Hi Tom,
Answers below:
1. If you use a CMS for your site, which one do you use and would you recommend it to us?
We use Joomla and, as an open source CMS, it's obviously pretty sustainable and quite economical for us to support and update.
2. When you started using a CMS did you do any development and migration work yourselves, or did you use an agency. If the latter, which one, and would you recommend them?
We were originally using RedDot CMS and we migrated the site content from there to Joomla using a company called Altcom who specialise in Joomla-based websites. They also support our CMS with updates etc. We'd definitely recommend them.
3. Did the CMS work take place as part of a site redesign, or follow a site audit?
Our migration was not part of a site re-design. This stayed the same, which was a challenge in itself! (Our new site will be launched this April!)
4. How long did the project take?
It took several months from design to delivery. But to be honest I'd have to look back at our documentation to give you some more exact 'facts and figures'. (if you're interested in exploring Joomla as a potential CMS then we can provide you with some more detailed information)
5. Is there any other advice you'd like to offer us?
Keep plenty of time free for editing content and images, especially if you're changing the design as well as the CMS. As Adrian has already mentioned, interoperability is a significant consideration as you don't want to invest time and money in a product that doesn't talk with your other key systems.
;-)
Best,
Dr Kirsten Riley
Digital Media Manager
London Transport Museum
Covent Garden Piazza
London
WC2E 7BB
Twitter: @ltmuseum
-----Original Message-----
From: Museums Computer Group [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Bilson, Tom
Sent: 10 March 2014 17:44
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [MCG] Courtauld Institute: 2 minute website CMS questions
Dear MCG members
The Courtauld Institute of Art is migrating its website to a new CMS.
I'm hoping for feedback from those of you who, like me, work with university as well as gallery or museum websites, but all feedback will be welcomed. I'm just trying to gather some general information about software vendors, and how you approached the project.
If possible, answers please by end of Wednesday 12 March.
1. If you use a CMS for your site, which one do you use and would you recommend it to us?
We use Keepthinking's CMS called Qi. We're overall very happy with it, so yes would recommend.
2. When you started using a CMS did you do any development and migration work yourselves, or did you use an agency. If the latter, which one, and would you recommend them?
Keepthinking did the development in collaboration with us and some development mainly on collections side of site with Knowledge Integration. Content migration from old site we did ourselves.
3. Did the CMS work take place as part of a site redesign, or follow a site audit?
As part of overall site re-design, following a site audit.
4. How long did the project take?
Actual development took about 8-10 months; overall project took longer with procurement, tendering, content migration, and further database integration etc. etc - not to mention 'day job' of keeping existing site up-to-date. We found that working in phases was best approach as it allowed us go live with essentials with 'nice to haves' to follow shortly afterwards.
Is there any other advice you'd like to offer us?
It sounds trite, but have a really clear idea of what you need and want before hearing about any other features and being swayed off in other directions. Also really consider interoperability with other systems.
Many thanks for your time!
--
Tom Bilson
Head of Digital Media
The Courtauld Institute of Art
Somerset House
Strand
London WC2R 0RN
Email: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
www.courtauld.ac.uk<http://www.courtauld.ac.uk>
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