance levels and cost savings.

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