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1 +{{velocity}}
2 +#set ($discard = $xwiki.ssx.use('PublicWebSite.WebHome'))
3 +{{html clean="false"}}
4 +
5 + <section class="resource-header" aria-labelledby="hero-title">
6 + <div class="container">
7 + <div class="text-center">
8 + <div class="hero-kicker">
9 + <i class="fa fa-exchange" aria-hidden="true"></i>
10 + XWiki migration and collaboration guidance
11 + </div>
12 + </div>
13 +
14 + <h1 id="hero-title">From Google Workspace to XWiki: a practical transition guide</h1>
15 +
16 + <p class="resource-summary">
17 + A practical guide for moving durable knowledge, documentation and governance from Google Workspace
18 + into XWiki, while keeping the right tools for real-time editing, files, meetings and communication.
19 + </p>
20 + </div>
21 + </section>
22 +
23 + <section class="resource-page">
24 + <div class="container">
25 + <div class="resource-layout">
26 +
27 + <aside class="resource-sidebar" aria-label="Page summary">
28 + <h4>In this guide</h4>
29 + <ul>
30 + <li><a href="#main-idea">Main idea</a></li>
31 + <li><a href="#workspace-map">Google Workspace map</a></li>
32 + <li><a href="#replacement-map">What can move to XWiki</a></li>
33 + <li><a href="#what-belongs-in-xwiki">What belongs in XWiki</a></li>
34 + <li><a href="#not-xwiki">What should not move</a></li>
35 + <li><a href="#open-source-stack">Open-source alternatives</a></li>
36 + <li><a href="#transition-plan">Transition plan</a></li>
37 + <li><a href="#pilot">Pilot example</a></li>
38 + <li><a href="#adoption">Adoption guidance</a></li>
39 + <li><a href="#implementation">XWiki features to implement</a></li>
40 + <li><a href="#example-architecture">Example architecture</a></li>
41 + <li><a href="#related-resources">Related resources</a></li>
42 + <li><a href="#faq">FAQ</a></li>
43 + </ul>
44 + </aside>
45 +
46 + <article class="resource-content">
47 +
48 + <p>
49 + Moving an organization away from <a href="https://workspace.google.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Google Workspace</a>
50 + is rarely just a software migration. It is also a change in habits, ownership, permissions, document lifecycle
51 + and the way people expect collaboration to happen.
52 + </p>
53 +
54 + <p>
55 + Google Workspace is often successful because it is the default place where people write documents, share files,
56 + collaborate in real time, collect information, meet, chat and search. This makes any transition feel difficult,
57 + especially when users are already comfortable with the existing tools.
58 + </p>
59 +
60 + <div class="resource-note">
61 + <p>
62 + <strong>The practical position:</strong> XWiki should not be presented as a full one-to-one replacement for
63 + Google Workspace. XWiki is strongest as the structured knowledge layer: official documentation, working group
64 + spaces, policies, procedures, meeting notes, decisions, knowledge bases, governance content and maintained
65 + organizational memory.
66 + </p>
67 + </div>
68 +
69 + <div class="resource-note">
70 + <p>
71 + <strong>Summary recommendation:</strong> use XWiki as the trusted knowledge and governance layer. Move official
72 + documentation, procedures, decisions, policies, meeting outcomes and maintained knowledge into XWiki. Keep
73 + real-time office editing, email, calendar, chat, video meetings and large file sync in dedicated tools that
74 + can integrate with or link back to XWiki.
75 + </p>
76 + </div>
77 +
78 + <p>
79 + A realistic transition does not start by moving everything out of Google Drive. It starts by deciding what kind
80 + of information should become durable, structured and maintained in XWiki, and what kind of work should remain
81 + in office, file-sharing, communication or meeting tools.
82 + </p>
83 +
84 + <h2 id="main-idea">The main idea: do not replace the suite, replace the knowledge problem</h2>
85 +
86 + <p>
87 + The strongest argument for XWiki is not that it can imitate Google Workspace. The strongest argument is that
88 + it can solve a problem that often appears inside Google Workspace over time: scattered documents, unclear
89 + ownership, duplicated files, weak navigation, old links, inconsistent permissions and no obvious place for
90 + the trusted version of important knowledge.
91 + </p>
92 +
93 + <p>
94 + A useful message for an organization is:
95 + </p>
96 +
97 + <div class="resource-note">
98 + <p>
99 + <strong>Use Google-style office tools for fast drafting and real-time editing when needed. Use XWiki for
100 + trusted, maintained, structured knowledge that people need to find and rely on later.</strong>
101 + </p>
102 + </div>
103 +
104 + <h2 id="workspace-map">What Google Workspace usually provides</h2>
105 +
106 + <p>
107 + Before proposing a transition, it is important to understand why users are attached to Google Workspace.
