Cybertron Technologies

Category: Featured

  • Our 2016 U.S. Visit: Meeting Clients, Strengthening Bonds

    Our 2016 U.S. Visit: Meeting Clients, Strengthening Bonds

    In 2016, my partner Rajiv and I (Sharan) traveled from Mohali, India to the United States to meet our clients in person and explore new opportunities. While most of our work happens remotely, we’ve always believed that great working relationships are built on trust, and nothing strengthens that more than spending real time together.

    Boston – Longest Standing Client

    Our first stop was Boston, where we met a client we’ve now worked with for over 13 years. We stayed in the scenic town of Plymouth, took in the coastal views, and visited the historic Plymouth Rock. During our visit, we spent a full day at the client’s office, meeting their team and discussing how to work more smoothly and collaboratively. We went to see his son’s soccer match. We also had the pleasure of joining the client and their family for dinner, which made the whole experience feel more personal than transactional.

    US Visit - Plymouth


    Portland – Turning Point in a Sporadic Partnership

    Next, we flew to Portland, Oregon to meet another client. Until that point, we had worked with them on and off. This visit turned things around. We spent time at their office, had a team lunch, and discussed upcoming projects. Since then, we’ve been their primary development partner, and that relationship has only grown stronger over the years.


    Los Angeles – From Early Days to New Beginnings

    Our final stop was in the Los Angeles area, near Riverside, where we met one of our earliest clients from our days on Guru.com. We visited his coworking space, caught up on current projects, and talked about long-term goals. We also made time to see some of LA’s most iconic spots like Venice Beach, Beverly Hills, and Hollywood Boulevard. During our stay, we also met with a few prospective clients, which helped open new doors for future collaborations.

    A Short Trip with a Long-Lasting Impact

    Although the trip was short, it had a lasting effect on how we work and how we think about our client relationships. Meeting people in person gave us deeper insight into their businesses and allowed us to plan better, collaborate more efficiently, and connect beyond emails and Zoom calls. We returned to India with stronger bonds, new opportunities, and a renewed sense of purpose.

    This visit reinforced something we’ve always believed in: behind every successful remote partnership is a foundation of trust, clear communication, and mutual respect.

  • ExpressionEngine vs. WordPress: How to Pick the Right CMS

    ExpressionEngine vs. WordPress: How to Pick the Right CMS

    Choosing between ExpressionEngine and WordPress in 2025 can be tricky. Both are powerful CMS platforms, but the right choice depends on your goals, budget, and long-term vision. WordPress powers 43% + of the internet, while ExpressionEngine has long been the go-to for developers who need flexibility and granular control. This article breaks down the core strengths, limitations, and ideal use-cases for each platform so you can confidently recommend – or adopt – the right CMS for every project.

    Platform Snapshots

    Feature AreaWordPressExpressionEngine
    LicenseOpen-source GPL, free coreFree core (open-source MIT) + optional Pro ($199)
    Ecosystem60K + plugins & themesSmaller marketplace; commercial add-ons built by established dev shops
    Learning CurveBeginner-friendly for content editorsDeveloper-centric templating (Twig/Blade-style)
    Hosting FootprintRuns on any LAMP stack; abundant managed hostsAlso LAMP friendly; fewer “one-click” managed hosts
    Security SurfaceLarge plugin pool increases exposure; frequent patchesSmaller attack surface; updates less frequent
    License CostsMostly $0 (paid themes/plugins extra)Often <$500 total add-on spend per site

    Where WordPress Shines

    1. Rapid MVPs & Marketing Sites
      • Drag-and-drop page-builder plugins (Elementor, Gutenberg blocks) get non-technical teams publishing fast.
    2. Budget-Sensitive Clients
      • Thousands of free themes and plugins provide out-of-the-box functionality for little to no cost.
    3. Large Community Support
      • 24/7 answers on Stack Overflow, official forums, countless tutorials, and dedicated managed hosting providers.
    4. E-Commerce & LMS
      • WooCommerce and LearnDash make it easy to bolt on stores or courses without custom development.

    3. Where ExpressionEngine Excels

    1. Complex, Structured Content
      • EE’s fluid field layouts and channel system give developers granular database-style control without hacking core.
    2. Multi-Site, Multi-Language Projects
      • Built-in multi-site manager allows single-codebase, multi-domain setups with isolated or shared content.
    3. Security & Compliance
      • Smaller plugin ecosystem and pro-coded add-ons decrease vulnerabilities—ideal for finance, healthcare, or EDU.
    4. Performance by Design
      • Template caching, query caching, and no unnecessary plugin overhead let EE handle high-traffic spikes gracefully.

    Hybrid & Headless Options

    • WordPress as Headless CMS: Pair WP’s REST or GraphQL API with a React/Vue front-end for decoupled builds.
    • EE + Gatsby/Next.js: EE’s GraphQL add-ons (e.g., CraftQL-style extensions) let you serve data to static-site generators for Jamstack performance with EE’s robust back-office.

    Conclusion

    No single CMS rules them all. WordPress remains unbeatable for speed, cost, and an expansive plugin universe—perfect for marketing-driven or budget-constrained builds. ExpressionEngine shines when you need custom data structures, multi-site control, and tighter security out of the box.

    When you map each platform’s strengths to your project’s requirements—timeline, budget, content complexity, and compliance—you’ll deliver a solution that scales with your client’s ambitions.

    Need help deciding—or building? Get in touch with Cybertron Technologies. We’ve shipped dozens of WordPress and ExpressionEngine sites, and we’ll match the right tech stack to your goals.

  • 17 years ago, a client visit to remember

    17 years ago, a client visit to remember

    In 2008, when we were just starting out with a team of 5 developers, our clients Dan and Audrey who are frequest travellers visited India and also came to meet us. Below are some excerpts from their blog post from their blog Uncornered Market which they posted in the same year.

    Not long after breakfast, we were sitting with Sharan and his business partner Rajiv, our previously virtual friends. They were the reason we had come to Chandigarh. Sharan had completed a small software project for me (to help put the finishing touches on our photo gallery) the year before. After the project, Sharan and I continued to stay in touch.

    When he found out we were coming to India, we received an invitation to visit.

    After we spent time in their office, Sharan and Rajiv invited us to wait out a power outage at their apartment.

    They and their living quarters, an open one-floor plan shared by five young guys working in the IT and telecom sectors, represented the real-life profile of the Indian IT and outsourcing boom that you read about in newspapers. All of this – the office, the apartment, the outlook – was the face of India’s young and rapidly emerging middle class.

    We sat down with Sharan and Rajiv together on a bed-cum-couch and continued asking questions of one another……..

    ………After lunch, we hopped on the backs of Sharan’s and Rajiv’s motorcycles and rode into town. We were thankful that Chandigarh sequestered its cows on its outskirts – fewer obstacles to dodge.

    After spending two days and several meals together, we were sad to say goodbye; we sincerely look forward to returning some day.

    While our face-to-face visit began in their office, it was the meal that really sealed our friendship. As it unfolded, we lived out a proverb: we shared food, we shared stories, we shared ourselves.