This Copernicus Marine Service Drupal DXP case study covers the delivery of a modern Drupal Digital Experience Platform to unify multiple legacy systems and significantly improve the efficiency, stability, and security of content delivery. The platform had evolved over time into a hybrid structure, including several WordPress installations and unmanaged PHP fragments embedded into page content — creating long-term maintenance risks and editorial complexity.
A full consolidation effort was executed where legacy WordPress and Drupal 7 sites were migrated into a centralized Drupal platform. Risky PHP code embedded across legacy content pages was replaced with safe and configurable Drupal components to ensure predictable behavior, governance, and compatibility across environments.
The solution was implemented and continuously enhanced through several Drupal iterations: initial delivery on Drupal 8, followed by upgrades to Drupal 9 and Drupal 10. Advanced integrations (Solr, API feeds, SAML SSO) and extended analytics tracking were delivered to support a scalable experience for scientists, institutional users, and business consumers across multiple services.
The platform was operating with multiple legacy systems that were not aligned in structure, workflows, or governance. Several WordPress instances and a Drupal 7 site coexisted with embedded PHP fragments inside standard page content. This created significant technical debt and limited the ability to scale, secure, and maintain the platform sustainably.
Publishing workflows were inconsistent across sections, and content changes required high manual effort. In addition, site stability and long-term security were affected by unmanaged code embedded at the content level, creating risk for both platform operations and future upgrades.
The challenge required a consolidated architecture where all content could be managed under a single governance model, integrations could be stabilized, and the platform could be prepared for long-term evolution without disrupting editorial operations.
Copernicus Marine Service was rebuilt as an environmental data Drupal platform and governed Drupal Digital Experience Platform that consolidates previously fragmented sites and content patterns into a single, maintainable system. The platform standardizes publishing workflows and replaces unsafe embedded code with configurable components that behave consistently across environments. Enterprise integrations for search, secure access, and external data feeds support scientific and institutional users while keeping operations stable through Drupal 8→9→10 upgrades. Analytics instrumentation provides reliable visibility into how users discover content and interact with service journeys.
A single Drupal platform replaced multiple legacy properties with consistent content models and editorial rules. Publishing workflows were aligned across sections to reduce manual work and eliminate one-off processes. Roles, permissions, and structured fields support predictable review and release practices. This mattered to ensure content quality and operational continuity as the platform evolved through multiple Drupal versions.
Legacy pages that relied on unmanaged PHP fragments were rebuilt using safe, configurable Drupal components. Editors can assemble complex pages without introducing code-level risk or environment-specific behavior. Components enforce consistent rendering, accessibility patterns, and reuse across services. This was critical for security, maintainability, and upgrade compatibility.
Content from multiple WordPress installations and a Drupal 7 site was migrated into a unified Drupal architecture. Migration mapping preserved key structures while normalizing fields, taxonomies, and URLs where required. The approach reduced duplication and removed legacy constraints that blocked governance. This consolidation enabled a single operational model for editors and platform owners.
A dedicated Solr search layer was implemented to support fast indexing and retrieval across large scientific and service content sets. Search experiences can expose relevant filters and structured facets to help users narrow results efficiently. Indexing rules and content weighting improve findability without requiring editorial workarounds. This feature was essential for discovery across multiple services and audiences.
SAML SSO integration provides centralized authentication for protected areas and service access flows. Access rules can be enforced consistently across the platform, reducing reliance on custom login logic. The integration supports institutional usage patterns while keeping security controls auditable. This mattered to enable controlled distribution of services without fragmenting the user experience.
API feed integrations were delivered to connect Drupal with external scientific and service systems. Structured ingestion and presentation patterns reduce manual updates and keep content synchronized. Integration points were designed to be maintainable and resilient across deployments. This capability supports scalable delivery of data-driven content and service information.
The platform was delivered on Drupal 8 and then upgraded through Drupal 9 and Drupal 10 with regression hardening. Upgrade work focused on keeping editorial workflows, integrations, and component behavior stable. Dependencies and custom code were managed to reduce future upgrade friction. This ensured long-term support and reduced operational risk over time.
