Articles

Not All Heroes Wear Capes. Here's Why CMS Is Your 'Unsung Hero' in 2025

janus-boye

<hr /> If there's one thing the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/mach-alliance-launches-new-mach-ai-exchange-to-help-enterprises-streamline-ai-adoption">MACH Alliance's</a> annual conference can boast, it's a plethora of tales. Composable is a wiry web of complexity, and this community gathering is an opportunity to share stories about the good, the bad, and yes… even the not-so-attractive challenges of taking the MACH road. I talked to a lot of amazing people at “The Composable Conference” in Chicago last week, and you can catch more of the granular tidbits and tasty toppings <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/the-deep-dish-on-composable-6-tasty-takeaways-from-the-mach-alliances-2025-conference">in my “deep dish” of the conference. </a>One of the smartest things the event coordinators designed for this year's content was the use of tracks, where sessions were mapped to an attendee's MACH maturity. This provided clarity for early-stage “MACH Curious” to full-fledged professional practitioners – and the feedback around this format was largely positive.I wanted to get a diverse range of perspectives, and some of that was reflected in my overview. But I was also able to sit down with a few attendees to capture some video, and our team has assembled these into "MACHtales" – stories from the voices across the MACH community.In this segment, we riff with <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/critics/andrew">Andrew Kumar,</a> the Global VP of Agencies, ISVs, Ecosystem, and Customer Solutions at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/uniform">Uniform</a> – a composable DXP. Full transparency: Andrew is also an occasional CMS Critic contributor with a deep heritage in CMS. As Uniform has evolved its position in the thick fabric of the digital ecosystem, the company has found success as a vital translation layer for experiences, notching a Visionary spot on the recent <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.uniform.dev/resources/gartner-magic-quadrant-for-digital-experience-platforms">Gartner Magic Quadrant for DXPs.</a>In five minutes, Andrew gives us the hot take on Uniform's evolution as an interoperability bridge and how <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/its-an-ai-agent-world-is-agent-experience-the-secret-weapon-for-controlling-the-chaos">agentic AI</a> is changing the game from an experience perspective. He touches on the need for incremental steps, and how aligning tech, build, and ops – and how AI weaves across each of these stories – is key. This is where humans need to be in the loop. Along the way, he gets into Uniform's strategy of adding their own CMS, and how it acts as an acceleration springboard while avoiding any vendor lock-in, opening up the headless frontier based on a customer's needs. He also shares what stood out at "The Composable Conference" and how the community's value will benefit ISV members like Uniform in 2025 and beyond.I love how he touches on the emergence of new roles in the ecosystem, from web producers to visual architects. It codifies how change is constant – and why standards are critical for creating architectural guardrails. Roll the footage:<figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://youtu.be/C3pSrxD87Fw"><div style="position:relative;padding-bottom:100%;height:0;padding-bottom:56.2493%"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/C3pSrxD87Fw" style="position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;top:0;left:0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div></figure> <h3 id="upcoming-events">Upcoming Events</h3> <img style="width:30.46%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2024/11/cms-summit-25.png" alt="" /><h4 id="cms-summit-25"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmssummit25">CMS Summit 25</a></h4>May 13-14, 2025 – Frankfurt, GermanyDon't miss the first European edition of our prestigious international conference dedicated to the global content management community! CMS Summit 25 will bring together top-notch speakers, our renowned learning format, and engaging social events. Hear from leading practitioners like Deutsche Bahn, Dr. Oetker, and more – and join customers, agencies, and CMS vendors as we discuss current trends and what's ahead for the content and digital experience fields. Connect and network at the only vendor-neutral, in-person conference focused on CMS. Space is limited for this exclusive event, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmssummit25">so book your seats today.</a> <img style="width:31.83%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/01/cms-connect-2025-logo.png" alt="" /><h4 id="cms-connect-25"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmsconnect25">CMS Connect 25</a></h4>August 5-6, 2025 – Montreal, CanadaWe are delighted to present the second annual summer edition of our signature global conference dedicated to the content management community! CMS Connect will be held again in beautiful Montreal, Canada, and feature a unique blend of masterclasses, insightful talks, interactive discussions, impactful learning sessions, and authentic networking opportunities. Join vendors, agencies, and customers from across our industry as we engage and collaborate around the future of content management – and hear from the top thought leaders at the only vendor-neutral, in-person conference exclusively focused on CMS. Space is limited for this event, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmsconnect25">so book your seats today.</a>

