Latest News from OmniUpdate

OmniUpdate Releases Version 9.15 of Its Web Content Management System

Mon, 14 May 2012 09:00:38 -0700

More Content Reuse Functionality Added to Assets

Camarillo, CA -- May 14, 2012 -- OmniUpdate, the leading web content management system (CMS) provider for higher education, has released version 9.15 of its OU Campus(TM) CMS. This product release includes a significant enhancement to the existing Assets feature.

Assets, like Snippets and file includes, are part of the Reusable Content functionality in OU Campus. This new release brings powerful improvements to the Assets feature in the CMS, providing many new capabilities for users and administrators. There are new options for users to filter by type, such as web content, plain text, source code, image galleries, and managed forms; filter by site, allowing users to apply Assets across OU Campus managed sites; and filter by tag, allowing for collection, aggregation, and quick selection of desired Assets. The powerful new tagging system also makes it easier to assign tags or metadata to Assets by automatically suggesting tags. In addition to existing access settings, administrators can now choose which users have access to use specific Assets. Assets workflow has also been enhanced with scheduled publishing options.

Lance Merker, President and CEO of OmniUpdate, stated, "OmniUpdate customers are increasingly interested in content reuse, and the changes we've made in OU Campus are a direct result of their feedback. The OU Campus Assets feature takes content reuse across all channels to a new level."

About OmniUpdate, Inc.
OmniUpdate is the leading web content management system (CMS) provider for higher education. OmniUpdate's enterprise web CMS, OU Campus(TM), empowers institutions to effectively manage and enhance their web presence and take advantage of the latest web and mobile technologies. OU Campus is secure and scalable, offering a complete feature set, extensible tools, and deployment flexibility supported by exceptional customer service and extensive community resources. More than 550 college and university websites are managed using OU Campus.

For more information, visit www.omniupdate.com

OmniUpdate Releases Version 9.14 of Its Web Content Management System

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 09:28:36 -0700

New Accessibility Check Feature Helps Facilitate Compliance

Camarillo, CA -- April 16, 2012 -- OmniUpdate, the leading web content management system (CMS) provider for higher education, has released version 9.14 of its OU Campus(TM) CMS. This release of OU Campus includes a new Accessibility Check feature.

The new Accessibility Check feature in OU Campus provides the solution for ensuring accessible pages to all site visitors. As part of the Page Check feature, this new check validates web pages for Section 508 of the Workforce Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) of the W3C, the Stanca Act, or Barrierefreie Informationstechnik-Verordnung (BITV), and classifies the results into one of three categories: "Known Issues," "Likely Issues," or "Potential Issues." This allows users to quickly determine the issues of highest priority. Each result displays a detailed description of the problem, including the source code in question and suggested corrections. As is the case with other Page Check features, administrators can enforce Accessibility Check before pages are published using the OU Campus Final Check feature.

Lance Merker, President and CEO of OmniUpdate, stated, "OmniUpdate realizes that web accessibility is an important issue for our higher education customers. The Accessibility Check feature helps make this complex and sometimes subjective process easier to monitor and manage. It is one of many exciting product enhancements being released during 2012 that focuses on improving the CMS user and site visitor experience."

About OmniUpdate, Inc.
OmniUpdate is the leading web content management system (CMS) provider for higher education. OmniUpdate's enterprise web CMS, OU Campus(TM), empowers institutions to effectively manage and enhance their web presence and take advantage of the latest web and mobile technologies. OU Campus is secure and scalable, offering a complete feature set, extensible tools, and deployment flexibility supported by exceptional customer service and extensive community resources. More than 550 college and university websites are managed using OU Campus.

For more information, visit www.omniupdate.com

New E-Expectations Trend Report: The Communication Expectations of College-Bound High School Students

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 10:00:33 -0700

How do prospective college students want to communicate with campuses? When do they want to interact with their target colleges? Which communication methods make them feel most comfortable? This 2012 E-Expectations Trend Report is based on a study of more than 1,300 participants about communicating with prospective campuses. The study examines the preferred communication methods for students as well as which methods they find the most meaningful and effective. This E-Expectations research project is a joint research effort from OmniUpdate, Noel-Levitz, CollegeWeekLive, and the National Research Center for College & University Admissions.

How to Successfully Migrate Your CMS Content

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 13:30:27 -0700

California State University Channel Islands (CI) looked at almost every web content management system (CMS) available in the market and finally made a selection - so what next? After some behind the scenes development work, the sometimes difficult process of migrating web content began.

Come learn what matters when developing your institution's migration strategy from those who have been through the experience. During this webcast, Peter Mosinskis, CI Director of IT Strategy, and Daniel Martinez, CI Web Supervisor and Assessment Technology Lead, share their university's content migration process and lessons learned. Their information is valuable for anyone in higher education involved with their institution's website content and development, regardless of the CMS selected.

Webcast on The Mobile Expectations of College-Bound Students

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:36:52 -0800

During this webcast, Stephanie Geyer, Associate Vice President of Web Strategy Services for Noel-Levitz, discusses what matters in mobile based on the 2012 research report, "The Mobile Browsing Behaviors and Expectations of College-Bound High School Students." This cooperative study surveyed more than 2,300 students engaged in the school search process. Stephanie is joined by Lance Merker, President and CEO of OmniUpdate.

The Mobile Browsing Behaviors and Expectations of College-Bound High School Students

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:49:59 -0800

The last decade marked a dramatic change in the college search experience as students flocked to the Internet as their primary tool for researching colleges. Institutions had to transform their recruitment efforts to keep up with the online demands and expectations of prospective students. This 2012 E-Expectations Trend Report is based on a study of nearly 2,300 college-bound high school students regarding their use of mobile devices to search for colleges. The report uncovers what students expect from the college mobile site experience and highlights social media use and how often they accessed social media channels on a mobile device. This E-Expectations research project is a joint research effort from OmniUpdate, Noel-Levitz, CollegeWeekLive, and the National Research Center for College & University Admissions.

Record Sales, Revenue, and Profit for OmniUpdate During 2011

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 11:39:15 -0800

More Than 100 New Features and Continued Focus on Customer Support Fuel Growth

Camarillo, CA -- January 11, 2012 -- OmniUpdate, the leading web content management system (CMS) provider for higher education, announced that 2011 was a record year for sales, revenue, and profits. The company added 45 new college and university clients, including international institutions such as John Cabot University in Italy and Kwantlen Polytechnic University in Canada, and completed a record number of implementations of its web CMS, OU Campus(TM), with the vast majority of clients adopting the company's cloud solution, also known as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) technology.

One of the most highly requested features added to OU Campus in 2011 was the Dependency Manager, which ensures hyperlinks to pages managed within OU Campus are always up to date. And the launch of the Live Delivery Platform with new forms, polls, surveys, comments, and image galleries functionalities significantly expanded and enhanced the product's capability. OmniUpdate also expanded OU Campus' Single Sign-On remote authentication capabilities with the addition of a Shibboleth® System option and added support for XSLT 3.0, XPath 3.0, and XQuery 3.0. Send to Facebook, OU Social(TM), Quick Search, Zip Import, and a number of other important feature enhancements were also added, resulting in more than 100 new features released during the year.

Lance Merker, President and CEO of OmniUpdate, stated, "What a phenomenal year for our organization. We had amazing growth, added great team members, and made valuable enhancements to our products. Through our continued focus on world-class customer support, we were once again recognized as the industry's leading CMS in the 2011 .eduGuru Higher Ed CMS Usage Survey. Our dedication to the higher education market and deep understanding of how to support our clients are what continue to set us apart and fuel our growth."

For more information, visit www.omniupdate.com

Getting Familiar with HTML5

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 16:23:50 -0800

Maybe you've already started using HTML5, or maybe you've been putting it off. From the new semantic elements to forms to video, you'll learn all about getting started with HTML5. During this recorded session, you'll get code examples, best practice recommendations for compatibility with older browsers, and an introduction to popular tools/frameworks to help you easily take advantage of all that HTML5 has to offer.

OmniUpdate Releases Version 9.12 of Its Web Content Management System

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 09:00:33 -0700

New Site Check Feature and Support for XSLT 3.0 Added

Camarillo, CA – October 24, 2011 – OmniUpdate, the leading web content management system (CMS) provider for higher education, has released version 9.12 of its OU Campus™ CMS. This release of OU Campus includes a new Site Check feature and support for XSLT 3.0, XPath 3.0, and XQuery 3.0.

Site Check allows authorized administrators to check all website links, both internal and external to the site, with ease. Users can choose to check links for all site pages or only selected pages. They also have the option to follow link redirects and set timeout rules to ensure that links are in an optimal state. Additionally, users can view reports of broken links by page or by link.

OU Campus has been updated to Saxon 9.3, which includes partial support for the XSLT 3.0, XPath 3.0, and XQuery 3.0 Working Drafts (formerly known as 2.1). The move to XSLT 3.0 provides web developers with a full-fledged functional programming language, making it easier to build powerful, robust, and user-friendly templates. New instructions such as iterate and evaluate give developers the power and flexibility to easily deploy dynamically generated code. Developers can use try/catch blocks to create templates with user-friendly error handling.

OmniUpdate has been extremely aggressive in adding new product functionality this past year. Lance Merker, President and CEO of OmniUpdate, stated, “Our clients require a CMS that gives them the power to push their websites even further. We are proud to provide cutting-edge solutions and technologies, such as XSLT 3.0, to our customers.”

About OmniUpdate, Inc.
OmniUpdate is the leading web content management system (CMS) provider for higher education. OmniUpdate’s enterprise web CMS, OU Campus™, empowers institutions to effectively manage and enhance their web presence and take advantage of the latest web and mobile technologies. OU Campus is secure and scalable, offering a complete feature set, extensible tools, and deployment flexibility supported by exceptional customer service and extensive community resources. More than 550 college and university websites are managed using OU Campus. www.omniupdate.com

Student and Parent E-Expectations and the Higher Ed Website

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 14:55:03 -0700

The 2011 E-Expectations research study, The Online Expectations of Prospective College Students and Their Parents, reveals the influential role of the higher education website on prospective students and parents, particularly in the areas of academic programs and admissions information. The study highlights the influence of parents in the college recruitment process and the importance of reaching out to them as well as their children. During this webcast, Stephanie Geyer, Associate Vice President of Web Strategy Services, and Lance Merker, President and CEO of OmniUpdate, discuss these important research results and how the findings should influence college and university web and marketing activities.

OmniUpdate Releases Version 9.11 of Its Web Content Management System

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 09:00:32 -0700

New LDP Forms, Polls, and Survey Features Now Available

Camarillo, CA – August 22, 2011 – OmniUpdate, the leading web content management system (CMS) provider for higher education, has released version 9.11 of its OU Campus™ CMS. This release includes the server-side module of the Live Delivery Platform (LDP) that allows users to easily create and manage forms, polls, and surveys.

The new LDP module provides an intuitive user interface that makes it much easier to quickly build form elements such as text, radio buttons, checkboxes, drop-down menus, and lists for use on any web page. If form elements need to be reordered, users simply drag and drop them into their proper position. Users define which form elements are required, and easily select from pre-supplied or custom validation rules.

Collected data is stored in the included database, and can also be submitted to one or more email addresses, each with their own message. OU Campus users with the appropriate permissions can view submitted data from the database, and export it for use in external applications.

Lance Merker, President and CEO of OmniUpdate, stated, “Our customers require interactive web modules, and forms are particularly important to them. We designed LDP Forms to alleviate the need for developers to create custom forms processing code for their CMS users. Based on early customer feedback, we know this is going to be huge for our customers.”

About OmniUpdate, Inc.
OmniUpdate is the leading web content management system (CMS) provider for higher education. OmniUpdate’s enterprise-class web CMS, OU Campus™, empowers institutions to effectively manage and enhance their web presence and take advantage of the latest web and mobile technologies. OU Campus is secure and scalable, offering a complete feature set, extensible tools, and deployment flexibility supported by exceptional customer service and extensive community resources. More than 550 college and university websites are managed using OU Campus. www.omniupdate.com

OmniUpdate Now Offering Shibboleth as a Single Sign-On Option

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 09:00:32 -0700

Shibboleth Provides Privacy and Protection for Individuals Accessing Higher Ed Online Resources

Camarillo, CA — August 15, 2011 — OmniUpdate, the leading web content management system (CMS) provider for higher education, has announced the availability of the Shibboleth® System as a single sign-on remote authentication option for their OU Campus™ web CMS customers. The single sign-on process saves users time by requiring them to log in just once to have access to all supported applications. OU Campus already integrates with Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP), Active Directory (AD), and single sign-on via Central Authentication Service (CAS).

Shibboleth is a standards-based, open source software package for web single sign-on across or within organizational boundaries. It allows sites to make informed authorization decisions for individual access of protected online resources in a privacy-preserving manner. Using Shibboleth-enabled access simplifies management of identity and permissions for organizations supporting users and applications. Shibboleth is developed in an open and participatory environment, is freely available, and is released under the Apache Software License.

Shibboleth is used by many higher education institutions around the country, as well as many government and nonprofit laboratories, research centers, and agencies. Lance Merker, President and CEO of OmniUpdate, stated, "The Shibboleth option makes the decision to implement OU Campus more appealing to those higher education institutions already using, or wishing to use, this single sign-on approach. Whether an organization uses Shibboleth or some other trusted framework for individual privacy and protection, OmniUpdate is committed to working closely with our customers to make system integration seamless."

About OmniUpdate, Inc.
OmniUpdate is the leading web content management system (CMS) provider for higher education. OmniUpdate's enterprise web CMS, OU Campus™, empowers institutions to effectively manage and enhance their web presence and take advantage of the latest web and mobile technologies. OU Campus is secure and scalable, offering a complete feature set, extensible tools, and deployment flexibility supported by exceptional customer service and extensive community resources. More than 550 college and university websites are managed using OU Campus.

For more information, visit www.omniupdate.com

New Report Finds the College Website to Be a Primary Driver for Prospective Students and Parents

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 10:43:42 -0700

64% of Students and 73% of Parents Said a Bad College Website Experience Would Negatively Affect Their Perception of the School or Cause Them to Eliminate the School from Their List of Choices

Camarillo, CA — July 19, 2011 — A new study has been released that reveals the influential role of the higher education website on prospective students and parents, particularly in the areas of academic programs and admissions information. The study highlights the influence of parents in the college recruitment process and the importance of reaching out to them as well as their children. In terms of key content, parents and students showed a fair amount of agreement. Approximately 60% of both groups said that the first link they looked for on a school's website was either academic programs or admissions information.

This finding comes from the new report, "The Online Expectations of Prospective College Students and Their Parents," sponsored by OmniUpdate, the leading web content management system (CMS) provider for higher education; Noel-Levitz, the leading higher education consulting firm in North America; and the National Research Center for College & University Admissions (NRCCUA), a non-profit education research organization that conducts the nation's largest educational planning survey among high school students. The report is the latest in the ongoing E-Expectations series, a research project analyzing the online expectations and behaviors of college-bound high school students. The 2011 E-Expectations study surveyed more than 1,043 college-bound high school seniors throughout North America and 517 of their parents.