108 + They are not only attached to a document editor. They are attached to an entire collaboration habit.
109 + </p>
110 +
111 + <table class="table table-bordered table-striped">
112 + <thead>
113 + <tr>
114 + <th>Google Workspace area</th>
115 + <th>What users usually value</th>
116 + <th>Typical organizational risk over time</th>
117 + </tr>
118 + </thead>
119 + <tbody>
120 + <tr>
121 + <td>Google Docs</td>
122 + <td>Fast writing, real-time editing, comments and suggestions.</td>
123 + <td>Documents become isolated files instead of part of a maintained knowledge structure.</td>
124 + </tr>
125 + <tr>
126 + <td>Google Drive</td>
127 + <td>Easy file sharing, folders, ownership and external collaboration.</td>
128 + <td>Folder structures grow organically and become difficult to clean up or govern.</td>
129 + </tr>
130 + <tr>
131 + <td>Google Sheets</td>
132 + <td>Simple trackers, lists, budgets, lightweight databases and reports.</td>
133 + <td>Business processes become hidden in spreadsheets without clear ownership or validation.</td>
134 + </tr>
135 + <tr>
136 + <td>Google Slides</td>
137 + <td>Presentation creation and sharing.</td>
138 + <td>Final knowledge remains locked in presentation files instead of reusable documentation.</td>
139 + </tr>
140 + <tr>
141 + <td>Google Forms</td>
142 + <td>Quick surveys, registration forms and internal data collection.</td>
143 + <td>Collected data may not become part of a structured internal process.</td>
144 + </tr>
145 + <tr>
146 + <td>Google Sites</td>
147 + <td>Simple internal or public pages.</td>
148 + <td>Content may be separated from the broader knowledge base and governance model.</td>
149 + </tr>
150 + <tr>
151 + <td>Gmail, Calendar, Meet and Chat</td>
152 + <td>Communication, scheduling, meetings and quick coordination.</td>
153 + <td>Decisions and knowledge remain scattered in messages, meetings and informal conversations.</td>
154 + </tr>
155 + </tbody>
156 + </table>
157 +
158 + <h2 id="replacement-map">What can move to XWiki, and what should only partially move</h2>
159 +
160 + <p>
161 + A good transition separates content by purpose. Some content belongs naturally in XWiki. Some content should
162 + remain in office collaboration tools. Some content should be moved to other open-source or self-hostable
163 + systems that complement XWiki.
164 + </p>
165 +
166 + <table class="table table-bordered table-striped">
167 + <thead>
168 + <tr>
169 + <th>Current Google Workspace usage</th>
170 + <th>XWiki replacement or equivalent</th>
171 + <th>Fit</th>
172 + <th>Recommended transition</th>
173 + </tr>
174 + </thead>
175 + <tbody>
176 + <tr>
177 + <td>Official documentation in Google Docs</td>
178 + <td><a href="https://www.xwiki.org/xwiki/bin/view/Documentation/UserGuide/Features/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">XWiki pages</a>, spaces, navigation, page history, comments and permissions.</td>
179 + <td>Excellent</td>
180 + <td>Move final and maintained documentation to XWiki pages.</td>
181 + </tr>
182 + <tr>
183 + <td>Policies, procedures and governance documents</td>
184 + <td>XWiki pages with templates, metadata, review dates, ownership and approval workflows.</td>
185 + <td>Excellent</td>
186 + <td>Move to XWiki and add lifecycle rules.</td>
187 + </tr>
188 + <tr>
189 + <td>Meeting notes</td>
190 + <td>XWiki meeting note templates inside team or working group spaces.</td>
191 + <td>Excellent</td>
192 + <td>Start new meeting notes in XWiki and link older notes when useful.</td>
193 + </tr>
194 + <tr>
195 + <td>Working group or committee documents</td>
196 + <td>XWiki spaces with homepage, members, notes, decisions, documents and tasks.</td>
197 + <td>Excellent</td>
198 + <td>Create one structured space per group.</td>
199 + </tr>
200 + <tr>
201 + <td>Decision records</td>
202 + <td>XWiki decision page template with context, options, decision, owner and date.</td>
203 + <td>Excellent</td>
204 + <td>Move decisions out of scattered Docs, email and chat.</td>
205 + </tr>
206 + <tr>
207 + <td>Google Sites pages</td>
208 + <td>XWiki spaces and pages, public or private depending on rights.</td>
209 + <td>Very good</td>
210 + <td>Move informational pages to XWiki when they need structure, history or governance.</td>
