Hello @laurenspicer and @nancyVigo . Thank you for your patience. Your question prompted some good conversation on our end, so I moved this to a new space dedicated to these questions. We will build out this space much further in the next few weeks. For now, let's get you answers to your questions:
Hi! Thanks for the question—happy to share details on our experience and what customers can expect.
To date, we’ve successfully completed 85+ customer upgrades from 1WorldSync Item Management to Syndigo. These upgrades span a variety of customer sizes and data complexities, and the process has become repeatable and well‑defined based on those learnings. Importantly, upgrades are fully opt‑in and completed only at the customer’s request—customers are not required or forced to upgrade at this time.
What the Upgrade Process Looks Like Today
Customers who express interest in upgrading go through a short eligibility review to confirm readiness based on their current product usage and features (such as Digital Catalog). Once confirmed, the upgrade follows a structured, well‑defined process guided by a Syndigo Upgrade Specialist.
Common Concerns & Impacts
Based on completed upgrades, the most common factors that can impact timelines are:
- Synchronization errors or draft‑state items - These should be reviewed and corrected prior to upgrade, as draft items and sync errors cannot be migrated. This review phase is the most frequent cause of delays.
- Blackout Period Concerns - Up to 14‑business‑day blackout period during the Item Management data purge is often the biggest concern for customers. To mitigate risk:
- We download and retain a full copy of the customer’s Item Management data before the purge
- We validate with the customer that all data has been successfully migrated into Syndigo prior to any purge activity
This approach has proven effective and has helped customers feel confident throughout the transition, with a dedicated Syndigo team partnering closely with customers from planning through completion.
Eligibility & Readiness
Not all customers are eligible for an upgrade at this time. Eligibility is determined through a brief review that considers factors such as current product configuration and feature usage (including Digital Catalog), as well as overall data readiness. Customers who are not yet eligible can continue operating in Item Management until a future upgrade window.
Why Customers Choose to Upgrade
While upgrading is optional, many customers choose to do so because of the value it provides, including:
- Proactively consolidating content solutions into a single, modernized Syndigo platform
- Simplifying ongoing item and content management for core, GDSN, and enhanced content
Customers who actively engage during the data review phase typically experience a smooth and predictable upgrade. Our completed upgrades demonstrate that with proper preparation and dedicated guidance, the transition from Item Management to Syndigo can be completed successfully with minimal risk.
