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Case Study

HRMLess

HRMLess is a modernized version of the open-source HRM platform Horilla, re-engineered for scalability, automation, and enterprise-grade security. Built with Django, HTMX, and PostgreSQL, HRMLess leverages Docker and Kubernetes for containerized deployments, powered by DigitalOcean infrastructure. GitHub Actions automates CI/CD pipelines, while Keycloak provides secure authentication. Integrations with Jotform and Stripe further enhance HR workflows. The result is a robust, cloud-native HRM solution for businesses of all sizes.

About

Problem Statement

Traditional HRM tools lacked automation, scalability, and robust integrations, often requiring costly infrastructure and manual workflows. The absence of a unified authentication layer and integrated services such as forms and payments slowed down HR processes and increased IT overhead.

Objectives

  • Automate deployments with a CI/CD pipeline on GitHub Actions.
  • Use DigitalOcean Droplets for development servers.
  • Deploy production workloads using DigitalOcean Kubernetes with Docker containers.
  • Manage PostgreSQL databases through DigitalOcean Managed Databases for both dev and prod environments.
  • Integrate Keycloak for secure authentication and SSO.
  • Enable seamless HR workflows with Jotform and Stripe.
  • Deliver a lightweight, responsive user interface using HTMX and Bootstrap.

Implementation

  • Codebase: Built on Django with PostgreSQL as the database.
  • Frontend: Designed with HTMX (dynamic interactions) and Bootstrap (responsive design).
  • Authentication: Implemented Keycloak for centralized identity and role-based access control.
  • Integrations:
    • Jotform for onboarding and HR request forms.
    • Stripe for payroll and subscription-based payments.
  • Infrastructure & Deployment:
    • DigitalOcean Droplets for development environments.
    • DigitalOcean Kubernetes (DOKS) to orchestrate Dockerized containers for production.
    • DigitalOcean Managed PostgreSQL Databases for secure, scalable data storage in dev and prod.
  • CI/CD: Automated builds, tests, and deployments via GitHub Actions.

Key Takeaways:

  • Shifted from manual setups to cloud-native DigitalOcean services.
  • Ensured scalable deployments with Kubernetes.
  • Simplified HR workflows with integrated forms and payments.

Results / Outcomes

The revamped Childfree BC website successfully transformed the user experience and online presence of the organization.

  • KPIs / Metrics:
    • 45% increase in average session duration within 2 months.
    • 60% improvement in mobile usability score.
    • Faster page load time (from ~5s to under 2s).
  • Before & After Comparison:
    • Before: Outdated design, limited mobile support, poor navigation.
    • After: Modern, fully responsive design, improved navigation, better content accessibility.
  • Key Improvements:
    • Improved SEO structure → better visibility on search engines.
    • Enhanced engagement → more time spent exploring resources.
    • Professional digital presence → strengthened brand credibility.
 

Technologies

Technologies / Tools that We used to achieve this task