In this blog, we will explore different versions of Kentico to understand it from the start and analyze how it can help you in creating a dynamic user experience.
Kentico Versions throughout the years
Kentico has Version 1, Version 2, Version 3, Version 4, Version 5, Version 6, Version 7, Version 8, Version 9, Version 10, Version 11, Version 12 and the latest one Version 13.
Version 1 of Kentico had introduced features such as Content Management, Content Scheduling, Content Staging, Document Types, Document-level permissions, E-commerce, File Import, Forums, Friendly URLs, Image Gallery, Newsletter, Online Forms, Page Templates, Recycle Bin, Secured Pages, and Versioning.
The Version 2 included Blogs, Multi-lingual Support, Multi-site Management, Polls, Portal Engine, Reporting, User Contributions and Web Analytics.
Kentico 3 introduced the Booking System, Google Maps integration, as well as a personal messages.
Next released in in Feb 2008 was Kentico 4
Kentico 4 included Avatars, Categories, Custom Tables, Full-text Search, Groups, Media Library, Message Boards, Notifications, Tags, etc.
Similarly in Version 5 they brought departments, Document Library, Intranet Solution, Project Management, SharePoint Connector, UI Personalization, WebDAV, and Widgets.
Released in 2011, Version 6 was one with a lot of new features.
It included A/B testing, Automatic Upgrades, Contract Management, Enhanced Email Marketing, Export to Excel, CSV, XML, Health Monitoring, HTML and CSS Validation, Import Toolkit, Layout Webparts, K# Macro Language, Lead Scoring, MTV Testing, Personalization, Segmentation, Silent Install, and Windows Service for Scheduling.
Again in 2012, Kentico 7 came out with features like Accessibility Validator, Advanced Mobile Device Detection, Amazon S3 Integration, Banner Management, Data.com Connector, GeoIP (MaxMind GeoLite database), Marketing Automation, Mobile Layouts, Mobile Preview, Native MVC Support, On-site Editing, Security Policy, Team Development, Translation Management, Visual Rule Designer, Wireframes, and Visual Workflow Designer.
Next up was Version 8 came out in 2014.
This version included A/B Testing Improvements, CKEditor v4.3, CSS Preprocessors Support, Form Builder, Module Development, New Installer, Personas, Product Variants, ReCaptcha Integration, Social Marketing Analytics, Strands Recommender Integration, as well as Support for Windows Azure SDK 2.2.
Further there were Versions 8.1, 8.2, that included LinkedIn Integrations, SharePoint Integration, as well as Online Marketing Performance Monitoring, Modules Improvements, SharePoint Bi-directional Synchronization, Support for Separated Database in the Upgrade Process, and Translation Improvements
Kentico 9 brought with it Anti-cross Site Request Forgery Tokens, ASP.NET MVC Support, Custom Module Development Model, Integrated Campaign Management, Tagging and Filtering Options in Staging, Web Farm Support Optimized for Cloud Deployments, and enhancements in Web Parts and Widget Usage.
Released in 2016, Version 10 included Responsive Images Management, MVC for Online Marketing, MVC for E-commerce, Contact Management Redesign, Campaigns Redesign, Subscriber Management Improvements, Kentico.Librarie NuGet Feed, Roslyn Compiler - Enhanced First Page Load Time, Enhanced Continuous Integration Support, Advanced Filtering in Continuous Integration, Support for SQL Server 2016, Open-sourcing AD Import Toolkit, Universal Permissions for Localization Application, Integration with Picturepark, Compare for Kentico, and Power BI Integration.
Kentico Version 11 included GDPR and Data Protection Support, Email Builder, Faceted Search, Azure Search, Gift cards, Multiple Coupon Codes Redeeming, and Extended Categorization of SKUs, Delayed Payments, Personas History, Improved Email Feed Report, Campaign and Email Insights, Staging Support in the Continuous Integration, Modular E-commerce Framework, Improved Tax Management, Google Analytics E-commerce Tracking Support, Multi-factor Authentication (TOTP), Macro Signature Identities, and C# 6.0 Support.
Meanwhile in Version 12 there were features such as Page Builder, Widgets, Content Personalization, Form Builder, Smart Forms, E-commerce Business API, and MaxMind GeoIP2 Geolocation Database Support.
The latest one is the Version 13 that has had total 10 refresh versions in it
Firstly, released with features such as Enhanced Marketing Automation, Reusable Content, Platform enhancements including new page type features, Search, Dynamic Routing, and more, a future-proof web framework and ASP.NET Core MVC, Kentico Toolkit for third-party platforms and Integrations with voice assistants Amazon Alexa and Google Home.
In the refreshed versions, there were things added such as:
Kentico 13.1
- Powerful Search Index
- Object Selector
- Content personalization using Recombee AI
- .NET Core Debug
- Cache Tag Helper
- Bynder Selector
Kentico 13.2
- Sentiment Analysis
- Copy-pasting widgets in Page Builder
- Culture Alias Support for Dynamic Routing
- Form Builder Section Properties
Kentico 13.3
- Selecting multiple pages using the Content selector
- Widget Zone Restrictions
- Widget Zone Names
Kentico 13.4
- Leveraging AI image recognition for alternative descriptions of images
- Using image description for alternative text when inserting content from Media Library
- Intercom chatbot integration
- Disqus integration
- Jira integration
Kentico 13.5
- Media Library assets usage tracking
- Algolia integration
- .Net 6 support
Kentico 13.6
- Google Search Console integration
- MS Dynamics 365 integration
- SendGrid integration
- UX Enhancements
Kentico 13.7
- Improving the efficiency of Meda Library search
- Enhanced UX in widget properties
- Looker Studio integration (formerly Google Data Studio)
Kentico 13.8
- Scheduled redirect for documents with defined "Publish to"
- Scheduled deactivation of marketing automation process
- Using macros in document metadata fields
- reCAPTCHA v3 integration
- Twilio SMS integration
- Salesforce integration
Kentico 13.9
- Copy-pasting sections in Page Builder
Kentico 13.10
- Support for WebP and SVG formats
Conclusion
Kentico has significantly evolved over the years and makes continuous improvements as well as adds new features. Whether you are looking for a CMS or a DXP solution, Kentico has a suite of features that can meet all your business needs.