Blog posts by Chris Sharp

Force Login to Optimizely DXP Environments using an Authorization Filter

Mon, 02 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMT

When working with sites deployed to the Optimizely DXP, you may want to restrict access to the site in a particular environment to only authenticated users. This is useful when you're working on a site that's not yet live, and you don't want outside visitors to see the "work in progress" version of the site. I also see this requirement quite often for the non-production environments (integration and preproduction), which are commonly used for testing or training.

One way to lock down these environments is by simply updating the website's access rights in the environment's Settings (also known as Admin Mode), which is stored in the database tied to that environment. However, if you often synchronize the content from the production environment to the non-production environments, these settings will get overwritten and you'll continually have to remember to update them again.

A better way to achieve this is by creating an authorization filter that forces users to log in before they can access the site, and to use this filter in the DXP environments where you want to restrict access.

Converting FormContainerBlock Types in Optimizely Forms for CMS 12

Sun, 24 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMT

While this is not something you would commonly do, here's how I approached converting a FormContainerBlock type to our custom ExtendedFormContainerBlock in Optimizely Forms for CMS 12. You may need to do this if you want to add custom properties or functionality to the standard FormContainerBlock type, and you don't want to rebuild or recreate all previously created forms.

Changing the Visitor Submit Timeout in Optimizely Forms for CMS 12

Fri, 15 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMT

When working with Optimizely Forms, you'll find there are multiple ways to configure the functionality of a form. One of those options an editor can configure is "Allow multiple submissions from the same IP/cookie", which is commonly used to prevent/deny a visitor from resubmitting the form, and it works by creating a browser cookie with the form's information.

While this can be a useful option to have to prevent a visitor from continually resubmitting a form, it's not foolproof. A visitor could easily resubmit the form in incognito mode (private browsing), or simply clear their browser cookies to resubmit the form, or just wait until the cookie expires.

But what if you want to allow the user to resubmit the form after a certain amount of time? Let's look at how we can change the timeout for a form resubmission.

Adding a Logout Link to the Quick Navigator in Optimizely CMS 12

Tue, 22 Mar 2022 00:00:00 GMT

Here's a quick code snippet for adding a logout link to the Quick Navigator menu in Optimizely CMS 12. This is done a bit differently in CMS 12, since the logout page is using Razor Pages instead of WebForms, and the new logout method requires an antiforgery token.

Styling the Textarea Property Editor in Optimizely CMS 12

Tue, 15 Mar 2022 00:00:00 GMT

What first started out as a "nice to have" feature, has now turned into a bigger experiment with EditorDescriptor. The original idea was pretty simple: "Can the font be changed in the Optimizely CMS UI for a textarea (string) property editor, maybe to something like a monospaced font where editors can provide additional styles or scripts?"

Here's a quick write-up about what I've learned when creating and modifying client side property editors.

Require or Prevent Publishing Content if it's in a Project in Optimizely CMS 12

Tue, 08 Mar 2022 00:00:00 GMT

I've recently been working on an Optimizely CMS 12 solution for a customer that creates and publishes a large amount of content during certain times of the year. They typically create all of the content changes and track them within an Project in the CMS, then publish all the changes at once, which is a great benefit of Optimizely's Project feature.

Recently, a question came up about this: "Is there a way we can enforce content to be part of a Project so it can be published?" This feature is more about change control than general functionality. The customer wants to make sure a change to content doesn't get published prior all other content being ready and published.

In the post, I'd like to share an example on how this could be accomplished; how you can require content to be part of a Project in order for it to be published, or on the opposite side, prevent content from being published if it is part of a Project.

Multi-site Optimizely Solutions: Dependency Injection in CMS 12

Thu, 10 Feb 2022 00:00:00 GMT

I have written multiple posts about how I architect and develop multi-site solutions in Episerver (now Optimizely). With the release of Optimizely CMS 12, which now runs on .NET 5, not much has changed with how I approach this, but the previous way I handled dependency injection is no longer supported.

In this post, I want to show how I'm now handling when multiple sites implement the same service (site-specific services).

Changing the Visitor's Resubmission Timeout in Episerver Forms

Wed, 24 Feb 2021 00:00:00 GMT

When working with Episerver Forms, you'll find there are multiple ways to configure the functionality of the form. While there's configurations found in both the Forms editing interface and within the Episerver solution (code), the majority of options you can change are within on the FormContainerBlock (the block that serves as the starting point for building a new form). One of those options an editor can configure is "Allow multiple submissions from the same IP/cookie", which is commonly used to prevent/deny a visitor from resubmitting the form, and it controlled by setting a browser cookie with the form's information. It can also be used for progressive, multi-step forms to enhance the visitor experience, allowing you to use already submitted data in other forms. While this can be a useful option to have, it's not foolproof. A visitor could easily submit the form in incognito mode (private browsing), or simply clear their browser cookies to resubmit the form, or just wait until the cookie expires.

