Utrecht University
Reprogramming and migration of a research database with improved user experience
Education I Netherlands I Custom Software Development I 5 months engagement (Aug – Dec 2023)
The Clients
- Industry:
- Education
- Location:
- Netherlands
- Delivery model:
- Project-based
- Duration:
- 5 months (Aug – Dec 2023)
- Support areas:
-
Rebuild a web-based database + migrate legacy data + upgrade usability - Platform context:
-
A central hub for the 3Rs (Replace, Reduce, and Refine experiment) and hosts useful tools & databases on humane endpoints and alternatives to the use of fetal calf serum in cell cultures.
The challenge
Utrecht University needed to modernize its existing web-based database while preserving legacy data and improving usability.
– Migrating data from an unconventional CMS to a new platform
– Restructuring and reprogramming the existing database
– Ensuring data integrity and compatibility throughout the migration
– Improving platform performance and scalability
– Upgrading the user experience to make the database easier to navigate and use
Dealing with a similar legacy platform?
Let’s discuss your requirements.
What the client needed
Utrecht University required a solution that could:
Reprogram
Reprogram the existing database
Migrate
Migrate all information from the old database to a new one
Upgrade
Upgrade the user experience of the database
What Sunbytes Delivered
Sunbytes rebuilt the web-based database, migrated its legacy content, and improved the user experience through a focused project-based engagement.
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Database rebuild & modernization
Redesigned and rebuilt the existing database on WordPress to create a more scalable, maintainable, and user-friendly foundation.
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Legacy data migration
Migrated all existing content from the unconventional CMS to the new platform while maintaining data integrity and consistency.
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User experience & accessibility improvements
Improved the database interface and user flows to make information easier to navigate, access, and use.
Why teams choose Sunbytes
A Netherlands-led delivery partner for stable dedicated teams, clear ownership, and roadmap capacity that can scale without resetting context.
Roadmap-first team design
Your team is shaped around roadmap goals, product context, skill gaps, and delivery risks—so capacity matches the work, not a generic squad template.
Product ownership stays with you
You keep backlog, priorities, acceptance, and product decisions; Sunbytes supports execution rhythm, quality, continuity, and team performance.
Stable team context
Dedicated teams retain product knowledge across releases, reducing repeated onboarding, handoff loss, and context rebuilds between roadmap phases.
Governance that fits your workflow
Sprint planning, review cadence, DORA metrics, risk tracking, and monthly service reviews are adapted to your delivery model—not forced into one process.
Continuity built into the model
Structured handover, documentation, replacement support, and performance check-ins protect delivery when team composition needs to change.
Secure cross-border delivery
ISO 27001-certified operations, GDPR-aware processes, access governance, and Vietnam delivery capacity help your team scale with stronger control.
What the team covered
The engagement covered the core work required to rebuild the database, migrate legacy content, and improve how users interact with the platform.
-
Database rebuild & modernization
Redesigned and rebuilt the web-based database on WordPress.
Created a more maintainable foundation to support performance, scalability, and future development. -
Legacy data migration
Migrated all existing database content from the unconventional CMS to the new platform.
Maintained data integrity and consistency while minimizing disruption during the transition. -
UX & accessibility improvements
Improved the database interface, navigation, and user flows.
Made information easier to access and the overall platform more intuitive for end users
Outcomes
The project resulted in:
Modernized database foundation
The existing database was rebuilt and restructured into a more scalable, maintainable, and user-friendly platform.
Complete legacy data migration
All existing content was successfully moved from the unconventional CMS to the new system while maintaining data integrity and consistency.
Delivered on time
The database rebuild, data migration, and user experience improvements were completed within the agreed project timeline.
In their words
“Sunbytes delivered exactly what we needed. They hit every target, managed the project smoothly, and kept everything on track with clear communication and regular feedback. What stood out most was their personal approach and the quality of execution.”
Jeffrey Bajramovic
Director, 3Rs Centre Utrecht
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