PHP modernization services
We deliver PHP modernization services for established platforms and the systems agencies deliver under their own brand. We upgrade runtimes and dependencies, protect critical business behaviour with tests, and own the delivery sequence from assessment through handover.
01Capabilities
What we modernize in a PHP system
We deliver PHP modernization and custom PHP development. Our white-label PHP developers own Laravel and Yii2 systems.
- Platforms
Subscription platforms with established business rules
We modernize long-lived SaaS, including e-commerce and learning platforms, preserving application behaviour and business rules, even those recorded only in the running system.
- Upgrades
Supported PHP and Composer dependencies
We enable security patches and library changes with a supported PHP runtime and dependencies under Composer, replacing home-grown framework code only where it blocks updates.
- Payments
Payments, APIs, and the reconciliation between them
We handle payment retries, API responses and reconciliation after partial provider success. A repeated request must not charge twice (idempotency). See our PHP payment-processing work.
- Handovers
Taking ownership of inherited PHP code
For incomplete migrations and team transitions, we plan the next changes from the deployed application. Handover documents help explain the intent.
02Case studies
Six PHP systems we built or took over
At WaiverKing, refactoring and release automation moved updates from weeks to hours. For Sterling Test Prep, we rebuilt PHP payment processing to meet credit-card security (PCI) requirements. A B2B SaaS client reported a reduction in AWS costs of 30% or more compared with their previous setup.
See all case studies- SaaSAWS costs down 30%+ for a US B2B SaaS platformunicrew became the programming team for a B2B SaaS platform that had run for over a decade, streamlined how it used AWS and Heroku, and sped up rollouts.30%+Lower AWS costs
SaaSWaiverKing: Software Development for Waiver Form CreatorWaiverKing is a document management business serving primarily the health and fitness industries. The platform is partnered with MindBody Online, one of the largest business-systems providers for gyms and yoga studios.Weeks to hoursTime for an update to reach live
LeisureSaaS modernization for Paddle Sports Center in CaliforniaA kayaking and paddleboard rental business in the Santa Barbara area wanted one system for equipment, customers, time and billing. That system is Adventure Rental System.15-20%Increase in revenue
LogisticsCustom software for USA moving companyAn end-to-end SaaS platform for managing household moves and every business operation of a logistics company.Built from scratchAn end-to-end SaaS for household moves and the operations behind them
HealthcareCancerDocs: HIPAA compliant Healthcare Software DevelopmentDevelopment in accordance with HIPAA Security Rules within a medical project.- EducationScaling an online test-prep platform for a growing user base (Sterling Test Prep)A three-person unicrew team implemented website features and payment processing in PHP for a test-prep platform gaining users every day.
03Fit
How we scope a PHP migration
We scope a PHP migration around what must change and what must keep running. The runtime, framework and application boundaries can need different decisions.
| Your situation | What we recommend |
|---|---|
| A working PHP platform whose releases or dependencies block change | Modernize in placeCover critical transactions with tests, raise the runtime and dependency versions, then refactor the code that obstructs the next change. Retain the business behaviour that already works. |
| A new application with PHP as the chosen language | Build with LaravelWe build new PHP applications in Laravel. The application architecture is a separate decision from upgrading an existing PHP platform. |
| A working application already on Yii2 | Assess the Yii2 systemKeep the existing framework where it supports the roadmap. Our Yii2 modernization work covers the decision to maintain, refactor or plan a move. |
| Realtime features, websockets, or long-lived connections at volume | A Node.js serviceUse a Node.js service for that part of the workload, alongside the PHP application. The existing system keeps its current responsibilities. |
| A transactional core several teams will maintain for a decade | Java or .NETWe recommend Java or .NET for a long-lived transactional core. Keep that architecture decision separate from the PHP modernization work. |
| A supported, patched system whose planned changes remain straightforward | Maintain the current systemKeep the runtime and dependencies current, and direct development to the product changes you need. A framework move earns its scope when it removes a defined obstacle. |
Scope
We own the PHP modernization sequence, deployment readiness and handover. The scope includes what changes first, what remains stable and how your engineers continue after handover. unicrew has 100+ senior in-house engineers across six countries and has delivered projects since 2012. We work under an ISO 27001:2022 certified information-security management system.