MACHtales: Voices from 'The Composable Conference' with Andrew Kumar of Uniform

matt-garrepy

<hr /> Change is a-brewin' for <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/sitecore">Sitecore</a>.Just over a year ago, the DXP appointed <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/big-shift-at-sitecore-dave-oflanagan-takes-the-helm-as-interim-ceo">Dave O’Flanagan</a> as its new CEO, assuming the role from <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tzikakis/">Steve Tzikakis</a>, who had held the reins since 2020. During O'Flanagan's tenure, the company achieved some key wins, specifically around the growth of its popular AI-enhanced <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sitecore.com/products/xm-cloud">XM Cloud offering</a> – a headless, cloud-native SaaS CMS that changed the game for the legacy player as the fastest-growing product in Sitecore’s history.As of this morning, the torch is passing to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-stine-49540a9/">COO Eric Stine</a>, who has been a visible force behind Sitecore’s recent traction. Effective immediately, Stine will assume the role of CEO, bringing deep experience and proven performance to the top job. The appointment comes at a time of rapid change for Sitecore. While the company has achieved notable growth, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/sonic-boom-sitecore-surges-past-500m-in-arr-heres-why-it-matters">surpassing $500 million in ARR</a> as of last October, it faces the same economic headwinds as its competitors. There’s also the persistent grudge of AI and deriving value from those investments in an increasingly crowded field. But Sitecore has been pushing the innovation envelope, reengineering the company’s core DXP and CMS for an AI era led by the agent revolution. While the company has steadily introduced solutions in AI/ML and GenAI, it released its <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sitecore.com/resources/insights/artificial-intelligence/introducing-sitecore-stream">Sitecore Stream</a> solution at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/sitecore-rocks-and-rolls-in-music-city-the-top-5-tracks-from-symposium-2024">last year’s Symposium event</a>, which brings integrated, brand-aware AI across its product ecosystem. With Stine’s experience leading enterprise software companies to grow at scale, he aims to accelerate Sitecore’s expansion to attract and retain even more of the world’s top brands.“I’m honored to lead Sitecore through the next phase of growth and innovation,” he said in the company’s press release. “Having spent a significant amount of time with our clients, our partners, and our talented team of employees, I am confident that we are uniquely positioned to help brands simplify how they reach, engage, and serve their customers.<h3 id="proven-experience-to-drive-the-next-wave-of-growth">Proven experience to drive the next wave of growth</h3>As mentioned, Stine was serving as Sitecore’s Chief Operating Officer and has been instrumental in building momentum across the company’s go-to-market organization. Under his leadership, Sitecore XM Cloud – an AI-enabled SaaS platform for delivering powerful digital experiences at scale – has significantly expanded its customer base, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sitecore.com/company/newsroom/press-releases/2025/01/sitecore-closes-2024-with-100percents-growth-in-ai-enhanced-cloud-based-content-management-system">growing global revenues by 100% over the last year</a>.Stine’s impact on driving sustained revenue growth and aligning teams around customer success certainly gives the company an edge as it transitions through this period. A big part of his focus has been dedicated to deepening Sitecore’s partner ecosystem and improving customer retention – where it continues to be a trusted DXP to some of the world’s most notable brands, including Equifax, INEOS Automotive, Shure, and Zurich Insurance Group.“We have the most compelling and advanced AI-powered DX platform on the market, unlocking powerful, personalized connections at global scale,” Stine said. “Combine that with an ecosystem able to implement and drive value faster than any other vendor, and we are simply unrivalled.”Stine is no stranger to the C-Suite. Before joining Sitecore, he was Chief Executive Officer of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.elemica.com/">Elemica</a>, a digital supply chain platform for manufacturers. Prior to that, he served as Chief Commercial Officer at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.skillsoft.com/">Skillsoft</a>, an employee training platform provider, and Chief Revenue Officer at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.qualtrics.com/">Qualtrics</a> – an experience management platform. Earlier in his career, Stine spent over a decade at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sap.com/index.html">SAP</a>, one of the world’s leading ERP providers, where he led industry go-to-market strategies and built customer-centric commercial operations across North America.<h3 id="the-shift-to-a-cloud-first,-ai-powered-era">The shift to a cloud-first, AI-powered era</h3>During his time as CEO, Dave O’Flanagan made significant strides, leading Sitecore’s transformation as a modern cloud-focused AI-capable DXP. The rollout of Stream arguably gives Stine a faster runway for building more innovative solutions, particularly as agentic AI becomes a mandate for digital experiences. O’Flanagan initially joined Sitecore through the acquisition of Boxever – a customer data platform (CDP) – where he was founder and CEO. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/sitecore-acquires-boxever-and-four51">The transaction</a>, which closed in 2021, happened simultaneously with Sitecore’s purchase of Four51, a digital commerce platform. At the time, these were viewed as key elements in completing Sitecore’s vision for its DXP.Following the integration of Boxever into Sitecore’s CDP, O’Flanagan became the company’s Chief Product Officer and later rose to CEO. Over the course of his tenure, he moved Sitecore into the Cloud as a feature-rich DXP with AI capabilities. Under his watch, XM Cloud became a key factor in the company’s roadmap, gaining significant adoption – thanks in large part to Stine’s guidance. While O’Flanagan will be moving on from the day-to-day management of the business, he will remain an advisor to the Board.<h3 id="why-it-matters">Why it matters</h3>Change at the top of an organization is always precarious. It can telegraph a wide range of signals to the market while leaving customers wondering about the broader implications. Managing the optics is always tricky. For Sitecore, Stine is exactly the kind of vocal consensus builder who can drive results. He brings the right mix of confidence and charisma to help reinforce the vision and address some of the persistent challenges that exist. This includes assurances to Sitecore’s legacy XP users and committing to support and enrich those tools while focusing on the future of XM Cloud.On that note, the growth of XM Cloud is a clear indicator that the company is moving in a solid direction from a composable perspective. In my recent assessment of the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/gettin-hygge-with-ai-and-more-a-few-cozy-takeaways-from-the-forrester-cms-wave-2025">Forrester Wave Report for CMS</a>, I discussed with <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/critics/mattmcqueeny">Matt McQueeny</a> – a CMS Critic contributor and three-time Sitecore MVP – how XM Cloud is showing up as a contender from a feature and pricing perspective. All positive points in its favor.One of Sitecore’s greatest strengths is its community. Stine is already a visible leadership figure among users and partners, and maintaining strong ties will be key to easing the transition and laying out future innovation. When I spoke to agencies and partners at last year’s Symposium, it was clear that O’Flanagan was working to build stronger bridges within Sitecore’s ecosystem.There’s no doubt that AI continues to be the center of gravity for Sitecore’s strategy, enabling brands to deliver more personalized and scalable digital experiences. I recently spoke to O’Flanagan about the company’s <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/sitecore-partners-with-microsoft-to-launch-industrys-first-ai-innovation-lab-for-marketers">partnership with Microsoft to launch the industry’s first AI Innovation Lab</a> – which is keenly focused on the role of marketers. Bolstered by Microsoft’s partnership with <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://openai.com/">OpenAI</a>, this kind of collaboration is exactly what vendors need to drive differentiated value as trusted advisors.2025 has already served up a menu of challenges, from trade wars to waning consumer sentiment. If there’s a time for bold and decisive leadership, it’s now – and that might be playing into Sitecore’s calculus as it shakes things up. There are obviously other factors at play, but Stine's experience and heritage make him an ideal choice for steering this company through its next chapter. <hr /><h4 style="text-align:center" id="looking-for-guidance-on-sitecore?-talk-to-an-expert.">Looking for guidance on Sitecore? <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/contact">Talk to an expert.</a></h4><hr /> <h3 id="upcoming-events">Upcoming Events</h3> <img style="width:30.46%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2024/11/cms-summit-25.png" alt="" /><h4 id="cms-summit-25"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmssummit25">CMS Summit 25</a></h4>May 13-14, 2025 – Frankfurt, GermanyDon't miss the first European edition of our prestigious international conference dedicated to the global content management community! CMS Summit 25 will bring together top-notch speakers, our renowned learning format, and engaging social events. Hear from leading practitioners like Deutsche Bahn, Dr. Oetker, and more – and join customers, agencies, and CMS vendors as we discuss current trends and what's ahead for the content and digital experience fields. Connect and network at the only vendor-neutral, in-person conference focused on CMS. Space is limited for this exclusive event, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmssummit25">so book your seats today.</a> <img style="width:31.83%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/01/cms-connect-2025-logo.png" alt="" /><h4 id="cms-connect-25"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmsconnect25">CMS Connect 25</a></h4>August 5-6, 2025 – Montreal, CanadaWe are delighted to present the second annual summer edition of our signature global conference dedicated to the content management community! CMS Connect will be held again in beautiful Montreal, Canada, and feature a unique blend of masterclasses, insightful talks, interactive discussions, impactful learning sessions, and authentic networking opportunities. Join vendors, agencies, and customers from across our industry as we engage and collaborate around the future of content management – and hear from the top thought leaders at the only vendor-neutral, in-person conference exclusively focused on CMS. Space is limited for this event, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmsconnect25">so book your seats today.</a>

