EPLAN unified 47 country sites into a scalable AEM Cloud platform—boosting efficiency, engagement, and global governance while preparing for personalization and commerce.

The Challenge

Consolidate a fractured global web ecosystem into one scalable, cloud-native platform—without disrupting business or performance.

The Solution

A unified digital foundation built for scale, control, and local agility.

To support EPLAN’s global transformation, we delivered a fully consolidated digital experience platform based on Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) as a Cloud Service, structured on Adobe’s Digital Foundation Blueprint. We began by designing a robust multi-site/multi-language architecture with Adobe Core Components and MSM (Multi Site Manager), allowing content to be inherited globally but customized locally across 47 country sites in 35 languages.

We centralized digital asset management with AEM Assets, consolidating fragmented file storage from SharePoint, Cumulus, and Teams into a single source of truth. Role-based access, metadata standards, and automated renditions ensured brand consistency and ease of reuse across teams and regions.

Core digital services—such as the Training Hub (Adobe Learning Manager) and the Partner Finder portal—were embedded directly into the AEM experience and secured with Azure Active Directory (AAD) via OAuth2/SAML. Editors and users across the ecosystem now access gated tools and training via seamless Single Sign-On, mapped to their roles.

To unify lead generation and marketing workflows, HubSpot forms were natively embedded into the AEM content model, preserving backend processes while offering a seamless user interface. The relaunch also merged regional blogs into a single global knowledge hub, rebuilt for performance and structured to accommodate Adobe Edge Delivery Services in future phases.

Governance and change management were critical. We introduced role-based editorial workflows, burn-up reporting, and scope control using RTM to keep delivery on track. Editors worldwide were trained via ALM-hosted enablement programs, with continuous feedback loops for adoption and quality control.

Performance was optimized using FASTLY CDN, automated image delivery, and zero-downtime deployments via Adobe Cloud Manager. SEO was preserved through redirect strategies and hygiene audits—ensuring that no organic traffic was lost during the domain and content transitions.

What emerged was not just a website—but a centralized digital platform that powers EPLAN’s global engagement strategy, improves operational efficiency, and prepares the business for future capabilities like personalization, commerce, and analytics-at-scale.

How we did it

The project was driven by a phased, pragmatic rollout—starting with MVPs like ePulse.com, scaling to the global eplan.com relaunch, and continuing with regional sites and service integrations. We built on Adobe’s Digital Foundation Blueprint to ensure fast delivery and compliance, customizing only where it added clear value.

We implemented AEM as a Cloud Service for CMS and DAM, with global components and a language-copy structure to maintain control without compromising flexibility. Adobe Learning Manager was embedded for seamless course access and tracking. Content workflows were redefined, and a role-based governance model allowed local teams to publish without breaking standards.

The migration combined scripted import for structured content with editorial QA for legacy pages. We moved assets from SharePoint and Cumulus to AEM Assets, applying metadata standards and automating renditions.

Forms were standardized across sites using embedded HubSpot flows. Partners and customers access secure areas via Azure AD, and internal teams work with clear permissions and approval chains.

Global performance is handled by FASTLY CDN, and all deployments are automated via Adobe Cloud Manager—ensuring zero-downtime rollouts and continuous improvement.

About the Client

EPLAN is a global provider of electrical engineering software and services, with clients across industrial automation, machinery, automotive, and building technology. Headquartered in Germany, EPLAN supports engineering excellence across 30+ countries and is part of the Friedhelm Loh Group.