Blogs - June 2008

Below are the blog entries for June 2008

Managing Content in Emergencies - University Alert Systems with Cascade

By Blaine Herman

Wednesday, August 13th, 2008 at 2:50pm

Cascade Server has provided many solutions for our clients. Most recently, Hannon Hill clients in higher education have been using Cascade to solve a very important issue: to manage and publicize content in emergency situations on campus.

Here we've outlined just a few of the ways that Cascade Server could be used to assist a college or university in an emergency setting:

• For minor emergencies or alerts, such as informing your end users about road closings or traffic accidents, Cascade Server can be used to create an “emergency alert “asset factory. Once created, this page could update an automated index page listing of the active alerts, and could also display the alerts on a region of a homepage that would otherwise be left blank. The system could also be set to automatically expire the announcements, based on predefined metadata, ensuring your content stays updated.  In addition, Cascade can be used to create emergency RSS feeds, allowing end users to subscribe to the announcements.

• For major emergencies that require the immediate attention of site users, Cascade Server could be used to manage an alternate version of emergency content, which would overwrite a default region of the normal page, displaying the emergency information on a much larger scale than in the event of minor emergencies.  RSS feeds can automatically be generated in this case, as well.

• In both of the cases provided above, if the university wanted to send immediate messages to subscribers, Cascade offers the ability to send announcements via SMS message by publishing RSS data from the school's emergency RSS feed to a third-party SMS provider that would then send any updates from that feed directly to the subscribers' cell phones.

• In the event that a major emergency leads to national attention, and therefore a spike in web traffic, Cascade Server can publish alternate versions of content, which would require less load time. The system would manage an alternate low bandwidth version of the homepage, which could be published out at the time of the emergency, overwriting the default home page. This alternate page could be replaced with the default homepage once the emergency is over, and the spike in attention has subsided.

• If the campus was inaccessible for web updates during an emergency, traffic could be re-routed from the main domain to an announcement type page that could be updated remotely. Alternate domains can be hosted with partner universities, or through 3^rd party hosting providers.

In any emergency event, regardless of the magnitude, Cascade Server offers numerous ways in which to inform and alert your end-users. Whether in the form of content on your institution’s website, SMS messaging, or RSS feeds, these alerts provide added benefits including an increased sense of awareness and security among students, parents, faculty, staff, and administration.

Category

• News

Sign-Up for User's Conference Sessions Now Available - Create your Custom Schedule Now!

By Uran Piedra

Wednesday, August 13th, 2008 at 2:50pm

In our commitment to make your experience at the 2008 Cascade Server User’s Conference even more enjoyable, we have created a form that allows attendees to build their own conference session schedule.  This conference session sign-up enables you to view scheduled sessions by day and time, and select which session appeals to you most in each time frame.  Now you can customize your schedule based on your knowledge and interests in our product, without being limited to only one track, business or technical -- yet another great reason to attend this year’s conference! 

Register now, and check out our session offerings to begin personalizing your conference schedule.  Don't forget that the last day to register for the conference is July 15, and accommodations are limited, so be sure to secure your spot early!

Note - Choosing your conference schedule does NOT automatically register you for the conference. Attendees must register in order to attend; schedules submitted without registration will be disregarded.

Category

• Events

Familiar Faces at the User’s Conference

By Elizabeth Starkey

Wednesday, August 13th, 2008 at 2:50pm

You may have spoken to Hannon Hillians on the phone, or chatted with us during a webinar, but you may have not yet had the pleasure of meeting us in person.  We realize that it’s always nice to know a few familiar faces when  traveling to a business event, especially if you’re arriving alone. We’d like to introduce you to some of the friendly Hannon Hillians who will personally be welcoming you to the 2008 Cascade Server User’s Conference in September.

Kicking off the conference will be our President and CEO, David Cummings, with a brief welcome session after breakfast.  He will be giving an overview of the exciting sessions that we have planned for you over the next two days.

Our knowledgeable session speakers will be providing valuable insight into the future of Cascade Server.  Bradley Wagner, Director of Engineering, for example, will be presenting our one-year product roadmap, an informative session on the changes and features that you can expect in Cascade Server over the next year.

Ross Williams, our Services Trainer, will be leading two beneficial sessions that focus on the end user, giving both tips for end users and tips for those who are training them.

Our Marketing Director, Morgan Griffith will be hosting a session on using the new and improved Cascade Server Knowledge Base.

We will present a very useful session on the ins and outs of JIRA and how to handle trouble tickets. This session will be conducted by our affable Support Manager (and office fitness guru), Tim Reilly, with the help of Chris Armistead, our Cascade Server Product Coordinator.