In addition to reporting that they were researching colleges together, 49% of students and 61% of parents said the final decision on where to enroll would be done together. "It's clear that, at least half of the time, a college is not just recruiting a high school student. The parents are also involved, and they bring a different perspective and perhaps a different set of expectations," said Kevin Crockett, President and CEO of Noel-Levitz. "With the escalating cost of attendance, too, it's likely that parents also want reassurance that an institution is a good investment, which probably explains why 42% of parents said they look for information on academic programs first."

Overall, a college or university website that provides visitors with a poor site experience may see lowered enrollment numbers as a result. The study found that 47% of students and 57% of parents reported that a bad experience on a school's site left them with a negative impression of the school, and 17% and 16%, respectfully, said they would drop that school altogether from their consideration list. Most institutions can ill afford 64% of prospective students and 73% of their parents walking out their virtual door unsatisfied.

Lance Merker, President and CEO of OmniUpdate stated, "What we're seeing here is that the website is a primary driver for information about an institution, and website content plays a critical role in recruitment and admissions. This study validates our belief that a CMS is a vital tool for institutional success, and I can proudly say that our CMS, OU Campus™, has been designed specifically with the needs of higher education in mind."

Additional report findings include:

59% of students said they researched colleges with their parents, while 66% of their parents said they were researching colleges with their children.
36% of students and 26% of parents said they had used an online cost calculator; the numbers were 28% and 20%, respectively, when asked if they had used scholarship calculators. Surprisingly, while the new federal mandate for online net cost calculators takes effect in October 2011, a large number of study participants reported that they could not find such calculators on college websites. For those who had used neither, nearly 50% of students and 67% of parents said they had not seen one.
80% of students and 48% of parents said they had a Facebook account. While 27% of those students said they had visited a college Facebook page, only 12% of parents on Facebook had done the same. Twitter participation was far lower, with only 9% of students and 5% of parents saying they had a Twitter account.
27% of students and 17% of parents said they had searched for schools on their lists on YouTube. More importantly, 55% of students and 43% of parents said they watched videos on the websites of prospective colleges.
14% of students and 5% of parents said they had browsed a college site via a mobile device.
93% of students and 81% of parents said they would give campuses an e-mail address, and nearly all of those students said they provided an address they checked at least once per week.

See the full report

About the Sponsors

OmniUpdate, Inc.
OmniUpdate is the leading web content management system (CMS) provider for higher education. OmniUpdate's enterprise web CMS, OU Campus™, empowers institutions to effectively manage and enhance their web presence and take advantage of the latest web and mobile technologies. OU Campus is secure and scalable, offering a complete feature set, extensible tools, and deployment flexibility supported by exceptional customer service and extensive community resources. More than 550 college and university websites are managed using OU Campus. www.omniupdate.com

Noel-Levitz
Noel-Levitz has consulted with 2,700 public and private institutions, helping these campuses and systems reach their goals for enrollment, marketing, and student success at the undergraduate and graduate/professional levels.

NRCCUA (National Research Center for College & University Admissions)
NRCCUA conducts the nation's largest educational planning survey among high school students. This valuable program facilitates a key link between the individual educational goals and preferences of students and the vast offerings of colleges and universities. Services include student search programs, printed and online recruitment publications, and web-based communications resources.

2011 E-Expectations Report Now Available

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 10:10:01 -0700

The 2011 E-Expectations report is based on a study of 1,089 high school seniors and 517 of their parents from across the United States. The report reveals the influential role of the higher education website on prospective students and parents, particularly in the areas of academic programs and admissions information. The report highlights the influence of parents in the college recruitment process and the importance of reaching out to them as well as their children. The E-Expectations research project is a joint research effort from OmniUpdate, Noel-Levitz, and the National Research Center for College & University Admissions.

OmniUpdate Offers New Service to Expedite Mobile Website Deployment

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 10:56:58 -0700

Support for Content Migration and Mobile Templates Helps Higher Ed Clients Get Started Quickly

Camarillo, CA — July 8, 2011 — OmniUpdate, the leading web content management system (CMS) provider for higher education, is now offering a new professional service ( http://omniupdate.com/assets/brochures/pdfs/Mobile_Website_Flyer.pdf ) to help OU Campus™ CMS customers get their mobile websites deployed quickly. The service will assist customers currently constrained by limited resources to achieve their mobile goals.

An OmniUpdate customer seeking assistance from the company with mobile deployment will get a site built on powerful HTML5 standards using the jQuery mobile framework and a choice of commonly used look-and-feel design layouts and user interface options optimized for mobile devices. The company's support department will work closely with that customer to migrate, if necessary, the most-visited content from their website to the new mobile site. The OU Campus CMS can then be used to easily and consistently maintain both the traditional and mobile website automatically and without additional user training.

The demand for information to be accessible via mobile devices is growing. Higher education institutions need to keep up with this demand, particularly in areas that influence prospective students. According to a 2011 benchmark report by Noel-Levitz on marketing and student recruitment practices, only 25% of public four-year campuses, 17% of four-year privates, and 9% of two-year public colleges have mobile apps, yet more than 60% rated them "very effective" or "somewhat effective" for recruitment. Lance Merker, President and CEO of OmniUpdate, stated, "Our customers often understand the importance of having a mobile website, but sometimes lack the resources to get started. So, we've decided to make it extremely simple for them to get their mobile website deployed. And, new OU Campus customers who take advantage of this offer will be delighted to have both a new CMS and a mobile site up and running from day one."

For more information, visit www.omniupdate.com

OmniUpdate Releases Version 9.10 of Its Web Content Management System

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:32:13 -0700

New LDP Image Galleries and Comments Features Now Available

Camarillo, CA — June 30, 2011 — OmniUpdate, the leading web content management system (CMS) provider for higher education, has released version 9.10 of its OU Campus™ CMS. This release includes Image Galleries and Comments that are features of the product's Live Delivery Platform (LDP).

The LDP Image Galleries feature allows users to easily create and manage image galleries in OU Campus. Users can upload images into the gallery; provide a title, caption, and description information; and drag and drop images to modify the order. OU Campus will automatically generate thumbnails based on user-defined settings. LDP Image Galleries are centrally managed assets that can be used on multiple pages, even with a different look and feel.

The LDP Comments feature gives website visitors an opportunity to have their voice heard on the institutional website. Visitors can provide their perspective on a topic, like or dislike a page or another visitor's comment, create comment threads, and much more. Administrators have the tools to monitor all feedback, approve and moderate comments, and have granular control over who can input a comment.

Image galleries and interactive feedback are commonly used throughout college websites. OU Campus makes these capabilities easier to deploy using the LDP Image Galleries and Comments features. Customers may opt to use one or both features. Lance Merker, President and CEO of OmniUpdate, stated, "Our clients use a lot of image galleries. We designed the LDP Image Galleries user interface to work very differently than any other image gallery interface in the CMS market. What we've done makes it incredibly simple for users to add and manage image collections on their website -- a functionality that is extremely difficult to do in other CMS products. Based on pre-release feedback, I know our customers are going to love this."

About OmniUpdate, Inc.
OmniUpdate is the leading web content management system (CMS) provider for higher education. OmniUpdate's enterprise-class web CMS, OU Campus™, empowers institutions to effectively manage and enhance their web presence and take advantage of the latest web and mobile technologies. OU Campus is secure and scalable, offering a complete feature set, extensible tools, and deployment flexibility supported by exceptional customer service and extensive community resources. More than 550 college and university websites are managed using OU Campus.

For more information, visit www.omniupdate.com

OmniUpdate Releases Version 9.9 of Its Web Content Management System

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 09:00:31 -0700

New Dependency Manager Automatically Corrects Internal Hyperlinks

Camarillo, CA — June 20, 2011 — OmniUpdate, the leading web content management system (CMS) provider for higher education, has released version 9.9 of its OU Campus™ CMS. This release includes a highly requested new feature called Dependency Manager.

The Dependency Manager ensures that hyperlinks to pages that are managed within OU Campus are always up to date. If a user decides to rename a page or move it to a new location, the Dependency Manager will automatically update the URL found in the associated pages and update those pages on the live server. If a page is deleted, thereby causing broken hyperlinks, the user is notified to take action on those pages.

The Dependency Manager is particularly important for a higher education website, which may have thousands of web pages written by hundreds of authors. Due to dispersed job locations and vastly different work responsibilities, web content authors may not know each other or be aware of changes made to site content. Because of this, broken links are easy to create. The Dependency Manager fixes them before they are published. Lance Merker, President and CEO of OmniUpdate, stated, "The Dependency Manager makes internal link checking unnecessary for both site contributors and administrators. Using the same technology OU Campus uses to track content assets, the Dependency Manager works seamlessly without any changes to the user interface."

For more information, visit www.omniupdate.com

Learn from the UVU CMS Journey

Thu, 26 May 2011 12:55:38 -0700

After three failed attempts to implement a user-friendly, technically sustainable, and cost-effective web content management system (CMS), the Utah Valley University (UVU) web services team was ready to throw in the towel. Then, almost by accident, they found a cloud CMS solution that worked...and it's been a story of success ever since! During this webcast, Nathan Gerber, UVU Director of Web Services, shares his CMS journey and lessons learned.

OmniUpdate Releases Version 9.8 of Its Web Content Management System

Mon, 09 May 2011 09:15:04 -0700

Send to Facebook® and OU Social™ Features Dramatically Improve Content Management and Distribution

Camarillo, CA — May 9, 2011 — OmniUpdate, the leading web content management system (CMS) provider for higher education, has released version 9.8 of its OU Campus™ CMS. This release includes two new features, Send to Facebook and OU Social, which will help the company's customers find new ways to communicate with students, parents, and potential students in a single step.

Send to Facebook is an addition to the OU Campus Social Media Publish capabilities, which currently include Send to Twitter. The Send to Facebook feature allows authorized users to automatically publish content to Facebook Pages. Users can create wall posts from within OU Campus in conjunction with the creation or update of web page content. These posts can occur on an immediate or scheduled basis. Administrators can configure multiple Facebook Pages and set publishing rights to specific individual users or groups.

OU Social is a Facebook app that gives institutions a powerful, yet simple solution for updating their Facebook Page. An administrator simply installs the OU Social app within their Facebook account, and then selects which OU Campus–managed content to associate with it. Information displayed on an institution's Facebook "welcome" page, commonly used as the default landing page within Facebook, is an example of the type of content managed by OU Social. Whenever associated content is updated in OU Campus, the same content is automatically and simultaneously updated on Facebook.

Lance Merker, President and CEO of OmniUpdate, is excited about the enhanced social media capabilities being introduced by his developers and stated, "The new Send to Facebook and OU Social features expand how our customers can manage content and reach their audiences through multiple channels. And it's done by simply updating related content in the CMS, making OU Campus an even more effective communication asset."

For more information, visit www.omniupdate.com

OmniUpdate Releases Version 9.7 of Its Web Content Management System

Mon, 02 May 2011 09:03:48 -0700

Quick Search and Zip Import Features Offer Enhanced Functionality for Users

Camarillo, CA — May 2, 2011 — OmniUpdate, the leading web content management system (CMS) provider for higher education, has released version 9.7 of its OU Campus™ CMS. The new features released are Quick Search and Zip Import.

Quick Search allows users to quickly find pages within OU Campus. Users can search for page content, filenames, page titles, and other metadata associated with files. Quick Search is exceptionally fast and gives users immediate gratification. Searches can be constrained by scope, accessibility, and Boolean operators. In addition, administrators can control which pages are indexed by Quick Search, allowing only the desired content to be searchable.

Zip Import gives users with file upload permissions an easy and efficient way to upload and extract multiple files at once. An intuitive one-click interface gives users a fast and simple way to upload a single zip file containing any type of asset, including text-based and binary assets. After uploading a zip file, but prior to its extraction, the user is presented with an option to rename or exclude specific files and folders. Administrators can globally control acceptable filename rules through the use of regular expression restrictions (e.g., all lowercase letters and numbers with no spaces).

Lance Merker, President and CEO of OmniUpdate, is pleased with the Quick Search and Zip Import product features and the work being done by his development team. Mr. Merker stated, "The OmniUpdate team is doing a great job of enhancing the functionality of OU Campus, making it even more intuitive and easy to use."

About OmniUpdate, Inc
OmniUpdate is the leading web content management system (CMS) provider for higher education. OmniUpdate's enterprise-class web CMS, OU Campus™, empowers institutions to effectively manage and enhance their web presence and take advantage of the latest web and mobile technologies. It provides vital marketing, communication, and recruitment tools such as RSS, forms, and blogs management, plus integration with Facebook, Twitter, and more. OU Campus is secure and scalable, offering a complete feature set, extensible tools, and deployment flexibility supported by exceptional customer service and extensive community resources. More than 550 college and university websites are managed using OU Campus.

For more information, visit www.omniupdate.com

Implementing Campus Maps, Calendars, and Calculators

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 12:41:27 -0700

The 2010 Noel-Levitz E-Expectations survey results identified an array of website tools expected by prospective college and university students. Among these tools, an interactive campus map, event calendar, and cost calculator were "must haves" for influencing admission.

During this webcast, Lance Merker, OmniUpdate President and CEO, discusses and demonstrates how to easily add and use these important website features. Lance is accompanied by Kyle James of nuCloud and Stephanie Geyer of Noel-Levitz.

Saving Green, Going Green: Nassau Community College Takes Its College Catalog Online

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 14:34:18 -0800

Like many community colleges in recent years, Nassau Community College (NCC) was looking for ways to reduce operational costs and become a little greener. A perfect opportunity was found in their printed course catalog. In addition to the massive paper requirements for printing, traditional methods for putting together the course catalog were very costly, inefficient, and resulted in outdated content by the time it was printed. By taking the catalog online and out of print, NCC was able to significantly reduce costs and produce a better product that is more cost-effectively managed. This article published in Community College Week provides an overview of the process NCC went through to implement an online catalog, including how the college arrived at the idea, the path toward implementation, and realized advantages.

Is Your Website Hurting Your Student Recruitment Efforts?

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 11:32:44 -0800

It goes without saying that the website has become a critical first-impression gateway to success for any organization. Higher education websites aimed at recruiting new students must satisfy the needs and expectations of college-bound high school students and their families. The 2010 E-Expectations survey of 1,069 college-bound high school seniors reveals the increasingly crucial role of the website in the evaluation and selection process of an institution. This article, published in the February 2011 issue of Recruitment & Retention in Higher Education, details the survey findings and provides college and university marketers and webmasters with valuable insight into the website needs and expectations of their target audience.

