The Modernization Migration: Upgrading Your Optimizely Website to CMS12/Commerce14

Imagine a website that performs flawlessly, reaches a wider audience and stays secure. Enter Optimizely CMS12/Commerce14, the latest iteration built on the powerful .NET Core framework (now known as .NET 5 and later versions). This upgrade offers a multitude of benefits that can significantly enhance your website’s performance and reach.

Why Migrate?

There are several compelling reasons to consider migrating to CMS12/Commerce14. First and foremost is its cross-platform compatibility. Unlike its predecessor, .NET Core can run seamlessly on Windows, macOS, and Linux. This broadens your website’s potential audience by allowing it to function across a wider range of operating systems and environments.

Furthermore, .NET Core boasts significant performance improvements over .NET Framework. This translates to faster loading times, reduced memory usage, and better scalability. These factors not only improve the user experience, but also minimize infrastructure costs, particularly for cloud-based deployments.

Finally, it’s important to acknowledge that Microsoft has officially deemed the ASP.NET 4 Stack obsolete and no longer supports it. This makes the transition to .NET Core and, by extension, CMS12/Commerce14, a necessary step to ensure the continued security and functionality of your website.

A Streamlined Migration Process

Optimizely understands the importance of a smooth transition and provides helpful tools and resources to ease the migration process. Clients who utilize Optimizely DXP can leverage the platform’s ability to create additional environments (integration, preproduction, and production) for thorough testing of the migrated website before going live.

For thorough quality assurance, these environments can mirror the live site by copying the production database, allowing you to identify and address any potential issues before launch. Once the migration is complete, the new database, incorporating all latest changes, is seamlessly integrated into the production environment, ensuring a smooth transition.

However, it’s crucial to note that some third-party tools and packages might not have compatible .NET Core versions. In such instances, you may need to find replacements or eliminate them entirely. The article provides examples of tools that require alternative solutions, along with potential replacements.

Choosing Your Migration Path

There are two primary approaches to upgrading your Optimizely website from version 11 to version 12. The first option utilizes the Optimizely Upgrade Assistant. This tool retargets your project to the latest .NET versions (6, 7, or 8) and partially updates the source code. However, some manual code adjustments and refactoring might be necessary to adapt to the new functionalities and CMS12’s structure.

For larger and more complex projects, the sheer volume of code modifications might necessitate a different approach. Here, creating a new .NET Core project and migrating functionalities step-by-step with immediate testing can be advantageous. This method allows you to split the workload among developers, deploy migrated parts to DXP environments for ongoing testing, and refactor remaining sections at your own pace. Additionally, it presents an opportunity to streamline your project by removing obsolete code and functionalities entirely.

Regardless of the chosen method, some modifications to “Startup.cs” and “Program.cs” files will likely be necessary to configure the required services and middleware components. The complexity of this step varies depending on your authentication setup. If you’re utilizing the default ASP.NET Identity system, the transition is relatively smooth. However, custom-built authentication solutions or mixed-mode configurations might require more extensive refactoring due to interactions with third-party providers and complex access policies.

What’s Next?

The migration process primarily involves routine replacements of obsolete code elements with their updated counterparts in .NET Core and CMS12. While some instances might require a more sophisticated approach, Optimizely provides various resources to streamline the transition. Upgrading to CMS12/Commerce14 unlocks numerous advantages, from improved performance and cross-platform compatibility to enhanced security and future-proofing of your website. By taking advantage of the available tools and guidance, you can ensure a seamless and successful migration, propelling your website into the modern era of digital experiences. Ready to start your migration? Contact us today for a consultation.

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