Sector(s)
WSB Merito is Poland's largest network of private universities, known for its modern, business-skill-oriented approach. It leads institutions in 11 Polish cities, educating over 600,000 students. As Smartbees, we were responsible for developing new websites for all WSB Merito units based on Drupal multisite. Later, we also conducted a complex rebranding of over 30 websites for the Group.
About the project
We have been cooperating with Smartbees for several years. The team showed great flexibility during development work while delivering individual parts of the project on time. Communication with Smartbees has always been smooth. The specialists always provided advice, answered our questions, and quickly dispelled doubts.
Ernest Rudziński, Head of IT
The Goal
We aimed to create easy-to-edit, intuitive websites for all WSB Merito branches that deliver a top-notch user experience. The main objectives included:
- Responsiveness – previously, WSB Merito had two separate website versions for desktop and mobile devices. Thus, the highest priority was to design and implement the website in accordance with RWD guidelines.
- Streamlined management – facilitating the content creation and editing process.
- Standardized functionality – key functionalities should be available across all websites in a multisite, with the flexibility to selectively enable or disable them in each instance.
- Visual consistency – the new website required a new design. It was crucial to implement a refreshed visual identity across all university websites.
The Solution
We began with a strategic analysis of the university’s complex structure. As a result, we anchored the project in a proven Drupal Multisite architecture. This approach allows all university websites to be managed and updated from a single admin panel. Simultaneously, it offers vast flexibility through separate databases, enabling each website to feature unique content and educational offerings.
We prioritized:
- Facilitating content creation by implementing paragraphs – the client can drag and drop those content blocks on any subpage. It provides high flexibility in terms of content arrangement. They can use each paragraph on all WSB Merito websites.
- Improving UX & UI – we implemented various solutions to make the website more UX-friendly, e.g., CAS login enabling users to log in to all websites with one account; dynamic listings (for educational offers) that load content in the background; and an advanced search engine powered by Elasticsearch.
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Multidimensional CRM integration - we integrated the website with the client's CRM. It included prices, listings, registration forms, and others. The integration greatly simplified data management across university group units.
The Effects
We vastly facilitated the management of all WSB Merito websites. Moreover, a new design and website architecture improved user experience, making the university candidate-friendly.
Here are the most important effects of our work:
- 11 websites managed from a single admin panel
- Easy update process
- Personalization thanks to separate databases
- New publishing options
- Technological and visual consistency across all groups’ websites
- Improved UI for editors and users
- Vast development possibilities in the future (e.g., adding new websites with multisite)
- Integration with the CRM system
- Reduced support and maintenance costs
Rebranding
Over the years, we have been responsible for the continuous support and maintenance of the WSB ecosystem. Our work included launching new multisite instances, implementing custom functionalities to support the university's growth, and monitoring the platform.
Consequently, when the client opted for a comprehensive rebranding from WSB to WSB Merito Universities, we led the transition. The project encompassed over 30 websites simultaneously, so our main goal was to align the existing multisite architecture with the new visual identity. We had to maintain the accessibility and functionality of the existing platform while also improving its performance.
By designing a centrally managed Drupal Multisite system and implementing custom migration processes, we successfully combined 30 websites into one ecosystem. We also:
- Prepared the multisite architecture for further expansion (from 11 to 30 websites)
- Ensured more options for comfortable landing page creation
- Maintained technological consistency across the entire Merito Group
This strategic approach turned a complex rebranding challenge into an opportunity to modernize the entire ecosystem. After the implementation, WSB Merito operates on a unified platform that is ready to support future development.
Why Drupal was chosen
- Previous experience – the previous website was based on Drupal 7, and the client was satisfied with the CMS, so migration to a higher version was a natural choice.
- Multisite architecture– the university required a centralized system to manage and update all websites from a single admin panel. The client needed to facilitate the editors’ workflow, reduce maintenance costs, and ensure technological consistency across the Group. Drupal Multisite proved to be the ideal solution, offering a single codebase for all instances.
- Performance – WSB Merito handles significant traffic spikes during winter and summer recruitments. Therefore, high performance and stability, regardless of traffic surges, were essential.
Technical Specifications
Drupal version:
