Brand Communication and Content Management in Harmony
The new Composite C1 helps you build your brand and enhance your corporate identity more efficiently by embracing simplicity and usability for your editors while leveraging the opportunities of structured content for maximum visibility
“Composite from Denmark is in the driving seat when it comes to application development via .NET and Visual Studio... Composite has succeeded in using it in such innovative fashion that the company´s efforts have drawn attention deep inside the central .NET developer group at Microsoft headquarters in Redmont, Seattle.” Article from Microsoft, 2009
We introduce Composite C1, the groundbreaking Content Management System designed by you to satisfy your needs and enhance your online presence Solid Foundation We have built successful Content Management Software since 1999. At the start of 2006 we decided to review our CMS in order to comprehensively fulfill the market need for a system that balanced well-structured content with outstanding design and multimedia capabilities. The new CMS, called Composite C1, was established from a foundation of requirements gathered from market research and interviews with each of the essential resources that contribute to a successful online presence: marketing, editors, administrators, designers and developers. Forward Thinking The system is based on the latest technologies to guarantee its future ability to match your needs as a customer; Composite C1 is the first CMS in the market to use Microsoft .NET 3.5 and has been commended for its innovative use of the Windows Workflow Foundation and LINQ technologies.
Composite C1 is the CMS for Successful Online Marketing
Ultimate Usability Composite C1 redefines the standards of Content Management Systems by bringing together the simplicity of page-based systems with the solid structure of item-based systems. This focuses and extends your users’ capabilities, creating immense efficiency gains. Reviewed regularly through user focus groups and adjusted by usability experts, the result is a well-balanced system that has strength across all of the essential areas, allowing you to bring your online brand communication requirements to life in a solid, well-structured content management environment.
EDITOR
Composite C1’s page-based simplicity creates a logical and efficient environment.
Strong editorial tools meet advanced word processing expectations.
The one-layer user interface allows a full overview of tasks and possibilities.
Composite C1 is the first system to provide a real solution that balances Brand Communication and Content Management
Composite C1 provides strength across all of the essential areas of online presence:
Online Branding: Coherent Corporate Visual Image, totally flexible graphical expression.
Build Your Brand When your customers visit your website, they should be presented with a strong representation of your Corporate Visual Image that supports your brand. Composite C1 gives your designers the full creative range and graphical expression to promote a strong identity, give your visitors an exciting experience and build your brand.
Online Marketing: Search Engine Optimization, Google friendly, lead generation, full support for below-the-line marketing.
Design: Total design flexibility, reuse of core design elements, archive support for all media formats.
Optimize for Search Engines SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, is the key to bringing organic traffic to your site. Composite C1 is built on a solid technical foundation that structures your content in such a way that it is cross-browser compatible and complies with World Wide Web Consortium Standards for accessibility and style sheet use. Furthermore, readable page URLs allow search engines such as Google to map and index your site’s contents efficiently.
Content Management: Optimal usability, full editorial suite.
Administration: Publishing, authorization and security, DNS management.
Programming: Visual XSLT editor, .NET 3.5 integration with Windows Workflow Foundation and LINQ.
Generate Leads Composite C1 maximizes attention through SEO and can be integrated with your below-the-line marketing strategies to drive traffic to your site. Through support for all design formats and an advanced multimedia library, your site will create the interest and desire your products or services deserve. In order to close the loop and convert traffic into leads, Composite C1 provides you with the means to capture your visitor’s information and feed this directly to your sales team or Customer Relationship Management system. Tune Your Content Enhancing your visitors’ experience is about providing the information that is relevant to them. Composite C1 makes it easy to quickly adjust the content on an ongoing basis and promote the information that is most interesting. It also allows you to syndicate
external content or integrate information from other systems, based on authorization, to personalize the content. Integrate New Concepts The internet offers an enormous breadth of opportunities to expand your business. Composite C1 takes full advantage of conversational marketing concepts to provide rich user experiences and harness collective intelligence. It is the first CMS to be based on .NET 3.5, which gives access to technologies such as the Windows Workflow Foundation – opening up new ways to work more efficiently.