Sitecore Taps Veteran Eric Stine as CEO to Lead Next Phase of Growth and Innovation

The ‘Deep Dish’ on Composable: 6 Tasty Takeaways from the MACH Alliance’s 2025 Conference

<hr /> At <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fmachalliance.org%2Fevents%2Fcomposable-conference-25&amp;esheet=54242130&amp;newsitemid=20250423626378&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=The+Composable+Conference+2025&amp;index=3&amp;md5=43a1cfa7eaa4a3566b2d9ca6d14dae9d">“The Composable Conference 2025”</a> this week, the topic of AI permeated almost every session and sidebar conversation. Based on my connections with attendees, it’s clear that many organizations have already invested heavily in their own strategies with varying results. Meanwhile, some businesses are still searching for the right place to start their journey.Now, the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/the-composable-conference-2025-takes-shape-as-mach-alliance-announces-speakers-and-new-events">MACH Alliance</a> is providing a helping hand across the lifecycle, built on the terra firma of composability. The Alliance – a not-for-profit industry body dedicated to advocating for open, best-in-class technology ecosystems – just unveiled its new <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fmachalliance.org%2Fmach-ai-exchange&amp;esheet=54242130&amp;newsitemid=20250423626378&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=MACH+AI+Exchange&amp;index=2&amp;md5=2db441d6ec823188692b0030ff55277b">MACH AI Exchange</a>, a professional peer network focused on guiding real-world AI implementation for enterprise companies. The program, which was launched during this week’s conference, was inspired by a recent Alliance study that codifies the value of MACH in streamlining and accelerating AI adoption. According to the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fmachalliance.org%2Fglobal-annual-research&amp;esheet=54242130&amp;newsitemid=20250423626378&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=2025+MACH+Alliance+Global+Annual+Research&amp;index=4&amp;md5=8b35e7c9765b71263fa3b549fb481c06">2025 MACH Alliance Global Annual Research</a> report, 77% of organizations well into their composable journey are using AI. That’s compared to only 36% of those new to MACH. The data suggests that MACH's flexible, connected, and open foundation could translate into successful AI outcomes.<h3 id="implementing-ai-solutions-at-scale">Implementing AI solutions at scale</h3>As part of its rollout, the MACH AI Exchange will launch with three founding members who are leaders in their field. This includes <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlrh/">Karl Hampson</a>, CTO, Data &amp; AI at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/valtech/posts/?feedView=all">Valtech</a>; <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/vikasjain2007/">Vikas Jain</a>, Director, US Retail &amp; Consumer Ecosystem Portfolio at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/google-cloud/posts/?feedView=all">Google Cloud</a>; and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/thexunwang/">Xun Wang</a>, CTO at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/bloomreach">Bloomreach</a>.Core to its charter, the network’s mission is to support enterprise businesses as they implement AI solutions at scale. This includes the bleeding-edge realms of generative and agentic AI technologies. The MACH AI Exchange will accelerate a knowledge base of technical insights, architectural patterns, and implementation methodologies that can significantly reduce integration risk and accelerate deployment timelines.“AI thrives on structured, real-time data, and enterprise architectures face heightened challenges as AI workloads dynamically scale,” said Vikas Jain, founding member and Director of Google Cloud’s U.S. Retail &amp; Consumer Ecosystem portfolio. “The MACH AI Exchange will enable the convergence of composable principles and AI capabilities to help technical leaders establish a competitive advantage through architectural innovation.”<h3 id="who-can-join?">Who can join?</h3>According to the press release, the peer-to-peer community is open to those implementing AI in enterprise systems. This includes engineers, architects, and strategists integrating AI into workflows, builders and innovators shaping AI in MACH environments, and problem solvers pushing AI forward in business technology.“Enterprise stacks weren’t built to handle the constant innovation of the AI era, but that also doesn’t mean we need to start from scratch, either,” said Xun Wang, founding member, CTO of Bloomreach. “Just like MACH de-risks change by making technology adaptable, open, and connected, AI adoption requires the same foundation. In the MACH AI Exchange, members will share what works, what breaks, and how to de-risk AI adoption without common AI buzzwords and hype.”<h3 id="why-it-matters">Why it matters</h3>As AI continues to ripple across our roadmaps, enterprises are struggling to separate the hype from the hope. Regardless of where an organization is on its AI maturity lifecycle, guidance continues to be a missing link – and without it, many businesses risk missing the mark on AI’s full potential.Buoyed by a MACH foundation, it’s evident that organizations can leverage a composable posture to accelerate and streamline their plans. But more importantly, the MACH Alliance is providing valuable industry insight to help mitigate risk and guide the journey. This layer of human expertise could be a critical differentiator.To learn more about the MACH AI Exchange, visit <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fmachalliance.org%2Fmach-ai-exchange&amp;esheet=54242130&amp;newsitemid=20250423626378&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=https%3A%2F%2Fmachalliance.org%2Fmach-ai-exchange&amp;index=6&amp;md5=835c89f808371874a54aaa43b71e7f53">https://machalliance.org/mach-ai-exchange</a> <hr /><h3 id="upcoming-events">Upcoming Events</h3> <img style="width:24.53%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/03/image-1742910054704.png" /><h4 id="the-composable-conference-2025"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://machalliance.org/events/composable-conference-25">The Composable Conference 2025</a></h4>April 22-24 – Chicago, USAExperience the future of composable and MACH principles in “The Windy City” and dive even deeper into the innovative world of MACH architecture and its benefits for your business. Building on the momentum of MACH THREE, this conference will provide your teams with the expert, impartial guidance needed to craft a winning transformation strategy and leverage the latest advancements in automation and Al to maximize efficiency and drive your organization forward. This event is ideal for executives, business leaders, technologists, and everyone in between who is looking to harness the power of composable. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://machalliance.org/events/composable-conference-25">Secure your spot today.</a> <img style="width:30.46%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2024/11/cms-summit-25.png" alt="" /><h4 id="cms-summit-25"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmssummit25">CMS Summit 25</a></h4>May 13-14, 2025 – Frankfurt, GermanyDon't miss the first European edition of our prestigious international conference dedicated to the global content management community! CMS Summit 25 will bring together top-notch speakers, our renowned learning format, and engaging social events. Hear from leading practitioners like Deutsche Bahn, Dr. Oetker, and more – and join customers, agencies, and CMS vendors as we discuss current trends and what's ahead for the content and digital experience fields. Connect and network at the only vendor-neutral, in-person conference focused on CMS. Space is limited for this exclusive event, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmssummit25">so book your seats today.</a> <img style="width:31.83%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/01/cms-connect-2025-logo.png" alt="" /><h4 id="cms-connect-25"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmsconnect25">CMS Connect 25</a></h4>August 5-6, 2025 – Montreal, CanadaWe are delighted to present the second annual summer edition of our signature global conference dedicated to the content management community! CMS Connect will be held again in beautiful Montreal, Canada, and feature a unique blend of masterclasses, insightful talks, interactive discussions, impactful learning sessions, and authentic networking opportunities. Join vendors, agencies, and customers from across our industry as we engage and collaborate around the future of content management – and hear from the top thought leaders at the only vendor-neutral, in-person conference exclusively focused on CMS. Space is limited for this event, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmsconnect25">so book your seats today.</a>

