Articles - Page 19

Bland Brands Beware: Optimizely’s New Identity Brings Human Creativity to its Agentic AI and AEO Ambitions

matt-garrepy

<hr /> Big changes are afoot at the very top of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/sitecore">Sitecore</a>. The global leader in end-to-end digital experience management software recently announced that <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveof/">Dave O'Flanagan</a> has been appointed as Interim CEO, replacing incumbent <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tzikakis/">Steve Tzikakis</a> – who held the role for the last three and a half years.Prior to the promotion, O'Flanagan served as Sitecore's Chief Product Officer. According to the company's press release, O'Flanagan's focus on technology and customers will drive a deeper investment in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sitecore.com/">Sitecore's Digital Experience Platform (DXP)</a>. This includes advancing its operational capabilities and better enabling its partner ecosystem to help users of its software to effectively differentiate, innovate, and grow. Tzikakis will remain as a special advisor to the Sitecore Board and support O'Flanagan through the transition.<h3 id="a-seasoned-ceo-with-sitecore-lineage">A seasoned CEO with Sitecore lineage</h3>O'Flanagan himself is no stranger to the Chief Executive role, having led <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/sitecore-acquires-boxever-and-four51">Boxever</a> – a customer data platform (CDP) – before it was acquired by Sitecore in 2021. This was a milestone moment for Sitecore, as the Boxever purchase was completed at the same time as the acquisition of commerce platform <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/sitecore-acquires-boxever-and-four51">Four51</a>.“I am honored to lead Sitecore into this next wave of growth,” said O'Flanagan. "We have a compelling product that delivers digital experiences that our peers simply cannot match; our commitment to composability and choice further differentiates us in how our customers buy; and simply put, we have the most innovative solutions, respected partners and committed workforce I could ask for. Our success is driven by our customers' success, and everything we do moving forward will focus on ensuring our current and future customers can extract maximum value from their investment in Sitecore."In addition to the switch in the captain's seat, Sitecore announced that <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/roosdarren/">Darren Roos</a> has been appointed as its new Chairman of the Board. Roos is a proven technology leader with a track record for transforming and rapidly scaling global software businesses. He previously served as CEO at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/ifs/">IFS</a> – an ERP vendor – where he also serves as Chairman of the Board. “I would like to thank both Steve Tzikakis and Jonas Persson, former Chair of the Board, for their incredible passion and hard work which has brought Sitecore to this point,” said Roos. “Reaching the milestone of over €450m in ARR makes Sitecore one of the largest software leaders in the world, trusted by the world's largest and most respected brands. On behalf of everyone at Sitecore we wish them the very best for the future. I look forward to partnering with Dave and the broader Sitecore team as we push on to become the dominant leader in this market.”<h3 id="why-it-matters">Why it matters</h3>As Roos noted, Sitecore has certainly achieved a compelling level of ARR during an unprecedented run. The company's investment in technologies like Boxever and Four51 helped advance its completeness of vision, and its channel continues to be an important part of its continued growth – and upholding its household name status in the CMS and DXP industry.At the same time, competition is increasing both up and downstream. Challenges from other players on the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/the-dxp-kerfuffle-finding-the-big-chords-in-the-2024-gartner-magic-quadrant">Gartner MQ for DXP</a> (where Sitecore saw a shift from the Leaders to the Visionaries quadrant) are creating significant headwinds for enterprise players. The drive to embrace a more composable posture is also creating an urgency to evolve – all underpinned by a deafening volume around AI innovation that proves value to users, brands, and organizations.Additionally, a possible <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-06-13/eqt-is-said-to-weigh-sale-of-2-billion-danish-software-maker">sale by majority stakeholder EQT</a> has been volleyed publicly and could affect the optics – and confidence – for both existing customers and buyers. “Unifying and leveraging data to deliver compelling digital experiences is a high priority for all growing brands,” said <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-shin-h%C3%B8egh-andersen-1199051/">Christian Shin Høegh Andersen</a>, partner at EQT. “The work Sitecore has already done to advance its Digital Experience Platform beyond that of its peers lays great foundations for what's to come. I recognize the leadership of Steve Tzikakis in achieving this and am pleased he will continue to work with the Board. Moving forward, we have full confidence in Dave O'Flanagan stepping up as Interim CEO, and with his product background, he is ideally placed to ensure customers make the most of the powerful AI capabilities that are being rolled out across the Sitecore platform.”An interim CEO typically suggests that a change was sudden and unexpected, leaving an abundance of speculation. As the company conducts its search for a longer-term Chief Executive, O'Flanagan will likely be in the running, but much of that will be based on the coming weeks and months. One thing is certain: Sitecore continues to be a market force. It's hard to read the tea leaves, but it's clear that 2024 is presenting new challenges and opportunities for the DXP – and it will be interesting to track the transformation as the company looks to its new leadership to provide direction.  <hr /><h3 id="upcoming-conferences">Upcoming conferences</h3> <img style="width:29.67%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2024/01/cms-connect-2024-logo.png" alt="CMS Connect 24 logo" /><h4 id="cms-connect-24"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmsconnect24">CMS Connect 24</a></h4>August 6-7, 2024 – Montreal, CanadaWe are delighted to present our first annual summer edition of our prestigious international conference dedicated to the global content management community. Join us this August in Montreal, Canada, for a vendor-neutral conference focused on CMS. Tired of impersonal and overwhelming gatherings? Picture this event as a unique blend of masterclasses, insightful talks, interactive discussions, impactful learning sessions, and authentic networking opportunities. <img style="width:29.58%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2024/01/cms-kickoff-2025-logo.png" /><h4 id="cms-kickoff-25"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff25/tickets">CMS Kickoff 25</a></h4>January 14-15, 2025 – Tampa Bay Area, FloridaJoin us next January in the Tampa Bay area of Florida for the third annual CMS Kickoff – the industry's premier global event. Similar to a traditional kickoff, we reflect on recent trends and share stories from the frontlines. Additionally, we will delve into the current happenings and shed light on the future. Prepare for an unparalleled in-person CMS conference experience that will equip you to move things forward. This is an exclusive event – space is limited, so secure your tickets today.

