Scalable and Flexible Digital Platform for Ricola
We developed a highly scalable and flexible digital platform for Ricola, combining modern front-end technologies with a robust content management system. The goal was to create a performant, adaptable, and future-proof solution that enables efficient content distribution across multiple markets while maintaining brand consistency.
Modular and Scalable Architecture
The platform is built on MACH principles. We selected DatoCMS as the headless CMS to provide structured and efficient content management. The front end is developed using Astro, enabling static site generation (SSG) for maximum performance and security. All pages and language versions are pre-generated and distributed globally via a Content Delivery Network (CDN), minimizing runtime dependencies and API requests.
To ensure up-to-date content where needed, we implemented Component Islands, allowing dynamic elements such as product availability and pricing to be fetched in the browser without affecting the static foundation. This hybrid approach balances speed with flexibility, combining Static Site Generation (SSG) and Server-Side Rendering (SSR) to deliver both pre-rendered pages and real-time updates where necessary.
Optimized for Performance and Global Distribution
Static-first architecture: Pages are prebuilt and served via CDN for low-latency global access.
Hybrid rendering model: Dynamic content is selectively fetched client-side to avoid unnecessary cache invalidations.
Localization at scale: Content is structured to support multiple markets, ensuring seamless adaptation while maintaining a unified global brand experience.
Seamless Integration with Third-Party Services
To support Ricola’s operational needs, we integrated multiple third-party solutions:
Salesforce Service Cloud for customer service operations
Umantis for HR and career management
Cituro for booking and scheduling
These integrations ensure a smooth workflow across departments while keeping the platform modular and extensible for future updates.
Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) E-Commerce Integration
Ricola’s new platform is directly integrated with Shopify, streamlining the purchasing experience. The headless approach ensures:
A unified shopping experience across web and mobile
API-driven content distribution for consistent branding
Scalability to support global and local product offerings
Collaborative and Agile Development
The project was executed with a strong focus on cross-team collaboration, leveraging DEPT®’s distributed team model to ensure rapid iteration and efficient problem-solving. By combining a headless CMS, modern front-end technologies, and cloud-based infrastructure, we built a platform that is fast, secure, and highly adaptable—laying a strong foundation for Ricola’s digital evolution.