GA4 and GTM tracking were implemented to capture meaningful interactions across complex pages and service journeys. Events were configured for key engagement points such as forms, videos, and calls-to-action. The setup supports consistent measurement across sections and environments. This mattered to validate user behavior, improve content decisions, and support ongoing optimization.
Delivery focused on a marine data portal CMS migration case study scenario: consolidating multiple legacy properties into a single governed Drupal DXP while removing unsafe, hard-to-maintain content-level code. The team executed structured migrations from WordPress and Drupal 7, rebuilt legacy page behaviors as configurable Drupal components, and stabilized key integrations for search, data feeds, and secure access. The platform was then iteratively modernized through Drupal 8, 9, and 10 upgrades with regression testing to keep editorial workflows and services stable. Analytics and performance validation were embedded into the rollout to ensure reliable measurement and predictable user experience across environments.
Legacy Drupal, WordPress, and embedded PHP patterns were inventoried to identify duplication, risk areas, and workflow gaps. A target Drupal information architecture and governance model were defined to standardize content types, permissions, and publishing flows. This upfront alignment reduced migration rework and created a stable foundation for long-term upgrades.
Content models were mapped from each source system to a unified Drupal structure, including taxonomy, media, and URL considerations. Repeatable migration pipelines were implemented to move content predictably and support re-runs during iterative validation. This approach minimized editorial disruption while ensuring content integrity and consistency across the consolidated platform.
Unmanaged PHP fragments embedded in page content were replaced with safe, configurable Drupal components and structured fields. Components were designed for reuse and controlled configuration so editors could assemble pages without introducing code-level risk. This materially improved maintainability, security posture, and cross-environment predictability.
Solr-backed search was implemented to support scalable indexing and consistent discovery across consolidated content and services. Indexing rules, facets, and relevance tuning were aligned to the new content model to avoid regressions after migration. This ensured scientists and institutional users could reliably find datasets and service information as the platform evolved.
SAML SSO was integrated to provide centralized authentication and consistent access control across protected areas. Role and permission mapping was aligned with the new governance model to keep editorial and user access predictable. This reduced operational risk and supported secure service delivery for different audience groups.
External API feeds were integrated into Drupal in a controlled manner, with clear ownership of data refresh, error handling, and display logic. Integration points were implemented to be upgrade-tolerant and environment-aware to avoid brittle dependencies. This enabled the platform to surface up-to-date service information without reintroducing custom code embedded in content.
The platform was delivered on Drupal 8 and then upgraded through Drupal 9 and Drupal 10 with a focus on compatibility and long-term support. Each iteration included dependency updates, module compatibility checks, and regression testing across key editorial and integration flows. This sequencing kept the platform modern without destabilizing publishing operations or service access.
GA4/GTM tracking was extended to provide granular measurement aligned to key user journeys and content interactions. Performance and SEO readiness were validated through structured testing and iterative remediation, including Lighthouse-driven checks where relevant. This ensured the consolidated platform was both measurable and reliable under ongoing enhancement.
Oleksiy (PathToProject) is demanding and responsive. Comfortable with an Agile approach and strong technical skills, I appreciate the way he challenges stories and features to clarify specifications before and during sprints.
Copernicus Marine Service consolidated multiple legacy websites into a single Drupal Digital Experience Platform with consistent governance and safer content delivery. The work reduced operational overhead for editors, removed high-risk embedded code patterns, and improved platform maintainability across environments. Ongoing upgrades from Drupal 8 to 9 and 10 ensured long-term support while keeping integrations, search, and secure access stable. Enhanced analytics and performance improvements strengthened visibility into user behavior and improved the reliability of service delivery for scientific and institutional audiences.
[01]A unified Drupal editorial model replaced fragmented workflows across WordPress and Drupal 7 properties. Standardized content types and reusable components reduced manual steps and made publishing more predictable across sections. This lowered day-to-day effort for editors while improving governance and review consistency.
