About Client
The organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations dedicated to improving agricultural development and livelihoods in developing countries. This project focuses on upgrading the organization’s intranet portal to support the organization’s mission by providing a more efficient and user-friendly platform for its employees.
Business Goals & Specifications
- User Experience Enhancements
- Transition smoothly from Liferay 7.0 to 7.4 Upgrade, integrating new features and a modern user interface to enhance the intranet experience.
- Content and Data Migration
- Migrate all essential content and data from Liferay 7.0 to 7.4 Upgrade, ensuring that all necessary information is carried over without data loss.
- Remove data that is older than three years and no longer in use to optimize system performance.
- Custom Module Development
- Ensure custom modules are upgraded to accommodate the new features and updates in Liferay 7.4 DXP, adapting them to work seamlessly with the latest system changes.
- Rewrite the logic of custom modules whenever necessary to enhance system performance and maintain efficient functionality.
- New Functionalities and User Experience
- Introduce new features and develop a modern, user-friendly intranet experience that aligns with the needs of the users.
- Integration and User Management
- Integrate the portal with Central Authentication Service (CAS) and Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) to streamline user management and provide a smooth login experience for users transitioning from.
- UI/UX Enhancements
- Redevelop and update existing features based on the provided Figma designs to improve the user interface, especially profiles and dashboards, making them more visually appealing.
- Ensure the Intranet Portal Redesign is fully mobile-responsive, providing users with a consistent and optimized experience on all devices.
Implemented Features & Capabilities
- Migration from Liferay 7.0 DXP to Liferay 7.4 DXP : The portal was successfully migrated from Liferay 7.0 DXP to Liferay 7.4 DXP, ensuring a seamless transition of all essential components.
- Site, Content, and Configuration Migration : Sites, content, pages, configurations, and workflows were fully migrated from Liferay 7.0 DXP to Liferay 7.4 DXP, preserving all critical data and structures.
- Migration of Custom Modules : Custom modules, service builder modules, themes, layouts, and other customization modules were upgraded and transferred from Liferay 7.0 DXP to Liferay 7.4 DXP, ensuring compatibility with the latest version.
- Custom Modules and Implementations : Custom modules and customizations were developed based on the new approach recommended for Liferay 7.4 DXP, ensuring full functionality and performance in line with the latest Liferay Platform Upgradation standards.
- Migration of Fragments, Templates, and Structures : Fragments, web content structures/templates, and asset publisher templates were migrated successfully to Liferay 7.4 DXP, maintaining design integrity.
- Custom Module for Message Board Entries : A custom module was created to display message board entries, with Liferay’s message board used to facilitate the creation of new posts.
- Blog Display Template Development : A custom module was implemented to create a blog display page template across all user profile sites.
- Personal Blog Migration and Anonymization : A module was developed to transfer all personal blogs from individual users to the main site, ensuring that inactive users’ blogs are anonymized during LDAP import, part of the Liferay Data Upgradation.
- CAS and LDAP Integration for SSO : CAS and LDAP were integrated to enable SSO and user authentication, simplifying the login process for users.
- Utilize of OOTB Features : Out-of-the-box Liferay features like sites, pages, fragments, web content, asset publishers, workflows, service builders, categories, tags, and user management were leveraged for efficient portal functionality.
- Content Approval Workflow Implementation : A content approval workflow was implemented to streamline content publishing and ensure accuracy and quality control.
- Event and Blog Creation and Interaction : Users can create and view events, event content, and blogs related to the organization. They can also comment on events and blogs to foster interaction.
- Page Creation Using Freemarker Templates : Pages were created using Liferay’s OOTB functionality, utilizing Freemarker templates for dynamic content presentation.
- emplatesManagement Updates Section : A section was developed to display daily updates, allowing users to stay informed on the latest developments within the organization.
- Life at NGO Organization Section : The Life at NGO Organization section enables employees to explore the services offered by the organization, with easy filtering to find the most relevant services as part of Liferay Intranet Redesign.
- User Posts with Interaction Options : An updates section was implemented where users can post content, with the option for others to like and comment on these posts, fostering community engagement.
- Departmental Pages : Dedicated pages were developed for each department, containing all relevant information and resources for easy access.
- Additional Pages for Organization Information : Various other pages were created, including guidelines, library details, and extensive organizational information, leveraging Liferay’s calendar functionality for time-based data as part of the Liferay Platform Upgradation.
- User Profile Site Development : A personalized profile site was developed, allowing users to update and view their personal information, expertise, interests, and past experiences, improving the Liferay Intranet Redesign.
- Personalized Dashboard Site : A personalized dashboard site was designed for users to view their bookmarked pages, customize the order, and see status updates such as blogs and posts they’ve created.
- “Find Expert” Feature on Dashboard : A “Find Expert” section was developed on the user’s dashboard, allowing them to search for other users by applying filters such as expertise, country, and interests.
- Content Visibility Based on User Subscriptions : Content visibility was implemented based on the user’s subscribed categories, ensuring relevant content is presented based on their preferences.
Technology Components & Implementations
- Liferay DXP 7.4 2023 Q4 :
- Developed functionality using Liferay MVC portlet, Service Builder, REST API, Objects, JSP override modules, Indexers, and themes.
- Configured CAS for Single Sign-On (SSO) and LDAP for user authentication.
- Used Liferay fragments, widget templates, and page templates for efficient page creation.
- Leveraged Liferay’s out-of-the-box (OOTB) features for seamless and dynamic page development.
- Liferay React Portlet : Developed functionality using React for dynamic and interactive user interfaces.
- Javascript Libraries : Utilized AUI, jQuery, and Clay components for efficient frontend development.
- Elastic Search : Implemented to enhance performance and logging capabilities.
- CAS : Enabled Single Sign-On (SSO) for all users to streamline authentication.
- Freemarker : Used Freemarker to create flexible templates and fragments for page designs.
- LDAP : Integrated LDAP to allow users to log in with their company credentials.
- PostgreSQL : Maintained the database with PostgreSQL for reliable data storage and management in Liferay.
- Figma : Designed intuitive user interfaces using Figma for streamlined UI/UX development.
Technical Blueprint
ReactJS
PostgreSQL
ElasticSearch
REST APIs
LDAP
Liferay DXP 7.4 2023 Q4
CAS
MVC portlets
JSP Override Fragment
Liferay theme
Freemarker
Figma
LDAP
Liferay theme
Benefits & Value Proposition
- Scalability and seamless integration : Ensured the system scales easily and integrates smoothly with existing infrastructure.
- Data security after the migration : Maintained strong data security throughout and after the migration process.
- Enhanced user interface : Delivered a more intuitive and visually appealing user interface.
- Improved user navigation : Simplified user navigation for a more efficient and user-friendly experience.
- Robust user access control : Implemented stronger user access controls to safeguard sensitive information.
- Optimized performance : Enhanced system performance for faster and more reliable operations.
- Secure authentication : Enabled secure authentication methods for better user data protection.
- Enhanced existing functionality : Improved and optimized the current features of the intranet portal.
- Enhanced intranet portal with new features : Introduced new features to enhance functionality and user engagement.
