Case Study
Canadian Union of Public Employees
Project Overview
Migrating ASP.NET MVC4 to AngularJS/.NET CORE
CORE has supported a large national union (CUPE) by developing and evolving the Member Relationship Management System (MRMS). MRMS delivers a centralized web-based tool for querying union locals, tracking collective agreements, and managing memberships. Over time, it has expanded to include education and event modules, allowing members to register online for conventions, workshops, and other gatherings.
The Challenge
The initial MRMS implementation needed to replace a mix of standalone tools and manual processes. Key challenges included:
- Fragmented Data Access: Local union contacts, bargaining-unit details, and collective agreements were stored in disparate systems, making it hard to generate mailing lists or maintain up-to-date membership figures.
- Manual Event Management: Tracking event participation, processing registrations, and distributing materials required a lot of manual work—spreadsheets, paper forms, and email chains.
- Mobile Limitations: The original ASP.NET MVC4 application was not optimized for mobile devices, limiting access for members working on the go.
- Reporting Bottlenecks: Membership and training statistics relied on ad-hoc queries, making it difficult for stakeholders to get timely insights.
Our Approach
Web-Based Redesign & Modernization
- Initial Build (ASP.NET MVC4)
MRMS was first developed as an ASP.NET MVC4 application, with Unity IoC for dependency injection and jQuery for client-side interactions. Data lived in SQL Server (2005), and the system ran under a classic client-server architecture. - Move to Responsive, Mobile-Friendly UI (AngularJS/HTML5/CSS3)
To support on-the-go access, the front end was migrated to AngularJS. This enabled MRMS to run seamlessly on tablets and smartphones. RESTful APIs (built with Entity Framework) replaced older data-access patterns, improving performance and maintainability. - CAIS Module & SharePoint Integration
The collective-agreement management module (MRM-CA) was added, integrating MRMS with SharePoint Online via CSOM. This allowed staff to store and retrieve agreement documents from a centralized SharePoint library while managing metadata in MRMS. - Education & Event Modules (Angular 6 & .NET Core)
The latest expansion of MRMS uses Angular 6 for the front end, Bootstrap 3 for styling, and .NET Core Web API for the back end. This combination delivers a snappier, more modular application. Online registration, attendee tracking, and workshop rosters became fully automated, with data stored in SQL Server 2017. - Reporting Modernization (SSRS & Crystal Reports)
Rather than relying on manual data exports, SSRS reports were developed to surface member training statistics, collective-agreement wage provisions, and event attendance. Crystal Reports remains in use for certain local qualifications and attendance summaries.
DevOps & Continuous Deployment
- Azure DevOps Pipelines
Build and release pipelines in Azure DevOps (formerly TFS) automate deployments across development, staging, and production environments. - Task & Bug Tracking
Azure Boards provide visibility into feature work and defect fixes, ensuring priorities stay aligned with user needs.
Results
- Unified Member Directory & Mailing Tools
MRMS provides up-to-date contact information, automatically generating mailing lists and labels. What once took hours of spreadsheet work now happens in minutes. - Seamless Event Registration
Members can self-register for events online. Attendance data flows directly into SSRS reports, giving organizers real-time visibility into participation. - Mobile Accessibility
Union staff and elected officers can look up contact information, review agreements, and register for events from any device, improving responsiveness in the field. - Actionable Insights Through Reporting
Automated SSRS reports and Crystal Reports deliver membership trends, training metrics, and wage-provision summaries without manual data wrangling. Stakeholders make decisions based on reliable, up-to-date figures.
Why It Matters
Legacy union-management tools often rely on spreadsheets, desktop applications, and manual processes, which become unmanageable as membership grows. MRMS shows how a phased modernization—starting with a web-based redesign, followed by a responsive front end and robust BI can:
- Eliminate Data Silos: Bringing disparate contact lists, agreement libraries, and event rosters into a single system reduces errors and saves staff time.
- Improve Member Engagement: Mobile-friendly access and self-service registration make it easier for members to interact with union resources.
- Enable Data-Driven Decisions: Automated reporting means leadership sees accurate membership and training trends without waiting for spreadsheets.
For any organization looking to replace fragmented, manual processes with a modern, maintainable solution, MRMS demonstrates how ongoing investment in web technologies and DevOps practices pays off in efficiency and engagement.