Big Shift at Sitecore: Dave O'Flanagan Takes the Helm as Interim CEO

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

Umbraco Shines on Sustainability and Growth in Third Annual Impact Report

<hr /> What does it mean to be “The Friendly CMS”?I don’t ask to be coy or sarcastic. This tagline has reached legendary status at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/umbraco">Umbraco</a>, permeating its messaging for years. There’s clearly something sticky about it. In the most reductive sense, one might conclude it’s a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/what-is-a-content-management-system-cms">content management system</a> that’s easy to use. Or, as the mantle suggests, “user-friendly.” But that’s too one-dimensional. Lots of platforms could claim user-friendliness. That’s why Umbraco has infused this tagline with more gusto, and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://umbraco.com/about-us/values/why-the-friendly-cms/">there’s an origin story</a> that sheds more light on the subject. According to mythology, “The Friendly CMS” was conceived by one of Umbraco’s community members, Hudson Maul, back in 2006 (almost two decades if we’re keeping score). He included the now-famous moniker in his mockups for a new Umbraco.com website. When asked about it, he reflected: “Everything about Umbraco is friendly. The UX, the community, and the pricing.” Simple. Elegant. Universally understood. That’s what makes it sticky.I’ve followed Umbraco for many years – they’ve certainly stood the test of time – and this idea of being friendly goes far beyond the confines of its open source .NET technology. Which, by the way, continues to be a novel arrow in its quiver.Here’s the deal: being “The Friendly CMS” has as much to do with its global spirit and fiercely passionate community as its products. From what I’ve observed, Umbraco has consistently committed to being a people company first – one that endeavors to democratize its innovation, support its builders, and make a positive impact in our world.This impact is crystallized in the company’s <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/umbraco-publishes-annual-impact-report-reinforcing-commitments-to-sustainability-and-community">2024 Annual Impact Report</a>, published in April. It illustrates a fervent internal and external focus on achieving measurable strides in sustainability while nurturing a culture of diversity and inclusion at a global level. It certainly helps cement the case for being “friendly” in a palpable way. But as Hudson Maul codified, their CMS is about people, too. It’s engineered with purpose and provides a clean, clear, intuitive experience that still wins hearts and minds. For all these reasons, finding the right person to lead the next chapter of Umbraco’s story is clearly vital to its future. And it seems that <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mats-persson-296a66/">Mats Persson</a> is, indeed, that person.  The timing couldn’t be more apropos. Umbraco has experienced triumphant growth over the last few years. With a stellar reputation, it now counts itself among the top web CMS platforms serving the UK public sector, and among <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.g2.com/best-software-companies/emea">G2’s Top 50 EMEA Companies</a>. Perhaps more importantly, Umbraco is an open source CMS, competing in a landscape of large proprietary enterprise systems, composable DXPs, and a mele of headless platforms. As it turns out, Umbraco offers solutions that can go toe-to-toe across the market, like its <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://umbraco.com/products/umbraco-heartcore/">Heartcore Headless CMS</a> and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://umbraco.com/products/umbraco-cloud/">Umbraco Cloud</a> – all connected to a wellspring of open source to provide support, innovation, and more.As Persson steps into his new role, he faces headwinds in every direction: shrinking IT budgets, shaky economic signals, and shifting buying patterns (to name a few). And of course, there’s the continued challenge of helping buyers see the forest through the composable trees and weed out confusion. Setting the negative acoustics aside, the evolving preference for open source solutions at an enterprise level could be a real game changer for Umbraco. Being open is, after all, its bread and butter. But the real key here is Umbraco’s partners, who have closed more enterprise opportunities with its products – and Persson has his sights set on the channel to amplify growth. <h3 id="a-fond-farewell-to-the-kim-years">A fond farewell to the Kim Years</h3>There’s something about a bow tie that exudes class. And <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/umbraco-cms-acquired-by-software-investor-monterro-interview-with-ceo-kim-sneum-madsen">Kim Sneum-Madsen</a>, famous for sporting this overlooked fashion accouterment, is a class act all around.As Umbraco’s previous head of state, Sneum-Madsen embodied the friendliest attributes that have defined the company’s ethos. Since 2016, he has served as Umbraco’s eponymous “Chief Friend Maker” and provided ambassadorial duties to the community at large. In 2019, he took the reins as CEO, navigating Umbraco through the unprecedented challenges of a pandemic and its subsequent digital acceleration – a tumultuous period across the tech frontier. At that time, Umbraco had just 56 employees. In the years that followed, Sneum-Madsen grew the company substantially, tripling the headcount while focusing on scalable processes and products. This included the development of Umbraco Cloud and regional hosting services situated around the globe. During his tenure, Sneum-Madsen also facilitated several key acquisitions that strengthened Umbraco’s product offerings and developed a robust partner network. The growth spurt was also fueled by a Westward drift to the larger U.S. market, supported by a beachhead in Charlotte, NC. Fear not: Kim will remain on Umbraco’s board of directors, lending his continued knowledge to a company that is imprinted with his DNA. “Umbraco has achieved consistent, strong growth over the past two years,” said Martin Henricson, Chairman of the Board at Umbraco and Managing Director at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.monterro.com/">Monterro</a> (an investment firm that <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://umbraco.com/blog/swedish-software-growth-investor-monterro-acquires-a-majority-stake-in-umbraco/">acquired a majority stake</a> in Umbraco in 2021. “Kim believes that now is the right time to hand over the baton.”<h3 id="from-ad-tech-to-cms">From ad tech to CMS</h3>Persson will marshal thirty years of leadership experience into his new job as CEO. With a Master’s degree in computer science and a Bachelor’s in economics, he brings a unique combination of technology and financial considerations that can generate value and create sustainable growth for both early-stage and established companies.  