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OpenText Offers Migration Path
from xPression to Exstream

By Ecodocx Team
13 June, 2024

 

OpenText’s acquisition of EMC’s Enterprise Content Division (ECD) in 2016 brought a robust portfolio of tools, including Documentum, Captiva, and Document Sciences xPression, under its umbrella. While xPression has served organizations well for years, and remains a part of OpenText’s supported product portfolio, many customers are now exploring migration to OpenText Exstream, a modern and scalable solution for customer communications management (CCM).

Migrating from xPression to OpenText Exstream can unlock new possibilities for automation, scalability, AI/ML assisted authoring, template rationalization, and integration with any leading ERP and CRM applications, out-of-the-box integration with SAP, Salesforce, GuideWire, Duck Creek, and others*. However, migrating from xPression to OpenText Exstream requires careful planning, the right tools, and a reliable strategic approach. Let’s break down the migration options.

 

xPression Document Design Tools:

xPression customers utilize the following design tools to create customer communication-related documents:

  • xPresso for Microsoft Word: Focused on generating professional letters and text-driven communications.
  • xPresso for Adobe InDesign: Enables the creation of graphically dynamic and personalized documents like financial reports, marketing collateral, and multi-page statements.
  • xPresso for Adobe Dreamweaver: Supports the design of personalized HTML documents, featuring interactive elements such as dropdown menus, action buttons, and hyperlinks, for engaging digital communications.
  • xDesign (pdpx files): Used for creating sophisticated templates like policies. A single xDesign template can incorporate multiple subdocuments combining different xPresso formats. For example, a complex document might include:
    • A cover letter created with xPresso for Microsoft Word.
    • A financial statement or marketing insert designed with xPresso for Adobe InDesign, ideal for visually rich, frame-based documents such as statements, invoices, and catalogs.
    • Legal disclosures directly designed within xDesign.

 

xPression to OpenText Exstream Migration Paths

1. xPression to Exstream (Server-based) Migration:

  • xPression import utility: Lets you import your xPression designs and convert those designs into a OpenText Exstream (server-based) Design and Production-compatible format. Converted designs are stored as objects in the design database, just like objects that are created in Design Manager and Designer. You can then interact with the designs in Design Manager and Designer and produce output using the Exstream engine. The xPression import utility can convert most xPression features into equivalent Design and Production objects, but not all. 
  • PDF Converter: Imports and converts PDFs into Exstream Design Manager and Designer components for reuse. Designs are stored as objects in the design database, however, rules and logic will need to be manually reimplemented.

     

    2. xPression to Exstream (Cloud Native) Migration:

    • API-based Private CommsMigration SDK is available exclusively through OpenText Professional Services and authorized partners. The SDK allows to:
      • Recreate objects (Documents, Pages, other).
      • Recreate content, apply variables, and match fonts.
      • Identify and save rules for re-application in the new content.
    • Import Options (out-of-the-box):
      • Docx Import: Simplifies template migration for text-heavy documents.
      • PDF Design Import: Facilitates manual selection of design elements and content for migration.

     

    Conversion: What You Need to Know About 

    • Most common design patterns from xDesign will be targeted by OpenText Exstream 
    • Conversion will not be 100% automated. But OpenText offers migration tools, documentation, and best practices. 
    • Migration can be done by the customer’s in-house resources, OpenText professional services, or authorized leading service partners, like Ecodocx. We specialize in OpenText Exstream for 24+ years. 

     

     

    Summary

    OpenText proved its ambitions of saving its customers’ investments by offering a semi-automated migration path from xDesign to OpenText Exstream (server-based) and OpenText Exstream (cloud native).

    By migrating to OpenText Exstream, customers will not only be able to benefit from new functionality and many innovative features, but also join a big community of Exstream users, which includes many Fortune 500 leaders.

    In case your company is using xPression to generate documents, and is looking for an authorized and experienced service provider to help your team to upgrade to OpenText Exstream, look no further. We at Ecodocx are happy to help. More information can be found here. Or just contact us directly.

     

    Contact an Expert

    Request a consultation about migrating from xPression to Exstream.