211 + </tr>
212 + <tr>
213 + <td>Shared file archive</td>
214 + <td>XWiki attachments, File Manager-style applications or linked external storage such as <a href="https://nextcloud.com/files/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nextcloud Files</a>.</td>
215 + <td>Good, with limits</td>
216 + <td>Use XWiki for curated files attached to knowledge pages, not for massive file sync.</td>
217 + </tr>
218 + <tr>
219 + <td>Simple trackers in Google Sheets</td>
220 + <td>XWiki structured applications, <a href="https://extensions.xwiki.org/xwiki/bin/view/Extension/App%20Within%20Minutes%20Application" target="_blank" rel="noopener">App Within Minutes</a> or custom XWiki apps.</td>
221 + <td>Good for structured records</td>
222 + <td>Move recurring lists with stable fields; keep complex spreadsheets elsewhere.</td>
223 + </tr>
224 + <tr>
225 + <td>Collaborative drafting in Google Docs</td>
226 + <td>XWiki real-time editing or office document integrations such as <a href="https://www.onlyoffice.com/docs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ONLYOFFICE Docs</a> or <a href="https://www.collaboraonline.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Collabora Online</a>.</td>
227 + <td>Partial</td>
228 + <td>Use XWiki for final content; test collaborative editing needs separately.</td>
229 + </tr>
230 + <tr>
231 + <td>Forms and surveys</td>
232 + <td>XWiki forms for internal structured data; <a href="https://www.limesurvey.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">LimeSurvey</a> for advanced surveys.</td>
233 + <td>Partial</td>
234 + <td>Use XWiki for workflow forms, not necessarily for all survey campaigns.</td>
235 + </tr>
236 + <tr>
237 + <td>Slides and presentation decks</td>
238 + <td>XWiki pages for the reusable knowledge behind the presentation; office tools for authoring.</td>
239 + <td>Limited</td>
240 + <td>Store final slides as attachments if needed, but document the core knowledge in XWiki.</td>
241 + </tr>
242 + </tbody>
243 + </table>
244 +
245 + <h2 id="what-belongs-in-xwiki">What belongs naturally in XWiki</h2>
246 +
247 + <p>
248 + XWiki is a strong destination for information that should be easy to find, maintain, discuss, review and trust
249 + over time.
250 + </p>
251 +
252 + <table class="table table-bordered table-striped">
253 + <thead>
254 + <tr>
255 + <th>Content type</th>
256 + <th>Example</th>
257 + <th>Why XWiki is a good fit</th>
258 + </tr>
259 + </thead>
260 + <tbody>
261 + <tr>
262 + <td>Organizational knowledge</td>
263 + <td>How the organization works, who owns what, internal processes.</td>
264 + <td>Structured spaces, navigation, search and page history make the knowledge easier to maintain.</td>
265 + </tr>
266 + <tr>
267 + <td>Working group spaces</td>
268 + <td>Homepage, members, meetings, decisions, documents and open questions.</td>
269 + <td>Each group gets a stable knowledge home instead of a folder full of unrelated files.</td>
270 + </tr>
271 + <tr>
272 + <td>Policies and procedures</td>
273 + <td>Security policy, onboarding procedure, publication process, governance rules.</td>
274 + <td>Ownership, review date, approval state and history can be made explicit.</td>
275 + </tr>
276 + <tr>
277 + <td>Decision records</td>
278 + <td>Why a tool was selected, why a policy changed, why a migration approach was chosen.</td>
279 + <td>Decisions become searchable and linked to related documentation.</td>
280 + </tr>
281 + <tr>
282 + <td>Community documentation</td>
283 + <td>Member guides, contribution guides, public project pages, FAQs.</td>
284 + <td>XWiki can support public and private content with a consistent structure.</td>
285 + </tr>
286 + <tr>
287 + <td>Structured internal apps</td>
288 + <td>Registers, inventories, simple approval requests, directories, lists.</td>
289 + <td>XWiki can model structured data instead of leaving every process in a spreadsheet.</td>
290 + </tr>
291 + </tbody>
292 + </table>
293 +
294 + <h2 id="not-xwiki">What should not be replaced by XWiki</h2>
295 +
296 + <p>
297 + A credible transition guide should clearly explain where XWiki is not the right tool. This avoids unrealistic
298 + expectations and helps the organization design a better collaboration stack.
