InformationWeek

Automated approval routing lets you efficiently send all proposed changes to the appropriate people for evaluation and tracks the status of each change. Some systems will integrate cleanly with your in-house E-mail system, adding another level of much-needed automation. Some of the high-end systems will model your entire Web-site work flow from start to finish, in addition to enabling basic-change approval routing and authorization. Fatwire's Update Engine and products from Interwoven and Ncompass offer useful site-visualization tools.

If deployment is a key portion of your management needs--and for most enterprises, it is--make absolutely sure the content-management software supports your file system and environment. If you deploy your content across a virtual private network using FTP, for instance, your solution must support those options.

In addition, a product that can automatically deploy content to multiple sites is a must if your environment in-volves more than one live site. Some vendors, such as Inktomi, specialize specifically in the publishing and deployment end of content management, particularly for large, complex deployments.

And in these days of Web publishing to multiple form factors, such as personal digital assistants and Web-enabled phones, make sure the content-management system you choose will seamlessly manage and deploy content to as many platforms as you need to support. Among the platforms to keep in mind are the standard Web site, the emerging WAP (Wireless Application Protocol), and Web clipping, to name a few.

Somewhat less common, but valuable to many companies, are management tools to aid with site design and maintenance. Integrated site-visualization and content-creation tools, such as those you'll find with products from Allaire Corp. and NetObjects Inc., could be a plus. This kind of functionality is still the exception rather than the rule, however, with many shops using standalone, third-party tools or even relying on whiteboards and text editors. But most products provide at least some level of support for or integration with the top content-creation tools.

On the back end of most sites are essential tasks, such as link checking, performance monitoring, and statistical logging and reporting. These also are still commonly performed via third-party tools. Look for full-featured Web site content-management packages, such as NetObjects' Collage, to integrate an increasing amount of site creation and maintenance functionality. The more Web operations you can integrate effectively, the more efficiently and problem-free your Web site will run.

Another, more subjective area to examine is whether the product you're evaluating has true integration between the components or whether it's a conglomeration of individual, disconnected pieces. If you want true start-to-finish content management, you'll need something that's more than a collection of parts thrown "shovelware style" into a box--even if those individual parts are sold as best of breed. Integration is a key factor here, so make sure your solution actually will simplify your operations.

The best way to do this is to get some hands-on time with the product or read a comprehensive review before you buy. When evaluating products in this area, the goal is seamless movement and clean work flow between various functions, with a simple, unified user interface.

For these products, one key point of differentiation that is not susceptible to capture in a features chart is the degree to which the product will need to be customized. Some of the low-to middle-end Web-site content-management products are bought off the shelf and are designed to fit into most corporate environments and sites with a minimum of modification.

If you have a very large, complex site or a network of sites, however, it may be necessary to move into the top tier of content-management platforms. This is where you'll find Interwoven's Team Site, InfoOffice 4.0 from the company of the same name, and similar products that may require extensive customization. But after all the customization is complete, your solution will fit perfectly. On the other end of the scale are products such as those from Macromedia Inc., which are generally used out of the box.

You want a Web site content-management system that simplifies your operations to the greatest degree possible. Gone are the days when enterprises can rely on a canny Webmaster to be the central point of management for an entire site or series of sites. Hand-cobbled content and quick-and-dirty Perl scripts simply won't cut it anymore for sites of any real size and complexity--it's time to use tools that reflect the current and evolving state of Web-site creation and operation. The alternative is an out-of-control site, unhappy customers and users, and a frazzled, overworked Web staff.

return to page 1