Editorial system for Abimanufaktur GmbH

consulting

strategy

UX/UI

frontend

backend

case study

10.06.2024

Since April 2022, we have been supporting Abimanufaktur GmbH in developing smart software to digitize and simplify the content creation and layout process for Abitur yearbooks. With our digital solution, graduating students can plan and design their yearbook individually and conveniently.

This case study shows

How we digitized the entire editorial process at Abimanufaktur GmbH and transformed it into a scalable, powerful software solution.

How we developed a budget-optimized product with intuitive UX and fast print data export using a lean MVP approach.

how process automation saves over 4,000 working hours and up to €60,000 in layout costs annually.

how the solution lays the foundation for growth-promoting scaling and sustainable efficiency gains.

The challenge: scaling failed due to manual processes

Abimanufaktur GmbH, which specializes in graduation newspapers, was facing a growth problem: the third-party app it had been using was inflexible, offered a poor user experience, and could no longer meet the complex data export requirements for Adobe InDesign.

The goal was clear, but the budget was limited:

How we digitized the entire editorial process at Abimanufaktur GmbH and transformed it into a scalable, powerful software solution.

How we developed a budget-optimized product with intuitive UX and fast print data export using a lean MVP approach.

how process automation saves over 4,000 working hours and up to €60,000 in layout costs annually.

how the solution lays the foundation for growth-promoting scaling and sustainable efficiency gains.

Our solution: Lean MVP approach & high-performance architecture

As an end-to-end partner, typedigital took care of the entire implementation process—from strategy to rollout. Thanks to our agile MVP approach (Scrum), we were able to use the budget efficiently while creating a high-performance, future-proof software architecture.

In the product definition workshop, we developed personas and user story maps to prioritize the most important features and make the most effective use of the budget.

Development of interactive prototypes with a focus on intuitive operation and collaborative content structuring – specifically for students.

Implementation of Go microservices for maximum cloud performance and fast, error-free XML print data exports for Adobe InDesign.

Thanks to Scrum, we were able to respond flexibly and involve customers in the development process on a weekly basis.

Strategy & MVP definition

In the product definition workshop, we developed personas and user story maps to prioritize the most important features and make the most effective use of the budget.

UX/UI design

Development of interactive prototypes with a focus on intuitive operation and collaborative content structuring – specifically for students.

Backend & Scaling

Implementation of Go microservices for maximum cloud performance and fast, error-free XML print data exports for Adobe InDesign.

Agile project management

Thanks to Scrum, we were able to respond flexibly and involve customers in the development process on a weekly basis.

Maximum usability meets efficiency

The outcome

The new digital editorial system is tailored precisely to the target group and sets new standards for efficiency and user-friendliness.

Maximum usability

Students can collaboratively add content (chapters, rankings, quotes) and set deadlines. Simplified registration (via link) ensures high acceptance.

Full design control

CI-compliant layout with brand colors and logo strengthens branding and recognition.

Process automation

Automated PDF viewing and efficient XML export for InDesign graphic designers revolutionized the prepress process.

The result

The introduction of the new software brought immediate measurable results—in terms of time, costs, and growth.

4.000Hours/year

Estimated time savings

Massive increase in efficiency in the editorial process

40.000 - 60.000€/year

Cost savings Layout

Achieved through more efficient XML data export (no more manual processing required)

10.000€/year

license cost savings

Elimination of costs for third-party solutions

Why typedigital was the ideal partner

This project allowed us to fully leverage our strengths as a digital product agency:

Lean & budget-conscious:

Through a smart MVP strategy and modular design systems, we developed a top-notch product despite limited resources.

Technological excellence:

State-of-the-art web technologies such as Next.js and Go microservices ensure maximum performance and scalability.

Focus on results:

Each feature was designed to deliver measurable added value—greater efficiency, lower costs, satisfied users.

Testimonial

Abimanufaktur´s testimony about us

Thanks to the help of typedigital, we have developed an app,
that is specifically tailored to the needs of our customers,
of our clients, the high school graduates.
and makes the creation of an Abi yearbook a breeze.