Sitecore is a powerful and versatile content management system (CMS) widely used by enterprises to manage their digital experiences. As technologies evolve, so does the Sitecore platform, offering new features, enhancements, and security updates. Upgrading to the latest version of Sitecore can unlock numerous benefits, including improved performance, scalability, and enhanced functionalities.

However, when planning a Sitecore upgrade while navigating the changing Sitecore landscape, certain vital considerations must be accounted for to ensure a successful transition. In this blog post, we will explore the essential factors to keep in mind during the planning process.

• 1. Evaluate the Current Sitecore Landscape: Before initiating any upgrade, it is crucial to assess the existing Sitecore landscape. Evaluate the current version of Sitecore, the modules and integrations in use, and any customization or extensions implemented on top of the platform. It is essential to identify the dependencies and potential impact of the upgrade on these components to ensure compatibility and avoid any unforeseen issues.


• 2. Set Clear Objectives and Goals: Clearly define the objectives and goals of the Sitecore upgrade. Identify the specific reasons for upgrading, whether it's to leverage new features, enhance performance, or improve security. Understanding your organization's requirements will help prioritize tasks, allocate resources effectively, and ensure a smooth upgrade process.


• 3. Plan for Compatibility and Integrations: Consider all third-party integrations, modules, and customizations in your Sitecore environment. Determine if they are compatible with the target version of Sitecore or if they require updates or replacements. Reach out to the respective vendors or consult with experienced Sitecore partners to ensure seamless integration and the minimization of post-upgrade issues.


• 4. Assess Hardware and Infrastructure Requirements: Upgrading Sitecore may involve changes in the hardware and infrastructure as well. Evaluate the current infrastructure, including server specifications, storage, and network configurations. Ensure that the infrastructure can support the new version of Sitecore and any additional resource demands. Consider scalability, load balancing, and disaster recovery options to maintain high availability during and after the upgrade.


• 5. Review Licensing and Cost Implications: Understand the licensing and cost implications associated with the Sitecore upgrade. Determine if your existing license covers the new version or if you need to negotiate an upgrade with Sitecore. Additionally, evaluate the potential costs related to infrastructure changes, third-party module updates, and consulting services to create a comprehensive budget for the upgrade project.


• 6. Create a Comprehensive Upgrade Plan: Develop a detailed upgrade plan encompassing all aspects, including technical tasks, resource allocation, timelines, and potential risks. Define a phased approach that minimizes disruptions to ongoing business operations. Consider performing a test upgrade in a non-production environment to identify and mitigate any issues before upgrading to the live environment.


• 7. Perform Thorough Testing: Thoroughly test the upgraded Sitecore environment before making it live. Test all critical functionalities, customizations, integrations, and workflows to ensure they work as expected. Conduct performance and load testing to validate the system's responsiveness under various scenarios. Engage key stakeholders and end-users to participate in user acceptance testing (UAT) to ensure the upgrade meets their expectations and requirements.


• 8. Train and Educate Users: With any significant upgrade, it is essential to train and educate users on the changes and new features introduced in the upgraded Sitecore version. Provide comprehensive documentation, conduct training sessions, and offer ongoing support to help users adapt to the updated system effectively. Encourage users to provide feedback and address any concerns to promote a smooth transition.


• 9. Plan for Post-upgrade Support: Prepare a post-upgrade support plan to handle any unforeseen issues or challenges that may arise after the upgrade. Assign dedicated resources to monitor the system's performance, address user queries, and assist during the initial stabilization period.

Things You Should Consider while Upgrading to Sitecore 10.x

• 1. Search indexing with SOLR

When moving to Sitecore 10.x, you will need to migrate your CMS search to SOLR. While moving to SOLR you will need to keep an eye on:

• Any custom-level fields and schemas
• Configuring and setting up your index attributes
• API Queries for ContentSearch
• Hosting and scaling your SOLR instance


• 2. Role-based environment configurations

Sitecore 10 now brings role-based configuration for transforming capabilities. This feature allows you to quickly set up a role without having to manually enable and disable individual configuration files. Rule-based configuration values are set on the web.config file.

Sitecore ships with the following pre-configured server roles:

• ContentManagement
• ContentDelivery
• Processing
• Reporting
• Standalone


• 3. Sitecore Experience Accelerator (SXA) enhancements

The Sitecore Experience Accelerator (SXA) is a framework for rapid site builds which provides the ability to reuse components, layouts, and templates. In 9.3, SXA got some important enhancements including better support for developers, and 10.1 adds new features that bring genuine value, including the ability to:

• Apply themes to components
• Create page branches that act as templates for microsites which can be reused
• Utilize HMTL to render assets hosted elsewhere into different themes
• Use the Horizon editor on an SXA site

Overall, these new features certainly make SXA a more compelling investment, allowing teams to build rapid microsites.



• 4. Single Sign-on using Azure AD

On older versions of Sitecore, users had their accounts and roles synced into Sitecore from Active Directory. As of Sitecore 10 (and even 9), the Identity Server was introduced which acts as a single point of authentication for multiple sources. We now have unique support for Azure AD integration for SSO.



• 5. Sitecore Forms module

The legacy version of forms in Sitecore – the Web Forms for Marketers (WFM) module has been deprecated and Sitecore has now brought in the Sitecore Forms module with its new upgrade. These are faster and more agile forms with a more efficient user experience for the editors to create forms using Sitecore. If you are moving from an older version, you will need to upgrade your code for the forms to move to Sitecore forms.



• 6. Third-party integrations

If you have any third-party integrations with CRM, Marketing automation systems, or any other application, an upgrade may require you to reassess and upgrade your code base to align with the new pipelines and .net assembly support that comes with the Sitecore upgrade.



• 7. Blob Storage for Media files

All your media now needs to be converted to blob-based storage to be migrated into Sitecore 10.x and up. Having media stored on the file system does not make much sense, frankly. You can use a Sitecore PowerShell script to target the offending images, download them and reattach them as blobs to existing media items.

Conclusion

Upgrading Sitecore while navigating a changing Sitecore landscape requires careful planning and consideration. By following the considerations discussed above, your organization can confidently plan your Sitecore upgrade in a changing Sitecore landscape. Embracing the latest features and enhancements, while ensuring compatibility and minimizing risks, will empower businesses to deliver exceptional digital experiences to their customers.

If you wish to initiate an upgrade for your business, reach out to us at Altudo where our team of certified Sitecore experts can guide you to a seamless transition. Start planning your Sitecore upgrade today and unlock the full potential of this robust CMS platform while keeping pace with the evolving digital landscape.