299 + </p>
300 +
301 + <table class="table table-bordered table-striped">
302 + <thead>
303 + <tr>
304 + <th>Need</th>
305 + <th>Why XWiki is not the best replacement</th>
306 + <th>Better direction</th>
307 + </tr>
308 + </thead>
309 + <tbody>
310 + <tr>
311 + <td>Email</td>
312 + <td>XWiki is not an email platform.</td>
313 + <td>Keep the existing mail system or evaluate dedicated mail/groupware solutions.</td>
314 + </tr>
315 + <tr>
316 + <td>Calendar and scheduling</td>
317 + <td>XWiki can display or manage calendar-like information, but it is not a full scheduling suite.</td>
318 + <td>Use a groupware platform such as <a href="https://nextcloud.com/groupware/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nextcloud Groupware</a> or keep the existing calendar system.</td>
319 + </tr>
320 + <tr>
321 + <td>Video meetings</td>
322 + <td>XWiki is not a video conferencing system.</td>
323 + <td>Use <a href="https://jitsi.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jitsi</a>, <a href="https://nextcloud.com/talk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nextcloud Talk</a> or another dedicated meeting tool.</td>
324 + </tr>
325 + <tr>
326 + <td>Instant messaging and chat</td>
327 + <td>XWiki comments and notifications do not replace real-time chat.</td>
328 + <td>Use <a href="https://element.io/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Matrix/Element</a>, <a href="https://mattermost.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mattermost</a>, Nextcloud Talk or another chat platform.</td>
329 + </tr>
330 + <tr>
331 + <td>General file sync and desktop folder replacement</td>
332 + <td>XWiki attachments are useful around pages, but XWiki is not designed as a Dropbox or Drive sync client.</td>
333 + <td>Use Nextcloud Files or another file sync and sharing platform.</td>
334 + </tr>
335 + <tr>
336 + <td>Heavy spreadsheets</td>
337 + <td>Complex formulas, pivot tables, financial models and large spreadsheet workflows are not XWiki's role.</td>
338 + <td>Use ONLYOFFICE, Collabora, LibreOffice or another office suite.</td>
339 + </tr>
340 + <tr>
341 + <td>Presentation authoring</td>
342 + <td>XWiki can document knowledge and store final files, but it is not a presentation editor.</td>
343 + <td>Use ONLYOFFICE, Collabora, LibreOffice Impress or another presentation tool.</td>
344 + </tr>
345 + <tr>
346 + <td>Large survey campaigns</td>
347 + <td>XWiki can collect structured data, but advanced surveys need branching, reporting and respondent management.</td>
348 + <td>Use LimeSurvey or another survey platform.</td>
349 + </tr>
350 + </tbody>
351 + </table>
352 +
353 + <div class="resource-note">
354 + <p>
355 + <strong>In practice:</strong> the goal is not to make XWiki do everything. The goal is to make XWiki the
356 + trusted home for maintained knowledge, while integrating or linking to the right tools for files, office
357 + editing, chat, meetings and identity.
358 + </p>
359 + </div>
360 +
361 + <h2 id="open-source-stack">Open-source alternatives that can complement XWiki</h2>
362 +
363 + <p>
364 + For organizations trying to reduce dependency on Google Workspace, XWiki can be part of a broader open-source
365 + collaboration architecture. The exact stack depends on hosting preferences, support needs, security requirements
366 + and user expectations.
367 + </p>
368 +
369 + <table class="table table-bordered table-striped">
370 + <thead>
371 + <tr>
372 + <th>Collaboration need</th>
373 + <th>Possible open-source or self-hostable contender</th>
374 + <th>How it works with XWiki</th>
375 + </tr>
376 + </thead>
377 + <tbody>
378 + <tr>
379 + <td>Structured knowledge base</td>
380 + <td><a href="https://www.xwiki.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">XWiki</a></td>
381 + <td>Main platform for documentation, governance, knowledge management and structured pages.</td>
382 + </tr>
383 + <tr>
384 + <td>File sync and file sharing</td>
385 + <td><a href="https://nextcloud.com/files/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nextcloud Files</a></td>
386 + <td>Use for general file storage and sharing; link important files from XWiki pages when needed.</td>
387 + </tr>
388 + <tr>
389 + <td>Office document editing</td>
390 + <td><a href="https://www.onlyoffice.com/docs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ONLYOFFICE Docs</a> or <a href="https://www.collaboraonline.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Collabora Online</a></td>
391 + <td>Use for documents, spreadsheets and presentations; integrate with XWiki where office attachments must be edited directly.</td>
392 + </tr>
393 + <tr>
394 + <td>Chat and team messaging</td>
395 + <td><a href="https://element.io/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Matrix/Element</a>, <a href="https://mattermost.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mattermost</a> or Nextcloud Talk</td>
396 + <td>Use for real-time conversations; move durable decisions and outcomes back into XWiki.</td>
397 + </tr>
398 + <tr>
399 + <td>Video meetings</td>
400 + <td><a href="https://jitsi.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jitsi</a> or Nextcloud Talk</td>
401 + <td>Use for calls; store agendas, notes and decisions in XWiki.</td>
402 + </tr>
403 + <tr>
404 + <td>Surveys and advanced forms</td>
405 + <td><a href="https://www.limesurvey.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">LimeSurvey</a></td>
406 + <td>Use for survey campaigns; publish results or documentation in XWiki.</td>
407 + </tr>
408 + <tr>
409 + <td>Identity and SSO</td>
410 + <td><a href="https://www.keycloak.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Keycloak</a>, existing Google identity, Microsoft Entra ID or another OIDC/SAML provider</td>
411 + <td>Use SSO so users access XWiki without a separate password and with mapped groups where appropriate.</td>
412 + </tr>
413 + </tbody>
414 + </table>
415 +
416 + <h2 id="transition-plan">A practical transition plan</h2>
417 +
418 + <p>
419 + The safest transition is gradual. The organization should not begin by migrating every Google Drive folder.
