A digital overhaul for a global publisher
Transforming eight legacy sites into one future-proof platform
- Case Studies
- Hachette Learning
As one of the UK’s largest publishing groups and part of the world’s second-largest educational publisher, Hachette Learning (formerly Hodder Education) is globally recognized for delivering market-leading resources to schools worldwide.
- caseStudyDetail.category
- Professional services
- caseStudyDetail.services
- Web and Technology
The challenge
Hachette Learning’s website was outdated. Over 10 years old, it had cumbersome navigation, limited scalability, and a fragmented customer journey.
With a major rebrand underway, Hachette Learning needed a secure, modern platform to support its goals while simplifying content management and enhancing the user experience.
IDHL stepped in to remove technical debt and advance a digital presence aligned with Hachette’s new global identity.
Our approach
From the start, our teams recognized the complexity and scale needed for this digital migration and consolidation project. We collaborated closely to meet deadlines and address Hachette Learning’s specific concerns.
Our main goals focused on combining scale and future-proofing into a single solution to overhaul the entire user experience.
One unified platform
We merged over 10 applications into a single-language Kentico Xperience 13 platform, managing more than 20,000 web pages. Two custom middleware apps consolidating over 10 core systems, including SAP, CRM, and custom single sign-on (SSO), were built to enhance page editing and internal customization.
Enhanced eCommerce experience
A custom checkout and eCommerce engine supports features like complex SKUs, multiple shipping and payment options, and order rollback. This improved transaction integrity is powered by our largest-ever Algolia integration, delivering fast, relevant results to users.
Smarter content management
With enhanced self-service features, we returned content control to Hachette Learning. A flexible page builder, custom forms, and streamlined media libraries empower internal teams to manage and publish content with minimal developer input, reducing digital bottlenecks.
Scalable, secure infrastructure
We fully migrated from outdated on-premises servers to a private cloud, preparing the platform for future public cloud transition. This shift enables faster product rollouts without extensive development and improves performance under load.
The results
The result? A sleek, secure, and scalable site matching Hachette’s industry leadership. The streamlined infrastructure ensures readiness for future migrations, brand rollouts, and digital expansion. The user experience improved, seen in higher registrations, smoother navigation, and fewer support calls.
This complete overhaul ensures Hachette Learning’s digital presence reflects its publishing quality and global reputation.
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