[02]Multiple WordPress instances and a Drupal 7 site were migrated into one centralized Drupal platform. Consolidation reduced duplicated configuration and eliminated cross-site inconsistencies that previously slowed change delivery. A single platform also simplified ownership, maintenance planning, and future enhancements.
[03]Unmanaged PHP fragments embedded in page content were removed and replaced with configurable Drupal components. This reduced the risk of unpredictable behavior across environments and improved control over what can be deployed to production. The result was a safer, more supportable platform that is easier to audit and upgrade.
[04]The platform was delivered on Drupal 8 and then upgraded through Drupal 9 to Drupal 10 to maintain supportability and security posture. This approach avoided long-term lock-in to end-of-life versions and reduced the cost and risk of future modernization. It also ensured integrations and custom features remained compatible as the platform evolved.
[05]Performance work improved Lighthouse scores by roughly 20–30%, strengthening page responsiveness and overall user experience. Better performance also supports discoverability and reduces friction for users accessing data and service content. These improvements were delivered without compromising governance or security controls.
[06]Solr-backed search improved content discovery across a consolidated information architecture. SAML SSO enabled secure access patterns suitable for institutional and service users. Together, these integrations supported scalable delivery of content and services while maintaining controlled access where required.
The project leveraged a comprehensive suite of Drupal-focused services to deliver a unified, modern Digital Experience Platform. Key services included Drupal DXP for scalable multisite governance and integration readiness, Drupal 7 Migration and Drupal Upgrade to modernize legacy systems and ensure long-term maintainability, and Drupal CDP Integration to enable advanced customer data platform connectivity. Additionally, Drupal Analytics Integration and Drupal Search Architecture supported enhanced analytics and search capabilities, while Drupal Development and Drupal Governance Architecture ensured extensible, secure, and governed platform evolution. This combination of services facilitated the consolidation of legacy platforms, improved editorial workflows, and enabled enterprise-grade integrations and security.
Enterprise Drupal DXP Architecture & Engineering
Secure, Structured Drupal 7 Website Upgrade to Drupal 11/12
Drupal Major Version Upgrades: Drupal 8/9/10 to 11/12
Drupal event tracking architecture, identity, and audience sync engineering
Drupal GA4 event tracking and enterprise instrumentation
Scalable indexing and relevance design
Custom modules, extensions, and feature engineering
Drupal editorial workflow engineering and permissions model design
These case studies highlight extensive Drupal platform consolidations, migrations, and modernization efforts similar to the Copernicus Marine Service. They emphasize unified governance, component-based content delivery, and iterative upgrades to Drupal 9 and 10, reinforcing themes of scalable editorial workflows, security improvements, and performance optimization within environmental and international organizations.
UNCCD operated four separate websites (two WordPress, two Drupal), leading to inconsistencies in design, content management, and user experience. A unified, scalable solution was needed to support a large-scale CMS migration project and improve efficiency and usability.
The modernization effort resulted in a cohesive, user-friendly, and scalable website, improving content management efficiency and long-term digital sustainability.
With Drupal 7 reaching end-of-life, Veolia needed a Drupal 7 to Drupal 10 enterprise migration for its Acquia Site Factory multisite platform—preserving region-specific content and multilingual capabilities across more than 200 sites.
The platform was modernized into a stable, scalable multisite foundation with improved performance, maintainability, and long-term upgrade readiness.
An advanced healthcare digital platform for LATAM was required to facilitate collaboration among radiology HCPs, distribute company knowledge, refine treatment methods, and streamline workflows. The solution needed secure medical website role-based access restrictions based on user role (HCP / non-HCP) and geographic region.
The platform enhanced collaboration, streamlined workflows, and empowered radiology professionals with advanced tools to gain insights and optimize patient care.
These articles expand on the same platform decisions behind the Copernicus Marine Service delivery: consolidating legacy CMS estates, defining a stronger content model, and putting governance around change. They also add useful context on upgrade planning and operational control for long-lived Drupal platforms.
