CIPS: A CMS migration delivered to deadline, with a platform built for growth

A successful migration to Optimizely CMS12 ahead of licence expiry.
Accelerated delivery using pre-built membership-sector components and templates.
Improved editor experience and compliance workflows from day one.
A stable foundation for optimisation, personalisation and experimentation.
A platform designed to support future internationalisation and regional growth.

Summary of Project and Highlights

We migrated CIPS from a legacy CMS to Optimizely CMS12, integrating with Oracle Commerce and Optimizely DAM. The work was delivered to a fixed licence deadline, without disruption to members or internal operations.

Alongside the migration, we improved the editor experience and streamlined compliance workflows, creating a platform foundation that supports CIPS’ wider ambitions around membership growth, improved services and evolving the site into a knowledge hub for the procurement profession.

North Star

A platform that supports CIPS to: 1. grow membership, 2. improve services for members, and 3. establish the website as a trusted knowledge hub for the procurement profession. The CMS migration was the first step in enabling this longer-term vision.

Roadmap

A phased platform journey built around: - CMS migration to Optimizely CMS12 (phase one) - Ongoing platform support and optimisation - Introduction of personalisation and experimentation - Development of new user journeys - Definition and application of KPIs to measure success

Quick wins

Improved editor experience and publishing workflows | Streamlined compliance processes | Accelerated delivery using membership-sector components and templates | A stable, integrated CMS and commerce foundation at launch

Platform foundation

Optimizely CMS12 integrated with Oracle Commerce and Optimizely DAM to support core business operations and enable future platform growth.

Background

CIPS is the global professional body for procurement and supply. Its website is how members access guidance, manage their professional standing, and engage with the organisation throughout their careers.

By early 2024, the existing CMS was approaching licence expiry. CIPS also had clear strategic goals: increasing membership, improving services for members, and developing the site into a credible knowledge hub for the procurement profession.

The CMS migration was positioned as phase one of a wider, multi-phase journey into the Optimizely ecosystem.

Business Drivers

Replace the legacy CMS ahead of licence expiry
Maintain continuity of service for members and internal teams
Improve editorial efficiency and compliance processes
Protect and integrate with Oracle Commerce and related systems
Establish a platform foundation that supports ongoing optimisation and growth.

Solution

We delivered a structured CMS migration programme covering discovery, design, build, launch and post-launch support.

Approach.

Discovery to define migration scope, operational constraints and integration requirements
Design and build focused on editor experience, streamlined workflows and governance
Around 80% of the redesign delivered using accelerated components and templates developed specifically for the membership sector
Integration with Oracle Commerce and Optimizely DAM, working closely with Oracle teams
Delivery and launch to a fixed deadline aligned to CMS licence expiry
Planned transition into support and optimisation immediately post-launch.