Persson comes to Umbraco from <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.cavai.com/products">Cavai</a>, where he was CEO for just over two years. An award-winning global interactive advertising cloud, Cavai works with agencies, publishers, advertisers, and other platforms across ten markets and three continents. It specializes in conversational ad tech like banners, video, and commerce solutions with a clear focus on privacy.Persson’s resume includes impressive stints in senior leadership positions at IBM and PWC, but one of his longest tenures was at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/adform/">Adform</a> – an established leader in online advertising media services. As SVP, he helped shepherd a 50% ARR and the expansion from 5 to 18 offices worldwide from 2011 to 2017, a period of accelerated growth, innovation, and rising compliance and privacy considerations in the ad tech field. <h3 id="building-on-the-open-source-advantage-">Building on the open source advantage </h3>As Umbraco’s new CEO, Persson will undoubtedly blend his extensive experience and leadership with the company’s teams, community, and partners. Based on the company’s recent traction, his roadmap will likely build on Umbraco’s diverse solutions and global expansion – all reinforced by its open-source posture. “This is a really exciting time to be joining the company,” Persson said in the company’s press release. “Umbraco has steadily grown to 150 people, with its international presence reinforced by a well-established partner network and a global community of highly-engaged open-source software contributors. Over the past thirty years of working in this industry I’ve seen that once a company reaches this size, that’s when it really gains momentum in the market.”Persson also pointed to the growing adoption of open-source software within the enterprise and public sector as an opportunity for Umbraco – specifically to build on the growth achieved in the past year and increase its international expansion. “I’ve spent decades working with proprietary software enterprises and start-ups, so I am looking forward to applying my experience within an open source CMS company that allows digital organizations the freedom to build exactly what they need,” he said. “Umbraco is also a truly international company and that’s where I bring particular value, having worked in the UK, US, and Nordics.”Along with its vigorous open source community, Persson sees Umbraco’s digital agency partner network as a force multiplier for its ambitions, and that leveraging its footprint and ability to deliver local support as decisive attributes.“Umbraco already has partners and customers throughout the EU, UK, US, Australia and New Zealand, India, Vietnam, and Nepal and I’m looking forward to helping the company to build on that global presence,” he said. “The open-source CMS platform is also highly flexible and scalable, giving customers the freedom to build digital experiences that meet evolving business needs. When we support our partners and help them to grow their business with solutions that solve customers’ problems, increase transactions, and enable transformation, everyone profits.”<h3 id="why-it-matters">Why it matters</h3>In my recent keynote Q&amp;A with <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/buytaert/">Dries Buytaert</a> (the acclaimed founder of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/drupal">Drupal</a>) at the Boye &amp; Company <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmsconnect25">CMS Connect Conference</a> in Montreal, we discussed open source at length. One of the biggest questions on the docket: why industry analysts continue to look past these CMS platforms when surveying the market for their various grids and waves (you know of whom I speak). There isn’t one answer to this conundrum. Yes, there's an explicit formula based on revenue and other metrics. But the fact is, enterprise software platforms spend big bucks to engage with analysts, thus reinforcing their visibility and, perhaps, their preference. It’s impossible to eliminate all the biases. We are, after all, only human.But open source has come a long way, and the dominance of OSS (open source software) platforms like <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/wordpress">WordPress</a> is simply undeniable. When I last spoke to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/drupal-joomla-typo3-and-wordpress-join-forces-in-new-open-website-alliance">Mathias Bolt Lesniak of the Open Alliance</a>, we discussed the ripple effect of the Swiss government’s EMBAG legislation – a law that requires public sector entities to provide their apps as OSS. EMBAG was not without controversy, and some of the biggest opponents gumming up the works were proprietary platforms. This predilection towards OSS is also manifesting in a broader movement across enterprises as more companies begin to reassess the pros of open source – instead of the entrenched cons around stability, scalability, and, of course, security. The fact is, open source tools are being used across tech stacks: Kubernetes, Docker, MySQL, Linux… the list goes on. You can read more about these considerations <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/the-swiss-dont-miss-on-open-source-how-switzerlands-embag-law-is-evolving-the-oss-landscape">in my recent article</a> about the EMBAG law and its implications.Persson has a unique opportunity on his hands. Umbraco is an established and well-respected brand with a solid European footprint. As it looks West, there are opportunities to snare more of the addressable U.S. market – and building a stronger partner network could be key to its success. But if it can harness the market winds as they shift towards open source, there could be bigger fish on the line. Bringing on a new CEO is also a bold statement to the market, establishing Umbraco's intentions to shake things up. Culling a candidate with a strong background in digital advertising, media, and agency-focused services is a smart move, sending a further signal that Umbraco is focused on enriching its partnerships. In terms of his leadership style, Umbraco’s press release highlighted Persson's proclivity towards trusting and empowering his teams, which should gel nicely with Umbraco’s existing culture.“Umbraco is branded as ‘The Friendly CMS,’” he said. “Those core values of making things easy for users, and taking care of its partners, open-source community, and people, are demonstrated at every level of the organization.”That's what makes Umbraco so friendly: the right people.And of course, the right person to help lead the way.  <hr /> <img style="width:29.58%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2024/01/cms-kickoff-2025-logo.png" /><h4 id="cms-kickoff-2025"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff25/tickets">CMS Kickoff 2025</a></h4>January 14-15, 2025 – Tampa Bay Area, FloridaJoin us next January in the Tampa Bay area of Florida for the third annual CMS Kickoff – the industry's premier global event. Similar to a traditional kickoff, we reflect on recent trends and share stories from the frontlines. Additionally, we will delve into the current happenings and shed light on the future. Prepare for an unparalleled in-person CMS conference experience that will equip you to move things forward. This is an exclusive event – space is limited, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff25/tickets">so secure your tickets today.</a>

