A system that can be used to manage the content of a website is called content management system (CMS). In other words, CMS is a tool to create, edit, and remove details/information in a website. The definitive advantage of the CMS being that you can carry out most of the task without any technical expertise.

The contents managed can be of various types that include web contents, media files, e-documents, online transactions, etc. and they are classified based on the requirements.

Types of CMS

The different types of CMS are as follows,

Browser based CMS:

The most convenient and the cheapest CMS is the browser based CMS. It is easy to access and can be edited from anywhere in the world. Most of the other CMS require software to be installed but whereas this CMS does not require any software and can be simply logged in by using a username, password and the contents can be edited.

Transactional based CMS:

This type of CMS can be employed by E-commerce organization where they need to manage large data of transactions though online.

Digital based CMS:

Information is also stored in digital format, hence the digital equipment needs to be organized and kept in a system that is effective and functions properly. For this purpose, you can use a digital asset management system which will help in organizing all the media files. The digital media may contain audio, video, stills, graphics, and other media related files.

Business Process CMS:

This is a CMS which is related to transaction details such as invoices, sales order, application forms, etc. Further, the system offers the businesses to integrate and expand in the corporate environment and also provides the support to organize the work steps systematically and improve better communication among the users.

Enterprise CMS:

This system offers the users to access, scan, store and manage all information within an enterprise. The system supports all types of functions, it can be web based or E-commerce based or CRM. The enterprise CMS is designed in a way that can integrate with client server and hosted solutions.

Finally, it is very essential that you need to understand the various types of CMS which enable you to decide on the one that best suits your business. If you are not sure about the CMS that works cost effectively and efficiently for your business, contact us and we are happy to offer you the best possible help.

Vijayakumar Palaniappan
Marketing Manager
Samran Technologies

Making your web site easy for international visitors to understand is what website internationalization is all about. There are times when differences in vocabulary may crop up. This can even happen across different industries in the same country.

One of the ways you can help your readers is to start a Glossary.

In your glossary you can list industry specific words and all words you use commonly where others may not have the exact same understanding. If you explain a process in your communication, think of including verbs in your glossary.

The key to making your glossary work for you is to strive for accuracy, clarity, and ease of understanding.

Accuracy

In some cases a lack of accuracy can have devastating effects.

• In health issues.
• In reference to using machinery.

Clarity

A glossary's aim is to give a clear meaning to the words you use. Keep your explanations as clear as possible. If they only lead to further misunderstandings or do not answer the readers questions, you would be better off without one.

Ease Of Understanding

Keep your glossary very easy read and people will enjoy reading it. Pay attention to the general appearance of the glossary as a whole as well as the individual explanations.

An Added Value

After ready through a well done glossary, the reader may well come away feeling appreciative of the easy to read informative experience. It is a wonderful touch of thoughtfulness to your international visitors.

Non-native English speakers will greatly appreciate its value.

Prepares For Translation

A glossary is highly recommended in certain industries where specific vocabulary requires expert translations.

In some instances some people feel they can take a dictionary out and provide translations of key vocabulary in languages other than their mother-tongue. This can lead to further misunderstandings. A glossary well done is far better than taking on translation skills when you do not have them.

However, your glossary will be of significant value to a professional translator once you decide to offer multilingual services.

Glossaries are also appreciated in non-technical areas too. Cultural habits differ. People can use vocabulary differently. Glossaries provide insight into how you communicate and provide a base for cross-cultural dialogue.

Last February, I received a call from a man in Wisconsin asking about my writing services. He was particularly interested in having me rewrite the copy on his Web site. I was very surprised and wondering how in the heck he got my name. Then he mentioned something about my being my Internet hosting service's "customer of the month." I was very pleasantly surprised. After I spoke with him, I logged onto my email and there was an e-newsletter from my host server. And, yes, I was the "customer of the month," and my Web site was the featured site for the month.

Of course, I quickly hastened to my site and checked the traffic. I was up to over 300 visits to my home page for the morning, and the day was to end with 796 visits! I don't believe I'll ever see numbers like that again. I also received several other calls from people interested in my services.

It wasn't a complete surprise that my site was featured. Last year, I had filled out a "success story" response form on the company's site. I was later interviewed and told that I would be used as a case study. But the case study never materialized so I had forgotten about it. Thus I was very pleased when my site landed in their e-newsletter as the featured site.

My host is one of many companies where you can register domain names and get your business online. They will build a site for you; or, if you are cheap like me, you can build your own.

When I began my business a few years ago, I waited a whole year for my brother who owns an ad agency in L.A. to professionally build my Web site for free. Now he's kind of successful, and he didn't get that way by doing a lot of free work for relatives. At the time, my server was doing a lot of radio advertising claiming you could "build your Web site in 20 minutes." One day after nagging my brother once more, he became exasperated and said, "Why don't you just build your own."

So I did. I called the company and they provided templates and lots of help. I chose an animated template with a layout ideal for showcasing a portfolio. There was a bit of a learning curve. I had to play around and call for help a few times. It took me longer than 20 minutes; yet, technically, the commercial was accurate: you could really get a home page up with your contact info in 20 minutes. I believe I spent about 20 hours to get my Web site to the point where I was willing to "publish" it.

One of the advantages I have found about building your own Web site is that you don't have to rely on an outside Web Master to update it. Sometimes those fellows are swamped and it can take awhile. If I want to put a new project in my online portfolio, I can do it in a few minutes. Or if I want to add something new to my list of services, I can quickly type it in and it's done.

I found a huge difference in how I was perceived in the business community once I had a Web presence. Suddenly, I was taken seriously. These days when someone asks, "What's your Web address?" you should have it ready. And it should never be "under construction." Visitors find that very irritating. It's really not that hard to get a presentable Web site up.

As I mentioned earlier, there are numerous places where you can go to build a Web site. Just Google "do it yourself Web site" and you will get numerous options.

It is very inexpensive. My site costs me less than $100 a year for 20 pages. Some places are even cheaper. Compared to the thousands of dollars one can pay a Web designer, it's a sweet deal.

That's not to say that I don't believe in professionally designed Web sites. I still want one with more bells and whistles. I'm just waiting on my brother.

(Since initially writing this piece, my server has made the process even better. It's more professional, a lot more pages available ... and more bells and whistles.)