OmniUpdate Joins the SunGard Higher Education Collaborative

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 05:00:32 -0800

Relationship Aims to Help Improve Web Content Management for Colleges and Universities

Camarillo, CA — February 4, 2011 — OmniUpdate and SunGard Higher Education are working together to help make it easier for higher education institutions to manage their vast web properties and deliver timely and accurate information to their online audiences.

As a new member of the SunGard Higher Education Collaborative, a formal network of companies committed to providing high-quality solutions tailored to the needs and requirements of higher education institutions, OmniUpdate will offer enterprise-class web content management system (CMS) options to SunGard Higher Education customers. Collaborative members work closely with SunGard Higher Education, taking advantage of specially designed tools and training to give institutions a high degree of confidence in Collaborative member solutions.

A strong web presence is increasingly important for maintaining a university's reputation, research, and teaching quality. The online experience is fundamental to student service and recruitment, helping to attract quality local and international prospects and improve engagement with current students and staff. At the same time, institutions are facing shrinking budgets and increasing demands, which intensify the need to optimize resources and consolidate services. OmniUpdate's OU Campus™ web CMS, combined with SunGard Higher Education's digital campus solutions, will provide these institutions with the web tools they need to help reduce the burden on IT staff and improve the quality and quantity of web content.

"Keeping web information consistent, relevant, accurate, and timely can present a significant challenge. We are pleased to collaborate with OmniUpdate to provide our customers with more options that address these challenges and help improve institutional performance," said Rhett Burnham, Vice President, Product Management, SunGard Higher Education.

Michael Monina, Vice President of Sales at OmniUpdate, added, "We are pleased to be working with SunGard Higher Education. We look forward to servicing the needs of their customers and helping to create more manageable websites that provide an exceptional user experience for their site administrators, contributors, and visitors."

OmniUpdate plans to participate in the annual SunGard Summit user conference, March 20–23, 2011, in New Orleans. The OmniUpdate session will focus on web content migration to OU Campus and is scheduled for 4:00–5:00 pm on Tuesday, March 22.

About OmniUpdate, Inc.
OmniUpdate provides higher education institutions with enterprise-class web content management system (CMS) solutions to easily and cost-effectively manage and enhance their web presence and take advantage of the latest web technologies. The company's flagship web CMS, OU Campus™, is a secure and scalable solution offering a complete feature set, extensible tools, and deployment flexibility supported by remarkable customer service and extensive community resources. More than 550 college and university websites are managed using OU Campus. For more information, visit www.omniupdate.com.

About SunGard Higher Education
SunGard Higher Education serves colleges, universities, and foundations in 40 countries worldwide. Through its Open Digital Campus strategy, SunGard collaborates with the higher education community and provides software and services to help institutions find better ways to teach, learn, manage, and connect. For more information, visit www.sungardhe.com.

About SunGard
SunGard is one of the world's leading software and technology services companies. SunGard has more than 20,000 employees and serves 25,000 customers in 70 countries. SunGard provides software and processing solutions for financial services, higher education, and the public sector. SunGard also provides disaster recovery services, managed IT services, information availability consulting services, and business continuity management software. With annual revenue exceeding $5 billion, SunGard is ranked 380 on the Fortune 500 and is the largest privately held business software and IT services company. For more information, visit www.sungard.com.

Trademark information: SunGard and the SunGard logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of SunGard Data Systems Inc. or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and other countries. All other trade names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

Digital Asset Management Takes Front Seat for Higher Education Web CMS

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 11:56:22 -0800

This article, published by CMSWire, highlights the new Asset Manager feature in OU Campus that allows for the management of digital assets.

OmniUpdate Achieves Record Sales During 2010

Tue, 11 Jan 2011 09:00:31 -0800

XSLT Platform Change, Feature Enhancements, and Customer Service Drive Accomplishment

Camarillo, CA — January 11, 2011 — OmniUpdate, Inc., the leading web content management system (CMS) provider for higher education, has announced 2010 as another record year of sales. The company doubled the number of new clients added in 2009, indicating that investment in software-as-a-service (SaaS) technology is growing despite economic uncertainties.

The company's web CMS product, OU Campus™, moved to the Saxon (XSLT 2.0) platform in May with the release of OU Campus version 9, significantly increasing speed and efficiency, and paving the way for more than 40 new feature enhancements and additions. Two extremely popular additions included Social Media Publish and Asset Manager, which will continue to be enhanced throughout 2011. Other new features included Snippets, W3C Validation, Final Check, Image Thumbnails, Auto Draft, Save-in-Place, Database Abstraction, and Auxiliary Sites.

OmniUpdate continued to focus on customer service and was ranked highest in customer satisfaction in a 2010 .eduGuru higher education CMS satisfaction survey (http://doteduguru.com/cms-survey-2010). OU Campus CMS users were instrumental in spreading this good news to their peers at other institutions, which helped boost company sales. Some of the new OmniUpdate clients added in 2010 include Associação Internacional de Educação Continuada; California State University, Channel Islands; California State University, Fresno; California State University, Fullerton; Drake University; D'Youville College; Eastern Iowa Community College District; Elizabethtown College; Ferris State University; Florida Atlantic University; Illinois State University, Milner Library; Illinois Wesleyan University; Kansas State University; Malone University; McKendree University; Medical College of Georgia; Metropolitan Community College (MO); Mission College; Northeastern University, College of Professional Studies; Olds College; Potomac State College of WVU; Quinebaug Valley Community College; Solano Community College; South Plains College; Southern Polytechnic State University; St. Catharine College; SUNY Farmingdale State College; Texas Southern University; Touro University; University of Baltimore; The University of Utah, Marriott Library; University of Denver; University of West Florida; West Valley College; and Western Kentucky University.

Lance Merker, President and CEO of OmniUpdate, stated, "This has been a great year for our organization. We relocated to new facilities and doubled our office space, new client base, and staff. We've established an excellent track record in product and service performance and plan to introduce an array of innovative new features and products in 2011. I am extremely proud of our company and product development team, and I thank our clients for their strong support."

For more information, visit www.omniupdate.com

Columbus State University Masters Multi-Site Management

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 15:19:41 -0800

The management and unification of 155 separate university websites was an overwhelming task for Columbus State University (CSU). The university's small web team couldn't keep up with the demand to service each site. Learn how CSU used OmniUpdate's OU Campus CMS to effectively bring this patchwork of sites under management, reduce inconsistencies, and enhance workflows.

Victor Valley College Goes Mobile Using OU Campus

Wed, 17 Nov 2010 10:00:32 -0800

With such growth in mobile Internet browsing, today's colleges and universities must adapt their websites to provide a meaningful mobile Internet presentation. This case study uncovers how Victor Valley College used OmniUpdate's OU Campus CMS and Cascading Style Sheets to implement their mobile Internet solution.

Utah Valley University Paves the Way for Website Excellence

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 10:00:31 -0800

After several unsuccessful CMS implementations, Utah Valley University (UVU) recognized the benefits of Software as a Service (SaaS) and ultimately adopted OmniUpdate's SaaS-based OU Campus CMS to help control its budget expenditures. This case study gives measurable results of how OU Campus as a SaaS solution greatly improved speed, performance, and the ultimate success of the entire Web Development Services organization at UVU.

Pepperdine University Integrates Its Web Systems with CAS

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 10:00:33 -0800

Central Authentication Service (CAS) is a single sign-on system for web applications developed by the Jasig consortium. OmniUpdate’s OU Campus CMS supports this system for authentication, saving OU Campus users and administrators the trouble of maintaining separate authentication. This case study uncovers how CAS works with OU Campus and the benefits of integration at Pepperdine University.

Stony Brook University Goes Green and Cuts Costs with Its Online Catalog

Fri, 12 Nov 2010 09:58:19 -0800

Looking to go green while cutting costs and improving the user experience, Stony Brook University used the power of XML and the OmniUpdate OU Campus CMS transformation engine to pull information from their course information system, PeopleSoft, and take their undergraduate bulletin from a pile of PDFs to a dynamic, online application. This case study highlights the university's goals, estimated cost savings, and process used for catalog creation.

nuCloud Interactive Campus Map Webcast Now Available!

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 13:15:40 -0700

This nuCloud interactive campus map (ICM) webcast presentation, hosted by OmniUpdate, explains why an ICM is an essential student recruitment tool. You'll hear about .edu implementation considerations, ROI justification, and see a demo of this exciting virtual tour capability.

OmniUpdate Releases Version 9.4 of Its Web Content Management System

Mon, 25 Oct 2010 10:20:41 -0700

New Asset Manager Dramatically Improves Use of Shared Content

Camarillo, California – October 25, 2010 – OmniUpdate, Inc., the leading web content management system (CMS) provider for higher education, has released version 9.4 of its OU Campus(TM) CMS. This release contains a new Asset Manager that allows for the creation and use of reusable assets (e.g., text, images, media, code blocks, links, etc.) within the WYSIWYG and source code editors.

The creation and editing of assets is integrated into the OU Campus permission system, allowing administrators to manage them through group access levels. Asset tagging is used to classify, describe, and support use of each asset within the CMS. When a user publishes an existing asset, the system will automatically update pages that utilize the asset, subject to any preferences set by the administrator to ensure optimal performance. The ability to share content across multiple websites is core to the Asset Manager's purpose, and administrators will realize increasing benefits as their users create and share reusable content found throughout multiple websites.

Lance Merker, President and CEO of OmniUpdate, states, "Our clients are excited about version 9.4 and the Asset Manager, which was developed based on feedback received at our 2010 User Conference. The new release gives administrators much more control over reusable content, marketing managers more control over the brand, and content contributors a hands-free way to ensure content consistency across sites."

About OmniUpdate, Inc.
OmniUpdate provides higher education institutions with enterprise-class web content management system (CMS) solutions to easily and cost-effectively manage and enhance their web presence and take advantage of the latest web technologies. The company's flagship web CMS, OU Campus, is a secure and scalable solution offering a complete feature set, extensible tools, and deployment flexibility supported by remarkable customer service and extensive community resources. More than 550 college and university websites are managed using OU Campus.

For more information, visit www.omniupdate.com

New Campus Technology Article: How To Give Prospective Students What They Want

Thu, 16 Sep 2010 15:50:59 -0700

College recruits expect a lot from their prospective schools' websites, but there are two critical pieces of information they demand from a campus portal - information that should be fairly simple to provide. This Campus Technology article will help you determine if your website is delivering what your prospective students want or if your site is simply driving them away.

New University Business article now available on SaaS web CMS

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 11:43:22 -0700

There are several advantages to cloud computing and SaaS solutions in particular. However, higher education institutions must weigh the advantages and disadvantages of cloud computing versus traditional commercial software before making a purchasing decision. Choices are good, and the best choice for one institution isn’t always the right fit for another. In this article, Nathan Gerber, Director of Web Development Services at Utah Valley University (UVU), details how the university adopted a SaaS-based web content management system (CMS) to help UVU control its budget expenditures by minimizing new hardware purchases and the man hours associated with site deployment and maintenance. The article contrasts cloud-based software versus traditional software and gives measurable results of how OmniUpdate's OU Campus greatly improved speed, performance, and the ultimate success of the entire Web Development Services organization at UVU.

OmniUpdate and nuCloud Partner to Deliver Interactive Campus Maps to Web Content Management Clients

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 09:00:31 -0700

OmniUpdate and nuCloud Partner to Deliver Interactive Campus Maps to Web Content Management Clients

Integrated Offering Aims to Help College and University Websites Achieve a Competitive Recruitment Edge

Camarillo, CA - September 8, 2010 - OmniUpdate and nuCloud have formed a strategic partnership that allows OmniUpdate, the leading web content management system (CMS) provider to higher education, to offer the nuCloud interactive campus map (ICM) as a module within OU Campus^TM, OmniUpdate's CMS product. The ICM expands OmniUpdate's portfolio and makes it easier for clients to manage related content.

According to the 2010 Noel-Levitz E-Expectations survey of more than 1,000 college-bound high school seniors, web content is critical to engage students and their families and can significantly influence the recruitment process. Of the surveyed students, 77% said that a campus visit form was valuable. However, because of travel costs and time limitations, students often cannot tour every institution in which they are interested. Other relevant report highlights include the following: 76% of students use Facebook, 58% identified virtual tours as valuable, and 52% have viewed videos about colleges (though only 10% are on YouTube). In turn, an ICM and virtual tour can be an important element affecting a student's decision to apply to a school.

nuCloud's ICM solution is built on the Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model, allowing them to easily enhance services and scale their offering to an institution's site, whether it has one video or thousands. nuCloud also supports embedding of the ICM into an institution's Facebook page. Optional services include map design, interface design, and asset implementation.

"A CMS is an essential tool because it ensures that critical web content is managed properly," said Lance Merker, President and CEO of OmniUpdate. "We are pleased to offer our CMS in conjunction with an ICM supported by a distinguished leader in the field of higher education web development. We strongly believe this integrated package provides campuses with an important new technology tool they need to help achieve their online content goals." Kyle James, nuCloud Co-Founder, added, "This is an exciting time in the area of web development. We expect significant growth in the demand for ICM solutions ahead."

About OmniUpdate
OmniUpdate, Inc. provides higher education institutions with enterprise-class web content management system (CMS) solutions to easily and cost-effectively manage and enhance their web presence and take advantage of the latest web technologies. The company's flagship web CMS, OU Campus^TM, is a secure and scalable solution offering a complete feature set, extensible tools, and deployment flexibility supported by remarkable customer service and extensive community resources. More than 550 college and university websites are managed using OU Campus.

For more information, visit www.omniupdate.com

About nuCloud
nuCloud, LLC is a provider of quality, user-friendly interactive campus maps. Founded in 2008, nuCloud is backed by almost two decades of combined experience in the higher education web world. The company's interactive maps are built on the Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model, which allows for continual upgrades and enhanced customer services.

For more information, visit www.nucloud.com

New Webcast: Student E-Expectations and the Higher Ed Website

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 14:05:38 -0700

During this webcast, Stephanie Geyer, Assistant Vice President of Web Strategy Services for Noel-Levitz, discussed the 2010 research report, "Focusing Your E-Recruitment Efforts to Meet the Expectations of College-Bound Students." She is joined by Lance Merker, President and CEO of OmniUpdate.

OmniUpdate Releases Version 9.3 of Its Web Content Management System

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 09:00:31 -0700

Social Media Publish Feature Automates Publishing to Twitter® for Higher Education Websites

Camarillo, California – August 16, 2010 - OmniUpdate, Inc., the leading web content management system (CMS) provider for higher education, has released version 9.3 of its web CMS, OU Campus. The release includes a Social Media Publish feature that allows authorized users to automate the publishing of content to Twitter. Publishing to other social media outlets is planned for a future release.

The new feature enables users to post or “tweet” from the CMS in conjunction with the creation or update of a web page. Updates can occur on an immediate or scheduled basis. In addition, users can link to multiple Twitter accounts or publish to only the desired accounts. OU Campus preserves a history of all tweets published from the CMS, allowing administrators to run reports of the tweets made by all users of the system.

