Measuring the Right Data: How Jean-Marc Bolfing Works
What is actually done at Unic? We created the column “A look over the shoulder” to provide an look behind the scenes - from the point of view of different roles at Unic.
Targeted marketing in compliance with the current data protection regulations and the future Swiss data protection law. Is that possible? And if so, how? We discuss this in this article.
In the run-up to our e-commerce projects customers often ask, “How do you define an MVP at Unic?” We have outlined our take below, introducing the key success factors for a viable MVP in the context of digital sales.
In February 2022, after an extensive planning phase, our colleagues in Bern moved from the old Unic office on Eigerplatz to VIDMARplus in Liebefeld. A conversation with those responsible for the project.
As part of a brand relaunch initiated in 2020, the Alte Leipziger-Hallesche insurance group hired us to redesign their existing website. Below is an example of a model approach to this request, using a content management system.
Although Content is a crucial business asset there is often no comprehensive approach to the content lifecycle. Here are six common challenges in content management and how to master them.
Enhancing the Intelligence of Your Conversational Interface or Chatbot
Conversation is everything. For this, chatbots and conversational interfaces need to be designed, configured and trained. That's how chatbots are getting smarter – at least a little bit.
What is Headless? We will show you the different aspects and areas of the new technology. A Headless CMS decouples the frontend from the backend using an API.
Unic & Swiss Post – 20 Years of Shared Web History
For more than 20 years now, we have been supporting Swiss Post in all their digital endeavours. So far, we have implemented four relaunch projects and around 400 other projects for Swiss Post. And our journey continues.
We Belong to the Best Swiss Digital Agencies – for more than 20 years
According to Netzwoche's list of best agencies, we are now ranked second among the best Swiss digital agencies. And this over the last 5 as well as the last 10 years.
One presentation at this years Front Conference especially stood out to me. „The HTML Treasure Hunt“ by the charismatic and profanity-loving Bruce Lawson. Let's talk about it.
In 21 years of working together, we have implemented countless projects, discussed ideas and initiated thoughts for JURA Elektroapparate AG. A good time to look back on the years we have spent together.
Together with CSS we picked up this coveted award for the best Swiss web project for the 5th time. We want to celebrate this moment. That's why we're revisiting our 5 master projects and reflecting on what unites the project teams behind these successes.
How to Generate More Traffic With Pillar Pages – an Example
High-quality content is always welcome. But what are users looking for and what kind of pages can help them find it? We take a closer look at a project we conducted with a client to show how we were able to increase traffic.
Headless at EnergieSchweiz: Where Everything Interacts
A headless content management system alone is not yet a website. A Kubernetes cluster cannot deploy anything on its own. It is only when architecture, code, tools, processes and people are allowed to interact that the adjustments made to the content in the CMS trigger an update in the statically generated website.
The digitalisation of HORNBACH, initiated with Unic in 2009, wrote history, not just in terms of Unic locations. In this interview, Unic senior project manager David Spark tells us why this partnership has been such a success. He also explains how Unic’s customers participate in projects and turn their own ideas into reality.
For the relaunch of energieschweiz.ch, the editorial team invested a lot of energy into reworking the content. A content strategy, new formats and a content management system with headless architecture were a breath of fresh air for the web editing team.
Content is at the heart of every digital platform. That is why Zürcher Kantonalbank (ZKB) placed a special focus on its content during the bank’s relaunch project. We supported Zürcher Kantonalbank in their content optimisation, including analysis, content generation and publishing.
Creating a Valuable User Experience from Data: How to Combine UX and Analytics
People often underestimate how valuable real data can be in the quest to improve the user experience of digital touchpoints. I have observed that many decision-makers do not harness the full potential of this data, even though user data is a direct source for the continual optimisation of a website or an online shop.
The new Zurich Airport website combines physical touchpoints with digital presence to create an integrated, personalised experience. What approaches and methods did we use to create a convincing user experience? Let me show you how a user-centric approach and an experimental mix of methods enabled us to do justice to both worlds.
Unic recently developed a completely new concept for UI design, user experience and frontend for Europa Möbel Verbund (EMV). In our interview, Elisabeth Starke (EMV), Florian Armbrust and Jutta Weber (both Unic) tell us about the approach that made the project successfully and explain why user experience is so important in product sales.
Content Management Combining Standard Features With Flexibility
50,000 content pages, 14 languages, 22 markets, 400,000 images and videos: These are impressive quantities for a content management platform. Peter Burkhalter, Senior Application Engineer, was in charge of technical design – an interview.
