Why use a CMS? What is a CMS?
"CMS" stands for Content Management System.
A CMS gives the owners of websites powerful tools for managing content.
At its simplest, a CMS contains tools for editing the content of a site, and the means of editing is designed to be easy to use for people without any heavy technical skills.
In a CMS-based website, content is separated from layout. This means that "what a page says" is handles separately from that page's appearance. It should be possible for a non-technical user to change a page without breaking structural elements like navigation, or the overall layout.
"Managing" goes way beyond "editing"; it means really having control over all aspects of the site and knowing what's going on. If there is a team of people working on the site, then "content management" includes granular control over which of those people can do what. It's about controlling and monitoring.
A CMS makes a website more efficient to manage whilst keeping running costs low.
More Powerful CMSs
Some CMSs have additional features, such as these:
- Content can rapidly be added by individuals who aren't technically proficient, the CMS / Website can be populated with various kinds of content and secure private areas can be set up; all this is backed up by a range of powerful management tools.
- Authors can collaborate within the CMS without the need for web design expertise, allowing for all available resources to be invested in the content itself. A well designed CMS will provide item locking and other tools for data protection.
- A CMS defines a consistent authoring framework to assist the creation, review and approval of content. It may include workflow tools.
- Some CMSs can handle several languages. This might mean they can present content in several languages; it might also mean the administration of the CMS can be done in several languages.
- Web site design is maintained independently of content within the CMS, with a "Template Architecture". As a result your web pages are consistent and automatically supports the branding, identity, and accessibility standards of your organization.
- Some CMSs will remember every small change to every page and allow you to "rollback" to revive any wanted information.
Why use a CMS?
Any web site, dynamic or not, must have its content kept up to date. A "transparency of communication" allows for a channel of communication from site publisher to the site's audience.
Your site becomes a transparent medium, like a window frame, with communication flowing from you to your customers and other site visitors.
Perhaps you like your web design company to make all your content changes for you (and you're happy to pay for it). But if you want a better way of keeping your site current, you need a CMS.
Why a Tribiq CMS?
Tribiq offers a range of product, license and support options starting from zero-cost.
Tribiq CMS is an open source product. Because of this it is already powering a large number of websites worldwide.
Tribiq CMS can be delivered and customized, either directly by Tribiq or by one of our international Partners. Tribiq can provide turnkey "OnDemand" hosted solutions, or we can supply Community, Pro or Enterprise level software.
Free and Commercial support is available, both online and offline in the form of training, documentation and direct intervention.