The Social Media Publish feature comes on the heels of the OmniUpdate-sponsored research report, Focusing Your E-Recruitment Efforts to Meet the Expectations of College-Bound Students. The report revealed the increasingly influential role of social media on prospective college students: 33 percent of respondents have searched for schools on websites like Facebook, YouTube, MySpace, and Twitter; 74 percent stated a college or university should have a presence on these sites; and 76 percent thought schools should create their own private social networks.

Lance Merker, President and CEO of OmniUpdate, states, “The 2010 E-Expectations report came at just the right time and confirms that managing the convergence of web content and social media in higher education is more important than ever. We are excited about our Social Media Publish feature and its connection to Twitter, as it represents an exciting leap forward in our CMS capabilities and a simplification of the channel communication process for our customers.”

About OmniUpdate
OmniUpdate provides higher education institutions with enterprise-class web content management system (CMS) solutions to easily and cost-effectively manage and enhance their web presence and take advantage of the latest web technologies. The company’s flagship web CMS, OU Campus^TM, is a secure and scalable solution offering a complete feature set, extensible tools, and deployment flexibility supported by remarkable customer service and extensive community resources. More than 550 college and university websites are managed using OU Campus.

For more information, visit www.omniupdate.com.

OmniUpdate Announces New Research on Website Expectations of Prospective College Students

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 09:00:31 -0700

This co-sponsored report summarizes the critical role web content plays in influencing recruitment decisions. Download a complete copy of the report.

2010 E-Expectations Report Now Available

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 11:44:03 -0700

The 2010 E-Expectations report, based on a survey of more than 1,000 college-bound seniors, reveals the increasingly crucial role of the website in the evaluation and selection process of an institution. This report, sponsored by Noel-Levitz, OmniUpdate, and the National Research Center for College & University Admissions, examines the attitudes and behaviors of high school seniors toward website content, social networking, recruitment videos, and more.

OmniUpdate Moving to Larger Headquarters in Camarillo, CA

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 09:00:31 -0700

New Facility Required to Support Company's Growth in Web Content Management Sales

Camarillo, California – July 2, 2010 – OmniUpdate, Inc., the leading web content management system (CMS) provider for higher education, announced yesterday that it will relocate its Camarillo, CA headquarters on Friday, July 30, 2010. The company will move just three miles from its current location to new facilities located at 1320 Flynn Road, Suite 100, Camarillo, CA, 93012.

There will be no change in the company's telephone and fax numbers: telephone (805) 484-9400, toll-free telephone (800) 362-2605, and fax (805) 484-9428. Individual employee extensions and email addresses will also remain the same.

The company will close at noon (Pacific Time) on Friday, July 30, and reopen its doors for standard hours of operation on Monday, August 2, 2010. All client services will remain available during the move.

Lance Merker, President and CEO of OmniUpdate, states, "Our continuous growth in CMS sales has resulted in the need to double our office space for the second time in three years. We are very pleased with our new facilities, which will allow us to accelerate our hiring in all departments."

About OmniUpdate, Inc.
OmniUpdate provides higher education institutions with enterprise-class web content management system (CMS) solutions to easily and cost-effectively manage and enhance their web presence and take advantage of the latest web technologies. The company's flagship web CMS, OU Campus, is a secure and scalable solution offering a complete feature set, extensible tools, and deployment flexibility supported by remarkable customer service and extensive community resources. More than 550 college and university websites are managed using OU Campus.

For more information, visit www.omniupdate.com.

New .eduGuru Article: How Victor Valley College Is Using OmniUpdate's OU Campus

Mon, 24 May 2010 14:19:57 -0700

Victor Valley College started using OU Campus in October 2006. This article, written by Victor Valley College's Webmaster, Justin Gatewood, details the school's CMS journey from a 25-user to 100-user license and highlights how OU Campus has simplified the college's web content management strategy and improved the status of updated content on their website by providing an interface that contributors consistently use.

New on CMSWire: OmniUpdate Hits Cloud 9 with Its Web CMS

Wed, 19 May 2010 13:14:07 -0700

OU Campus, OmniUpdate's web CMS aimed at the higher education sector, reaches version 9, adding new developer-centric features along the way.

.eduGuru CMS Usage Survey Results Now Available

Mon, 10 May 2010 16:16:32 -0700

Which CMS to use for a college or university is a question that lingers frequently in forums and on mailing lists. .eduGuru conducted a survey to find out which CMSs are being used from school to school. This article reveals the results of the survey and provides useful information to help you determine which CMS is best for your institution.

OmniUpdate Releases Version 9 of Its Web Content Management System

Mon, 10 May 2010 09:00:31 -0700

Product Platform Improvements Dramatically Increase Power and Efficiency without UI Modifications

Camarillo, California – May 10, 2010 – OmniUpdate, Inc., the leading web content management system (CMS) provider for higher education, released version 9 of its OU Campus^TM CMS. Web developers are the primary beneficiary of this new release, as there are no user interface (UI) modifications affecting end-users.

The development goal for version 9 was to significantly increase product power and efficiency by replacing Xalan (XSLT 1.0) with Saxon 9 (XSLT 2.0), thereby establishing the necessary platform for several new feature releases expected throughout 2010 and beyond. A database abstraction was also added to support the use of MySQL and other databases, in addition to Microsoft SQL Server and Sybase ASE.

The move to XSLT 2.0 provides web developers with a true programming language with typed variables and user-defined functions. It offers more than twice the functions and operators available in XSLT 1.0. Additional efficiencies, provided in the declarative language, also offer web developers a significant reduction of code, thus allowing for faster processing speed.

New features include Snippets (pre-defined and formatted code sets) that users can add to pages in the WYSIWYG editor, as well as Final Check, which enforces spell checking, link checking, and W3C compliance testing prior to page publishing. Image Thumbnails, Auto Draft, Save-in-Place, and Source Editor Word Wrap are also part of the release.

Lance Merker, President and CEO of OmniUpdate, states, “Our clients are excited about version 9, which many had a chance to preview during a webcast held on April 20, 2010. The new release gives web developers an extremely powerful platform to develop the functionality required today and well into the future. XSLT 2.0 is light years ahead of XSLT 1.0, even with EXSLT and other scripting languages tacked on.”

About OmniUpdate, Inc.
OmniUpdate provides higher education institutions with enterprise-class web content management system (CMS) solutions to easily and cost-effectively manage and enhance their web presence and take advantage of the latest web technologies. The company’s flagship web CMS, OU Campus, is a secure and scalable solution offering a complete feature set, extensible tools, and deployment flexibility supported by remarkable customer service and extensive community resources. More than 550 college and university websites are managed using OU Campus.

For more information, visit www.omniupdate.com.

New White Paper: The OmniUpdate Advantage

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:15:04 -0800

This white paper examines website management options. When compared with the alternatives, you will see that OmniUpdate’s enterprise-class web content management system, OU Campus, has many near-term, long range, and financial advantages. By better understanding these advantages, you’ll learn why other institutions have found OU Campus to be not only the smart choice, but the safe and contemporary choice for addressing their evolving web content management needs.

Effective Multi-Site Management for Institutions

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 13:57:06 -0800

Columbus State University has successfully brought more than 100 separate websites under management. During this webcast, Jay Knape, Manager of Web Services, discusses exactly how his institution handles the process.

OmniUpdate Closes 2009 with Record Sales Revenue

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 09:00:31 -0800

Portfolio Enhancements and Software as a Service Drive Accomplishment

Camarillo, CA — January 27, 2010 — OmniUpdate, Inc., the leading web content management system (CMS) provider for higher education, announced today that 2009 marked another year of record sales revenue for the company. The trend indicates that investment in technology remains important despite concerns about the economy.

Twenty-eight new clients were signed during 2009, and existing customers increased their service levels or lengthened their service terms. New clients include Tennessee State University, Chattanooga State Community College, Community College of Rhode Island, Dutchess Community College, Nassau Community College, East Central College, University of North Dakota, The College at Brockport, The University of Texas at Tyler, Western Illinois University, Planetary Science Institute, and State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota.

The company focused heavily on product development during 2009. Clients benefited from 12 product releases, containing 16 major capabilities and a large number of feature enhancements. New capabilities include Stale Page Reminder, Enhanced Template Control File (TCF) Functions, Short URLs, Source Editor with Syntax Highlighting, MultiEdit, Image Editor, Custom Reporting, Recycle Bin, Global Find and Replace, Multi-Output Preview, Dynamic Page Regions, Media RSS, Reassign Pending Approvals, Public Key Authentication, File Type Restrictions for Directories, and Regex Controls.

OmniUpdate’s CMS can be deployed either on a campus server or through Software as a Service (SaaS). Increased interest in SaaS and cloud computing has resulted in a spike in new client inquiries, which bodes well for the company in 2010 and beyond.

Lance Merker, President and CEO of OmniUpdate, states, “Institutions are wrestling with budget cuts and looking for new ways to control costs, become more agile, and make better use of their internal resources. An enterprise-class SaaS CMS with an intuitive user interface can help achieve these goals, and we are proud of our track record in providing innovative web tools and exceptional service to the higher education marketplace.”

About OmniUpdate, Inc.
OmniUpdate provides higher education institutions with enterprise-class web content management systems to easily and cost-effectively manage and enhance their web presence and take advantage of the latest web technologies. The company’s flagship web content management system (CMS), OU Campus, is a secure and scalable solution offering a complete feature set, extensible tools, and deployment flexibility supported by remarkable customer service and extensive community resources.

For more information, visit www.omniupdate.com

Just Published in University Business: "Considering Enterprise Software as a Service?"

Tue, 1 Dec 2009 11:11:58 -0800

Over the past decade, the software industry has seen a swell in adoption of on-demand deployment - commonly referred to as Software as a Service or "SaaS" - and the higher education market is no stranger to this growing trend. This University Business article written by Lance Merker, OmniUpdate President and CEO, weighs the advantages and disadvantages of SaaS versus traditional commercial software that colleges and universities must consider before making a purchasing decision.

College Web Sites and Online Communications - College-Bound Seniors Expect Value

Mon, 2 Nov 2009 15:31:55 -0800

Over the last decade, higher education institutions, like all organizations, have had to adapt to emerging marketing communications platforms. The Internet and the web changed our lives forever, and today social media introduces new challenges. Regardless of the changing technologies we’re faced with, one thing remains certain — online content is more important than ever. This article by Lance Merker, President and CEO of OmniUpdate, published in the October 2009 issue of NCMPR's Counsel, highlights the importance of web content in higher education marketing and admissions efforts.

Jumping the Hurdles of the Website Redesign Process

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:13:19 -0700

Are you considering a website redesign? Just thinking about the many steps needed to launch a new site can be daunting. How do you create an engaging site that meets audience needs and expectations, yet remains manageable and maintainable well into the future?

During this webcast, CJ Cunniff, Director of Interactive Media Development at Stamats, and Lance Merker, President and CEO of OmniUpdate, walk you through a successful redesign process that quickly gets you from the starting point to the finish line. You will learn:

A six-phase project management process for website redesign
Tips and tricks for keeping your project on track and within budget
How a great site design and content management system can help ensure your project’s success

OmniUpdate Releases Version 8.10 of Its Web Content Management System

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:00:30 -0700

Enabling Multi-Output Preview and Multi-Language Editing and Preview for Higher Education Websites

Camarillo, CA — October 20, 2009 — OmniUpdate, Inc., the leading web content management system (CMS) provider for higher education, announces the availability of Multi-Output Preview and Multi-Language Editing and Preview in OU Campus, the company’s flagship web CMS product. These enhanced capabilities make it easier for authorized users to preview and edit various file types, including those with multi-language content, before publishing.

The new capabilities allow contributors to preview pages rendered with different file type formats, including HTML, PDF, RTF, CSV, XML, and mobile, as well as any UTF-8 compatible foreign language formats (including two-byte languages such as Chinese and Japanese). If an XSL template is designed to output multiple files, Multi-Output Preview provides the ability to view the outputs together before publishing.

Preview tabs for the various file types are accessible at the top of the Page Preview window. If there are multiple foreign language versions of a page, each language can be previewed and edited individually or side by side.

Lance Merker, President and CEO of OmniUpdate, states, “Multi-Output Preview and Multi-Language Editing and Preview make the content contributor’s job easier than ever. The review and publishing of any file type is now an instantaneous process. These are great feature additions to OU Campus that will benefit all OmniUpdate customers.”

About OmniUpdate, Inc
For more than 25 years, OmniUpdate, Inc. has been a leader in desktop, client-server, and Software-as-a-Service applications. Today, OmniUpdate's web content management products are used to manage more than 500 college and university websites. The company also provides social media and information portal solutions.

For more information, visit www.omniupdate.com

Now available: Noel-Levitz white paper "Making Web Sites an Effective Recruitment Asset"

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 15:51:08 -0700

This Noel-Levitz white paper discusses how colleges can use a content management system to keep their websites fresh, relevant, and engaging to students, while also promoting ownership and participation from multiple campus users.

OmniUpdate Announces Version 8.8 of Its Web Content Management System

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 09:00:31 -0700

Media RSS Capability for Higher Education Websites Makes Content Syndication Easier

Camarillo, CA — September 11, 2009 — OmniUpdate, Inc., the leading web content management system (CMS) provider for higher education, announced today the availability of enhanced Media RSS (MRSS) functionality in OU Campus, the company’s flagship web CMS product. This enhancement makes it easier for authorized users to quickly share multimedia files with RSS subscribers.

MRSS extends the use of traditional RSS feeds, allowing users to attach and share audio, video, and image files. Although such content could be shared previously, the new MRSS functionality in OU Campus provides a simplified interface for non-technical users. The interface makes it easier to enter media files, links, titles, descriptions, image thumbnails, and keywords. Entry of this information can also enhance the site search process.

MRSS was a top development request during the OmniUpdate user conference in March 2009. Lance Merker, President and CEO of OmniUpdate, states, “The new MRSS interface in OU Campus simplifies the process of creating and sharing media-enriched content. MRSS is an important way to deliver rich media to users of social networks and other systems beyond the website, and we are excited to add this valuable feature to our product.”

About OmniUpdate, Inc.
For more than 25 years, OmniUpdate, Inc. has been a leader in desktop, client-server, and Software-as-a-Service applications. Today, OmniUpdate's web content management products are used to manage more than 500 college and university websites. The company also provides social media and information portal solutions.

For more information, visit www.omniupdate.com

Noel-Levitz and OmniUpdate Partner to Provide Web Development and Content Management Services

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 16:00:31 -0700

Integrated Offering Aims to Keep College and University Websites Competitive, Relevant, and Sustainable

Camarillo, CA — September 10, 2009 — Noel-Levitz and OmniUpdate announced a strategic partnership offering a holistic approach to website development and content management. This partnership brings together higher education’s leading enrollment management consulting firm and the industry's leading web content management system (CMS) provider.