MACH Alliance Launches New MACH AI Exchange to Help Enterprises Streamline AI Adoption

<hr /> <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://agilitycms.com/">Agility CMS</a> Chief Technical Officer <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/joelvarty/">Joel Varty</a> just wrapped up his first YouTube video series, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGoA-Jt52_c&amp;list=PLEI81bLU4t-uzsIOt1iaykzI4ZSsNQ9ao&amp;pp=gAQB">Building with Next.js and Headless CMS</a>. It’s an 8-part series looking at the power of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://agilitycms.com/starters/nextjs">Next.js</a> when paired with Agility CMS. Next.js and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://agilitycms.com/product/headless-cms">headless CMS</a> go hand-in-glove to help <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://agilitycms.com/product/developers">developers</a> build fast, scalable, and dynamic websites. Joel’s video series walks you through integrating Agility CMS with Next.js, examining essential topics such as previewing, creating components, caching, authenticating, and more.Watch the Full Series: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGoA-Jt52_c&amp;list=PLEI81bLU4t-uzsIOt1iaykzI4ZSsNQ9ao&amp;pp=gAQB">Building with Next.js and Headless CMS on YouTube</a>  <figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGoA-Jt52_c&amp;list=PLEI81bLU4t-uzsIOt1iaykzI4ZSsNQ9ao"><div style="position:relative;padding-bottom:100%;height:0;padding-bottom:56.2493%"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UGoA-Jt52_c" style="position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;top:0;left:0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div></figure><h3 id="the-what-and-why-of-next.js-">The What and Why of Next.js </h3> <h4 id="the-what-">The What </h4>Next.js was developed in 2016 by <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://agilitycms.com/partners/integrations/vercel">Vercel</a> as an open-source, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://agilitycms.com/blog/react-cms">React</a>-based JavaScript framework. It enables server-side rendering (SSR), static site generation (SSG), and incremental static regeneration (ISR) to optimize performance and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://agilitycms.com/solutions/modern-websites-and-seo">search engine optimization (SEO)</a>. In other words: Next.js decides the best way to show content based on how data is fetched from pages: <ul><li>SSG prepares pages ahead of time. </li><li>SSR generates them on demand. </li><li>ISR generates them statically at first, but then incrementally updates them as changes happen in the CMS. </li></ul>All these options reduce the work a visitor’s browser must do. This makes the browsing experience smoother and more efficient.  <h4 id="the-why-">The Why </h4>Both developers and marketers benefit from Next.js: <figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Developers</td><td>Marketers</td></tr><tr><td><ul><li>API Routes </li><li>Incremental Static Regeneration (ISR) </li><li>File-Based Routing </li><li>Optimized Performance </li><li>Seamless Vercel Integration</li></ul></td><td><ul><li>Fast loading speed for high-performance sites </li><li>SEO-friendliness for easy content indexing </li><li>Greater content control via headless integration </li><li>Supports <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://agilitycms.com/solutions/content-hub-and-omnichannnel-deployments">omnichannel</a> marketing activities </li><li>Real-time previews and publishing</li></ul></td></tr></tbody></table></figure>Marketing websites benefit from fast-loading, SEO-rich content. E-commerce platforms can take advantage of dynamic product pages using ISR. With Next.js and a headless CMS, your content becomes omnipresent – meaning it’s ready for websites, apps, digital signage, and beyond. <h3 id="joel’s-key-takeaway-">Joel’s Key Takeaway </h3>If there’s one thing Joel wants you to take away from <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGoA-Jt52_c&amp;list=PLEI81bLU4t-uzsIOt1iaykzI4ZSsNQ9ao&amp;pp=gAQB">Building with Next.js and Headless CMS</a>, it’s this (in his own words): “As a modern web framework, Next.js is the leader when it comes to building actual production sites for customers. A front-end developer with React skills can really level up their game by following along with this series. I see it as an opportunity for someone to take their career to a whole new level.” <h3 id="next.js-makes-a-difference-">Next.js Makes a Difference </h3>React is powerful. But by itself, it doesn’t offer SSR, SSG, ISR, SEO, or many other amazing acronyms. Next.js fills in those gaps and transforms React into a full-featured web framework. From there, Next.js: <ul><li>Spans developer and marketing needs: Developers can build quickly while content teams manage content effectively – without stepping on each other’s toes.  </li><li>Future-proofs your tech stack: Next.js works with <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://agilitycms.com/resources/guide/introduction-to-jamstack">Jamstack</a> and deploys on platforms like Vercel or <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://agilitycms.com/partners/integrations/netlify">Netlify</a>. It’s flexible and adaptable, meaning you aren’t “locked in” to, well, anything. </li><li>Powers better web experiences: Build faster, more accessible, and more scalable websites and apps without wrestling the framework.  </li></ul><h3 id="get-your-popcorn-ready-">Get Your Popcorn Ready </h3>Joel has been a mainstay within the industry for 20 years. He’s known for his engaging and insightful <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://agilitycms.com/resources/events">webinars</a>. And his ability to craft dad jokes out of thin air borders on the supernatural. All that to say, you’re going to learn quite a bit – and get some unexpected chuckles too – when you check out <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGoA-Jt52_c&amp;list=PLEI81bLU4t-uzsIOt1iaykzI4ZSsNQ9ao&amp;pp=gAQB">Building with Next.js and Headless CMS</a>.  <hr /><h4 style="text-align:center" id="looking-for-guidance-on-agility?-talk-to-an-expert.">Looking for guidance on Agility? <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/contact">Talk to an expert.</a></h4><hr /> <h3 id="upcoming-events">Upcoming Events</h3> <img style="width:24.53%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/03/image-1742910054704.png" /><h4 id="the-composable-conference-2025"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://machalliance.org/events/composable-conference-25">The Composable Conference 2025</a></h4>April 22-24 – Chicago, USAExperience the future of composable and MACH principles in “The Windy City” and dive even deeper into the innovative world of MACH architecture and its benefits for your business. Building on the momentum of MACH THREE, this conference will provide your teams with the expert, impartial guidance needed to craft a winning transformation strategy and leverage the latest advancements in automation and Al to maximize efficiency and drive your organization forward. This event is ideal for executives, business leaders, technologists, and everyone in between who is looking to harness the power of composable. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://machalliance.org/events/composable-conference-25">Secure your spot today.</a> <img style="width:30.46%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2024/11/cms-summit-25.png" alt="" /><h4 id="cms-summit-25"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmssummit25">CMS Summit 25</a></h4>May 13-14, 2025 – Frankfurt, GermanyDon't miss the first European edition of our prestigious international conference dedicated to the global content management community! CMS Summit 25 will bring together top-notch speakers, our renowned learning format, and engaging social events. Hear from leading practitioners like Deutsche Bahn, Dr. Oetker, and more – and join customers, agencies, and CMS vendors as we discuss current trends and what's ahead for the content and digital experience fields. Connect and network at the only vendor-neutral, in-person conference focused on CMS. Space is limited for this exclusive event, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmssummit25">so book your seats today.</a> <img style="width:31.83%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/01/cms-connect-2025-logo.png" alt="" /><h4 id="cms-connect-25"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmsconnect25">CMS Connect 25</a></h4>August 5-6, 2025 – Montreal, CanadaWe are delighted to present the second annual summer edition of our signature global conference dedicated to the content management community! CMS Connect will be held again in beautiful Montreal, Canada, and feature a unique blend of masterclasses, insightful talks, interactive discussions, impactful learning sessions, and authentic networking opportunities. Join vendors, agencies, and customers from across our industry as we engage and collaborate around the future of content management – and hear from the top thought leaders at the only vendor-neutral, in-person conference exclusively focused on CMS. Space is limited for this event, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmsconnect25">so book your seats today.</a>

