MRS - 14 Years In Review | Adaptive Drupal Specialists

The Background

Our partnership with MRS Training & Rescue (formerly the Mines Rescue Service) began in 2011 when they relied on a bespoke ASP Content Management System.

Migrating to Drupal in 2015 was a pivotal step in helping them shift toward providing specialised training, as their rescue services were historically linked to active mining operations.

Over almost 15 years, we’ve supported MRS' transition from their previous business model to being the leading specialist training provider in their sector.

Results

4

Major Updates of Drupal

14

Years in Partnership

Zero

Major Downtime Incidents

+ 40%

YoY x4 Traffic

+ Integrations

Online Booking System

+ AI Chatbot

Improving Customer Experience

The Requirements

MRS aims to provide visitors with an engaging and informative experience, showcasing its exceptional training facilities across their eight locations in the UK.

Provides an engaging and informative platform for visitors to explore training facilities across eight UK locations
Supports multiple locations, dynamic course pricing, and real-time availability through a user-friendly Course Finder
Integrates with a third-party booking system, overcoming limited API functionality with a robust Drupal-based middleware solution
Ensures secure, high-performance data management while delivering a seamless user experience
Empowers administrators with flexible content management tools, enabling them to update information efficiently while maintaining compliance

Requirements Overview

Collaboration

With a 14-year association, we have a deep understanding of MRS’s business, challenges, and ambitions. This long-standing partnership allows us to provide strategic guidance on growth opportunities and digital transformation.

Security

As a Cyber Essentials and ISO-certified organisation, we uphold rigorous security standards to protect MRS’ digital assets. Hosting on Pantheon ensures a secure, high-performance environment with built-in safeguards and continuous monitoring.

Flexibility

MRS' platform is designed to be highly flexible, giving the marketing team the ability to create and manage content with ease. The intuitive Admin Experience empowers them to build dynamic, custom layouts without needing support, ensuring they can respond quickly to new opportunities.

Integrations

Tight integration with MRS' Booking Management System is a key requirement. Due to a limited API, the site manages the entire course content search experience to improve UX and SEO handing off to the booking system for ecommerce transactions.

Mobile

With over 50% of users being on Mobile, the experience needs to match that of the Desktop. Adopting a Mobile-First approach meant that the site converts and engages as well on Mobile as it does on Desktop.

Support

Prompt, expert support was crucial given the importance of ecommerce and the nature of MRS' clients. Also, with a relatively small Digital Team, our familiarity with the site and overall requirement means we add value at every step.

The Future

Originally built on Drupal 6, MRS has evolved its platform over the years, now running on Drupal 10, with a new UX launch planned for March 2025. This transition highlights the benefits of Drupal’s stable upgrade path (introduced with Drupal 8), allowing for seamless updates without major redevelopment.

Leveraging the same Drupal 10 foundation, we are implementing a completely new front end, designed to enhance user experience and modernise the platform’s look and feel. Alongside this, we are integrating a replacement course booking system, ensuring a more efficient and user-friendly booking process.

This structured and future-proofed approach allows MRS to continue evolving its platform with minimal disruption while maximising the benefits of Drupal’s flexibility and stability.

Learn more about our ongoing relationship with MRS here.

What The Client Says

We have been delighted with the support and advice Adaptive provide. Adaptive have been a pleasure to deal with and provided professional, expert advice, always available to talk to if needed.

Julie Wilson

Marketing Manger