Introducing BFF Framework, the technology accelerator for multiutilities

Managing a multi-utility means dealing with complexity that goes beyond the variety of services delivered. Above all, it requires the ability to govern interdependent, regulated processes distributed across different systems.

Electricity, gas, and waste services share common operational needs: ensuring consistency across data and master records, coordinating activities between commercial and technical functions, maintaining compliance, reducing manual workloads, and guaranteeing service continuity—even during the most sensitive touchpoints in the customer relationship.

In this scenario, the challenge is not simply to digitize, but to make workflows more integrated, traceable, and standardized—ensuring that every regulatory update or process change does not turn into a complex and costly intervention. What is needed is an approach capable of connecting platforms, harmonizing information, and supporting the day-to-day work of those managing cases, meter readings, service requests, and communications.

Drawing on direct knowledge of these dynamics—and the need to transform complexity into a more governable operating model—Mashfrog developed the Mashfrog Multiutility BFF Framework, specifically designed for multi-utilities to enhance process efficiency and service quality across the sector’s key strategic areas.

A modular, configurable, and scalable solution

Mashfrog Multiutility BFF Framework was designed by the Back End Solutions team within the Digital Experience Practice to provide a configurable technology accelerator capable of natively integrating with MuleSoft and Salesforce platforms.

General architecture

Mashfrog Multiutility BFF Framework is a modular software component built on a microservices architecture, developed in Java using the Spring Framework (Spring Boot, Spring Batch, Spring Data). The architecture was designed following SOLID principles and established enterprise integration patterns, with particular attention to separation of concerns, runtime configurability, and horizontal scalability.

Technology stack

Functional modules

The framework includes dozens of pre-configured integration modules, specifically developed and designed for multi-utility organizations. Each module is conceived as a standalone, reusable component with a high degree of configurability, enabling it to be tailored to specific project requirements.

Integration for the electricity sector

The modules dedicated to the electricity sector cover the entire lifecycle of operational and commercial processes, including:

• Customer and Point of Delivery (POD) master data management
• Switching, change of supplier, and move-in/move-out processes with multi-system orchestration
• Management of meter readings, measurements, and consumption data with transformation into industry-standard formats
• Integration with the Integrated Information System (SII)
• Billing management and billing processes (integration with payment gateways)

Integration for the gas sector

• Similarly to the electricity sector, the framework includes dedicated modules for the gas segment, including:
• Management of Points of Redelivery (PDR) with multi-platform master data alignment
• Switching processes and management of relationships with the local distributor
• Integration with metering and remote meter reading systems
• Management of SII data flows specific to the gas sector and regulatory compliance

Integration for the waste management sector

For the waste management sector, the framework provides dedicated modules including:

• Management of TARI/TARIC utilities and taxpayer master data, with integration into tax management systems
• Integration with collection management systems and operational scheduling
• Ticketing processes and management of customer service requests
• Tracking of waste disposals and collections

Cross-Functional modules

In addition to the sector-specific modules, the framework includes cross-functional components common to all areas:

• Ticket management and case management engine with Salesforce Service Cloud integration
• Multi-channel notification and communication system (email, SMS, push notifications)
• Centralized logging, auditing, and operational tracking to ensure regulatory compliance

Configurability and adaptability

One of the distinctive elements of the Mashfrog Multiutility BFF Framework is the high level of configurability embedded throughout the solution. Thanks to the native capabilities of the Spring Framework, each module can be configured and customized without requiring changes to the source code.

Multi-project adaptability

Although the modules were initially designed to integrate MuleSoft, Salesforce, and SAP platforms within multi-utility environments, the Spring-based architecture and the Strategy pattern adopted in the connector design make it easy to adapt the framework to scenarios where different platforms are involved.

Spring’s Dependency Injection system, combined with the extensive use of interfaces and abstract classes, allows any framework component (connectors, transformers, validators, handlers) to be replaced or extended simply by providing a new implementation and updating the configuration. This represents a key value driver and an accelerator for reducing implementation timelines across multiple project contexts.

Native integration with MuleSoft

The framework was designed to operate in synergy with the MuleSoft platform, ensuring native and seamless integration. The Java/Spring components integrate with the MuleSoft ecosystem through multiple approaches:

• Custom MuleSoft Connectors developed in Java to expose the framework’s functionalities as native components within Mule flows
• Shared messaging layers enabling asynchronous interoperability between Java components and MuleSoft flows

Added value and benefits

The Mashfrog Multiutility Integration Framework represents a strategic asset that enables organizations to achieve a range of significant benefits:

• Reduced timelines. Significant reduction in integration project delivery times thanks to pre-configured templates and declarative configurability.
• Assured quality. Extensively tested and consolidated components that minimize the risk of errors and ensure high quality standards.
• Reusability. Independent modules that can be reused across multiple project contexts.

A strategic asset for the future of multi-utilities

The Mashfrog Multiutility BFF Framework, developed in Java using the Spring Framework and natively integrated with MuleSoft and Salesforce platforms, represents a significant technological investment that strengthens Mashfrog Group’s positioning as a leading technology partner for multi-utility organizations.

The system’s high level of configurability, the modularity of its components, and its ability to adapt to diverse project requirements make it a strategic accelerator capable of generating tangible and measurable value in terms of reduced delivery timelines, solution quality, and commercial competitiveness.

The architectural decision to build the framework on Java and the Spring Framework—established and widely adopted enterprise technologies—also ensures the solution’s long-term sustainability, ease of maintenance, and the availability of market expertise to support its future evolution.