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Deutsche Bahn

Partner since 2004

Ready for millions: A futureproof CMS for Bahn.de

Cloud & system ownership

Digital experience design

Performance optimisation

Seamless, smooth an safe: We redesigned and implemented a new Content Management System (CMS) for Bahn.de, making the system more flexible and intuitive for the editorial team, while enhancing the user experience for millions of travelers who rely on the platform to book journeys and access travel information. The result? A more intuitive and scalable platform, more efficient editorial workflow on Deutsche Bahn side and and a seamless, more engaging experience for end consumers.

Need

The highest security standards should be met, editorial workflows optimized, and the user experience improved.

Result

A tailor-made CMS designed to meet these challenges head-on.

Impact

The flexible and intuitive platform ensures the highest level of security while delivering maximum user-friendliness for millions of daily users.

Person sitting in front of a laptop, browsing the Deutsche Bahn booking website.

THE CHALLENGE

Open-Heart Surgery

At the onset of the pandemic, Deutsche Bahn faced an urgent need to tackle critical security vulnerabilities in its existing, custom-built CMS. Additionally, they sought a more efficient system that could enhance workflows for their editorial team while delivering a better user experience. Compliance requirements added further complexity, as the new system had to meet stringent security standards while ensuring seamless functionality – working on a live system relied upon by millions of users daily without disrupting service.

What we did

A CMS That Transforms Workflows and User Journeys

Our work began with a thorough needs analysis to identify the core challenges of Bahn.de’s existing CMS, which included critical security vulnerabilities, inefficient editorial workflows, and outdated functionalities. Deutsche Bahn needed a secure, scalable solution that would simplify editorial workflows and allow for custom features. Based on these needs, we recommended Magnolia CMS, which offered robust security, flexibility, and an intuitive interface, aligning with their goals of improving efficiency and creating a future-proof system.  Once the CMS was selected, our team handled the full content migration, meticulously transferring existing data and assets into the new system. We also restructured the site’s navigation, optimizing it for both editorial ease of use and improved user journeys. We developed new features like the quick finder on the homepage and re-engineered every template, component, and module across Bahn.de and its subsidiaries. This included the integration of video and survey modules, allowing the editorial team to enhance user engagement while streamlining their processes.

How we did it

90 Sprints of Co-Creation

Over the course of 90 sprints and nearly 1,800 story points, our close-knit, cross-functional teams worked side by side with the client, integrating UX and development teams to ensure seamless handoffs and real-time problem solving. This close collaboration and co-creation allowed for rapid responses to challenges, ensuring minimal downtime. Rather than merely acting as a service provider, we stood side by side with the client, cultivating deep trust and fostering a collaborative atmosphere that empowered us to go beyond execution and deliver real value at every stage of the migration process.

The Results

A completely new implemented CMS, centered around flexibility, user-friendliness, and cutting-edge technology. The system is designed to meet the full editorial requirements, offering intuitive templates and modules that streamline content creation. With a modern, easy-to-use editorial interface, the CMS empowers users to work efficiently and effortlessly, providing an experience that’s not only state of the art but also flexible enough to adapt to evolving needs.

The Impact

We created an environment that not only closes security gaps but also offers maximum user-friendliness to make everyday travel easier for millions of Deutsche Bahn customers. It’s a flexible and intuitive system that meets internal requirements while providing a seamless, secure, and user-friendly platform for millions of users.

What we learned

By working closely with Deutsche Bahn, we successfully balanced the technical challenges with the need for minimal disruption to an essential, high-traffic platform. The experience underscored the value of flexible CMS solutions and the power of integrating custom features to meet the evolving needs of both editorial teams and end users.

The Partnership

As a trusted partner of Deutsche Bahn, Ray Sono has been supporting the company’s digital transformation across platforms for over 20 years – actively contributing to improving customer engagement. Together, we’ve created innovative solutions and remarkable digital experiences: from redesigning the Bahn.de platform and introducing more efficient communication tools to implementing change strategies and dynamic content hubs. Our successful collaboration is built on a shared vision of progress and enhancing the digital experience for millions of travelers – driven by innovative technologies that put people at the center.

We’re proud to have demonstrated together with our partner Deutsche Bahn, just how far trust and seamless teamwork can go when collaboration is constructive, even across external teams. With this project, we not only showcased our technical expertise, but also proved that by leveraging smart processes, the right toolset, and a close partnership, we can deliver outstanding results as part of a large-scale DB initiative.

Max Mustermann

Muster-Position

Ray Sono