I too would like to hear an update from anyone who has had recent experience of implementing and working with Vignette.

They have much improved their support for open standards e.g.
- you can use ASP if you are in a MS environment, Java/JSP in UNIX (Solaris or AIX) environment
- Tcl is still supported in both environments, and they support mixed tcl/ASP or JSP applications. - They now support and leverage standard web app servers (WebLogic, WebSphere & iPlanet).

The StoryServer product no longer exists – it’s been subsumed into the Vignette V6 Content Suite which covers a wide range of functionality, across content management (creation, management, and delivery, including personalization), content integration and analytical capabilities. They also have a range of packaged application products - for example Enterprise Application Portal. More on their website at http://www.vignette.com

It’s interesting to see how everyone’s positioning subtly changes… The focus has moved back away from a “personalisation platform” emphasis to content management (NB Vignette V6 *Content* Suite). What are Broadvision these days? Personalisation, Content Management, E-commerce? All 3 no doubt.

A decent e-commerce platform is clearly a must have if you’re an e-commerce operation and companies are beginning to realise the importance (and challenges) of effective (read cost effective) content management. The poll currently running on this site (http://www.e-consultancy.com/poll/vote.asp?id=7) shows the growing interest in content management. About time too.

I expect a focus on managing user data in a holistic and enterprise way (more the eCRM / personalisation angle) will come next but there’s a lot to sort out in the meantime.

But back to the original question – anyone implemented Vignette (or other CMSs for that matter) recently and care to comment?

I just wondered what experienced CMS users/developers think about Tridion vs Stellent? Are both of them better than Vignette and If I had the option to choose and focus my career on a CMS, which one is better?

On 00:59:50 21 April 2008 cmsreviews wrote:

Base on my 10+ years experience working with various Content Management Systems (CMS) and 6 months using Vignette I can affirm that Vignette is THE worst CMS I have ever worked with.

I’m working for a large respected Canadian organization and we are very unhappy with Vignette. We are switching to another CMS. I won’t tell the name of the new CMS or the organization. I’m expressing my personal opinion here. And I don’t want to make publicity for the other tool before trying it.

Here are some naked facts about Vignette:

CONS:
- Their tech support is poor and slow. They aren’t able to fix simple Vignette bugs.

- Very expensive in our case $250,000 to $500,000 so far and growing.

- Vignette is mostly a Consultingware: A CMS first developed for a limited number of consulting clients, then hastily rebranded as a “product” matching everybody needs. The fact is it doesn’t match OUR needs.

- Counter-productive tool for employees. Awful workflow.

- Poor documentation & support from Vignette.

- Steep learning curve. Complicated interface.

- Security features are dangerously weak. Easy for concurrents to access sensitive information. A friend of mine is testing security features as a living to prevent hacking, according to his testing it takes less than 5 minutes to hack Vignette and access sensitive information.

PRO: Sales team.

More reviews from other Vignette users: http://www.cmsmatrix.org/vignette-cmportalsolution/vignette-cms-whos-using-it