Introduction to a Content Management System

There are many management systems to choose from. Our CMS has been developed using PHP as core programming language due to the fact that it has the highest install base. Larger install base results in wider adoption rate for software built on top of it.

Content comes in different forms and often it is hard to say what type of content is defined as editable. For example, an html page is a document. In a CMS (Content Management System) you can style the text, give it special formatting, and add pictures, videos, etc.

What Does a CMS Do?

AGO CMS comes with a wide range of applications. For example, if you have events and need to add, delete and edit their content on a page you may want to use our career module or news / events module.

What are the Benefits of a CMS?

CMS applications make it easier for anyone with very little experience in computer programs to update a site without training or knowledge in HTML, CSS or Web Development.

A content management system saves businesses overhead by creating a user-friendly editing environment for anyone in the company to manage their business website.

What is Enterprise?

When we use the word “Enterprise," while referring to content management system, it is related to the quality of the CMS and the higher level of care you receive.

When you have someone on the telephone the moment you have a problem, is that considered enterprise? A high level of support is considered an Enterprise level of support. Businesses require instant support in many cases.

Here are three core enterprise requirements in a content management system:

  1. Security
  2. Support
  3. Performance

1.1 Security

As a business owner you need to make sure your content, private or public, is secure. The last thing you would want is to get black listed from search engines, desktop security scanners and other security software, just because your website is serving malware.

Security and Privacy Issues

1.         Loss or corruption of data

2.         Disclosure of secrets or sensitive information

3.         Disclosure of privileged/privacy information about individuals

4.         Corruption of software or introduction of malware, such as viruses

Now I'll go back to the example of PHP, the language most open source content systems run on. PHP allows an agile development technique. However, like other technologies, it is not automatically immune to many security problems on the web.

One classic example is if someone uploads a file such as "How-to-Success.php.pdf" and inside that file is malicious PHP code, then something magical happens. When a user tries to download that file, instead of a standard, innocent PDF, they are executing code on your web server that could delete all of your data or gain access at the administrative level. This can happen when the developer of the CMS only checked the filename for the type of file, rather than the mime type.

It is important to work with a developer that has experience in all aspects of building, supporting and maintaining a CMS.

1.2 Security: Plug-ins Are the Anti-Security

Most plug-ins are developed by third-party developers. A third-party plug-in is very often the cause of a security breech on an enterprise system. Third-party plug-ins can open holes and the software platform has no way of protecting you from this, so when looking for add-ons, plug-ins, add-ins, modules, etc., make sure they are verified by the content management vendor before adding them into your content manager.

If security is the most important aspect, then it is wise to find a CMS that provides as much as you need from the beginning, rather than adding in third-party plug-ins later. For example, if you need more than just a page editor, and would like an events calendar, memberships management, etc., then make sure the core system includes those items that you will need, or make sure that the CMS was developed directly by the vendors themselves

1.3 Security: Open Source vs Proprietary

Open source is all the rage, as people want more ownership over their software, but does this come at a cost? The short answer is, no, as long as you are alright with a compromise.

But now for the long answer. . .

NO SERIOUS PORTAL OR CORPORATE WEBSITES ARE BUILT USING OPEN SOURCE TECHNOLOGY AND FOR A REASON:
Using a completely open source content manager makes your site open to attacks, much more so than a proprietary-built content manager. The reason for this is that attackers can figure out how to attack your website because the code is visible to everyone, where as with proprietary software, the code is hidden and is written uniquely, and therefore makes the attacker guess.

That being said, open source does have some security advantages. For example, if a new content manage system came out and became open source, you would want to be the last person to use it. Why? Because new software always has bugs and this is a hacker's breeding ground. Over time the bugs and security flaws are corrected but you do no want to be using a CMS that is still a part of this cycle. If anything, as a person that cares about your company or online business, you want to choose a longstanding content management system; one that has gone into maturity and whose bugs have been removed and are not a security issue.

Ago CMS has a proprietary architecture and compiled code which is not visible to anyone making it extremely secure.

Most of the essential functionality is already built into the CMS without the need of external modules.

However, when additional functionality is required, it can be built on the existing architecture without the need for third party modules.

2. Support

Below is a comparison of support via phone call.

WordPress Call-in Support

WordPress charges $80,000. USD per year for their "VIP Support," phone support with their Platinum Level. With that support package you are provided up to three (3) hours of phone support per year, and 12 hours turn around for support issues. Their Black Level costs $120,000. USD and has up to five (5) hours of phone support per year. A person can go a low as $5,000 USD for a one-time fee, for one request. All of their VIP Support levels include unlimited email support tickets.

Joomla Call-in Support 

Not Available. 

Joomla is practically anti-enterprise when it comes to call-in support. There are companies that provide call-in support for Joomla, but they are very limited. Due to the complexity of the program, the hours you would need for help are far more that what a third-party company would provide per month. Their costs range from $400. USD to $3,000. USD per year with limited support, not including additional costs.

Drupal Call-in Support 

Drupal charges $8,000. USD per year and currently provides certified third-party support via Acquia. Their call-in support starts at $8,000 USD. They do have 8am to 8pm support services and a 24x7 line for emergencies, but there is no guarantee that you will receive the level of support your need. Charges also include ten (10) hours of Drupal-related jargon to help with optimizations, and security.

AGO Support

  • We provide immediate real time support.
     (One Example:  We have been doing so for the past five years for the Tata Shaktee website.  )
  • AGO support translates to 24/7/365 , hassle free web presence and no downtime with immediate resolution of hosting problems, software bugs, updates, security or any other issue.

3. Enterprise Level Performance

While open source CMS modules can work for small individual website, they do not generally deliver enterprise level performance.

The AGO CMS provides enterprise level performance. For example, when there are 5000+ rows of data loaded on a single backend page, they can be updated without a hitch at one go.

Another advantage is integration with local ERP systems where the database structure and security has to be kept in mind. We had integrated Tata Tubes and Tata Structura Website backend with their ERP (SAP) which required the databse to be designed in a particular way. We worked closely with their IT team based in Jamshedpur and fulfilled all their technical requirements.


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