Monday, February 14, 2011

Congratulations to Sitecore for being ISV of the Month

Sitecore has been chosen by the SQL Server Azure Team as its first ISV of the Month for leveraging Microsoft Azure.  You can read the blog post here:

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/sqlazure/archive/2011/02/11/10128353.aspx

As part of this exciting news, if you don’t know yet, Sitecore now works very closely with Microsoft. When I say closely, I mean physically.  They now have an on-site location at the Microsoft Partner Solutions Center in Redmond, WA. 

For Sitecore users, developers, and enthusiasts, this can only mean that Sitecore’s commitment to improving its product as well as being in line with Microsoft’s vision is going to be accelerated.  Just in the past year, we’ve seen several versions of Sitecore come out.  Plus, there’s the Azure version.  Then, we also have new modules and updated Sitecore-based products.  Sitecore is really stepping on the gas to separate itself from the competition by leveraging strategic partnerships.  At this rate, partners need to keep up both technically and business-wise.  There’s so much value in adopting Sitecore now and in the future.

Thanks Sitecore for such dedication to excellence.  I’m proud to being a partner.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Sitecore: What do you want to know?

I know that this is only my second post this year and I haven’t done one since November 2010.  I’ve been a bit busy lately and with the holidays, it was tough to get my head on a topic and write about it.  Anyway, I’m getting back to it and I’m hoping to find out what kind of topics you’d like to hear more.  I’ve been all over the place (but maybe that’s what makes you read my blog) from simple hacks that I do, actual real-life best practices, to business and technology insights.

Here are some ideas that I can explore and blog about:

  • OMS and Analytics
  • More Sharepoint
  • Site Creation Best Practices
  • Other CMS vs Sitecore
  • Azure
  • New Sitecore Features
  • Selling Sitecore
  • Sitecore Beyond CMS
  • System Integration

I’ve also been contemplating of writing a comprehensive e-book that guides a developer from installation to deployment.  The audience would likely be more for new Sitecore adopters but I’ll put enough best practices and techniques in there that I hope seasoned Sitecore technologists would at least read and give me some feedback.

I don’t have a set date but I’d like to hear your thoughts on what you’d like to see as well.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

What is an In-house Sitecore Resource?

One of the challenges many new Sitecore clients have is what happens after the Sitecore-based Web site is finished and running.  There are obviously many choices out there but the common theme is that whatever you end up with, you will need to have a good Sitecore technical resource…and this person doesn’t always have to be the best programmer you can find.  Of course, you can also apply these when looking for a long-term relationship with a Sitecore vendor.  Here are some of the things you should look for.  Remember, we’re not talking about a resource that just manages the site