Need a suggestion on implementing a discussion board/community/forum with AEM

[andrewb8668]

We're starting the process of migrating to AEM, working with an implementation partner to get up and running. As a side project, we're trying to determine how to add the functionality of a typical discussion board/community forum to the new AEM site. At first we thought it would be easy, using the Adobe Communities product as an add-on to AEM. Unfortunately, it seems Adobe is no longer offering that product to new customers. 

So... what are some viable options? Are the Adobe Communities features now built-in to AEM? Or is a third-party solution or custom development the only choice? Any advice or suggestion is greatly appreciated!

[zonroc]

In the past, there was a Communities module for this purpose. 

https://docs.adobe.com/content/help/en/experience-manager-64/communities/introduction/overview.html

You need to research if this still exists. 

[andrewb8668 · Accepted solution]

The Communities module exists, but it's no longer available for sale. It looks like Adobe is planning to retire it.

[kautuk_sahni]

Please reach-out to the support for this.

[andrewb8668]

OK, let's reset here.

We've established that the Adobe Communities module for AEM is no longer available to new customers. 

My question is this: What is a good alternative? In other words, if we can't use Adobe Communities because we're a new customer and they won't sell it to us, what solution (third-party or otherwise) would provide us with basic discussion board functionality?