Generative AI in journalism
CMS Introduction with Livingdocs at Handelsblatt Media Group
More flexibility in content creation and management
The successful CMS migration to Livingdocs provides the Handelsblatt with a modern, flexible and efficient platform for digital content creation and management. The close collaboration with the customer and the iterative approach contributed significantly to the project's success and will serve as success factors in the future.
Client: Handelsblatt Media Group
Project: CMS implementation with Livingdocs for Handelsblatt and Wirtschaftswoche
Industry: Media
Services: Integration of the CMS Livingdocs into the system landscape, connection of Desknet to Livingdocs, configurations in Livingdocs
Technologies: TypeScript, JavaScript, Zod, Azure OpenAPI, Livingdocs, Grafana, Azure OpenAI APIs
Challenge
Handelsblatt Media Group was faced with the challenge of replacing an outdated editorial system and switching to a modern, user-friendly CMS. The new system should support a common “digital-first” approach for Handelsblatt and Wirtschaftswoche and make the production of digital content simple and efficient.
The goal was a seamless transition to a modern editorial system that meets the requirements of a dynamic digital editorial environment. Furthermore, the editorial workflow should be facilitated by a clear and intuitive user interface and task automation.
A particular challenge was to develop the frontend independently of CMS and to ensure integration without affecting the running website.
Implementation
In December 2022, the collaboration between Handelsblatt Media Group and jambit started. The goal of the project was to migrate Handelsblatt's editorial team to the Livingdocs CMS. A solution was developed that ensures the independence of the CMS from the frontend and makes it easy to make adjustments.
Livingdocs was chosen because of its flexibility. It also offers a user-friendly WYSIWYG interface and the option of expanding the system with interfaces.
jambit contributed extensive experience from previous projects with Livingdocs and supported the client's product team with four developers. This joint team, managed and prioritized by the customer's product owners, ensured a smooth integration and further development of the platform.
When introducing the system into the existing system landscape, the team used an iterative approach in which consecutive breakthroughs were made. At the same time, another team developed a new frontend. Both projects were able to operate and go live independently of each other.
The first demo of Livingdocs was presented at the editorial conference in February 2023. Shortly thereafter, the breakthrough in the frontend was achieved. In June 2023, the team planned the introduction of Livingdocs in the editorial office and in August the first training sessions for the editors started. The go-live and the first tests with individual articles from the Handelsblatt took place in November 2023.
Another important step was the integration of further systems and interfaces. The team connected Desknet to Livingdocs to enable a seamless transition from planning to content creation.
A modern tech stack consisting of TypeScript, Node.js, JavaScript, Vue, Zod, Cloudflare, Docker and Grafana was used for implementation. With agile development practices, the team enabled fast and efficient implementation as well as ongoing adjustments.
The collaboration with Handelsblatt was very team-oriented and contributed significantly to the success of the project. The boundaries between colleagues at Handelsblatt and jambit were fluid and the team worked together as a large WE on the challenges
Result
The Livingdocs CMS supports quick adjustments. This leads to improved efficiency in everyday editorial work and promotes the agile further development of the digital products of the Handelsblatt Media Group.
The project brings more flexibility to content creation and management while increasing user-friendliness.
Content is at the heart of the publication. The project offers great added value along the entire process chain. This starts with the simple creation of content and extends to the efficient editing and management of content, right through to its delivery.
Successes at a glance:
- Successful migration and integration of Livingdocs
- Development and launch of AI-supported functions for automation
- Improved efficiency and user-friendliness in everyday editorial work
- Automated processes that support fast and easy content creation
- Successful implementation of complex technologies
- Step-by-step roll-out of the new system to the editorial team
- Strengthening the relationship with the customer through effective problem solving and technological innovation in a team
About Handelsblatt
The Handelsblatt was founded in 1946 and has been part of DvH Medien GmbH since 2009. It always stood for independent and well-founded quality journalism. The goal of the newspaper is to bring people closer to the economy.
Just contact us!
If you have any questions, please contact Robert Kowalski, Head of Media. Just leave him a message via the contact form.
You can also contact him directly via LinkedIn or call him on +49 176 19830644.