The foundations are now well and truly laid for the delivery of the University’s new content management system. The Polopoly replacement is based on the open source Drupal platform and will provide a much better user experience for web editors. It will also deliver responsive content – fit for phones and tablets.

So we now need to agree migration schedules and carry on developing the new tool. We have called the new tool EdWeb. See Duncan’s post announcing the new name and below for my note to Heads of Schools and Business Units.

Duncan’s post – “EdWeb” – your new cms

————————————

[3 October 2014]

Dear XXX,

The University Website Programme (UWP) is currently developing EdWeb – a new Drupal-based Content Management System (CMS) to replace the present Polopoly system. The development and transition project is due for completion at the end of December 2015. Your website management colleagues have been updated on development progress since late 2013.

WEBSITE MIGRATION PROCESS

*************************

The full migration of approximately 300 websites will take place over three major phases starting in March 2015. There is a lot to do but it will be worth it. Your current Polopoly site will be replicated in the EdWeb CMS with the additional benefits of:

– a responsive design, flexible for different screen sizes and mobile devices

– a fast, easy to use platform for website publishers

– new design interface offering consistency across the University’s different online tools

The migration process will be largely automated. The UWP editorial team are committed to undertake the bulk of any work needed post migration. The key activity for your lead publishers will be to review and sign off the migrated site once it has been thoroughly checked in the new system by the UWP.

The UWP will ensure the safe and smooth delivery of your site into the new system as well as training and support for your site publishers during the course of 2015. For your information, the key points in the process are outlined below.

WEBSITE MIGRATION SCHEDULE

***************************

We will shortly be contacting your lead web publishers to take forward the planning of the migration of your website. We have a draft schedule which we would like to discuss during October 2014 (attached for your information).

Your lead web publisher will no doubt talk to you about the schedule and will have a key role in coordinating the sign-off of your site or sites. They will be our main contact and your liaison point during the process.

The CMS is being developed over 5 release phases. The UWP is currently trialling the beta system with its own small site. We will then test the system with a small group of simple websites from across the University from January 2015.

We will continue to stay in touch with all web publishers providing more detail on the proposed process and timeframes.

Meanwhile should you have any queries about the project, please do not hesitate to contact the University Website Programme at website.programme@ed.ac.uk or see the EdWeb Communications log at http://bit.ly/EdWeb-comms .

Kind regards,

Dawn Ellis

Director

University Website Programme

————————————–

Hope this gives you a flavour of what’s to come. Together with my team, we’ll keep you updated on progress via the usual channels: this blog, the UWP website and WPC sessions, or take a look at the Drupal Communications log for an overview of all communications around the project.

University Website Programme website

Web Publishing Community sessions – requires EASE login

Drupal Communications log – requires EASE login