CABI Academy, focuses on boosting skills and knowledge in agriculture, environmental sustainability, and biosciences. It serves a global community of learners, researchers, and professionals through a robust e-learning platform. Built on Moodle, this platform delivers top-notch educational content, courses, and tools to thousands worldwide, driving innovation in agriculture and environmental care.
1910
As CABI Academy expanded, its digital setup faced growing pains. The existing hosting struggled to support an increasing user base and complex features, causing slow performance and operational hiccups. To address this, CABI Academy needed a stronger, more scalable hosting solution to improve speed, ensure reliability, and uphold their commitment to quality. They turned to Overt Software Solutions Ltd, a trusted expert in Moodle hosting, theming, and customisation. Known for delivering solutions tailored to specific needs, Overt was the perfect partner to lead CABI Academy through this vital upgrade.
Solutions at a glance
Migrate the CABI Academy platform to a robust and scalable hosting environment with no disruption to services.
Ensure all core platform functionality meets quality benchmarks within deadlines, including enhanced system performance
Provide clear and professional communication across all stakeholders, including external suppliers, throughout the project.
Implement a location-based user redirection solution to meet regional access requirements
Ensure ongoing plugin support and compatibility with future Moodle versions
The platform was successfully migrated to a new, high-performance server infrastructure within the planned timeline and budget, with minimal disruption, ensuring seamless access for users.
Post-migration, the platform achieved significant performance improvements, such as deleting 4,500 users in minutes during a GDPR-related task, which received positive user feedback on the speed and stability of the system.
Overt maintained excellent communication channels, with quick responses and professional coordination with suppliers, keeping all parties informed and aligned.
A custom Geolocation Plugin was developed and tested during migration. It redirects users from Egypt to the EKB platform while allowing global users to log in normally, aligning with CABI’s specific access policies.
The Geolocation Plugin is covered under a development support contract, ensuring it stays updated and functional as Moodle evolves.
The Challange
CABI Academy’s e-learning platform was at a crossroads. While Moodle provided a flexible foundation, the existing hosting environment was no longer fit for purpose. The platform faced several challenges:
Compounding these challenges was the need to test a deferred Translation plugin, a critical feature for CABI Academy’s multilingual audience, immediately after migration. With a small internal IT team and limited resources, CABI Academy needed a partner with deep technical expertise, proactive problem-solving skills, and a track record of delivering under pressure.
In addition to infrastructure challenges, CABI Academy needed a way to manage user access based on location. Due to specific organisational needs, users authenticating from Egyptian IP addresses were required to be redirected to the Egyptian Knowledge Bank (EKB) platform, while users from other regions needed uninterrupted access through Moodle’s standard authentication process. Overt Software Solutions Ltd stepped up to the challenge, ready to transform CABI Academy’s digital infrastructure.
The Solution
Overt Software Solutions Ltd developed a thorough migration plan tailored to CABI Academy’s needs. The objective was straightforward: transfer the platform to a robust, scalable server environment to improve speed, stability, and usability while adhering to the agreed budget and scope. Here is how the process unfolded.
- Initial Planning: From the outset, Overt demonstrated a deep understanding of CABI Academy’s requirements. They created a clear roadmap that balanced technical demands with practical delivery. Well-defined milestones fostered confidence among all stakeholders.
- Seamless Migration: The platform moved to a high-performance server setup with minimal disruption. Overt’s team expertly managed data transfers, configurations, and integrations, ensuring all core features functioned perfectly.
- Custom Enhancements: Overt designed an efficient user account creation and login system suited to CABI Academy’s diverse users. They also introduced a modern interface to improve navigation and visual appeal, enhancing the experience for learners and administrators.
- Performance Improvements: Overt refined backend operations to increase responsiveness and reliability. Optimised database queries, server settings, and caching systems enabled the platform to handle high user volumes and complex tasks effectively.
- Effective Communication: Overt maintained open and regular communication throughout the project. Prompt updates and swift issue resolution kept everyone aligned. Sam Godbehere’s skilled coordination with external suppliers ensured smooth integration of external components.
- Early Testing: Following the migration, Overt promptly began testing the deferred Translation plugin on a dedicated test site. This key feature progressed faster than anticipated, delivering ahead of schedule.
In addition to these upgrades, Overt also delivered a bespoke Geolocation Plugin to address a specific organisational requirement. The plugin was designed to detect when users access the platform from an Egyptian IP address and redirect them to the Egyptian Knowledge Bank (EKB), while allowing non-Egypt users to authenticate through Moodle’s standard login process.
The Geolocation Plugin underwent testing during the migration phase on a dedicated test environment. Overt worked closely with CABI Academy to make iterative adjustments based on feedback, ensuring it functioned exactly as required. Ongoing support for the plugin continues under a development support contract, helping to maintain compatibility with future Moodle updates.
Guided by Sam Godbehere, Overt’s team showcased exceptional technical expertise and a focused approach. Their emphasis on performance, scalability, and user-friendly design met CABI Academy’s immediate needs and laid a strong foundation for future growth.
The Benefits
The switch to CABI Academy’s new platform was a cracking success with brilliant results from day one. The benefits shone through straight away.
Although the EKB’s final setup is still in progress, the plugin is fully built, tested, and standing by—ready to support seamless redirection as soon as the external IdP is configured. It’s a prime example of Overt’s proactive, future-ready development.
More than just nailing the tech, this project sparked real excitement for CABI Academy’s future. The platform’s rock-solid stability and space to grow set them up for success. Overt’s expertise built confidence for a fantastic ongoing partnership.
"“The technical knowledge of your team fills us with confidence and excitement for the future development of the CABI Academy."
Caroline Read
Digital Learning Manager, CABI Academy
CABI Academy’s Migration Success: Key Goals and Outcomes
The partnership between CABI Academy and Overt Software Solutions shows what can happen when skill meets dedication. Faced with some tough challenges, Overt stepped in with a user-first approach and transformed CABI Academy’s e-learning platform into something faster, more reliable, and ready for the future. The smooth migration, improved performance, and early success with the Translation plugin exceeded expectations. That gave CABI the freedom to focus on what matters most, supporting education in agriculture and the environment.
Caroline summed it up perfectly:
“I am very pleased with the choice made by CABI to move to Overt Software Solutions Ltd and I appreciate the relationship we have built during the last 4 months and am very much looking forward to the next few years working together.”
Adding a custom Geolocation Plugin took things one step further. It showed how Overt listens, adapts, and delivers solutions that fit real-world needs. The plugin allows region-based redirection without interrupting global access, a flexible solution that speaks to how well Overt understands CABI Academy’s goals.
Looking ahead, this partnership sets the stage for more innovation and positive change. With a strong, stable platform in place, CABI Academy is well equipped to help learners around the world build the skills they need to succeed.
This is not just a story about tech. It is about shared values and a commitment to making education more accessible and impactful. And with Overt on board, CABI Academy is ready to shape the future of digital learning.
Curious about how Overt can help you build something great? Get in touch today and let us help you take the next step.