Content management systems streamline workflow by allowing your non-technical users to manage and publish content as well as collaborate effectively via social network structuring. You can choose from various options for documenting web content, news archives, technical manuals and marketing materials or managing electronic data and media files. The best results come from combining industry-specific applications with conventional CMS architecture. Using a CMS alongside a social network for mobile business operations offers new solutions, but with mixed reviews.

Make sure you are getting a robust application with the basics and ask direct questions about processing speed and system requirements before you commit to a total system. Also consider that modular versions need to interface with existing workstations to be cost effective. Look for content management security tools to identify key users and their roles, workflow definition and event messaging features and basic tracking for multiple users sharing a single version of content as well as capture and storage devise compatibility for enterprise archival options.

1. Start out with a CMS web platform.

2. Use content mgmt software solutions to add to your current data system.

3. Install a new content management system with provider support.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Consider a 2.0 content management solution

Look for user-friendly Web 2.0 CMS solutions for your web designers, mobile users and consumer-centric social network users. Web platforms offer you and you customers an integrated solution that fits seamlessly into your daily operations. You can design a site or network system and offer scalable management options to your customers or hire an offsite team to keep a project rolling. Look for some training options and discount pricing for regular project scheduling.

I recommend: LightCMS offers content management for web designers with integrated design tools, HTML Xpress and professional business support for brands large and small. Use it to demo for your client with your own brand in minutes for free. The Ingeniux CMS enterprise 2.0 content platform can manage world-class websites with scalable delivery options for organizing online media and team collaboration.

Buy content mgmt software

Get content mgmt software solutions and update your web pages without waiting around for the IT guys. Create, deploy and manage your website content with a single application for faster turnaround on new campaign projects and business decisions. Always review software documentation before buying, and bring in your tech staff for installation.

I recommend: Consider Ektron CMS400.NET software for your web content and document management with a social networking framework, enterprise search and automation options for using wiki, blogs, forums, threaded discussions and message boards and site subscriptions like web alerts and RSS feeds. Get the Lyris HQ web content management software system for easy-to-use tools to create, manage, publish and optimize websites, intranets, extranets and micro sites, plus the ability to update your landing pages and emails in minutes.

Hire a content management system vendor team

Work with a CMS provider vendor for a completely integrated content management platform. A content management system allows a user to manage content everywhere it is stored with a consistent experience to reduce development and administration costs and increase productivity. Ask for customer support, third-party storage with packaged pricing, security extras and brand name applications for an out-of-the-box solution.

I recommend: Oracle’s content management offers a middleware strategy for professional grade ECM and WCM in one solution including over 400 file formats, scalable Oracle database structures and image-enabling Oracle applications. IBM’s enterprise content management can streamline your content and document processes with automated management solutions and help with compliance. Scalable offerings include collaboration tools for effective communication across divisions.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider CMS for going paperless. Add document management to your web content management system.
• •  Get CMS equipment for retrieval and archival solutions for your mid-sized paper-intensive company. Look for a document imaging system including scanners, archive writer software and microfilm retrieval for your PC workstations.