Intentional Design Inc.

Finally, the CCM report we’ve all been waiting for

CMS Watch, an agency providing vendor-neutral analysis of content management vendors, has just released the much-awaited The XML & Component Content Management Report 2008, meant for the technical communication and content translation segments, and anyone using XML for content re-use.

This report, authored by Ann Rockley and other consultants from The Rockley Group, has been in the works for over a year, and runs well over 300 pages. And so it should, as it covers both authoring systems and component content management systems. The information in the report stays true to the CMS format: unbiased, unvarnished, and fair opinions of the vendors in this space. There is enough information for a technical reader to understand the difference between this type of CMS and the other types available. There is a good argument for an executive reader to understand what the business benefits are, and why taking what may seem to be the easy road could result in costly setbacks. There is enough detailed information for the front-line users to grasp what they’re getting themselves into, and how this can benefit them.

The report is budget-priced, given the TCO of any system being put in. For example, Part 4 of the report is comprised of relatively universal scenarios, followed by decision-making keys that demonstrate how to take a critical look at a system and its features. To use an apt analogy, this report is the equivalent of the Consumer Reports New car Buying Guide: don’t go shopping without it.