Overview

What is a content management system?

A content management system (CMS) is an tool for managing web site content. It allows you to create, modify, arrange and delete content without needing HTML, programming or design skills.

Best of breed open source CMS

APLAWS+ is built upon the Red Hat Content Management System, an evolution of the ArsDigita Community System.  The APLAWS project has helped to improve and extended this underlying system and has developed specific local authority components above this layer. These components are abstracted adequately so that as the underlying Red Hat system evolves the overall APLAWS+ bundle will be able to benefit from this. The system is delivered with the source code included and is J2EE compliant.

APLAWS+ Benefits overview

• Open Source software released under the GNU Lesser General Public License, which means no cost for the software and no license cost.
• Fully functional enterprise CMS with workflow, lifecycles, roles, content creation and expiry.
• Two database options: Oracle or PostgreSQL (open source).
• Accessible UK Local Authority XSL web templates provided.
• Improved template management system built into the system.
• WYSIWYG editor built into authoring kit.
• System bundled with specific local authority content types.
• National standards built into the system, i.e. the Government Metadata Standard (eGMS) and the system is interoperable (eGIF).  Also see the Standards section
• Local Government Category List built into the system with direct mappings to ESD Toolkit PIDs.
• Allows for the development of many separate subsites
• Supports RDF/RSS standards for syndicating content.

Active APLAWS User Group

• Live implementations of APLAWS have led to the formation of an active APLAWS User Group and there is a growing community to support new adopters.
• Recent APLAWS+ back-end authoring improvements were undertaken in direct consultation and involvement of the APLAWS User Group
• A growing number of suppliers are gaining experience in developing APLAWS+ components or offering implementation support or consultancy.