---
title: "AWS optimisation and PHP framework upgrade for a growing veterinary SaaS platform"
description: "Hippo Manager needed specialist expertise for two parallel technical challenges - a PHP framework upgrade and AWS infrastructure optimisation. Devspace placed the right engineers at the right moment, delivering results that exceeded expectations and launched an ongoing partnership."
url: "https://www.devspace.no/cases/hippo-manager"
markdown: "https://www.devspace.no/cases/hippo-manager.md"
type: "case"
site: "devspace"
updated: "2026-06-02"
client: "Hippo Manager"
industry: "Veterinary"
location: "US"
customer_since: "2023"
---

# AWS optimisation and PHP framework upgrade for a growing veterinary SaaS platform

> Hippo Manager needed specialist expertise for two parallel technical challenges - a PHP framework upgrade and AWS infrastructure optimisation. Devspace placed the right engineers at the right moment, delivering results that exceeded expectations and launched an ongoing partnership.

- **Client:** Hippo Manager
- **Industry:** Veterinary
- **Location:** US
- **Customer since:** 2023

## The challenge

Hippo Manager is a cloud-based practice management platform serving veterinary practices across North America. As the platform grew, two technical challenges converged at the same time - each requiring specialist depth that the internal team couldn't resource quickly enough.

The first was a PHP framework upgrade. Before committing to the migration, Hippo Manager needed a thorough gap analysis - understanding exactly what the upgrade would affect, what needed to change, and how to scope the work accurately. The second was AWS infrastructure. Their cloud environment had grown organically, and the costs and performance characteristics no longer matched what a scaling SaaS platform required.

Both challenges were time-sensitive. They needed engineers who could come in, understand the codebase quickly, and contribute without a long onboarding runway.

## What we did

Two parallel workstreams, delivered by specialists embedded directly in the Hippo Manager team.

### PHP framework gap analysis

We conducted a thorough review of the existing codebase against the target PHP framework version - mapping breaking changes, deprecated dependencies, and required refactors. The output was a scoped, prioritised migration plan Hippo Manager could execute with confidence.

### AWS infrastructure optimisation

We audited Hippo Manager's AWS environment - identifying over-provisioned resources, inefficient service configurations, and opportunities to reduce cost without sacrificing performance or reliability. Recommendations were implemented directly, not handed off as a slide deck.

### Embedded delivery, aligned with leadership

Throughout both workstreams, our engineers worked closely with Hippo Manager's leadership and technical team - staying aligned on priorities, communicating findings clearly, and adapting as the engagement evolved. The results exceeded expectations on both sides.

## The outcome

Hippo Manager left the engagement with a clear PHP migration roadmap and a leaner, better-performing AWS infrastructure - both delivered faster than a conventional hiring process would have allowed.

The AWS optimisation reduced costs and improved the platform's operational efficiency, giving the engineering team more headroom to focus on product development. The PHP gap analysis gave them the scoping clarity needed to plan the upgrade without risk.

Most importantly, the quality of the engagement - the speed of onboarding, the technical depth, and the consistency of delivery - led directly to an ongoing partnership that has continued since.

## What our clients say

> "Every Devspace engineer understood our stack, fitted our process, and added real value fast. That consistency is rare and genuinely makes a difference"
>
> — Andrew Page, CEO, Hippo Manager

## Our Case Studies

- [E-prescription integration strategy for Norwegian online pharmacy](https://www.devspace.no/cases/appoteket) (Appo, Healthcare): Appoteket needed a partner who understood Norway's e-prescription landscape, not just the technology. Devspace delivered market research, competitor analysis, and a validated integration strategy - from a team with hands-on digital health experience.

## Tell us what you need. We'll find the right engineers.

Whether you need senior developers embedded in your team, a Fractional CTO, or a technology assessment before a deal — most engagements start within 2–4 weeks.

Contact devspace: email [post@devspace.no](mailto:post@devspace.no) or use the contact form at https://www.devspace.no/#contact-form (name, email, phone (optional), company, what you are looking for).

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