Global Cents Blog

What I Learned at OpenText World 2024: A Fresh Perspective on Simplicity and Innovation

Written by Global Cents | Nov 28, 2024 2:21:07 PM

This year at OpenText World my schedule was packed with attending sessions and meetings, but the best part was all the people I got to meet— customers, OpenText staff, and other partners. So many familiar faces who were curious about what we’ve been working on at Global Cents. A lot of them wanted to know more about our solutions for OpenText Extended ECM and how we’re helping businesses manage their content more effectively. 

But let’s talk about the big news from the event: OpenText is simplifying how they present their products. It’s a shift that makes things clearer not just for partners like us but for customers too. 

Simplifying Names: A Step Forward 

One of the key announcements was the rebranding of OpenText products. They’re moving to simpler, more descriptive names that make it easier to understand what each product does. It’s not just a name change—it’s about making things less complicated for everyone. 

The new branding revolves around three main categories: 

  1. Aviator: This is where all the AI features live, like the tools that use generative AI for smarter workflows. 
  2. Core: These are the SaaS-based solutions, designed for businesses using public cloud platforms. 
  3. Thrust: This covers the APIs that help connect and integrate systems.
 

What I liked about this approach is how straightforward it is. Instead of trying to decode technical names, you can immediately see what each product is meant to do. It’s a change that’s been a long time coming, and I’m glad to see it happening. 

Lots of Questions About Global Cents 

While I was running from one meeting to the next, I noticed a lot of people were stopping by to ask about what we do at Global Cents. There’s a real interest in how our solutions work with OpenText Content Management (Content Server / Extended ECM). Whether it’s simplifying document lifecycles or automating processes, the questions people asked showed they’re eager to find ways to make their work easier. 

It was energizing to have those conversations, especially with people who were looking for practical ways to solve real problems. Moments like these reminded me why we do what we do—to help businesses get more done without headaches. 

Exciting Ideas Around Automation and Security 

One of the other big themes of the event was how OpenText is making technology work harder for us. AI agents were a hot topic—tools that don’t just follow instructions but can make decisions and drive workflows on their own. OpenText is calling this “Agentic AI,” and while the term might sound technical, the idea is simple: let technology handle the repetitive tasks so we can focus on what really matters. 

Security was another focus, and it’s clear OpenText is doubling down on making things safer. From smarter defenses against cyber threats to integrating biometrics for added security, they’re making sure businesses can grow without worrying about their data. 

My Takeaways from OpenText World 

Here are some of the key points that stuck with me: 

  1. AI That Works for You 
    The idea of AI agents running workflows and making decisions is no longer a dream. OpenText is making it real, and it’s exciting to see where this will go.  
  2. Integration Without the Headaches
    OpenText’s approach to multi-cloud systems ensures everything works together seamlessly, giving businesses one source of truth. 
  3. Safety Is Non-Negotiable 
    Security is always a priority, and OpenText’s new tools make sure businesses can innovate without risking their data.  
  4. Clearer Names Make Life Easier 
    OpenText’s rebranding is a breath of fresh air. It’s straightforward and makes their solutions more relatable.  
  5. Better Ways to Share and Build 
    Their new API services make it easier to share data securely and build apps that solve real problems. 

Looking Ahead 

OpenText World left me with a lot to think about. Between the conversations I had with customers/partners and the ideas shared during the sessions, it’s clear we’re heading into an exciting time for businesses that rely on the OpenText ecosystem. 

For me, agentic AI was the highlight. Let’s use AI as a tool to increase automation.  Organizations are always looking for a competitive advantage and ways to be more efficient. I think using AI correctly can do both for many companies. And after this event, I’m more excited than ever to see how Global Cents can continue helping businesses make the most of these tools. 

If you haven’t already, dive deeper into how AI agents could change the way we work. It’s not just the future—it’s what’s happening right now. 

Would you like to book a meeting with me? 

Meet Tom, CEO at Global Cents! 

https://content.globalcents.com/meetings/tlilly 

Tom Lilly, CEO at Global Cents, has spent over 25 years working with CIOs to reduce cycle times, operational costs, and improve initial quality. Specifically, Tom has equipped Fortune 1,000 companies with critical Enterprise Content Management solutions, add-ons, and extensions for OpenText Content Server.