Kentico 8.1 Upgrade Plan for Web Design Magic Customers

What is Kentico CMS 8?
In Q1 of 2014, Kentico released Kentico CMS Version 8 (http://www.kentico.com/kentico8). This latest version provides a whole new experience and opportunity for integrated marketing success. Taking on board feedback from customers, Kentico 8 boasts an advanced and intuitive user interface and improved out-of-the-box marketing features.

To ensure our customers are not plagued with problems typically found in new software releases, we have been testing the new Kentico 8 offering. We are confident following the recent release of Kentico CMS 8.1 offer this product to our current customers. All new websites from July 2014 will also be built using Kentico CMS 8.

Can we upgrade from Version 7?
On 22nd August of this year, Kentico will be providing Web Design Magic with a script that will allow us to upgrade existing version 7 Kentico installations to Version 8.1.

Whilst this script is not a fully automated solution, it will allow us to easily update the core of Kentico 7 before manually upgrade any custom code.

Can we upgrade from earlier versions?
Yes. Upgrading from earlier versions will be quoted on a project by project basis, as we need to do upgrade ‘hops’ from each version to version 8.

What is involved?
If you wish to take up this offer, we will give you a detailed plan explaining what needs to be completed and when. Below is a high end view of the tasks involved.

What will it cost?

There are essentially three cost considerations you need to make.

Licence Costs
If you have current Kentico Maintenance Agreement or use a Free Kentico Version - ask your sales representative what version you are using or look at your licence in the Site Manager - you will not have any licence costs. If you have chosen to let your Kentico Licence Maintenance expire then you will need to purchase a Kentico 8 Licence from Web Design Magic. Quotes are available upon request.

Upgrade Costs
Time will need to be spent downloading, upgrading and modifying any custom code to suit the new Kentico 8 API. These costs will depend on the size of your installation and the type of site. Below is a rough estimation of the time it will take.

Type of Site

Estimated Upgrade Process Time (hrs.)

Estimated Cost excluding licence 
ex GST

Notes

Kentico Upgrade Quote 2 (fixed) $300 AUD For larger sites you can get a firmer idea of the upgrade cost.

Bronze Brochure

4-5

$600 AUD to
$850 AUD

Simple upgrade with no customisations

Online Store

8-12

$1,200 AUD to
$1,800 AUD

Some items need manual intervention

Custom Website

15-24

$2,250 AUD to
$3,600 AUD

Many items need manual intervention

Super Custom Solution

Unknown

Unknown

All items need manual intervention


Training 

Online manuals and basic training will be provided for free. For more advanced day courses, please request a proposal.

How long before you can start? 

The upgrade process will be made across multiple months. Initially Web Design Magic SLA Support clients will have first selection of available slots and then all customers. Only a restricted amount of upgrades will be made in a given week.

What Next?
Hold tight! After the release of the upgrade scripts a link will be provided to enable customers to select timing that best suits their business. Web Design Magic will then be in contact regarding costing and payment and ensure everything is ready to proceed.

Posted: Tuesday 12 August 2014