The joint venture integrates enrollment management expertise and web consulting services from Noel-Levitz with OmniUpdate’s advanced CMS, OU Campus™, providing a seamless solution to institutions in need of web development support.

“Research has shown that web content is critical to engage students and their families,” said Kevin Crockett, President and CEO of Noel-Levitz. “We are committed to helping our client campuses build websites that deliver that vital content, and OmniUpdate’s enterprise-level CMS not only helps campuses do that, but makes the process very manageable for campuses as well, saving them a great deal of time and effort in maintaining their web content.”

Designed specifically for colleges and universities, OU Campus enables campuses to efficiently create and manage content as they develop an engaging, interactive web presence. It also allows them to keep their web pages current by making it easy for multiple audiences to update those pages, which creates more ownership and involvement with the website among campus departments.

“A CMS is an essential tool because it ensures that critical web content is managed properly,” said Lance Merker, President and CEO of OmniUpdate. “We are pleased to offer our CMS in conjunction with the web consulting, development, and design services offered by Noel-Levitz, a distinguished leader in the field of student recruiting and retention. We strongly believe this integrated package will provide campuses with the technology, services, and expertise they need to achieve their online goals.”

Noel-Levitz is a nationally recognized higher education consulting firm that specializes in strategic planning for enrollment and student success. Each year, campus executives from throughout the U.S. meet regularly with Noel-Levitz to accomplish their goals for student recruitment, marketing, student retention, and strategic enrollment management. The firm offers consulting, custom research, benchmark data, innovative tools and technologies, side-by-side plan development and execution, and resources for professional development. For more information, visit www.noellevitz.com.

OmniUpdate, Inc. is the leading web content management system (CMS) provider for higher education. More than 500 college and university websites use OmniUpdate’s web CMS, OU Campus, as their product of choice to successfully manage millions of web pages. In addition, clients benefit from a variety of social media and portal solutions, including blogs management, RSS, private social networks, and personal information portals. For more information, visit www.omniupdate.com.

Deciding Mobile Internet Too Important To Ignore, Victor Valley College Provides Seamless Browsing Experience

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 16:01:47 -0700

Today's current and prospective community college students are browsing the web more and more on their smart phones. A report by Nielsen Mobile found that as of mid-2008, there were 40 million mobile Internet users, of which nearly 25 percent were 13-24 year olds. With such growth in mobile Internet browsing, Victor Valley College quickly moved to ensure our web site was able to service students, faculty and staff looking to access information from their mobile devices. We understand the college Website is an important "first impression" for any community college, whether viewed from a desktop, laptop, or mobile device. Because of this, the mobile internet can no longer be ignored.

Social Networking and the .edu Experience: It's Time They Meet

Wed, 7 Jan 2009 16:01:47 -0700

With all the Web 2.0 hype these days, it’s no surprise that student expectations of the web continue to swell. Is your institutional website living up to these expectations? Today higher education websites are more than just static pages. They are strategic assets for admissions and enrollment, advancement and fundraising, brand awareness, disseminating information such as news and safety alerts, and, now more than ever, they are strategic assets for social networking. Research shows that social networking is the most popular online activity among today’s internet users. Thus, colleges and universities must jump on the bandwagon and consider how best to address social networking to meet growing student expectations.

my.newpaltz.edu: SUNY New Paltz Tackles the Problem of Portal Content Management

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 17:09:47 -0700

University of New York (SUNY) at New Paltz.happens, it’s a great thing. Such was our experience at the Statesometimes struggle with this ideological concept; but when it“Technology is supposed to make life easier.” In reality, weIt’s probably been heard and said a million times over:

Changing the Game with Web 2.0 Technologies

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:01:47 -0700

Blogs and Really Simple Syndication (RSS) have shifted from "what's that?" technologies to game changers in the way we engage students and faculty on the Web. These amazing Web 2.0 technologies have become major Web stragegy considerations for community colleges across the country. Making matters even more interesting, the combination of these two technologies have become one of the most viable low-cost ways to manage crisis communication. It's time to understand why.

Blogs: High-Tech Marketing by Accident?

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 16:01:47 -0700

Like it or not, your college is being discussed by bloggers. Students, faculty, and otherse are influencing your brand, image, and expensive messaging with a few simple keystrokes -- keystrokes that are being read by a rapidly growing population of your prospective students.

9 Best Practices for Implementing a CMS

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 16:01:47 -0700

Giving people the ability to update their slice of the campus website doesn't sound like a revolutionary idea--at least not in an era ruled by mass participation in social networks, the sharing of mashups, and the craze to add widgets to personal websites. Yet, the easy road for achieving that--the use of a content management system (CMS)--is lightly traveled, according to software publisher OmniUpdate . It estimates that only 15 percent of colleges and universities have deployed a CMS to update the content on their sites. Why such hesitation to deploy a solution that can help a school keep its site refreshed in a timely way?

Learning to Leverage XML for Higher Ed Web CMS

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 16:01:41 -0700

The benefits of incorporating the use of XML/XSL in your web content management strategy are clear and compelling. XML technologies may no longer be considered bleeding-edge, or even leading-edge; nevertheless, there is good news.

Best Practices for Using a CMS

Fri, 13 Jul 2007 16:01:47 -0700

There is simply no bigger challenge for any web team on the planet than that of managing a college or university website. Most college web management strategies rely on the "squeaky-wheel" approach, or employ various textbook triage techniques in an attempt to care for areas of the site that are suffering most. If this sounds like your institution, you're not alone. The web managers at even the most admired university websites are constantly struggling to keep their sites responsive and up to date. If you are planning to purchase a content management system (CMS), you might be surprised to learn that all your problems will not magically go away. Indeed, the real secrets to maintaining a great college or university web presence are leveraging your CMS with careful planning, and using best practices.

Serving Up Success on Community College Web Sites

Wed, 10 Jan 2007 16:01:47 -0700

For today's community colleges, creating an engaging, responsive and effective college Web site is more than simply a goal; it's a strategic imperative. As a society -- young and old alike -- we've all been conditioned to shop, compare, and buy off of the internet. This consumer mentality is also proving to extend to how students choose a college.

Tackling the Problem of Repurposing Web Content

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 16:01:47 -0700

In the spring of 2003 we began looking at alternatives that would simplify and streamline the process of updating the university's web pages. Specifically, we wanted a straightforward way to repurpose content across pages. At the same time, we needed a solution that would allow stakeholders outside the IT department to contribute and maintain website content without having to become technical experts. Because the IT department would support the technology chosen, it was decided that IT would make the decisions. Several key staff from marketing, which is responsible for site design and usability, were also involved in the process.

Web 2.0 Strategy-Tools, Tips & Tricks for Enabling Site Success

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:01:47 -0700

Presenter: Lance Merker, OmniUpdate President and CEO
Your website is at the heart of your institution's marketing, communications, and recruiting efforts. As the demands on your site grow, so too does the requirement to have the right tools for the job. This presentation from EduComm 2009 reviews the "must haves" in Web 2.0 tools, including the integration and use of rich media, blogs, RSS, social networking, and web content management. You will hear about how to select and implement the right tools for a higher education environment, how these tools can enable collaboration, and learn some tips and tricks for making the most of these technologies.

Breaking Down the Barriers to Maintaining the Institutional Website

Mon, 25 Sep 2006 19:36:08 -0700

Abstract

The typical institutional website has ballooned in size and complexity beyond the point of being easily maintained by a web manager or even a small group of web administration staff. Compounding the problem further, budget cuts, limited IT resources and today's focus on larger system requirements (e.g., ERP and automated administrative processes), have left core websites and their critical information with insufficient systems, tools and manpower to fulfill their basic educational mission. Learn what a content management system is and how it can address the issues of maintaining an institutional website.

About OmniUpdate, Inc.

OmniUpdate's web content management products and social networking solutions are currently used to manage over 450 college and university websites, affecting over 3 million web pages.

For more information, visit www.omniupdate.com

Heroes of the Web

Mon, 6 Nov 2006 19:38:05 -0700

Abstract

A white paper addressing the extraordinary efforts made by those individuals responsible for maintaining content on higher educational websites and the critical role these institutional sites play on the World Wide Web.

About OmniUpdate, Inc.

OmniUpdate's web content management products and social networking solutions are currently used to manage over 450 college and university websites, affecting over 3 million web pages.

For more information, visit www.omniupdate.com

RSS-Jumping Communication Hurdles

Mon, 8 Jan 2007 19:38:59 -0700

Abstract

RSS, a quickly emerging web communications technology, is a simple way to jump over the obstacles that stand between you and those with whom you want and need to communicate. It's critical that you understand the immediate, practical applications of RSS as it relates to helping your college or university make the online connection.

About OmniUpdate, Inc.

OmniUpdate's web content management products and social networking solutions are currently used to manage over 450 college and university websites, affecting over 3 million web pages.

For more information, visit www.omniupdate.com

How to Evaluate Web Content Management Solutions for Higher Education... and Avoid Overspending

Mon, 22 Jan 2007 19:40:01 -0700

Abstract

A white paper outlining the solution evaluation process including an in-depth needs assessment, the areas that can lead to overspending, and the essential features required of a web content management solution for higher education institutions.

About OmniUpdate, Inc.

OmniUpdate's web content management products and social networking solutions are currently used to manage over 450 college and university websites, affecting over 3 million web pages.

For more information, visit www.omniupdate.com

Search Engine Optimization and Web Content Management, A Very Powerful Force

Mon, 5 Feb 2007 19:40:54 -0700

Abstract

A white paper discussing the misconceptions, benefits, and strategies behind one of the most effective marketing tactics in today's online world, and how combined with a web content management solution, it becomes a very powerful force.

About OmniUpdate, Inc.

OmniUpdate's web content management products and social networking solutions are currently used to manage over 450 college and university websites, affecting over 3 million web pages.

For more information, visit www.omniupdate.com

XML and the College Website

Mon, 4 Jun 2007 19:41:36 -0700

Abstract

When it comes to web content management, there are no greater challenges than repurposing content and template controlled publishing. Is XML, combined with XSL, the ideal way to tame the beast? The focus of this white paper is to discuss the benefits and look at how a college or university can improve its web content management using this powerful technology.

About OmniUpdate, Inc.

OmniUpdate's web content management products and social networking solutions are currently used to manage over 450 college and university websites, affecting over 3 million web pages.

For more information, visit www.omniupdate.com

Scrolling Toward Enrollment: Web Site Content and the E-Expectations of College-Bound Seniors

Mon, 1 Jun 2009 10:30:08 -0700

Abstract

It's an exciting time in the area of E-Expectations research. With its E-Expectations research series, Noel-Levitz has been uncovering the online expectations and behaviors of prospective students. Sponsored by OmniUpdate, Noel-Levitz, James Tower, and the NRCUA, this white paper explores what 1,000 college-bound seniors revealed about their online expectations, preferences, and behaviors in relation to higher education websites.

About OmniUpdate, Inc.

OmniUpdate's web content management products and social networking solutions are currently used to manage over 450 college and university websites, affecting over 3 million web pages.

For more information, visit www.omniupdate.com

All about RSS in Higher Ed - What It Is and How It Fits into Your Communications Strategy

Wed, 2 Nov 2005 11:00:23 -0700

Recording date: Wednesday, November 2, 2005 12:00pm Pacific Daylight Time (GMT -07:00, San Francisco)

Panelist information: Lance Merker, President and CEO, WebsiteASP, Inc.

Duration: 30 mins

Description: You may have heard the buzz about RSS (Real Simple Syndication). RSS is quickly gaining popularity as the easiest way to get the latest information from the Web. But, is RSS just another technology fad or is it potentially the most powerful communications tool you have to market your institution and communicate with students, faculty, alumni and prospective students?

This informative webcast will help demystify RSS and discuss its practical application to recruiting, marketing and communications. Topics include:

RSS and content syndication - what is syndication, how does it work and why is it important
How RSS is being used by colleges and universities today
How to implement RSS on your campus
Role of RSS in your marketing and communications strategy

If you're responsible for marketing, recruiting or communications for your institution, this is your opportunity to quickly get up to speed on this emerging trend in higher education communications.

ADA Section 508 Compliance: Why 508 Compliance Is Just Good Web Design

Wed, 24 Aug 2005 11:00:35 -0700

Recording date: Wednesday, August 24, 2005 11:00am Pacific Daylight Time (GMT -07:00, San Francisco)

Panelist information: Andrew Soderberg, Merlin Media, Inc.

Duration: 35 mins

Description: Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Section 508 ensures that your college or university's website is accessible by everyone. But beyond the requirement to comply, the 508 standards are simply just good web design practices.

This webcast offers a mini-tutorial on designing for Section 508, including:

508 design standards: what they are and implementation considerations
Designing a new website for 508
Bringing your current site into compliance
Training content contributors

How to Create an Online Course Catalog

Wed, 20 May 2009 14:34:37 -0700

Recording date: Wednesday, May 20, 2009 11:45 am
Pacific Daylight Time (San Francisco, GMT-07:00)

Panelist Information: Michael Gasparino, Lynn Zawie, and Lance Merker

Duration: 30 minutes

Description: Stony Brook University's Web Content Manager, Michael Gasparino, and Web Coordinator, Lynn Zawie, join Lance Merker, President and CEO of OmniUpdate, to discuss how and why the university created an online undergraduate course catalog.

Improving Your Student Portal

Wed, 3 Dec 2008 16:16:13 -0800

Recording date: Wednesday, December 3, 2008 11:45 am
Pacific Standard Time (GMT -08:00, San Francisco)

Panelist information: Ms. Rachel Reuben, Director of Web Communication and Strategic Projects at SUNY New Paltz, and Lance Merker, President and CEO, OmniUpdate, Inc.

Duration: 37 mins

Description: Ms. Rachel Reuben, Director of Web Communication and Strategic Projects at SUNY New Paltz, joined by Lance Merker, President and CEO of OmniUpdate, discusses the successful implementation of a new portal for first year students.

How to Implement Effective Social Networking

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 13:58:17 -0700

Recording date: Tuesday, August 12, 2008 12:18 pm Pacific Daylight Time (GMT -07:00, San Francisco)

Panelist information: Sasha Peterson, Managing Director, Hobsons EMT, and Lance Merker, President and CEO, OmniUpdate, Inc.

Duration: 33 mins

Description: Social Networking on your higher education website provides prospective students and parents with a unique forum for gathering information and building relationships. And, Instant Chat allows them to converse one-on-one with an admissions counselor in real-time with no waiting. Both tools are an effective way to build brand and encourage enrollment.

Conducting a Successful Website Review

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 11:00:39 -0700

Recording date: Wednesday, February 13, 2008 11:45 am Pacific Standard Time (GMT -08:00, San Francisco)

Panelist information: Shelley Wetzel, Co-Founder, eduWeb Conference and Lance Merker, President and CEO, OmniUpdate, Inc.

