The CMS Myth

September 2008 - Posts

  • Why Switch to a Commercial CMS Product?

    Over the years I have run across an amazing variety of custom and consultingware CMS platforms installed with clients.  One question I get asked almost everytime is should they switch to a commerical CMS product.  Now I know there is an appeal of having something tailor made to your organization, but does that really outweigh the potential issues you might have in the future?  My standard response goes something like this:

    Having a custom CMS presents a twofold problem for its owner and end users. It is easy to become embroiled in activities that go beyond just managing the content of the site. In many cases, you end up having to fulfill the role of product manager for a custom product with an install base of one. You also risk being left with limited-to-no support options if the relationship with the system creator sours (or in the case of an internal developer, leaves).  To that end, having a commercially-supported CMS allows the content creators and authors to focus on the site and not the overhead of supporting and maintaining a one-off system. They also benefit by belonging to a larger community of users who receive formal product support with regular product updates.

    This is not to say there are some scenarios that would warrent custom work, but if you do decide to continue with or create something custom please think about what you are really taking on, its risks (and benefits) and what it truly costs.

  • The CMS Myth is alive and well in Oregon

    Like it's northwest brother Bigfoot it appears that the CMS myth is alive and well and my job as a mythbuster if far from over.  Last week I spoke to a standing room only crowd about the CMS Myth for a Software Association of Oregon event.  The presentation was followed by a lively Q&A session with several of the attendees staying after to share their personal CMS horror stories.  To give you a quick sampling of the type of things I heard: 

    • A company forced to use a CMS because the wife of the CEO worked for that company.
    • People still confused on how CMS products are classified, got the question is a wiki a CMS?
    • A large organization implemented the same CMS twice.  The first time was a pilot that took off to well and failed due to 'CMS urban sprawl'  The second time cooler heads won out and they then spent almost two years planning to roll it correctly.

    It is events like these that help keep us energized on our mission to educate anyone willing to listen about the the real world challenge organizations might face in implementing a CMS, help them in having realistic expectations and hopefully putting them on the path to CMS enlightment.

    I want thank the SAO and Stan Davis of Straight-On Internet Consulting LLC  for putting on a first class event and giving me an opportunity to get up on my soapbox.

    Posted Sep 04 2008, 12:51 AM by George with no comments
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