Rookwood, 4th Floor
This is a time of immense budget pressure. It is also a time of more and more buzz around new technologies, social media, the cloud, and many others that affect the use and implementation of web systems. Clearly, the college website is mission critical to the success of any institution. How can we make its management cost effective and innovative at a time like this? It is often said that the best way to learn is by doing. But sometimes it is better to learn from other’s mistakes and experience. Utah Valley University (UVU) has gone through implementation of four completely difference CMS solutions in the past nine years. They have definitely learned by doing. Come learn how a web content management system (CMS) utilizing a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model in the cloud has helped UVU control its hardware expenditures, reduce the man-hours associated with site deployment and maintenance, and improve website speed and performance. Learn about the questions asked, the lessons learned, and the pitfalls to avoid in choosing, implementing, and supporting a CMS solution. Finally, discuss whether a SaaS CMS would benefit your institution too. FURTHER DESCRIPTION: Utah Valley University (UVU) has been through several web CMS implementations over the past nine years. Open source, commercial, and home-grown products were all tried, but failed to keep up with the ever-expanding web system. Eventually, each was abandoned as a campus solution for a mixed-bag of reasons, such as maintenance difficulties, functionality deficiencies, hardware costs, training issues, and resource allocations. Through this journey, UVU has learned that in the world of web CMS, SaaS is a very beneficial and cost effective option. The Web Development Services and Web Resource Services departments of UVU have worked tirelessly to implement what we feel is a long-term solution to our enterprise web CMS needs. We understand that during these difficult economic times, each budget dollar must be stretched as far as it can. This stretch can take its toll on web systems and human resources. UVU has found that a web CMS deployed as a SaaS solution allows our institution to achieve its website goals within budget and without significant burden on users and staff members. We would like the opportunity to share our findings and lessons learned with other institutions.
Nathan Gerber is a web solutions consultant and entrepreneur who specializes in helping educational institutions and businesses build effective and productive web solutions. Working on the web since 1993, Nathan has assisted many businesses and educational institutions in creating more effective and productive web solutions. As the technologies driving the web have evolved, Nathan has kept up with the trends and been a driving force in helping clients move with the changes. He has gained the expertise to head in the right direction with the flexibility of turning when necessary. His other responsibilities include being CEO/President of iConnect Strategies, the Director of Web Development Services at Utah Valley University, and an Associate Consultant for the Web Strategy Services team at Noel-Levitz. Nathan is a devoted father of five children and loves hanging out with Janelle, his wife of 19 years. Nathan often says, “I’ve never met any technology as good-looking as my wife.”