Features
Database:
- Two database options: Oracle or PostgreSQL (open source)
Templates:
- Accessible UK
Local Authority XSL
web templates provided
- Improved template management system built into APLAWS
Information
Centric:
- Whereas other content management systems are built as a managed set of web pages, APLAWS is designed as a pool of information upon which different views can be set up to build a specific website.
Strong
Categorization System:
- APLAWS allows for poly-hierarchic categorization, which enable complex content to be available to website visitors with varying interests and perspectives.
Open
Source:
- APLAWS is freely available through open source, which means there is no cost for the software and no ongoing license cost.
Standards:
- National standards
built into the
system (accessibility, Government Metadata Standard, etc.)
- Please see the
standards section
for more information
- Supports RDF/RSS standards for syndicating content
Content
creation:
- System bundled with specific local authority content
types
- Allows for the development of many separate subsites
- APLAWS provides role-based permissions at multiple
levels
- A user-based and tested forms-based back end interface
for developing
structured
content consisting of text, images, etc.
- APLAWS contains a WYSIWYG editor for custom content,
including interaction with Cascading Style Sheet (CSS) classes
- Integrates with
numerous file formats;
- Content is archived, which means previous versions of content are available for users to refer to
Active
User Group:
- Live implementations of APLAWS have led to the
formation of an active APLAWS User Group and there is a growing community to
support new adopters.
- Recent APLAWS+ back-end authoring improvements were
undertaken in direct consultation and involvement of the APLAWS User Group
- A growing number of suppliers are gaining experience in developing APLAWS+ components or offering implementation support or consultancy.
Workflow:
- Content moves through a series of steps during the
creation process. Each step
can be assigned
to a customized role or user.
- Content is routed, email notification sent and tasks
assigned, documented by a full audit trail
- Enables routing,
email
notification, task assignments, etc.
- Includes reporting
capabilities to determine
content state and user assigned task status.
Life-cycles:
- A flexible
publishing model manages content life-cycles, enabling scheduling of publishing
and removing content items;
- Automatic email notifications for workflows and life-cycles are sent when tasks are complete or content is about to expire.
Publishing:
- Schedule content for publication and removal (manage
content life-cycle);
- Users can preview content items
as they appear in all associated templates.