Multi-site Episerver Solutions using MVC Areas: Restricting Content Types

Tue, 23 Feb 2021 00:00:00 GMT

Depending on your architecture and requirements for a multi-site solution in Episerver, you may need to completely separate the content types associated for each site within the editor experience. This was one of the considerations I mentioned when I wrote "Architecting Multi-site Episerver Solutions". Separating content types not only cleans up the editing experience, but also helps to streamline the page and block creation process, while also preventing editors from selecting the wrong content type (i.e. template) for the site.

To make this happen, there's multiple areas of the editing experience which we have to address differently to limit what content types are available to the editor.

This post is the fifth in a series of posts related to architecting and developing multi-site Episerver solutions using MVC Areas. In this post, I'll cover how we handle restricting content types.

Multi-site Episerver Solutions using MVC Areas: Block Preview

Thu, 28 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT

An important piece of the editing experience, which is often overlooked, is block preview. This feature is an efficient way for content editors to create and edit blocks that are meant to be reused across a site. Though, when used in the context of a multi-site solution, you could run into some issues that hinder those efficiencies.

This post is the forth in a series of posts related to architecting and developing multi-site Episerver solutions using MVC Areas. In this post, I'll cover how we handle block preview.

Multi-site Episerver Solutions using MVC Areas: Block Controllers

Fri, 15 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT

As you are building out a multi-site solution with Episerver, you'll likely find some reuse between sites. You might be reusing page types and templates (in those cases where the sites have similar designs or wireframes) or you might be reusing block types and templates (as those smaller components don't generally need to be specific to a site). If you're not reusing content types, then maybe just the content type class names might be the same between sites.

In whichever case of reuse, getting the proper template for the content type is important. For page types, this is usually handled by a specific controller for the type, and that controller points directly to the view. But for blocks, there's a bit more flexibility about how this can be done.

This post is the third in a series of posts related to architecting and developing multi-site Episerver solutions using MVC Areas. In this post, I'll cover how we handle block controllers.

Multi-site Episerver Solutions using MVC Areas: Dependency Injection

Sat, 09 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT

The nice part about building a multi-site solution in Episerver is the flexibility around how the project can be architected. I demonstrated this in my post "Architecting Multi-site Episerver Solutions" by providing multiple approaches in which this could be accomplished. While using the MVC Areas approach allows you to easily separate each site, it can pose a problem if each site needs to implement a specific service.

This post is the second in a series of posts related to architecting and developing multi-site Episerver solutions using MVC Areas. In this post, I'll cover how we handle multiple sites implementing the same service.

Multi-site Episerver Solutions using MVC Areas

Mon, 04 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT

In my last blog post from many years ago, I provided various ways that a multi-site Episerver solution could be architected. If you haven't read that post yet, you should do so before continuing with this one.

One of the ways I mentioned is by using MVC Areas, which Episerver does support with a little bit of work. In the time that post was written, I've gotten to build a couple multi-site Episerver solutions using MVC Areas, and I'd like to share some of my approaches to make the development and content editing process smoother.

This post is the first in a series of posts related to architecting and developing multi-site Episerver solutions using MVC Areas. In this post, I'll cover the high-level architecture decisions we've made, and what was involved in creating that base framework.

Reminder: Episerver World Community Week is September 28th - October 2nd

Fri, 25 Sep 2020 13:50:55 GMT

Have you registered for Episerver World Community Week? If not, now is the time!

To register, visit: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/325774709664111118

We have a great line-up of presentations for the week, presented by Episerver staff and Episerver MVPs. Each day during the week of September 28th from 8:00-9:00am Central Time (2pm BST / 3pm CET / 8am CT), we'll cover the current and future state of the platform, and provide some real-life case studies and usage of the platform.

For more information, and to see the list of presentations, visit: https://world.episerver.com/ewcw/

Episerver World Community Week: September 28th - October 2nd

Wed, 16 Sep 2020 17:59:38 GMT

I am pleased to announce and host Episerver World Community Week, coming up from Monday, September 28th to Friday, October 2nd.

Episerver World Community Week features a series of 1 hour webinars that focus on the key parts of the Episerver platform, presented by the Episerver team and some of the top members of the Episerver Community, the Episerver MVPs. Each day of Episerver Community Week, we'll cover the current and future state of the platform, and provide some real-life case studies and usage of the platform.

So what will be covered? Great question!