Varty’s Videos: A CTO’s Take on Next.js

cms-critic-staff

<hr /> I first heard the term “MCP” as a tech-obsessed, Commodore-64-toting 8-year-old. It landed during the epic video game movie Tron, where it was used as an off-hand contraction for the nefarious “Master Control Program."As the story's digital antagonist, the MCP exhibited the worst traits of artificial intelligence, projecting an unscrupulous, destructive, self-serving agenda. Kind of like that terrible neighbor who’s always on a power trip at your HOA meeting – but with lasers. Life is sometimes stranger than fiction, and this acronym has now materialized on the grid as a real-life TLA with an AI inference. Hopefully, the similarities to that other MCP end here, but I’m keeping my light cycle on standby.This newer permutation of MCP – <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://modelcontextprotocol.io/introduction">Model Context Protocol</a> – is an open standard for governing how applications provide context to LLMs. Much like USB-C provides a standardized way to connect devices to different accessories, MCP does the same to connect AI models to different data sources and tools.Why is this important? Because MCP has become a critical piece of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/its-an-ai-agent-world-is-agent-experience-the-secret-weapon-for-controlling-the-chaos">the agentic pie</a>, enabling you to build agents and workflows on top of LLMs – which often need to integrate with various data sources and tools. MCP can provide access to pre-built integrations that ease the connection process, including lightweight programs and hosts like IDEs. All of this, as Tron might say, is about interoperability. And while the digital frontier is very much focused on the evolution of agents, we’re still wrestling with integration complexities in the here and now. This is where data models can be key assets, helping brands, system integrators, and vendors to present products, orders, inventory, and other commerce-related data. But building a data model from scratch is tough. And by definition, each from-scratch data model is unique. That’s why the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/the-composable-conference-2025-takes-shape-as-mach-alliance-announces-speakers-and-new-events">MACH Alliance</a> has introduced a new <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://machalliance.org/open-data-model-initiative">Open Data Model Initiative</a>, which aims to solve the lingering interoperability issues plaguing enterprises, SIs, and ISVs. The industry group – which is focused on future-proofing enterprise technology through open, connected, and composable digital experiences – just announced the launch of the program. It coincides with its annual live event, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://machalliance.org/events/composable-conference-25">“The Composable Conference,”</a> which is being held in Chicago this week.  Led by the Alliance’s Interoperability Task Force, the Initiative will provide a set of reusable data model recipes and reference structures. These components will be extensible across critical technology domains, such as commerce, product information management (PIM), and orchestration. These patterns aren’t a set of draconian standards. In fact, they’re designed to be lightweight, adaptable, and built for real-world applications. This addresses the strategic concerns of businesses as they seek out more composable, interoperable solutions to help them navigate a rapidly changing digital landscape."Interoperability has been a primary focus for the MACH Alliance," said <a href="Adam%20Peter%20Nielsen">Adam Peter Nielsen</a>, CTO of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.novicell.com/">Novicell</a> and MACH Alliance Interoperability Lead. “With a shared data model recipe, we can make tangible progress toward seamless integration and strategic agility across diverse technologies.”<h3 id="broadening-the-composable-roadmap-">Broadening the composable roadmap </h3>According to the Alliance, its Open Data Model will be made publicly available under an open-source license on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://github.com/">GitHub</a>, helping to ensure transparency, accessibility, and broad community engagement. But that’s only the first step. The plan is to maintain innovation and maturity through the MACH Alliance Interoperability Working Group, which will actively enhance and expand the model. The goal is to deliver a solution that’s ready for full member consumption by the end of Q2 2025.To accelerate go-to-market readiness, the MACH Alliance is working with several MACH Certified Vendors that have provided sample material. The list includes <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/conscia">Conscia</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://alokai.com/">Alokai</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/commercetools">commercetools</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.bluestonepim.com/">Bluestone PIM</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/occtoo">Occtoo</a>, and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pipe17.com/">Pipe17</a> – which offered its open, comprehensive, canonical data model as a starting point. “We built our data model over five years,” said <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellygoetsch/">Kelly Goetsch</a>, COO of Pipe 17 and former MACH Alliance president and chair. “It sits at the heart of our solution, has been rigorously tested in real-world use, continuously refined, and has always been open source from day one. We’re thrilled to contribute it to the MACH Alliance, further empowering the commerce ecosystem to innovate and scale faster.”Also leading the initiative are a set of MACH Certified System Integrators, including <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.applydigital.com/">Apply Digital</a>, Novicell, and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.valtech.com/en-us/">Valtech</a> – buoyed by the hyperscaling support of MACH Certified Enabler <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/aws">AWS</a>.<h3 id="giving-merchants,-sis,-and-vendors-a-mach-multiplier">Giving merchants, SIs, and vendors a MACH multiplier</h3>The new Open Data Model is poised to provide significant benefits across the MACH ecosystem. From vendor-neutral patterns for seamless interoperability to reference structures for vertical markets like manufacturing, the initiative will provide a “springboard” for new projects or legacy – all with a dedicated focus on transparency.  First, merchants will have the ability to adopt this data model as their own – and effortlessly connect their existing homegrown systems with MACH-compliant solutions.Additionally, systems Integrators and agencies will be able to build repeatable solutions, enhance their overall efficiency, and speed up MACH implementations. This will accelerate their time to deliver value to merchants.As for MACH Alliance vendors, the initiative will provide immediate access to a robust foundational data model, dramatically reducing initial development effort and enhancing a more seamless data flow between partner solutions.