Three years later, Day CQ 5 is still almost ready

Added By Kas Thomas at 31-Jul-2008 | Twitter: @KasThomas |

In prior blogs as well as the past several editions of The Web CMS Report 2008 (in the chapter on Day Software), we've mentioned the agonizingly long buildup to the release of Version 5 of Day Communiqué. The last major release (4.0) of Day CQ was in 2005. There have been two point-releases since then (4.2 is current), but the product's lackluster user interface remains a glaring sore point in what is otherwise a very capable and elegantly architected (if pricey) WCM platform.

The company promises that Version 5 will have much improved usability for administrators and content contributors alike. The problem is, Day has made many promises before regarding CQ 5. And they remain only that: just promises.

To be sure, Day has been plenty busy with product development. In the past year, the Basel, Switzerland-based firm released a DAM offering and a social-software package. And the core repository, CRX, underwent a major revision (1.4 was released only two weeks ago). But time and again, the CQ 5 release date gets pushed off.

Today comes word that the wait for CQ 5 may be almost over (yes, again): apparently, the product is finally in beta, actually being put through its paces by major customers, having undergone (and completed) a long "technical preview" phase. According to Jean-Michel Pittet (writing in a blog at dev.day.com), "There are about 80 editors producing content [with CQ 5 beta] already. This number is expected to increase into several hundred very soon." Anticipated final release date? Still late 2008.

I'm tempted to say Don't hold your breath. But you know what? This time, based not just on Pittet's blog but on recent conversations I've had with a number of Day insiders, I think the promises might actually come true.

Categories: Kas Thomas, Web Content Management, Marketplace at Large, Selecting Technology, Communiqué DAM, Communique