The Sitecore XM Cloud Series: Building the business case

CMS platforms. The direction of travel is firmly heading towards the Cloud, but building the business case to make the jump is not always straightforward, and can be a little daunting.

Many of our clients are already on Sitecore, and for those who are, the move to XM Cloud is very much in their radar. As such, we’re often asked several questions, or see gaps in the collective knowledge of those considering the move, that create hesitation, or a level of uncertainty.

So I wanted to shed some light on this.

This article is the first in a series that seeks to provide answers and guidance when embarking on a move to Sitecore XM Cloud, and to start with I’m looking at some of the key benefits and strategic considerations of migrating.

I will also look at how Great State’s Sitecore XM Cloud Migration Evaluation can support building a compelling business case for organisations contemplating moving from either Sitecore XM/XP or another platform to XM Cloud as part of their digital transformation journey.

Let’s get in to it…

What is Sitecore XM Cloud?

If you’re reading this, then you’re probably not new to Sitecore XM Cloud, but in case you didn’t know, XM Cloud stands at the forefront of the digital experience landscape, revolutionising how businesses interact with their customers online.

Sitecore XM Cloud is the latest evolution of Sitecore's Experience Platform, designed as a fully managed cloud-native SaaS (Software as a Service) offering. It integrates content management, digital marketing, and commerce capabilities, enabling organizations to deliver seamless, personalized user experiences across multiple channels. This platform stands out for its flexibility, scalability, and advanced features, which cater to the dynamic needs of modern businesses aiming to expand their digital footprint.

One of its key benefits is the headless content management system (CMS) approach, which separates the content from presentation. This flexibility allows businesses to deliver content across multiple channels and, ensuring consistent and engaging user experiences.

Minimising Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and maximising ROI

Another key benefit to migrating to Sitecore XM Cloud is that it represents a strategic investment that can lead to significant cost savings and a higher return on investment (ROI) over time. By moving to a SaaS model, organisations can reduce their total cost of ownership.

A significant advantage of Sitecore XM Cloud is the elimination of traditional IT overheads. The hosting infrastructure and its management is all taken care of so businesses can enjoy a streamlined, maintenance-free experience and invest that money into other areas that will provide more direct value back to their business and their customers. This also means no more cumbersome upgrade processes or compatibility concerns, allowing IT teams to focus on innovation rather than maintenance.

The operational efficiencies gained through improved scalability, flexibility, and automation further contribute to cost-effectiveness, enabling businesses to allocate resources more strategically.

Building the business case

Building the business case for migrating to Sitecore XM Cloud involves a comprehensive analysis of the platform's potential to drive digital transformation, enhance customer experiences, and achieve operational efficiencies.

Great States "Sitecore XM Cloud Migration Evaluation" service is designed to meticulously assess your current digital infrastructure and chart a strategic course towards Sitecore XM Cloud. This comprehensive evaluation provides businesses with a critical decision-making foundation for a seamless transition. Here's what you can expect from this service:

In-depth Platform Analysis

Our experts conduct a thorough review of your current digital ecosystem, understanding your business and technical requirements and align them with the capabilities of Sitecore XM Cloud. We will look at infrastructure, content, integrations, and overall user experience to ensure no stone is left unturned.

Migration Readiness and Gap Analysis

We evaluate your preparedness for Sitecore XM Cloud, identifying the necessary enablement changes. Our gap analysis clarifies the steps needed to ensure a frictionless migration.

Architecture and Integration Strategy

We provide targeted architecture and infrastructure strategies tailored for the cloud environment. Additionally, we assess all third-party services and APIs for compatibility, ensuring they integrate flawlessly with Sitecore XM Cloud. Paying close attention to optimising performance, security and scalability.

Front-end delivery modelling

Moving to a headless platform will provide ultimate flexibility and no restrictions on how to implement the front-end digital applications, services and products that consume the content being served from via APIs , this will require careful planning to model the right approach for each entity.

Financial Planning and Risk Assessment

Understanding the costs estimates and investment timeline are crucial. We will calculate the Total Cost of Ownership and map out the potential risks and define strategies to mitigate them effectively.

Compliance and Security Review

Ensuring adherence to regulations, we will understand your security and compliance requirements to the right controls and processes are in place to maintain them during and post migration.

Roadmap Creation

We will create a comprehensive phased migration roadmap, complete with roles, responsibilities, and timelines, ensuring a controlled transition and ongoing support requirements are factored in (e.g. training).The evaluation will cumulate with a report that we will present back to containing our findings and recommendations including the migration roadmap and cost estimates for delivery.

As businesses continue to adapt to the evolving demands of the digital economy, embracing cloud-native solutions like Sitecore XM Cloud will be crucial in maintaining competitiveness and achieving long-term success.

If you would like to understand how Great State can help you on this journey then please get in touch.