Amaxus Features

Architecture

• Separation of the design elements, the content, the format and metadata.
  
  
• The system supports ODBC and native database connectivity.  In addition, the Java components of the system support JDBC and ODBC.
  
  
• Ability to export data in non-proprietary formats.
  
  
• Ability to import existing data from other systems.
  
  
• Mechanisms to assist data-backup procedures. 
  
  
• Allow collection of related pages and online resources to be built automatically, using metadata standards such as Dublin Core to express relationships between resources.
  
  
• Based on open technology - to ensure interoperability e.g. data harvesting.
  
  
• Metadata can be exported in a format usable by others.
  
  
• Exporting of data into any specified format (XML, WML etc).
  
  
• Automatic creation of an RDF for each resource.
  
  
• Supports the creation of thesauri for controlled vocabularies.
  
  
• Able to publish in a variety of formats without re-editing of source materials across the web, printed publications and other media formats.
  
  
• Personalisation of site - e.g. personal favourites, online discussion, registration for push information.
  
  
• Amaxus is highly scalable to cater for increases in data structure and data content but also in terms of public users.
  
  
• Amaxus can run in a load balanced environment.  Multiple installations of the system on several servers can work cooperatively when coupled with a hardware or software load balancer. In addition, the repository can also be load balanced across multiple servers provided the DMBS chosen to host it supports replication or has built-in load balancing functionality.
  
  

Searching Capability

• Provision of full-text retrieval.
  
  
• Ordering of search results in any way specified.
  
  
• Ability to define a stop list of terms that are not indexed.
  
  
• Ability to use a retrieved record (or automatically generated summary) as the basis for further searches (i.e. find more like this).
  
  
• Support of searches for a particular phrase and boolean conditions (AND, NOT, OR).
  
  
• Provision of friendly messages for unsuccessful searches.
  
  
• Ability to accommodate detailed descriptions to assist in the search functionality.
  
  
• Ability for front-end users to store search queries.

User Interface

• Complete WYSIWYG functionality enabling non-technical users to take content from conception to publication.
  
  
• Ability to import data from applications such as Microsoft Word and Adobe Acrobat (PDF files).
  
  
• Integrated HTML importer.
  
  
• Ability to create dynamic quizzes and polls. Interactive web elements can be integrated.
  
  
• Microsite creation and management: ability to drive numerous sites, with different templates and layouts, using one system.
  
  
• Provision of standard layout templates which can be applied to sections or documents.
  
  
• Formatting capabilities.
  
  
• Tables, including ability to merge/split cells.
  
  
• Full spell checker and thesaurus.
  
  
• Ability to create feedback forms with customised fields. The data is stored in a database so this information can be analysed as well as responded to.
  
  
• Author is able to preview content prior to publishing on the live website.  Staging system for site versioning.
  
  
• In-built help information for both technical and non-technical users. Can be switched on and off.

Design and Layout

• Templates can be configured to have standard fonts & sizes.
  
  
• Flexibility in the display of the information or details that are presented (single/multi page view, PDF version/printable versions etc).
  

Workflow

• Full workflow control.
  
  
• Document locking prevents users from editing the same file simultaneously.
  
  
• Advanced User authentication and access control.
  
  
• Super-users have control over workflow structure, roles and privileges.
  
  
• Ability to create numerous user groups, each with its own set of roles and privileges.
  
  
• CMS users can be restricted to part/sections of the site, depending on their privileges.
  
  
• Integrated workflow process to allow editorial control and to automate content approval of online content. 
  
  
• Workflow follows easily defined rules set by web staff.
  
  
• Automatic scheduling for content publishing and archiving where appropriate.

Versioning

• Rollback to any previous version of a document.
  
  
• Track changes between versions.
  
  
• Audit trail of changes.

Links

• Ability to create both internal and external links, based on Dublin Core standards. Links can also be defined as objects, enabling them to only be stored once, with any alterations made site-wide instantaneously.
  
  
• Link checking and management.

Accessibility of Front-end

• Provision of dynamic, text only site by automatically repurposing existing content and utilising the existing site structure.
  
  
• Compatibility across the spectrum of web browsers (including text-only and screen reading browsers).
  
  
• Comply with government guidelines on accessibility and usability e.g. Bobby compliant, W3C.

Reporting

• Audit trail of changes made, by whom and when.
  
  
• Ability to produce a range of statistical information and management type reports relating to the use of the system.