Establish a Product Vision to Make Your Digital Platform a Success
When you build or relaunch a digital platform, you have to meet countless different needs: it needs to support the journey of prospects and customers, contribute to business objectives and fulfil many other requirements.
In ten steps we explain how to create a content strategy, covering everything from analysis to the core strategy statement to content management. And you'll understand how important a content strategy is for your business.
Unic is celebrating 25 years in business – a quarter of a century that saw a lot of change, disruption and innovation. One thing that has remained a Unic hallmark all these years is the way we interact with others. We respect and appreciate others for who they are and value diversity.
The collaboration on the Zurich Airport project brought an unprecedented level of communication. Marta Imos-Merska, senior software engineer in Poland, speaks about the international collaboration and technical challenges on the project from a back-end developer’s perspective.
Connecting Frontend and Backend with Contract Driven Development
While the concepts and ideas around headless CMS and its use cases are getting more wide spread, our Sitecore team started the journey on this topic by introducing Sitecore Javascript Services JSS for the multisite platform for Zurich Airport. Tobias Studer has explored the uncharted territory step by step and gives an insight into the considerations and challenges that shaped the final solution.
A Shiny Performance at the Best of Swiss Web Award Night
It was a special award night. Covid-19 dampened the party mood, but there were still many moments of jubilation for us. We are very happy about the brilliant balance: Our projects won 3x gold, 4x silver, 7x bronze and as a crowing touch the Master of Swiss Web.
We would like show how we have developed a state-of-the-art platform for Zurich Airport that opens many doors. We present the technologically innovative approaches of this interconnected multisite platform and try to shed light on the question of how decoupled Sitecore Headless really is.
Trivandrum – Wrocław – Bern: Three Countries – One Testing Team
Two time zones, three countries, three native languages, none of which is English. In the interview, our test manager Romy Maurer-Wysseier talks about the experiences of working together in an international testing team to prepare for the relaunch of the Zurich Airport platform.
How can you get the most out of your marketing budget over the long term? Here are 10 key metrics for measuring the effectiveness of your campaigns and finding out which advertising and communication campaigns are most successful.
Our Responsibility for Sustainable Digital Services
It is high time we take a closer look at the environmental footprint of digital services. This is not a new issue, but one that is becoming more relevant in the current situation as the COVID-19 pandemic has led to an explosion of data traffic volumes.
Setting New Digital Standards: Hoval's „Way to Cart“
Our customer, Hoval Aktiengesellschaft, is setting new standards with user-friendly ordering processes, thus supporting the shift from traditional to digital channels.
A functioning corporate design system requires real applications, real products and real customer feedback. Because we wanted to talk about service quality and product structure at Swiss Post, not about pixels.
Prepared for Disaster: Geo-redundant Hosting for Switzerland Tourism
Unic set up a second data centre for Switzerland Tourism to enable geo-redundant operation of MySwitzerland.com. Read the interview to find out what will happen to MySwitzerland.com in case of a disaster.
Dynatrace Named a Leader in Application Performance Monitoring
Dynatrace has once again been declared a leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant 2020 for Application Performance Monitoring (APM). We are delighted to be able to help our customers achieve continued success with Dynatrace.
Our user research team wanted to quickly get an understanding of people’s new needs and behavioural patterns during the COVID crisis. To use the crisis as a window of opportunity to anticipate changes in the market. Read the results of this research here.
From Holacracy to Kanban to Objectives and Key Results – our journey into agile B2B marketing is not without some obstacles, but productive and goal-oriented.
How Does COVID-19 Affect User Behavior in the Online Supermarket?
The lockdown has had very different effects on the use of digital services in different sectors. We analyze the changes in online user behavior in the course of the lockdown in a small series. Part I: Online Supermarket.
How were the illustrations for the relaunch of post.ch created? Our UX designer Dorian Minnig, who was responsible for the illustrations, explains the rules.
What is a Product Information Management System (PIM system) and why is it essential in the context of digital distribution? Customers ask us these questions in one form or another. Here we give you the most basic answers!
“People Were Surprised That We Would Make Such a Big Change”
How to create a easy website that meets the needs of users and is even nominated for the Master of Swiss Web 2020? Roger Grüring and Silvan Bolli talk about the inner workings of a large-scale project.
Double Strike! Two of Our Sitecore Enthusiasts Are 2020 Sitecore MVP
We are proud that two of the „Most Valuable Professional Award“ are part of Unic: Tobias Studer receives the award as MVP Technology for the 5th time and Christian Hahnloser was awarded the MVP Ambassador.
Great joy right at the beginning of this year: SAP honors us, its long-standing partner Unic, as an SAP Gold Partner in addition to the „SAP Recognized Status“. We say „THANK YOU“ to SAP and explain what the Gold Partnership actually means.
