Project Overview

The Web Support Team is leading a project to move our website hosting from the current on-premise solution to a cloud-hosted service. This will apply to all websites and content published via the Web CMS to the subdomain https://www.qub.ac.uk. This also includes any websites published from the Web CMS to bespoke domain names.

The new cloud hosting service will be provided by Terminalfour, with delivery anticipated in March 2026.

There will be no change to how users log in to or use the Web CMS as part of this migration. This project will align the hosting of the Web CMS and published websites in the cloud. The diagram and information below will outline how this change will work.

Impact of the Change

There are a few things that staff will need to be aware of in relation to this change. They are as follows:

Websites Outside the Web CMS
Any websites or content not published via the Web CMS but currently hosted under the https://www.qub.ac.uk subdomain will not be accessible following the switchover.

We are already working with colleagues across the University as part of the planning and preparation phase to identify websites and resources that may be affected.

If you have not yet been contacted, or if you have any queries about a website or resource hosted under https://www.qub.ac.uk, please contact the Web Support Team via the IT Service Desk.

Planned Downtime
To accommodate the move to cloud hosting, we may require a short period of downtime on the day of migration. The migration will take place in March 2026, and we will work with Terminalfour in the months beforehand to agree a confirmed date.

Once a date for the migration has been agreed, the Web Support Team will provide as much advance notice as possible via email, the Status of Key Services webpage, the Web CMS Welcome Screen, and other communication channels available to us.

Project Benefits

A number of benefits relating to infrastructure and existing services will be realised during the migration project and in the period following its completion. Key benefits include:

Access to Additional System Features
Moving to cloud website hosting will enable the use of additional system features such as CDN/PXL, improving the delivery of media assets in two key ways:

• Content Delivery Network (CDN): Globally distributed CDN servers will reduce latency by serving assets from locations closer to website visitors, improving overall website performance.
• Image Optimisation (PXL): PXL will enhance how images are delivered across devices. A single image can be automatically output in multiple sizes and formats, with appropriate compression applied to improve load times and user experience.

Improved Publishing Model
The move to cloud website hosting will introduce a publish-to-live model, streamlining the publishing process and enabling content to go live more quickly. Once a Channel Publish has completed, updated content will be synced immediately to the live website, removing the need for scheduled transfers.

Sanitising and Servicing Redirects
Over time, a large number of redirects have accumulated. The Web Support Team (WST) has reviewed and refined this list, reducing it by approximately 70%. Following the migration, we will also be able to manage the full life-cycle of new and existing redirects directly within the Web CMS.

Additional Benefits Post Migration
Migration to cloud hosting with Terminalfour also creates opportunities to review and implement additional system settings that will further improve processes for service users.

During the maintenance window in early December 2025, the Web CMS was upgraded to the latest version. This upgrade introduced a number of new features designed to enhance content creation and asset management, which we are keen to review and roll out where appropriate.

Once the migration has been completed, the WST will begin work to improve automation and implement enhanced assets to further support service users.

Next Steps

The Web Support Team (WST) will work with Terminalfour, D&IS colleagues, and identified staff across the University during the first quarter of 2026 to deliver this project. This will include:

• Decoupling Content: Continuing to work with D&IS colleagues to put alternative provision in place for existing content and resources that will no longer be served under the https://www.qub.ac.uk subdomain following the switchover.
• Reviewing and Refactoring Existing Solutions: The WST has been reviewing current processes and solutions that will need to be updated to work with the new infrastructure. This work will continue throughout the first quarter of 2026, with updated solutions in place ahead of the migration.
• Migration Testing Period: Entering a period of intensive testing with Terminalfour in January 2026. This will include testing key system assets, Web CMS functionality, and existing solutions, alongside a review of the new cloud infrastructure and associated configurations.
• Communication: Following successful completion of testing, we will agree a scheduled migration date with Terminalfour. Once confirmed, the Web Support Team will provide as much advance notice as possible via email, the Status of Key Services webpage, the Web CMS Welcome Screen, and other available communication channels.

Support and Queries

If you have any questions about the Website Hosting Migration Project, please log a call via the IT Service Desk and a member of the team will be in touch.