The Right Person to Lead: Umbraco Appoints Mats Persson as CEO, Reflecting Growth Ahead

<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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<hr /> If you’ve ever watched the TV game show Family Feud (I’m dating myself with this reference, but it’s been through multiple reinventions over the years), then you know how heated the competition can get. Sure, it’s all in good fun. But I think a few members of the losing teams have been unceremoniously “left out” of their family wills – all for missing one stubborn survey question.Some of those questions were strange, to be sure. But surveys have long been a key tool for unlocking the hidden gems of our cultural sentiment. And in these hallowed halls of CX, relevant feedback is the prize every brand is after, giving them essential customer insight to enhance products and drive growth.But let’s be honest: A lot of traditional customer feedback methods are broken. Brands pump out survey after survey, soliciting responses that rarely show up. And when they do, the substance can be shallow at best. In an era where customers interact across countless digital touchpoints, why are we still relying on old-school tactics to understand them? Isn’t this something to feud about?This is where CX tools like <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/callminer">CallMiner</a> have carved out a niche with AI-powered conversation intelligence. The company’s <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://callminer.com/products/eureka">Eureka Platform</a> helps connect the dots between interactions, insights, and action – providing deeper, more holistic customer intelligence to deliver better experiences. Eureka analyzes a wide range of omnichannel interactions (think phone, email, social, and more) with its advanced AI, and turns it all into organization-wide insights that power contact center experiences. This includes everything from real-time guidance to brand sentiment. It also covers features like call center speech analytics, where CallMiner has shown up as a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://learning.callminer.com/us/col/lc/forrester-wave-23">Leader on the Gartner MQ</a> for that category.Now, the company is adding another layer of “smart” to its family of tools. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://callminer.com/products/outreach">CallMiner Outreach</a> is a new feature built on advanced analytics and AI that enables businesses to connect with customers in more meaningful ways. That extra punch of power can help strengthen relationships, tap the voice of the customer, and uncover actionable insights that drive enterprise-wide benefits.CallMiner Outreach leverages its AI capabilities to deliver personalized, contextual surveys and customer engagement campaigns. With it, users can gain a deeper understanding of each interaction through CallMiner’s conversation intelligence – providing impactful CX insights to improve customer journeys, strengthen loyalty, and increase customer satisfaction. “Today’s survey vendors are stuck in the past, only thinking about the traditional way to execute surveys,” said <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/brucekmcmahon/">Bruce McMahon</a>, CallMiner’s Chief Product Officer. “They are not considering whether those surveys are valuable to and personalized for customers, and if responses are providing meaningful business insights. CallMiner Outreach goes beyond simple surveys and traditional feedback methods by leveraging AI-driven insights from customer interactions to improve the quality, relevance, and efficiency of feedback collection and analysis.”<h3 id="is-there-a-customer-feedback-crisis?">Is there a customer feedback crisis?</h3>Maybe. The answer to that question hinges on how brands weigh the value of their solicited and unsolicited feedback and whether the juice is worth the squeeze. CallMiner has been studying this question with deep interest for quite some time, distilling and publishing their research annually.According to the company’s <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://learning.callminer.com/us/c/whitepaper-us-cx-landscape-24?pflpid=45098&amp;pfsid=TCP_QZd1YS&amp;pfsfc=false">2024 CX Landscape Report</a>, 64% of global organizations said that all – or in some cases, the majority – of the customer feedback they collect is solicited. They also uncovered that organizations are collecting an equal amount of unsolicited and solicited feedback: About 25% in 2024 versus 20% in 2023. How are they doing this? Survey says: Surveys. That’s right – CX leaders are still relying primarily on traditional survey tools to solicit feedback from customers. On one hand, that makes total sense, as many organizations have invested significantly in their survey infrastructure. However, according to CallMiner, the persistent reality of low response rates and a lack of meaningful insights isn’t translating into a worthwhile ROI.<h3 id="reaching-out-with-outreach">Reaching out with Outreach</h3>As part of CallMiner’s robust Eureka Platform, Outreach is the industry’s first AI-powered customer feedback tool that triggers outreach based on specific interaction characteristics. This is a novel approach, as it does not rely on general interaction alone. Rather, it combines insights from unsolicited interactions – like those in a contact center – with solicited feedback for more intelligent, targeted surveys and customer engagement initiatives.How does it work? Just as you might expect, given the scope of CallMiner’s other products. Outreach analyzes phone calls, social media, online reviews, emails, and other interactions, empowering CX and contact center leaders to personalize the outreach mechanisms. This can be expressed in the form of surveys, quick-response forms, marketing offers, and more – all aimed at addressing and resolving exact customer issues. Outreach’s real potential lies in its AI-powered insights, which provide unmatched customer connections. Its AI-powered surveys and campaigns can be tailored based on specific customer interactions and triggered by specific events. Closed-loop feedback also enables more personalized, insight-driven experiences that build trust and loyalty – as well as improve issue resolution and reduce churn.By unifying CX measurement across multiple channels, CallMiner Outreach gives you a complete, holistic view of your customer. This allows you to tap into sentiment from all your touchpoints and take action. You can also more fluidly connect what’s happening in your contact center with your broader CX initiatives.Along with the benefits of automating your outreach initiatives and analysis, it also activates your ability to make faster decisions with AI fueling your efficiency. Taken together, Outreach ensures relevance, timeliness, and improved customer outcomes.CallMiner’s CPO McMahon calls this “The future of CX.” “CallMiner has always enabled organizations to combine unsolicited and solicited feedback in a single platform to gain a comprehensive view of the customer,” McMahon said. “With CallMiner Outreach, we’re delivering the native capabilities needed to execute faster, more intelligent feedback campaigns directly within the CallMiner platform.”<h3 id="availability-and-pricing">Availability and pricing</h3>CallMiner Outreach is in early availability for both new and existing customers. You can register to watch a new <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://callminer.com/c/callminer-outreach">product overview video</a> or request a demo from their website.In terms of pricing, CallMiner plays it close to the chest. This is enterprise contact center and CX analytics software, so it’s going to be calculated on a number of variables. According to its G2 page, there’s some flexibility based on a volume or seat-based paradigm. For more information or to contact a representative, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://callminer.com/">visit their website.</a> <h3 id="why-it-matters">Why it matters</h3>With the evolution of Outreach, both CX and contact center leaders can now seamlessly integrate customer feedback with an industry-leading conversation intelligence platform.On the customer experience side of the ledger, Outreach delivers a holistic understanding of the customer’s behaviors – something we’re paying close attention to across other analytics and CDP platforms as well. It effectively streamlines feedback loops and improves key engagement metrics to impact retention and loyalty. This includes things like your net promoter score (NPS) and customer satisfaction (CSAT) rating.For contact centers, there are a multitude of benefits. Outreach enhances the connection between operational efficiency and customer satisfaction, improving key metrics such as average handle time and first contact resolution, as well as agent performance and productivity.Viewed through our CMS lens, customer feedback is an essential component in the omnichannel landscape. Contact centers are critical touchpoints, and facilitating feedback to maximize value is key – particularly if it might influence content and digital experiences on any level. CallMiner is right at home with CRM platforms like <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/salesforce">Salesforce</a> and experience management tools that are essential layers in the digital stack. The company's leadership with AI-powered conversation intelligence could be a key evaluation point if you’re integrating contact center services as part of your overall strategy. It also plays nicely with other call tracking and analytics platforms like <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/ringcentral">RingCentral</a> and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/callrail">CallRail</a>. One more point: I like how CallMiner is driving thought leadership and innovation around <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> in the call center, trailblazing solutions to streamline analytical tasks. Call centers are an area where AX is having a profound impact, and CallMiner is shaping <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://learning.callminer.com/us/col/lc/whitepaper-us-agenticai">a strong position</a> with its thinking in this area. Definitely something to consider in your evaluation process. Surveys are still a relevant part of the customer feedback family. But with tools like CallMiner Outreach, there might be a little less to feud about. <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>