420 + That approach creates too much noise, too many permission questions and too many low-value documents.
421 + </p>
422 +
423 + <h3>1. Define the role of XWiki</h3>
424 +
425 + <p>
426 + Start with a clear rule:
427 + </p>
428 +
429 + <div class="resource-note">
430 + <p>
431 + <strong>XWiki is the place for official, maintained and reusable knowledge. Office tools are for temporary
432 + drafting, spreadsheets, presentations and real-time editing when they are truly needed.</strong>
433 + </p>
434 + </div>
435 +
436 + <p>
437 + This prevents users from seeing XWiki as just another storage location. It gives XWiki a distinct purpose.
438 + </p>
439 +
440 + <h3>2. Identify high-value content first</h3>
441 +
442 + <p>
443 + Do not migrate by volume. Migrate by value.
444 + </p>
445 +
446 + <table class="table table-bordered table-striped">
447 + <thead>
448 + <tr>
449 + <th>Move early</th>
450 + <th>Move later or archive</th>
451 + <th>Usually do not move</th>
452 + </tr>
453 + </thead>
454 + <tbody>
455 + <tr>
456 + <td>Policies, procedures, onboarding guides, public docs, working group pages, decision records.</td>
457 + <td>Older project files, historical meeting notes, reference documents with unclear ownership.</td>
458 + <td>Draft files, personal documents, complex spreadsheets, presentation working files, temporary collaboration docs.</td>
459 + </tr>
460 + </tbody>
461 + </table>
462 +
463 + <h3>3. Create templates before asking people to write</h3>
464 +
465 + <p>
466 + Empty wiki pages slow adoption. Users should not have to decide the structure every time.
467 + </p>
468 +
469 + <p>
470 + Useful starting templates include:
471 + </p>
472 +
473 + <ul>
474 + <li>Working group homepage</li>
475 + <li>Meeting notes</li>
476 + <li>Decision record</li>
477 + <li>Policy or procedure</li>
478 + <li>Project homepage</li>
479 + <li>FAQ page</li>
480 + <li>Onboarding page</li>
481 + <li>External collaboration page</li>
482 + </ul>
483 +
484 + <h3>4. Reduce login friction with SSO</h3>
485 +
486 + <p>
487 + If users need another account and another password, adoption becomes harder. XWiki should be connected to the
488 + organization's identity provider where possible. This can use XWiki authentication integrations such as
489 + <a href="https://extensions.xwiki.org/xwiki/bin/view/Extension/OpenID%20Connect/OpenID%20Connect%20Authenticator/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">OpenID Connect</a>,
490 + SAML or LDAP, and can also support cleaner group mapping and a better external collaborator lifecycle.
491 + </p>
492 +
493 + <h3>5. Define permissions and ownership rules</h3>
494 +
495 + <p>
496 + Access rights should be designed before content is migrated. A common model is:
497 + </p>
498 +
499 + <table class="table table-bordered table-striped">
500 + <thead>
501 + <tr>
502 + <th>Area</th>
503 + <th>Recommended ownership</th>
504 + <th>Typical access</th>
505 + </tr>
506 + </thead>
507 + <tbody>
508 + <tr>
509 + <td>Public documentation</td>
510 + <td>Documentation or communication owner</td>
511 + <td>Public view, restricted edit.</td>
512 + </tr>
513 + <tr>
514 + <td>Internal knowledge base</td>
515 + <td>Operations, staff or knowledge management owner</td>
516 + <td>Authenticated view, controlled edit.</td>
517 + </tr>
518 + <tr>
519 + <td>Working group space</td>
520 + <td>Working group chair or coordinator</td>
521 + <td>Group members edit, others view depending on sensitivity.</td>
522 + </tr>
523 + <tr>
524 + <td>Board or restricted area</td>
525 + <td>Named administrative owner</td>
526 + <td>Explicit restricted group access.</td>
527 + </tr>
528 + <tr>
529 + <td>External collaboration area</td>
530 + <td>Internal sponsor</td>
531 + <td>Limited groups, expiration or periodic review.</td>
532 + </tr>
533 + </tbody>
534 + </table>
535 +
536 + <h3>6. Migrate content into structure, not just into pages</h3>
537 +
538 + <p>
539 + A migration that only copies Google Docs into XWiki pages may reproduce the same confusion in a different
540 + platform. Each migrated page should have a place, an owner and a reason to exist.
