It's not even the end of the first week back after the holidays and already I've had conversations with three of our Livelink WCM clients about moving off the platform. Two are likely to migrate from Livelink WCM to RedDot the third is undecided what WCM would be a good replacement for Livelink WCM for them. I predicted an increase in this activity but I thought it would be a while before things picked up again. Maybe the credit crunch is encouraging Livelink WCM users to look at their position before the budgets disappear altogether. Maybe the prospect of a like for like upgrade to RedDot without charge is appealing. Or maybe it's just New Year enthusiasm to get things done. Whatever the reason if this keeps up it will be a very busy year.

If you are a Livelink WCM user and want to know about your options check out our recent newsletter. If you'd prefer give me a call, I'd be happy to talk through the options. 

We will be running regular WebEx demos of our mim:switch Livelink WCM migration tool so if you'd like to see it in action get in touch.We have loaders into a number of WCM platforms already complete and more on the way so if you have chosen a new WCM and don't see it mentioned let us know.

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.

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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!