ICI Paints is deploying content management software that
will allow business managers to run the company's public websites
and reduce IT costs.
The software from Percussion replaces a bespoke content management
system that required IT staff to update website content on behalf
of users in the business. So far, 17 of ICI Paints' 50 sites have
been moved onto the new system.
ICI Paints' products include Dulux, Hammerite, and Cuprinol.
David Blunt, business information manager for international
marketing at ICI Paints, said the new software has allowed the
company to reduce the cost of managing its websites, but declined
to give a figure.
Under the old system it was impossible for users in the business to
contribute to the websites, said Blunt. He now hopes business users
will take responsibility for their websites' content. "The person
who owns the web content is the best person to contribute that
content," he said.
Blunt plans to start training users on the new system this month.
One of his goals is for web content management to become an
integral part of the business.
One example of how this could be of benefit is where customer
service staff are able to update the frequently asked questions
list from customers.
Blunt convinced the ICI Paints board to replace the company's
existing web infrastructure with a new system based on Percussion's
Rhythmyx content management tool, an IBM Websphere application
server and an Oracle database running on Sun Solaris.
"I told the board that if they wanted to be serious about internet
applications they needed better technology," he said.
Blunt chose the Rhythmyx tool because, unlike other content
management systems he looked at, it fitted into the IBM/Oracle
infrastructure he was planning to use. "We did not want the content
management system to interfere with the web server," he said.
While he would not be drawn on costs, Blunt said the Rhythmyx
software was cost-effective in terms of up-front licensing and
ongoing maintenance.