Web Strategy and Development Blog

Martian attack repelled; content management system implementation proceeds

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Sometimes during a major system implementation, sample messages inadvertently make their way to a live website. Such was the case yesterday when an orphaned training session alert went live on ten websites. The following message was displayed.

Sample alert message indicating Martians were attacking

Attack successfully repelled

We are excited to report that the attack was successfully repelled with only minor scratches suffered by the web support team. Web Support Help Desk supervisor Brian Heaton stated “…it was a brief but ferocious attack; it’s a great day to be a Bear!”

Implementation of new CMS continues

Progress on implementation of the new CMS continues, with ten MSU Springfield websites already live and plans to go-live in December with 60+ West Plains websites. Websites published from the new CMS, Omni CMS, include Marketing and Communications, Class Schedule, Catalogs,  Guide to Services, Visitors Guide and Research.

The Web Strategy and Development team recently led the process to acquire a new content management system (CMS) for university websites. This means that all Web Press sites will have an entirely new and improved editor experience. The name of product is Omni CMS, offered by Modern Campus (formerly OmniUpdate). The Omni CMS platform was developed specifically for Higher Education and has many features that we will utilize.

Some of the many advantages this new system will bring, are:

  • Regular online training for editors and administrators.
  • Online knowledge base and other resources.
  • More seamless editing with a deep link feature allowing you to login directly from the live website page you want to edit.
  • WYSIWYG editor with drag and drop functionality.
  • A pre-publish accessibility checker within the system.
  • A cloud hosted platform.
  • A cost effective solution.

We are planning for website migrations to occur as quickly as possible, but will probably extend into summer 2022. When we are ready to migrate your site, we will reach out to editors and work together to complete site migration to the new Omni CMS platform. Prior to that, we will be connecting with various departments and units to help ensure websites are up-to-date. In the meantime, please remove old and outdated content as time permits, which will help streamline the process and result in a more pristine website after migration.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions at WebSupport@MissouriState.edu.

Unused Web Press assets archived

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Unused assets in Web Press Asset Manager folders have been archived. If a needed file was archived contact the web help desk to have it restored.

By the numbers

  • Files in Web Press before archive: 33,700+
  • Storage consumed: more than 19.8GB
  • Unused files archived: 5,100+(15.1%)
  • Storage reclaimed: more than 2.7GB (13.9%)

Support

Please contact the web help desk at WebPress@MissouriState.edu or 417-836-5271 if you have any questions or would like assistance removing unneeded files from your Asset Manager folder.

Web Press open lab sessions for summer 2021

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The Web Press open has been relocated to the office of web strategy and development in Meyer Alumni Center suite 601 through Friday, August 20, 2021.

The regularly scheduled time of 2-4 p.m. remains in effect.

More information

Please contact the web help desk at 417-836-5271, weekdays, or webpress@missouristate.edu if you have any questions.

Update the COVID-19 messaging on your website

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Web Press editors:

Have you posted a COVID-related notice or update on your website in the last 15 months?

It’s probably time to remove that messaging.

With campus returning to normal this fall, COVID policies are expiring.

You’re encouraged to review your site and assess any COVID-related messaging. This may include mask requirements, virtual appointments, online classes and more.

Contact us if you need help.

Removing or updating your COVID messaging is a great way to keep your audience and website visitors informed.

Other best practices

New Content Management System Coming Soon

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The Web Strategy and Development team recently led the process to acquire a new content management system (CMS) for university websites. This means that all Web Press sites will have an entirely new and improved editor experience. The name of product is Omni CMS, offered by Modern Campus (formerly OmniUpdate). The Omni CMS platform was developed specifically for Higher Education and has many features that we will utilize.

Some of the many advantages this new system will bring, are:

  • Regular online training for editors and administrators.
  • Online knowledge base and other resources.
  • More seamless editing with a deep link feature allowing you to login directly from the live website page you want to edit.
  • WYSIWYG editor with drag and drop functionality.
  • A pre-publish accessibility checker within the system.
  • A cloud hosted platform.
  • A cost effective solution.

We are planning for website migration to take place in April and May of this year. When we are ready to migrate your site, we will reach out to editors and work together to complete site migration to the new Omni platform. Prior to that, we will be connecting with various departments and units to help ensure websites are up-to-date. Old and outdated content will need to be removed and cleaned up. This will result in a much smoother process and a more pristine website after migration.

We look forward to collaborating with our colleagues to usher all of our websites into this new platform. You’ll be hearing from us in April or May, but please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions at web@missouristate.edu.