ektron synergy 2014 - a case study in using mvc with ektron
DESCRIPTION
Learn why you might consider using Microsoft’s MVC framework to build your next Ektron site. Presented by Kurt Wiersma, Senior Manager, Web Development, American Academy of Neurology.TRANSCRIPT
A CASE STUDY IN USING MVC WITH EKTRON
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Kurt Wiersma American Academy of Neurology [email protected]
Who am I?• Developed web apps for over 11 years • Have used the MVC pattern with Java, ColdFusion (CFML), C#, and Python
• Lead a team of 3 other devs
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Agenda• AAN Background • MVC Pros & Cons • Our Architecture • Mobile • Tips and Tricks • Q & A
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AAN Background• We are a pro association for over 27,000 neurologists across the world
• Hadn't been completely redesigned since 2007 • Moved from CF to .Net MVC with C# • Moved from a home grown CMS to Ektron 8.7 • Hired C2 as Ektron implementation experts
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View (html, cshtml)
Controller
Model (people, places, things)
View Model
What is MVC?
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MVC Pros• Clean separation makes enhancements and unit testing
easier • Mobile site was quick and easy to build • Could customize how the site works (didn't use Ektron
widgets) • Dev Team was familiar with it • Excellent Ektron API
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MVC Cons• No in-‐place editing for content updates • You cannot use PageBuilder • Cannot use pre-‐built Ektron UI widgets • Limited docs and examples
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PageController
AliasMvcHandlerEktronAliasManager
Ektron API
View Model
Razor View
EktronPageService
Mobile Layout
Desktop Layout
Our Architecture
Server Environments• Dev -‐ test new Ektron releases changes to our MVC app – TeamCity build server
• Staging -‐ updates done here • Production -‐ 2 virtual servers & a load balancer
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Mobile
Server Side User Agent Detection
Server Side User Agent Detection
Content Update UX
!http://staging.aan.com/WorkArea/edit.aspx?id=130
Tips & Tricks• Getting started & URL Aliasing • Internal Libraries – User login / account management – Shared layout
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Resources• Ektron MVC Dev Center Article
– https://developer.ektron.com/experts/derek-‐barka/ektron-‐cms-‐asp-‐net-‐mvc-‐sample/
• Ektron MVC Sample Code
– https://developer.ektron.com/Templates/CodeLibraryDetail.aspx?id=461&blogid
• Phone User-‐Agent Detection
– http://detectmobilebrowsers.com
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Special Thanks• AAN Development Team: Mike Bishop, Nick Weber, and Andrew Leaf
• The C2 Group • Ektron: Jon Kee, James Stout
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Questions?• With answers (hopefully!)
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