A content management system (CMS) is a type of online software, accessed through a web browser, for creating and managing online content. This software provides a means for users with little knowledge of website programming languages to manage their own website with relative ease.

Red Ant Media develops content management systems using two different open-source programs, CMS Made Simple and WordPress. Open-source software (OSS) is computer software released under a general public licence that permits users to use, change, and improve the software, and to redistribute it in modified or unmodified forms. This means that end users save by not having to pay a licence for the rights to the software, only development for their specific needs.

More information about open-source software licences can be found at the Open Source Initiative.

CMS Made Simple provides a fast and easy way to create a web site and manage its contents.

It is a very versatile content management system that can be used to make a simple brochure site to a complex portal.

Features include an integrated and online help system, modules, plugins, user and group management, template support (for unlimited looks), content hierarchy control and an integrated file manager with upload capabilities.

More information about CMS Made Simple can be found at cmsmadesimple.org.

WordPress is a content management and publishing platform which focuses on aesthetics, web standards, and usability.

WordPress started as a blogging system, and has since evolved to become a full content management system with literally thousands of plugins, widgets and themes.

WordPress is one of the most widely used content management systems on the internet, and as of September 2009, is being used by 202 million websites worldwide.

More information about WordPress can be found at wordpress.org.

Development time and build of a content management system can vary depending on the customers final requirements, and are therefore quoted on a job-by-job basis.

Typically we start by designing individual page types and then building working, static, html templates from there.

Once the templates have been approved and the widgets, modules and plugins decided upon, we will integrate the html templates with the content management system and then start testing to make sure that everything is working correctly.

Once the website and content management system is completed Red Ant Media will provide our customers with training, specifically catered to the customisations of their unique build of the content management system.

Development cost of a personalised content management system typically starts around $3,000. Contact Red Ant Media today for a quote on building your own content management system.