subject: Today's Content Management Systems [print this page] Originally, what is now described as a Content Management System or CMS was typically custom developed by internal programmers or external contractors, and often had limited features and functions. In some cases, web development firms built their own systems and used the technology behind multiple web sites. Over time, some of these grew with new features like social networking, interactivity and highly graphic web 2.0 features.
Some became better technically typically when they embraced the disciplines of software development such as product roadmaps, quality development methodologies, secure technologies, and better testing and quality assurance procedures. This enabled them to scale to be a suitable solution as a web site has become central to the communications plans of the organisation whether business, government or not-for-profit.
Mature products: Some of these systems have grown into mature licensed software products with all the latest features in a technically sophisticated package, backed by highly professional and reputable support organisations. Some of the international content management systems (often US-based) are extremely expensive to license, implement and manage, and are typically used by the largest organisations. Others are more within the reach of the small to medium sized organisation, yet have the quality, features, flexibility and scalability needed.
Open source: There are also a number of quite good open source products developed which have all of the advantages and limitations of open source development. While there might be no licence fees, they still require extensive technical services for installation and set up, training your staff to use them, customisation and ongoing support.
The slow lane: Still other products have not been able to move with the times, given the significant costs of developing and testing new features in the face of the quality of the competition. Sometimes they have been developed in what was once good technology but which is now no longer supported or offering the features of new technology. This can mean that an organisation's web site is stuck in a system that no longer meets today's needs, and which is no longer being developed by the provider.
If that's your situation, maybe it's time to move on.