Survey Says? CallMiner Rings the CX Bell with New AI-Powered Customer Feedback

<hr /> So… how do you feel about your CMS? Do you love it? Do you hate it?I know, I know. It's a complicated question. Most of us would probably say it's a little of both. There are loyalists out there, to be sure – hardcore fanatics who find little fault in their CMS stars. Others had a platform thrust upon them by their organization with no input whatsoever. They're usually not as chipper.Let's be brutally honest: Our list of grievances is probably longer than we think. Even the most enthusiastic users have big, fat, relevant gripes. And it's often less about the CMS as a whole and more about specific features (or lack thereof).Why is that the case? The answer, of course, is quite simple: We haven't been engaging content authors as co-conspirators in the design process. More often than not, they've been locked out of the room, with no seat at the product development table. That's reason enough to build some animus. Of course, this phenomenon isn't new. Software vendors have a long history of making choices that don't always land with users. You know what it feels like to have a UI radically change in an update, accompanied by a disclaimer that it's now “easier to use." Meanwhile, a key function you previously relied on has gone missing (I'm not naming names, Adobe) and you're left trying to cope with a new reality.There's an important word in all of this melee: Compromise. No one gets everything they want, whether you're an organization evaluating a CMS or a user with a wish list of cool stuff. So we put up. We adapt. As Thomas Sowell said, “There are no solutions, only trade-offs.”In this composable, hyper-connected era, choice is becoming more abundant – which can be a blessing and a curse. I recently <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/copy-and-paste-makes-waste-not-with-pantheons-content-publisher-for-google-docs">waxed about new solutions</a> that enable users to publish through their CMS directly from Word or Google Docs, allowing for greater collaboration or better alignment around internal systems. But what if CMS editing experiences were better tuned to authors' needs? Would they fully embrace those tools from the first keystroke? For what it's worth, I think CMSes have improved their capabilities, particularly as vendors invite more “guinea pigs” into their testing and optimization betas. But many of the same problems persist – and as such, we're still making a lot of those compromises.The fact is, if a content authoring experience doesn't appeal to a user, it can impact the quality of the content itself. As CMS community leader <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/critics/janus-boye">Janus Boye</a> channeled from <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/critics/deane">Deane Barker's </a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/blog/2019/12/11/happy-editors-make-better-content">book on content modeling,</a> happy editors make better content. That should underscore the need to let content – and its authors – help drive the ship when making CMSes.Thankfully, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/gdunlap/">Greg Dunlap</a> has been thinking a lot about these questions and challenges, and he's written a book about it called Designing Content Authoring Experiences. In it, he pulls back the veil and gives us a refreshing look at what matters in this messy world of content authoring in a CMS. As Greg observed, structure is important. But life is messy – and sometimes, authors need that same kind of unstructured, uninhibited freedom to create great experiences that serve their audiences.The book is a quick read (150 pages) and filled with dynamite reflections and observations. It's designed for a wide range of professionals, from designers to content strategists to developers, but anyone who's using a CMS will find it insightful. In fact, the CMS community at large has been patiently anticipating its arrival; there was even a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gregdunlap/designing-content-authoring-experiences">Kickstarter</a> campaign to help fund its genesis.As Greg pointed out, he’s not prescribing a solution to all our woes. Instead, he's refocusing the lens on the author’s experience, which often gets lost in translation as businesses make big-ticket decisions about what tools they buy to drive content – tools intended to simplify things at both the user and organizational levels. But as Greg noted, making something easier can often come at the cost of good content. That's why this book is so important: It provides a level-headed refresher on what really matters.“I always start with the needs of the content, and work backwards to the authors,” he said. "Ask most content authors, and they might say ‘I just want WordPress,’ but that doesn’t meet the needs of the organization.”Exactly. Everyone can benefit from understanding where the opportunities and weaknesses exist.<figure class="image image-style-align-center image_resized" style="width:56.55%"><a href="https://tinyurl.com/cmfvb9me" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/03/cms-critics-corner-podcast-greg-dunlap.jpg" alt="" /></a></figure>Greg recently joined me as the first guest on our all-new <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/designing-content-authoring-experiences-with-greg-dunlap/id1801794414?i=1000699046599">“The Critic's Corner”</a> podcast (go check it out and follow us for future episodes). We had a fantastic conversation about his journey to CMS – which is seldom a straight line – and what inspired him to write this book.<h3 id="a-long,-strange-trip-to-cms">A long, strange trip to CMS</h3>Is there any other kind of trip to the world of content management? I won't go into the hero's exposition. You can hear it straight from Greg in the podcast. Here's a two-minute snapshot of our conversation, just to get your content juices flowing: <figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://youtu.be/G8J1VqbkjBQ"><div style="position:relative;padding-bottom:100%;height:0;padding-bottom:56.2493%"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/G8J1VqbkjBQ" style="position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;top:0;left:0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div></figure>  Like many of us, Greg came to CMS from somewhere else. I've seen that background and skill set consistently show up in the resumes of many leaders in our space. As someone with an art history degree, I was taught to think like an information architect – leveraging tagging, meta descriptions, and other facets of structured data to help tell stories about paintings. Given that, the leap to CMS isn't so strange.Greg started in a similar place, earning his academic degree in photojournalism with minors in the art field. But he found himself drawn to computer science, entering the software field in the early ‘90s. During that period, he supported a colleague by building custom solutions to help businesses make changes to websites – things like custom UIs for editing content blocks independently.Around 2006, he found himself at the Seattle Times, working on their new media team. There, he was caught in a world transforming from print to digital, one where content management was a critical requirement but also a morass. With multiple systems and properties under the roof, Greg and his team were tasked to consolidate everything in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/drupal">Drupal</a>.From there, he also helped shepherd some groundbreaking projects at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.lullabot.com/">Lullabot</a>, a Drupal-focused agency. During his tenure, he worked on a major project for the State of Georgia, an experience that taught him a lot about content management governance, compliance, and the critical importance of authoring. That public sector knowledge has served him well in his latest gig at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.bixal.com/">Bixal</a>, a digital shop that focuses on delivering government services with digital and human-centered solutions.Through it all, Greg has been making mental notes about what hasn't worked, probing around a number of central questions: Why have content authors been overlooked when building CMSes? Why haven't vendors been more tuned in? “The context of your users and the organizations they work for and the content they produce drives the authoring experience,” he said. “But when you’re a vendor, you’re building something that has no knowledge of any of these things.”During our conversation, he shared a story about missing the mark at the Seattle Times, where users were upset that a critical piece of functionality had been removed from the CMS.“After we launched, one of the people from the editorial department that actually enters content into the CMS, came to me and said, ‘Hey, in the old CMS, we had a function to do X, and it was really important to our day-to-day work, and now that’s gone. And the thing that I realized in that moment is that we had never built it, because nobody had ever talked to them about what they do. This whole website had been built with the designers and the executives and the IT people, and nobody had actually gone to talk to the people who use it every single day.”  That was a big lightbulb flash for Greg. “I can draw a straight line from that exact moment to writing this book.”<h3 id="a-new-chapter-for-content-authors">A new chapter for content authors</h3>In the podcast, we touched on a number of key themes in the book, from specific industry considerations to the very real struggles authors face around governance. The book provides practical examples of how to negotiate with designing forms (the bane of our existence), to the critical roles of support, training, and documentation.As Greg noted, every organization is different, and every client has its own unique problems to solve. Forcing square pegs into round holes is part of what’s been keeping him up at night in front of his keyboard.As CMS practitioners, we're fond of using the term “structured content.” And rightly so. But in the book, Greg reinforces the need for flexibility, and why it's so critical to the authoring experience.“I’ll see a lot of people talking about coming at it from a very Puritanical standpoint, like structure is king and everything is structured, and the content authors have to accept that everything is perfectly structured, and life just doesn’t work that way," he said. "If your authors are miserable using something, they’re not going to give the content the care that it needs.”As a long-time student of digital experience, Greg knows a lot about the intrinsic value of prototyping, and how failure is a win when it comes to success. The book highlights this, and we spent time exploring it on the podcast. We also dug into the topic of accessibility. Given his experience, Greg has amassed real wisdom on the topic, and we discussed our common experience coping with <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.w3.org/WAI/standards-guidelines/wcag/">WCAG</a> and the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.section508.gov/">public sector's Section 508</a> – and how the experience can be improved on all sides of what we build. Greg tapped expert peers to help guide the accessibility chapter, which ended up being revelatory.“When I started the book, I didn’t know the authoring standard existed for the backend.” There's no mention of AI in the book, and as Greg said, that's intentional. For me, it was refreshing to focus on more practical applications in the authoring ecosystem. Nevertheless, he shared his perspective on the topic during our conversation. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/designing-content-authoring-experiences-with-greg-dunlap/id1801794414?i=1000699046599">Hear what he thinks.</a><h3 id="the-denouement">The denouement</h3>I absolutely loved this book. It was clear, concise, easy to read, and full of applicable nuggets. It made me wonder if we're asking the right questions, and how we can better embrace the plight of content authors while accepting the challenges vendors face when building great software. There's room for improvement on all sides of the equation, but authors should be part of the conversation at every step.During our chat, Greg made a sage observation about our industry's tech-imbued echo chamber. We tend to focus on high-brow topics that don't mean a “hill of beans” to a lot of users. Sure, it's important to have categories and use the right lexicon (I'm talking about you, ontology). But are we being inclusive with how we message the value of our tools? Are we listening to the real problems that users and customers are experiencing – and reflecting that in our product development?“Look at the discourse of the CMS online, and it’s always headless versus not headless, page builders and DXPs, personalization, advertising," Greg said. "That stuff doesn’t resonate with me because it’s not what our customers were struggling with, like getting people to enter alt text and write in plain text and really low-content maturity problems. I thought there was this great opportunity to talk about authoring experience from the perspective not of the AEMs of the world, but just of the simple stuff that anybody in any system could do to improve things for the groups that they’re working for. And that’s where I thought, ‘There could be a book here.’”Solving the simple stuff. Weep-worthy? Maybe. I'll leave that to you.For me, this feels like a new “Bible” for content authoring. I highly recommend grabbing your highlighter and keeping a physical copy in arm’s reach – just to remind you of what really matters. <h3 id="how-can-i-get-my-copy-of-the-book?">How can I get my copy of the book?</h3>Designing Content Authoring Experiences is available in paperback or digitally via EPUB format. Check out <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.authoringexperience.com/">www.authoringexperience.com</a> to explore the different online retailers or to order a print version directly from the publisher.  <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>

Read it and weep: Greg Dunlap's new book on content authoring experiences is a treasure