541 + </p>
542 +
543 + <p>
544 + For each migrated document, decide:
545 + </p>
546 +
547 + <ul>
548 + <li>Who owns this page?</li>
549 + <li>Is it current, historical or archived?</li>
550 + <li>Who can view it?</li>
551 + <li>Who can edit it?</li>
552 + <li>Does it need a review date?</li>
553 + <li>Should it remain as an attachment instead of becoming a wiki page?</li>
554 + <li>What related pages should link to it?</li>
555 + </ul>
556 +
557 + <h3>7. Keep a transition dashboard</h3>
558 +
559 + <p>
560 + A simple XWiki dashboard can make the transition visible and manageable.
561 + </p>
562 +
563 + <table class="table table-bordered table-striped">
564 + <thead>
565 + <tr>
566 + <th>Dashboard section</th>
567 + <th>Purpose</th>
568 + </tr>
569 + </thead>
570 + <tbody>
571 + <tr>
572 + <td>Content selected for migration</td>
573 + <td>Shows the high-value documents that are being moved first.</td>
574 + </tr>
575 + <tr>
576 + <td>Content needing an owner</td>
577 + <td>Prevents orphan pages from entering the new system.</td>
578 + </tr>
579 + <tr>
580 + <td>Content to keep in Google or office tools</td>
581 + <td>Makes it clear that not everything must move.</td>
582 + </tr>
583 + <tr>
584 + <td>External access review</td>
585 + <td>Tracks documents or spaces shared with people outside the organization.</td>
586 + </tr>
587 + <tr>
588 + <td>Recently migrated pages</td>
589 + <td>Helps users see progress and discover the new structure.</td>
590 + </tr>
591 + </tbody>
592 + </table>
593 +
594 + <h2 id="pilot">A good pilot: one working group space</h2>
595 +
596 + <p>
597 + A strong pilot is small enough to control but useful enough to prove value. For example, one working group,
598 + committee, project team or community group can move its durable knowledge into XWiki while keeping office
599 + tools for drafting and spreadsheets when needed.
600 + </p>
601 +
602 + <p>
603 + A pilot space could include:
604 + </p>
605 +
606 + <table class="table table-bordered table-striped">
607 + <thead>
608 + <tr>
609 + <th>Page or section</th>
610 + <th>Purpose</th>
611 + </tr>
612 + </thead>
613 + <tbody>
614 + <tr>
615 + <td>Working group homepage</td>
616 + <td>Explains the purpose, scope, members, links and current priorities.</td>
617 + </tr>
618 + <tr>
619 + <td>Meeting notes</td>
620 + <td>Uses a consistent template so notes are easy to scan and search.</td>
621 + </tr>
622 + <tr>
623 + <td>Decisions</td>
624 + <td>Captures important decisions separately from long meeting notes.</td>
625 + </tr>
626 + <tr>
627 + <td>Documents</td>
628 + <td>Links official documents, policies and important files.</td>
629 + </tr>
630 + <tr>
631 + <td>Open questions</td>
632 + <td>Tracks unresolved topics without hiding them in chat or email.</td>
633 + </tr>
634 + <tr>
635 + <td>FAQ</td>
636 + <td>Collects recurring questions from the community.</td>
637 + </tr>
638 + <tr>
639 + <td>External links</td>
640 + <td>Provides a bridge to Google Drive, Nextcloud, issue trackers or other systems still in use.</td>
641 + </tr>
642 + </tbody>
643 + </table>
644 +
645 + <div class="resource-note">
646 + <p>
647 + <strong>Pilot success question:</strong> Can members find the current and trusted version of important
648 + information faster than before?
649 + </p>
650 + </div>
651 +
652 + <h2 id="adoption">How to encourage adoption</h2>
653 +
654 + <p>
655 + People do not usually change collaboration habits because a new platform exists. They change when the new
656 + platform makes an important part of their work easier, clearer or more reliable.
