Digital transformation starts with an integration-ready and migration-friendly framework
The need to transform digitally has been a pressure organizations and publishers have faced for more than a decade in light of shifting consumer behavior and revenue performance. With the pandemic accelerating that need now more than ever, businesses’ likely first question is, “Where do we begin?”
In choosing a content management system that will future-proof the business to deliver content on the channels customers are now using, all content publishers—whether media companies, brand storytellers or corporate communications teams—need to first focus on the back end. This means starting with a CMS that is integration-ready and migration friendly.
Integrations and the ability to migrate existing systems moves businesses forward faster by utilizing tools and processes already in place. This avoids a complete rip-and-replace approach, while increasing efficiencies by bringing all existing systems and workflows into one unified content hub. Through being able to easily and deeply integrate additional third-party and proprietary systems into the publishing workflow, organizations can get started quicker and easier to achieve greater operational efficiency.
Digital transformation needs the capability to extend existing business logic
Once a publisher gets started successfully on their digital transformation journey through an integrated approach, they now need to ensure they can build their own business logic and workflows into their system.
Choosing a CMS that will adapt to a business’s specific needs and allow them to create their own workflows is the second critical piece when choosing a CMS to drive digital transformation.
Digital transformation needs the ability to support front-end flexibility
Once organizations and publishers have considered the first two critical decisions to choosing a CMS—getting started with a system that is integration and migration-friendly, and adopting a solution that acts as an extension of an existing business logic and workflow—the third factor that ties all of this together is considering a CMS that allows for front-end flexibility.
Having ultimate flexibility in how digital content is created and presented means increased operational efficiencies and stronger business performance—not to mention greater control for the respective digital publisher. This is done through the option of headless or hybrid CMS.
Key CMS considerations to achieve digital transformation
What are the benefits of a headless CMS approach?
With digital transformation being a continuous, iterative process, the other major benefit of a headless CMS is that it supports digital-media entities in future-proofing their businesses by making it easy to shift alongside technology as needs and expectations change. The flexibility of a headless architecture means organizations can support any new device or platform that they may need to in the future.
When does a headless CMS approach make most sense?
- A headless-only approach is the best option for digital organizations with robust development teams who know their way around additional technologies required to establish the front end.
- With a headless architecture comes a lack of content presentation functionality, out-of-the-box templates and themes, meaning teams will need to source additional technologies to serve as the “head.”
- Through Brightspot, a hybrid approach is an option. This combines headless and decoupled architectures, allowing for a greater level of control over different experiences to a browser window or a device.
How to choose a CMS built for digital transformation?
- Allow organizations to get started managing their digital content business quickly
- Act as an extension of their existing business logic, workflows and content types
- Provide ultimate flexibility in how digital content is created and presented
Front-end flexibility alone won’t lead to long-term success—a CMS must provide the right functionalities on the back end that will drive transformation to solve unique business problems now and into the future.
With Brightspot’s modern architecture, publishers get more than the option of a decoupled, headless or hybrid approach to content management. Deep integrations and migrations, along with the ability to support an organization’s own business logic and existing workflow, means businesses are set up for success from the beginning.
