By Mike Pnematicatos, CEO and Chief Architect, Merlin Software
The World Does Not Stand Still
At his trial, where he was forced to recant his belief that the Earth revolved around the Sun, Galileo is reputed to have whispered under his breath: “And yet it moves.”
We believe that sentiment is more relevant than ever.
The world does not stand still.
And neither do we.
This year, Merlin Software celebrates its 20th anniversary, and it is a good moment to reflect on what that really means. Over the past two decades, we have built what is arguably one of the most comprehensive and feature-rich software platforms in the vacation ownership and resort management industry.
Merlin was also the first cloud-native solution in our sector when it launched in 2006.
It would have been easy to stop there. Build the platform, keep it running, and simply reap the rewards.
But that was never an option.
Technology moves forward constantly. Software that does not evolve quickly becomes outdated. If you want your platform to remain relevant, you have to keep pace with the technology surrounding it.
Keeping our infrastructure up to date is the easy part. Our entire server environment, hosted by Rackspace, has recently been upgraded, and we operate on the latest version of Microsoft SQL Server.
But infrastructure alone is not the answer.
The real question is: what about the software itself?
As you would expect from a technology leader, we are not standing still. We have embarked on a major undertaking to re-engineer the entire Merlin platform, moving it from its current architecture to the latest technology stack.
At the heart of this effort is the redevelopment of Merlin Core.
We are rebuilding the front end from ASP Classic into a modern PrimeVue single-page application. This new generation of the platform is called Merlin Prime, distinguishing it from the existing Merlin Classic that many of you know today.
The experience will remain familiar. Merlin Prime will still be module-driven and menu-driven, with the navigation, filters, and data grid displays users rely on every day. The difference is that it will now be built using modern frameworks designed for performance, scalability, and long-term evolution.
Behind the scenes, we have already completed significant groundwork.
Our web services layer has been fully reengineered using modern .NET Core APIs, and our business logic layer, implemented in SQL stored procedures, has been upgraded to what we internally refer to as Version 2 (V2).
This is a substantial undertaking.
Merlin Core contains thousands of pages, all of which must be rewritten and converted to PrimeVue. It will take time and considerable effort to complete. But every long journey begins with the first steps, and we are well on our way.
At the same time, we are also modernising our Merlin Web Apps.
These are being rebuilt using PrimeVue components, while our design teams are using AI tools to assist with front-end design and layout creation. Designers can now build responsive interfaces quickly, even without traditional coding experience.
Our development teams then connect those modern interfaces to the Merlin backend through our .NET Core API layer, creating responsive, scalable web applications that work seamlessly across devices.
Maintaining a technology platform is a little like painting the Golden Gate Bridge. No sooner do you reach the far bank than you have to begin again from the side you started on. Stop painting for too long and eventually the structure begins to rust.
The same applies to software.
Our partners who rely on Merlin can be confident of one thing: they will never be driving over a rusty bridge.
In fact, we are doing more than repainting. We are strengthening cables, replacing structural components, and modernising the entire structure.
The one thing we do not need to worry about is the foundation.
Every time we extend or enhance Merlin, we are reminded that the underlying database architecture was designed to evolve. It supports extensions and new functionality in ways that many platforms struggle to achieve.
People often ask how we managed to design it that way.
The answer is quite simple.
Before we became software engineers, we were timeshare developers and operators. We understood the operational realities of the industry before we ever started writing code.
When you know how an industry works, you can build software that truly supports it.
Perhaps the question resorts should be asking their current technology providers is this:
What are you doing to keep your bridge in good condition?
And how strong are your foundations?
If your bridge is starting to feel a little rusty and unstable, it may be time to look at something stronger.
Just like Elizabeth Taylor, who was said to occasionally remark, “I feel like a new man,” you might soon find yourself feeling like a brand-new bridge.
And if nothing seems to be moving in your technology world right now, no one is forcing you to recant.
But you might want to say it loudly anyway:
“And yet it moves.”
If you would like to see what Merlin has built over the past 20 years, and what comes next with Merlin Prime, contact Mike Ashton or complete the form to arrange a demonstration.
Frequently Asked Questions about Merlin Prime
1. What is Merlin Software?
Merlin Software is a cloud-based platform built for the vacation ownership, timeshare, and resort management industries. It manages reservations, owner records, accounting, sales, marketing, and operational reporting within one integrated system.
At the centre of the platform is Merlin CORE, supported by a wider ecosystem that includes Business Apps, Portal Apps, and integrations designed to support both resort operations and owner engagement.
2. What is Merlin Prime?
Merlin Prime is the next generation of the Merlin platform.
It is a full redevelopment of Merlin CORE using modern technology. The new system is being built as a PrimeVue single-page application, designed to deliver improved performance, scalability, and a modern user interface while keeping the familiar navigation and workflows that Merlin users rely on.
Merlin Prime ensures the platform continues to evolve and support the future needs of resort operators.
3. Why is Merlin rebuilding its platform?
Technology does not stand still, and software platforms must evolve to remain secure, scalable, and effective.
As Merlin celebrates 20 years since launching its cloud-native platform in 2006, the company is investing in a major re-engineering of the entire platform. This includes modern APIs, updated architecture, and redesigned web applications to support the next generation of resort management technology.
