Background
The WebCo specialises in Magento development, supporting versions from Magento 1 to the latest releases. A leading airport car parking provider in New Zealand required a modern, scalable, and high-performance booking system to replace their outdated Magento 1 platform. With thousands of daily users and complex business logic, the company needed a custom-built Laravel solution to enhance performance, security, and customer experience.
Challenges with Magento 1
-
01
End of Life Support
Magento 1 was no longer supported, increasing security risks. -
02
Performance Bottlenecks
Slow booking processes and frequent downtime during peak hours. -
03
Limited Customization
Magento’s rigid structure made it difficult to tailor the booking flow. -
04
Lack of API Flexibility
Integration with third-party services (payment gateways, ANPR systems, loyalty programs) was challenging. -
05
Mobile Responsiveness Issues
Customers struggled with the outdated UI, especially on mobile devices.
Why Laravel?
- Faster Page Load Speeds – Optimized database queries and caching mechanism
- Scalable Infrastructure – Able to handle peak-time traffic without performance drops.
- Custom Booking Logic – A tailored system designed around airport parking dynamics.
- Seamless API Integrations – Easy connection to payment gateways, ANPR, and loyalty systems.
- Robust Security – Protection against cyber threats and vulnerabilities.
Project Brief
- Replatforming their existing website to a modern, secure solution
- Maintaining the existing design and user experience
Our Approach
To facilitate a smooth transition, we conducted in-depth consultations with the client to understand their requirements and provide expert recommendations on which features should be retained, enhanced, or restructured.
Solution Overview
The re-platforming process involved the following key phases:
Planning
Our project manager collaborated closely with the development team to assess the most suitable platform for the client. We documented detailed flow diagrams and structured a comprehensive implementation plan to ensure alignment with the client’s requirements.
Given WordPress’s limitations in handling complex backend processes, we looked at various othe platforms for the re-platforming. After weighing up the pros and cons of each platform, we opted to use WordPress for the customer-facing interface while leveraging Laravel for the administrative portal.
Platform Selection
- WordPress was chosen for the customer-facing website due to its versatility as a content management system (CMS), enabling the client to update content easily via the WordPress admin panel.
- Laravel PHP was utilised for the backend portal, providing a secure and efficient interface for managing customers and orders.
- Laravel API was developed to facilitate seamless communication between WordPress and Laravel. For instance, when a customer submits a request, WordPress forwards it to the Laravel API, which processes the data and returns the results, ensuring an efficient user experience.
During the development phase, the existing Magento 1 booking site remained fully operational. Once the new system was ready, we created custom import tools to migrate customers and order data from Magento 1 to Laravel efficiently, preserving data integrity and minimising downtime.
Security Enhancements
- Laravel was configured to accept requests exclusively from WordPress.
- API authentication was enforced using Laravel Sanctum to ensure that all requests were validated and secure.
Database Migration
Magento 1’s intricate database structure posed a significant migration challenge. After discussions with the client, we determined that only essential customer and order data needed to be transferred. This required meticulous planning, precise data mapping, and rigorous testing.
We developed custom migration scripts to extract data from Magento 1, transform it to align with Laravel’s database architecture, and import it efficiently. This approach ensured data accuracy and consistency while minimising disruptions.
Data we needed to migrate included;
- Customer Data – Secure migration of user accounts, booking history, and loyalty points.
- Parking Inventory & Pricing Rules – Transferring dynamic pricing structures and availability logic.
- Third-Party Integrations – Rebuilding API connections with payment processors and automated license plate recognition (ANPR) systems.
Front-End Migration
Client Communication & Training
Development Process
An Agile development approach was adopted to enable flexibility and continuous collaboration:
- Weekly Work-in-Progress (WIP) meetings ensured transparency and allowed Our client to review progress iteratively.
- Stakeholders could approve specific sections during development, reducing the risk of last-minute changes.
Testing
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Internal Testing
Comprehensive testing was conducted to validate functionality, usability, compatibility, performance, and security. -
User Acceptance Testing (UAT)
Our client performed UAT to ensure the website met user expectations under real-world conditions.
Go-Live Process
- Functionality under live conditions.
- Integration with third-party systems.
- SEO validation and analytics.
Results & Business Impact
- 40% Faster Booking Process – Reduced checkout times, improving user satisfaction.
- 99.9% Uptime – Eliminated frequent crashes and downtime issues.
- Increased Mobile Conversions – A fully responsive design led to a 30% increase in mobile bookings.
- Higher Revenue Per Booking – Dynamic pricing model optimised profitability.
- Enhanced Security & Compliance – Secure payments and PCI-DSS compliance achieved.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the migration from Magento 1 to a custom-built Laravel solution has significantly enhanced the client’s booking system, addressing critical performance, security, and usability issues. By combining WordPress for the customer-facing website and Laravel for the backend, the project successfully optimiszed the booking process, increased mobile conversions, and ensured a secure, scalable infrastructure capable of handling peak traffic. With improved security measures, faster page loads, and seamless integrations, the new system has not only improved user satisfaction but also driven higher revenue and operational efficiency. The smooth transition, coupled with detailed planning, testing, and client collaboration, resulted in a modern, reliable platform that will support the client’s growth for years to come.
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