Optimizely on .NET 5: Performance game-changer | Niteco
On September 28th, with the launch of Optimizely’s latest updates to their CMS (Content Cloud version 12 and Commerce Cloud 14), Optimizely launched its first version ever based on .NET 5. Niteco Solution Architect and Optimizely MVP Scott Reed gives a short rundown of why this is a reason to be excited, for developers and website owners alike.
Performance
The main benefit to the upgrade to .NET 5 for Optimizely customers are the improvements to performance and stability. This means faster, more stable websites that handle concurrent loads, better at high volumes. This translates to faster page loads and better Google Core Web Vitals scores, with fewer service interruptions. That equals better search rankings and an improved customer experience; and that means reduced bounce rates and increased conversation. That’s a win, whichever way you look at it!
Optimizely’s benchmarking shows that tests produced 4 times higher response speeds and 5-10 times faster site operation. Overall, this should have a definite effect on your bottom line.
Support
Moving to .NET 5, and more importantly .NET 6 (coming early 2022 as .NET 5 support ends in February 2022), means that the platform will be aligned with a supported version of .NET. This means security patches and updates are guaranteed and can easily be implemented. With Optimizely and Microsoft so aligned in their close partnership, the future looks very good indeed.
Platform features
The .NET 5 version adds a whole load of new features for both CMS/Commerce editors as well as development teams. With Optimizely usually rolling out its changes in a regular release update cycle, these new features are not going to be retroactively ported back to older versions. Basically, if you don’t upgrade, you will not get these features. It also means you will not get any of the features Optimizely rolls out in the future and that will leave you stagnating on an old version of the platform. New features include:
- Better and faster redesigned version of the admin area: The admin area is now faster to use for admin users with a snappier response (due to a complete redesign and the .NET 5 update).
- Removal of Commerce Manager: In Commerce, a major pain point in the past was having two applications, with some legacy features still kept in Commerce Manager. This part has been removed and the last remaining configuration features were folded into to the main CMS interface. Frankly, this is a massive win for developers and site editors alike.
- Faster overall CMS/Commerce editing experience: The .NET 5 performance upgrades also benefit the editor area, making it more efficient. The improvements will be easily felt by editors on both CMS and Commerce, meaning edits will be smoother and quicker.
- New versions of core packages: New versions of packages such as marketing connectors, forms and more provide not only better performance, but have been reworked to be more modern and more easily extensible by developers to suit your needs. That means you can customize your Optimizely site even further to meet your needs.
As Optimizely announced, upgrading to .NET 5 will require a new environment for your DXP, but no reason to worry. There will be no additional cost to your license. Your code will also need to be migrated from your existing code base to .NET 5, a process Niteco can take care of for you, getting you on .NET 5 with ease.
Niteco has been at the cutting edge of this work, with OMVP Scott Reed partnering with Optimizely to run masterclasses on the topic and speaking about it at Optimizely’s annual conference Opticon21. There is no better placed partner to help you to upgrade your Optimizely installation than Niteco. Find out how and let Niteco handle your .NET 5 journey.
Get access to the pdf version & recorded presentation from Scott Reed (Niteco Solution Architect) on Optimizely Partner Day:
