Sitecore Modules

1. Sitecore Modules Can BIG become BIGGER ?

2. SPEAKERKris Verheire

3. Sitecore Modules - Agenda • What is the idea behind modules in Sitecore? • Where can modules be found or researched? • Some of the arguments with regards to the different approaches to modules. • A selection of the most prominent modules • Future of modules / Sitecore strategy • Q&A

4. What is the idea behind modules?

5. What is the idea behind modules? • Modules on Sitecore are developed as catalysts for your solution • Can provide substantial aid for development • Speed up content editing process • Simplify analytics and/or marketing tasks • Sitecore has not been developing new functional modules but rather places it’s focus on their Core product (CMS+ DMS). • Custom developed modules can freely be contributed to the Sitecore Marketplace as proof of implementation prowess, or to speed up general Sitecore development.

6. What is the idea behind modules? • Sitecore has a strong focus • CMS (Content, Search, Editing, Publishing, Versions, Languages, …) • DMS (Analytics, Profiling, Personalization, MV-testing, …) • Configurable and expandable (Events, Pipelines, …) • Additional functional requirements are often • Business specific (Event overview, calendar functionality) • Integration specific (CRM/ERP integrations, legacy system integrations) • Recurring web 2.0 features (Blog, Forum, Online forms, Poll, Chat)

7. Where can we find Modules

8. Where can we find Modules • Sitecore Marketplace • Sitecore Developer Network • Custom/Internal development

9. Sitecore Marketplace

10. Sitecore Marketplace • https://marketplace.sitecore.net/ • Platform provided by Sitecore • Everyone can make contributions • Helps structure and categorize available modules • Contains modules contributed by Sitecore as well

11. Sitecore Marketplace Con’s Module are often discarded No clear indication whether or not modules are version independent No Sitecore strategy Support of discarded modules? Adopt good approaches Advise on top modules Pro’s • Extensive, 350+ modules listed • Free of charge • Well structured & easy to search • Modules can be • Recommended • Rated • Reviewed • Commented on

12. Sitecore Developer Network

13. Sitecore Developer Network • http://sdn.sitecore.net/Products.aspx • Modules built by Sitecore • Best-practice modules, fully supported by Sitecore • Active products that integrate perfectly into the CMS

14. Sitecore Developer Network Limited amount of modules Slow adoption of end-user feature requirements One-time fee and/or subscription based modules, not always free No system that allows for rating or commenting on a module Con’s Pro’s • Modules kept up to date across all versions • Good support and information • Seamlessly integrated with DMS • Well documented with clear release notes and updates

15. Custom/Internal development

16. Custom/Internal development • Modules built internally by either the company or implementation partner • Often very customer or project specific • Danger for one-shot modules • No updates • No further module evolution • Fixed within time and budget of project

17. Custom/Internal development Price heavy depending on complexity Overhead of managing and updating the module Modules are often one-shot, no re-use possible. Con’s Pro’s • Modules implementation fits the needs perfectly • Modules can be combined into a re-usable library of building blocks • Strong in-house knowledge, easy to modify • If reusable, strong ROI

18. Some eye-catching modules

19. Top marketplace modules Sitecore Instance Manager Sitecore Courier Sitecore Unicorn SBOS Accelerators Experience Explorer Log Analyzer WeBlog Advanced System Reporter

20. Module: Sitecore Instance Manager (SIM) • Allows for fast installation & management of Sitecore instances • Comes with an API and plugin engine • Made by Sitecore • Meant for Sitecore developers • Up-to-date module usable from Sitecore 6.x and up

21. Module: Courier • Used for creation of Sitecore Update Packages • Compares serialization folders • Folders created using the Serialization API • Shared Source • Meant for Sitecore developers • http://sitecoresnippets.blogspot.be/2012/10/sitecore-courier-effortless-packaging.html

22. Module: Unicorn • Automatic serialization of Sitecore items • Uses the Sitecore Serialization API • Allows for source control on specific items • Shared Source • Meant for Sitecore developers • https://github.com/kamsar/Unicorn

23. Module: Sitecore Log Analyzer (SCLA) • Helps analyze and explore large log files • Insight into website uptime and downtime… • Made by Sitecore • Meant for Sitecore administrators and developers

24. Module: WeBlog • Allows for quick & non-obtrusive Blog creation • Feature-rich blog module • Page-editor supported • Comments with workflows • Social sharing • Shared Source • Meant for marketers and developers

25. Module: Advanced System Reporter (ASR) • Expands on the available reports in Sitecore • Shared Source • Meant for Sitecore administrators and developers

26. Module: SBOS Accelerators • Sitecore DMS enhancement set • Personalization tracker • Actual conversions report • Historical conditional rendering • Campaign tracking on Aliases • Measurement types for multivariate testing • Made by Sitecore • Meant for marketers and developers • http://www.sitecore.net/Support/Consulting-Services/Business-Optimization-Services.aspx

27. Module: Experience Explorer • Allows for simulation of the DMS system • Enables marketers to test online marketing strategy • Part of Sitecore for versions 7.2 and up. • Made by Sitecore • Meant for marketers and developers

28. Future of modules / Sitecore strategy

29. Future of marketplace • Sitecore input received by • Pieter Brinckman – Technical Marketing Manager - pib@sitecore.net • Jimmie Overby – Shared Source Coordinator – jo@sitecore.net

30. Future of marketplace • The Sitecore Marketplace is a first effort. • A dedicated development team is working on multiple outgoing sites for the development community -> https://kb.sitecore.net/

31. Future of marketplace • The Sitecore Marketplace is a first effort. • A dedicated development team is working on multiple outgoing sites for the development community -> https://kb.sitecore.net/ • New specification for the Marketplace update are based on the community feedback and Sitecore MVP’s. • Code sharing is key to success for both Sitecore and their partners. • Intent is set on Marketplace growth and enhancement

32. Sitecore Strategy • Will shared modules ever serve as the basis for new functionalities or modules ? • Sitecore is well aware of the existing modules • There is however, never any intent of copying ideas • Community movements serve as a source of inspiration however • Sitecore reaches out to contributors • Through meetings Sitecore can discuss ideas and help on the module

33. Sitecore Strategy • Will shared modules ever be merged into the Sitecore product ? • No • Merging could create a conflict of interest and remove the community power • Furthermore, modules could fork • Multiple similar modules • Harder load on community • Less clarity on module choices • Hard to extend and enhance the module • “Code ownership is kept in mind. We want to motivate to create modules”

34. Sitecore Strategy • Are new SDN modules in the pipeline ? • Yes • Upcoming next releases will give more insight • A number of valuable and cool announcements will be made during the Sitecore Symposium in Barcelona 15-17 September • http://www.sitecore.net/symposiumEU2014

35. Q&A • Contact: kverheire@reference.be • Twitter: https://twitter.com/KVerheire • Contact SUG-BELUX directly: sugbelux@gmail.com • MeetUp: http://www.meetup.com/Sitecore-User-Group-Belgium/