Heritage Radio Network Drupal Migration Case Study

Client

Heritage Radio Network

Industry

Media & Publishing

Services

Drupal Migration · CMS Development · Component-Based Development · Website Development

Tools

Drupal 8 · Paragraphs · React · Node.js · Knapsack Cloud · Vagrant · Pantheon

THE CHALLENGE

Moving a Content-Rich Media Platform to a More Flexible Foundation

Heritage Radio Network is a nonprofit media outlet focused on conversations around food and the global food supply. Its website contained a substantial amount of editorial content and needed a migration that went beyond simply moving content from one Drupal version to another.

The organization also wanted stronger backend capabilities and a component-based approach that would allow editors to build pages using reusable content components. The implementation had to work within a React and Node.js-based component environment rather than relying on conventional Drupal theming.

OUR APPROACH

Rebuilding the Editorial Foundation Around Reusable Components

We have approached the migration by first creating a detailed sitemap and understanding the content structure required by Heritage Radio Network. The team then collaborated with the Knapsack team to create the required components and connect them with Drupal.

Content types and Paragraphs were introduced to provide the structure needed for the component-based experience while preserving Drupal’s strengths as a content-rich CMS.

1

Content Architecture

2

Component Collaboration

3

Structured Content

4

React-Based Rendering

5

Environment Deployment

A Drupal Foundation Built Around Flexible Editorial Components

Drupal 7 to Drupal 8 migration
Detailed website sitemap
Component-based page architecture
Knapsack Cloud component integration
React and Node.js rendering integration
Structured Drupal content types
Paragraph-based content components
Vagrant and Pantheon deployment setup

THE TECHNOLOGY

Drupal at the Core of a Component-Based Publishing Experience

Drupal was selected because Heritage Radio Network’s website was highly content-driven. The implementation combined Drupal’s content-management capabilities with an external component system to support the desired editorial experience.

Drupal 8 The upgraded CMS foundation for managing the organization’s content-rich website.
Paragraphs Provided reusable content components that editors could use to structure pages.
Knapsack + React/Node.js Supported the component-based frontend architecture required for the new experience.

METHODOLOGY

What Our Process Looked Like

1

Map

We have created the sitemap and established the required content and page structure.

2

Componentize

We have worked with the Knapsack team to define and build the required reusable components.

3

Migrate

We have moved the existing Drupal content structure into the new Drupal 8 implementation.

4

Deploy

We have configured the development environment with Vagrant and deployed the container to Pantheon.

MEASURABLE IMPACT

A More Flexible Foundation for a Growing Editorial Platform

The migration gave Heritage Radio Network a Drupal 8 foundation designed around reusable components and structured content while preserving its role as a content-rich media platform.

Flexible Content Creation

Reusable components provide editors with more flexibility when creating pages.

Structured Publishing

Content types and Paragraphs support a more organized editorial architecture.

Modernized Drupal Foundation

The platform moved from Drupal 7 to Drupal 8.

Component-Based Experience

The website could work with the required React, Node.js, and Knapsack component environment.

“The new foundation gives ACG greater control over how its global digital ecosystem evolves.”

ACG World

Global pharmaceutical manufacturing

Heritage Radio Network

Moving a Content-Rich Media Platform to a More Flexible Foundation

Heritage Radio Network is a nonprofit media outlet focused on conversations around food and the global food supply. Its website contained a substantial amount of editorial content and needed a migration that went beyond simply moving content from one Drupal version to another.

Rebuilding the Editorial Foundation Around Reusable Components

We have approached the migration by first creating a detailed sitemap and understanding the content structure required by Heritage Radio Network. The team then collaborated with the Knapsack team to create the required components and connect them with Drupal.

1

2

3

4

5

A Drupal Foundation Built Around Flexible Editorial Components

THE TECHNOLOGY

Drupal at the Core of a Component-Based Publishing Experience

METHODOLOGY

What Our Process Looked Like

1

2

3

4

MEASURABLE IMPACT

A More Flexible Foundation for a Growing Editorial Platform

“The new foundation gives ACG greater control over how its global digital ecosystem evolves.”

ACG World

Frederick Abbott

Kind Traveler

Is your content platform holding your editorial team back?