sitecore modules

Sitecore ModulesCan BIG become BIGGER ?

SPEAKERKris Verheire

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

What is the idea behind modules?

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.

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)

Where can we find Modules

Where can we find Modules

Sitecore Marketplace Sitecore Developer Network Custom/Internal development

Sitecore Marketplace

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

Sitecore Marketplace

Pro’s

Extensive, 350+ modules listed Free of charge Well structured & easy to search Modules can be

Recommended Rated Reviewed Commented on

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

Sitecore Developer Network

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

Sitecore Developer Network

Modules kept up to date across all versions

Good support and information Seamlessly integrated with DMS Well documented with clear

release notes and updates

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

Pro’s Con’s

Custom/Internal development

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

Custom/Internal development

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

Price heavy depending on complexity

Overhead of managing and updating the module

Modules are often one-shot, no re-use possible.

Pro’s Con’s

Some eye-catching modules

Top marketplace modules

Sitecore Instance ManagerSitecore CourierSitecore Unicorn

SBOS AcceleratorsExperience Explorer

Log Analyzer

WeBlog

Advanced System Reporter

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

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

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

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

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

Module: Advanced System Reporter (ASR) Expands on the available reports in Sitecore

Shared Source Meant for Sitecore

administrators and developers

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

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

Future of modules / Sitecore strategy

Future of marketplace

Sitecore input received by

Pieter Brinckman – Technical Marketing Manager - pib@sitecore.net

Jimmie Overby – Shared Source Coordinator – jo@sitecore.net

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/

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

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

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”

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

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/