Web Replatform & AI Innovations — Ryan Sherwood
Portfolio Web Replatform & AI Innovations
02 — AI & Replatform

Web Replatform & AI Powered IDP Redesign

Cole-Parmer’s ecommerce CMS and search platform had aged beyond update and I was the lead responsible to execute the new CMS replacement work to learn and implement a full overhaul to AI driven search, smarter merchandising, facet integration, and redesigned item detail pages without revenue disruption.

Company
Antylia Scientific / Cole-Parmer
My Role
UX Strategy & Design Lead
Platform
Bloomreach CMS
Scope
7 sites, 4 languages
400%+
Increase in IDP algorithmic widget revenue
40%
Increase in click-through rate
25%
Growth in average cart size
29%
Increase in search revenue metrics
Impact
  • 400%+ increase in algorithmic widget revenue
  • 40% increase in click‑through rate
  • 25% growth in average cart size
  • 29% increase in search revenue metrics
  • Zero revenue disruption during migration
My Role
  • UX Strategy & Design Lead
  • Directed UX, CMS structure, search configuration, merchandising logic, AI widget design, and IDP architecture
  • Embedded with IT, junior designers, product managers, and Bloomreach AI teams
Web replatform and AI IDP redesign
Redesigned item detail page architecture with AI-powered widget zones
2. The Problem

Replatform scope & process

Cole‑Parmer’s CMS and search platform had aged beyond support. The site needed:

  • A modern CMS
  • AI‑driven search and merchandising
  • Smarter faceted navigation
  • Redesigned item detail pages
  • Scalable content architecture
  • Zero downtime or revenue loss during transition

This was not a simple redesign, it was a full ecosystem rebuild.

3. Leadership Approach

Owning UX, CMS, and AI strategy end‑to‑end

I served as the primary decision‑maker for UX, CMS structure, search logic, merchandising rules, and AI widget configuration. My leadership focused on:

  • Establishing a unified UX vision across seven sites
  • Guiding engineering through CMS template development
  • Coaching junior designers through complex scientific UX patterns
  • Aligning product managers on boosting, burying, and merchandising logic
  • Ensuring scientific accuracy in filters, facets, and product attributes
  • Maintaining stability and revenue continuity throughout migration

Cross‑functional orchestration

 

I served as the primary decision‑maker for UX, CMS structure, search logic, merchandising rules, and AI widget configuration. I collaborated closely with:

  • Product managers
  • IT and engineering
  • Marketing
  • Customer service
  • SEO teams
  • Analytics teams
  • Bloomreach AI platform specialists

This ensured the replatform was not only technically successful but strategically aligned.

 

4. Replatform Scope & Responsibilities

Multi‑disciplinary leadership, not just UX design.

I led and executed the full replatform scope:

  • Sole point of contact for all CMS structure and site architecture
  • Coordinated CMS and front‑end development with backend discovery systems
  • Launched the new CMS with zero site interruption
  • Guided product managers on merchandising complex scientific equipment
  • Built and maintained all AI‑powered widgets using attribute‑driven logic
  • Configured search synonyms, redirects, and relevance rules
  • Reported on performance and iterated post‑launch
  • Bloomreach AI platform specialists
5. IDP Architecture Redesign

Prioritizing scientific decision‑making

I redesigned the item detail page hierarchy to reduce friction for buyers of complex scientific equipment. The new architecture:

  • Prioritized purchase‑critical information above the fold
  • Structured specs, documentation, compatibility, and certifications clearly
  • Created a guided journey through all supporting content
  • Integrated AI‑powered cross‑sell and upsell modules
  • Reduced cognitive load for technical buyers

The result was a cleaner, more intuitive decision flow that increased cart size and relevance.

5. IDP Architecture Redesign

Prioritizing scientific decision‑making

I redesigned the item detail page hierarchy to reduce friction for buyers of complex scientific equipment. The new architecture:

  • Prioritized purchase‑critical information above the fold
  • Structured specs, documentation, compatibility, and certifications clearly
  • Created a guided journey through all supporting content
  • Integrated AI‑powered cross‑sell and upsell modules
  • Reduced cognitive load for technical buyers

The result was a cleaner, more intuitive decision flow that increased cart size and relevance.

6. AI Widget Design

Cross‑sells, upsells, and compatibility logic

I designed and configured three AI‑powered widget zones:

  • Buy It Together
  • Customers Also Viewed
  • Frequently Bought Together

Each widget used dynamic logic based on:

  • Product attributes
  • Compatibility
  • Category‑level rules
  • Business priorities
  • AI relevance scoring

These modules surfaced the right accessories, alternatives, and complementary items driving a 400%+ increase in widget revenue.

7. Faceted Navigation

AI‑driven filtering for scientific buyers

I led UX for the AI‑powered facet system, designing a dynamic left‑rail architecture that adapted based on:

  • Category context
  • AI relevance scoring
  • Attribute importance
  • Scientific accuracy

Key improvements:

  • Intelligent facet collapsing
  • Boosting critical attributes
  • Burying irrelevant or low‑value facets
  • Reducing zero‑result searches
  • Improving filter usability for complex equipment

This system gave users every tool they needed to find the right equipment quickly and confidently.

8. Search & Merchandising Strategy

Bringing the right products and facets to light

I configured and optimized:

  • AI‑driven search relevance
  • Synonyms and redirects
  • Boost/bury rules
  • Attribute‑based merchandising
  • Category‑specific logic

This resulted in a 29% increase in search revenue metrics.

9. Results

IDP AI widget integrations

The IDP widgets and redesign delivered measurable improvements across the entire ecommerce ecosystem:

  • 400%+ increase in algorithmic widget revenue
  • 40% increase in click‑through rate
  • 25% increase in average cart size
  • 29% increase in search revenue
  • Zero revenue disruption during migration
  • Scalable CMS architecture across 7 sites and 4 languages.

This project modernized Cole‑Parmer’s digital experience and established a foundation for future AI‑driven UX innovation.