web development help needed

[lucyjcole]

Hi

Just wondering if anyone can advise me. I work for a schools charity that has a website and a database directory. The website is in php and html, but has no content managment system.

The directory is also in php with javascript and a few other bits and pieces I think. We also provide email for our graduates using qmail and ldap. The whole system runs on Linux and uses MySQL, Apache.

The system was built for us by volunteers some time ago and at the moment is also supported by the volunteers, but it's quite unstable and unreliable. We have no developers in house at all at present.

We have now got funding to revamp the whole system, and I (I'm the Head of Communications) am wondering how best to go about it. Should we hire a techie in house? Should we outsource the whole thing to a company to rebuild according to our requirements? Does anyone know any techies who work with php/linux systems who could advise us?

Any help much appreciated!

Lucy

[ray326]

Since you have all the supporting pieces in place (Apache, MySQL, PHP on Linux) I'd recommend you move away from a full custom solution and bring someone in that can move the majority of your functionality into one of the free PHP-based CMS systems. The good ones will produce valid HTML and use templates and styles to make maintenance and global style changes fairly simple.

The email service should be oblivious to all of this.

[lucyjcole]

Maybe I'm missing something, but do any of those free packages run database applications (our directory is an alumni directory that people can update online and search..)

also, are these packages customisable (to fit with our brand identity)?

and do they run behind logins, as we would need a level of security?

if the email service is running separately from all this, is it sensible to support it in house or are there companies we could outsource to?

thanks a lot!

[ray326]

Maybe I'm missing something, but do any of those free packages run database applications (our directory is an alumni directory that people can update online and search..) I suspect several of them have something that could be applied to that. E.g. they all have "registered user" databases.
also, are these packages customisable (to fit with our brand identity)? Yes, the good ones are template/style driven and readily customized.
and do they run behind logins, as we would need a level of security? yes
if the email service is running separately from all this, is it sensible to support it in house or are there companies we could outsource to? The only reason I'd consider outsourcing that is if you're having a spam problem and wanted to piggy-back off someone else's filters. Private mail systems are pretty much self-running beasts that need little maintenance.

[lucyjcole]

Hi there

Thanks for that. Are there any systems that you particularly recommend? And what kind of support would we need in house? Presumably it would be sensible to have someone with php/Linux environment skills?

thanks again

Lucy

[davidbrent]

hello Lucy.

Where i am sure having a in-house technician would be good, once a content management system has been impllemented, there may well be no use for the technician, thus using valuable funds. I would hire someone to implement and intergrate the system and make sure they get it all right. Then all you would need was to tweak style sheets and add/delete/edit a few scripts when wanting a bit of a change.

Many of the designers in these here forums would be ideal for you as they have all the valuable skills needed to create a perfect, attractive efficient and valid system.

Best Wishes,
David

[lucyjcole]

Hi David,

Thanks. Can you point me in the direction of any developers I could have a chat to?

Lucy

[DaveSW]

As with all else ask Pyro (http://www.webdeveloper.com/forum/member.php?s=&action=getinfo&userid=728)

Either use the email or pm links in his profile or visit one of his sites. http://www.ryanbrill.com/ or
http://www.infinitywebdesign.com/

[Vladdy]

One more bit of advice:
Make sure that you actually do need a CMS. I often come across clients who start talking about implementing custom CMS and when I ask them what kind of content would require changes and how often, it ends up being cheaper for them to enter a site maintanence agreement where they would e-mail me the changes they need and I have them implemented in 24 business hours.

[ray326]

Originally posted by lucyjcole
Thanks for that. Are there any systems that you particularly recommend? And what kind of support would we need in house? Presumably it would be sensible to have someone with php/Linux environment skills?

I couldn't make any recommendation without understanding your specific needs better but here is a site (http://www.opensourcecms.com/index.php) where you can investigate just about every open source CMS currently available.

As far as the php/linux skills go, you need two kinds of people. One relatively short term person to do the CMS and site redesign and one continuing person that is a system administrator type to handle the general care and feeding of your host. Depending on the criticality of the site you might handle the admin role through an outsourcing arrangement.

I see Vladdy has replied, too, while I was typing this. His point is good and of course you could just outsource the whole thing, hosting and all, if you have simple and infrequent content changes. I suspect that is not the case, though.