Features
Abstracts embrace Open Source
As you may have heard we’ve recently launched our new CMS – YellowTail.
YellowTail is significantly different from the content management systems we’ve built in the past because we’ve chosen to build it on an open source framework DotNetNuke (DNN).
Open Source technologies are gathering great momentum.
It’s well understood that an open source solution offers much greater functionality at a fraction of the cost when compared to traditional proprietary licensed products.
However, corporates have in the past been reluctant to embrace Open Source technology due to a fear they will not get good ongoing support from reputable agencies.
The best of both worlds
We’ve been working with the DotNetNuke community for at least 18 months now and have extended the framework and added modules to create our own product YellowTail – this provides the best software and ideas form an OpenSource community supported by an award winning specialist marketing agency.
Why we chose open source?
Well, technology changes very quickly and a completely bespoke CMS solution carries the danger of becoming rapidly out-dated. Scalability is often an issue.
We’ve heard you tell us that in the past you’ve frequently been tied into a single vendor which can put you in an awkward position if for any reason the relationship turns sour.
In comparison open source technology is hugely beneficial on many levels…
The benefits
- It’s more cost efficient!
An open source framework undoubtedly costs a lot less than a typical commercial CMS.
With no outlay on software / license fees you can invest where it matters most:
customising the CMS to match your specific needs e.g. bespoke modules and interactive features designing and developing new templates reviewing, restructuring and writing copy conducting usability tests integrating the CMS with your other systems
- It’s easy to customise
With an open-source CMS, all the code is freely accessible (by definition). This allows developers to make any changes to the system to meet your exact needs.
If you require specific functionality, it’s pretty likely that something similar has already been built by somebody in the open source community. Modules can be bought reasonably and then customised to suit your exact requirements.
This makes maximum use out of work that has already been done – meaning you get a lot more for your money.
- It’s future-proof
In current market conditions the outlook for many CMS providers is shaky. If a product is terminated, or a vendor shuts down, support immediately ceases for bespoke products. An open source application with a wide community is a much less risky solution.
Open source platforms are actively supported by a wide base of developers. For example there’s a global community of over 600,000 developers for DNN our CMS framework.
So if Open Source is the answer what do Abstracts bring to the table?
The main complaint about open source is the lack of commercial support.
Using a customised solution like YellowTail gives you the benefits of an open source system backed by an agency with dedicated developers and support teams in place.
You also have access to the expertise necessary to make your website a success:
A little bit about us and DNN (the OpenSource framework YellowTail is built on).
Because virtually all of our work is for corporate clients, we have traditionally developed web applications using Microsoft technologies. Our programmers are Microsoft Certified, so it was important for us to choose a technology that matched our capabilities and the needs of our clients.
Most OpenSource communities will use either Java or PHP as a programming language. DNN on the other hand is built using Microsoft’s .NET framework. This means we have the ability to well and truly get “under the bonnet”, to change, extend and write code creating feature rich applications very, very quickly.
DNN is recognised as the best open-source CMS for the Microsoft .NET platform and has many other admirers:
Winner of the 'Editors Choice' Award from Visual Studio Magazine Awarded Leader status in Web Content Solutions for Small Enterprises category by Info-Tech Research Recommended as Best free CMS for the .NET platform by .Net magazine (July 08 edition)
If you are considering a new website, or intranet please get in touch today.
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