09/28/20092009 cascade server user's conference1 smart cascade server implementations &...

09/28/200909/28/2009 2009 Cascade Server User's Conference2009 Cascade Server User's Conference 11

Smart Cascade ServerSmart Cascade ServerImplementations & StrategiesImplementations & Strategies

2009 Cascade Server User’s Conference2009 Cascade Server User’s Conference

Justin Klingman, Manager, Web Design & Content ManagementJustin Klingman, Manager, Web Design & Content ManagementBeacon Technologies, Inc.Beacon Technologies, Inc.

September 28, 2009September 28, 2009


IntroductionIntroduction

Who am I?Who am I?Beacon Technologies, Inc.Beacon Technologies, Inc.

Automate, Grow, and Showcase Your BusinessAutomate, Grow, and Showcase Your Business Cascade Server Consultation, Development, & Cascade Server Consultation, Development, &

HostingHosting Custom Software Development, Search Engine Custom Software Development, Search Engine

Marketing, Web Design, Creative Media, HostingMarketing, Web Design, Creative Media, Hosting



My Cascade Server WorldMy Cascade Server WorldPurchased in April 2005 as “PublishXML”Purchased in April 2005 as “PublishXML”Used as a Software as a Service (SaaS)Used as a Software as a Service (SaaS)

27 customers, 48 sites, 77 users27 customers, 48 sites, 77 users2-system architecture for optimal performance2-system architecture for optimal performance

11 managed instances11 managed instancesOfficial partner of Hannon HillOfficial partner of Hannon HillParticipate on the Product Advisory CouncilParticipate on the Product Advisory CouncilConduct end-user trainingConduct end-user training



Session geared towards both end users Session geared towards both end users and managersand managers

Tips & tricks to smartly implement, Tips & tricks to smartly implement, manage and use Cascade Servermanage and use Cascade ServerSmart ImplementationsSmart Implementations Integration with Dynamic ApplicationsIntegration with Dynamic ApplicationsManaging Search Engine Marketing EffortsManaging Search Engine Marketing EffortsControlling Flash ApplicationsControlling Flash ApplicationsDocumentation and Training End UsersDocumentation and Training End Users


Smart ImplementationsSmart Implementations


Smart ImplementationsSmart Implementations

““Plan & Think Ahead”Plan & Think Ahead”What is your ultimate Web strategy?What is your ultimate Web strategy?

All sites share common templateAll sites share common templateSites have individual templateSites have individual templateFlexibility for each departmentFlexibility for each department

““How can we implement Cascade Server to How can we implement Cascade Server to grow with us?”grow with us?”


Smart ImplementationsSmart ImplementationsTemplatesTemplates

It’s tempting to create a new template for It’s tempting to create a new template for every different page look & layoutevery different page look & layout

Consolidate templatesConsolidate templatesAdvantages:Advantages:

Less to keep up withLess to keep up withCentralize development effortsCentralize development effortsQuicker, easier redesignQuicker, easier redesign



Ideas for consolidating templatesIdeas for consolidating templatesKeep minimal HTML in templatesKeep minimal HTML in templates

Only have structure-level HTMLOnly have structure-level HTMLKeep regions of HTML in blocks & formats and use Keep regions of HTML in blocks & formats and use

like SSIlike SSIUse multiple Configuration Sets insteadUse multiple Configuration Sets instead



Use CSS for minor layout alterationsUse CSS for minor layout alterationsExample: 2 different content layouts:Example: 2 different content layouts:

Page w/ Right ColumnPage w/ Right Column Page w/o Right ColumnPage w/o Right Column

How do they all run off of one template?How do they all run off of one template? Create additional CSS file that overrides main site CSSCreate additional CSS file that overrides main site CSS Create format that calls CSS fileCreate format that calls CSS file Apply appropriate format to page using Configuration Apply appropriate format to page using Configuration

SetsSets Set up Asset Factory for each Configuration SetSet up Asset Factory for each Configuration Set


Smart ImplementationsSmart ImplementationsData DefinitionsData Definitions

Key: Think long-term!Key: Think long-term!Always use, even if just one WYSIWYG Always use, even if just one WYSIWYG

editor regioneditor regionCan add to Data Definition functionalityCan add to Data Definition functionality If not used, may have to apply Data If not used, may have to apply Data

Definitions to 100s of pages in the futureDefinitions to 100s of pages in the futureTry not to use one Data Definition for Try not to use one Data Definition for

multiple applications multiple applications


Smart ImplementationsSmart ImplementationsMetadata SetsMetadata Sets

Use unique Metadata Sets per siteUse unique Metadata Sets per siteJust like with Data Definitions, thinkJust like with Data Definitions, think

long-termlong-termConsider using separate Metadata Sets Consider using separate Metadata Sets

for Pages, Files, Folders, External Linksfor Pages, Files, Folders, External LinksCreate individual Asset Factories for each Create individual Asset Factories for each

type of asset per sitetype of asset per site


Smart ImplementationsSmart ImplementationsIndex BlocksIndex Blocks

When not used properly, can hurt When not used properly, can hurt performanceperformance

Use same blocks in different regions with Use same blocks in different regions with similar indexing needssimilar indexing needs

Only index what you needOnly index what you need


Integration withIntegration withDynamic ApplicationsDynamic Applications



WYSIWYG editor doesn’t play nice with WYSIWYG editor doesn’t play nice with scripting languages without special codescripting languages without special code

Most scripting languages can’t be run Most scripting languages can’t be run inside Cascade (exception: JavaScript)inside Cascade (exception: JavaScript)



How do we get scripting code into How do we get scripting code into Cascade Server?Cascade Server?

