WCM Allows Company To Provide Ideal User Experience On Global Scale

Friday, November 13, 2009 by Brad Davis


As a general practice, we don't post press releases to the SDL Tridion Blogosphere.  The IHS story is an exception becuse it is a perfect example of a company moving beyond basic online content management and selecting a next generation web content management system as the foundation for their online marketing strategy.

IHS To Implement World-Class Web Sites With SDL Tridion


IHS, a leading global source of critical information and insight, has selected the SDL Tridion enterprise Web Content Management system (WCMS) to manage its global network of websites.  With full implementation planned for the second quarter of 2010, IHS is undergoing a massive online overhaul that will merge 45 business unit-specific sites and domains into a single enterprise-level Web experience.


"We've had several substantial acquisitions at IHS in recent years," says Kevin Spiller, director of Web development and strategy at IHS. "This created a difficult situation for getting people to the right information or demonstrate the full value of IHS. We knew that it was integral to reorganize our Web content in a system that helps to maintain a robust global presence. Starting with 14 different WCM systems, we whittled the selection down to three. SDL Tridion was the best fit for a company like ours with a wide range of customers."

The IHS Web site reaches users and customers across a diverse array of business units. From engineering, geology and oil prospecting to supply chains, military, security and financial analysis, its goal is to provide potential users from many industries with an ideal experience across the site. IHS plans to accomplish this by using SDL Tridion's workflow, translation management and website personalization features. As Spiller explains it, IHS wants to implicitly understand where users are coming from and what they are seeking.

"We're planning on using SDL Tridion to ensure that our Web experience flows seamlessly across all channels," says Spiller. "Whether we are providing data or taking more of an advisory role, it becomes important that users and customers understand the breadth and diversity of our business solutions. SDL Tridion provides a personalized user experience that will accomplish that goal while protecting our brand and localizing updates. This allows more flexibility on a bigger Web site that meets all of our governance needs."

"SDL Tridion is very pleased to welcome IHS as a customer," says Jan Jaap Kolleman, CEO of SDL Tridion. "In many ways, the IHS site is an exemplary case that demonstrates the scalability of our enterprise web content management system. Our software will help them streamline their Web presence by transforming marketing sites into a large, global Web presence that reinforces the IHS brand. Now, a subject matter expert in Europe can update content directly for local users in a specific industry while sharing design, layout and branding elements with the rest of the Web site. For a company that's rapidly expanding such as IHS, this capability becomes an invaluable tool for growth over multiple years."

About IHS (www.ihs.com)
IHS is a leading global source of critical information and insight dedicated to providing the most complete and trusted information and expertise. IHS product and service solutions span four areas of information that encompass the most important concerns facing global business today: Energy, Product Lifecycle, Security, and Environment, all supported by Macroeconomics.


Web Content Management (WCM) and Social Media

Tuesday, November 10, 2009 by Gavino Gonzalez
There are basically two types of social media campaigns

1.    Those that you can control

The type of social media campaign that you control are initiated by your own organization, provided you have the necessary tools. A best-in-class enterprise web content management system will integrate with commercially available social media software and tools.

For example, a blog run by your company would require a workflow moderator to approve posts and comments before they go live and the same applies to corporate sponsored wikis.

In addition to using a best-in-class enterprise web content management system there are other brand management tools to help deliver brand consistency online. One of those tools is SDL Tridion's Safeguard. Safeguard is a powerful tool that will help protect your brand online with a few mouse clicks. This ensures that you will deliver a consistent content that protects your brand and its value.

2.    Those you can’t control

If a customer or a prospect becomes upset and decides to slam your organization on Facebook, Twitter and Youtube, quite frankly, there is not much you can do about it. You can however; monitor social networking sites and keep an eye out for disparaging campaigns. Should one arise you would then be prepared to take swift action to mitigate potential negative effects.

Contact SDL Tridion today to request a demonstration or to learn more about enterprise web content management systems or brand management tools like Safeguard and how they can protect your brand.

Releasing the Hounds after Web Content Management (WCM)

Friday, October 30, 2009 by Gavino Gonzalez
Caged Web Site Content Management

Fellow Marketers, raise your hand if you cannot change the content on your website promptly. Come on you don't have to be afraid, I've been there more times than I can count in my career. You have a collection of perfect collateral that you are itching to deploy on your website, but you’ve been informed that it will take a week(maybe longer) before it can go live. Why? It's sitting in the IT departments 'web content management support box'. You have online marketing objectives to achieve, so time to market is a critical factor in the success of the campaign.
 
