Client: Mid-sized organization using Salesforce Classic
Partner: MC4 Solutions
Service: Full Classic to Lightning Migration & UX Redesign
Timeline: 8 Weeks
The Challenge: Technical Debt and Outdated UX
The client’s long-standing use of Salesforce Classic had created significant technical debt and usability issues that hindered daily productivity:
- Outdated Architecture: The system relied on legacy Notes, custom links, and outdated navigation structures.
- Unsupported Features:> Daily workflows depended on JavaScript buttons, which are not supported in Lightning Experience.
- Security Risk: Discovery revealed users with unnecessary system-level ‘Modify All’ access, creating an unacceptable security vulnerability.
- Feature Loss: They relied on Classic’s dashboard scheduling for Experience Site users—a feature removed entirely in Lightning.
The goal was clear: modernize the system, improve security, and build a foundation for future process enhancements.
Project Objectives
MC4 Solutions partnered with the client to deliver a smooth transition with the following core objectives:
- Seamless Migration: Transition the entire organization from Classic to Lightning Experience.
- Modern UX: Introduce modern, user-friendly navigation and redesign Lightning Record Pages.
- Component Replacement: Retire all unsupported components, notably the JavaScript buttons.
- Security Fortification: Right-size user permissions for a stronger, best-practice-aligned security model.
- Adoption Support: Provide comprehensive training and testing support for a smooth go-live.
- Process Maintenance: Preserve all existing business processes (with new enhancements reserved for Phase 2).
Key Enhancements Delivered
| Focus Area | Classic Problem | MC4 Solutions Enhancement |
| User Experience (UX) | Clunky, multi-click Classic navigation and custom links. | Modern Lightning Navigation: Implemented the Lightning App Navigation Bar, Favorites to replace custom links, and a Utility Bar for quick access. |
| Record Pages | Outdated layouts and excessive scrolling. | Redesigned Lightning Record Pages: Layouts were tailored per user group, key fields were surfaced at the top, and data was logically grouped to reduce scrolling and speed up data entry. |
| Unsupported Code | Reliance on unstable JavaScript buttons. | Lightning URL Button Replacement: Replaced all JavaScript buttons with robust Lightning URL buttons that prepopulate fields and consistently respect object relationships. |
| Security | Unnecessary system-level Modify All access. | Permission Model Cleanup: System-level Modify All was removed and replaced with granular object-level access via permission sets, aligning permissions with actual job functions. |
| Notes/Files | Legacy Notes and Attachments. | Enhanced Notes & Files Migration: Moved data to the modern, out-of-the-box system. (Note: The long-standing limitation of non-clickable URLs in Notes was discussed, and the decision was made to revisit a custom solution in Phase 2.) |
| Feature Restoration | Loss of dashboard scheduling for Experience Site users. | AppExchange Recommendation: Recommended the CloudAnswers AppExchange package to restore required dashboard scheduling functionality. |
User Adoption & Outcome
Training & Testing:
To ensure a high adoption rate, MC4 Solutions provided:
- Live Training: Two live sessions covering Lightning navigation, Favorites, utility items, and new record page layouts.
- Sandbox Access: Users had three weeks of Sandbox access to test daily workflows and validate key processes.
- Project Management: Weekly status meetings kept the in-house team and MC4 Solutions fully aligned throughout the process.
Go-Live & Takeaway:
The deployment was smooth, with only minor, permissions-related items surfacing in Production. This reinforced a crucial lesson for older organizations: For older orgs with deep Classic histories, multiple rounds of permissions and accessibility testing, both pre- and post-deployment, are essential. Hidden access patterns often don’t appear until users begin interacting with Lightning in real time.
Client Outcome:
After the 8-week, user-focused migration, the client achieved:
- A modern, intuitive Lightning Experience.
- Cleaner navigation and a significant reduction in clicks.
- Purpose-built record pages for increased efficiency.
- A more secure, best-practice permission model.
- A solid foundation for Phase 2 process improvements.
This project successfully transformed a legacy Classic organization into an efficient, modern Lightning environment, setting the stage for future growth and innovation.