Top 4 Web Content Management Models

Software Installation

Software-as-a-Service

Open-Source

Custom Applications

In today’s market, companies seeking a Web Content Management System (WCMS) are presented with

an abundance of choices. While there are wide ranges in terms of software delivery and complexity,

there are certain basic considerations that fuel both the search for a WCMS and the selection of a

particular system.

Most would agree that the manual management of a deep web presence is extremely unwieldy and

expensive. Content management is a fluid concept, which aligns it more accurately with business

processes than business products. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, as every WCMS offering requires

the following before it can successfully live and breathe within a business or organization:

Configuration

Implementation

Launch & Adoption

Administration & Management

Support & Maintenance

Upgrades & Enhancements

These steps apply to software installations, SaaS, open-source and custom solutions alike. With that in

mind, choosing the correct WCMS is about understanding business requirements and coupling that

knowledge with both a system and vendor that meets those ongoing needs. It is essential to select a

flexible, intuitive, and relevant framework.

Let’s get a better understanding of the models on the next page.

The Models: A Closer Look

Software Installations

Tangible, installed software provides a measure of security and control on both literal and psychological

levels. The code sits on resident machines, and a contract generally exists both for its use and its

ongoing support. There is an inherent depth of functionality based on the need to satisfy the diverse

requirements of large companies and organizations. Often the entry point in terms of pricing is out of

reach to smaller companies and organizations, so many do not feel that they can afford a true

enterprise-level or “commercial” offering. Others cannot justify the larger fixed costs in the context of

other technical or web-based initiatives, or the recurring costs of draining their own IT resources to

support the product.

Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)

SaaS continues to claim market share from the other WCMS types due to its flexibility, lack of

infrastructure and IT requirements, cloud computing power, fast turnaround, and price points. It tends

to favor smaller companies and organizations for the same reasons, and certainly favors groups that

have varied or work-from-home office locations. Though many take advantage of SaaS, larger entities

often have distinct policies and protocols that prevent SaaS as an option. Because the data, security

settings, and the WCMS software itself reside outside of a corporate firewall, SaaS may not be possible

due to sensitivity or related risk issues. SaaS also relies on an internet connection for delivery, which is

generally reliable but still a vulnerability.

Open Source

There is a common misconception that open source solutions are truly “free.” While there are cases

where an open source package has merit, the reality is that most open source implementations become

more lengthy and costly than other WCMS types. The negligible initial investment for a WCMS shell is

quickly overshadowed by implementation, custom development, quality assurance, training, and

ongoing maintenance. This is obviously fine when it’s anticipated, but far less welcome when it’s not.

Open source software has the obvious benefit of a support “community”, but that exists without the

security of dedicated support and legal contracts. Leveraged development expands reach but doesn’t

allow a product to mature or offer the financial incentives of commercial development.

Custom Solutions

Custom solutions, by nature, spotlessly align themselves with business processes. This can be very

effective in the short-term but very problematic in the longer term when those processes, and the

resources behind the related programming/development, shift. While there are certain fortunate

businesses that thrive on predictability, the overall CMS market has shifted dramatically to offer highly

configurable products that remove most constraints from the equation. While extremely capable

technology staff may exist within an organization, the related return on investment for custom WCMS

projects is remarkably low. By the time a custom application matures, the investment in terms of cost

and man-hours is typically huge, and the application itself may continue to be more of a cost center than

a cost savings. Often the company is left attempting to tackle newer challenges with older technology.

WCMS Models Comparison: PROS and CONS

Pros Cons

Software Installation Feature-rich Overt complexity

Full influence over software Infrastructure requirements

Customized configurations IT resource consumption

Strong pre-launch support Poor/costly post-launch support

Strong product maturity Potentially high costs

Integration flexibility

SaaS No hardware/software Reliance on 3rd-party services

Low maintenance Reliance on live connection

Strong technical support Security incompatibilities

Fast deployment Excludes certain markets

Feature-rich

Simple system access

Custom Solution Meets precise requirements Lack of system flexibility

Less outsourcing required Relies on specific developers

Extended development cycles

Open Source No cost for code base Hidden costs for actual viability

Development community No dedicated support

No contractual obligations No contract security or stability

Leveraged development base Difficult for product to mature

Open and accessible code Fewer commercialized features

Not as tested or refined

We hope this summary has given you a better understanding of the 4 main web content management

system models and direction when evaluating and selecting the best WCMS for your business.

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For more tips and best practices on web content management and web

development please check out our blog at: http://info.waves2.com

If you are interested in learning more and/or scheduling a demo of the WAVES2

WCMS we would be happy to oblige. Please contact:

Steve O’Brien

steve@aptinet.com

917.408.6391