What are the benefits of using AEM?

AEM is one of the most powerful CMS systems on the market. It offers features and benefits such as Digital Asset Management (DAM), asset intelligence, intelligent automation and delivery, and more.

Does AEM have a free tier?

No. AEM has a flexible licensing fee that depends on several factors. AEM offers several high-end functionalities and features for content management.

AEM Implementation Costs: Maximizing ROI

Business-Strategy

Adobe CMS DXP

Oshyn

Apr 17, 2023

Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) has become an essential solution for businesses looking to improve their online presence, engage with customers, and drive sales. However, the implementation cost is one of the biggest concerns for companies considering AEM.

In this article, we’ll look closely at factors that affect AEM implementation costs and how you can maximize the ROI of Adobe products.

What Is the Cost of Implementing AEM?

The cost of implementing AEM varies depending on multiple factors, such as the scope of implementation, level of customization, workflow complexity, and more.

AEM is a premium-priced enterprise-level CMS that requires a significant investment in licensing fees, hardware, software, and professional services. This typically means that larger enterprises are the ones who will be ready to move forward with an AEM implementation. In many cases, small and even medium-sized enterprises will need to compromise on certain features or scale back their implementation plans to make the project financially possible.

The choice to implement AEM will likely occur once a business has decided to migrate to a modern CMS and away from a legacy or custom solution. Or when they’re planning a complete website redesign and need to upgrade the CMS as well.

However, companies may discover that the cost of implementing AEM surges as more features and implementations are added. For example, if you want to integrate AEM with an existing tech stack that already contains a marketing automation tool (CRM) or email marketing software, additional customization and integration work that can drive up the cost may be required.

As such, businesses must carefully consider their requirements and budget constraints when opting for AEM. One way to do this is by working with experienced partners who can help you identify the most cost-effective way to implement AEM while it meets your business goals.

Factors That Can Affect the Cost of Implementing AEM

The cost of implementing AEM can vary significantly depending on several factors. Here are a few:

Current Technology Infrastructure: AEM needs a robust infrastructure to run effectively. The infrastructure cost depends on factors like the number of servers, level of redundancy, and scalability requirements.
Presence of Other Adobe Products: AEM is part of the Adobe Experience Cloud and integrates seamlessly with other tools in the same suite. Suppose you’re already using solutions like Adobe Commerce for eCommerce or Adobe Analytics for your analytics platform rather than third-party alternatives. In that case, the implementation process can be faster, and subsequent costs will likely be lower.
Level of Customization Required: AEM lets you customize and personalize content for different audiences and use cases. You can decide what content is seen and who sees it using specialized rules. This level of customization comes with an extra cost. Also, the price will be higher if you need other extensive customizations, like developing custom step components for your workflows.
Implementation Complexity: AEM implementation is quite tricky and takes time, which might be out of the purview of your current IT staff. As a result, you might need a senior development team or agency to handle the technicalities and process of onboarding. This could increase the cost of implementation.
Size of Company: A large company with an extensive user base will likely have higher licensing costs. AEM licensing costs are based on the company’s size, the number of users, and the features and functionality required. The larger the company, the more complex requirements and customization are needed.

However, larger companies may also benefit from economies of scale. For example, they can negotiate better licensing rates due to their higher purchasing power. They may also have existing infrastructure and processes that can be leveraged to reduce implementation costs.
Data and Content Migration Costs: When implementing AEM, you may need to migrate content and data from your existing CMS to AEM. This can be a complex and time-consuming process, which requires careful planning and execution. The cost of doing this can vary depending on the amount of data and content structure. A large amount may require an investment in extra AEM tools and resources to complete the migration.
Budget: The budget affects the scope of the project, the level of customization, and the resources that can be allocated toward the implementation. Businesses with a limited budget may need to prioritize requirements and focus on critical features and functionalities. This could mean reducing the level of customization or using out-of-the-box functionalities instead of developing custom solutions.

AEM’s flexible pricing structure means that enterprises will pay different amounts based on their unique situations. However, working with an experienced AEM implementation partner helps you develop a solution that meets your budget requirements while ensuring you achieve your business goals.

What to Beware When Implementing AEM

Enterprises seeking to implement AEM should note the potential challenges that can occur during and post-implementation to ensure they’re making the right decision.

Premium Products With Higher Licensing Fees: AEM is a premium product with higher licensing fees than most CMSs. AEM can seem pricey for most small and medium-sized enterprises, but pricing is flexible to meet various company needs.
Steep Learning Curve: AEM is a complex system with several features and capabilities. This can lead to a steep learning curve for both marketers and developers. It requires a high level of technical expertise to implement and configure.
High TCO To Maintain: The need for continuous maintenance and support when using AEM can lead to a high total cost of ownership (TCO). This includes upgrades, bug fixes, customer support, and more costs.
Constant Adobe Innovations: Adobe constantly innovates and introduces new features. So, you must align the DXP with your business strategy and goals. Also, it is important to stay informed about new releases and updates from AEM to ensure that their proposed direction matches your business goals.

Maximize the ROI of Your AEM Implementation With Oshyn

AEM is considered one of the leading solutions on the market. It provides a highly intuitive and user-friendly interface that allows non-technical users to easily create and manage web content without needing advanced technical skills.

Factors like implementation complexity, budget, and a steep learning curve can affect AEM implementation. This is why an expert implementation partner like Oshyn is necessary.

Oshyn is a go-to implementation partner for many global enterprises. Oshyn has worked with well-known vendors like AEM, Sitecore, Optimizely, and many others, helping them deliver a spectacular digital experience for their customers. Our highly skilled and experienced experts are here to choose the right platform to meet your business needs.

If you want to implement AEM while maximizing ROI, Oshyn can help. Look at our content migration guide to learn about the necessary considerations before migrating to a new CMS: Content Migration Guide.