Syl Turner, Software Developer, will speak on Database Publishing, a feature first introduced with the release of Cascade Server 5.0. Syl will walk through examples in which database publishing can be useful and present a demo of a simple project using Database Publishing.

Services Director, Kevin Works, will discuss new productized packages for the Services team. These new packages will replace services hours and will provide a finished product. He will also discuss the new default database.

Dean Smith, Emily Macke, and Joel Dixon, members of our Sales Team, will also be around to help with the conference and answer your questions.

Our Q&A session will provide you with a great opportunity to ask Cascade Server experts about anything you might want to know regarding the product.  Most of our experienced team members will be attending the conference and would be happy to speak with you directly about your concerns.  Artur Tomusiak, Dan Cunning, Joel Baxter, Michael Westphal, and Mike Strauch, are just a few of the helpful faces to which you can turn. In addition to the Q&A and aforementioned sessions, this year's conference will also feature sessions including Using RSS Feeds and Syndication with Cascade Server, Advanced XSL Techniques, Cascade Server Instance Check-up, and Features of the Cascade Server 5.0 Series.

Don’t forget to give a big thank-you to our Marketing Team, consisting of Morgan Griffith, Marketing Director, Sam Beresford, our Business and Technical Writer, Uran Piedra, Marketing Intern, and myself.  Our Marketing department has been extremely instrumental in helping to plan this conference.  Our User’s Conference is a huge undertaking, and we never could have done it without such a diligent team!

We’re all really excited about meeting everyone, so if you recognize any of us, please stop by and say hello!  Just look for the camera, and I’ll be behind it, documenting our hard work!

Category

• Events

Ross Goes To Vegas!

By Sam Beresford

Wednesday, August 13th, 2008 at 2:50pm

Who said Las Vegas is nothin' but gambling, neon, and 22-ounce steaks for $4.95?  Hannon Hill's own Ross Williams, a Trainer and Technical Strategist, is out to disprove that notion once and for all at EduComm Conference 2008, taking place this week from June 18-20 at the Las Vegas Hilton Convention Center.  Ross will be speaking on Thursday 19th from 3:45 pm - 4:45 pm, and he'll be discussing social media and its role in websites for higher education.  For more information on all of the speakers and topics at this year's EduComm, check out their Sessions page.  Feel free to get in touch with us if you plan on going and would like more details about Ross' presentation.  And if you can make it, let us know what you think when you get back!

Category

• News

Schedule Released for 2008 User's Conference

By Morgan Griffith

Wednesday, August 13th, 2008 at 2:50pm

As promised, we have released the official schedule for the 2008 Cascade Server User's Conference. Currently, sessions are divided into two tracks – business and technical. However, in the coming weeks, we will be setting up forms for attendees to construct their personal daily conference schedule. In other words, you won't be limited to simply attending one track, instead, you can mix it up and pick and choose your desired sessions!

We will be providing in-depth session descriptions for each speaker towards the end of this week to aid you in selecting the sessions you'd like to attend. We look forward to seeing you in September!

Category

• Events

Meet the Team - Amy Liu

By

Wednesday, August 13th, 2008 at 2:50pm

ELIZABETH OTWELL: Hello everyone, and welcome to another edition of Hannon Hill’s ‘Meet The Team.’  Today we’re getting to know Amy Liu, Sales Engineer here at Hannon Hill. Hi Amy, how are you?

AMY LIU: I’m good Elizabeth, you?

ELIZABETH OTWELL: I'm great! Thanks. So tell us a little bit about yourself.

AMY LIU: I’m originally from Taiwan but moved to Atlanta when I was about ten years old. Since then, I’ve pretty much lived here my whole life.

ELIZABETH OTWELL: So how did you end up working here at Hannon Hill? And how long have you been here?

AMY LIU: At Georgia Tech, my major was Management with a focus on IT & Operations Management, and shortly after graduation, I saw a posting on Craig’s List looking for an Account Manager with a technical background so…here I am! Next week will be exactly two and a half years for me.

ELIZABETH OTWELL: So since starting here, what aspects of Cascade have you gotten to work with?

AMY LIU: As I mentioned before, I started out as an Account Manager on the Sales team. However, I liked working with Cascade so much that I requested for a position with the Professional Services Department. Since then, I’ve taken on the role of Services Integrator, followed by Project Manager, Technical Trainer, Business Analyst, Technical Trainer again, and now Sales Engineer. Hopefully that’s confusing enough.

ELIZABETH OTWELL: Wow! You really have worn a lot of hats. So what do you do as a Sales Engineer?

