What is the Difference Between WCM and CMS

The main difference between WCM and CMS is that theWCM is a Content Management System that is specifically designed to manage web content while CMS is a system that is used to create and manage digital content.    

CMS is a software or a set of related programs that are used by organizations to publish, store, control and revise digital content. It provides SEO-friendly URLs, modularity, extensibility, and, integrated audit logs. In addition, they have templates to change designs, installation wizards and many other features. WCM is a type of CMS. It is mainly used to manage web-based content. Furthermore, it provides automated templates, easily installable plugins, scalable expansion, access control and many other features.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is WCM
     – Definition, Functionality
2. What is CMS
     – Definition, Functionality
3. What is the Relationship Between WCM and CMS
     – Outline of Association
4. What is the Difference Between WCM and CMS
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

CMS, Content Management System, WCM, Web Content Management System

What is CMS

CMS stands for Content Management System. It is used to create and modify digital content. Also, it is accessible by multiple users simultaneously. Furthermore, CMS can perform tasks such as web-based publishing, format management, indexing, searching, retrieving and many more. Besides, there are two main components in CMS. Firstly, there is a front-end user interface that allows a user to add, modify, remove the content of a website easily. Secondly, there is a Content Delivery Application (CDA) that compiles information and updates the website.

Considering the use of CMS; it is easier to modify a new look for the pages using CMS. It also provides edit permission management. However, it can have limitations in adding complex functionalities. To develop CMSs, some popular frameworks used are WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal.

What is WCM

Web Content Management System (WCM) is a content management system that specifically manages web content. It is used to manage the content of web pages. These web content can include graphics, video, audio, maps, program code, text and images to display presentable content to the viewers. Also, WCM provides website authoring, collaboration and administration tools. Furthermore, a user with minimum programming knowledge can create and manage websites using WCMs easily. Besides, most WCMs have a database to store page content, metadata and other information. Also, most WCMs use server-side caching to improve performance. As such, it is more useful when the system is not changed frequently, but there are multiple visits regularly.

Meanwhile, WCM can be used in three ways: offline processing, online processing and hybrid processing. Offline processing preprocesses all content and applies templates before publication. In online processing, the system applies templates on demand. They have add-ons that extend the system’s capabilities. On the other hand, hybrid processing combines offline and online approaches.

Looking further, WCM provides multiple advantages. It is easier to customize and to use. Also, it provides workflow management and SEO optimization. However, these systems can have security threats and latency issues. Moreover, it requires license updates and hardware maintenance.

Relationship Between WCM and CMS

• WCM is a type of CMS.

Difference Between WCM and CMS

Definition

WCM is a software Content Management System that specifically manages web content. However, CMS is a software that supports multiple users in a collaborative environment to manage the creation and modification of digital content. The main difference between WCM and CMS lies within this definition.

Usage

Usage is another difference between WCM and CMS. WCM supports the management of web page content. In contrast, CMS supports web-based publishing, history editing, version control, format management, indexing, searching, etc. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, the difference between WCM and CMS is that the WCM is a Content Management System that is specifically designed to manage web content while the CMS is a system that is used to create and manage digital content. Even though there is a difference between WCM and CMS, CMS is often considered as WCM and vice versa.    

Reference:

1. “Content Management System.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 24 Sept. 2018, Available here.
2. “Web Content Management System.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 13 Sept. 2018, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “WordPress CMS” By India7 Network (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr