What is Content Management?
Content management is the process of organizing and consolidating these pieces of content (text, graphics, and multimedia clips) and tagging schemes (XML, HTML, etc,) in the most efficient way and storing them only one time in a repository, known as a content management system. The organized content can then be used over and over again (content reuse) for many different publications and repurposed for multichannel publishing.
Various types of content management systems exist to meet the needs of users in a range of different industries. Content management can entail anything from managing a website’s digital assets to storing enterprise documents such as branding guidelines, business plans, emails, and more.
Content resource management is an essential priority in healthcare, government contracting, and other industries with specific reporting requirements. It’s also useful in the financial industry, where transparency is critical, and in manufacturing, where accurate user guides and help documents are a key part of overall quality control.
Larger organizations have more complex content management needs, whether they include maintaining several regional websites with shared resources, or improving collaboration between distinct business units.
The needs of your organization will determine the best type of content management system for your business. The first step in choosing the right one is to familiarize yourself with the different options available on the market today. Below is a list of the major categories:
| Type of Content Management System | Purpose |
| Web Content Management System (WCMS) | Specializes in managing and delivering content to Web sites |
| Digital Asset Management System (DAM) | Specializes in managing graphics and multimedia components and their corresponding metadata, but not text |
| Document Management System (DMS) | Manages whole documents rather than the actual content itself; similar to an electronic filing cabinet |
| Enterprise Content Management System (ECM) | Manages all aspects of content within an organization (i.e., e-mails, business documents, and more) and is scalable for use throughout the entire enterprise. |
| Component Content Management (CCMS), also known as XML Content Management (XML CMS) | Manages content at the component level and stores it only one time as a single source for maximum content reuse and delivery to multiple media channels (i.e., print, Web, mobile devices, PDF, and more) - Vasont fits in here! |
Contact us for further information about more in-depth training in content management.