Day 1: Cloud - Monday, September 28th

What is Cloud at Episerver? Why should you use DXP? From DXP's deployment APIs to smooth deploy, you'll hear about how development teams are utilizing the platform to be more responsive, more efficient, and more productive. You'll also hear about what can you expect out of the future of Cloud at Episerver.

Presented by:

John Håkansson - Director, Product Management, Cloud (Episerver)
Chris Banner - Director, Software Engineering (Episerver)
Anders Wahlqvist - Manager, Software Engineering (Episerver)
Alf Nilsson - Technical Delivery Director (TietoEVRY), Episerver MVP
Johan Kronberg - Software Architect (TietoEVRY), Episerver MVP

Recording for Day 1: Cloud

https://episerver.wistia.com/medias/511hoerlnp

Day 2: Content - Tuesday, September 29th

I bet you've been hearing a lot about headless recently. Why should you use headless, and how have Episerver customers used headless for their solutions? Also, what's the future of Episerver with .NET Core? We'll tell you all you need to know.

Presented by:

Martin Ottosson - Director, Product Management, Content (Episerver)
Mark Hall - Director, Innovation & Transformation (Episerver)
Jacob Khan - VP, Global Solution Architecture (Episerver)
Khurram Khan - Technical Consultant (Vattenfall), Episerver MVP

Recording for Day 2: Content

https://episerver.wistia.com/medias/8so90wteup

Day 3: Commerce - Wednesday, September 30th

What's happening with Commerce Cloud? With updates to the CSR, to new functionality with a built-in PIM, you'll learn about how you can build a powerful Commerce solution with the Episerver platform. You'll also hear about the different implementation approaches between Episerver Commerce Cloud and B2B Commerce Cloud by Insite.

Presented by:

Christian Schlosser - Director, Product Management, Commerce (Episerver)
Jeff Natzke - Associate VP, Product, Commerce (Episerver)
Lori McDonald - President & CEO (Brilliance Business Solutions), Episerver MVP

Recording for Day 3: Commerce

https://episerver.wistia.com/medias/a511p12tox

Day 4: Intelligence - Thursday, October 1st

Are you using data to understand your visitors? Learn about how you can use Episerver's Intelligence Cloud to configure and create custom tracking for your solution, or to integrate multiple solutions from various platforms by using identity stitching and data enrichment. You'll also hear about how Episerver uses natural language processing (NLP) to build interest profiles.

Presented by:

Kevin Li - Sr. Director, Product, Intelligence (Episerver)
Thiago Galery - Manager, Data Science (Episerver)
Zsolt Pocsaji - Sr. Director, Software Engineering, Intelligence (Episerver)
Kevin Schofield - Director, Digital Marketing (Verndale), Episerver MVP

Recording for Day 4: Intelligence

https://episerver.wistia.com/medias/nqbedpbxb0

Day 5: Add-Ons & Marketplace - Friday, October 2nd

Are you extending the Episerver platform, or interested in learning how to build add-ons? Join this session to hear about how to create add-ons for the Episerver platform, then promote and share them to the greater Episerver community. NuGet? Marketplace? What are they and what's the difference? You'll find out!

Presented by:

Nicholas Rohr - Manager, Global Alliances (Episerver)
Allan Thraen - Partner, Technical Consultant (CodeArt DK), Episerver MVP
Marija Jemuović Delibašić - Episerver Architect, Team Lead (Geta), Episerver MVP

Recording for Day 5: Add-Ons & Marketplace

https://episerver.wistia.com/medias/slboh4mo2p

Episerver Coders: Content Delivery API

Wed, 16 Sep 2020 13:24:37 GMT

The Episerver Coders webinar series is back!

Join us on Friday, September 18th at 8:00 am Central Time!

For this Episode, we'll be joined by Jacob Jones (Technical Architect at Valtech, Episerver MVP) and Remko Jantzen (Solution Architect at Episerver), who will cover installation, configuration, and usage of the Content Delivery API.

If you would like to attend the webinar, please register via this link: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/3692545284760879116

If you are unable to attend, we will be posting the recording in the "Videos tutorials" section of World: https://world.episerver.com/documentation/videos/

Welcome to the 3 new EMVPs!

Mon, 20 Jul 2020 21:57:20 GMT

On behalf of the EMVP Board, I have the honor of announcing and welcoming 3 new EMVPs today in recognition of their dedication and knowledge sharing within the Episerver community.

Congratulations to the new EMVPs:

Ravindra Rathore, Rightpoint, India, Developer EMVP
Praful Jangid, Rightpoint, India, Developer EMVP
Mark Ryan, Extractable, USA, Digital Strategist EMVP

They have all made significant contributions throughout 2019 and 2020 (and some for many years before that), sharing their knowledge, ideas, and skills with the entire community of Episerver partners and customers, and for that they are awarded the EMVP status.

