Table of Contents
- Key Highlights
- Introduction
- IgniteTech's Vision Post-Acquisition
- The Role of the Aurora Platform
- Community Engagement and Leadership
- Collaboration with Community Experts
- Sponsorship and Global Outreach
- Transitioning to AI-Powered Solutions
- Supporting Legacy Systems
- IgniteTech's Commitment to Innovation
- The Future of Khoros
- FAQ
Key Highlights
- IgniteTech is enhancing the Khoros platform following its acquisition in May 2025, focusing on AI-driven customer engagement and community-led innovation.
- New AI features will be implemented on the Aurora architecture, aimed at transforming customer interactions and empowering community participation.
- The company is collaborating with community experts to redefine customer collaboration and ensure that user feedback shapes future developments.
Introduction
The digital landscape continues to evolve, particularly in how businesses engage with their customers. In this context, IgniteTech's recent acquisition of Khoros marks a pivotal moment in the realm of AI-driven enterprise software. The integration of AI capabilities into Khoros’s offerings signifies a commitment not just to technological advancement but also to fostering a community-centric approach that leverages user insights to enhance product development. IgniteTech's strategic vision aims to turn Khoros into a leader in customer engagement, utilizing AI to streamline interactions and elevate user experiences.
IgniteTech's Vision Post-Acquisition
With the acquisition of Khoros, IgniteTech is not merely seeking to enhance the existing product; the company is on a mission to rebuild it. According to Eric Vaughan, CEO of IgniteTech and Khoros, this undertaking involves partnering with customers and industry experts to bring clarity and urgency to the Khoros platform's future. The emphasis is clear: IgniteTech intends to create AI-driven solutions that deliver value at scale while retaining the community spirit that has been a hallmark of Khoros's legacy.
The Role of the Aurora Platform
Central to IgniteTech's strategy is the Aurora platform, which serves as the foundation for all future innovations. This modern architecture is specifically designed for AI integration and scalable customer engagement. As IgniteTech accelerates the rollout of new features, Aurora will enable the Khoros platform to transition from traditional search-driven support to a more dynamic, AI-powered ecosystem. This shift aims to maintain brand visibility in AI-generated answers and encourage active participation from community members.
Community Engagement and Leadership
A significant aspect of IgniteTech’s approach is its commitment to community engagement. The company has expanded its efforts to connect with Khoros customers and the global ecosystem, led by Michael Puhala, the Chief Community Evangelist at Khoros. His role involves facilitating conversations with customers and ensuring their voices are heard in shaping the platform's future. Puhala's perspective underscores the importance of community leadership in this new AI era, positioning Khoros as a facilitator of meaningful interactions rather than a mere service provider.
Collaboration with Community Experts
To bolster its community engagement initiatives, IgniteTech has enlisted the expertise of Jake McKee, a globally recognized community strategist. McKee’s extensive experience with brands like LEGO and Apple aligns well with IgniteTech's vision of merging Khoros's legacy with innovative AI capabilities. His role as a strategic advisor focuses on aligning community strengths with product development, ensuring that customer feedback directly influences Khoros’s evolution.
Sponsorship and Global Outreach
IgniteTech's commitment to community-driven innovation is further evidenced by its sponsorship of the Community-Led World Conference at London Community Week 2025. This event provides a platform for IgniteTech, Puhala, McKee, and Thibault Bridel-Bertomeu, Chief AI Officer, to engage with global community leaders and Khoros customers. The focused listening initiative aims to better understand the needs of current Khoros users and the broader direction of community management.
Transitioning to AI-Powered Solutions
As IgniteTech looks to the future, it recognizes the need to transition its offerings from traditional models to more sophisticated, AI-powered solutions. This includes developing capabilities that allow brands to maintain a presence in AI-generated content and elevate the contributions of high-engagement users. By guiding members from passive consumption to active participation, IgniteTech seeks to redefine customer engagement in the digital age.
Supporting Legacy Systems
While the focus is on the new Aurora platform, IgniteTech has made it clear that the Classic Community will continue to be supported during the transition. The company is adopting a measured approach to migrations, ensuring that customers will only move to the new system when it meets or exceeds their operational needs. This careful consideration demonstrates IgniteTech’s commitment to customer satisfaction and operational excellence.
IgniteTech's Commitment to Innovation
IgniteTech's transformation into an AI-first enterprise software company has been marked by significant investments in innovation. The company has launched several new AI-driven solutions, including Eloquens AI and MyPersonas, aimed at enhancing the capabilities of its product portfolio. This strategic focus on innovation is designed to keep IgniteTech at the forefront of the industry, responding to the evolving demands of businesses and their customers.
The Future of Khoros
Looking ahead, Khoros is set to undergo a significant transformation under IgniteTech’s leadership. The clear plan and dedicated team will prioritize customer needs, ensuring that innovation is aligned with the expectations of users. As the company phases out outdated models and embraces AI-driven strategies, Khoros is poised to become a leader in the community engagement space, setting new standards for customer interaction.
FAQ
What is IgniteTech's main goal with the acquisition of Khoros?
IgniteTech aims to rebuild and enhance the Khoros platform, focusing on AI-driven solutions and community engagement to improve customer interactions.
How will the Aurora platform impact Khoros?
The Aurora platform provides a modern architecture for all future innovations, enabling AI integration and scalable customer engagement, thus transforming the user experience.
Who is leading community engagement efforts at Khoros?
Michael Puhala, serving as Chief Community Evangelist, leads Khoros's community engagement initiatives, ensuring that customer voices play a crucial role in shaping the platform's future.
What does IgniteTech's collaboration with Jake McKee entail?
Jake McKee will act as a strategic advisor, aligning Khoros's community strengths with IgniteTech's product vision to enhance community engagement and innovation.
Will existing Khoros users have to migrate to the Aurora platform immediately?
No, IgniteTech will take a measured approach to migrations, ensuring that customers only transition when the new platform meets or exceeds their operational needs.