Content Management: Expert Interview with Joseph Bachana, DPCI

DPCI, is a provider of integrated technology solutions for organizations that need to publish content to Web, print, and mobile channels.

In this interview I got his insight on content management systems (CMS) and and how they are now, compared to how they used to be.

Question: I can remember reading years ago it seems about a software called Vignette - that was used for web site creation and CMS - is it still around?

Answer: Yes, Vignette is still around and a great solution. There are many others including those based on open-source technology such as Drupal. Depending on the clients needs, budget, resources, etc., there are a broad range of CMS solutions available. The key is to partner with an IT consulting group that can help guide you through the process of product selection.

I know that Dream weaver is used by many developers but now I’m seeing more and more use of Word Press, Movable Type, Joomla, Drupal and other systems - what’s happening?

The emergence of blogs have spawned the use of solutions such as WordPress and Movable Type over the past three or four years. These, in addition to open source solutions, such as Joomla and Drupal are driving a whole new generation of content-rich Web sites that are flexible, easy to update and manage.

Can you speak about CMS, programming and web site design. I know they are integrated - but yet in some cases they are separate. Should smaller businesses think about these things or should they just focus on hiring a web designer who can do it all?

Given the broad range of tools available today, businesses of all sizes, not just small, should look to integrate a CMS into their Web site architecture. This capability, when planned correctly, provides a flexible publishing platform to keep content fresh and up to date, without requiring dedicated Web resources to manage the process. When supporting clients, we will typically work with their third-party designer resources and integrate page templates within the CMS infrastructure. Making this investment upfront will save money in keeping the Web site up to date.

Thinking about blogs versus web sites and CMS. For web sites of ‘today’ what should small businesses ask for a web site that has a CMS or blog component or a blog that has a few static pages?

The answer is dependent on the specific needs of the business, and what they intend to use a Web site for versus that of a blog. In most cases, organizations utilizing a Web site that integrates a CMS typically have an ongoing need to publish new content on a frequent basis. This might be a publisher adding news articles on a daily basis, or retailer that is adding new merchandise to an online catalog. In these cases a CMS is critical to managing the publishing process.

With respect to blogs, they can be viewed the same way. Depending on how many people will be involved in the blog's publishing process will dictate how elaborate of a system you need. In both cases, Web sites and blogs offer the capability to connect with customers and prospects and allow you to reinforce your brand and credibility. Keeping content fresh will compel customers and prospects to visit more frequently, which will ultimately improve your ability to optimize sales and marketing opportunities.

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