38 per cent faster loading times with Shopware 6 and maxcluster

The online shop meyer-wagenfeld.de was running on an outdated Shopware 5 instance that offered neither modern features nor a future-proof foundation. At the same time, complex print-data processes and custom workflows in the admin area had to be reliably mapped. SENSUS MEDIA migrated the shop in close coordination with the customer to Shopware 6, including newly designed admin workflows, custom extensions, and structured data migration – hosted on a scalable maxclusterinfrastructure 

The result: on average 38 percent faster loading times, around a 14 percent higher conversion rate, and noticeably more efficient internal processes.

Ulrich & Martin Meyer GmbH & Co. KG is a printing company and agency focused on tailored print and communication solutions. The company produces, among other things, business stationery, promotional materials, and custom-designed print products for companies and institutions. Through the online shop at meyer-wagenfeld.de, customers can configure, calculate, and order their print products directly online—from standard items to complex, fully customized jobs.

Before the project began, the online shop at meyer-wagenfeld.de was running on Shopware 5. The platform had become technically outdated, was in end-of-life status, and no longer offered the flexibility needed to efficiently meet future requirements. Modern features were missing, as was a robust, extensible system architecture. The goal was to switch to Shopware 6 in order to create a stable, maintainable foundation that would remain powerful in both the frontend and backend over the long term.

At the same time, the initial situation was demanding from a functional perspective:

• Complex admin customizations
  The internal processes around print data, quotes, and orders required extensive customizations in the Shopware 6 administration area. Processes such as capturing, managing, and editing print data were to become more efficient and transparent.
• Custom workflows
  Existing workflows had to be rethought and implemented in Shopware 6—including a roles and permissions concept, approvals, and a clear distribution of tasks within the team.
• System integration and data migration
  The complete migration of existing data as well as the seamless connection of existing systems posed additional requirements and made custom interface solutions necessary.

The migration from Shopware 5 to Shopware 6 was carefully planned and implemented in several steps. First, SENSUS MEDIA analyzed all existing processes and, in closely coordinated workshops with the customer, transferred them into modern Shopware 6 structures.

Core components of the implementation:

• Rebuilding the admin workflows:
  Custom processes in the administration area—such as managing print data, approval workflows, or customer-specific custom-made products—were remodeled in Shopware 6 and implemented through targeted backend adjustments.
• Custom extensions and plugin development:
  The SENSUS MEDIA team implemented specific requirements that could not be covered by the standard system through their own extensions and tailored plugin development. This kept the shop close to the standard while remaining flexible for future adjustments.
• Structured data migration:
  The migration of existing data was carried out in a controlled manner with a clear focus on data integrity. Test cycles ensured that product, customer, and order data arrived in the new system completely and correctly.
• Training and testing:
  Through training sessions and test scenarios, everyone involved was familiarized with the new system at an early stage. This enabled the Ulrich & Martin Meyer GmbH & Co. KG team to work in day-to-day business without friction after go-live.

On the hosting side, maxcluster provided a high-performance cluster environment in which development, staging, and live systems were cleanly separated yet efficiently manageable. Easy scalability, an optimized PHP stack, and extensive monitoring options enabled SENSUS MEDIA to closely track performance and stability throughout the entire project.

In the project, maxcluster served as a reliable technical foundation and sparring partner for the agency team. The cluster infrastructure made it possible to run development, staging, and live environments cleanly and to scale flexibly as needed.

Particularly valuable were:

• the simple, interruption-free scaling of resources for peak loads,
• the comprehensive monitoring that kept performance metrics and system status in view at all times,
• as well as direct support: Technical support was available at all times and could answer specialist questions quickly and competently.

This meant the hosting not only remained stable in the background, but also actively helped minimize risks during migration, testing, and go-live.

The combination of the Shopware 6 relaunch and hosting with maxcluster led to clearly measurable improvements:

• On average, 38 percent faster loading times compared to the old system
• Increase in the conversion rate by around 14 percent
• Significantly accelerated internal processes in the handling of print data and custom-made products

From the user’s perspective, the new infrastructure is most noticeable in terms of performance. Page load times have been noticeably reduced, and even under heavy load the shop responds quickly and reliably at all times. Especially during high-revenue periods or marketing campaigns, the team can rely on a stable, high-performance foundation—without outages or noticeable slowdowns.

The modernized architecture also provides a foundation for future development: features can be added more easily, processes adapted, and new requirements implemented without jeopardizing the stability of the overall system.

The relaunch of meyer-wagenfeld.de shows how an outdated Shopware 5 shop can be migrated to a modern, scalable e-commerce platform when technology, processes, and hosting are planned as one. SENSUS MEDIA transferred the complex requirements of the print shop and agency workflows to Shopware 6 and, together with maxcluster, created a high-performance, future-ready environment.\r\n

For Ulrich und Martin Meyer GmbH & Co. KG, this means a stable shop, faster loading times, more efficient day-to-day operations, and a platform that leaves plenty of room for further growth and new digital offerings.