1. Existing users of Livelink WCM Presentation Server (Obtree) may be entitled to upgrade to RedDot for no additional licensing cost where a functional 'like-for-like' migration is required.

2. Mimtech have developed MIM:SWITCH, our migration toolset that can automate your content move to another solution by connecting directly into the repository via Obtree/Livelink’s API.

3. MIM:SWITCH has been endorsed by Open Text and is their migration solution of choice for users migrating to RedDot.

4. Mimtech is vendor agnostic and can supply web content management software from all the leading vendors including; EPiSERVER, Sitecore, Immediacy and RedDot.

5. Mimtech can supply web content management software on a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) rental business model.

I feel obliged to do this as Doug told me that I am obliged to do this. So, here are some predictions for 2009 for Mimtech...

1. We will see more of our clients migrate from the Obtree/Livelink WCM  during 2009. The Talk Obtree forum is back up and running. Please get involved.
2. The mim:switch Obtree/Livelink WCM migration software will be a key tool in some of these migrations.
3. With the credit crunch and the opportunity for n Obtree replacement reference there will be some great deals for the early adopters.
4. SaaS WCM will be a serious consideration for any WCM replacement project as the economic downturn drives a move to hosted software. Buyers will (are already) expecting far more value added to their services than a simple hosted WCM.
   
5. As the value of companies drops we will see some acquisitions in the WCM space. Some analysts are predicting that ECM vendors will look to bolster their web layer but I think we'll see some consolidation in the WCM market too.
6. Inevitably some vendors (and some service providers) will go under.
7. Mimtech will provide Livelink WCM migration services to partners in Switzerland and Germany.
8. More outsourcing of the application layer management. This is probably the stage between the internally managed system and the SaaS model.
9. New staff will join the Mimtech team.
10. Ken and Ross will finally accept the inevitable.

I would be interested to hear what others think about the year ahead.

As is the way of things as the year comes to an end Predictions of what will happen next year in the industry are rife. Before jumping on that bandwagon I thought I'd look back at last year's and see how accurate they were. So last year I predicted that 2008 would see...

• In January we have new staff joining us (not a prediction, I have already hired them) so I expect there to be more going on in the office and having to make tea less often

This proved to be true. Lots of tea being drunk and less made by me. That's a positive result. Just as I am typing this Stephen is off to the kitchen. Again.

• We have some training lined up in different WCM platforms for most of the techie guys so I predict a lot more geek speak and jargon being bandied around

A little bit. More to do with .Net development than any one platform.

• We will launch a new offering in January but I won't spoil the surprise just yet, we will be getting a lot of attention and new and exciting business in the New Year
  

Not really a prediction as I knew it was happening. See www.peppersmoothie.com

• I will be more tired (my wife is having our second child next week)

Tired is not a strong enough word. No complaints however as he is a brilliant wee boy.

• Obtree users will start to consider their investment a bit more carefully

They have not only started to consider their investment but several have already moved off the platform. If you are considering an Obtree migration or a Livelink migration then have a look at our Livelink migration software.

• Mimtech will land our first big implementation in New Zealand early next year, this is already at a fairly advanced stage in the sales process
  

This one went away. Someone fell off a ladder and the project was cancelled. Everyone involved is fully recovered but the project stayed cancelled.

• Lots of new processes, as we grow this is inevitable if a bit dull

Lots but never enough.

• Less chatter about Web 2.0 and more real value add development work being done in general

Web 2.0 is still talked about but people are less impressed with the marketing tag. More real value add development is what we've seen (and done). Have a look at our offering.

• More community activity in the WCM space we operate in

Not really sure what I was on about with this one.

• Software as a service replacing Web  2.0 as the buzz phrase of the moment

This is definitely the case. SaaS is all over the place in WCM and others including DMS and CRM. More in 2009. We do it too.

• Uses have more control over the presentation layer

A bit. Dashboard presentations that are configurable are more common but there are few business drivers so far.

• Celtic and Rangers striking a deal to become one club - Glasgow United. Or maybe an end to world poverty and conflict. Or Microsoft bringing out some bug free software. Or Apple releasing a product that doesn't start with i. Obese being the new size zero. I appear to have run out of sensible ideas.

This was just silly really. Still let's see what I can come up with for 2009. Check back next week for some more crystal ball gazing.

 

It's been offline for months for a variety of reasons best not gone in to but at last we're pleased to announce that the Mimtech sponsored discussion forum Talk Obtree is back online!

I received a tender notice this week from one of the County Councils that have been using Livelink WCM for the past few years. They are inviting bids for a replacement WCM and the migration of their content from Livelink WCM to the new system. This is the third big Livelink user we've seen in the last 6 months looking for a new WCM and planning to move off the platform early next year. We've also noticed an increase in traffic to our site with keywords suggesting there is increasing interest in the alternatives to Livelink and the migration tools we have on offer to facilitate a smoother transition. We will be bidding one of our partner's WCM alternatives but will be highlighting our WCM migration tool as part of the bid. It's a shame that we can't offer the tool to the competition as well as we know that we can make the migration easier regardless of the target environment.

If you are interested in the options for replacing your Livelink WCM system or in how the mim:switch WCM migration tool can help you move to a new WCM then please feel free to get in touch.

Read about Obtree migrations or Livelink migrations at http://www.mimtech.com/wcm_obtreemigration.html.

Mim:switch has been endorsed by Open Text as their migration solution of choice for Obtree and Livelink WCM PS customers wishing to move to RedDot.

Read more about mim:switch and Livelink (Obtree) Migrations.

Well, it looks like I'm off again touting the mim:switch Livelink WCM migration tool. This time I'm off to Switzerland to the Open Text customer day in Zürich. Not as glamorous as it might seem as the conference is at a hotel at the airport so I won't even get the usual taxi ride view of the city.

As I'm sure most readers are aware, the Livelink WCM PS started life as Obtree and was created in Switzerland where there are well over 100 organisations still using the WCM. Although the day is for all Open Text customers a good number are expected to be Obtree users and there is a presentation specifically for them. I was asked if our WCM migration software could be demo'ed at this session and I am packing my bags.

I am looking forward to meeting up with the Swiss partners involved in the migration methodology planning. We have made do with teleconferences since we met in Hamburg in August and getting round the table makes it easier for me to disguise the fact that their English is better than mine – and to make some further progress on the upgrade path from Obtree to RedDot.

My daughter likes me to go on these trips too. She misses me of course but gets a new football strip to show off at her club when I get back. Now I just have to decide which team to get FC Zürich or Grasshoppers.