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Roll Your Own Content Management System

Roll Your Own CMS

Evolution of a Content Management System- June 2000……….Inherited static site at ist.psu.edu

maintained in NetObjects Fusion. - Converted to Dreamweaver. - Wrote proposal to set up ColdFusion.- September 2000 to January 2001..Set up ColdFusion Environment: - Converted all display pages to .cfm, - Moved all information into database.

- Created Add/Update Forms for Own Use in populating site.

- Fall 2001……CMS fully functional and expanding to manage other office record-keeping

functions.

Roll Your Own CMS

Evolution of a Content Management System- June 2001….Turned over first set of forms to primary author: ist.psu.edu/news.

News editor was happy. I was happy. - Summer 2001…..……Set up content management forms for all areas of site.

Began distributing forms to primary authors. Trained them.

- Never looked back.

Database

user id

password

ColdFusionon Web Server

Forms Web

Roll Your Own CMS

Today- 25 Primary Authors & Assistants Manage Content.- Site has grown to about 2,000 records.

- No longer “Webmaster –Typist.”- Saved a lot of $$$$ & have gotten a lot of buy-in.- CMS undergoes continuous improvement. - I spend my time:

Refining Programming & DatabaseSetting Up New Dynamic FeaturesDocumenting System & ProcessesTraining Staff, Students on ColdFusion, Databases, CMSLearning New Stuff

- Other office functions integrating with CMS.

Roll Your Own CMS

Advantages of Rolling Your Own

- Platform- Database

Can integrate more smoothly into current architecture

- Security- Software

- Network

Roll Your Own CMS

Advantages of Rolling Your Own- Begin with high-need, high-return information

Possible to build incrementally, on as-needed basis

- Develop standards and employ code reuse, replication of forms, templates, data structures…

- Expand according to priorities

News

Roll Your Own CMS

Advantages of Rolling Your OwnAn Example of Building Incrementally

Events StudentNews

AlumniNews

HomePage

CustomNewsPages

portal.psu.edu

events.psu.edu

Roll Your Own CMS

Advantages of Rolling Your Own

- custom features: newsletters, calendars, news services

- data management needs: employee information, contacts…Can be more easily customized to organization’s needs

- your Web site’s design, needs of different audiences

- integrate programming, technologies to populate other services (e.g. XML)

- primary authors’ need/desire to maintain own content

Roll Your Own CMS

Advantages of Rolling Your OwnCan be far less expensive

- In the Short-runCreation Maintenance

- In the Long-run

ExpansionUpgradesCustomization

Roll Your Own CMS

Advantages of Rolling Your Own

- Developers

Can use existing resources

- Software- Programming- Site managment- Database

- Designers- Writer/Editors

- Database Administrators

Roll Your Own CMS

Advantages of Rolling Your Own

- Current dynamic Web & data-management tools- Sections of Web site already dynamic

You may already have the beginnings of one

- Database(s)- Web site management tools such as Dreamweaver

Roll Your Own CMS

Advantages of Rolling Your Own

- If you built it; you can program for it

- No proprietary product shrouded in mysteryMaintenance and support can be less of a hassle

- No ephemeral vendor of prepackaged product

- Known site and database architecture

Roll Your Own CMS

Advantages of Rolling Your Own

- well-supported products (e.g. Macromedia)

- can use open-source languages and server technologiesYou can enjoy low overhead

- online developer resources

- other programmers in your organization- shared resources in your organization

Roll Your Own CMS

Advantages of Rolling Your Own

- uniformity, standardization of data storage, data display

- modularityAnd finally, you can make it very scalable

- code reuse

Roll Your Own CMS

Challenges

- Maintenance & support: You built it; you’re gonna maintain it.- Need support and buy-in from many factions: administration, network/server administrators, end-users, developers…

- Endless customizing and expanding becomes a maintenance & resource issue.- “Need it Yesterday” culture can lead to fast-paced development.

- Data may need to be rounded up and placed in unified environment.- Requires ongoing dedicated time of programmer(s). Job’s never done.

- No matter how you slice it, it’s a lot of work.

- End-users must be brought on board – including the high-maintenance ones.

Roll Your Own CMS

Ask these Questions- Will requirements change and grow over time? (Likely)- Will the CMS end up integrating with a larger information architecture? (Likely)

- How complex are the requirements for this CMS?

- Who exactly will maintain the system? - How will resources be managed as demands on the system grow?- If your organization’s needs are hideously complex, do you really have the resources to build and maintain? Or should you buy, instead?

Roll Your Own CMS

Some Advice

- Manage expectations.

- Develop Incrementally if possible.

- Use skilled, full-time programmers, not part-time, temporary, or inexperienced help.

- Get buy-in at the start and support as you go.

- Use multiple products and tools if needed.

- Manage expectations.- Manage expectations.

Roll Your Own Content Management System

Rose Pruynerpruyne@ist.psu.edu