Sadly, the EMVP group has also lost 2 members: Henrik Fransas and Dejan Caric. Both Henrik and Dejan were great members of the EMVP group and contributed greatly to the Episerver community over the years, and for that we thank them as they join the EMVP alumni.

With these changes, the Episerver Most Valuable Professional program has a total of 59 elite members.

You can learn more about the EMVP Program on world.episerver.com/emvp. If you know someone who should be an EMVP, send a nomination to chris (dot) sharp (at) episerver (dot) com. The EMVP Board meets once a quarter and evaluates incoming nominations.

Call for Episerver MVP Nominations

Tue, 09 Jun 2020 20:59:37 GMT

We are once again requesting your assistance in recommending those you feel should be made an Episerver Most Valued Professional (EMVP).

An EMVP is someone who actively – and consistently through a longer period of time – has done their utmost to help, support, and inspire others in the Episerver community. It is important to point out that we are looking for more than just developers; we are also looking for digital strategists. While the EMVP program started out focusing on developers who are writing technical blog posts and sharing code, we also know that there are many individuals in the community that also contribute with visionary and inspiring blog posts, videos, and public speaking sessions, sharing their knowledge and ideas freely with the broader Episerver community of customers and partners. The basic requirements for these EMVPs are the same as for the developers - to share and to inspire others.

You can learn more about the EMVP program at world.episerver.com/emvp.

If you have a person in mind who you think deserves to be recognized and would be a great fit for the EMVP group, please fill out this form:
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=eQ3APhoC1EKqyNyzWXPf8pKzYWmZHf9KizXSMKgeLXJUNDg1MVlWQUtQTE9aS0c4VllGMU1RMlJZNSQlQCN0PWcu

For the upcoming nominee review, we ask that you provide your nominations by June 20th.

This nomination form is also linked to from the EMVP landing page, which means you can nominate an individual at anytime throughout the year!

"Come Back Stronger" with FREE access to eLearning courses April 1 - June 30, 2020

Tue, 31 Mar 2020 22:14:24 GMT

Episerver is pleased to announce starting April 1st, we are kicking off our "Come Back Stronger" education initiative.

WIth this initiative, we are providing our partners and customers with free access to our eLearning courses via our self-paced learning platform, Episerver Academy, through the end of June 2020. Courses will be available for 30 days from the date of enrollment.

Episerver is committed to supporting our customers and partners through these unprecedented times. One of the ways we can do this, is by ensuring that you have the skills and knowledge to maximise your existing tools and capabilities. We at Episerver know the importance of ensuring that our customersand partners have the technical knowledge and expertise to successfully implement Episerver solutions. The education benefits provided assure a good competency flow.

The free training is extended to both business users, developers, or anyone who has an interest in learning about Episerver products. The business user training courses are ideal for content editors, marketers, administrators and anyone who needs to learn how to effectively manage solutions for the Episerver Digital Experience Platform. And whether you're a new or experienced developer, our training courses help you update your competencies as quickly and as effectively as possible.

For a full list of available eLearning courses, see: https://episerver.litmos.com/online-courses

Additionally from April 13th, our Episerver expert trainers will be running guided webinars for course attendees. During these sessions they will be extending some of the common topics and questions raised by regular course attendees. A full course schedule will be published on April 13th and recordings of the webinars will be made available afterwards.

More information about the "Come Back Stronger" education initiative can be found on our website.

If you have any further questions about this promotion, please reach out to education@episerver.com.

Welcome to the 3 new EMVPs!

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 22:17:11 GMT

On behalf of the EMVP Board, I have the honor of announcing and welcoming 3 new EMVPs today in recognition of their dedication and knowledge sharing within the Episerver community.

Congratulations to the new EMVPs:

Tomas Hensrud Gulla, Novacare, Norway, Developer EMVP
Darren Stahlhut, Luminary, Australia, Developer EMVP
Francisco Quintanilla, Verndale, Ecuador, Developer EMVP

They have all made significant contributions throughout 2019 and the start of 2020 (and some for many years before that), sharing their knowledge, ideas, and skills with the entire community of Episerver partners and customers, and for that they are awarded the EMVP status.

Sadly, the EMVP group has also lost 3 members: Deane Barker, Johan Petersson, and Daniel Berg. Both Deane and Daniel joined in 2010, and Johan joined in 2014. They've all made significant contributions to the Episerver community over the many years, and for that we thank them as they join the EMVP alumni.

With these changes, the Episerver Most Valuable Professional program has a total of 58 elite members.