The University’s Enterprise Web Infrastructure (EWI) environment will be retired on August 6, 2027, and websites currently hosted within will need to transition to a new platform before that date. This transition affects anyone who owns or manages a website hosted on EWI.
Why We're Modernizing Pitt's Web Hosting
EWI has served an important function since 2007. As part of ongoing efforts to modernize and strengthen Pitt's web infrastructure, Pitt Digital, University Communications and Marketing (UCM), and Pitt Research identified three platforms to replace it.
Three Platforms to Replace EWI
Most department and administrative sites will fit CampusPress; sites with high traffic or advanced development needs should consider Pantheon; research centers and institutes have OpenScholar.
- CampusPress: A centrally managed WordPress platform with secure, brand-compliant templates. No cost to site owners; best for department and administrative sites.
- Pantheon: A scalable, cost-based platform for high-traffic sites needing advanced capabilities. Annual costs vary by site; the UCM web team can provide a specific estimate.
- OpenScholar: A centrally supported platform offered through Pitt Research for research centers and institutes. Each site carries a $420 annual cost, shared among the Office of the Senior Vice Chancellor for Research, the Center or Institute, and the School.
Moving to one of these platforms means rebuilding your content rather than simply relocating files, since compliance with brand, accessibility, and security standards depends on the new platform’s structure. The time this takes varies widely depending on your site’s size and complexity, so the information session or a consultation is the best way to get a sense of what to expect for your site.
How to Start the Transition
- Register for an information session for a general overview of each platform.
- Visit UCM Web Services for platform details and answers to common questions.
- Have a question, or ready to start? Submit a request to the UCM web team for one-on-one guidance, cost estimates, or to begin your transition.
Site complexity and content volume vary, so the earlier you start, the more time you’ll have to plan and budget for your transition before the August 6, 2027, deadline.
Your existing site will remain live throughout this process. Starting a request for your new site won’t take your current site down; the transition happens only once your new site is ready.
We appreciate your partnership as we work to modernize Pitt’s web platforms, and we’re here to help make this transition as smooth as possible.
