About The Gallery @ Barr Photographics and CMS
Traditional web site development is based on static HTML
pages. Static HTML pages are files that a webmaster maintains using an HTML
tool like HomeSite. The webmaster then copies the files to the web server using
an FTP program. The problem with the traditional approach becomes evident when
the customer wants to make a change to the site that will impact every page on
the site. Another issue is new content. Typically a well designed website has consistent
navigation across all of its pages. When a new page is added to the site the
menu on every page has to be updated to reflect the change. You can imagine how
much work this would be if your site had more than just a few pages. The Gallery @ Barr Photographics is different
The Gallery @ Barr Photographics is powered by ELM & Associates, Web Content Management
System (Web CMS or WCMS). A Web Content Management System is web based computer
software that is used to create, edit, manage, and publish a website. The Web
CMS addresses the problem mentioned above. With a Web CMS the website is database
driven, when changes are made the change is immediately reflected everywhere it
appears on the site. For example, your site has your company’s address in the
footer of every page. With the traditional approach an address change would
require edition every page and then copying the pages to the server. With Web
CMS you simply logon to the website make the change and click save. Again with
Web CMS, if you add a new page or change the title of a page, the change is immediately
reflected on every other page’s menu.
Probably the most important difference between a Web CMS and the traditional approach is The Gallery @ Barr Photographics's
administrators and content managers can make the changes them selves. No need to call the webmaster, The Gallery @ Barr Photographics users with the admin or content manager role
just logon to the site, navigate the the page, click edit, make the change and click save.
The Gallery @ Barr Photographics is Hosted Content Management System with the following, Roles and Tools:
1. It’s
a roles based system
a. Administrators
i.
Can manage users
b. Content
Manager
i.
Maintain content on the site that is assigned to them
c. Member/Guests
i.
Logon to the site and view content that is not available to anonymous
users.
d. Anonymous
i.
The general public visiting the site.
2. WYSIWYG
Page editor
a. Administrators
and Content Manager can edit content on the site directly through their web
browser. The WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) editor is built into the
website. No third party editing software is required.
b. Spell
Checking is built into the Editor and other Text Fields
c. New
pages can be added to the site with the click of your mouse, you do not have to
FTP a page to the site
3. Search Capabilities
a. A
good Web CMS will have a Site Search built in. The search should return ranked
search results.
4. Search
Engine Optimized
a. A
good Web CMS automatically build out META TAGS based on the page. META tags are used by search engines when website content is indexed.
5. Global
Website Properties
a. Layout and Color Scheme choices
i.
With a click of the mouse the entire website is transformed to a new
look and feel
b. Web
Site footer, reflected on every page on the site
c. Optional
site Banner and company branding images.
d. Global
Access Controls
e. Site Navigation that is
well organized easy to use, including tool tips and a crumb trail to help keep the user
oriented to where they are within the site.
6. Page
Controls or Widgets. The content manager should be able select a widget to
transform a typical content page into page that support extended functionality.
a. Address Book
b. Driving Directions
c. Guest Book
d. Photo Gallery
e. Shopping Cart
f. Slide Show
g. Site Map
h. Web Conferencing
i. Event Calendar
i.
Capable of emailing event reminders to registered users
j. Task Manager
k.
Used for assigning and tracking tasks.
l.
Streaming Media support; Flash, QuickTime, WMF
m.
Site Blog (Web Log)
Most Content Management Systems cost thousands of dollars to
purchase and are expensive to host due to the system requirements. E.g. Web
Server, Database Server, Email Server etc. Due to the associated costs small
businesses and organization are typically afraid to consider using CMS.
ELM & Associates has a solution that is designed
specifically for small business, schools, churches, organizations and clubs. It
was initially built to give teachers a place to post homework assignments. Parents
wanted to know what their children had assigned and when it was due. The site
was an immediate success. First the Church wanted their site redone to use the
system, then another church, then a couple clubs. Before they knew it ELM & Associates was born.
Over time the system grew to what it is today; including
full email support for domains, including spam filtering and virus scanning.
The system is so easy to use that any small business, club,
school, church or organization can maintain their own website content without
technical knowledge. The fact that it is a hosted solution there is no software
to buy and no servers to maintain.
ELM also offers custom software development for customers who have special requirements to publish information from other backend systems.
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