657 + </p>
658 +
659 + <h3>Use simple rules</h3>
660 +
661 + <table class="table table-bordered table-striped">
662 + <thead>
663 + <tr>
664 + <th>Rule</th>
665 + <th>Example</th>
666 + </tr>
667 + </thead>
668 + <tbody>
669 + <tr>
670 + <td>If it is official, it belongs in XWiki.</td>
671 + <td>Policies, procedures, final decisions, project documentation.</td>
672 + </tr>
673 + <tr>
674 + <td>If it is temporary drafting, it can stay in an office editor.</td>
675 + <td>Collaborative draft document, presentation working file.</td>
676 + </tr>
677 + <tr>
678 + <td>If it is a complex spreadsheet, do not force it into XWiki.</td>
679 + <td>Budget model, calculations, reporting workbook.</td>
680 + </tr>
681 + <tr>
682 + <td>If it was decided in a meeting or chat, summarize it in XWiki.</td>
683 + <td>Decision record linked from meeting notes.</td>
684 + </tr>
685 + <tr>
686 + <td>If nobody owns it, do not migrate it as current content.</td>
687 + <td>Mark as archive or leave in the old system until reviewed.</td>
688 + </tr>
689 + </tbody>
690 + </table>
691 +
692 + <h3>Make leadership use the new structure</h3>
693 +
694 + <p>
695 + Adoption is much harder if important announcements and decisions still point only to Google Docs or Drive
696 + folders. When leadership links to XWiki as the trusted source, the platform becomes part of the organization’s
697 + daily rhythm.
698 + </p>
699 +
700 + <h3>Start with visible wins</h3>
701 +
702 + <p>
703 + The first XWiki spaces should be better organized than the Google Drive folders they replace. They should have
704 + navigation, page templates, useful links, ownership, clear permissions and recent activity. Users need to feel
705 + that XWiki is not just another repository, but a better way to understand the organization.
706 + </p>
707 +
708 + <h2 id="implementation">Practical XWiki features to implement early</h2>
709 +
710 + <p>
711 + The following XWiki improvements can make a Google Workspace transition easier to accept:
712 + </p>
713 +
714 + <table class="table table-bordered table-striped">
715 + <thead>
716 + <tr>
717 + <th>XWiki feature</th>
718 + <th>Why it helps adoption</th>
719 + </tr>
720 + </thead>
721 + <tbody>
722 + <tr>
723 + <td>SSO with OIDC, SAML or LDAP</td>
724 + <td>Reduces login friction and aligns XWiki with the organization’s identity system.</td>
725 + </tr>
726 + <tr>
727 + <td>Page templates</td>
728 + <td>Prevents blank-page confusion and creates consistent documentation habits.</td>
729 + </tr>
730 + <tr>
731 + <td>Working group space model</td>
732 + <td>Gives each team or community group a clear home.</td>
733 + </tr>
734 + <tr>
735 + <td>Metadata fields</td>
736 + <td>Adds owner, status, review date, audience and document type.</td>
737 + </tr>
738 + <tr>
739 + <td>Comments and annotations</td>
740 + <td>Supports discussion around pages without losing context.</td>
741 + </tr>
742 + <tr>
743 + <td>Notifications</td>
744 + <td>Keeps users aware of changes in the spaces they follow.</td>
745 + </tr>
746 + <tr>
747 + <td>Structured applications</td>
748 + <td>Replaces some spreadsheet-based lists with maintainable data-driven apps.</td>
749 + </tr>
750 + <tr>
751 + <td>Approval workflows or change requests</td>
752 + <td>Supports governance for official documents and sensitive content.</td>
753 + </tr>
754 + <tr>
755 + <td>Office document integration</td>
756 + <td>Allows attached office documents to be edited when page-based content is not enough.</td>
757 + </tr>
758 + </tbody>
759 + </table>
760 +
761 + <h2 id="example-architecture">Example collaboration architecture</h2>
762 +
763 + <p>
764 + A realistic open collaboration architecture may look like this:
765 + </p>
766 +
767 + <table class="table table-bordered table-striped">
768 + <thead>
769 + <tr>
770 + <th>Layer</th>
771 + <th>Recommended role</th>
772 + </tr>
773 + </thead>
774 + <tbody>
775 + <tr>
776 + <td><a href="https://www.xwiki.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">XWiki</a></td>
777 + <td>Structured knowledge, documentation, governance, working group spaces, policies and decisions.</td>
778 + </tr>
779 + <tr>
780 + <td><a href="https://nextcloud.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nextcloud</a></td>
781 + <td>General file storage, file sharing, sync clients and optional groupware.</td>
782 + </tr>
783 + <tr>
784 + <td><a href="https://www.onlyoffice.com/docs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ONLYOFFICE</a> or <a href="https://www.collaboraonline.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Collabora</a></td>
785 + <td>Office document editing for documents, spreadsheets and presentations.</td>
786 + </tr>
787 + <tr>
788 + <td><a href="https://element.io/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Matrix/Element</a> or <a href="https://mattermost.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mattermost</a></td>