<h3 id="what-about-ai-(and-that-mcp-stuff)?">What about AI (and that MCP stuff)?</h3>Of course, there’s the future runway to agentic AI that I mentioned, which is wholly dependent on data. As the Alliance posits, without a shared data model, enterprises will continue to face fragmented, siloed data environments that limit AI’s ability to make accurate decisions and deliver tangible business value.By establishing an open, vendor-neutral data model, the MACH Alliance is laying the groundwork for the use of agentic AI and supporting <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.anthropic.com/news/model-context-protocol">Anthropic’s MCP-powered agents. </a>This is helping to connect AI assistants to the systems where data lives, including content repositories, business tools, and development environments. Its goal is to help frontier models produce better, more relevant responses. "Enterprises demand solutions that work together,” said <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobhowland/">Bob Howland</a>, Chairperson of the MACH Alliance. “By standardizing an Open Data Model, we dramatically simplify integrations. Vendors adopting the Open Data Model will find faster implementation cycles and significantly reduced complexity – enabling true interoperability that powers digital innovation."<h3 id="why-it-matters">Why it matters</h3>Spoiler alert: At the end of Tron, the computer system is once again free, giving the personified programs the ability to move about and, presumably, connect with other programs to build cool things. There’s something beautiful about this idea of seamlessly interoperating. There’s no question that security and governance are top of mind in such paradigms, and we’re a long way from easy. Still, interoperability can be made easier – better, even – with the introduction of more predictable standards. From the beginning, the concept of “openness” has been core to the MACH Alliance, making it a solid foundation for providing a common, open source data model that’s been proven. Based on the Alliance’s plans, it sounds like this model will continue to benefit from ongoing innovation and be well-supported in the future.The flexibility and extensibility of this model are also key factors. By enabling off-the-shelf access to its merchant, SI, and ISV ecosystems, the Alliance is helping to ensure that the model is instantly adoptable and supported by its members. There’s also an open invitation for experts and practitioners to help shape the model for future use cases.The market is always yearning for standards, and with the rapid acceleration of AI – specifically with MCP-powered model agents – having more predictable and reliable pathways to integrate should reduce the friction for building the next wave of agentic applications. Even the most advanced models are limited by their isolation from data, walled in behind silos and legacy systems. This is why this investment in an open data model is an ambitious and positive step forward.Will this solve every integration problem on the light cycle grid? Not likely. But it's a start. It might also unlock more potential for additional industry applications, something the organization has struggled with as it endeavors to expand and export its relevance to other industries. To that end, the MACH Alliance is also undergoing its own evolution (including its messaging). The Open Data Model might be the first page of its next chapter as it seeks to enrich its foundational mission and further support the market. With composable continuing to make gains, many are asking what's ahead, and this initiative is a glimpse of its vision for an open, AI-enabled ecosystem. You can learn more about the Open Data Model initiative and even contribute to the project at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://machalliance.org/open-data-model-initiative">https://machalliance.org/open-data-model-initiative</a> <hr /><h3 id="upcoming-events">Upcoming Events</h3> <img style="width:24.53%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/03/image-1742910054704.png" /><h4 id="the-composable-conference-2025"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://machalliance.org/events/composable-conference-25">The Composable Conference 2025</a></h4>April 22-24 – Chicago, USAExperience the future of composable and MACH principles in “The Windy City” and dive even deeper into the innovative world of MACH architecture and its benefits for your business. Building on the momentum of MACH THREE, this conference will provide your teams with the expert, impartial guidance needed to craft a winning transformation strategy and leverage the latest advancements in automation and Al to maximize efficiency and drive your organization forward. This event is ideal for executives, business leaders, technologists, and everyone in between who is looking to harness the power of composable. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://machalliance.org/events/composable-conference-25">Secure your spot today.</a> <img style="width:30.46%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2024/11/cms-summit-25.png" alt="" /><h4 id="cms-summit-25"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmssummit25">CMS Summit 25</a></h4>May 13-14, 2025 – Frankfurt, GermanyDon't miss the first European edition of our prestigious international conference dedicated to the global content management community! CMS Summit 25 will bring together top-notch speakers, our renowned learning format, and engaging social events. Hear from leading practitioners like Deutsche Bahn, Dr. Oetker, and more – and join customers, agencies, and CMS vendors as we discuss current trends and what's ahead for the content and digital experience fields. Connect and network at the only vendor-neutral, in-person conference focused on CMS. Space is limited for this exclusive event, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmssummit25">so book your seats today.</a> <img style="width:31.83%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/01/cms-connect-2025-logo.png" alt="" /><h4 id="cms-connect-25"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmsconnect25">CMS Connect 25</a></h4>August 5-6, 2025 – Montreal, CanadaWe are delighted to present the second annual summer edition of our signature global conference dedicated to the content management community! CMS Connect will be held again in beautiful Montreal, Canada, and feature a unique blend of masterclasses, insightful talks, interactive discussions, impactful learning sessions, and authentic networking opportunities. Join vendors, agencies, and customers from across our industry as we engage and collaborate around the future of content management – and hear from the top thought leaders at the only vendor-neutral, in-person conference exclusively focused on CMS. Space is limited for this event, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmsconnect25">so book your seats today.</a>

