XWiki Implementation Project

Why the move to XWiki?

XWiki is an open-source project supported and developed by the XWiki community and by XWiki SAS. The Java-based tool distinguishes itself from the other wikis by offering enterprise-oriented features, such as those found with Confluence, but where the University owns your wiki and its data. Also, while Confluence used to be offered as either on-premises software or as a hosted solution, Atlassian has moved Confluence to a hosted-only. XWiki will be an on-premises solution.

XWiki's extensibility allows us to go beyond the simple wiki and respond to the University’s enterprise needs, including uses as a knowledge base, collaboration for teams, intranet, public sites (TBD), support and documentation. While both solutions provide for standard wiki features, like page and file versioning, templates, and search, XWiki also supports Wiki syntax editing for creating pages, allowing for fine-grained control over the page and multiple ways to completely alter the styling of our instance to align with Brand d Guidelines.

This project aligns with the following SMU strategic goals:

• Improve and modernize aging campus infrastructure
• Enhance the academic stature of the University by providing improved resources to faculty, staff, and students

Project Timeline

The timeline for completion of the XWiki Implementation Project is approximately 10 months from the start of the analysis phase. Our plan for implementation includes each wiki space being migrated sequentially, working with the space owner, with the migration to be completed by Q2 of 2024.

Communication Efforts

A number of communication efforts for this project are planned during the project timeline, including publication of an updated service page, training information, and documentation. As the actual implementation progresses, our communication efforts will be focused on direct email to Wiki space owners and on this website, as well as our blog (blog.smu.edu/itconnect) and newsletters.