Content management

A content management system (CMS) is a system used to manage the content of a website. Typically, a CMS consists of two elements: the content management application (CMA) and the content delivery application (CDA). 

The CMA element allows the content manager or author to manage the creation, modification, and removal of content from a website without needing the expertise of a webmaster. 

The CDA element uses and compiles that information to update the website. The features of a CMS system vary, but most include Web-based publishing, format management, revision control, and indexing, search, and retrieval. 

Various CMS systems are possible depending on your needs:

• Direct webpage editting by means of Frontpage. In this scenario, your website must consist of separate HTML files.
    

• Database maintenance software, allowing administrators to update database content from within their browser.
    

• Synchronisation software, such as automatically updating your online database with data from your local network (e.g. once a day).
    

• Specific applications, such as upload interfaces, public shares, publications in a fixed layout, wizards, conversion software, etc.

  
Some elements are important if you are considering CMS software:

• Company size

• Number of divisions/establishments

• Your file formats and their conversion possibilties