Byrne Tony Byrne

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Beware Consultingware

6-Oct-2004

Tags: Web Content and Experience Management, Marketplace at Large, Selecting Technology

James Robertson makes a passionate and convincing case for considering local vendors in your CMS search. We think, however, that of the 1000+ CMS products available around the world, a substantial majority represents "consultingware" -- applications developed for a limited number of consulting clients, then hastily rebranded as a "product." Consultingware may seem appealing if it comes from a trusted partner. But it also carries substantial risks, including heavy customization liabilities that may dwarf an otherwise attractive initial license fee. There are also fewer guarantees that a real community of users will form around the solution (an important precondition for future development and bug fixes). Same goes for open-source CMS projects spawned by your neighbors down the street. Sure, CMS solutions from established product vendors and global open-source projects can have their own shortcomings, but when it comes to consultingware -- however near or far -- we say: caveat emptor...
Tiny Denmark supports 72 CMS alternatives (via Janus Boye)

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