What factors are causing the increased API error rates for Railsbank's embedded finance platform in the APAC region?

Introduction

Increased API error rates for Railsbank's embedded finance platform in the APAC region pose a significant challenge to the product's reliability and user experience. To address this issue, I'll employ a systematic approach to identify, validate, and resolve the root cause while considering both immediate and long-term implications.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Looking at the regional specificity, I'm wondering about infrastructure differences. Are the error rates consistent across all APAC countries, or are there variations?

Why it matters: Helps pinpoint if it's a region-wide issue or specific to certain areas. Expected answer: Variations exist between countries. Impact on approach: Focus on country-specific infrastructure or regulatory differences.

• Considering recent changes, have there been any significant updates to the API or backend systems in the last 30 days?

Why it matters: Recent changes often correlate with performance issues. Expected answer: A major API version update was rolled out two weeks ago. Impact on approach: Investigate the changes in the update and their potential impact.

• Thinking about user behavior, has there been a sudden spike in API usage or new integrations from APAC clients?

Why it matters: Unexpected load can cause increased error rates. Expected answer: Several large clients recently onboarded in the region. Impact on approach: Analyze capacity planning and onboarding processes.

• Regarding error types, are we seeing a specific error code or a variety of different errors?

Why it matters: Helps narrow down potential causes (e.g., authentication issues vs. general system overload). Expected answer: Mixture of timeout errors and authentication failures. Impact on approach: Focus on network infrastructure and authentication systems.