789 + <td>Real-time messaging and team coordination.</td>
790 + </tr>
791 + <tr>
792 + <td><a href="https://jitsi.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jitsi</a> or <a href="https://nextcloud.com/talk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nextcloud Talk</a></td>
793 + <td>Video meetings and calls.</td>
794 + </tr>
795 + <tr>
796 + <td><a href="https://www.keycloak.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Keycloak</a> or existing identity provider</td>
797 + <td>SSO, group mapping and identity lifecycle.</td>
798 + </tr>
799 + <tr>
800 + <td><a href="https://www.limesurvey.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">LimeSurvey</a></td>
801 + <td>Advanced surveys and research-style data collection.</td>
802 + </tr>
803 + </tbody>
804 + </table>
805 +
806 + <div id="related-resources" class="resource-note related-resources">
807 + <p><strong>Related Agnease resources:</strong></p>
808 + <ul>
809 + <li><a href="$xwiki.getURL('services.xwiki-migrations')">XWiki migration services</a></li>
810 + <li><a href="$xwiki.getURL('services.xwiki-authentication-access-control')">Authentication and access control for XWiki</a></li>
811 + <li><a href="$xwiki.getURL('resources.xwiki-custom-development')">How to customize XWiki without creating upgrade problems</a></li>
812 + <li><a href="$xwiki.getURL('resources.xwiki-access-rights-governance')">Why XWiki access rights need a clear governance model</a></li>
813 + <li><a href="$xwiki.getURL('resources.xwiki-security-review')">What an XWiki security review should actually include</a></li>
814 + </ul>
815 + </div>
816 +
817 + <h2 id="faq">FAQ</h2>
818 +
819 + <details class="resource-faq-item" open>
820 + <summary>Can XWiki replace Google Workspace completely?</summary>
821 + <p>
822 + Not realistically. XWiki should not be presented as a full replacement for email, calendar,
823 + video meetings, chat, file sync, spreadsheets and presentation editing. It is much better
824 + positioned as the structured knowledge and documentation layer.
825 + </p>
826 + </details>
827 +
828 + <details class="resource-faq-item">
829 + <summary>Can XWiki replace Google Docs?</summary>
830 + <p>
831 + It can replace many Google Docs that are actually long-term documentation: policies,
832 + procedures, notes, decisions, guides and knowledge base articles. For fast real-time drafting
833 + or complex office formatting, an office editor such as ONLYOFFICE or Collabora may still be useful.
834 + </p>
835 + </details>
836 +
837 + <details class="resource-faq-item">
838 + <summary>Can XWiki replace Google Drive?</summary>
839 + <p>
840 + Partially. XWiki can manage attachments around knowledge pages and can support file-oriented
841 + applications, but it should not be treated as a full desktop file sync and sharing platform.
842 + Nextcloud is usually a better fit for that role.
843 + </p>
844 + </details>
845 +
846 + <details class="resource-faq-item">
847 + <summary>What is the best first step?</summary>
848 + <p>
849 + Start with one high-value pilot: a working group, committee, department or project that has
850 + real documentation pain. Create the structure, templates, permissions and migration rules for
851 + that pilot before expanding.
852 + </p>
853 + </details>
854 +
855 + <details class="resource-faq-item">
856 + <summary>How do you convince users to try XWiki?</summary>
857 + <p>
858 + Do not start by saying that XWiki is replacing everything. Start by showing that XWiki gives
859 + users a clearer, more reliable place for trusted knowledge: the current document, the owner,
860 + the status, the related decisions and the wider context.
861 + </p>
862 + </details>
863 +
864 + <details class="resource-faq-item">
865 + <summary>What should remain outside XWiki during transition?</summary>
866 + <p>
867 + Temporary drafts, complex spreadsheets, presentation working files, ongoing external collaborations
868 + and anything without a clear owner can remain outside XWiki until the organization has a reason
869 + to migrate or replace that workflow.
870 + </p>
871 + </details>
872 +
873 + </article>
874 + </div>
875 + </div>
876 + </section>
877 +
878 + <section class="cta-section" aria-labelledby="google-workspace-xwiki-cta-title">
879 + <div class="container">
880 + <div class="cta-panel">
881 + <h2 id="google-workspace-xwiki-cta-title">Planning a transition from Google Workspace to XWiki?</h2>
882 + <p>
883 + Agnease can help evaluate what should move to XWiki, what should remain in office collaboration tools,
884 + and how to design the right structure, permissions, templates, SSO and migration approach.
885 + </p>
886 + <a class="btn btn-primary" href="$xwiki.getURL('contact.WebHome')">Request a consultation</a>
887 + </div>
888 + </div>
889 + </section>
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1 +Google Workspace to XWiki: Open Source Collaboration Migration Guide | Agnease