Content Management System
A content management system (CMS) is a program used to create a framework for the content of a Web site. With most CMSs, the framework can be customized with a “skin” that defines the graphic design. This approach is opposite to defining the graphic design first, then coding the functionality second. Whereas the majority of cost of a Web site is in the functionality, the CMS approach is often significantly more cost-effective. For example, the software for the Web site Wikipedia is based on a wiki, which is a particular type of content management system. As used in this article, content management means Web content management. Other related forms of content management are listed below.
The content managed includes computer files, image media, audio files, electronic documents and Web content. The idea behind a CMS is to make these files available inter-office, as well as over the Web. A CMS would most often be used as an archive as well. Many companies use a CMS to store files in a non-proprietary form. Companies use a CMS to share files with ease, as most systems use server-based software, further broadening file availability. As shown below, many CMSs include a feature for Web content, and some have a feature for a workflow process.
"Workflow" is the idea of moving an electronic document along either for approval or for adding content. Some CMSs will easily facilitate this process with e-mail notification and automated routing. This is ideally a collaborative creation of documents. A CMS facilitates the organization, control, and publication of a large body of documents and other content, such as images and multimedia resources.
A Web content management system is a CMS with additional features to ease the tasks required to publish Web content to Web sites.