Artificial Intelligence has become a standard in marketing. It is changing the way companies interact with customers but also requires marketers to rethink their self-image and skill set.
It is only by having smart user interfaces that valuable interactions can take place that "understand" customers on their journeys and support them in the best possible way. CSS Insurance wants to be one step ahead of its customers. To do so, it needs to know where its customers are and offer them useful options as they move forward.
Digital Ethics — the Conscience of Artificial Intelligence
When Dave the astronaut tries to reenter the spaceship in Stanley Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey” (1968), on-board computer HAL refuses to follow orders. “I’m sorry, Dave. I’m afraid I can’t do that.”
Understanding the Users of css.ch: Research Methods and Findings
To design a responsive, relevant and user-centered web portal for CSS Insurance, it was essential to understand the users’ goals. Who visits css.ch? And what do visitors want to do on the website?
How smart are content management systems? And what do you need to do to reap the benefits from it? We looked behind the marketing facade and put Sitecore Cortex to the test.
What does it take for Human-Centered Design (HCD) to work? That it does not just pay lip service? We have consistently carried out the optimization of post.ch in a user-centered manner. With prototypes and common principles.
The Elves of the Future: With Artificial Intelligence instead of Hats
In order to meet the increased demands on software and web applications, we use Application Performance Monitoring tools. These tools offer significant insight into the quality of solutions and support us in monitoring the systems – now with the help of artificial intelligence.
MySwitzerland.com: A Keen Eye for Innovation Serving Switzerland
Switzerland Tourism actively uses new technologies to provide its guests with continuous and needs-based support when they are planning their trips. Thomas Winkler and Markus Dittli from Switzerland Tourism spoke about their key ideas, innovation and the relaunch of MySwitzerland.com.
Artificial Intelligence: From Hype to Added Value for Customers
According to the latest Gartner Hype Cycle for digital marketing, expectations surrounding AI for marketing have reached their peak. The question at stake, however, is if AI really does offer added value that will stand the test of time once the hype has died down.
The ALTE LEIPZIGER – HALLESCHE Group Enters the Digital Age
The company has set a new standard in customer communication with the relaunch of its two websites. What better reason to take a closer look at the project in an interview!
As a cloud company, SAP continues to focus on establishing its experience products in its new cloud. But what is behind it, what are the advantages of the new cloud approach and what else is in store? We’ll explain in this blog post.
CSS aims to offer users a unique experience in the digital world: intelligent services that support users on their journey. To arrive at intelligent solutions, the approach to digital projects must be entirely different.
Why Artificial Intelligence is Not a Quantum Leap but Merely Makes Our Data-driven Work More Effective
Recording, interpreting and acting on data. Anything that artificial intelligence could one day do for us, we must first understand ourselves and be able to do on a small scale.
Artificial Intelligence of Things: How Intelligent Devices Change Our Lives
Thanks to the Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT), systems and devices have become data-driven, intelligent, automated and connected to the world. Is this just a gimmick or will it have a lasting impact on our lives?
This dossier shows how services become intelligent. It points out opinions on the potentials of artificial intelligence, but also how teams have to form in order to create intelligent services for customers. It examines various services with artificial intelligence and it analyses how much intelligence they really contain.
The formatting of images poses great challenges for content managers. AI can relieve this burden by automatically calculating the focal point. This ensures that the interesting image section always remains in view.
Cause for Celebration: 10 years of HORNBACH and Unic
HORNBACH and Unic have a very special relationship: without HORNBACH, Unic would not have a presence in Karlsruhe and without Unic, the HORNBACH online shop would probably not be as popular as it is.
Unic has implemented SBB's "ticket machine of the future" with Web Components. In his interview, Yves Tscherry, Senior Frontend Engineer at Unic, explains what's so special about the ticket machine.
Great API mocking can make testing easier and reveal UI and UX problems early in a project. Because we weren’t happy with current services and libraries, we’ve built a new service to fulfil our needs. You can check it out over here – it’s called FakeQL.
Efficient Order Processing for Medical Devices with SAP Commerce
For a customer who sells high-quality medical products to pharmacies, doctors and specialist medical retailers, we have developed an Omni-Channel platform based on SAP Commerce that goes much further: it maps the entire B2B2C chain right down to the patient.
How does headless apply in the e-commerce sector? In this article we'll have a closer look at the advantages of a headless approach for digital commerce projects.
B2B online shops with Magento and proLine from Ecoplan
We have entered into a partnership with Ecoplan. The software manufacturer offers a B2B extension for Magento, which provides around 400 shop functions. This enables us to accompany you quickly and efficiently in your B2B commerce project.