Releasing the Hounds

Best-in-class Web Content Management software can help you reach your business objectives faster and with less headaches. Benefits of a well deployed enterprise Web Content Management system include:

•    Reduced time to market
•    Increased efficiency
•    Maintaining consistency of brand and message
•    Increased customer loyalty
•    Increased conversion rates
•    Reduced Operation costs

All of the above combine to deliver an amazing return on your marketing investment.

Imagine if...

Imagine having the ability to do things like adding new content to your website, deploying an email campaign, creating landing pages and micro sites and fixing incorrect content and more without the need to go through IT.

The best part is you don't need to be an HTML wizard. You don't even need to know HTML at all. Best-in-class enterprise Web Content Management systems are extremely easy to use and have WYSIWYG editors which make editing website content as easy as creating a word document or sending an email.

Check this out


SDL Tridion offers a top rated enterprise web content management system. Positioned as a leader by both Forrester and Gartner, renowned WCM industry analysts, the SDL Tridion solution makes managing complex content over multiple websites and channels fast and easy. Better yet, it even includes a suite of ROI focused online marketing tools.  To learn how SDL Tridion can make your life easier and your online campaigns more successful, contact us today and request a demonstration.

10 Ways to Improve Website Performance

Monday, October 26, 2009 by Brad Davis

1.  Implement and Maintain Current Web Content Management (WCM) Technology

It wasn't that long ago when a basic function calculator could be purchased for $9.99.  Today, walk into any drug store and you can purchase the same calculator for $1.99 or buy a super deluxe scientific model for $9.99.  With most technology products you get more for less over time.  The same principle applies to enterprise web content management.

The web content management market and industry has changed considerably over the last few years and continues to evolve at a rapid pace.  Best-in-class enterprise web content management systems are now at the core of successful online marketing strategies and do much more than simply manage online content.  These systems now include interactive tools that will help you achieve online marketing objectives, such as increasing conversion rates.

To keep your organization ahead of the game and maximizing business results from your online channel, plan on upgrading WCM technology every three to five years.

2.  Frequently Update Website Content

Adding fresh content on a regular basis to your website will improve your search engine rankings plus has the extra benefit of keeping customers coming back for more.   Use dynamic content to deliver an enhanced visitor experience, build brand loyalty, and drive conversions.

3.  Personalize Website Interactions by Using Landing Pages

One of the quickest and easiest ways to increase the personalization of your online channel is to incorporate the use of more landing pages.  Landing pages should generally be directed at one target audience with one message and have one call to action.  By segmenting your target audiences you can channel them to the landing pages with content that best fits their profile.  Personalized content increases conversion rates.

4.  Conduct A/B Testing of your Website Content

I am the first to admit that marketing is as much an art as it is a science.  And while there are best practices for virtually every marketing tactic, the truth of the matter is that we never know for sure what will work and what won't work.  That is until we've tried it.  When you find out what works, do more of it.  A best-in-class enterprise web content management system will have A/B testing with functionality that makes this kind of testing simple.

5.  Use Old School Segmentation for Target Audience Marketing

Segment your Target audiences into groupings that make sense for your business and deliver persuasive content tailored to each group.  Best-in-class enterprise web content management systems will have this capability.

6.  Personalize the Website Experience

Website personalization is very similar to Segmentation, however here you are personalizing the web experience for individuals rather than groups.  Next generation web content management systems have the ability to deliver personalized content to individual website visitors based upon explicit and implicit behaviors.

7.  Integrate Web Content Management with Other Systems and Platforms

A best-in-class WCM system should easily integrate with CRM's, ERP's, email campaign tools, and other software and solutions.  Integrating your enterprise web content management system will  significantly improve efficiency, help marketers deliver more relevant content to their target audiences, and assist with website optimization, testing, and analysis.

8.  Establish a Social Media Presence with Cross Links to Your Website

Develp and execute a social media strategy.  At a minimum, set up Facebook, Twitter, and Linked In accounts with links to and from your website.  Post relevant content to these social media sites on a regular basis.

9.  Engage Customers Across Multiple Channels

While the website is at the center of the interactive universe and effectively managing online content vital to success, it pays to reach out to customers and prospects across multiple touch points including email, print, mobile, and RSS.  Leverage multiple channels to drive traffic to your website.  The best enterprise web content management systems will have online interactive marketing tools as well as multichannel marketing functionalities.

10.  Measure, Analyze and Improve Website Content on a Regular Basis

I read somewhere that "whatever it was that made you successful today will not make you successful tomorrow".  I'm not sure if that quote fully applies here, but I like it anyway :)  Regardless, in my humble opinion, quality is an ongoing process, not a final result.