A New Game for Interoperability? Here’s Why the MACH Alliance’s Open Data Model is a Winner

Sitecore Partners with Microsoft to Launch Industry’s First AI Innovation Lab for Marketers 

Power your CMS on AWS

Manage your websites & apps in the most trusted cloud.

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Gettin’ hygge with AI (and more): A few cozy takeaways from the Forrester CMS Wave 2025

Accelerating AI progress: ai12z brings powerful AI search and chatbots to Progress Sitefinity

Umbraco Shines on Sustainability and Growth in Third Annual Impact Report

Contentful Rolls Out New AI and Personalization Capabilities, Ramps Up R&D for its DXP

<hr /> There’s a composable breeze that's building in “The Windy City,” and it might just knock you over.The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://www.machalliance.org/">MACH Alliance</a> is landing its much-anticipated annual event (redubbed “The Composable Conference”) in Chicago this year, and it’s shaping up to be a powerhouse of brands, industry thought leaders, and stellar sessions.This year’s gathering will take place from April 22 – 24 at the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://convene.com/locations/chicago/233-south-wacker-drive/">Convene meeting space in the iconic Willis Tower</a> – a premium building in Chicago’s Loop neighborhood designed at the intersection of natural and urban environments. It’s a perfect backdrop for the transformational themes being explored at this one-of-a-kind conference.The three-day agenda is plush with keynotes and collaborative sessions, featuring industry leaders and technology practitioners. The conference is made possible by the MACH Alliance’s headline partners including <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/accenture-song-brings-its-composable-commerce-music-to-the-mach-alliance-heres-why-it-matters">Accenture Song</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/builderio-nets-20m-from-microsofts-venture-fund-what-it-means-for-the-future-of-headless-cms">Builder.io</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/commercetools">commercetools</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/contentstack">Contentstack</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.publicissapient.com/">Publicis Sapient</a>, and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/vercel-introduces-sdk-for-building-ai-apps-with-react-and-svelte">Vercel</a>.While this fourth installment ushers in a new chapter for the evolving MACH ecosystem – at a time when technology investments face major economic headwinds – the mission of the event remains clear: help attendees formulate their composable game plan. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/mach-two-conference-wrap-six-takeaways-from-the-composable-event-of-the-year">As a previous attendee</a>, I can say firsthand that the quality of these events is top-notch. The speakers are compelling and the event format provides fertile ground for learning and networking. For me, it’s a chance to hear from real companies that have succeeded – and struggled – to make the leap to MACH, and the wisdom they’ve accrued when embracing not only the architectural tenets, but the cultural and philosophical mindset of MACH.“The Composable Conference is the one annual opportunity for business and technology leaders to come together and share the trials and tribulations that enable digital transformations,” said <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobhowland/">Bob Howland</a>, event co-host and chairperson of the MACH Alliance. “The connections and community fostered enable attendees to overlay the unique principles of MACH onto their own composable strategy, building an executable playbook alongside peers and pioneers.”Before we break down the speakers and event details, it’s worth noting that this is an exclusive event with limited space – so secure your space today. The MACH Alliance is also offering a $500 travel rebate to eligible delegates. Registration is<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://machalliance.org/events/composable-conference-25?utm_campaign=5851685-The%20Composable%20Conference&amp;utm_source=PressRelease"> now open</a>.<h3 id="dynamic-brands-take-center-stage">Dynamic brands take center stage</h3>The previous three MACH events have been heavy hitters in the content department, featuring presenters from marquee global enterprises like <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/ikea-mars-ulta-beauty-and-influential-brands-to-be-featured-at-mach-three-conference">IKEA, MARS, Ulta Beauty</a>, and other highly influential brands.This year’s crop is no exception and ups the ante with a more diverse crop of industry players. This includes representatives from Parkland, Zoro, VF Corporation, Wynn Resorts, Prada Group, Wegmans, DXL, Bissell, Firehouse Subs, Diageo, and Altitude Sports. Additional speakers and brands will be announced in the coming weeks, so stay tuned.While speakers and presentations are conduits for knowledge, the Alliance is taking a more hands-on approach to the experience by <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://machalliance.org/newsroom/mach-alliance-elevates-annual-conference-to-help-companies-craft-their-composable-game-plan">actively involving attendees</a> at each stage of the composable journey. To deliver this more immersive vision, the conference will offer a three-track format that features workshops and insightful sessions with experts who have successfully implemented MACH. Based on the Alliance’s persistent <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/mach-alliance-publishes-first-annual-report-showcases-industry-impact-and-plans-for-2024">research and market analysis</a>, it’s clear that a MACH approach can help ensure agility, scalability, and vendor independence in an increasingly AI-driven world. Armed with a solid foundation of insights from dynamic leaders across multiple industries, attendees will be better equipped for the composable journey ahead. <h3 id="remachable-events-on-tap">ReMACHable events on tap</h3>The MACH Alliance is rolling out an enhanced event format for The Composable Conference 2025, with the core of the program dedicated to interactive workshops and roundtable sessions. As mentioned, these experiences will be led by top global brands – sharing firsthand composable insights and expertise while giving delegates the opportunity for direct learning and impactful discussions.This year, there’s an emphasis on incorporating the organization’s popular <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://machalliance.org/ridemach">rideMACH</a> program, a robust eLearning platform that combines its educational vision and intentions with courseware and credentialing. rideMACH has exploded its enrollment in the last year, a clear sign that the market is eager to learn – and hungry for resources.At the conference, attendees can participate in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/mach-alliance-taps-dylan-valade-of-abbott-to-drive-expanding-ridemach-education-program">“rideMACH Live,”</a> which will bring the Alliance’s online learning platform into a live classroom setting and offer several sessions for delegates to enhance their MACH mindset and technology skills.rideMACH courses are designed to empower all types of learners with the knowledge and skills needed to help organizations embrace open and transformative technologies. As part of the rideMACH program, you can join 1,000 professionals from 200 brands and 52 member companies who are accelerating their composable journeys through rideMACH’s professional development. You can learn more about the rideMACH program on the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://machalliance.org/ridemach">MACH Alliance website</a>.