VELUX’s web journey with Sitecore

How VELUX leveraged Sitecore to modernize its digital asset management and enhance collaboration across teams.

4 minute read

Hands holding the tablet in a room with windows

At Sitecore Symposium 2024, Mark Saxton, representing Digital Asset Management at VELUX, and Tamara Amad, Lead Domain Architect at VELUX, shared the company’s digital transformation journey.

As a global leader in creating better living environments through daylight and fresh air, VELUX provides an extensive range of roof windows, skylights, and associated products.

Operating in over 40 countries with 10,000 employees, the organization is renowned for its innovation in the building materials sector.

VELUX’s presentation detailed how the company transformed its digital operations by adopting Sitecore’s Content Hub and XM Cloud solutions, emphasizing agility, scalability, and collaboration.

The evolution of DAM at VELUX

VELUX’s journey with DAM began in 1999 with an on-site platform enhanced by custom-built extensions. In 2015, the platform underwent a large-scale upgrade with a browser-based interface to improve usability. By 2022, however, the aging system could no longer meet the company’s needs.

Saxton reflected on this transition, saying: “Our old vendor was no longer servicing the solution we had. This gave us an opportunity to take two steps back and think, ‘What should we be doing with DAM?’ We made a conscious decision not just to replace it but to go a few steps further.”

After a rigorous RFP process, VELUX selected Sitecore, on account of its robustness and scalability. Another key factor was partnering with a company that could impart long-term capabilities, enabling VELUX to take ownership of its systems. The new DAM system went live in June 2023 after a nine-month development period, including workshops, integrations, and migration. The implementation featured modules like DAM, PCM, CMP, and MRM, creating a comprehensive content ecosystem.

The role of Sitecore XM Cloud in VELUX’s strategy

In 2024, VELUX embarked on its Sitecore XM Cloud journey, launching its first Sitecore XM Cloud site within just four months. Hosted in Vercel, the platform leverages Sitecore’s out-of-the-box continuous integration and delivery setup. This efficient implementation cycle included learning, content editing, and a seamless go-live.

The transition to Sitecore 10.4 with a headless, composable architecture and AKS hosting has empowered VELUX to scale its operations, supporting over 200 domains.

Key innovations and integrations

VELUX’s adoption of Sitecore Content Hub has introduced significant features:

  • Collaboration spaces: Secure environments where users can manage confidential assets and collaborate effectively. This feature has been instrumental for sensitive projects, allowing controlled access to unpublished assets.
  • AI-driven enhancements: Integration of vectorization for asset discovery and web crawling to identify asset usage across platforms. These innovations streamline workflows and save considerable time.
  • Localized content hubs: Regional portals enable localized marketing teams to manage assets and users, providing tailored experiences in multiple languages.
  • Notifications and compliance: Automated notifications for expiring assets ensure timely renewals, avoiding disruptions or compliance issues.

Amad elaborated on the value of notifications: “Whenever assets for which users are responsible are going to expire, a service on Azure sends notifications. This helps users extend the license or take necessary actions proactively.”

A critical element of VELUX’s success was the collaborative approach, involving internal teams, external partners, and Sitecore’s support. Agile methodology and clear strategic goals ensured the project’s smooth execution within a tight timeframe. The organization balanced retaining essential legacy functionalities with embracing new, out-of-the-box capabilities.

Impact and future readiness

VELUX’s digital transformation has significantly improved efficiency and cost savings. By automating processes such as asset publication and leveraging advanced integrations, the company has reduced manual efforts and enhanced its digital asset lifecycle. Looking ahead, they plan to explore auto-tagging, AI-powered translation, and image editing, further aligning with Sitecore’s evolving capabilities.

Committed to creating user-centric solutions and fostering collaboration, VELUX is positioned not only as a leader in their industry but as a role model for how companies can successfully adapt to today’s evolving needs.

Discover more about digital asset management–explore nine benefits of DAM for your business.