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Types
of Third Party Systems
There are two types of third party systems
to consider when choosing how to maintain the content on your website
or Intranet: Client-side and Server-side. We will help you to choose which
one is right for you.
Client-Side
Systems
A Client-side System is a piece
of software that you purchase and load on your local PC to operate. For
each PC your organisation uses to update content, you need to purchase
a separate licence. The cost of this software varies from a couple of
hundred dollars to several hundred thousand dollars.
Well-known
client-side content management systems include:
Speedwell
recommends Macromedia® Contribute™ as a reliable, entry-level
client-side content management solution, suitable for the majority of
client needs.
About
Macromedia® Contribute™
Macromedia,
Inc. is the world's leading developer of Internet authoring software.
In November 2002, it released a content management solution that we find
meets the needs of most small and medium-sized organisations. We have
successfully integrated Macromedia® Contribute™ within several
sites, including www.csenergy.com.au,
www.purchaseandsupply.com.au
and www.synergyexecutive.com.au.
Benefits
of Client-Side Systems
Control
Maintain website integrity by using controls to protect design standards,
functionality, and code. Following the initial design and build of a website
superstructure, navigation and creative look and feel, Macromedia®
Contribute™ gives your web site administrators the power to edit,
change and update:
- text
- images
- links
- downloads (PDFs etc.)
- content such as image galleries, press releases
or online bulletins
Cost
The system is very cost-effective, with no annual licensing fees (as is
the case with most server-side systems; see below). Once-off licence fees
are about $250 per seat (i.e. per content updater at your end).
Ease
of Use
Contribute has a familiar, intuitive interface. Non-technical users are
empowered to begin updating and publishing website content right away.
Different administrators can be given varying access privileges to discrete
parts of the site.
Efficiency
Web professionals can now delegate web content maintenance to content
owners, streamlining the updating process so sites stay more relevant
and current. Real-time previewing allows the user to see and approve changes
before uploading them to the live site. There is also a roll-back facility
that lets you roll back to a previous version in case someone makes a
mistake.
Portability
The software is installed locally and not on a central processing server.
As a result, you will not lose your ability to update your site should
you decide to host your site somewhere else.
Compatability
The web pages produced by this content management system use HTML that
can be maintained using any standard web editing software, as well as
the Macromedia® Contribute™ product. This gives you peace-of-mind
that your content can be transported even if you decide to stop using
Contribute™.
Server
Side Systems
Speedwell can recommend a server-side
system if this is the best type of content management solution for you.
A server-side
system does not run from your PC, but from a server typically located
outside your organisation: either where your site is hosted or the company
that runs or sells the server side system. Your content administrators
access the content management screens through a browser interface secured
by a password.
The
server-side systems generally require payment of an annual licence. A
risk inherent in these solutions is your dependency upon the ongoing viability
and support of the company providing the service. Some (but not all) server-side
systems output content that can only be updated using that system, so
you may have to redevelop the site if you decide to change the way you
manage its content.
These
systems are slightly more complex than Client-side solutions because more
than one server may be needed to generate the content for a page.
Web
Service Components
A way to keep certain content current
is to have your content automatically updated via a third party information
source. Examples of this include weather forecasts, stock prices or currency
conversion functions that are built into your site. This is often done
by introducing objects that are updated remotely by other websites. Speedwell
can offer suggestions as to how web services may be used effectively to
enhance your site.
Working
with Speedwell
Our planning
process is critical to designing a solution that is easy to maintain.
Once the strategic elements of the site are understood, we work with you
to create a technical architecture that best suits your chosen method
of maintenance.
Our quality
process will help to ensure a smooth transition from the deployment
phase through to the maintenance phase.
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