Magento 2 migration to custom Laravel e-commerce application with SAP, Akeneo and Algolia connection

This project focused on the migration of a complex B2B e-commerce multi-tenant platform from Magento 2 to a customized Laravel-based solution. The decision to redevelop was made to create a flexible, maintainable platform that meets the requirements of a highly customized e-commerce system. The new Laravel platform offers higher performance, better extensibility and optimized integrations for SAP, Akeneo and Algolia, making it suitable for long-term use and continuous development.

Functionalities in detail

1. Replacement and customization of existing Magento 2 features:
   • The migration was carried out because the Magento 2 platform had deviated significantly from the core due to numerous customizations - only around 20% of the original standard functions were still being used.
   • However, a number of user-defined modules could be extracted from Magento 2 and transferred to the Laravel platform with minimal adjustments, as both frameworks are based on PHP and JavaScript.
2. SAP and Akeneo integrations for real-time data:
   • The interfaces to SAP and Akeneo have been completely redeveloped to ensure high performance and stability.
   • The platform performs real-time queries in SAP for availability and price information so that customers always have the latest data available.
3. Algolia as a search and catalog solution:
   • Algolia has been integrated as an external search service and acts as a central catalog navigation solution.
   • Optimized updating and indexing logic keeps operating costs low.
   • The Algolia integration ensures fast, accurate search results and a seamless user experience for customers.
4. One-page checkout for fast orders:
   • The checkout has been optimized to a one-page checkout, allowing customers to complete orders with minimal clicks, speeding up the checkout process and increasing conversion rates.
5. Special access rights for employees and sales staff:
   • Employees and salespeople can log in via Microsoft Entra ID (Azure Active Directory) using single sign-on and have access to special customer support functions.
   • These access rights make it possible to prepare orders, provide customer support and generally improve the B2B customer experience.
6. Different functions for B2B customers and employees:
   • The platform was designed for two user groups with different functions:
     • B2B customers: Get a user-friendly shopping experience with advanced B2C-like features that simplify the buying process.
     • Employees: Have additional functions for customer management, support and order preparation.
7. Performance optimization through Varnish Cache:
   • A customized Varnish Cache has been implemented to keep the platform performing during peak times without having to scale horizontally. This saves server costs and ensures fast loading times.
8. Long-term future-proofing with Laravel:
   • With Laravel as the basis, the platform is better equipped for future further developments and adaptations. In contrast to Magento 2, Laravel offers a more flexible and maintenance-friendly structure that enables long-term use and further development.