Modernizing TPS Teachers Network: Revitalizing a Vital Teaching Resource

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Modernizing TPS Teachers Network: Revitalizing a Vital Teaching Resource

Client

Industry

Target Customer

TPS at MSU Denver

Higher Education

Teachers of all grade levels

By Justen Wack

March, 24 2025 • 5 min read

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Introduction

Breathing New Life into a Teaching Network

TPS Teachers Network had a big problem: an aging platform with tech that was stuck in the early 2000s. Their mission to connect teachers nationwide was being slowed by clunky performance. That’s where 303 Software stepped in. As a trusted Denver software developer, we partnered with Metro State University to give this invaluable resource a complete digital transformation—while preserving the years of shared teaching gold.

Our team

Project Timeline

January 2024

Strategic Planning & Discovery

May - November 2024

Development

11 Months

Total Duration

Technology Stack

Joomla CMS

Solr Search Technology

Nest.js Repository

Figma Design Tools

Jira Project Management

Git Version Control

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Modernizing without Disruption

Before TPS found 303 Software, their platform was showing its years—19-second page load times, a search tool that frustrated more than it helped, and workflows that just weren’t cutting it. Our challenge was to modernize TPS without disrupting years of invaluable educational data. Key challenges included:

Page load times exceeding 19 seconds
Album creation taking up to 30 seconds
Image upload times of 45+ seconds
Outdated user interface reminiscent of early social media platforms
Limited search capabilities

Why TPS Chose 303 Software

At 303 Software, we believe that the best partnerships start with trust. That’s why we kicked things off with our SD&P process—understanding TPS’s goals, challenges, and needs before we touched a line of code. As a local Denver software developer, we were able to work closely with TPS every step of the way. 303 appealed to TPS because of:

Local presence enabling close collaboration
Proven success in [educational technology solutions](link-to-education-portfolio)
Clear, transparent plans—no surprises, just progress
Comprehensive discovery and planning process
Client-first approach: We listen, adapt, and deliver.
Creative solutions that work—and work well

The Strategic Approach

Instead of jumping on the WordPress bandwagon, we took a smarter route: modernizing the Joomla platform. Why? It saved TPS time, money, and headaches while protecting their invaluable teaching data. This wasn’t just modernization—it was strategic problem-solving. This decision was based on several key factors:

Data Preservation: The platform contained years of valuable educational content that would require complex migration
Cost Effectiveness: Upgrading the existing system would save significant time and resources
Risk Mitigation:Minimizing potential data loss or corruption during transition
Timeline Optimization: Faster path to improved performance

Development Challenges and Solutions

The development phase presented unique challenges that showcased our team’s problem-solving capabilities:

Remarkable Results

The modernization effort delivered impressive performance improvements:

Album creation time reduced from 30 seconds to 4 seconds (87% faster)
Homepage navigation improved from 19 seconds to 2 seconds (89% faster)
Image upload time decreased from 45 seconds to 3-4 seconds (93% faster)
Enhanced search functionality with modern filtering capabilities
Improved user interface maintaining familiar workflows

A Revitalized Interface

A snapshot of the updated TPS Teachers Network, featuring an improved user experience, upgraded search tools, and streamlined workflows developed by 303 Software. The redesign enables educators nationwide to quickly access lesson plans and Library of Congress resources.

Client Testimonials

“The new Network website is awesome! What an accomplishment! Kudos to the whole team! I am having fun exploring and can't wait to share the new site with our next leadership class, the date of which has not yet been set.”
- Ann Canning, Educator & TPS User

"Just used the new version. Wow was it fast! In the old version making an album took forever. In the new version I could barely keep up with uploads. Kudos to you and the team."
- TPS User

"The new Network website is awesome! What an accomplishment! Kudos to the whole team! I am having fun exploring and can't wait to share the new site with our next leadership class."
- TPS User

Looking Forward

At 303 Software, we’re all about helping organizations like TPS thrive with smart, practical software and app development solutions. If your platform needs a refresh, let’s get started. [Contact us to learn more.]