Duration: 32 mins

Description: This session will discuss how to assess a department's site content and architecture, what to do when problems are identified, and how to incorporate the solutions into an integrated marketing strategy.

Extension Campus Marketing: Strategies and Tactics for Using the Web to Build Your Prospect Pool

Wed, 7 Feb 2007 11:00:44 -0700

Recording date: Wednesday, February 7, 2007 11:00am Pacific Standard Time (GMT -08:00, San Francisco)

Panelist information: Jim Paskill, President, Paskill, Stapleton & Lord, Inc.

Duration: 38 mins

Description: Marketing an extension campus is a challenge, and generating solid applications is even more so. The environment is so very different from traditional undergraduate marketing. Building the prospect pool requires different approaches from the mass media and mailing efforts of only 5 years ago. The marketplace requires you to look at this differently, to utilize new resources and allocate budgets accordingly.

This webcast identifies approaches that will help you meet your goals. Some of the questions Mr. Paskill will answer include:

How influential is web marketing with this audience?
What are the various options, as well as pros and cons of different Internet approaches?
How do I effectively integrate the Web with traditional media and overall institutional marketing?

This webcast includes valuable information for Directors of Marketing, VPs and AVPs for Enrollment and Admissions at extension campuses.

Let's Get Blogging: How-To's for Starting a Successful Admissions Blog

Wed, 10 Jan 2007 11:00:44 -0700

Recording date: Wednesday, January 10, 2007 11:00am Pacific Standard Time (GMT -08:00, San Francisco)

Panelist information: Lance Merker, President and CEO, WebsiteASP, Inc.

Duration: 31 mins

Description: Blogs are one of the hottest trends in higher education marketing and recruiting. Student, faculty, alumni and even parent blogs can be very powerful tools to help your institution communicate using authentic voices.

Blogs are simpler than you think to implement and manage. If you've considered starting a blog, but are not sure where to begin or what's involved, this webcast will help you learn:

What's a blog and ideas for using blogs in recruiting and communications
Who should blog and why
Which tools you will need and how to get started
Tips for success and realizing blog ROI

This webcast is ideal for professionals in Admissions, Marketing and Communications, and Web Development.

Creating an Effective Web Content Strategy: It's All about the User, Right? But, What about Your Brand Strategy?

Wed, 8 Nov 2006 11:00:11 -0700

Recording date: Wednesday, November 8, 2006 11:00am Pacific Standard Time (GMT -08:00, San Francisco)

Panelist information: Stephanie Geyer, Executive Consultant, Noel-Levitz

Duration: 40 mins

Description: Are user needs really at odds with your message delivery goals? Can you meet the needs of your prospective student site users and be sure they "get" your institution's points of distinction?

This webcast offers insight into how you can clarify the web content needs of prospective students while integrating memorable messages from your brand platform. Ms. Geyer will share national research on the content goals of prospective students and ideas to implement on your site, including suggestions for:

Crafting content that matters to students
Creating new opportunities through content and functionality to deliver your messages
Extending brand-centric content into your e-communications

If you're trying to create content for your website that balances the needs of all of your stakeholders, then this webcast is for you!

This webcast is ideal for professionals in Admissions, Marketing and Communications, and Web Development.

Get Personal on the Web - Solutions to Improve One-to-One Communications Using the College Website

Wed, 7 Jun 2006 11:00:36 -0700

Recording date: Wednesday, June 7, 2006 11:00am Pacific Daylight Time (GMT -07:00, San Francisco)

Panelist information: Lance Merker, President and CEO, WebsiteASP, Inc

Duration: 30 mins

Description: The college website has a very challenging mission. It's expected to serve everyone on campus as well as meet the personal information needs of each student, alumni, faculty and staff member. That's a pretty tall order for any website and the major reason why most college websites have thousands of pages!

What if there was a simple solution - one magical web page - for delivering personalized content from the college website directly to each and every member of your campus community? And, what if this one page could capture their attention, offering the kind of personalized online experience found in sites like MySpace®, Google(TM), and Yahoo®?

This webcast demonstrates OmniUpdate's OU OnePage - a web communications portal solution designed to help your institution's website reach and communicate more effectively, one-to-one. Using OnePage, you can easily:

Target content from your existing website to different groups, all without creating separate sites or maintaining additional web pages
Give your students an online "hangout" where they'll want to be and where you know you can always find them
Unify campus communications providing centralized access to Chat, email and other web applications
Maintain a strong online connection with students as they graduate, offering them their own personalized homepage to your alumni website
Do all of this securely, maintaining control and leveraging your current web investments

See why OU OnePage is a revolution in campus web communications and unlike any other portal solution you've seen!

This webcast is ideal for higher education professionals involved in Marketing and Communications, Web Services, Alumni Relations.

Building a Virtual Alumni Organization... And How a Web Content Management System Can Help You Get There

Wed, 10 May 2006 11:00:51 -0700

Recording date: Wednesday, May 10, 2006 11:00am Pacific Daylight Time (GMT -07:00, San Francisco)

Panelist information: Connie Wanstreet, Director of Web Communications, The Ohio State University Alumni Association

Duration: 35 mins

Description: The web has the potential of being the best way to connect alumni in a "virtual" community of lifelong friendship and in support of their alma mater. However, having an effective Web-based alumni organization is more than just having alumni web pages. It's all about building a brand in cyberspace!

This webcast will help you discover what makes an alumni website successful. Learn how one visionary alumni organization is using their website to become the biggest and best member-based alumni organization in the country. Topics include:

Building a virtual alumni organization: how to deliver online global access to core programs and services programs and link alumni with each other using the website
Having a strategic plan: see how the association has developed a focused strategic plan for their website and what they have planned next
The critical role of content management: learn why the association chose OmniUpdate to manage their web content and how OmniUpdate is being used to support their virtual alumni community
Insights: learnings from the association's staff for building a successful virtual alumni organization

This webcast is ideal for professionals involved in all aspects of Educational Advancement, including Alumni Relations and Alumni Organizations, Marketing and Communications, Development, and Fundraising.

Choosing the Right CMS

Wed, 5 Apr 2006 11:00:42 -0700

Recording date: Wednesday, April 5, 2006 11:00am Pacific Daylight Time (GMT -07:00, San Francisco)

Panelist information: Lance Merker, President and CEO, WebsiteASP, Inc.

Duration: 37 mins

Description: Selecting a content management system (CMS) for managing your college or university's web content can be overwhelming. Deciding which features are important and how to best meet the diverse needs of many departments and users - staff, faculty and even students - can be, in a word, challenging.

Also, finding a solution that can be deployed quickly with minimal training and on-going support can be tricky. And, doing all of this without busting your budget can seem downright impossible.

If this sounds all too familiar, this webcast will help you learn how to determine which CMS will work for your institution and tips to help ensure you're successful in implementing a solution. Topics discussed include:

Top three CMS misconceptions
Key feature considerations: what's important and why
How much should it cost?

This webcast will provide an overview of OmniUpdate - the CMS most used by colleges and universities to manage their web content. You will see how powerful, flexible, and easy to use OmniUpdate is through an actual training session during the webcast!

This webcast is ideal for those currently evaluating CMS solutions, planning a website redesign, or interested in learning more about web content management.

Driving Enrollment: Tools and Strategies for Improving Your Website's Recruiting Performance

Wed, 5 Oct 2005 12:32:29 -0700

Recording date: Wednesday, October 5, 2005 11:00am Pacific Daylight Time (GMT -07:00, San Francisco)

Panelist information: John Stapleton, Paskill, Stapleton & Lord

Duration: 36 mins

Description: During this third webcast in the "Trends in Higher Education Marketing" series, learn about simple tools and techniques to improve your website's ability to attract, manage and communicate with target student pools. Topics discussed include:

Search engine optimization
Laser-like strategies to increase your web effectiveness
Increasing site personalization (i.e., microsites, email marketing, etc.)

Dartmouth College: Strategies for Sustaining the University Web

Wed, 10 Aug 2005 11:47:01 -0700

Recording date: Wednesday, August 10, 2005 11:00am Pacific Daylight Time (GMT -07:00, San Francisco)

Panelist information: Jay Collier, Associate Director, Dartmouth Web Publishing Services

Duration: 30 mins

Description: The college website is currently going through an extraordinary evolutionary phase - from decentralized chaos to more orderly distributed publishing. This evolution is happening during a time of explosive growth for web content as the university website is required to do more than ever. How do we plan for this? How do we keep up? Who will lead the way? And, most importantly, how can we as web managers sustain a level of excellence expected by our institutions? Scalability and sustainability are the key ingredients to a successful strategy for sustaining the university web.

This webcast offers an invaluable discussion based on Dartmouth's experience with developing and managing non-curricular web communication services and publishing tools for over 70 departmental clients.

Signs It's Time for a Website Redesign

Wed, 14 May 2008 11:00:06 -0700

Recording date: Wednesday, May 14, 2008 11:45 am Pacific Daylight Time (GMT -07:00, San Francisco)

Panelist information: Lynsey E. Struthers, Director of Interactive Marketing,The Lawlor Group and Lance Merker, President and CEO, OmniUpdate, Inc.

Duration: 38 mins

Description: Because your website requires a substantial commitment in human and financial resources, the decision to redesign it shouldn't be taken lightly. During this session we will discuss:

When a full-site redesign is appropriate
Some wrong reasons for a redesign (if not a redesign, then what?)
The guidelines for making an informed decision about this important brand asset

This webcast is designed for anyone in higher education interested in undertaking changes to their institution's web presence. It is ideal for college and university administrators, marketers, webmasters, web developers and decision makers.

On-Demand CMS: Why This Approach to Web Content Management Is Worth a Closer Look

Wed, 24 Jan 2007 11:00:13 -0700

Recording date: Wednesday, January 24, 2007 11:00am Pacific Standard Time (GMT -08:00, San Francisco)

Panelist information: Lance Merker, President and CEO, WebsiteASP, Inc.

Duration: 35 mins

Description: Are you planning to implement a web content management system for your college or university? Before you narrow your list down to simply a choice between open-source or commercial software, you might want to have a closer look at an On-Demand CMS.

No longer just for Google(TM) or Facebook©, the Web is now used to deliver incredibly powerful, flexible and easy-to-use web content management features directly to your desktop. And, beyond the obvious advantages - lower cost, ease of use, implementation and support - there are some surprising developer advantages to implementing an On-Demand CMS.

If you're serious about delivering enhanced services on your institution's website, an On-Demand CMS is the only way to go.

You'll learn more about OmniUpdate, the leading On-Demand CMS and the most deployed CMS in higher education today. See how OmniUpdate's unique On-Demand approach to web content management can help you:

Efficiently manage content and maintain design utilizing an open standards-based approach
Streamline and automate management and re-use of content
Offer your users an intuitive, familiar editing environment, complete with authoring tools they'll actually want to use
More easily integrate Web 2.0 technologies, including RSS and blogs, to deliver enhanced services

Noel-Levitz Presents... Exceeding E-Expectations: A Little Effort Will Pay Off Quickly

Wed, 11 Oct 2006 11:00:36 -0700

Recording date: Wednesday, October 11, 2006 11:00am Pacific Daylight Time (GMT -07:00, San Francisco)

Panelist information: Stephanie Geyer, Executive Consultant, Noel-Levitz

Duration: 45 mins

Description: Do you know...

Which is the most sought-after functionality on a college or university website (Hint: it happens to be one of the rarest)?
How students want to hear from you and when?
How to create a "My Space" environment on your site?

To help you answer some of these key e-recruitment questions and explore options to move your site into the Web 2.0 era, this webcast reviews the latest findings from the ground-breaking E-Expectations study of more than 1000 college-bound students.

Data from a survey of more than 200 college and university admissions officers is included to provide a sense of what your competitors may (or may not) be doing on their sites...yet.

This webcast is ideal for professionals in Enrollment Management, Admissions, Marketing and Communications, and Web Services.

Redesigning the College Website - Expert Tips to Help Ensure Success

Tue, 29 Aug 2006 11:00:29 -0700

Recording date: Tuesday, August 29, 2006 11:00am Pacific Daylight Time (GMT -07:00, San Francisco)

Panelist information: Andrew Soderberg, President, Merlin Media, Inc.

Duration: 38 mins

Description: Having an effective Web presence is vital for today's colleges and universities and is the major reason why so many institutions have a site redesign planned.

But while a redesign can be a wise marketing investment, it can be a major project to manage, with plenty of opportunities to get behind schedule and go over budget.

This webcast offers tips on how to have a successful redesign project. Mr. Soderberg will share insights he's gleaned from designing and implementing websites for many colleges and universities, including how-to's for:

Selecting the right design partner
Getting at the "real" requirements
Designing for ADA 508 Compliance
Selecting and implementing a CMS
Migration planning
Bringing it all together - how to stay on target and enjoy the process
Life after a redesign

So, if you're considering a redesign, planning one or have one underway, you'll not want to miss this webcast!

Marketing to Adult Learners

Wed, 15 Feb 2006 11:00:36 -0700

Recording date: Wednesday, February 15, 2006 11:00am Pacific Standard Time (GMT -08:00, San Francisco)

Panelist information: Jim Paskill, Paskill Stapleton & Lord

Duration: 36 mins

Description: Recent declines in international graduate enrollment, combined with other economic factors, are changing the landscape for graduate admissions professionals, as well as those involved in promoting part-time education. Now more than ever, it's critical that institutions be able to effectively reach and market to adult learners.

This webcast will provide you with some of the best methods for recruiting adult learners and will examine the unique challenges involved in marketing to adults and part-time students. Topics discussed include:

Adult learners: Who are they? Where are they? How do you reach them?
How do we build the relationship?
Role of the website and email
Top three mistakes when marketing to adults and how to avoid them

This webcast is ideal for those in Graduate Admissions, Marketing, Adult and Continuing Education Professionals, and Webmasters.

Meeting E-Expectations: Are Your Website and E-Communications Programs Making the Grade?

Wed, 18 Jan 2006 11:00:28 -0700

Recording date: Wednesday, January 18, 2006 11:00am Pacific Standard Time (GMT -08:00, San Francisco)

Panelist information: Stephanie Geyer, Noel-Levitz

Duration: 46 mins

Description: We know that college-bound students use the Internet as a key resource in their research and enrollment process. But do you really understand what they expect from your institution's site? What are their top content targets? What online services do they need to work through their decision process? How should your school integrate new communications technologies, such as instant and text messaging, into tried and true communication flows?

This webcast reviews the findings of a recent study of more than 1,000 college-bound students to help you answer some of these key e-recruitment questions. During this webcast, you will:

Discover how many of the top-rated, self-service online features your site offers and which you should plan to add TODAY
Find out what types of content college-bound students target when they visit your site
Explore how new communications technologies, such as instant and text messaging, can be integrated into traditional communication flows

Redefining the Viewbook: Communication Strategies and Tactics to Reach Today's Students and Parents

Wed, 28 Sep 2005 12:26:28 -0700

Recording date: Wednesday, September 28, 2005 11:00am Pacific Daylight Time (GMT -07:00, San Francisco)

Panelist information: John Stapleton, Paskill Stapleton & Lord

Duration: 39 mins

Description: During this second webcast in the "Trends in Higher Education Marketing" series, learn what mix of publications and online methods (websites, emails) are effective at reaching today's students and parents. Also, learn which contact strategies and schedules work best. Topics discussed include:

Integrated marketing - how your website and viewbook most effectively work together
Seven issues important to Millennials and how you address them
Beyond the viewbook - what else do you need?

