Modernizing without Disruption

Before TPS found 303 Software, their platform was showing its years—19-second page load times, a search tool that frustrated more than it helped, and workflows that just weren’t cutting it. Our challenge was to modernize TPS without disrupting years of invaluable educational data. Key challenges included:

• Page load times exceeding 19 seconds
• Album creation taking up to 30 seconds
• Image upload times of 45+ seconds
• Outdated user interface reminiscent of early social media platforms
• Limited search capabilities

Why TPS Chose 303 Software

At 303 Software, we believe that the best partnerships start with trust. That’s why we kicked things off with our SD&P process—understanding TPS’s goals, challenges, and needs before we touched a line of code. As a local Denver software developer, we were able to work closely with TPS every step of the way. 303 appealed to TPS because of:

• Local presence enabling close collaboration
• Proven success in [educational technology solutions](link-to-education-portfolio)
• Clear, transparent plans—no surprises, just progress
• Comprehensive discovery and planning process
• Client-first approach: We listen, adapt, and deliver.
• Creative solutions that work—and work well

The Strategic Approach

Instead of jumping on the WordPress bandwagon, we took a smarter route: modernizing the Joomla platform. Why? It saved TPS time, money, and headaches while protecting their invaluable teaching data. This wasn’t just modernization—it was strategic problem-solving. This decision was based on several key factors:

• Data Preservation: The platform contained years of valuable educational content that would require complex migration
• Cost Effectiveness: Upgrading the existing system would save significant time and resources
• Risk Mitigation:Minimizing potential data loss or corruption during transition
• Timeline Optimization: Faster path to improved performance

Development Challenges and Solutions

The development phase presented unique challenges that showcased our team’s problem-solving capabilities:

• Expertise Sourcing: Joomla expertise isn’t easy to find, but we sourced the best.
• Performance Optimization: Implementing Solr Search to dramatically improve search speed and accuracy
• User Experience: Modernizing the interface while maintaining familiarity for longtime users

Remarkable Results

The modernization effort delivered impressive performance improvements:

• Album creation time reduced from 30 seconds to 4 seconds (87% faster)
• Homepage navigation improved from 19 seconds to 2 seconds (89% faster)
• Image upload time decreased from 45 seconds to 3-4 seconds (93% faster)
• Enhanced search functionality with modern filtering capabilities
• Improved user interface maintaining familiar workflows

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