Chapter 7: Using IBM s Content Manager to Manage Web Content

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Overview

Executive summary: The Web environment poses special requirements on a content management system (CMS). In addition to common requirements for managing content, a CMS for Web content must also be able to make the content available in formats suitable for a variety of devices that can access content over the Web.

Developing solutions from scratch is complex. Available ready-to-go solutions require customization and additional development to satisfy business and technical requirements. IBM Content Manager for Multiplatforms Version 8.1 provides a framework to extend and build a solution to satisfy the requirements of most enterprises for managing documents and document access.

IBM joined with a major U.S. financial services firm to use IBM Content Manager for Multiplatforms Version 8.1 to develop in a short time a Web content management (WCM) application that met the customer's requirements to:

• Enable the business users to manage and produce content for multiple sites, channels, and languages

• Use a browser-based interface to control content, site navigation, and user interface aspects

• Automate processes allowing for real-time updates in a run-time environment, thereby decreasing the content release turn-around from around thirty days to hours or less

• Adopt an XML asset and component-based model for generating content

• Allow for multi- and cross-channel reuse of assets and components allowing a seamless experience for customers

• Provide an interface to make the transition easy and intuitive for the business users

This chapter describes how the development team leveraged the capabilities of IBM Content Manager to create a customized application that lets the business users manage their Web content for multiple sites, channels, and languages. They were able to develop and deliver their application in less time than if they had started from scratch or tried to customize a ready-to-go solution.

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