In the past week, there has been a lot of conversation online stemming from the news about Ektron being purchased by the private equity firm Accel-KKR. In addition, rumors are swirling about the possibility that Accel-KKR will also purchase EPiServer, which is currently owned by a different private equity firm.
One especially interesting question that has arisen from this news is what this would mean if both of these CMS platforms are owned by the same private equity firm. Is it possible that Ektron and EPiServer could be merged into one company and one software platform?
We’d like to be sure to note that it may or may not be true that EPiServer is being acquired by Accel-KKR, and even if this does happen, it does not necessarily mean that it would be merged with Ektron. However, if this merger were to happen, and the technology of the two platforms were combined, it is interesting to consider the possible results. As developers who have worked with both platforms, we know about the strengths of each, and we’re intrigued by the possibilities that a combined platform could offer.
Here are some of the benefits that each platform could gain from the other:
Ektron
EPiServer
- The content synchronization capabilities provided by eSync.
- A more robust taxonomy solution.
- One-to-many structured content types provided through smart forms.
When Will This Happen?
We should note that while combining these platforms is theoretically possible, since they are both built on .NET, it would be quite technically challenging. The architecture of their software is very different, and EPiServer runs as a web app, while Ektron runs as a website. Any combination of these platforms will be a complicated undertaking, and it would takes months, or even years, before a merged product could feasibly be released.
It’s certainly premature to speculate, since an Ektron/EPiServer merger is only a rumor at the moment, but considering the possibilities of a CMS that combines the strengths of each platform is rather exciting, presenting new challenges and new capabilities for web developers. If you’re concerned about how this might affect your website, or if you want to know how you can take advantage of the CMS technology that is currently available, please contact us to speak to a Solutions Engineer. If you have any other questions, please share them in the comments below.
If you’re interested in digging into the rumor mill surrounding Ektron and EPiServer, here are some links where you can find out more information:
Update
In a FAQ released to Ektron partners late Monday afternoon, Ektron confirmed that there has not been any mention around merger or partnership plans with other companies held in Accel-KKR’s portfolio.
