Secure and Agile Intranet CMS Migration

Designing the Solution

The project began with a deep dive into the institution’s pain points. Their immediate concern was a looming shutdown of their third-party CMS, which could jeopardize their operations. They needed a modern, secure system that would preserve the existing user experience while empowering them to adapt and grow in the future.

To address these needs, Django and Wagtail CMS were chosen as the foundational technologies. Django’s robust backend capabilities paired with Wagtail’s user-friendly CMS interface offered the perfect balance for a seamless migration. Using Scaf™, Six Feet Up’s project bootstrap tool, the team streamlined the initial setup, freeing time to focus on tailoring the platform to the institution’s unique requirements.

User Experience and Security

The institution emphasized the importance of maintaining the familiar look and feel of their intranet while ensuring security. Tailwind CSS, a utility-first styling framework, was used to replicate the existing design with pixel-perfect precision. This not only preserved the user experience but also allowed the institution’s team to gain hands-on experience with modern tools.

Additionally, a single sign-on (SSO) integration ensured role-based access for students, faculty, and staff. By integrating with their Microsoft Entra ID SSO system, the solution guaranteed secure, seamless user access, delivering the right content to the right audience.

Scalability and Seamless Deployment

Scalability and reliability were critical for the new CMS infrastructure. Kubernetes was employed for container orchestration, ensuring the application could handle growth and high availability. AWS CloudFront provided fast and secure content delivery, while Terraform allowed for efficient, repeatable infrastructure management.

The deployment process was designed for minimal disruption. A sandbox environment enabled real-time testing, while weekly pulse meetings kept all stakeholders informed and aligned. The final transition was carefully planned to ensure a seamless handover with no noticeable impact on end users.

The transition was smooth, efficient, and executed faster than anticipated. The new intranet, built on Django and Wagtail, retained the familiar user experience while empowering the institution with advanced control over content, updates, and customization capabilities.

Thanks to Wagtail’s intuitive interface and detailed documentation, the institution’s content editors quickly adapted to the new system, reducing the need for extensive training. Plus, with the CMS now hosted in a cloud environment, the institution has gained the ability to innovate and scale without vendor lock-in.

From designing flexible architectures to executing flawless migrations, Six Feet Up brings thought leadership and innovation to every project. If your organization is considering a CMS migration or exploring Django and Wagtail, read our essential tips, and let’s talk. We’re happy to share our experience and help you navigate your transition.