When selecting a web content management (WCM) system, there are several important considerations to make around enabling technology, aligned philosophy, and partnership mentality. The system should provide the necessary functional and technical requirements, align with the website's strategic goals around things like customer service and personalization, and be supported by a vendor or integrator that understands the organization's needs. Open source WCM can be a good option if the product and community meet these criteria and the organization has the capabilities to support it.

1. Considerations To Make When Selecting A WCM System(Open Source or otherwise) Scott Liewehr Lead Analyst, WCM Practice at Outsell Gilbane Services @sliewehr | ScottL@gilbane.com 10/13/11

2. So you want to go shopping... When one goes clothes shopping, they are looking for more than protection from the cold and a way to cover their body. They shop to fulfill an image. They are looking to blend in, to stick out, or maybe to dress a certain way for an event.

3. What experience are you trying to create? It’s about finding a system which aligns with your strategy and helps create the experience you want for your audience. When buying a WCM system, it’s not just about looking for a system to manage web content.

4. Important elements to consider when selecting a WCM system Enabling technology Aligned philosophy Inspiring trajectory Partnership mentality

5. Enabling technology Give me control Make it easier (not harder) Help me do it faster Tell me what I don’t know Help me improve over time These are your functional requirements

6. Aligned philosophy Customer service? Personalization? Channelization? Social? Globalization? Does the platform support your website’s strategic orientation?

7. Inspiring trajectory Innovative and strategic Agile response to market Transparent roadmap Stable and supportive Judge the platform with the next five years in mind

8. Partnership mentality Understands your needs Sets clear expectations “Gets” customer service Plays nicely with others Has a strong community Whether satisfied by the tech vendor or an integrator, these are critical

9. Open source WCM is great if... The product fits the bill (see Enabling Technology & Aligned Philosophy) It’s innovative & strategic Someone’s driving (Can you judge the roadmap?) It’s stable and well-tested Your team is ready for it You can call someone

10. If so, the rest is gravy... Low barrier to entry Benefit from others’ work Community support Customize to your heart’s desire Rapid problem resolution Easy integration Pay only for services and support