<h3 id="celebrate-the-winners-of-the-mach-impact-awards">Celebrate the winners of the MACH Impact Awards</h3>As a three-time judge of the annual <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/clarks-kraft-heinz-take-top-honors-in-mach-impact-awards-at-mach-three">MACH Impact Awards</a>, I’ve read through a mountain of applications over the years – and I’m still getting blown away. Having watched the gradual evolution of pioneering architectural approaches into more standard practices, I can see how MACH has been adopted, understood, and successfully executed.That’s all good. But it’s also making these awards harder to judge – and this year’s entrants really brought the rain. I can’t wait to share the winners during the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://machalliance.org/mach-impact-awards">2025 MACH Impact Awards Ceremony</a>, which will honor the most impactful global technology projects from these amazing applicants. In terms of updates, this year will feature a “Best Platform Transformation” category that recognizes the challenging path and incremental progress toward composability. <h3 id="advancing-the-mach-mission">Advancing the MACH mission</h3>Along with its advocation for best-of-breed open technology ecosystems, the MACH Alliance has long been a champion of the humans behind the composable movement. Along with its <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/mach-alliance-empowers-gender-equality-with-new-women-in-mach-deib-scoring-tool">“Women in MACH” program</a>, the Alliance continues to telegraph the importance of diversity, gender equality, social responsibility, and sustainability both within and beyond its community.At this year’s conference, there’s a new “People in MACH: Unlocking Composable Business Value Through Culture &amp; Inclusion” that will allow delegates to explore the tangible impact of DEI, allyship, and ethical technology on growth, profitability, and competitive advantage in composable enterprises.There will also be a close integration with the MACH Alliance’s new Community Platform, which was created for both end-user individuals and MACH-certified members to network, share content, and discuss ideas both at the event and long after the conference concludes.“The Composable Conference is where bold ideas meet practical execution,” said <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/the-sommelier-of-machtails-sommsations-danielle-diliberti-uncorks-composability">Danielle Diliberti</a>, event co-host and CEO of Sommsation. “As businesses build for the future and reimagine customer experiences, this event creates space for honest conversations about the challenges, breakthroughs, and strategies shaping the future of composable approaches and MACH.”To learn more about The Composable Conference and register to attend, <a href="www.machalliance.org/events/composable-conference-25">click here.</a> <hr /><h3 id="upcoming-events">Upcoming Events</h3>  <img style="width:24.53%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/03/image-1742910054704.png" /><h4 id="the-composable-conference-2025"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://machalliance.org/events/composable-conference-25">The Composable Conference 2025</a></h4>April 22-24 – Chicago, USAExperience the future of composable and MACH principles in “The Windy City” and dive even deeper into the innovative world of MACH architecture and its benefits for your business. Building on the momentum of MACH THREE, this conference will provide your teams with the expert, impartial guidance needed to craft a winning transformation strategy and leverage the latest advancements in automation and Al to maximize efficiency and drive your organization forward. This event is ideal for executives, business leaders, technologists, and everyone in between who is looking to harness the power of composable. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://machalliance.org/events/composable-conference-25">Secure your spot today.</a> <img style="width:30.46%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2024/11/cms-summit-25.png" alt="" /><h4 id="cms-summit-25"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmssummit25">CMS Summit 25</a></h4>May 13-14, 2025 – Frankfurt, GermanyDon't miss the first European edition of our prestigious international conference dedicated to the global content management community! CMS Summit 25 will bring together top-notch speakers, our renowned learning format, and engaging social events. Hear from leading practitioners like Deutsche Bahn, Dr. Oetker, and more – and join customers, agencies, and CMS vendors as we discuss current trends and what's ahead for the content and digital experience fields. Connect and network at the only vendor-neutral, in-person conference focused on CMS. Space is limited for this exclusive event, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmssummit25">so book your seats today.</a> <img style="width:31.83%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/01/cms-connect-2025-logo.png" alt="" /><h4 id="cms-connect-25"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmsconnect25">CMS Connect 25</a></h4>August 5-6, 2025 – Montreal, CanadaWe are delighted to present the second annual summer edition of our signature global conference dedicated to the content management community! CMS Connect will be held again in beautiful Montreal, Canada, and feature a unique blend of masterclasses, insightful talks, interactive discussions, impactful learning sessions, and authentic networking opportunities. Join vendors, agencies, and customers from across our industry as we engage and collaborate around the future of content management – and hear from the top thought leaders at the only vendor-neutral, in-person conference exclusively focused on CMS. Space is limited for this event, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmsconnect25">so book your seats today.</a>

‘The Composable Conference 2025' Takes Shape as MACH Alliance Announces Speakers and New Events

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