how to select a web content managment system
DESCRIPTION
Web Content Management (WCM) products now have a dizzying array of functionality, from traditional web publishing to "web experience management," to Web 2.0 tools. Meanwhile (despite some consolidation at the very top of the market), the number of viable players continues to expand around the world. How should a customer pick a system that represents the right fit for their particular needs?TRANSCRIPT
How to Select a Web Content Management System
Exposing the real weaknesses and strengths of web and enterprise technology products
Tony ByrneFounder, Real Story Group
Copyright © 2010 Real Story Group www.realstorygroup.com
Real Story Group: What We Do
Analyze strengths and weaknesses of the tools....and vendors
Advise on successful technology selection
Copyright © 2010 Real Story Group www.realstorygroup.com
Four Traditional Approaches to Selection
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Copyright © 2010 Real Story Group www.realstorygroup.com
Don’t let it come down to this....
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Series of increasingly intimate encounters...
http://www.stanfield.com/circles-main.html
Copyright © 2010 Real Story Group www.realstorygroup.com
Getting to the right “fit”
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VendorRequirements
Research
Proposals
Demos
Pilot
ProofingVendor
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Copyright © 2010 Real Story Group www.realstorygroup.com
But really a multi-dimensional exercise
Source: http://www.realstorygroup.com/Research/Channel/CMS/Vendors
Copyright © 2010 Real Story Group www.realstorygroup.com
Functional Evaluation
Copyright © 2010 Real Story Group www.realstorygroup.com
Better yet: How does it fit your sites?
Copyright © 2010 Real Story Group www.realstorygroup.com
Categorizing the Web CMS Vendors
Big, expensive, often oversold
Big, expensive, more focused
Complex, but lower-priced
Easy to deploy, harder to extend
Most “out of box,” least extensible
Source: http://www.realstorygroup.com/Research/Channel/CMS/Vendors
Copyright © 2010 Real Story Group www.realstorygroup.com
Mid-range / Mid-market
Copyright © 2010 Real Story Group www.realstorygroup.com
“Checklist RFPs”
Copyright © 2010 Real Story Group www.realstorygroup.com
Test, test, and test again
Test with real users before you sign contract– You need to know that the software will work in your
environment (server builds, security, etc.)– Vendor salespeople are not always…candid– You think you know your requirements, but you actually
don’t until real screens are painted
Testing starts with the RFP– Base it around narrative scenarios that represent real-
life contributor tasks and visitor journeys– And continue through the demos with same scenarios
Test competitively– This is resource-intensive, but what’s the cost of a failed
implementation?
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Hold a real bake-off…in your kitchen
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Hidden Surprises Emerge...
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You also learn more about the Vendor
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How do they compare?
Copyright © 2010 Real Story Group www.realstorygroup.com
Wait a second... the real costs are in services
Credit: http://blog.clayenos.com/
Copyright © 2010 Real Story Group www.realstorygroup.com
Alternative: “Combination RFP” -- Test both
SI#1
SI#2
SI#3
SI#4
#3ISV
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#2ISV
#1ISV
#4ISV
Bid#3
Bid#4
Bid#2
Bid#1
Copyright © 2010 Real Story Group www.realstorygroup.com
Key Take-Aways: WCM Selection
• Vendors can be divided into various categories• Tier, license model, focus, geographic region all play a role• Vendor’s use-case emphasis will trump functional capabilities• Rough marketplace division between “platforms” and “products”
• Employ an empirical approach to winnowing down• Avoid: Puppy Love | Vinnie | Thick Binders | Horserace Betting• Set up an increasingly intimate series of interactions
• Vendor selection should emphasize testable narratives• The key word there is “test” -- at every stage
• You will likely spend more on services than licenses• Possibly much more• Do careful diligence on the implementation team
• Do your homework...
Copyright © 2010 Real Story Group www.realstorygroup.com
Next Steps
• Get a free sample of the Web CMS Report:
http://realstorygroup.com/Sample/
• Purchase the report now:
http://www.realstorygroup.com/Research/Channel/CMS/
• Learn about our Premium Subscription options:
http://www.realstorygroup.com/Subscribe/
• Contact us for more information:– [email protected]
– Twitter: @realstorygroup
– + 1 800 325 6190 (USA)+ 44 (0) 20 3318 1911 (UK)+ 1 617 340 6464 (Int'l)