SUPER USER
Composite C1 provides a fully flexible information architecture.
Full layout control, creation of new functions and reuse of content is possible through the rendering tools without programming skills.
The Composite C1 interface is designed to be clear, concise and provide a structure that encourages users to enter information quickly and accurately.
“Composite C1 provides a suite of tools that has created a bridge between developers, editors and administrators. Moreover, with a focus on help functions as an integral part of the development process, the environment for the editors is highly usable.” Independent CMS/Portal analyst Lars Pedersen, BNP Consulting and CMS AWARDS
Composite C1 combines the simplicity of page-based content management with the efficiency advantages of item-based systems Designed for Users The majority of Content Management Systems on the international market today provide a solid WYSIWYG environment covering most of the functionality that can be found in word processing applications. In addition to these strong editorial features, we have embraced the concept of the one-layer user interface, using tabs and sections in preference to multiple pop-up windows to give the user clear access to the system with optimal usability. It is agreed that the strict separation of content from the presentation layer achieves improvements in search engine optimization and content reuse but its abstraction can challenge editors and designers. We have re-established the link between design and content, giving the system a page-based feel that is considerably easier for the content contributors and designers alike.
WEB DESIGNER
Composite C1 ensures complete design freedom to explore the latest techniques. All file formats and media are supported. No programming skills are required to progress from Photoshop to final operational site.
This refinement, combined with the usability of the single page editing, gives a faster and more intuitive interface for the users. Total Content Control We have also taken the link between design and website content one step closer by providing a number of tools for non-technical users to create ‘renderings’ – the process of combining content with design to layout text and images on your site. In Composite C1, editors and designers can create new functions, reuse content and work with item-based data in an intuitive environment without the need for XSLT or other programming skills, thereby reducing the need to outsource tasks and cutting site development time and costs.
SYSTEM ADMINiSTraTOr AND MAINTENANCE
Automated deployment procedures minimize maintenance in Composite C1.
Website performance is maximized through advanced tuning techniques.
.NET security allows simple configuration of users.
Composite C1 allows users to achieve their full potential by providing the optimal interface to a comprehensive application Outstanding User Interface One of the most exciting results of the interviews with system users and input from usability experts is the Composite C1 client interface. It is, of course, browser-based but draws on the familiar Microsoft one-layer user interface avoiding unnecessary and confusing pop-ups by structuring the information in logical sections and tabs. The result is a faster, more manageable overview of tasks.
Structured Content We recognize that flexibility in data structure is required to accommodate different information for different companies. The fields within each content item are entirely customizable to meet your precise needs and assist editors in correct data entry. Creating Visual Functions Composite C1 delivers an environment that breaks down certain programming tasks into simple visual procedures. The addition of Global content, such as a product list, onto a page can be done by using a simple set of controls available to the editor or designer. Eliminating the need for programming resource to alter content structure ensures that changes are implemented quickly. Wizard Driven Applications End-to-end delivery of complex sites can be done by designers with their existing skill set through the use of intelligent wizards that take the user through all of the more complex processes.
Help Texts Composite C1 has an extensive set of help texts for all processes in the interface. These are enhanced at the time of site-build by custom help texts that are solution specific. These give the editor in-context assistance and reduce support issues. Page-based Overview The site menu structure is presented to the editor as a one-to-one relationship between pages and content, giving them a rapid overview of the site and contextual editing functions. This simplicity allows the editor to focus on the process of content creation and improves the overall quality of the site content. Global Elements Content that is used in multiple places on the site, such as products, event listings or news items, is stored in the global elements and these are quickly pulled onto the site’s main pages using simple rendering controls that are available and understandable for both designers and editors. Adding global elements ensures consistency of information across the site. Data can be structured precisely as it is required for your site – this assists your editors in correct data entry and enhances search engine rankings.
A clear one-layer user interface takes advantage of tabs and sections to present the user with the information they need to edit in context.
Global content can be easily dropped into pages by creating visual functions that, although composed in xslt, require no programming skills.
