Avanade Finds a Headless Path to Faster Sites and Faster Teams
Avanade, a Microsoft-focused consultancy delivering AI-driven cloud, data, and ERP solutions, has overhauled its digital experience stack. The company moved from monolithic, tightly coupled systems and manual deployments to a composable architecture built on Next.js, Vercel, and Sitecore XM Cloud. The goal was straightforward: eliminate the performance drag and slow release cycles that came with legacy infrastructure.
The shift supports Avanade’s Microsoft-first operations, including integration with Azure DevOps, allowing a more flexible, cloud-native workflow. The new setup removes siloed content processes and dependency bottlenecks that previously delayed feature rollouts and responses to market changes.
A Composable Architecture with Multiple Rendering Modes
The new platform leverages Vercel’s Edge Network for intelligent caching and content delivery, which improves load times for a global client base. Tight integration with Next.js lets Avanade select the right rendering strategy for each use case—Server-Side Rendering (SSR) for real-time data, Static Site Generation (SSG) for speed, and Incremental Static Regeneration (ISR) as a middle path. Vercel Functions handle backend logic, minimizing dedicated server infrastructure and enabling automatic scaling alongside traffic.
The approach also reduced the company’s carbon footprint by 42%, a byproduct of more efficient compute and delivery.
Content operations are centralized in Sitecore XM Cloud and Content Hub, with the headless architecture bridging these platforms to the frontend via modern APIs. Editorial workflows and asset management are consolidated, while the decoupled frontend keeps the system modular and adaptable.
Measurable Gains in Engagement and Revenue
After migration, Avanade tracked a range of user experience improvements:
- 9% increase in site visits
- 13% more returning visitors
- Customers finding products 14% faster
- 43% longer time on site per visitor
- 56% higher sales from returning customers
- 111% higher conversions
Smoother Development and Lower Maintenance
The developer experience improved alongside the user metrics. Automated CI/CD pipelines trigger instant Preview Deployments on every code commit, which supports real-time collaboration and faster feedback. The operations team has cut maintenance overhead by moving away from manual server provisioning and troubleshooting load-related issues.
Key developer-focused results include:
- 2x faster site development time
- 2x faster content delivery at scale
- 33% faster content changes
“Vercel transformed our development workflow, providing seamless deployments, optimized performance, and a fantastic developer experience. The scalability and speed unlocked by this combination allowed us to focus on building great user experiences rather than managing infrastructure.”
Hing Yon, Platform Owner & Technical Lead
By standardizing on Vercel and embracing composable architecture, Avanade reports the team can innovate more freely, respond faster to market needs, and rely on infrastructure that scales with traffic—without abandoning its existing technology foundations.
