The Choice is Yours

Best Practice Guidance on Selecting the Right Technology #ektron v8.5

Should I use __A__ or __B__?

A BFramework API Search API

DMS Library

PageBuilder Page ASP.NET Page

PageBuilder Widget ASP.NET User Control

Content List Collection

Should I use Framework API or Search API?

Framework API• Returns a ContentData

object• Queries against the source

of truth• Queries against

ContentData properties• Express simple criteria using

Filters

Search API• Returns a SearchResult

object• Search Index is not instantly

updated• Queries against properties

that span types (taxonomy, etc)

• Express complex criteria using expression trees

Should I use DMS or Library?

DMS• Assets are added as first class

content items• Provides all content

capabilities to assets, like permissions and approvals

• Is used primarily for content centric documents, like Office Documents and PDFs

• Is also used for images when history and approvals are needed

Library• Items are added as simple

resources, not as first class content items

• Is not content, therefore provides no history, approvals, etc.

• Used primarily for web simple resources such as a company logo

Should I use a PageBuilder Page or ASP.NET Page?

PageBuilder Page• Supports assembling new

landing pages, micro-sites, and web pages in the browser

• Allows page and elements to be created, controlled, and configured by Marketers

• Provides page-level permissions, approvals, workflow, etc.

ASPX Page• Provides exclusive IT control

over page development and its behavior through Visual Studio

• Is used when you need to create web application with few or no content requirements

Should I use a ASP.NET User Control or Widget?

PageBuilder Widget• Is used exclusively within the

context of a PageBuilder Page• Is an extension of a .NET User

Control• Provides browser-based

control to content managers and marketers over its behavior

• Typically encapsulates content centric functionality

ASP.NET User Control• Is used to encapsulate

functionality within an ASPX Page

• Is used within a PageBuilder Page when you need not provide Marketers with ability to configure or edit the control’s properties within a browser

Should I use a Content List or Collection?

Content List• Is a list of content items

generated dynamically using the API (Framework, Search) or a Server Control

• Used when there are rules that describe the characteristics of the items in the list, e.g. Today’s PDFs

• Used when the items in the list may change frequently

Collection• Is a manually curated list of

content items• Provides tight editorial

control over the items in the list

• Used when items contained within the list are updated infrequently