“The .NET Framework is Microsoft’s managed code programming model for building applications that have visually stunning user experiences, seamless and secure communication, and the ability to model a range of business processes.” Bjarne Riis, Director Microsoft
Composite C1 is founded 100% on cutting-edge technologies to maximize the durability and extend the natural lifespan of your site Standard Technologies Composite C1 is developed using a range of standard technologies that are familiar to developers; the visual procedures are delivered in .NET user controls, XLST and CSS and the templates are XHTML and Javascript. Back-end developers will benefit from the use of the new .NET Framework 3.5, and Language-integrated Query Technology. Trivial XML tasks, such as filtering and reordering, can be done without programming through Composite C1’s XSLT function feature. Working through the .NET data facade, this feature ensures optimum performance and efficiency. Microsoft .NET 3.5 .NET Framework 3.5 includes Windows Workflow Foundation (WF), Windows Communication Foundation (WCF), Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) and Windows CardSpace. It builds incrementally on the existing frameworks and provides additional new features. This includes the LINQ Visual C# 3.0 enhancements.
Windows Workflow Foundation We have also leveraged the new framework’s support for building Windows Workflow Foundation services to enhance Composite C1 itself. WF is the programming model, engine and tools for quickly building workflow enabled applications on Windows. WF includes support for both system workflow and human workflow across a wide range of scenarios. In fact, Microsoft uses Composite as a primary reference on the ingenious usage of WF. Integration to External Systems Composite C1 is an open environment and its separation of the application and data layers allows it to integrate very simply into a wide range of systems through the use of .NET, SOAP, Web Services or C#. This allows you to pull external data into your online environment from your CRM, ERP or other strategic systems.
.NET Framework 3.5 contains a number of new features:
Deep integration of Language-Integrated Query (LINQ) and data awareness.
ASP.NET AJAX lets you create more efficient, more interactive and highly-personalized web experiences. New web protocol support for building WCF services. Full tooling support in Visual Studio 2008.
New classes in .NET Framework 3.5 base class library (BCL).
Composite C1 uses the Windows Workflow Foundation integral in Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 to manage its key processes and interfaces.
Our solutions include hosting, support and training to ensure that your online projects are launched successfully Our Partners We have an extensive international network of Composite Certified Solution Partners that are qualified to assist you with the implementation of your online solution. License and Hosting Composite C1 is available as either a license for installation on your own servers or as a hosted subscription. Both carry the same complete functionality, technical capability, upgrade opportunity and access to the full range of extension modules.
Training Programs We recognize that the successful delivery of a project requires total acceptance from the users. Therefore, we provide training programs across the board to ensure that your team embraces and gets the most benefit out of your new CMS environment. Support Complete help texts are a good first line support, but sometimes you need to talk to an experienced user. We are cooperating with a professional service center to provide a hotline for expert advice and know-how so that your team can move quickly through issues as smoothly as possible.
An array of modules can be used to expand your solution as and when you need at the minimum cost
BACK-END DEVELOPER
Full support for Visual Studio for efficient programming of new functions.
Benefit from the new enhancements in the .NET Framework 3.5.
Access to LINQ Visual C# 3.0 for simple access to Composite C1 data and external database environments.
FRONT-END DEVELOPER
Composite C1 automates the process of creating renderings to enhance efficiency.
Accessibility and crossbrowser compatibility is augmented.
Composite C1 provides full support for CSS, XHTML and XSLT.
About us Composite Content Management Solutions assist customers in creating outstanding websites that combine solid marketing infrastructure, innovative design and optimal usability. In association with a worldwide network of Composite Certified Solution Partners, hosting environments, professional support centers and full training facilities, Composite provides customers with a comprehensive service at competitive rates. Since 1999, Composite have helped International companies such as Landic Property, Fiat, Bavarian Nordic A/S, Tivoli A/S and Republic of Fritz Hansen achieve their online ambitions.
www.composite.net Copyright 2008 Composite A/S. All rights reserved.
Grønbek Hamborg design – 109 – March 08
Contact us If you would like to know more about Composite C1, contact specific Composite customers in your sector or experience a full product demonstration, feel free to contact us. Please visit www.composite.net to find your local office.