Services / Platform Modernization
Drupal Modernization: Add AI Modules or Migrate to Next.js
Integrate custom Drupal modules that incorporate AI (RAG, agents, document processing) or migrate Drupal 7-11 to Next.js with modern hosting and security. One 8-16 week project, delivered by an Acquia-certified engineer who's shipped Drupal at enterprise scale for 15 years.
15+
Years Drupal
Experience
7-11
Drupal Versions
Supported
Acquia Certified
Developer + Frontend
Enterprise
Typical Migration
Investment
Not sure which path is right?
Start with a scoped modernization assessment
In 2 weeks, an Acquia-certified Drupal engineer audits your modules, custom code, and content architecture—then recommends whether to keep Drupal and add AI modules, migrate to Next.js, or take a hybrid approach. You get an architecture plan, security assessment, and cost estimate before committing.
Why Drupal 7/8 can't run production AI workloads
Drupal 11 is a modern CMS, but even the latest release isn't optimized for AI workloads. RAG pipelines need vector databases and streaming responses. AI agents need serverless execution and sub-100ms latency. PHP's blocking model and Drupal's hook system weren't built for this.
Technical limitations
- No native support for pgvector or semantic search
- PHP blocking model can't handle streaming LLM responses
- Hooks too slow for real-time RAG retrieval
- No first-class support for serverless AI agents
- Module ecosystem hasn't adapted to AI workloads
Business constraints
- Competitors ship AI features you can't match
- Drupal 7 end-of-life creates security pressure
- Drupal talent pool keeps shrinking
- Infrastructure costs 3-5x higher than Jamstack/Next.js
- Separate “migration then AI” projects waste 6+ months
Three paths to AI-ready platforms
Assessment comes first. From there you either keep Drupal and add AI modules, migrate to Next.js, or mix the two depending on roadmap and compliance.
Path 1
Modernization assessment
Scoped engagement
2 weeks
Know your options before committing to migration.
What you get
- Audit modules, custom code, content types
- Recommendation: keep Drupal + AI, migrate, or hybrid
- Architecture plan (auth, content API, rendering)
- Security assessment (module vulns, migration risk)
- Cost estimate + timeline for full project
Path 2
Drupal + AI modules
Custom engagement
8-14 weeks
Best when you must stay on Drupal
Add AI without replatforming. You keep Drupal hosting (Acquia, Pantheon, AWS); we build modules.
What you get
- Custom modules for RAG, chat, document workflows
- MCP servers for AI agents, deployed alongside Drupal
- Security hardening (pen test, module audits)
- CI/CD pipeline for Drupal + AI modules
- Editors keep Drupal authoring workflow
Path 3
Full migration to Next.js + AI
Premium engagement
10-18 weeks
Best for Drupal 7/8 or AI-first roadmaps
Modernize and add AI in one project. Content migrates to markdown/CMS, frontend rebuilt in Next.js.
What you get
- Extract business logic from Drupal modules
- Migrate content, media, taxonomies with redirects
- Add AI features (RAG, chat, agents, automations)
- Modern auth + usage-based billing (Clerk + Stripe)
- Security testing (pen test, prompt injection)
Why Drupal migration needs Acquia-certified expertise
Generic migration agencies move content and call it done. Then you discover auth is broken, multisite architecture doesn't work, and Views won't translate to Next.js. We've built Drupal 7-11 at scale for 15 years—we know where migrations break.
Custom post type + Views migration
We document functionality, map data structures, and rebuild the same behavior in Next.js or custom Drupal modules so business logic never disappears.
Module functionality preservation
We document functionality, map data structures, and rebuild the same behavior in Next.js or custom Drupal modules so business logic never disappears.
Shortcode/page builder extraction
We document functionality, map data structures, and rebuild the same behavior in Next.js or custom Drupal modules so business logic never disappears.
Drupal Commerce or subs data migration
We document functionality, map data structures, and rebuild the same behavior in Next.js or custom Drupal modules so business logic never disappears.
Multisite & multilingual handling
We document functionality, map data structures, and rebuild the same behavior in Next.js or custom Drupal modules so business logic never disappears.
SEO + URL structure preservation
We document functionality, map data structures, and rebuild the same behavior in Next.js or custom Drupal modules so business logic never disappears.
How Drupal modernization works
We keep the legacy Drupal site live while we build and validate the modern stack. No big-bang cutovers.
Phase 1: Assessment (2 weeks) Already underway after kickoff
- Audit modules, hooks, custom code, content types
- Security scan for module vulnerabilities
- Decide Drupal + AI vs. full migration
- Architecture diagram + cost estimate
Phase 2: Build (8-14 weeks) Side-by-side validation
- Migrate content + media with redirects
- Rebuild modules/Views in Next.js or custom Drupal modules
- Add AI features (RAG, agents, semantic search)
- Automated testing + security hardening
Phase 3: Launch (2 weeks) Cutover with rollback
- Gradual traffic migration
- Performance tuning + monitoring
- Handoff documentation + runbooks
- Post-launch support available
What to expect
Drupal modernization capabilities
Whether keeping Drupal and adding AI modules or migrating to Next.js, here's what we deliver across modernization projects.
Content & module migration
Drupal content types, taxonomies, and Views migrate to the modern stack with relationships and SEO preserved.
- Custom post types mapped to new schema
- Views logic re-implemented in TypeScript
- Media library migrated with optimization
- Redirect maps maintain SEO rankings
AI integration
Add semantic search, RAG-powered chat, document processing, and AI agents whether you're staying on Drupal or migrating.
- Content ingestion for RAG pipelines
- Semantic search with pgvector
- AI chat with source citations
- MCP servers for workflow automation
Security + deployment
Production-grade security testing and modern deployment pipelines integrated from day one.
- OWASP security testing
- Prompt injection defenses for AI features
- CI/CD with automated tests
- Zero-downtime deployment strategy
FAQ
Drupal modernization questions
Should we stay on Drupal or migrate to Next.js?
If you must keep Drupal, we build AI modules and MCP servers without replatforming. If plugin debt, hiring constraints, or AI-first roadmaps are killing you, migration to Next.js is the long-term play. The assessment gives an honest recommendation.
How do you handle content migration?
We export content via JSON API/database dump, map custom types to the new schema, migrate media, and build redirect maps so SEO rankings stick.
What happens to existing Drupal users?
Staying on Drupal? Users stay put. Migrating? We port user data to the new auth system (Clerk/Auth0) and keep SSO intact via SAML/OIDC.
What if our Drupal site is heavily customized?
Heavily customized sites are why you hire us. We reverse-engineer hooks, document intent, refactor with AI assistance, and ensure functionality survives the modernization.
Can you work with Drupal 11 sites?
Yes. We support Drupal 7-11. Drupal 10/11 sites often keep Drupal and layer AI modules; Drupal 7/8 usually migrate.
Where you land
Modernization targets the AI Platform Development Stack with security patterns borrowed from the AI Platform Security Guide and RAG Architecture Guide . You get semantic search- and RAG-ready content models with the guardrails to keep tenants isolated.
Ready to modernize your Drupal platform?
Start with a scoped assessment—audit your Drupal architecture, recommend migration vs. AI modules, and get a cost estimate before committing. Or book a call to discuss your specific situation.
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