Webinar: A Customer Journey that Makes Customers Happy
Our webinar uses concrete use cases to show you how to identify optimization potentials and thus successfully implement new concepts right through to the architecture of concrete solutions.
OWASP Top Ten: That's how we increase website security
Unic has continuously invested in improving website application security. In this blog post, we’re showing how our security measures help to mitigate the OWASP Top Ten.
How can Scrum values such as cross-functionality, self-organization or iteration improve not only software quality but also teamwork? In this article Oliver Burkhalter gives an insight into his experiences with Scrum & Co.
Drupal is often and rightly referred to as a classic CMS. However, in recent years Drupal has also made a name for itself in the headless and decoupled scene.
A look into the past, present and future, by a frontend developer
The discipline of frontend development has undergone rapid change in recent years. In this post, Fredi Bach, Frontend Developer at Unic presents his personal view about the importance and development perspectives of frontend development.
SBB: «People and their needs were at the heart of the SBB website»
sbb.ch won the Master of Swiss Web 2018. Florian Stürzinger, design pioneer at Unic, talks about the challenges of the design process for the relaunch of sbb.ch. And he explains why the focus of the design was entirely on people and their needs.
Can you trust your data? Our analytics audit will help you
We offer an analytics audit: We test your analytics tool and analyze the data quality in your company. This way you can be sure that your data is correct and forms the right basis for your online strategy. Contact us for an analytics audit.
We want content and information on the web to be accessible to all people without obstacles. That's why we focus on the implementation of barrier-free websites, right from the conception, design and front-end development stages.
Unic commits to information security: ISO 27001 certification
Since April 2018, Unic’s Private Cloud Hosting service is certified according to the international standard ISO 27001:2013. This certification attests Unic to be compliant with the demanding requirements for an information security management system (ISMS).
Less can sometimes really be more: a headless CMS offers great flexibility, freedom of decision and independence – if it fits the respective web project.
External Communication and Leadership – Holacracy Practice Part 2
Unic introduced holacracy – and now? In his second article on the holacracy practice at Unic, Ivo Bättig explores the following questions: How does communication with the outside world work, where the world is not organized according to holacracy? And: We have no more bosses, do we not need any leaders?
The objective was an attractive, robust and accessible Frontend for sbb.ch
Marius Bleuer and Yves Tscherry, Frontend Engineers at Unic, have had their share in the relaunch of sbb.ch. They are talking about the Frontend-specific objectives and challenges of the Project.
What are prototypes and what are they used for? At Unic, we use the prototyping method. We do not design and develop in the blue, but put the user at the centre of our concepts. In this way, we develop user interfaces that are goal-oriented and easy to use.
Much to Learn and Unlearn – From Our Holacracy Practice Part 1
Unic introduced Holacracy. And now? In his first blog entry on our Holacracy practice at Unic, Ivo Bättig examines, among other things, the questions: What things are new to learn? And more importantly, what things are there to unlearn?
One of the key challenges in IT is that not every system is created equal. Therefore, when developing services we try to harmonize the way we manage IT systems and the applications provided by them.
Deployment Automation: High-quality software at the push of a button
Automated deployment is a process in which a release is loaded onto a platform without manual interaction. Automation improves the stability of a deployment.
The next best click on your website has great potential for optimisation, which goes far beyond the «Call to Action»: The «Next Best Click» (NBC) unites aspects of target group- and context-relevant content delivery and can be wonderfully integrated in the conversion path of a user journey.
Martin Kriegler assists cooperative students in Karlsruhe as a coach
The education of specialised staff is an important matter for us. Therefore we are engaged as a cooperative partner of the Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University (Duale Hochschule Baden Württemberg - DHBW) in the major “IT".
From the lecture hall at the University of Bern to a valuable partner in the digital world: two of the founders of Unic provide insights into the history, present and future of Unic.
Data visualisation – the tool for easy and quick knowledge acquisition
Our first article concerning digital analysis revealed the challenges faced by companies in today’s world of data. Companies often have enormous quantities of data at their disposal but fail to take advantage of them.
Interview with Heydon Pickering: Inclusive design thinking: Embedding accessibility into the design process
As a diamond sponsor of the Frontend Conference Zurich on 1 and 2 september 2016, we had the exclusive opportunity to conduct interviews with selected speakers.
Social Media Guidelines or The Resurgence of Netiquette
Social Media Guidelines are actually old wine in new bottles. But since more and more companies are arriving in the «Social Web», good old «netiquette» is more in demand than ever before.
