Planning for the retirement of the Cascade web CMS

Colleagues,

We are reaching out to inform you we are beginning planning for the retirement of Cascade, MSU's legacy web content management system, and to gather some information needed to finalize plans. Our records indicate you may be responsible for a website that uses Cascade.

A date hasn’t been set yet for retirement but will be soon after gathering information that will help us determine the need for support resources and establish migration timelines. You will receive a follow-up message in the coming days from Katie Kelly with more information about the site(s) we believe you are responsible for and a link to a form to collect some information to help us plan.

When we implemented a new enterprise content management system (Sitecore) in 2020, we announced we would no longer be adding new features to Cascade. Since that time, the system has become more outdated, and many sites using the system have accessibility issues. It is now necessary to retire the system and fully shift resources to support the new system.

For additional information, please see the list of FAQs below.

Regards,

Carmen

Carmen E. Crist
Assistant Vice President for Marketing Operations and Innovation
University Communications and Marketing
Michigan State University
crist@msu.edu

Why did I receive this message?
Our records indicate you may be responsible for a website that uses Cascade. Since most Cascade websites were built many years ago, responsibility may have changed. That is one of the details we are addressing with the assessment.

What is happening?
MSU is retiring Cascade, a legacy web content management system. We are collecting information to help us plan for the retirement.

Why is this happening?
Retiring Cascade will enable MSU to save money and focus resources on a single enterprise web content management system (Sitecore). It also enables MSU to create a more consistent and effective digital experience for audiences and address accessibility issues.

When will Cascade be retired?
A date has not been set yet but will be soon after gathering information needed to finalize plans.

Is there another enterprise web content management system we can use?
Yes. MSU now has a new, modern web content management system (Sitecore) and is continuously adding new features and capabilities. Sitecore was implemented in 2020 and now has more than 130 websites, including many high-profile sites such as MSU.edu, MSUToday, Admissions, Financial, Advancement and numerous colleges.

Is there a cost to use Sitecore?
There is no cost to use Sitecore.

Do we have to move to Sitecore?
There is no mandate to use Sitecore. It is, however, highly encouraged if the website needs to be moved to another system.

Will any assistance be provided to move my website to another web content management system?
Resources likely will be provided to move from Cascade to Sitecore. We are gathering information as part of the planning process to determine the full scope of the effort and what assistance can be provided.

What if I no longer need my website?
We will decommission your website for you.