Content Management System (CMS) - A software platform used to create, manage, and present intellectual property (content) across different publishing channels. These channels include but are not limited to Web/Internet, Print formats, and mobile devices.
Type of software programs that allow organizations to publish Website content more effectively are called Web Content Management Systems (WCMS).
Some companies build internal applications to manage catalog data for the purpose of publishing to Web, Print, etc. These systems are alternately called Catalog Management Systems and "Content Management Systems." while they have the charactistics of content management, the phrase catalog management is more descriptive and should be used. When that data is delivered to a Website for the purpose of selling products, the phrase "E-Commerce System" is more appropriate.
Author's note: Acronyms are proliferating in the realm of technology, some driven by need, others by sales and marketing. DPCI recommends keeping it simple by using the term or keyphrase that is most specific to the objectives that the technology is meant to achieve.
The new content management system has allowed us to do our work faster. Editors can now focus on writing and enriching stories, rather than spending time fighting with an inefficient system.
- Jim Scott, DNAinfo.com
