choosing and deploying a content management system

The Challenge

A large financial services company, with offices in multiple locations, wanted to redesign and launch a 600 page web presence. The company had recently merged with several firms, and was working through organizational changes. They needed a content management system (CMS) to enable authoring, reviewing, editing, and publishing of web content. Applications needed to be developed for presenting performance information, ordering literature, tracking logged-in users, and searching the sites. There would be two sites, one for retail and one for professional audiences. Some of the content would be shared between the two audiences. The launch timeframe was tight, as the site was a part of a coordinated plan for re-branding the new firm.

The Solution

Simplexity provided a cost/benefit analysis covering both commercial and open source content management systems. An open source system with commercial support was selected. Simplexity developed a solution with customized editing tools and navigation and deployed the site using an information architecture developed collaboratively with the client. Choosing a highly customizable CMS product means that flexible applications needed for ongoing management are developed more easily. The system successfully integrates and presents information and documents from multiple originating sources.

Lessons Learned

Evolving companies have a difficult time deciding on technology, since good technology solution decisions are based on well documented and agreed-to specifications. Consensus on specifications are difficult in companies undergoing significant change. Developers need to be flexible in accommodating unpredictable change.

Identifying and prioritizing the business drivers at any organization considering sophisticated content management is critical; Is it support? Or cost? Or politics? Maybe it is just the way the system will be used – if so, you are one of the lucky ones! Evaluate carefully who the system users will be, and help identify the applications that create content, those that edit/publish content and those that manage look & feel. CMS's rarely do all three well.

Identify and communicate with all the stakeholders involved in critical decisions so that everyone owns a piece of the success.

For more information about how Simplexity can help you today, please email or call Eric Hughes at 510/763.4488.

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