DELA : Modernising document automation through a seamless infrastructure migration 

DELA was already using SmartDigiDocs to support its document generation processes through an on-premises installation for many years. 

With the need to move to a supported Windows Server platform, DELA also wanted to upgrade its existing SmartDigiDocs environment, including its existing toolkit and custom components. 

The objective was clear: modernise the technical infrastructure while preserving existing integrations and custom functionality and ensuring a smooth transition to the upgraded environment. 

Working closely with DELA, the SmartDigiDocs team successfully migrated and upgraded the installation to version 8.4, completing the project within the agreed timelines and without incidents. 

Modernising an existing document automation environment 

DELA’s existing SmartDigiDocs installation needed to be migrated to a supported Windows Server platform. At the same time, the organisation wanted to upgrade its entire document automation environment, including older toolkit elements and custom components. 

The project therefore involved more than reinstalling the software on new servers. Existing databases, integrations and customised components also needed to be migrated, updated, or configured to work with the upgraded platform. 

For DELA, maintaining the functionality of its existing environment was a key priority. The migration therefore needed to preserve established document generation processes while moving the platform to a supported technical foundation.  


The challenge was to coordinate the migration and upgrade while ensuring
that all components continued to work together throughout the transition.

A carefully coordinated migration to SmartDigiDocs 8.4  

To address these requirements, Contraste’s SmartDigiDocs team reinstalled and configured DELA’s on-premise installation on new Windows servers, covering the test, acceptance and production environments. 

The project included: 

  • Reinstalling and configuring SmartDigiDocs on new Windows servers 
  • Upgrading the platform to SmartDigiDocs 8.4 
  • Updating the existing toolkit and adapting custom components
  • Migrating the databases 
  • Configuring fonts and print drivers 
  • Testing existing integrations and validating the upgraded environment 

Each environment was configured and tested before the final production migration. 

To support the transition, the previous and upgraded environments ran in parallel for a short period. A rollback scenario was also prepared in case the team needed to return to the previous installation. 

Following validation by DELA, the upgraded environment was moved into production. 

Key Benefits for DELA

 

A supported and future-ready technical foundation 

DELA successfully migrated its SmartDigiDocs installation to new Windows servers, moving to a supported infrastructure while maintaining its on-premises environment. 

Continuity of existing integrations and custom functionality 

Existing integrations, toolkit elements and custom components were updated, adapted, and tested to ensure they continued to function with the upgraded platform. This allowed DELA to retain its existing document generation processes while benefiting from the upgraded environment. 

A smooth and controlled transition 

Parallel environments, a preparedrollback scenario and coordinated testing supported migration to production. The transition was completed without incidents, and no rollback was required. 

Successful upgrade to SmartDigiDocs 8.4 

DELA’s complete SmartDigiDocs environment was upgraded to version 8.4, including its toolkit and custom components, while preserving its existing document generation processes. 

Operational and Business Impact

The migration was completed successfully, within the agreed timelines and without incidents. 

The project delivered several concrete results:

Successful migration across test, acceptance and production environments

Upgrade of the SmartDigiDocs installation to version 8.4

Continued functionality of existing integrations and custom components

Successful transition to the new production environment

No need to activate the rollback scenario

Two weeks of post-migration hypercare support

Ensuring a smooth transition through preparation and collaboration

Although the migration was relatively straightforward from a technical perspective, careful preparation and close collaboration with DELA played an important role in its successful execution. 

Contraste and DELA coordinated the installation, configuration, testing and validation of the upgraded environments before proceeding with the production migration. 

During the post-project discussion, DELA’s feedback confirmed that the migration had gone according to plan and that the agreed timelines had been respected. Direct communication and effective coordination were also highlighted as positive aspects of the collaboration. 

    Supporting DELA’s continued document automation

    The DELA project demonstrates how an existing SmartDigiDocs environment can be upgraded and migrated to a supported infrastructure while preserving established integrations and custom functionality. 

    Close collaboration between DELA and Contraste helped ensure a controlled transition to SmartDigiDocs 8.4, completed according to plan and within the agreed timelines. 

    The result is a supported and upgraded SmartDigiDocs environment that allows DELA to continue its established document generation processes on a modernised technical foundation.