Modern PHP, with types, Composer and a test suite, is a sound base for the systems it runs. We raise the version floor to a supported runtime before any framework decision. From there, security patches and library updates are routine work.
Yaroslav HavrylivSenior Engineering Manager, unicrew04Delivery
The sequence for modernizing inherited PHP
We establish what the PHP application does in production before changing its runtime or structure.
- Map the deployed PHP systemWe map the deployed topology, PHP and framework versions, data model and integrations. Cron jobs and webhooks belong in that map alongside the request-handling code, including the boundaries between application code, APIs and the database.
- Protect critical transactions with testsWe put tests around billing, checkout and authentication before refactoring those paths. They preserve the behaviour the business depends on and expose regressions as the code changes.
- Upgrade the runtime and dependenciesWe raise the PHP version floor, update Composer dependencies and establish the deployment path. This restores the basis for routine patches and library updates. These changes are part of legacy software modernization.
- Make the framework decisionWith a supported runtime and critical paths covered, we decide whether a framework move improves the system. Where it does, we stage the change; where the existing framework meets the need, refactoring stays within it.
05Client voices
Five clients, in their own words
They’ve been helping us grow our platform together since the beginning, from a couple hundred companies to around 2,000. Artelogic has been front and center in this process.
The goal was to replace legacy UI elements with new UI components. The new UI components already existed, key challenge was to map the existing implementations to the new ones while not losing functionality. They were super responsive and did exactly as we agreed upon. The colleague they send to us was an extremely good fit to the problem that we have described.
We’ve seen a 15-20% increase in revenue, which is through the efficiency gains and the ability to accurately track time on a permanent basis rather than just by a quarter hour or an hour. I’ve worked with a lot of development teams over the years and these guys have been the best. It’s nice to finally find a team that we can work with.
Artelogic has enabled us to develop and roll out products significantly faster than our previous service provider. The team has great knowledge of AWS and Heroku, which has helped us streamline and reduce costs. Artelogic has helped us reduce our AWS costs by 30% or more.
The quality of their coding was outstanding to our standards. Overall, their work was key for us. They were dedicated to solving our problems as a customer; their team was collaborative, listened to us, and fully engaged in our space to commit to the project.
06Stack
Frameworks, data and front ends around PHP
PHP modernization also involves the framework, stored data and API consumers. Each has its own responsibilities within the system.
07Questions
Questions about upgrading and owning PHP systems
Set the upgrade scope and delivery responsibilities before a PHP engagement begins.
Yes. You can hire PHP developers from unicrew through a managed development team, with unicrew responsible for delivery coordination and the agreed work.
An architect outside the delivery team reviews the architecture and data model. Changes go through our QA and test automation practice.
Yes. We take over PHP 5 and older PHP 7 systems and plan the move to a supported runtime around the application and release calendar.
The assessment covers installed dependencies and the business paths that need regression tests. A PHP upgrade and a framework replacement are separate decisions.
For a new PHP application, we recommend Laravel. For an existing Yii2 system, we assess whether the framework blocks planned changes before proposing a move.
A supported runtime, current dependencies and tests around critical behaviour come first. A framework change then has a defined business purpose.
Yes. We take over PHP systems from previous delivery teams, including incomplete migrations.
We inspect the deployed application and repository, map integrations, and test critical transactions before refactoring. The assessment sets the upgrade sequence and what remains stable while the work proceeds.
Yes. We deliver PHP systems under your agency's brand and a non-disclosure agreement; you retain the client relationship.
The engagement uses white-label web development and the wider agency offer. For PHP, it covers inherited-platform upgrades, payment and integration changes, and ongoing development.
We start with a technical scoping call and, for an existing application, read access to the repository.
You receive a written recommendation covering the first changes, what stays stable and the risks that affect the sequence. Most engagements start within two to four weeks.
PHP work is quoted against scope, using one of three engagement models.
- Time and materials: billed hourly, quoted per project.
- Fixed price: outcome based, quoted per project, once the system has been assessed.
- Team extension: billed monthly per team member.
Plan the next change to your PHP system
Share the repository and the change you need to make. We return a written recommendation on what to upgrade, what to preserve and how to sequence the work.