AMY LIU: Basically, as a Sales Engineer, I apply my technical background and experience in support of the Cascade Server Sales Team. I also find myself drawing information from my previous roles here at Hannon Hill, so I’m thankful that I had the opportunity to learn new things about every aspect of the product.

ELIZABETH OTWELL: Is there anything else you’d like to share with us?

AMY LIU: I think most people around here know me pretty well, but for those who are curious, I’m a neat freak, I go to yoga every Sunday, love to bake and secretly wish I could be a Pastry Chef, and I’m currently fascinated with Japanese Maples and the art of Bonsai…’currently’ is the keyword there.

ELIZABETH OTWELL: Sounds a bit like me. I can definitely identify with the neat freak part! Well thanks for taking the time to talk to us Amy! It was great getting to know you!

AMY LIU: Thank you Elizabeth!

Category

• Commentary

Benefits of a Webinar with Hannon Hill

By Dean Smith

Wednesday, August 13th, 2008 at 2:50pm

A webinar is a Web-based meeting that enables the Hannon Hill sales team to interact with prospective clients that are interested in learning more about Cascade Server.  Webinars are much like meetings you would have in a conference room with the added benefit of allowing participants to view a demo of Cascade Server through a browser and listen to informative audio about the product via a telephone. Webinars make it simple to interact with knowledgeable product experts and ask your questions in real-time.  Webinars also provide a fantastic way for prospective clients who are unable to meet face-to-face to see a presentation of Cascade Server’s valuable features and learn how the product can meet their content management needs.

Past experience has proven that webinars are extremely beneficial for key people involved in the CMS selection process.  A webinar ensures that specific questions pertaining to an organization may be answered and allows potential users to see if the product will be a good fit for their long-term needs.  A typical Hannon Hill webinar first gives an overview of Cascade Server as an Administrative User, allowing the audience to experience the main administrative features inside the system. Some of these features include the Dashboard, site management via the Asset Tree, editing content, access and security rights, metadata, audit trails, and version control of system assets.

Following the administrative overview, the webinar then covers the system as a content contributor user. Prospective users have the opportunity to experience Cascade Server on a more basic level with its simplified Dashboard and a starting page that specifically allocates content access for a user.  Additional features that are explored in this part of the webinar include content creation, user access rights based on Roles, and workflows in the CMS.

A typical webinar, which includes everything discussed above, is approximately 30 minutes in length, but it may continue for a longer duration depending on subsequent questions.  It is our goal to provide as much helpful insight as possible about our product. We strongly believe that these webinars provide a great way to interact with a knowledgeable Cascade Server expert and to learn how the system will work as a content management solution for your organization.  We invite you to schedule a webinar today!

Category

• Commentary

User's Conference Updates

By Uran Piedra

Wednesday, August 13th, 2008 at 2:50pm

We promised that this year’s Cascade Server User’s Conference would be packed with even more great sessions than last year, and we are well on our way to ensuring that this is the best User's Conference to date.

We have a lot of great sessions lined up, but are still looking for your input and proposals for the business-track of this year's conference. If your organization has accomplished great things with Cascade and end-user involvement, let us know! Speakers receive free conference admission, so if you are interested in presenting at the conference, be sure to submit a proposal.

I know many of you are anxious to see what’s in store for this year’s conference, and I’m pleased to tell you that we will have the finalized schedule, including session descriptions, posted on Monday, June 16^th, so be sure to check back on our conference page for details.

All attendees of the conference will be receiving an email inviting you to join a shared attendees list, which will enable you to get to know and communicate with other attendees prior to the conference. Participation in this shared list will also provide you with up-to-date information on the conference, including our coveted Atlanta Destination Guide.

Please don’t forget that the registration deadline for this year's Cascade User's Conference is July 15^th, and accommodations are limited, so make sure to register for the conference now and secure your spot!

Category

• Events

Get to Know Hannon Hill's Client Mascots

By Blaine Herman

Wednesday, August 13th, 2008 at 2:50pm

I have always loved college mascots.  I grew up a fan of the Lobos from the University of New Mexico, (where I was born and raised), and I was a RedHawk in college at Miami University. The first thing that I do when I start speaking to a new college about content management, is to look up the college's mascot (hey, at least I am being honest).  I decided that I would provide some notable details on just some of the mascots of our respective clients.

Turns out, as the mascot of Gonzaga, Southwest Oklahoma State, and Gardner-Webb universities, the Bulldog is the most popular mascot amongst Hannon Hill clients. I should note that Gardner-Webb's Bulldogs are actually "Runnin' Bulldogs," so please don't think that I overlooked their hustle. Speaking of hustle, Earlham College are the "Hustlin' Quakers," so if you are looking for a lazy mascot, Gardner-Webb and Earlham are likely not the places to look.

