About Content Management

A web content management system is a tool that empowers web authors to manage web content and webmasters to manage web function. 

Virticle Site Manager has an open standards-based architecture that supports integration with technologies for broad e-initiatives and allows effortless integration with web servers, databases and development tools.

The primary reasons for using a content management system are:

  • Allows non-technical users to quickly and easily add content to a Web site from a web browser
  • Ensures that the site has a uniform look and feel.   This is accomplished through standardized templates, content layouts and style sheets
  • Enables automatic update of site navigation whenever pages are moved or deleted
  • Manages multiple user access rights to the system
  • Provides multilevel workflow that enables editing and approval process
  • Allows the scheduling of content: both launch and expiration 
  • Keeps track of where content is stored and when it is accessed and retrieved
  • Provides e-mail notification of changes and updates 

The building blocks of the system are:

Templates:  These provide design elements for the site to support a standard look and feel, reinforcing branding efforts.  The webmaster controls templates.

Style sheets: These control fonts, margins, spacing, etc. to support a standard look and feel for the web site.  The webmaster controls style sheets.

Articles: These contain the primary text.  Many pages can share one article.  If an article is updated, it will update on all pages where it is used. This helps to ensure consistency of information used in multiple places throughout the site.  Articles are controlled by administrative/department web contacts.

Images: (photos, illustrations, mpgs) These add texture and interest to the site.  Many pages can share one image.  They are controlled by administrative/department web contacts.

Pages: What the user sees.  Articles and images are added to templates to create pages.