Web content management solutions have become necessary because of the proliferation of Web sites and the explosive growth in Web pages. In 1992, just 1,000 pages were on the Web (Digital4sightCorp.). However, as of June 2000, over 2 billion Web pages were posted on the Internet (Cyveillance). In addition to Internet sites, corporate Intranets are also causing massive demand for up-to-date Web content. By 2001 over 133 million people worldwide will be using corporate Intranets, according to an International Data Corporation 1999 projection.

Market Trends

Many companies are now starting to realize that using the Internet can save them money even though they will need to add new categories of staff, CM solutions, and Web editing tools. Additionally, many companies now face the daunting challenge of making their Web sites suitable for international non-English speaking visitors. 

Web migration increases profitability: Companies using the Internet have benefited from improved operations and better customer service. In fact, migrating to the Internet will save companies worldwide $1.25 trillion by 2002. In putting business applications online, Cisco alone saves more than $800 million per year. By moving supply chain management to the Web, IBM has improved on-time delivery by 95% (Giga Information Group).

“Accidental” Web publishers lack the right tools: Growth in the CM solution field is largely a function of the sharp increase in demand for published digital content. As Web sites become permanently linked to operations, corporations become “accidental publishers.” Besides lacking publishing experience, many organizations and corporations also lack the software tools for streamlining the process.

Future demand for multi-language Web sites: In the future a growing percentage of Internet users will be non-English speaking users living outside the United States. Of the estimated one billion users expected in 2005, more than two-thirds (700 million) will live outside the United States. Currently more than three-quarters (78%) of all Web sites are written in English, but only about half of all users consider English their native language. International content is sure to proliferate and challenge already overburdened Web developers.

Move toward more affordable CM solutions for small and mid-sized companies: When companies search for appropriate tools, according to Forrester Research, they are discovering the number of available Web tools increases along with a Web site’s complexity. Furthermore, as an increasing number of business users become empowered to publish on the Web, content management becomes a bigger problem, especially since there is a shortage of technical people to take on these responsibilities. In the past, most content management solutions were clearly targeted for big companies, but today tools are available for small and mid-size companies.

Real World Examples

The following are examples of how three companies and organizations, each with unique requirements, are currently using CM solutions and Web editing tools to manage content on their Web sites:

·         Large university based in the U.S.—The Web developer for this university’s Community Affairs department recently integrated a content management solution into the department’s Web site to allow local businesses and neighborhood associations to publish on the Web site. Linked together via their Web contributions, the various constituencies are beginning to coalesce as a community.

·         Accounting association—Needing a more fluid Web site, a national accounting association in the United Kingdom is adding a content management solution so headquarters can publish a regular column on the site.

·        New England law firm—This well-known law firm needed to increase the number of contributors to its Web site. The Web developer installed a CM solution and encouraged attorneys, paralegals, and other office staff to modify the site as necessary. The firm’s de facto Webmaster could concentrate once again on his primary job responsibilities.

Table of Contents

Index
1—Introduction
2—Implementing a Content Management Solution
3—Benefits of using a Content Management Solution
4—Market Overview
5—Keeping User Needs in Mind
6—Cost Considerations
7—Recommendations and Conclusions
8—Reference
9—Glossary
10—Sources

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