Transforming Howmet Aerospace’s $6 Billion Digital Ecosystem: Sitecore to WordPress Migration

About Howmet Aerospace

Howmet Aerospace, headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a leading global provider of advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries. They specialize in jet engine components, aerospace fastening systems, and titanium structural parts, crucial for high-performance and efficient aerospace and defense applications. With an estimated revenue of over $6B and a team of around 19,900 employees, Howmet’s nearly 1,150 granted and pending patents contribute to lighter, more fuel-efficient aircraft, reducing their carbon footprint.

Goal

• Ensure the smooth transition of intricate data structures from ASP.net to WordPress while maintaining complete data integrity.
• Seamlessly integrate multilingual capabilities and Single Sign-On (SSO) functionalities, requiring careful planning and execution.
• Unify the management of multiple websites under a single platform, overcoming technical hurdles for seamless administration.
• Implement robust data protection measures to comply with GDPR requirements, ensuring secure handling of personal data and obtaining user consent.
• Collaborate closely with the client to develop comprehensive system documentation, overcoming challenges related to database access and system architecture.

Solution

• We successfully migrated the complex ASP.net database to a more streamlined WordPress MySQL database, ensuring data integrity throughout the process.
• Tailored Gutenberg blocks were developed, giving the editorial team enhanced flexibility and improving workflow efficiency.
• A custom plugin was created to integrate Salesforce and customize forms, thereby enhancing user interaction on the website.
• Real-time updates on news and press releases were enabled through the integration of a third-party API.
• The login process across platforms was streamlined by integrating SSO with Microsoft API, simplifying user access.
• A bespoke search tool was developed to allow users to filter products based on company, state, and brand, offering a more targeted and efficient user experience.

Result

• The migration led to a 35% improvement in website speed, significantly enhancing both user experience and reliability.
• Custom Gutenberg blocks reduced publication time by 30%, allowing for quicker content updates and smoother management processes. The new workflow also included notifications for the website administrator upon content publication or updates.
• The multisite and multilingual features broadened the website’s reach and boosted engagement with international audiences, supporting Howmet’s global strategy.
• The custom product search tool increased user satisfaction by making it easier to find products tailored to specific needs.
• Full compliance with GDPR was achieved, bolstering user trust and ensuring legal adherence.
• The integration of the Bing Search API improved internal search functionality, delivering broader and more relevant search results.