Optaros, providers of custom online applications for clients through the Assembled Web, announces the development of a tailor-made open source CMS solution for InfoWorld, IDG Communications subsidiary and online media outlet for IT decision makers.

Seeking improved control over site content, better targeting opportunities and with a goal to increase site traffic two-fold by year-end, InfoWorld hired Optaros to integrate a Drupal open source CMS. The Optaros team created a custom Drupal solution based on InfoWorld's specific needs.

"We are already seeing positive results from Optaros' work. The first day of the relaunch saw our highest level of traffic since our current analytics were installed over two years ago," says Martha Connors, vice president and group general manager for InfoWorld, Computerworld and CXO Online at IDG. "We anticipate that our ability to better manage and organize site content will keep visitors more interested in InfoWorld, increasing traffic and time on site."

"The build would have cost twice as much had we used traditional proprietary tools -- making an open source choice a seemingly easy decision. However, we wouldn't have tried Drupal solutions without Optaros, for fear of scalability issues," says Ray Anderson, chief technology officer, IDG Communications Online Publishing Group. "Optaros' expertise building Drupal sites to scale, their collaborative approach to delivery and their flexibility during the build process were paramount to our successful launch."

Optaros replaced InfoWorld's outdated CMS with a sophisticated media management system. This acts as a small-scale DAM (digital asset management) system, giving site editors more control over content, including the ability to easily add images, customize and feature content on specific areas of the redesigned site.

"What we brought to the table was the knowledge to implement customized Drupal solutions that are scalable for InfoWorld's needs, more affordably and efficiently than if they had used proprietary tools," says Chris Fuller, technical architect at Optaros and InfoWorld project lead.

More than a dozen third-party systems were integrated on top of the Drupal open source CMS, including Google Custom Search Engine, an email subscription service and a cross-platform IDG news feed.

Optaros managed the InfoWorld open source CMS project, working closely with IDG throughout the process. The implementation was delivered ahead of schedule and on budget.