Sitecore CMS

Sitecore XM Cloud is an enterprise web content management system, or CMS, used by units across campus to create and publish websites. The system allows for creating robust websites with templates and pre-built components, simplifying the website management experience. In addition to webpage components, University Communications and Marketing and MSU IT have worked to build various additional functionalities, such as event calendar, news story, academic program finder and people directory tools into the system.

The system is governed from an enterprise standpoint, considering the user experience across all MSU websites, to meet audience needs and help units provide a seamless, quality experience for website visitors who may view several MSU-related websites during one or more web viewing sessions. Units can suggest new features and enhancements for consideration in the system.

University Communications and Marketing provides training and documentation resources for Sitecore XM Cloud, and the team supports users across campus.

Learn more about platform benefits and view a video demo below.

Note: MSU is upgrading from Sitecore XP to Sitecore XM Cloud throughout 2024. See “Sitecore Migration Project,” below, for more information.

Platform Benefits

Create Websites Faster

Pre-built MSU component blocks enable custom page layouts without custom development.
Page, partial page and site templates to make creating new sites even easier.
Functionality to easily drag-and-drop components onto a page.

Efficient Content Author Experience

A WYSIWYG, or what you see is what you get, editor called Pages allows authors to edit content and layout in one view.
Ability to edit right on the screen instead of toggling between data source and display views.
Preview page options for mobile, tablet and desktop.
An Explorer tool that provides advanced content editing, where users can add tags and access additional editing features.
Auto-save for content changes to prevent lost work.
Integrated digital asset management functionality makes adding images to websites an easy process.
Access is granted via MSU’s Okta single sign on, so users can log in with their MSU Net ID.

Advanced Functionalities

Ability to embed third-party forms. Native Sitecore form support is coming soon.
Sitecore is already working to add generative AI functionality to systems to assist with tasks like writing headlines.
Sitecore XM Cloud offers a set of personalization capabilities for in-session visits.
XM Cloud is composable, meaning that system compatible products can be combined and integrated to meet business needs.

Fast Platform Updates

As a software-as-a-service, or SaaS, product, Sitecore XM Cloud lives in the vendor’s cloud and can be updated as soon as new features and capabilities are ready. This means more frequent updates and enhancements.
We’ll be able to address newly available technologies as they become available, such as generative artificial intelligence, or genAI.
All units using Sitecore XM Cloud benefit from the learnings attained over time through optimization and testing. Users can continuously improve components and websites to benefit audience members’ digital experience and to improve conversions of business goals, such as admissions applications or donations.
All updates are quality tested to ensure proper functionality with existing websites before deployment.

Modern Architecture for Better Performance

Sitecore XM Cloud is built on a modern architecture that positions MSU for the future and provides flexibility to easily connect complimentary systems to Sitecore.
Sitecore XM Cloud is headless, meaning the data stored in XM Cloud can be presented anywhere (e.g., website, app, display screen).
The architecture of Sitecore XM Cloud is designed to be edge friendly (referring to computing architecture). This can improve Core Web Vitals and page speed scores, ultimately helping to maximize website SEO.
Pages are served up from what is called “the edge.” Basically, there are web servers all around the country. The website will be made available on servers throughout the country so that users access the site at the server closest to their location, with faster page load times.

XM Cloud Platform Demo

View a preview of key features available to MSU Sitecore XM Cloud users, including pages, templates, events calendar, news stories, academic program finder and people directory.

Watch on YouTube

Website Project Process

Every project is different but there are some common features. Learn about project elements and how to get started.

Learn more

Sitecore Migration Project

MSU is upgrading from Sitecore XP to Sitecore XM Cloud throughout 2024. All websites must be migrated to the new system. Click for more information and the latest updates on the Sitecore Migration Project.

Learn more

Getting Started

To join Sitecore, a unit contacts University Communications and Marketing. From there, the program manager will work with the unit to explore the scope of the website, discuss the process and initiate proper next steps.

Request information

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Sitecore Learning and Resources

XM Cloud Documentation

Explore the documentation library to learn more about Sitecore XM Cloud’s features and components.

Content Authoring

View general documentation for using Sitecore XM Cloud and authoring content.

Component Documentation

Best practices and directions for using specific Sitecore XM Cloud components.

Image and Asset Management

Add images and files to websites using Media Library and Content Hub.

Training Calendar

In addition to on-demand video resources and the documentation library, University Communications and Marketing also offers live training (via Teams) for Sitecore users.