<hr /> When it comes to UX, we tend to wizzywag around the value of the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/definition/WYSIWYG-what-you-see-is-what-you-get">WYSIWYG</a>.It's true. Even though WYSIWYGs are a foundational part of so many software experiences, we take them for granted. Maybe it’s because they feel a little commoditized, offering similar features and functionality. But is that true? Some WYSIWYG experiences are elegant and robust. Others? Not so much. And when it's the latter, you probably take notice.The concept of “What You See Is What You Get” draws its origins back to Douglas Engelbert’s 1968 presentation, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mother_of_All_Demos">“The Mother of all Demos.”</a> Xerox PARC picked up on the signals (well before Apple pilfered their UI), and a few years later, began developing the first WYSIWYG editor. It would take decades before they became a staple in word processors and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/what-is-a-content-management-system-cms">content management systems.</a>Rich text editors have been an essential feature of CMSes since the beginning, providing portals for content. Some are designed to look and feel familiar, as if you’re working in Microsoft Word or Google Docs. Others are more visually equipped, enabling you to preview what your “stuff” looks like to a reader once it’s published. Having a clear and intuitive rich text editor makes a CMS easier to use. A good WYSIWYG delivers a simple canvas to content creators, enabling them to do their job with ease while having access to code in the right places. But that’s if the editor is good.This is where <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://ckeditor.com/">CKEditor</a> has been focusing its superpowers. The modern, feature-rich JavaScript editor is infinitely customizable, enabling developers and organizations to build exactly what they need. It’s long been a staple of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/drupal">Drupal</a> and other CMSes across modules, plugins, and other tools that help shape content for publishing on websites and across screens.Of course, it’s not just CMSes. CKEditor is nearly ubiquitous, used in apps and experiences by leading global brands like Salesforce, Disney, IBM, and countless others across industries. It’s been downloaded a staggering 50 million times and is in use by 100,000+ customers, making it one of the most popular resources of its kind. CK Editor’s flexibility is one key to its continued success. It offers native integrations with some of the most popular libraries, enabling builders to move quickly – whether they’re using React, Angular, Bootstrap, or other ultra-modern frameworks. The company behind it all, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cksource.com/">CKSource</a>, knows a thing or two about the editor game. Headquartered in Warsaw, Poland, they’ve been at it for a long time, springing out of the original CKEditor – which was first released in 2003 under the moniker “FCKEditor.” One might assume that’s a blue reference, but it’s actually the initials of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://ckeditor.com/blog/authors/frederico-knabben/">Frederico Caldeira Knabben</a>, the founder of the original project. At the time, he considered the whole exploit a “passionate hobby.” 50 million downloads later, he’s notched his place in UX history.Over the past two decades, CKSource has achieved a multitude of milestones, and its products are employed by hundreds of thousands of users around the globe. From CKEditor’s open source beginnings to its current foothold in products across the spectrum, the company became a target for <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.tiugotech.com/">Tiugo Technologies</a> – part of the PSG equity portfolio – which <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://ckeditor.com/blog/cksource-is-acquired-by-psg-a-growth-equity-firm/">acquired it in 2021</a> for an undisclosed amount. The story gets more interesting. Tiugo has been consolidating a small cabal of developer-centric apps under its umbrella, building an ecosystem of content creation and collaboration tools. This includes <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/buttercms">ButterCMS</a>, a headless content management system, and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/tinymce-brings-advanced-ai-to-cms-text-editing-interview-with-fredrik-danielsson-elise-bentley">TinyMCE</a> – an alternative WYSIWYG editor with numerous CMS customers. While both tools perform similarly, there are some key differences. All of TinyMCE’s editor content is HTML-based, meaning it’s rendered in the editor the exact same way it is in the browser. It was also early to the GenAI phenom, adding GPT-powered content generation to its platform in 2023. I did a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/tinymce-brings-advanced-ai-to-cms-text-editing-interview-with-fredrik-danielsson-elise-bentley">deep dive on the feature</a> at the time it was launched. CKEditor stores its data using a different methodology and structure. It also offers over 1,000 API methods, a modern composable architecture, and a host of collaborative features, making it robust and customizable for complex use cases. It also provides an AI assistant add-on and access to its <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://ckeditor.com/docs/ckeditor5/latest/features/file-management/ckbox.html">CKBox</a> file manager for assets.Both products have pros and cons, and choice is important in the market. Regardless, the primary goal is to make the developer and end-user experience easier, richer, and more productive. Again, these tools might go overlooked in the pantheon of product composition. But given their critical importance in the day-to-day workflow for dev and content professionals, it’s no wonder WYSIWYG editors are continuing to innovate – and CKEditor just pushed the boundaries again.<h3 id="bringing-drop-in-image-uploading-to-the-editing-ui">Bringing drop-in image uploading to the editing UI</h3><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://ckeditor.com/blog/ckeditor-44-2-0-release-highlights/">CKEditor 5</a> – the tool’s most recent version, launched in 2017 – recently pushed a set of new features as part of its first major release of the year. The package includes enhanced source code editing, the ability to add emojis, a “track changes” preview capability, and a host of other improvements. Among the updates is a hip new feature called <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://ckeditor.com/blog/ckeditor-44-2-0-release-highlights/">Image Optimizer</a> – a fully functional drop-in image upload solution that enables storing, transforming, optimizing, and delivering images at scale. Image Optimizer “optimizes” your image performance, reducing the size and simplifying content creation for image-rich websites. This supports the needs of both developers and end users by easing the workflow and accelerating time to market.<figure class="image image-style-align-center image_resized" style="width:80.46%"><img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/03/image-1741443464990.png" alt="A screenshot of a computer

AI-generated content may be incorrect." /></figure>Source: CKEditor website How does it work? First, Image Optimizer is delivered as a plugin that handles its image optimization capabilities via CDN. Automating the compression and responsive image generation helps reduce latency with load times while battling the cost of higher bandwidth. In addition to automatically resizing and streamlining formats, Image Optimizer can improve website speed, SEO rankings, and even help to ensure compliance with SOC2 and GDPR. For content creators, there are some killer integrated editing tools with adaptive settings that handle optimization for less technical users. This includes resizing, cropping, and tuning parameters such as brightness, exposure, and contrast. You can also apply pre-built filters.  <img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/03/image-1741443465643.png" alt="A screenshot of a computer

AI-generated content may be incorrect." />Source: CKEditor website Behind the scenes, Image Optimizer’s secure, non-destructive editing preserves your original files, ensuring both flexibility and control. Additionally, it supports uploads from devices, URLs, social networks, and cloud storage sources, enhancing overall flexibility and productivity.<h3 id="powered-by-uploadcare">Powered by Uploadcare</h3>Part of the secret sauce for Image Optimizer is how it leverages the CDN layer to perform its magic. This provides a fast, lightweight solution for executing and delivering a modified image while retaining the original at its source.  To harness this feature, Image Optimizer leverages <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://uploadcare.com/">Uploadcare,</a> another tool in the Tiugo Technologies portfolio. I recently wrote about the company’s <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/uploadcare-video-cdn-adds-seamless-uploading-and-streaming-as-a-native-cms-capability">innovative video CDN</a> capabilities, and how seamless uploading and streaming can now be added as a native CMS capability. "In today's tech-driven world, speed and efficiency are everything," said <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/wiktor-walc/">Wiktor Walc</a>, Chief Technology Officer at CKEditor. "Image Optimizer, powered by Uploadcare, equips content creators and developers with a seamless solution to enhance performance, streamline workflows and deliver visually stunning content – all while saving time and resources."CDNs are an indispensable part of the expanding composable, API-first landscape. They significantly improve performance by distributing online content across a multitude of servers positioned across global geographies, allowing users to access data from the closest server. This translates into faster load times, reduced latency, and better overall UX. While CDNs can also be used to manage high traffic spikes, they also distribute traffic loads across their independent networks, providing additional security features against nasty DDoS attacks. CDNs have long been tied to content management systems, and as such, Uploadcare has worked closely with CMS and DXP platforms to leverage SDKs and develop extensions for <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/wordpress">WordPress</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/contentful">Contentful</a>, and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/decap-cms">Decap CMS</a>. Uploadcare even calls <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/webflow">Webflow</a> a customer.Uploadcare is uniquely aligned with CKEditor’s capacity to further enhance the CMS UX. By streamlining image upload and optimization, users can experience significant benefits. "Optimized images are crucial for performance and user experience," said <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/debatur/">Igor Debatur</a>, CEO of Uploadcare. “Our partnership with CKEditor brings enterprise-grade image processing directly into their editing workflow, allowing users to create and upload high-quality visuals effortlessly.”<h3 id="what’s-next?">What’s next?</h3>Image Optimizer is currently an add-on available with <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://ckeditor.com/pricing/">CKEditor’s Custom plan</a> and will also be available with self-service plans later this year. You can contact CKEditor for more information, plans, and pricing details. <h3 id="the-verdict">The Verdict</h3>CKEditor will not be wizzywagged. After two decades, it continues to prove its undeniable value within the software experience stack. Developers and content creators rely on it to be performant every day, and it delivers on that promise.Adding new and innovative features can certainly benefit the CMS UX, and the addition of its new Image Optimizer is a winning solution. It seems adaptable to a diverse range of needs, expanding creative freedom while enhancing operational efficiency.On a granular level, the automated resizing will remove headaches for content practitioners, while organizations benefit from improved website performance around speed and even SEO. Additionally, the lightweight image enhancement tools within the editor deliver greater control and productivity. All positive outcomes.To be sure, there are custom solutions in other platforms that provide image compression and editing at different layers in the workflow. Even CKEditor’s CKBox file manager provides some basic editing capabilities, allowing you to crop, resize, rotate, and flip images. But adding more expansive optimization features directly to the WYSIWYG editor is a smart evolution of a tool that exists at the publishing edge. While the solution is non-destructive to the original source – and that’s a good thing – there could be some lingering questions about maintaining governance with manipulated images. As such, it might lend itself to very specific use cases. This is where CKEditor's flexibility and customizability are key assets for establishing control. Like any new feature, you should understand your team’s relationship to the functionality and establish best practices and appropriate guardrails. One last point on the solution’s genesis: It seems that Tiugo Technologies is dogfooding its investments in CKEditor and Uploadcare to yield sweeter fruit. In this sense, it’s assembling a composable ecosystem for developers – one that now includes a headless CMS, a dynamic CDN, and rich editing tools. It will be interesting to see which direction the company evolves its portfolio to complete its vision. BTW: If you’re interested in learning more about the history of WYSIWYG and CMS, let me recommend <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.tiny.cloud/blog/history-of-cms-wysiwyg/">this article by Di Mace</a> of Tiny. It’s incredibly deep and well-researched, chronicling the timeline along key chapters in the computing revolution. Meanwhile, go check out this new feature from the “wiz” of WYSIWYG.    <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>

