XWiki Implementation Project

Migrating SMU's wiki solution from Confluence to XWiki.

Project Complete

The XWiki Implementation Project has successfully been completed. Please visit smu.edu/wiki to enjoy the new service. 

Our current on-prem wiki.smu.edu environment, Confluence, is no longer being supported by Atlassian. After a search, a new wiki solution, XWiki, has been identified to be the replacement. This project will include the migration to this new XWiki environment, including transferring all existing content and permissions to the new platform, updating existing service pages and training information, and communication throughout the project of transition to the new solution.


Why the move to XWiki?

TeamsXWiki 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.

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Video

XWiki Demo

XWiki is the Open Source tool that allows your team to create, capture and organize knowledge in one single place.

XWiki Implementation Project Updates