Modernizing the publishing platform behind 1851 Franchise

Project Overview

1851 Franchise needed to improve an established publishing platform without interrupting its editorial work. Its Yii2 application supported a large archive of stories and several related publications.

We replaced parts of the application in stages. Content management, search, accounts, and franchise profiles were organized around separate business responsibilities. A shared codebase supported the publications while allowing each to retain its own presentation.

Separating content management from the public website gave editors a way to manage material without changing the website code. The phased approach allowed the team to review each change before moving on to the next. The work illustrates how a publisher can improve an existing platform while continuing to serve readers.