Navigating The Content Management Jungle: A Survival Guide By Barry Schaeffer, X.Systems, Inc.

Used with permission from CRMToday

Much of what passes for content management today is actually Delivery Management, dealing with content already prepared and available for access, either for bulk information products (such as books or CDs) or in support of interactive queries. The key difference between this and true content management is its assumption that content is complete, properly structured and ready for delivery. Most web server software firms offer a brand of CM that is really delivery management.

Content management, on the other hand, supports the functions required to create and finalize content not yet ready for delivery. Sometimes called "work in process management," CM includes functions that relate to authors, editors, collaborators and other personnel involved in the preparation of content, always assuming that the content it supports is not yet ready for use in final information products. The difference could be likened to that between managing a factory and managing a retail outlet.

Barry Schaeffer is President of X.Systems, Inc., a consulting and system development firm specializing in the conception and design of text-based information systems, with industrial, legal/judicial and publishing clients among the Fortune 500, non-profit organizations and government agencies. During his more than thirty-five-year career, Mr. Schaeffer has held management and technical positions with The Bell System, Xerox, Planning Research Corporation and U. S. News and World Report. As a consultant, he has supported over 30 clients, including The Bureau of National Affairs, McGraw Hill, Boeing, Rockwell, United Technologies, Matthew Bender, IBM and U. S. Defense agencies. He is a frequent contributor on subjects related to information management. He welcomes your comments at barry@www.xsystemsinc.com.