From MVP to Scalable Platform: Agiliway Migrates IT Product Evaluation Platform to Laravel

A thriving IT startup approached Agiliway with a bold idea: a platform that empowers users to evaluate IT products and choose the solution with the highest return on investment (ROI) for their business. To rapidly validate this concept, Agiliway developed a minimum viable product (MVP) using TYPO3 CMS.

The platform’s success, however, necessitated a shift from TYPO3 to a framework-based approach. This change ensured optimal performance and scalability as the platform grew.

Challenges

The TYPO3 CMS platform struggled to support the advanced features envisioned for the IT product evaluation platform:

Complex Functionality:

• Neural network search with machine learning for product recommendations.
• AI-powered sales bot leveraging NLP for communication and sales.
• Cost & ROI calculations require intricate logic and handling multiple parameters.
• Multilingual support exceeding TYPO3’s efficient handling (2 to 5+ languages).

Rapid Development Needs: New features were required quickly without waiting for a full migration.

Solutions

Agiliway proposed migrating to the Laravel PHP framework to address these limitations due to its:

• Robust Architecture: Laravel’s architecture could handle the project’s growing complexity and advanced functionalities.
• Microservices Support: Laravel facilitated a transition to microservices with separate APIs for each, improving flexibility and maintainability.
• Advanced Feature Capabilities: The framework supported features like complex cost & ROI calculations and AI integration seamlessly.
• Rapid Development Environment: Laravel’s features and large community fostered faster development using various technologies.
• Scalability and Integration: The platform gained superior scalability, reusability, and easier integration with third-party services.

Migration Strategy:

To ensure a smooth transition and continued development, Agiliway implemented a meticulous migration plan:

• Separate Laravel Installation: Laravel was installed within the existing TYPO3 system for access to all classes and code.
• Route Creation: Routes were established between TYPO3 and Laravel. User authorization remained on TYPO3. Requests for new features or rewritten logic were directed to Laravel via the route.
• Phased Development: New features were developed on Laravel, with core functionalities gradually rewritten in the background without platform downtime. This allowed for the continuous development of new features while keeping the migration transparent to users.

By migrating to Laravel, Agiliway provided a future-proof solution for the platform. The new framework not only enabled the implementation of advanced features but also offered benefits like scalability, reusability, and easier integration with third-party services.

What Difference Does the Agiliway Solution Provide to the Client?

The migration from TYPO3 CMS to the Laravel PHP framework brought many benefits to the platform. This shift not only improved the system’s architecture but also enabled a transition to microservices. With separate APIs created for each microservice, the platform gained increased flexibility and maintainability.

Furthermore, Laravel’s robust capabilities allowed the system to handle the complex logic of cost and ROI calculations with ease. Development speed also received a significant boost, as the framework facilitated the use of various technologies and programming languages. Finally, the platform achieved superior scalability, reusability, and seamless integration with third-party services.

Agiliway’s meticulously planned migration played a crucial role in this success. By implementing a gradual approach, the team was able to prioritize the development of new features, ensuring their swift delivery. This strategy also minimized stress for both developers and stakeholders throughout the migration process.