Student E-Expectations and the Higher Ed Website

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:34:19 -0700

Recording date: Tuesday, August 18, 2009 11:30am
Pacific Daylight Time (San Francisco, GMT-07:00)

Panelist Information: Stephanie Geyer and Lance Merker

Duration: 30 minutes

Description: The 2009 report, "Scrolling Toward Enrollment: Web Site Content and the E-Expectations of College Seniors," is presented by Stephanie Geyer, Associate Vice President of E-Communications and Web Strategy for Noel-Levitz. Stephanie is accompanied by Lance Merker, President and CEO of OmniUpdate.

Using CSS with Mobile Devices

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 13:12:19 -0800

Recording date: Wednesday, February 18, 2009 1145 am
Pacific Standard Time (GMT -08:00, San Francisco)

Panelist information: Mr Justin Gatewood, Webmaster, Victor Valley College, and Lance Merker, President and CEO, OmniUpdate, Inc.

Duration: 37 mins

Description: Mr. Justin Gatewood, Webmaster at Victor Valley College, talks about how the college uses Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) to implement their mobile Internet solution.

A "Behind the Curtain" Look at Successful Campus Blogs

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 11:00:09 -0700

Recording date: Thursday, November 15, 2007 11:00am Pacific Standard Time (GMT -08:00, San Francisco)

Panelist information: Darren Wacker, Business Consultant, James Tower, Inc. and Lance Merker, President and CEO, OmniUpdate, Inc.

Duration: 38 mins

Description: This webcast will discuss how to make blogs work for both students and administration.

Using RSS to Facilitate Crisis Communication

Wed, 15 Aug 2007 11:00:16 -0700

Recording date: Wednesday, August 15, 2007 11:00am Pacific Daylight Time (GMT -07:00, San Francisco)

Panelist information: Lance Merker, President and CEO, OmniUpdate, Inc.

Duration: 38 mins

Description: This webcast will discuss the importance of adding Real Simple Syndication (RSS) to your higher education website and the value of utilizing it as a crisis communication tool. We'll cover how it works and how it can help to keep your various audiences - students, parents, alumni, staff and media - informed on a "real-time" basis about events and happenings on campus.

Technology in Higher Education - The Case for CRM and CMS

Wed, 11 Apr 2007 11:00:24 -0700

Recording date: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 11:00am Pacific Daylight Time (GMT -07:00, San Francisco)

Panelist information: Sasha Peterson, Hobsons EMT and Lance Merker, President and CEO, OmniUpdate, Inc.

Duration: 41 mins

Description: Colleges and universities are undergoing a fundamental shift in how they operate and interact with their prospective student audience. It's now happening on the web! That's why many of today's leading institutions are now implementing technologies including Customer Relationship Management (CRM) solutions and Web Content Management Systems (CMS) to help keep pace with student needs.

This webcast discusses the trends in methods used to service prospective students and applicants and how a CRM application might be applied. Learn which lessons can be taken from the commercial world, points to consider when evaluating a CRM solution and current practices of progressive institutions around the country.

And, to help improve your Web presence, find out why a CMS is a "must-have" tool for today's higher education marketing, communications and admissions professionals. See how implementing and using a CMS to manage your content is easier than you might think!

This webcast is ideal for Admissions Officers, Enrollment Managers, Marketing/Communications professionals and Webmasters.

XML and the College Website - Why the Time Is Right

Wed, 28 Mar 2007 11:00:33 -0700

Recording date: Wednesday, March 28, 2007 11:00am Pacific Daylight Time (GMT -07:00, San Francisco)

Panelist information: Lance Merker, President and CEO, OmniUpdate, Inc.

Duration: 39 mins

Description: When it comes to web content management, there are no greater challenges than content repurposing and template controlled publishing. Your institution's website is complex, interconnected, and must be managed with the right balance of tools and techniques.

XML combined with XSLT is the ideal way to tame the beast. But, is it worth the burden? And, what are real costs and risks associated with the migration to this new, powerful architecture?

This webcast will help you to learn more about how to reduce the risks and speed your migration to XML. You'll learn how to:

Take best advantage of the XML/XSLT architecture
Selectively use XML and XSLT to repurpose content and manage design
Benefit immediately without a complete website redesign
Best deploy template controlled publishing, while mitigating migration risks

We'll also demonstrate how the latest release of OmniUpdate, version 7 can help you better manage the transition of your institution's website to XML.

This webcast is ideal for college and university webmasters, web developers and designers.

What's the Good Word - Effective Keyword Selection for Search Engine Marketing in Higher Education

Wed, 25 Jan 2006 11:00:21 -0700

Recording date: Wednesday, January 25, 2006 11:00 am
Pacific Standard Time (GMT -08:00, San Francisco)

Panelist information: Mark Shay, President and CEO, Educational Directories Unlimited, Inc.

Duration: 43 mins

Description: Search engines have become a significant component of a successful online marketing campaign. And, effective keyword selection is vital to the success of your search engine marketing campaign. But as you might have already discovered, selecting the right keywords is a complex mix of creativity and analysis. This webcast will offer insight on perfecting the art and science of keyword selection. Topics discussed include:

Major search engines - what do you need to know about how they work
Free vs. paid campaigns - which is right for you
Techniques for determining keyword competition
ROI: how to measure and evaluate the cost-effectiveness of keywords
Tips for making your website an effective destination

SUNY Oswego: A Case Study in Designing a Brand-Driven Web Presence

Wed, 7 Dec 2005 11:00:09 -0700

Recording date: Wednesday, December 7, 2005 11:00am Pacific Standard Time (GMT -08:00, San Francisco)

Panelist information: Drew Hill, Web Coordinator, SUNY Oswego

Duration: 40 mins

Description: Planning a redesign of your institution's website? Want to meet your goals while avoiding as many project pitfalls as possible?

During this webcast, Drew Hill, Web Coordinator at SUNY Oswego, presents a case study on how his institution created, launched, and continues to maintain an award-winning website. Learn how SUNY Oswego successfully redesigned a complex site and implemented a web content management system. Topics include:

RFP considerations
Navigating organizational change
Project management best practices
Key considerations to maintain brand consistency
Do's and don'ts

So, if you're considering a redesign, have begun one or are simply looking for ways to help make your site more brand-driven, you'll not want to miss this webcast!

Trends and Tactics in Higher Education Marketing

Wed, 14 Sep 2005 12:21:00 -0700

Recording date: Wednesday, September 14, 2005 11:00am Pacific Daylight Time (GMT -07:00, San Francisco)

Panelist information: John Stapleton, Paskill Stapleton & Lord

Duration: 41 mins

Description: Research and experience has shown that families are searching for colleges and universities earlier than ever before and that their first contact with a school is usually through their website. This change in how students find you and you find students is universal, irreversible and profound. So profound in fact, that in just a short time, the Web is outmoding traditional communications flow and methods.

This webcast will help you and your staff learn how best to take advantage of this change and will discuss the following:

Marketing trends - what they mean for admissions and communications staff
Successful strategies and tactics - how to take advantage of the shift to the web
Budget and communications-flow implications

State of the Web with Pamela Cox-Otto, Ph.D.

Tue, 26 Jul 2005 11:00:36 -0700

Recording date: Tuesday, July 26, 2005 11:00am Pacific Daylight Time (GMT -07:00, San Francisco)

Panelist information: Dr. Pamela Cox-Otto, Ph.D., President, Interact Communications, Inc.

Duration: 45 mins

Description: Join acclaimed author and speaker Dr. Pamela Cox-Otto for a highly informative (and entertaining) examination of key trends in marketing and recruiting, including how to design integrated campaigns that successfully resonate with "boomers", "X'ers" and "Millennials". You'll also learn about the results of research with high school audiences and about what role the Web plays in reaching them. Get ready for a wake up call!

Website Heroes: Three Case Studies in Higher Education

Wed, 13 Jul 2005 11:00:20 -0700

Recording date: Wednesday, July 13, 2005 11:00am Pacific Daylight Time (GMT -07:00, San Francisco)

Panelist information: Lance Merker, President and CEO, WebsiteASP, Inc. and Brian Tusi, OmniUpdate Support Specialist

Duration: 31 mins

Description: As someone responsible for your institution's website, your efforts are significant, extraordinary, and in many ways downright heroic. Whether you're involved in leveraging the web to deliver results in recruiting, giving or outreach, or are responsible for managing the many pages of web content of your website, your job has never been more important to your institution! Learn how three institutions - Dartmouth College, Oxnard College and University of Michigan Alumni Association - all use OmniUpdate to achieve website excellence.

OmniUpdate Announces Version 8.6 of Its Web Content Management System

Mon, 3 Aug 2009 09:15:30 -0700

New Global Find and Replace Feature Makes Content Management Easier for Higher Education Website Administrators

Camarillo, California – August 3, 2009 - OmniUpdate, Inc., the leading web content management system (CMS) provider for higher education, announced today the availability of a new Global Find and Replace feature in OU Campus, the company’s flagship web CMS product. This new feature makes it easier for authorized administrators to quickly make changes across an entire website.

Global Find and Replace allows an administrator to use literal text or regular expression searches to locate, preview , and replace plain text, HTML, CSS, XML, and other underlying code across an entire site or selected directories. The process runs exceptionally fast, making changes to as many as 5,000 files per second. With a single click, changes are made to files on the staging server, giving administrators the ability to preview and rollback before publishing changed files to the live server. This functionality greatly simplifies and expedites the process for making site-wide updates.

This feature recently became a top priority based on feedback received during the company’s user conference in March 2009. Lance Merker, President and CEO of OmniUpdate, stated, “OmniUpdate listened closely to requests from our customers and reprioritized items on our development list to swiftly make Global Find and Replace available. Our product roadmap is driven first and foremost by our clients’ needs, and their reaction to this enhancement has been extremely positive.”

About OmniUpdate
For more than 25 years, OmniUpdate, Inc. has been a leader in desktop, client-server, and Software-as-a-Service applications. Today, OmniUpdate's web content management products are used to manage more than 500 college and university websites. The company also provides social media and information portal solutions.

For more information, visit www.omniupdate.com

OmniUpdate Announces New Research on College Web Site Content

Mon, 8 Jun 2009 09:00:30 -0700

Co-Sponsored Report Summarizes the Attitudes of Prospective College Students

Camarillo, California – June 8, 2009 - OmniUpdate, Inc., the leading provider of web content management systems (CMS) for higher education, announced today the availability of a new research report, Scrolling Toward Enrollment: Web Site Content and the E-Expectations of College Bound Seniors. This research project was conducted during 2009 in cooperation with Noel-Levitz, James Tower, and the National Research Center for College & University Admissions (NRCCUA).

Published by Noel-Levitz as part of their E-Expectations research series, the report uncovers interesting new findings affecting admissions marketing and the higher education Web site:

80 % of students said the content presented on a college or university Web site is more important than how the site looks.
88% of students said they would drop a school from their search or be disappointed with a school if that institution’s Web site did not have the content they needed.
57% of students said if they noticed the content or text on a school Web site was out of date, incorrect, or unhelpful, they would probably take it off their list.
79% of students said they would read all the content on a Web site about admissions, even if it meant scrolling, and 74% said the same about cost and financial aid information.

Prior to the study, there was a perception among institutions that students were unlikely to read much online content, so the results of the study were eye-opening. The new findings verify that the majority of prospective students find web content crucial in their enrollment decision, and they are willing to read and scroll, if necessary, to get the desired information.

The study affirms that the Web site plays a vital role in a higher education institution’s recruitment effort and that a negative content experience could reduce a student’s interest in a school. Lance Merker, President and CEO of OmniUpdate, expressed the company’s excitement when asked to participate in the 2009 study, although he was not surprised by the results. “OmniUpdate understands that web content is critical to the success of college and university admissions marketing and that a web CMS, like our OU Campus product, is essential. Because most admissions marketing efforts today are designed to drive prospective students to the college Web site for more information, keeping Web site content relevant, current, and easy to find is paramount to the success of the institution.”

Download a complete copy of the report.

OmniUpdate Releases Version 8.5 of Its Web Content Management Software

Tue, 26 May 2009 09:00:32 -0700

New Recycle Bin Feature Enhances the OU Campus Product

Camarillo, Calif. - May 26, 2009 - OmniUpdate, Inc., the leading provider of web content management software (CMS) for higher education, released today the newest upgrade to its web CMS product, OU Campus. This upgrade includes a new Recycle Bin feature.

The Recycle Bin in OU Campus duplicates the intuitive concept of a trash can or recycle bin on a desktop PC or Mac. If a user has rights and deletes a file from the OU Campus staging server, then the file is sent to the Recycle Bin rather than being completely deleted. It is removed from the CMS directory, along with all past versions of the file. Later, if necessary, the user or any administrator can recover and restore all versions of the file.

Deleted files are removed from both the staging server (editable files) and production server (live, rendered pages). However, files can be recovered and restored to the staging server for immediate republishing to the live production server or sent through the approval process.

Based on their level of authority, administrators have various rights to manage the Recycle Bin. Some administrators can delete files from the Recycle Bin one at a time, while top-level administrators are authorized to modify the Recycle Bin's location and empty the entire bin at once. The location of the Recycle Bin can be anywhere on the web server FTP root or lower. The bin's location, name, and optional visibility to users can all be controlled by administrators of the OU Campus CMS.

According to Lance Merker, President and CEO of OmniUpdate, "Users sometimes panic when they delete a file. CMS administrators frequently get calls from users desperate to get those files back. The new Recycle Bin feature in OU Campus will make it much easier for both users and administrators to correct accidental or intentional deletions. Everyone involved with the content creation process will benefit from this enhancement."

About OmniUpdate, Inc.
For more than 25 years, OmniUpdate, Inc. has been a leader in desktop, client-server, and Software-as-a-Service applications. Today, OmniUpdate's web content management products are used to manage more than 500 college and university websites. The company also provides social media and information portal solutions.

For more information, visit our website.

OmniUpdate Releases Version 8.4 of Its Web Content Management Software

Mon, 11 May 2009 09:00:30 -0700

New Custom Reports Feature Enhances the OU Campus Product

Camarillo, Calif. - May 11, 2009 - OmniUpdate, Inc., the leading provider of web content management software (CMS) for higher education, released today the newest upgrade to its web CMS product, OU Campus. This upgrade includes a new Custom Reports feature.

