Introduction
The project to transform a monolithic PHP Symfony application into a modern architecture based on a Rest API and a React frontend represented an ambitious and strategic challenge. The goal was to modernize the existing infrastructure, improving flexibility, performance, and user experience, while integrating an external authentication system and a headless CMS for content management. This project also aimed to implement a personalized content recommendation system and to strengthen the skills of backend and frontend teams.
Project Challenges
The main challenges of the project were:
- Refactoring a Monolithic Application into Rest API Architecture: Transforming the PHP Symfony application into a more modular and scalable solution.
- Outsourcing Manageable Content to a Headless CMS: Managing articles, announcements, images, and categories more effectively and flexibly.
- Creating a Content Recommendation System: Providing a personalized user experience by targeting content according to user preferences.
- Supporting Backend and Frontend Teams: Improving technical skills and code quality, while ensuring good APIzation and optimizing application accessibility and performance.
Technical Proposal
- Migration to a Rest API and React: The overhaul involved developing a Rest API to replace the old monolithic architecture, with a dynamic and responsive frontend designed in React.
- Integration of a Headless CMS: For more efficient content management, a headless CMS was adopted, allowing better flexibility and integration with the existing architecture.
- Content Recommendation System: A recommendation algorithm was developed to personalize the user experience, suggesting relevant content based on their interests and behavior.
- Training and Workshops for Teams: Training sessions and workshops were organized for backend and frontend teams, focused on best development practices, accessibility, and application performance.
Results
- Optimized Architecture: The new architecture based on a Rest API and React significantly improved the modularity, performance, and scalability of the application.
- Improved Content Management: The integration of the headless CMS simplified content management, making updates faster and more efficient. Additionally, it enabled better targeting of users.
- Personalized User Experience: The recommendation system effectively targeted content, increasing user engagement and satisfaction.
- Strengthened Team Skills: Technical support led to a notable improvement in code quality and skills in API development and frontend practices.
Key Figures
- Performance Improvement: 40% reduction in page loading time thanks to the React and Rest API architecture.
- Increase in User Engagement: 30% growth in user interaction thanks to the personalized recommendation system.
- Optimization of Content Management: 50% reduction in the time required for content updates and publication.
This transformation not only modernized the application's infrastructure but also strengthened the development teams' capabilities while offering an enriched and personalized user experience.