Content Management SystemsEquals

Distributed Web SiteMaintenance

Robert Gulick, EdDDBA / Technology Trainer

gulickb@parmacityschools.org

Carmi GulickFifth Grade Teacher

carmiguli@parma.k12.oh.us

Goals

● What is a Content Management System (CMS?)

● How to select a CMS.

● Results: How using one can impact your district, building, department and staff Web sites.

What is a CMS?

● A tool (either Web based or client based) used to maintain the content of a Web site.

● Typically uses a database for content storage.

● Many use a template model for page layout control.

What did Parma City Schools Select

● CommonSpot (www.PaperThin.com)● Started on version 3.0 now on version 4.5● Quick demonstration

Why use CMS?

• Empowers many users to contribute to the development and maintenance of a Web site

• Does not require knowledge of HTML or FTP• No external FTP required• No holes in firewall

Why use CMS?

• Helps to enforces content guidelines through an approval process

• Enforces– Style and Branding– Common navigation– Changes to templates affect entire site

Why use CMS?

• Section 508 compliance– www.Section508.gov – Differently abled visitors to a Web site must

have an equal experience– Required of Federal Agencies– Fonts, colors, image based content v. text

based content, frames

How to pick a CMS

• What technologies are required?– Database

• MSSQL, MySQL, Postgres, Zope

– Server Operating System• Linux, Solaris, Windows

– Programming Language• ASP.Net, ColdFusion, Java, PHP

– Web Server• Apache, IIS

How to pick a CMS

• Contributor Interactions– Via Web site or via client?

• Requires a specific browser if Web based?

– WYSIWYG or Code?– Drop and Drag?– Upload documents / images?– Spell checking?

How to pick a CMS

• Visitor Interactions– Friendly URL?– Require plug-ins?– Browser compatibility?– Search tool?

How to pick a CMS

● Costs (Initial / Ongoing)● Licensing Model – By contributor, pages, server● Maintenance Costs – 10% to 15% yearly is typical● Support Costs – Is there an active users group?● Extra hardware (database server)● Extra software (database server, app server)● Try before you buy

How to pick a CMS

• Security / Approval Process – Does it have one?– Can approval flow be customized?– How are users informed of approval requests,

errors?– How are users maintained?– LDAP integration?– Custom groups?

How to pick a CMS

• Site Design and Control– Multiple

editable templates?

– Lockable elements?

– Scheduling content?

How to pick a CMS

● Built in Applications● Calendar?● Discussion / Forums?● Internal Search Tool?● Photo Gallery?● Extensible (create integrate own Web programs?)

● Web site CMS + Web Calendar Custom Program

Planning and Implementation of the Site

• Hosting options (internal v. external hosting) • Designing branding / color schemes• Develop style guidelines• Develop approval procedures• Identify who will do what• Plan for growth and

modifications

Training staff

● Created our own materialsavailable on the Web site

● Trained eight trainers● Multiple after school sessions● Half day during the day session● One-on-one sessions

So what are the cons?

• Power Web developers will feel confined• Workflow requires people in the workflow to

check in• Maintenance of servers and software a must• Requires more 'server horsepower‘

(Web and database) than static HTML Web site

Major Vendors?

● www.cmsmatrix.orgcompare major and minor players● 504 as of 1/14/06● 254 as of 2/3/05

● Some focus on education market ● Most 'tip their hat' to education with some

discounts / programs● Many open source solutions

(http://opensourcecms.com/)

Results?

● Before● Several addresses● No consistency

between sites● No standards

compliance / reviews● 1 author per site

● After● One address ● Branding / navigation

is enforced● Review / approval

process● 200 current authors

(50 active in any given month)

Results?Visits

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

30000

35000

40000

45000

50000

SY Average Visitors / month

Average Visits / Month

SY03 1,532 3,310

SY04 6,026 20,843

SY05 10,112 24,340

SY06 16,220 33,943

The End

● Materials and link at:● www.ParmaCitySchools.org/presentations

● E-Mail:● gulickb@parmacityschoolsorg