HSC goes with the Hannon Hill Cascade Enterprise CMS Server
Based on key content management features and functionality as identified by the HSC Web Advisory Committee, HSC is in the process of finalizing purchase of an enterprise license for Cascade Server from Hannon Hill (the application was formerly known as ContentXML). This product will be used in the development of the HSC content management system process to benefit all components including BCD.
The WAC compared several products and Cascade Server rated highest based on viability as an enterprise deployed product, functionality, flexibility, number of features included "out of the box" as compared to building, cost, and speed of deployment. Cascade Server is a standards-based product built on commonly known technologies. Among other major clients, the Hannon Hill Cascade Server is being deployed to power the content management of the www.apple.com Web site.
Hannon Hill intends to continue to develop the product and sees higher education as an important customer base. As they enhance Cascade Server over time, Hannon Hill will seek input on how the development of new features and functionality can best be designed to serve and integrate with higher education environments. HSC and BCD will play an advisoryrole to Hannon Hill in this capacity.
The adoption of an enterprise-wide Content Management System (CMS) will represent a major change on the BCD Web site This will occur seperately from the branding of the site, but may overlap in certain important areas.
ABOUT CONTENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
Here is a little about Content Management, in general, followed by some indications about how and when this innovation on the BCD Webs will affect you and your department.
Basic content management allows non-technical staff to add, edit, and delete content on a department Web site in a quick, efficient manner after minimal training. They do this from a graphical web interface on any computer authorized to access the system. The information thus created is then dynamically presented, first to editors, then upon approval, to site users.
A basic CMS would typically allow a department to manage text and images for multiple content areas, including news; organizational information; and other department related data. It would also allow for the definition and implementation of a workflow for developing, validating and publishing content. A CMS is a very efficient process for the management of content allowing each department to contribute its own content to the public website, and to participate in its maintenance.
The purchase of an HSC wide CMS (Content Management System) is being finalized. The RFP process is over, a selection has been made, and the final green light is pending, and may have already been reached.
HOW WE ARE PROCEEDING WITH THE ROLLOUT:
The Branding and the CMS rollout will be distinct, but related processes. Branding will begin first, then the rollout which will include training for the department personnel who will be contributing to the system.
The first step is standardizing the UI (user interface) for the entire BCD Web site. This will involve moving (or porting) the current online information for all the BCD departments into the new and already-approved Web architecture without having to take the Web site offline during the process.
The content of your department's information, now public on the BCD Web site, will be ported into the new design and navigational architecture. The content of the updated information will not change, but the site's look and the ease of finding and accessing information on it will change for the better.
The process will be:
- First, to update the information on the current web;
- Then, to port that information into the new site;
- And finally, to go live with the new site at the BCD address.
CMS ROLLOUT -- WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW
The branding, and the new UI come first and that includes moving of content into the new branded User Interface. Then comes connecting the entire site to the CMS. It is not a trivial process, but the plans are very detailed and no major stalls are anticipated.
Therefore, what you can do now is to prepare your content by updating it. The updated content will be moved into the branded UI. While this is in process, the CMS training for the departments will begin. Details will follow. Right now, the thing to do is to update your sites using the Web Update Request Form. Then keep watching this page for the latest information on the rollout.
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