Moving from Mosaic to Fresco

Fresco introduces a more modern and structured approach to editing and maintaining content. Key differences include:

• Page layouts are built using flexible content blocks called components
• The editing interface is more visual and guided
• Some legacy content types will be retired or replaced
• Formatting and layout are handled consistently across pages
• Accessibility and Oxford branding are built into the platform

These changes aim to reduce manual work, improve the editing experience, and provide a more consistent and accessible experience for users. 

A full breakdown of the changes from Mosaic to Fresco can be found on our comparison guide.

There are a number of reasons for the move to Fresco, beyond the end of support for Mosaic in 2026. These include:

• Fresco will offer a more consistent, personalised, and accessible digital experience.
• Improved design, structure, and user data will enhance navigation, communication, and engagement for staff, students, and external audiences.
• Fresco will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of communication by providing fewer, better-managed sites.
• Environmentally improved infrastructure and adopting scalable design principles will enable Oxford to demonstrate tangible progress in reducing the environmental impact of its digital platform.
• Consolidation of the digital estate supports long-term cost savings for hosting, support and development.

• Easy to use - the Fresco visual editor allows users to add components straight onto the page and immediately see their changes.
• Accessibility - Fresco uses Sa11y ('Sally'), a tool to help you check accessibility as you work. Get instant prompts for things like missing alt text, headings and links, making it easier to create content that works for everyone.
• New features - You can use components like accordions to keep pages clear, banners to highlight key messages, and image galleries to showcase content. Listings and templates make publishing efficient and help visitors find what they need.
• New ways to publish - You can work on drafts while the live version remains online. Add notes to drafts, route content for approval, and keep track with version history. Preview changes, compare revisions, and share draft links with colleagues before publishing.
• Searchable content - Fresco’s five core page types, Page, Person, Article, Event and Location, use structured data to make your content easier for search engines to understand.