Overview

"Guide2Dubai" serves as a comprehensive travel and tourism guide, offering tourists and residents detailed insights into Dubai's attractions, cultural events, dining, shopping, and more. With a wealth of guides and articles, a business directory, and dedicated resources for residents, it aims to be the go-to platform for all things Dubai.

However, despite its popularity, the platform faced significant operational challenges. The client approached us with an outdated DotNetNuke (DNN) portal burdened by performance issues, security breaches, and malfunctioning extensions. Our task was to revamp and modernize the system to not only meet the increasing demands but also to enable the client to expand into new markets like Qatar and Kuwait.

Challenges

The client's DNN portal was running on an obsolete version, with over 50 custom extensions configured using Telerik RAD controls. These controls posed security risks and were no longer supported in the latest DNN version. Moreover, the platform struggled with performance issues due to a memory leak, outdated code, and inefficient data retrieval processes. The situation was compounded by frequent security breaches, leading to a vulnerable and unstable system.

The client's goal was clear: modernize the portal, enhance performance, and ensure robust security to sustain and grow their market presence. However, conventional system upgrades were impractical due to extensive customizations that conflicted with the updated DNN version. The project required a complete overhaul of the portal, extensions, and underlying architecture.

Our Approach

• Comprehensive System Overhaul: We initiated the project by upgrading the DNN instance to the latest version, meticulously planning and executing the upgrade to ensure minimal disruption to the client's operations. Given the extensive modifications in the DNN platform, we had to redesign and redevelop several custom extensions from scratch, ensuring they were fully compatible with the new version.

• Custom Solutions for Unique Challenges: One of the most significant challenges was the outdated system's reliance on DNN's built-in fields for storing article images, which were no longer available in the new version. We developed a custom extension that allowed administrators to manage article images independently, offering enhanced flexibility and ensuring the seamless operation of the website.

• Performance Optimization and Security Enhancement: To tackle the memory leak issue, we implemented custom paging functionality, reducing the amount of data retrieved per request and optimizing system resources. This approach significantly improved system stability and performance. Additionally, we conducted a thorough security audit, identifying and addressing vulnerabilities, and implemented advanced security measures to prevent future breaches.

• Expansion and Scalability: After successfully stabilizing and upgrading Guide2Dubai, the client wanted to replicate this success in new markets. We cloned the DNN portal, creating two additional websites, "Visit-Kuwait.com" and "OnlineQatar.com," customized to meet the specific needs of visitors to Kuwait and Qatar. These new platforms mirrored Guide2Dubai’s functionality but were tailored to their respective audiences.

Results

The transformation of Guide2Dubai from an outdated and unstable platform to a modern, secure, and high-performing system was a resounding success. The client was delighted with the outcome, particularly the seamless automation of previously cumbersome tasks and the significant performance improvements. The enhanced portal not only met the immediate business requirements but also positioned the client for growth in new markets.

The successful launch of the additional websites further solidified the client's market presence in the region, enabling them to offer a consistent and reliable user experience across all platforms. Our tailored solutions and dedication to exceeding expectations ensured that the client could now operate their business with ease, security, and confidence in the system's scalability.

Conclusion

This project exemplifies our commitment to delivering bespoke solutions that not only address immediate challenges but also set the stage for long-term success. By leveraging our deep expertise in DNN development, we transformed a struggling platform into a robust, automated, and user-friendly system, delighting the client and empowering them to expand their business with confidence.

Feedback from the client: "Jitendra is professional and has deep technical knowledge in DNN and related areas. It has been a pleasure working with him. He was timely, easy to communicate with and delivered everything as expected. When we had some unexpected challenges, he worked with me to find solutions. Looking forward to work with him again for a different project soon.",  "Well qualified and professional DNN developer.", "Jitendrakumar is a well experienced DNN developer. Thank you for fixing this issue in a short amount of time."