Use website analytic tools, learn from the reports they provide, and take concrete steps to improve your metrics.  Measure, Analyze and Improve on a regularly scheduled basis (like monthly or quarterly).  Oh, did I mention that the SDL Tridion enterprise web content management system provides an excellent set of website analytical tools?

Forrester Reviews Top Web Content Management Vendors and Systems

Wednesday, October 21, 2009 by Brad Davis
Searching for an Enterprise Web Content Management System?  Start Here.

In an earlier blog post, I suggested that you begin the web content management vendor selection process by doing some research and developing a "short list" of vendors to evaluate.  If you're like most organizations, you will probably begin with a Google search using phrases like:
  • Web Content Management Reviews
  • Web Content Management Vendors
  • Enterprise Web Content Management System
  • Global Web Content Management
  • Best Web Content Management
Search on a WCM related phrase and you'll get a mind blowing number of results-over 184,000,000.  And most  of these will be  from WCM companies who want to sell you their wares.  Of course that includes your friends at SDL Tridion :)

Want Factual, Unbiased WCM Research?  Go Straight to Forrester.

Forrester Research, a renowned web content management industry analyst, publishes a report that evaluates leading enterprise-class web content management vendors and their solutions.  Their latest report is "The Forrester Wave™: Web Content Management for External Sites, Q-2 2009".  The detailed report is used by many organizations to develop their "short list".

About the Forrester Report

Forrester evaluates 10 web content management vendors across approximately 115 criteria, which they grouped into three primary categories:

  • Current offering
  • Strategy
  • Market presence
Results are summarized in a clear concise manner with easy to read charts, diagrams and tables.  If you are looking for a best-in-class enterprise web content management system from a leading web content management vendor, this report is definitely a "Must Read".

Download the Forrester Report for Free

Click here to download the web content management reviewed report by Forrester, compliments of SDL Tridion, a leader in enterprise web content management and online marketing solutions.

Selecting the Best Web Content Management System

There are hundreds of web content management products, systems, and solutions on the market today from hundreds of different vendors.  Hopefully, you will find the Forrester report helpful in narrowing the playing field and developing a short list of enterprise web content management vendors to evaluate.

Which enterprise web content management system is right for you and which vendor should you select?  This depends upon the specific needs of your organization.  In any case, be sure to select a financially strong company with the ability to provide excellent web content management support and service.

Beyond Web Content Management

In addition to looking at the features and benefits of different web content management systems, I would also suggest that you take a look at how they will help you achieve your online marketing objectives, such as increasing conversion rates.  Look for web content management software tools that will assist with online brand management, target audience marketing, email campaigns, and website personalization.

The bottom line:  Top web content management vendors will help you do much more than basic online content management.  They will help you realize the many benefits of web content management, the most important of which is ROI.

10 Features a Best-In-Class Web Content Management System Should Have

Tuesday, October 20, 2009 by Brad Davis
Features versus Benefits

Yeah, I know.  People (and organizations) buy benefits not features.  And, of course, the benefits that a top rated enterprise web content management system can deliver are far more important than a collection of whistles and bells.  That said, it is features that deliver benefits and properly employed functionalities that help achieve online business objectives.

"Must Have" Features & Functionalities

So, your an enterprise-class organization shopping for a best-in-class web content management system.  What key WCM features should you be evaluating on the solutions being offered by the vendors lucky enough to make your short list?  Here's a list of ten, that, according to my research, many WCM & CMS experts feel are mission critical:

1.  Content Creation & Publishing Tools
Functionalities for tempalting, creating content components, and managing changes.  It should be simple to build new websites, web pages, micro sites, and templates.  The system should also make it easy to share and reuse content across multiple websites, and ideally, across multiple channels.

2.  Editing Tools
A set of tools for editing content that are easy to use, including a WYSIWYG editor.

3.  Automated Workflow & Approval Process
The ability to manage the content creation process from start to finish with an automated workflow and approval process.

4.  Content Preview
The ability to preview content and check for errors prior to publishing to the live website(s).

5.  Centralized Content Repository
The content repository should make it easy to upload, store, manage, and deliver different types of content, files, and digital assets.

6.  Enterprise Ready Technology
Web content management software should be scalable and upgradeable with minimal effort.  Modules that add additional functionalities and updates should be easy to install.

7.  Check-in & Check-out
Secure library-type tools that allow for easy check-in and check-out of items with version control.

