Feb 08, 2023
Sitecore has undergone several changes over the last year. With various acquisitions and restructurings, you might be wondering if your existing Sitecore solutions, like XP or CDP, are still enough or if they’ve grown out of date.
Is now the time to be upgrading to another version of Sitecore? Should you be focusing on a composable DXP?
This article will help you answer these questions so you can continue setting your business up for success.
How Has Sitecore Changed? (Embracing a Composable Future)
Since the beginning of 2021, Sitecore has doubled down on acquiring numerous SaaS products and pivoting toward becoming a composable DXP.
Marketing automation platform Moosend was acquired and became Sitecore Send. Four51, a composable commerce solution, became Sitecore OrderCloud. AI search engine Reflektion was integrated as Sitecore Discover, Boxever became Sitecore Personalize, and more recently, Sitecore transitioned its core CMS to Sitecore XM Cloud, a stand-alone SaaS solution.
With these moves, Sitecore has transitioned to becoming a composable DXP, most notably with the introduction of XM Cloud. Now Sitecore customers no longer have to purchase the entire suite of products but can integrate them individually.
These acquisitions and restructurings will enable Sitecore to provide customers with more freedom and flexibility in delivering personalized omnichannel experiences. Brands will have the option of constructing their own best-of-breed ecosystems and tailoring their technology to fit their unique needs.
Read More: Sitecore DXP: What Lies Ahead for Sitecore Customers?
What You Need to Consider With Your Sitecore System
Brands debating whether to upgrade to the latest version of Sitecore XP or moving to a platform like XMC and building your own composable solution should consider a few things.
Sitecore XP is the complete DXP suite version of Sitecore that comes with all the bells and whistles. Here are some instances where you should continue with the suite version and simply upgrade to the latest version.
Pleased with the wealth of features
Sitecore XP offers a wealth of features that many other suite solutions may struggle to implement. Content management, customer data solutions, commerce, and more come out of the box with Sitecore XP. If your business is content with your existing infrastructure, then there is no need to transition to a composable DXP, and upgrading to the latest version will be sufficient.
The business is using Sitecore to its fullest
Large enterprises with numerous departments and hundreds or thousands of employees can fully maximize everything Sitecore offers. If Sitecore is fully embedded into everything relevant to your digital strategy, then upgrading is the way to go.
Cost of ownership isn’t a burden
Sitecore XP might seem expensive to some companies. However, if owning the existing platform hasn’t proven to be too big of a dent in your annual spending, then there is no need to consider replatforming to another solution that could incur additional costs.
Recruiting talent isn’t a concern
Operating Sitecore requires specialized training and expertise to get the most out of the platform. If your business hasn’t run into trouble recruiting engineers and other personnel with Sitecore expertise, then upgrading to the latest version should be a no-brainer.
An upgrade falls within budget
Today, several businesses are searching for ways to trim fat and fall within budget. However, if, after assessing your situation, maintaining the complete Sitecore XP solution still fits under your technology budget, then there is no need to transition to another system, and upgrading is the best choice.
The Composable DXP Pivot
With the new composable DXP options Sitecore has provided, such as XM Cloud as a standalone headless CMS, and Sitecore Personalize for personalization, brands have many more options for managing content experiences. Here are some instances when pivoting toward a composable DXP could be beneficial.
The platform isn’t performing as you hoped
Are your marketers still able to manage content as they used to? Is everyone in the business satisfied, or have the headaches and complaints about your CMS increased? Whether you’ve been using Sitecore XP for years or only a short time, you must continually assess whether the platform performs to the required standard or if you need another option to handle your commerce or CDP functionality.
The business isn’t using Sitecore to its fullest
Companies that previously used the full Sitecore XP may have only taken advantage of the CMS and a few other features. If that’s the case, then breaking apart the suite and switching to a composable DXP can positively impact the bottom line.
Double spending is becoming an issue
If you recently implemented an industry-leading commerce platform or CDP, you might realize that you’re overpaying for Sitecore products you’re no longer using. If you find yourself spending double on two solutions that essentially perform the same function, then now might be the time to consider pivoting toward a composable DXP instead.
Recruiting talent is a challenge
If your business has found it difficult to locate Sitecore-experienced talent that can help you maintain your system, then you might need to pivot to other solutions to find top-quality talent.
Unsure about upgrading
If you recognize that it’s time to upgrade to the latest version of Sitecore but are unsure if you want to anymore, you should consider another solution. Opting for a composable DXP and building your tech ecosystem using different best-of-breed tools can be the best choice for your business.
Let Oshyn Help You With Your Assessment
Even if you’re unsure whether you want to upgrade to the latest version of Sitecore XP or break down the suite into its parts and move toward a composable DXP, now is the best time to consider your options.
Sitecore will eventually complete its pivot toward being a composable DXP, and sometime in the next 12 months, you will need to decide. Whether you upgrade to the latest version of XP or embrace a composable DXP, it’s in your best interest to upgrade sooner rather than later. Without upgrading, you might miss out on Sitecore’s improved capabilities for personalizing the digital experience, integrations with best-of-breed solutions, increased simplicity for your marketing team, and greater agility for your developers.
Oshyn is a certified Sitecore partner with years of expertise in working with the platform. We can help you audit your current system and determine which option will work best for your business.
Still unsure? The American Association of Critical Care Nursing (AACN) needed to upgrade to a new version of Sitecore and deal with scalability issues. With Oshyn’s help, they were able to remove dependencies on third-party solutions and could utilize Sitecore to its fullest.
Read more about AACN in the case study.
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