Still the ‘Wiz’ of WYSIWYG: CKEditor keeps innovating with new Image Optimizer to improve CMS UX

<hr /> The Oscars might have <a target="_blank" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conclave_(film)">Conclave</a>, but we have content. And Demi Moore can have <a target="_blank" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Substance">The Substance</a> – because we've got the schema. Sure, it would be great for Conan O'Brien to host the 13th edition of our world-famous <a target="_blank" href="https://cmscritic.com/cms-critic-awards">CMS Critic Awards</a>, but we've got something even better than the Academy: You.That's right. YOU.You activated your communities and rallied the vote. You brought enthusiasm for these platforms, showing up to support your favorite tools. You inspire us – and for that, our cup runneth over. While our little awards program has a streak of competitiveness, it's all about celebrating our industry and the continued innovation we see from all corners. From the vendor's perspective, it's an opportunity to highlight the power of your users – from marketers to developers – and let their voices sing. Most of all, the CMS Critic Awards is a chance to have some fun in our fast-paced, nose-to-the-grindstone world. It reminds us that people, not platforms, are at the heart of this content game. From all of us at CMS Critic, thank you for participating. Keep carrying a torch for the tools you love. <h3 id="the-envelope,-please…">The Envelope, Please…</h3> <figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://youtu.be/QVcEwG_3Vw8"><div style="position:relative;padding-bottom:100%;height:0;padding-bottom:56.2493%"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QVcEwG_3Vw8" style="position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;top:0;left:0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div></figure> Dramatic pause: Before we break the seal, we have a few notes on this year's list of champions:As you'll see, a couple of vendors showed up in a big way, owning more than one category. Still, several newcomers popped up in our nominations wave – no one we would call <a target="_blank" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Complete_Unknown">A Complete Unknown</a>, but some smaller solutions that managed to make the cutoff. Congrats to all of you, and bring the thunder again next year. Because you never know what can happen.Here are your winners in the 13th Annual CMS Critic Awards: <hr /> - Best Enterprise CMS: Umbraco  - Best DXP: Sitecore  - Best Free CMS: Umbraco  - Best Headless CMS: Umbraco  - Best Open Source CMS: Joomla  - Best ECM: Microsoft SharePoint  - Best Flat File CMS: Statamic  - Best Website Builder: uSkinned  - Best Static Site Generator: Statamic  - Best DAM: Sitecore  - Best PIM: Pimcore  - Best e-Commerce Solution: Shopify  - Best Headless Commerce Solution: Shopify  - Best Composable Solution: Umbraco  - Best AI Solution in a CMS or DXP: Umbraco  - Best Development/Hosting Platform: Azure <h3 id="congratulations-to-this-year's-winners!">Congratulations to this year's winners!</h3>What can we say? We’re thrilled to have such a passionate community of readers, and we’re already looking forward to next year’s Awards. Given the shifting landscape of categories, we'll be making some changes for our 14th annual program, and even expanding a few things (don't worry, CMS is still closest to our heart). Remember to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cmscritic.com/signup">sign up for alerts</a> about additional events this year, and check below for some upcoming conferences that we'll be attending and speaking at.       Vendor Marketing Departments: Looking to promote the good news? Email us at <a href="mailto:info@cmscritic.com">info@cmscritic.com</a> to request your exclusive badges and claim your 30 day Product Directory upgrade.  <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" 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" 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" 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" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmsconnect25">so book your seats today.</a>

The Envelope, Please: We Proudly Present the Winners of the 13th Annual CMS Critic Awards

