Are you still creating static HTML pages, or have some custom in-house application that someone wrote years ago and you don't remember who? Maybe it's time for you to implement a content management system (CMS) then. Let's run down the benefits of why you need to look at implementing one now.

Modular Architecture - What does this mean for you? This means it's easy to extend the platform and develop against it. Most CMSs support some kind of pluggable architecture that allows developers to create apps that extend the platform. This not only allows your in-house developers to create line of business applications that can integrate into your CMS, but it also opens up a marketplace where you can purchase extensions for your CMS. By purchasing extensions you can save the in-house development, or hiring developers to create generic functionality like forums, invoice systems, or other apps.

Support - Tired of calling your help desk at the company? Then you can call someone else's. Since there are a lot of commercial options available, they also provide support for paying customers. This support can include installation services, and upgrades.

Ease of Content Management - Content management is what its all about and that's where it excels. Being about to easily create content using a WYSIWYG editor. Tagging of content allowing you to create some sort of structure around your content, search integration with the tags, and so much more.

Distribution to Multiple Channels - Being able to centralize my content editing helps to reduce the amount of time. For me I write all my articles using my CMS and then via built-in syndication using RSS, my content go to my iPhone app, podcast, out to syndication sites like socialmediatoday.com, and of course to my website.

What Do I Use?

I use two CMSs in my daily life, for my personal site it's DNN. It's easy to use, and best of all there is a free version of it. The free community version provides pretty much everything I need for my particular use case, and what it doesn't I can either write the code, or purchase a module that usually runs under $100 or so.

During my day job, it's all about SharePoint. It's enterprise level, has some good document management capabilities, but can be very complex to manage.

Both platforms are Microsoft based. There are few major players for Microsoft shops, I'm checking out Sitecore, they seem to be making a lot of noise in the CMS world as well as e-Commerce with their purchase of CommerceServer.NET.

Determine Your Business Case

Business should drive IT, and the CMS is part of that as well. The most difficult part of any implementation project is developing an RFP to send off to the various vendors. You need to evaluate your technical as well as your business needs and then determine if the vendor can support those requirements.