8.  Integration & Connectivity
An enterprise web content management system should "play nice with others".  Meaning that it should easily integrate with other technology and platforms, like, for example, CRM systems, Web 2.0, and social media applications.

9.  Online Marketing Tools
Web content management is evolving and "next generation" web content management systems will offer integrated online marketing capabilities that will help users achieve online marketing objectives, such as increased traffic and conversion rates.  Examples include website personalization for target audience marketing, interactive marketing, and online brand management.

10.  A Solid Company Behind the WCM Solution
Web content management vendors should be evaluated very carefully and due diligence given to your finalists.  Will your selected company be around for the next three to five years to provide service and support?

To be sure, there are other features and functionalities that you will want in an enterprise web content management system.  Indeed, considering the number of solutions on the market, you will have, quite literally, thousands of features to choose from.  Therefore, you might want to consider having three categories of features as you evaluate WCM solutions and vendors:
  • Must have features
  • Important features
  • Nice to have features
One final thought:  Enough about web content management features.  Don't forget about the benefits!

Quality & Compliance Management For Your Online Presence

Thursday, October 15, 2009 by Brad Davis
Online Brand Management

 

Enterprise and global organizations want to present their brand, image and vision clearly and consistently. But with thousands of pages, in dozens of languages, for many different brands and products, this may seem like an impossible task. The good news is it doesn’t have to be.

 

Safeguard is a web content management software tool for SDL Tridion’s Enterprise Web Content Management System. It’s a powerful solution that provides website quality and compliance management- with just a few clicks of a mouse. This means you can deliver consistent, high-quality websites that comply with your own internal standards, industry best practice standards, and regulations.

To learn more about Safeguard and how it can simplify online brand management and improve the quality of your online presence visit: www.sdltridion.com/products/web_content_management/safeguard/ 
 

The Challenge of Website Management

 

Effective online communication requires the orchestration of many different factors. Ask yourself these questions:

  • Is all published content accurate, up-to-date and search engine optimized?
  • Do all of your sites have consistent branding and messaging?
  • Do your websites meet accessibility and legal requirements?
  • Are local websites presented in the right language?
  • Are digital assets managed according to company rules?
  • Do your websites comply with global and regional standards
  • Are you tracking and bench marking site-wide performance?

Safeguard monitors your entire web presence, in any country or language. Easy-to-use dashboards provide detailed information on your online performance, reporting any quality and compliance breaches so you can fix them and maximize your online business results.

About SDL Tridion

SDL Tridion is a recognized leader in web content management and has received top rankings by leading industry analysts.  In addition to enterprise web content management systems, SDL Tridion is also an online marketing solutions company that provides:

  • Brand management tools
  • Interactive marketing solutions
  • Email marketing software
  • Website quality and compliance software
  • Global web content management tools
  • And much more
SDL Tridion provides enterprise web content management systems.  Visit us at www.sdltridion.com

The Evolution Of Web Content Management

Tuesday, October 13, 2009 by JanJaap Kolleman

Hmmm... let me see.  SDL acquires Tridion.  Autonomy acquires Interwoven.  Open Text acquires Vignette and RedDot.  It doesn’t take a crystal ball to see that something’s up, but it might take one to gain some insight as to what it all means.  And, while these acquisitions have certainly been game changers, they are only one piece of a much bigger puzzle.

Best-in-class enterprise web content management systems must now do more than simply manage content.  According to the Forrester Wave™: Web Content Management for External Sites Q2 2009:


"WCM EVOLVES INTO A KEY COMPONENT OF PERSUASIVE CONTENT ARCHITECTURE"

"Web content management (WCM) has come of age.  Enterprises continue to invest in WCM projects, but they no longer use it to merely store content and publish online.  Instead, they want to accomplish specific business goals, such as increased sales conversion rates and improved customer service."

 

Forrester makes an excellent point, however specific software functionalities are required to achieve the goals they refer to.  To stay on the leading edge of the wave (pun intended) it seems to me that a "smart" web content management company would offer solutions that include:
  • Online brand management
  • Multichannel marketing
  • Website personalization
  • Target audience marketing
  • Search engine optimization (SEO)
Why?  Because these marketing tools align with drivers that help organizations achieve real business objectives like:
  • Increased website traffic
  • Increased brand loyalty
  • Increased conversion rates
At the end of the day it's results that count.  It seems to me that when evaluating web content management vendors, one of the key questions to consider is "How well will they help us achieve our online marketing objectives?".

So, if enterprise web content management is evolving what is it changing into?  And what is the future of the WCM industry, market, vendors, products, and solutions?  My crystal ball is just getting warmed up.  How about yours?

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