Use Server-Side Includes (SSI)Use Server-Side Includes (SSI)Allows developers full control over their code Allows developers full control over their code

without using Cascadewithout using CascadeProtects code from modification, deletionProtects code from modification, deletion



Adding SSI below the content regionAdding SSI below the content regionCreate include files outside CascadeCreate include files outside CascadeCreate a format for each include fileCreate a format for each include fileAdd a template region just below DEFAULTAdd a template region just below DEFAULT

Used to attach SSI format to pageUsed to attach SSI format to pageAllows end user to maintain introductory contentAllows end user to maintain introductory content

Attach appropriate formatAttach appropriate formatWhen published, application will be displayedWhen published, application will be displayed



Adding SSI InlineAdding SSI Inline Insert SSI within the body of content, floating Insert SSI within the body of content, floating

left or right, in between paragraphsleft or right, in between paragraphsAllows more flexibility for end user to position Allows more flexibility for end user to position

applications within content regionapplications within content regionAllows end user ability to add their own Allows end user ability to add their own

applicationsapplications



End users insert SSI into WYSIWYGEnd users insert SSI into WYSIWYGUse [system-view] tags & CSS to create boxUse [system-view] tags & CSS to create boxUse inline CSS to allow end user to specify Use inline CSS to allow end user to specify

width/height of area, alignment propertieswidth/height of area, alignment properties [system-view:internal] tags will prevent [system-view:internal] tags will prevent

internal CSS code from being publishedinternal CSS code from being publishedDisadvantages:Disadvantages:

[system-view:internal] tags show in editor[system-view:internal] tags show in editorModule can accidently be deletedModule can accidently be deleted

Add scripting code directly into editor Add scripting code directly into editor without SSIwithout SSIUse HTML viewUse HTML view<!--#START-CODE and #END-CODE<!--#START-CODE and #END-CODEDisadvantageDisadvantage

Code cannot be seen within the editor, and can Code cannot be seen within the editor, and can easily be deletedeasily be deleted


Managing Search Engine Managing Search Engine Marketing EffortsMarketing Efforts


Managing Search Engine Managing Search Engine Marketing EffortsMarketing Efforts

One of Cascade’s great benefits: One of Cascade’s great benefits: producing search engine-friendly sitesproducing search engine-friendly sites

Set up SEM template regionsSet up SEM template regions Include analytics scripts on each pageInclude analytics scripts on each pageAllows SEM analysts to add code to a certain Allows SEM analysts to add code to a certain

page, such as a conversion tracking script or page, such as a conversion tracking script or other metadataother metadata

Use Data DefinitionsUse Data DefinitionsAdd SEM-specific fields for key phrase mgmt.Add SEM-specific fields for key phrase mgmt.


ControllingControllingFlash ApplicationsFlash Applications



Flash is very popular, but difficult to Flash is very popular, but difficult to maintainmaintain

The Challenge: Empower end users to The Challenge: Empower end users to maintain Flash apps’ content & imagery, maintain Flash apps’ content & imagery, using Cascadeusing Cascade

Solution:Solution:Develop Flash app that reads an XML fileDevelop Flash app that reads an XML fileDevelop Data Definitions for content entryDevelop Data Definitions for content entryPublish content as XML file for Flash to readPublish content as XML file for Flash to read



All-Flash Site:All-Flash Site:Site has two versions: Flash, and non-Flash / Site has two versions: Flash, and non-Flash /

non-JavaScript version for search enginesnon-JavaScript version for search enginesBuild normal site in CascadeBuild normal site in CascadeRepurpose content:Repurpose content:

Full HTML (non-Flash / non-JavaScript version)Full HTML (non-Flash / non-JavaScript version)HTML from the WYSIWYG editor (Flash version)HTML from the WYSIWYG editor (Flash version)

HTML is read by Flash player, creating the pageHTML is read by Flash player, creating the page

Navigation published as XML, read by Flash to Navigation published as XML, read by Flash to build menu systembuild menu system


Documentation andDocumentation andTraining for End UsersTraining for End Users



Create your own user’s manualCreate your own user’s manualHannon Hill Knowledge Base too much Hannon Hill Knowledge Base too much

information for an end userinformation for an end userNobody knows more about your Nobody knows more about your

implementation than youimplementation than youLay out like a tutorial and use screenshotsLay out like a tutorial and use screenshotsKeep it up-to-date with version releasesKeep it up-to-date with version releases



Training TipsTraining TipsWalk through the entire manual using Walk through the entire manual using

Cascade pages they’ll useCascade pages they’ll use If possible, conduct training in-personIf possible, conduct training in-personSlow down!Slow down!


Questions?Questions?

My Contact Information:My Contact Information:Justin KlingmanJustin KlingmanBeacon Technologies, Inc.Beacon Technologies, Inc.http://www.beacontechnologies.com/http://www.beacontechnologies.com/336.232.5685 | [email protected] | [email protected]

09/28/20092009 cascade server user's conference1 smart cascade server implementations &...

Documents

smart implementationsplan

configuration setsset

different content layouts

ultimate web strategy

additional css file

multiple applications

new template

main site csscreate