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<hr /> In the icy doldrums of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, February might not seem like a haven for holidays. But look a little closer, and you’ll realize it’s jam-packed with reasons to celebrate. Like… Groundhog’s Day. Mardi Gras. Valentine’s Day. National “Ice Cream for Breakfast” Day (for real). Forget those. This is the month when the NFL's <a target="_blank" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Bowl_LIX">Super Bowl</a> tackles our attention with its gridiron action, over-the-top commercials, and epic seven-layer dips. Isn't that a holiday?The Big Game might be behind us, but February was also touchdown-worthy for <a target="_blank" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/sitecore">Sitecore</a>. After scoring a Visionary position in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.gartner.com/en/documents/6101227">Gartner’s 2025 Magic Quadrant for DXPs</a>, the company just announced more than 250 innovations for its intelligent digital experience platform and <a target="_blank" href="https://cmscritic.com/what-is-a-content-management-system-cms">content management system.</a>250. That’s a lot of yards to rush. But this already felt like the status quo for Sitecore even before it kicked off 2025, steamrolling ahead under <a target="_blank" href="https://cmscritic.com/big-shift-at-sitecore-dave-oflanagan-takes-the-helm-as-interim-ceo">CEO Dave O’Flanagan.</a> I recently connected with <a target="_blank" href="https://cmscritic.com/getting-loud-with-xm-cloud-sitecore-reports-100-growth-of-its-ai-powered-cloud-based-cms">Sitecore's Chief Product Officer, Roger Connolly</a>, about the remarkable growth of the company’s <a target="_blank" href="https://www.sitecore.com/products/xm-cloud">XM Cloud platform</a>. Global revenue for the SaaS CMS exploded by 100% in 2024, scaling 130% in the U.S. alone. The company also surpassed $500 million in ARR last October, putting even more power behind its passing game.Now, with the advent of these new innovations – including big advances in its <a target="_blank" href="https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sitecore.com%2Fproducts%2Fsitecore-stream&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cjessica.rampen%40sitecore.com%7C12e993bd996c44828a1308dd4b67bcb1%7C91700184c3144dc9bb7ea411df456a1e%7C0%7C0%7C638749631100552726%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=gWaDk%2FpigHYjWCTHz0eVesfXtuwRpK29XvQK%2FygMM8Q%3D&amp;reserved=0">Sitecore Stream</a> AI capabilities – the company is giving marketers 250 more reasons to build and deploy their digital customer experiences on its platform.<h3 id="is-stream-is-a-dream-come-true?">Is Stream is a dream come true?</h3>According to Sitecore, it is. Originally Introduced at the company's <a target="_blank" href="https://cmscritic.com/sitecore-rocks-and-rolls-in-music-city-the-top-5-tracks-from-symposium-2024">Symposium 2024</a> conference, Sitecore Stream embeds three powerful capabilities across its products, blending control and more progressive <a target="_blank" href="https://aws.amazon.com/what-is/ai-agents/">agentic AI</a> features into the mix. Previously the domain of edge applications, the use of AI agents has become mainstream, and Sitecore has been innovating heavily in its development to help automate a wide range of tasks and functions.The first embedded feature is Sitecore’s powerful brand-aware AI, which keeps AI-driven actions on target and renders them smarter over time – enabling more personalized and conversational experiences at scale.Second, Sitecore’s AI copilots and agents – now available for brand, campaign, content, experience, and optimization – give marketers more freedom to strategize, execute, and scale. Finally, agentic workflows help to “harmonize” human input with AI automation, achieving what Sitecore calls a “balance of automation with authenticity.” Sitecore provides degrees of tolerance with these agentic capabilities; users can select automation levels that include “chain of thought” prompting, “human in the loop”, and fully agentic.Together, these features are delivering new levels of AI performance for Sitecore users. <h3 id="250-business-boosting-innovations-for-marketers">250 business-boosting innovations for marketers</h3>So what’s on the scoreboard in this seasonal release? As stated, the company has released hundreds of new innovations targeted at marketers. They encompass specific tools and capabilities designed for creating, building, and optimizing digital experiences. With these features, users and brands will be better equipped to boost engagement and conversions and drive their business objectives across channels. There are too many to list them all, but here’s the highlight reel: <h4 id="brand-centric-ai-enhancements">Brand-centric AI enhancements</h4>Staying on-brand for large enterprises is challenging – especially with components and objects spread far and wide. Sitecore Stream is bringing order to the brand chaos with some dynamite enhancements, many of which were gleaned from customer feedback. Stream can digest and comprehend schemas in XM Cloud or XP, learn from previous campaigns, and even recommend actions that align with a customer’s brand and marketing strategy.Along with the brand-centric benefits, Stream’s content copilot is along for the ride to back things up. The tool is available in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.sitecore.com/products/experience-platform">Sitecore XP</a>, allowing customers to leverage brand-aware AI. Stream orchestration capabilities are also available in XP, enabling users to manage projects, deliverables, and tasks.  <h4 id="cms-tools-focused-on-marketers-and-content-creators">CMS tools focused on marketers and content creators</h4><a target="_blank" href="https://cmscritic.com/what-is-a-content-management-system-cms">Content management</a> is still the foundation of the experience hub, and Sitecore is doubling down on enriching its CMS capabilities. Like its brand-savvy AI, a content copilot powered by Stream helps creators and editors generate on-brand content and personalized variants to tailor messaging, optimize performance, and maintain relevance across platforms and contexts. From an observability perspective, Site Collections gives marketers a visually intuitive way to view, manage, and maintain multiple sites with ease. Meanwhile, a new marketer dashboard provides a comprehensive view of website performance, workflow, and language version support.On the personalization front, A/B/n testing is now fully integrated into the XM Cloud authoring experience, empowering marketers to create and analyze up to six component variants to determine the most effective version. An A/B test insights feature also gives marketers access to critical performance data – and their winning variants – so they can optimize with confidence.From a composability standpoint, XM Cloud is becoming more flexible and providing greater choice. In addition to <a target="_blank" href="https://nextjs.org/">Next.js</a>, it now supports <a target="_blank" href="https://angular.dev/">Angular</a> and .<a target="_blank" href="https://dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/apps/aspnet">NET Core frameworks</a>. This means developers can use their preferred technologies while leveraging XM Cloud’s server-side rendering and editing capabilities. <h4 id="game-changing-dam-features">Game-changing DAM features</h4>DAM has been an active category over the last year, with many pure-play stand-alone products investing in AI-powered capabilities. As part of its DXP ecosystem, Sitecore has introduced more generative features to its DAM, helping users create and refine content and grammar with greater speed and efficacy.Search is still a key part of the experience, and an area with AI is having a profound impact. Sitecore’s DAM now includes enhanced visual search, helping users surface content assets even without exact keyword and taxonomy matches. New options include visual similarity, semantic, reverse-image, and search by color. Additionally, AI is being harnessed to enhance a new grounded image tagging feature, helping users find images faster, improve metadata accuracy, and perform bulk updates and easier reviews. Content and variant creation also help users tailor messaging for diverse audiences and languages to scale their content use.<hr />If you’re interested in the granular breakdown – specifically for Stream – you can check out <a target="_blank" href="https://developers.sitecore.com/changelog">Sitecore’s official changelog</a>. You can also learn more about these advancements (and some yet to be released) at <a target="_blank" href="https://symposium.sitecore.com/">Sitecore’s annual Symposium</a> conference, which will be held November 3 – 5 in Orlando, Florida.<h3 id="why-it-matters">Why it matters</h3>The Super Bowl is, among other things, a spectacle. It brings the biggest players in American football to the field, hunting for glory, bragging rights, and a big payday. Sometimes, the battle is epic. This year, it was a blowout.In the DXP leagues, there isn’t a single game that decides the seasonal outcome for a team. Instead, we have analyst grids and reports that attempt to crystallize the state of the market. As such, we have to dig deeper and probe the broader optics before throwing our weight behind a franchise.This year’s Gartner MQ for DXPs revealed some surprising shifts, but Sitecore continues to drive its visionary status with key innovation. This includes its XM Cloud product, visual builder, Stream AI, and enhanced workflow capabilities. It has also made significant strides in developing a more composable posture, enabling more of its components to function in a stand-alone fashion.  <figure class="image image-style-align-center image_resized" style="width:59.62%"><img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/02/image-1740603215935.jpeg" alt="Gartner MQ diagram for 2025" /></figure> One big advantage has been Sitecore’s investment in governance. At last year’s Sitecore Symposium, the company announced that its core products – XM Cloud, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.sitecore.com/products/content-hub">Content Hub</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.sitecore.com/products/customer-data-platform">CDP</a>, and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.sitecore.com/products/personalize">Personalize</a> – were now HIPAA compliant. This gives the company a strategic edge with large enterprises focused on regulatory challenges.While XM Cloud has certainly led Sitecore’s explosive growth over the last year, there are still headwinds relative to adoption. Customers and agencies felt a deep concern that legacy products would not be supported as the company looked ahead. But as I heard from many attendees at Symposium 2024, CEO Dave O’Flanagan’s presence at the company’s MVP and community sessions quelled some of the concern and provided a roadmap of confidence – particularly for marketers who rely on the stability of their tools. “We wanted to make sure that customers don't feel that they have to go to SaaS to deliver for their business,” O’Flanagan said. “That’s an important piece. The SaaS solution has great capabilities, and it will deliver in a more intuitive, innovative way. I think customers can do more with XM Cloud. However, with XM and XP, customers can achieve almost everything they need with that product if properly configured and understood.”There’s also the persistent challenge of navigating Sitecore’s complex ecosystem of products, which continues to grow with each acquisition. This often requires certified practitioners (vis-a-vis Sitecore partner agencies) to help implement and support the tools and customizations. But greater automation is entering the equation, and that’s where Sitecore’s continued investment in new innovations – and a keen focus on leveraging AI – is making an impact. “We've always thought about our DXP’s capabilities as being able to serve the full content life cycle, and that there's only a handful of vendors that truly deliver on that promise,” O’Flanagan shared. “That's everything from the ideation of a campaign right through to the creation of the assets and the content into the CMS to distribute and publish to the consumer.”One of Sitecore’s key strengths is its legacy of innovation, which is reinforced by its vast community of builders. While the company is at a point of transformation with XM Cloud, it seems to be telegraphing the right messages to its customers and the market – and bolstering its Visionary spirit. That said, this change is not without its bumps in the road, and continued engagement with users will be key to shaping the next wave of products. As evidenced by the Gartner MQ, enterprise DXPs face a challenging landscape. However, the pace of these new innovations is yet another demonstration of Sitecore’s resolve to win, underscored by its investment in AI and its grasp of the business considerations. Ultimately, it’s all about understanding what matters to customers. And if they can keep driving in that direction, they could be spiking the ball in the end zone next February. <hr /><h4 style="text-align:center" id="looking-for-guidance-on-sitecore?-talk-to-an-expert.">Looking for guidance on Sitecore? <a target="_blank" 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" 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" 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" 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" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmsconnect25">so book your seats today.</a>

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