Separating meaning from content
Most content management systems (CMS) in use today separate content from the presentation of web pages to make content more manageable and publishing more flexible. They do this with varying degrees of success depending on whether the CMS uses a page model or more of an object oriented approach to content. Either way, content is organised in a hierarchical structure similar to folders and files on a computer. This has served well for a while but we are now seeing new requirements from our customers that need further innovations which we call Dynamic Semantic Publishing (DSP). This takes traditional content management a step further by not only separating content from presentation but also meaning from content. [...] In this approach a content model, called an ontology, is created by describing the different types of content and the relationships between them. This can be tailored to more precisely fit the needs of the publisher and accurately reflect the business domain in a way that is intuitive for content authors and consumers alike. Ontology is the key mechanism which will enable content to be found much more easily. The relationships that can be defined are not limited by hierarchy unlike a traditional taxonomy. And because the relationship between the subjects contained within each content item has been specified in advance, content can be automatically published and re-ordered in a wide variety of contexts. [...] DSP offers the following key benefits for online publishers:
- Organise content better so that it is more intuitive and a better fit for the knowledge domain of your authors and users.
- Make your content more findable including improved search functions.
- Locate and utilise related linked data and information as part of the publishing process including external sources.
- Provide a more immersive and useful content experience for users through better linking of content items.
- Dynamically repurpose content again and again around specific themes saving on content production time and costs.
- Improve search engine optimisation.
- Incorporate advertisements dynamically and with better targeting by utilising a richer more meaningful semantic layer on top of each piece of content.
- Link and share content with other sources and institutions (to improve information services, promote your organisation and build relationships).