We also have three types of hawks: the Saint Joseph's University Hawks, the Skyhawks of Sauk Valley, and the Saint Mary's College of Maryland, Seahawks.  That is a lot of hawks.

Surprisingly, we also have two types of Griffins represented.  Reed College are the Griffins; Sarah Lawrence College are the Gryphons.  Mythology has never been my thing, so I am not going to even attempt to explain the difference.

In addition to the bulldogs, hawks, and griffins represented amongst our Hannon Hill clients, we're fortunate enough to have some very creative mascots. For example, Harvey Mudd's mascot is "Wally the Wart".  The "warts" are actually bulges on bricks and walls around the HMC campus (I was fortunate enough to see them in person).  The Evergreen State College mascot is the Geoduck, which are actually large saltwater clams.  (You should probably look that one up).

The biggest mascot of any Hannon Hill client is the Humpback Whale, the mascot of the University of Alaska, Southeast.  The smallest mascot are the University of Richmond Spiders, or possibly the Yellow Jackets/Yellowjackets of Georgia Tech College of Management and the University of Rochester, respectively.

Of all our client mascots, the ones that I would least like to run into in a dark alley are-- the Polar Bear of Bowdoin College, the George Fox University Bruin, or the Belmont Bear. The mascot that I would most like to run into in a dark alley is the Brewer from Vassar College.  (I am guessing I might get some free beer out of that run in).

The most intelligent sounding Hannon Hill client mascot has to be the Owls of Brandeis University.  The most elite sounding mascot is likely the University of Scranton Royals.

Some of my other notable favorites:  Tribe (William and Mary), Anteaters (UC Irvine), Sagehens (Pomona College), Tars (Rollins College), Lutes (Pacifc Lutheran), Dooley the Skeleton (Emory University's 2nd mascot), and Cobbers (Concordia College). All in all, I'd say we have a pretty diverse range of mascots, and I look forward to learning of and working with many more.

Category

• Commentary

3 Steps to Migrating from a Legacy CMS to Cascade Server

By Morgan Griffith

Wednesday, August 13th, 2008 at 2:50pm

Making a commitment to a locally installed CMS is a substantial obligation for many organizations. Accordingly, if your CMS implementation and integration didn't go as you initially planned, it's important to note that many web content management systems allow for migration from a legacy CMS to a new one via exporting content as XML.

If your organizational legacy CMS is no longer of use and you're in search of a new one, not to worry. If your legacy CMS system allows for content to be exported as XML, it can easily be brought into Cascade Server. Exported XML files will contain every piece of data and content associated with your current site. A simple script can take the XML files and automatically import the content, metadata, and any other relevant information into Cascade Server using Hannon Hill's Web Services API.

1) Transform Templates from Legacy System into Cascade Server Template

This is a very simple process. Many CMS systems provide templates which utilize XHTML and a few application-specific tags. If this is the case, in order to transform the template for use with Cascade, essentially all that's required is to define the regions of the template where you intend to place reusable blocks of content (either statically or dynamically generated).  Because most templates use XHTML and the transformation process is fairly simple, it should take only a matter of minutes to turn a fully rendered page into a Cascade Server template.

2) Creation of Data Definitions for Relevant Pages

Cascade Server's notion of "Data Definitions" refers to structured forms and fields for entering content into a page. A data definition is a structured form interface capable of storing custom data values in a flexible and reusable XML format. Aside from use with site imports and migrations, Data Definitions are used by Cascade Server to generate form-based input fields for the creation and editing of page contet, as well as to generate XML data from the input provided by users in input fields.

3) Creation / Use of Data Import Script

After the templates and data definitions have been created, it's time to create the script that will take the XML files that have been exported from your legacy system and import the content, metadata, and system information into Cascade Server using our Web Services API. The content from your legacy system's XML is easily mapped to the different fields in the Cascade data definitions. The metadata fields from the legacy export are also mapped to the Cascade metadata fields. Some system information, such as folder location and system name will be mapped to their Cascade equivalents. Everything from your legacy system is able to be mapped into Cascade Server, leaving no pieces behind.

Creation of this import script is quite simple. Hannon Hill provides code/a script for data importing, available on the Cascade Knowledge Base. You will want to modify the script to fit your needs; for example, the script can be automatically expanded to automate the process of creating a few of the previously mentioned items, such as Data Definitions and a template. Overall, the entire process of exporting your XML files/content from your legacy system and importing this content into Cascade should be accomplished in just a few hours. 

Category

• Resources

---