University of Portsmouth modernises integration with a Microsoft-first strategy
The University of Portsmouth partnered with Valorem Reply to replace a complex legacy integration environment with Microsoft integration services, streamlining delivery and building long-term internal capability.
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The challenge
Replace a costly, underutilised legacy integration platform and fragmented point-to-point interfaces while reducing development times and aligning with a Microsoft-first digital strategy.
Scenario
Supporting a complex digital ecosystem in higher education
The University of Portsmouth is a major higher education institution serving 24,500 students and 4,600 staff, supported by more than 200 applications across learning, teaching and business operations. This complex environment relies heavily on effective system integration to deliver services to the university community.
Prior to the programme, the university operated a disjointed integration landscape characterised by 120–130 point-to-point interfaces, duplicated effort, undocumented systems and long delivery cycles. High licensing costs, skills shortages in legacy technologies and misalignment with the university’s Microsoft-first strategy made the existing approach increasingly unsustainable.
the solution
A Microsoft-first integration platform with embedded capability building
The university selected Microsoft integration services to replace its legacy platform and partnered with Valorem Reply to design and implement a new integration architecture aligned with its broader digital strategy. The solution focused on establishing strong architectural foundations, reusable patterns and a canonical data model to support consistency and efficiency.
Azure Logic Apps were adopted as the core integration technology, simplifying workflows, enabling scalability and supporting low-code development. Valorem Reply’s Quick Connect accelerator was used to establish foundational components quickly and support early learning within the internal team.
The Approach
People-first transformation through partnership and Agile delivery
Implementation followed a collaborative model, with blended teams of university staff and Valorem Reply specialists working together. Initially, university developers shadowed Valorem Reply engineers, gradually increasing their contribution as skills and confidence developed.
Agile methodologies, CI/CD pipelines and automated testing were introduced to a team with no prior Agile experience. Knowledge transfer was embedded through a “learn by doing” approach, supported by guided challenges and continuous collaboration. The programme required significant cultural change, alongside the introduction of new technologies and ways of working.
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The Technology Behind It
Microsoft integration services as a scalable foundation
The new integration platform is built on Microsoft Azure integration services, with Azure Logic Apps forming the primary development approach. The architecture is designed around reuse, efficiency and ease of monitoring, with consumption-based pricing replacing fixed licensing costs.
Supporting components include automated testing, CI/CD pipelines and structured monitoring and error handling, providing a foundation for consistent delivery and long-term maintainability.
The RESULT
Reduced complexity and faster delivery
While the programme is ongoing, the University of Portsmouth has already achieved measurable improvements in delivery speed, team capability and architectural simplicity.
Faster integration delivery
While the programme is ongoing, the University of Portsmouth has already achieved measurable improvements in delivery speed, team capability and architectural simplicity.
Production progress
Integration deployment cycles have reduced from
18–24 months to regular releases every 2–3 months,
with a target of 6–8 weeks.
Reduced architectural complexity
The integration landscape has been simplified from
120–130 point-to-point interfaces to an estimated
60–70 standardised integrations.
Improved team capability
The internal integration team has developed stronger technical skills and confidence, supported by Agile
ways of working and closer collaboration.
Cost efficiency
Moving away from the legacy premium platform has reduced licensing costs, with cloud consumption
lower than initially anticipated.
University of Portsmouth
The University of Portsmouth is a leading UK higher education institution supporting over 24,500 students and 4,600 staff. The university delivers teaching, research and business operations across a complex digital application landscape.
Valorem Reply, part of the Reply group, is a Microsoft Cloud Solutions Partner specialising in cloud-native integration, data platforms and intelligent enterprise solutions. The company helps organisations modernise platforms while building sustainable internal capability.