Case Study

International Decorative Surfaces Website Management and Migration

ids
Client: International Decorative Surfaces
Industry: Distribution, Manufacturing
Duration: 3 months

Project Overview

The International Decorative Surfaces (IDS) project involved taking over the management of the IDS and Makeover Centre (MOC) commercial websites, along with 16 smaller sample websites hosted in a WordPress multisite setup. The project required migrating all these sites, managing the middleware that facilitated communication between their Order Management System (OMS) and the websites, and managing the transfer and DNS changes of hundreds of domain names. The goal was to ensure seamless functionality, enhance performance, and maintain robust connectivity between the systems.

Objectives

  • Migrate and take over management of IDS and Makeover Centre commercial websites
  • Migrate and take over management of 16 smaller sample websites from a WordPress multisite setup to separate installations
  • Migrate and take over management of the middleware communication between the OMS and websites
  • Ensure seamless integration and enhanced performance across all platforms with minimal downtime
  • Manage the transfer and DNS changes of hundreds of domain names

Google Lighthouse Scores

1

Performance

1

Accessibility

1

Best Practices

1

SEO

Partnering with NoBull. for our IDS project has alleviated a severe headache for us! They have been responsive and always ready to tackle any questions or concerns we had. They have expertly navigated the complex task of migrating and separating our multisite setup, all while upgrading our CS-Cart platform which was not left in a good state by the previous agency. Their planning ensured a smooth transition with minimal downtime, despite numerous roadblocks encountered along the way. The dedication and professionalism of the team at NoBull. has made the whole process enjoyable and relatively stress-free and we’re looking forward to working together going forward.

Rob Mckechnie
Digital Marketing Manager

Key Features and Functionalities

1. Website Management and Migration

  • IDS and Makeover Centre Websites:  We assumed control of the IDS (idsurfaces.co.uk) and Makeover Centre (makeovercentre.co.uk) websites. The IDS website targets B2B trade customers, while the Makeover Centre is aimed at retail customers. Both websites utilise a WordPress setup, accessing product categories and details via an API from the e-commerce platform.
  • Sample Websites: We managed and migrated 16 smaller sample websites that were originally housed in a WordPress multisite setup. Due to numerous breakages and client preference, we separated these into individual installations, ensuring better stability and easier management.

2. Middleware Management

  • E-commerce Platform Integration: The IDS and Makeover Centre websites rely on a robust middleware server that facilitates communication between the e-commerce platform and the internal OMS called Maginus. This middleware handles stock level queries, order transfers, and customer data retrieval.
  • API Connections: We ensured that the middleware API connections were optimised for seamless data transfer between the e-commerce platform and Maginus. This involved regular monitoring and troubleshooting to maintain uninterrupted service.

3. Technical Enhancements

  • WordPress Management: The WordPress sites for IDS and Makeover Centre are hosted by Saint-Gobain. We managed changes through a private GitLab repository and coordinated deployments via Saint-Gobain. The websites are set up in Docker using the roots.io system (Trellis, Bedrock, and Sage), enhancing security and ease of updates.
  • E-commerce Platform Upgrade: The e-commerce platform, based on CS-Cart, powers both IDS and Makeover Centre storefronts. We upgraded CS-Cart to the latest version, which included various custom add-ons for stock availability lookup, historical orders, order transfer to Maginus, click and collect functionality, SMS branch details, and user price syncing.

4. Domain Name Management

  • Domain Transfer and DNS Changes: We managed the transfer and DNS changes for hundreds of domain names associated with IDS and its various brands. This involved ensuring minimal downtime and maintaining proper DNS configurations to guarantee seamless accessibility across all domains.

5. Content and User Management

  • Product and Content Updates: We facilitated easy updates for product information and marketing content through the CMS, ensuring that the websites remained current and relevant. This included handling the complexities of configurable products, brochure/banner management, and category updates.
  • User Registration and Management: The user registration process was streamlined to include manual activation for enhanced security. We provided support for managing customer registrations, ensuring that user data was accurately synced with the OMS.

Challenges and Solutions

  • Poor Handover Notes and Developer Departure: The previous supplier provided inadequate handover notes, and the developer who was maintaining the system had left their business. We had to reverse engineer a lot of the system to piece together missing elements, ensuring we fully understood the existing setup.
  • Multisite Breakages and Client Preference: The WordPress multisite setup had numerous breakages and was not functioning correctly. The client preferred to have the sample websites as separate installations. We pulled apart the multisite, migrating each site to its own installation to improve stability and manageability.

Results & Metrics

68% increase in new visitors

37% increase in returning visitors

36% increase in engagement

Conclusion

The IDS project demonstrated our capability to manage complex website ecosystems, optimise middleware communication, and successfully upgrade and migrate websites. By effectively addressing challenges and enhancing the IDS, Makeover Centre, and associated sample websites, we delivered a robust digital platform that supports IDS’s business operations and customer needs. The positive feedback and improved performance post-launch underscore the success of the project and our commitment to delivering impactful digital solutions.

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