Open-source Fotoware plugin for Sitecore CMS

Xenario GmbH, now part of the Fotoware Group, presents an open-source plugin for Sitecore CMS. It is one of the world’s leading CMS providers that is used by more than 5,200 brands worldwide.

The Fotoware plugin was developed together with German energy provider GASAG Gruppe, which has been using Fotoware DAM for many years to manage their marketing-related digital assets. The plugin enables users to import images from their Fotoware DAM directly into their Sitecore media library. It is now shared publicly on GitHub and Reddit.

The plugin features include:

• Selecting and importing single images along with related metadata

• Image editing (Crop, Resize, Add Filters) with Fotoware tools before importing to Sitecore

• Synchronizing imported data with Fotoware

We caught up with Mattheo Brajko from GASAG Gruppe to learn more about how the plugin has helped them, and the importance of synchronizing your CMS and DAM.

Why have you decided to make the plugin open source?

When developing our products, we rely on many open-source solutions and benefit from the community. So, we wanted to give something back.

Other customers who use the Sitecore CMS and Fotoware can also use this solution to optimize their work. Moreover, because the plugin is open source, everyone can contribute to its development. This is something we and other users can only benefit from.

What was Xenario’s role in the development of this plugin?

Xenario GmbH was our technical contact throughout the entire project. We benefited from Xenario's extensive Fotoware experience at every stage of the development.

It started with a briefing of the technical possibilities, discussing best practices for the integration using the Fotoware API, and technical support during development.

In your opinion, who will benefit from using this plugin the most?

For now, these are our editors. They can fully concentrate on their work and do not worry about the media transfer between Fotoware and Sitecore.

But GASAG Gruppe benefits from this solution as a company too. It is yet another step towards our digital transformation process.

Learn more: DAM integrations - Build your content ecosystem

How do you see the future development of this plugin?

First and foremost, we want to ensure that connectivity between the latest versions of Sitecore and Fotoware is always guaranteed. So, we are in close contact with our editors. If there are requests for additional functions, we will consider and implement them.

Currently, there are no precise plans for future functionalities. But plugin users can submit requests via our Github repository or contribute to the development themselves.

© Short plugin demo, by Mattheo Brajko and Christopher Huemmer

In your opinion, why is it important to connect CMS with DAM system?

CMS and a DAM are not mutually exclusive systems. They rather benefit from being used at the same time and in the same network.

CMS, such as Sitecore, are often quite weak when it comes to the management of digital assets, the numbers of which are growing year by year. By combining CMS and DAM systems, such as Fotoware, each system can be used exactly for the area it covers best.

The DAM system will cover all functions related to digital asset management, such as storing and sharing. At the same time, CMS will help to create content, using these digital assets.

Read more: The benefits of integrating DAM and CMS

Where to learn more about the Sitecore plugin?

For requirements and step-by-step Installation Guide, visit the GitHub page.

Please note: while Fotoware works with all file types, such as documents and videos, the current version of the plugin support images only.