The Custom Reports feature allows designated administrators to create specific reports to manage, monitor, report, and ultimately control or change settings within OU Campus. Five types of customized reports are available: users, directories, pages, sites, and groups. A variety of customization options are available for each report type. For example, a users report can include username, first name, last name, email, phone, creation date, last login date, last login IP, total page edits, last edit date, permission level, approver, group membership, and more. Date ranges can be specified for all reports that include date values.

Creating a custom report within OU Campus is fast. New reports are run in real time, can be created with as little as two clicks, and generate results in 2 seconds or less for sites with less than 1 million pages and 10,000 users. The resulting reports are displayed in a multi-page table with 25 records per page.

According to Lance Merker, President and CEO of OmniUpdate, "Although OU Campus has always provided standard reporting capabilities, our customer base is growing and so are their reporting needs. Customers now require a multitude of ways to track and report on website activities. We believe that the new Custom Reports feature is easily configurable and will be of great benefit to OU Campus site administrators."

About OmniUpdate, Inc.
For more than 25 years, OmniUpdate, Inc. has been a leader in desktop, client-server, and Software-as-a-Service applications. Today, OmniUpdate's web content management products are used to manage more than 500 college and university websites. The company also provides social media and information portal solutions.

For more information, visit our website.

OmniUpdate Customers Win CCPRO Web Page Awards

Wed, 6 May 2009 09:00:30 -0700

College of San Mateo and Victor Valley College Take First and Third Place Awards

Camarillo, Calif. – May 6, 2009 – OmniUpdate, Inc., the leading provider of web content management software (CMS) for higher education, is pleased to announce that two of its higher education clients won awards for their successful websites during the Pro Awards held in April by the California statewide Community College Public Relations Organization (CCPRO). College of San Mateo won first place and Victor Valley College (VVC) won third place. Both schools are users of OU Campus, OmniUpdate’s widely popular web CMS.

When asked about receiving their Web Page Award, Valerie Tyler, Webmaster at College of San Mateo, stated, “It’s great to win this first place award. The website is an important marketing and communication tool for us and receiving recognition for our efforts makes everyone involved with its development quite proud.” When asked for his thoughts on Victor Valley’s win, Justin Gatewood, Webmaster at VVC, stated, “VVC is working very hard to move its website forward in terms of technical and communication capabilities and receiving recognition for it from CCPRO is very rewarding. Winning is a strong sign that we are moving in the right direction, and every user on this campus that plays a role in our website can be proud of their contribution.”

According to Lance Merker, President and CEO of OmniUpdate, “We are very pleased that the hard work put forth by these clients has been recognized by CCPRO. They truly deserve the awards they have received, and we are proud to be a contributor to their website success.”

For more information, visit www.omniupdate.com.

OmniUpdate Announces a Website Conversion Tool for Serena Collage Clients

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 10:17:14 -0700

Migration of Orphaned Sites to OU Campus Web CMS Made Easy

Camarillo, Calif. - April 30, 2009 - OmniUpdate, Inc., the leading provider of web content management software (CMS) for higher education, announced today the availability of a website conversion tool uniquely developed for Serena Collage clients.

The Collage web CMS stores content in a proprietary database schema that is not easily transferred to other systems. Furthermore, Collage publishes content as flat static pages so that each page is published with inline headers, footers, navigation, and other common elements. Serena clients charged with converting such websites can find it difficult and extremely time consuming. OmniUpdate has written a conversion application to conveniently migrate complete websites to OU Campus, its widely popular CMS product.

The OmniUpdate conversion tool automatically reads, converts, and tags XML content exported from Collage. In the process, the tool cleans up old Collage markup to meet current web standards. And, if desired, old styling and font tags that are not ADA Section 508 compliant can be stripped from pages. Directory structures and navigation elements are converted as well. For each page, all editable regions, toolbars, and group sets are converted from Serena's Nexus tags into OU Campus tags. OU Campus XML/XSL templates are created from Serena Master Page.

According to Lance Merker, President and CEO of OmniUpdate, "Our organization is pleased to provide this new service to our clients. We've made it really easy for them. With a few clicks, the tool is adapted for any number of editable regions per web page and any number of template types. Our benchmarks show a 5,000 page site run through our new tool will convert to OU Campus in less than 3 minutes."

Serena customers interested in learning more about this conversion tool should contact sales@omniupdate.com.

For more information, visit www.omniupdate.com.

OmniUpdate Releases Version 8.3 of Its Web Content Management Software

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 09:00:30 -0700

Camarillo, Calif. - April 27, 2009 - OmniUpdate, Inc., the leading provider of web content management software (CMS) for higher education, released today the newest upgrade to its web CMS product, OU Campus. This upgrade includes the new Image Editor and MultiEdit features.

The Image Editor allows images on a client website to be resized, cropped, and rotated directly in OU Campus. Additionally, a new function allows users to upload and edit an image in one operation. This helps ensure large images are properly resized before they ever land on the client's web server. The ability to access the new Image Editor is set at the user level and is established by the CMS administrator.

MultiEdit allows form-controlled editing for XML and other structured content. Administrators can now create forms-based templates that present users with an easy-to-follow guide for adding content to a structured layout. Templates can include both style-free form fields and WYSIWYG content editing areas. Administrators can control which web pages utilize the MultiEdit functionality.

According to Lance Merker, President and CEO of OmniUpdate, "Our customers asked us to simplify the image editing process and create a new process that allows authorized users to edit content associated with XML data. We believe that the Image Editor and MultiEdit tools are consistent with their feature-set needs and moves OmniUpdate one step forward in our continuing effort to improve the user experience."

For more information, visit our website.

OmniUpdate Holds Its 5th Annual User Conference for Higher Education

Fri, 3 Apr 2009 10:43:24 -0700

2009 Theme: Navigating to Success in Web Content Excellence

Camarillo, Calif. – April 3, 2009 – OmniUpdate, Inc., the leading provider of web content management software (CMS) for higher education, held its annual user conference March 29-31, 2009, in Long Beach, CA. The conference enabled customers and partners to learn about and share insights on the latest web CMS, Web 2.0, and social networking technologies affecting colleges and universities today.

This year’s conference featured interactive sessions and best-practice workshops designed to help OmniUpdate’s web CMS users get the most from their institution's website. Topics included new product functionality, writing for the web, multimedia, CSS for mobile devices, webmaster tools, and integration with third-party student portal products. In addition, hands-on educational sessions were offered that specifically focused on enhancing the user’s knowledge associated with template and page tagging, as well as XML/XSL and content repurposing.

Keynote addresses were given by Mark Greenfield, Director of Web Services at University at Buffalo, and Stephanie Geyer, Associate Vice President of E-Communications and Web Strategy at Noel-Levitz. Session speakers included Rachel Reuben, Director of Web Communications and Strategic Projects, SUNY New Paltz; Jasmine Witham, Director of Web Services, San Mateo CCD; Sasha Peterson, Managing Director, Hobsons EMT; Ellen Kanner, Web Producer/Designer, Dartmouth College; Justin Gatewood, Webmaster, Victor Valley College; Nathan Gerber and Phil Taylor, Web Development Services, Utah Valley University; and Lynn Zawie and Michael Gasparino, University Communications, Stony Brook University.

During the conference, OmniUpdate announced its 2009 product roadmap and introduced and demonstrated some of the 25 new features currently pending release. Customers were encouraged to help prioritize these features by voting in an online survey found within the company’s new developer community, the OmniUpdate Community Network (OCN). According to Rachel Reuben, Director of Web Communication and Strategic Projects at SUNY New Paltz, “This conference was a great resource for OmniUpdate developers. It was a great way to share what we’re doing, learn new things, pick up great tips, extend our professional network, and have fun! In addition, I think that all attendees appreciated the opportunity to vote through the OCN for their favorite development requests.”

According to Lance Merker, President and CEO of OmniUpdate, “The feedback we get from our customers at this annual conference is extremely important to us, as it helps keep us in touch with their feature-set needs and the user experience. We think the OCN is a great new tool for our developer community, and we continue to be committed to helping all our customers create a truly dynamic web experience for their site visitors.”

For more information, visit www.omniupdate.com.

OmniUpdate Announces a New Live Delivery Platform for Its Web Content Management Software

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 09:00:31 -0700

Camarillo, California - March 12, 2009 - OmniUpdate, Inc., the leading provider of web content management software (CMS) and social networking solutions for higher education, announced today the availability of a new Live Delivery Platform (LDP) for its core web CMS product, OU Campus. This platform will be available to both new and existing OmniUpdate customers as an optional component beginning May 2009.

The Live Delivery Platform makes dynamic content on a web server possible, bypassing the need to first be published from a staging environment. The primary benefit of live delivery is the instantaneous availability of dynamic data and the customization of content by website visitors. These capabilities facilitate popular interactive Web 2.0 applications such as favorites, watchers, polls, event calendars, image galleries, wikis, comments, forms, and surveys. Although diverse in nature, these applications can be installed and managed via the unified, user-friendly OU Campus administration interface.

OU Campus is designed as a push or “decoupled” CMS. The Live Delivery Platform extends the capabilities of OU Campus by allowing it to take advantage of the benefits of both push and pull CMS functionality. The LDP is a virtual toolbox for site developers to enhance their site through interactive content. The platform will initially be available through a PHP-based API installed on the customer’s web server, with other languages to follow. The first release of LDP will include image galleries, favorites, watchers, polls, and event calendars. Additional Web 2.0 applications will be released later this year.

Lance Merker, President and CEO of OmniUpdate, states, “Our customers have asked us for ways to easily integrate Web 2.0 functionality into their websites using OU Campus. We are proud to now make this add-on functionality available with the release of the powerful Live Delivery Platform.”

CCPRO 2009

Thu, 5 Mar 2009 17:54:37 -0800

April 22 - 24, 2009 San Francisco, CA Details: Hear Lance Merker, President and CEO of OmniUpdate, talk about social networking and social media on college campuses.

More Than 50 New Customers Select OmniUpdate's Web Content Management Software Solutions in 2008

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 09:00:32 -0800

Portfolio Enhancements and Customer Service Cited as Reasons for Exceptional Growth

Camarillo, CA - January 14, 2009 - OmniUpdate, the leading provider of web content management software (CMS) and social networking solutions for higher education, announced today that it brought on board more than 50 new clients during 2008, resulting in the largest year of new sales growth in the company's history.

Highlights from the past year include:

The release of version 8.0 and 8.1 of the company's flagship web CMS, which simplified the user interface, increased speed and functionality, and offered unique and highly requested features such as Multi-Browser Preview and Stale Page Reminder
The addition of EMT Instant Chat and Social Networking to the company's product portfolio, making available popular social media solutions
The offer of Transcode-It(TM), a free service that allows users to quickly convert, upload, and display any video as Flash on a web page
The expansion of staff in sales, marketing, and support, plus the launch of a professional services department
The largest OmniUpdate User Conference ever and an expanded multi-track Training Workshop - both events provided opportunities for learning, teaching, and sharing with customers

Some of the well-respected higher education institutions selecting OmniUpdate's web CMS in 2008 include Allan Hancock Joint Community College District, Barton Community College, State University of New York at Binghamton, Columbus State Community College, Cuesta College, Duke University, Eastern Illinois University, Lock Haven University, Marist College, Michigan State University, Saint Joseph College, University of Cincinnati, Washington State Community College, Wenatchee Valley College, and Youngstown State University.

Lance Merker, President and CEO of OmniUpdate, states, "We are proud of our solid track record in providing innovative web communication tools and excellent customer service to the higher education marketplace." Lance adds, "This year has been one of significant growth. We are extremely proud of our staff and accomplishments and would like to thank all our customers for their business and support."

About OmniUpdate, Inc.

For more than 25 years, OmniUpdate, Inc. has been a leader in desktop, client-server, and Software-as-a-Service applications. Today, OmniUpdate's web content management products are used to manage more than 500 college and university websites. The company also provides social media and information portal solutions.

For more information, visit www.omniupdate.com

OmniUpdate Unveils Web CMS Version 8.1 Providing Performance Improvements and Key New Feature

Sun, 28 Dec 2008 00:15:31 -0800

Company Continues Its Focus on Satisfying Higher Education Client Needs

Camarillo, CA - December 28, 2008 - OmniUpdate, the leading provider of web content management software (CMS) for higher education, today released its CMS version 8.1. This upgrade includes both performance improvements and a new key feature called Stale Page Reminder.

The Stale Page Reminder allows individual users to create an automatic email notice that gets sent after a set number of days (established by the user) if a specified page has not been updated. This reminder can be sent to the user or any group of users and can be set independently for any page in the OmniUpdate CMS. This feature will help to ensure that key web pages are always updated within a set time frame.

Lance Merker, OmniUpdate President and CEO, states, "OmniUpdate continues to lead the way by innovating and responding to our customer's needs. The new Stale Page Reminder in OmniUpdate 8.1 is powerful new features that will help our customers keep millions of pages of web content fresh and up to date."

About OmniUpdate, Inc.

For more information, visit www.omniupdate.com

Andrew Soderberg Joins OmniUpdate as Vice President of Client Services

Mon, 1 Dec 2008 09:00:31 -0800

Camarillo, Calif. - December 1, 2008 - OmniUpdate, Inc., a leading provider of web content management solutions for higher education, announced today that Andrew Soderberg has joined their organization as Vice President of Client Services. In his new role, Mr. Soderberg will be overseeing OmniUpdate's customer service and professional services departments, and will be located out of the organization's California headquarters.

Prior to joining OmniUpdate, Mr. Soderberg was Chief Technology Officer and Vice President of Web Services for Interact Communications, Inc., an organization focused on servicing two-year colleges by meeting their needs for market research, communication services, and technical solutions.

From his roots as a director in broadcast television in the late 1970s to his role as a member of Apple's QuickTime development team in the 1990s, Mr. Soderberg has built his career on blending computer, Internet, and media technologies. He was the founder of Merlin Media, Inc., a successful Silicon Valley creative and technical consulting agency pioneering multimedia and Internet solutions. He also held leadership roles at ViMart Corp. and Aapps Corp. as well as Atari, Inc., where he managed the technical production of television commercials that won several Clio Awards. He has built more than 100 corporate and 25 higher education websites in the past 13 years.

Lance Merker, OmniUpdate President and CEO, states, "Andrew's broad technical background and understanding of the higher education marketplace, coupled with his visionary leadership and strong management skills, makes him an extremely valuable asset to our organization. We are very pleased to have him join our team."

About OmniUpdate, Inc.

For more information, visit www.omniupdate.com

OmniUpdate Participates in AACRAO SEM

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 16:03:00 -0700

OmniUpdate will attend the 2008 Strategic Enrollment Management Conference being held November 16-19 in Anaheim, CA.

OmniUpdate Participates in Stamats Conference

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 15:59:35 -0700

OmniUpdate will attend the Integrated Marketing Conference: Technology, Collaboration and Results scheduled for November 5 - 8 in St. Petersburg, FL.