What is GovCMS?
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What is GovCMS?
GovCMS is a whole of government content management system and web hosting service.
It was created by government, for government.
But what does that mean?
Let’s start with Content Management System or CMS for short.
Content management systems are software that make it easier to author web content.
Built on Drupal an open-source software used by over a million websites globally.
GovCMS has a flexible front end with fast and efficient editing tools that allow organisations to update their websites as needed ensuring their information is accurate and up to date, without needing a team of developers on site.
Web hosting on the other hand is what delivers the content, for example the website, and makes it available on the internet.
For a website to be available online, the data, including the code, content and graphics need to be housed on a server.
Web hosting services such as GovCMS have access to servers to house websites in Australian data centres.
As part of our Software-as-a-Service web hosting plans, also known as SaaS, we also maintain the security, application software, and infrastructure of a website to ensure that the website stays up and running using the best practices in security to meet the standards set by the Australian Cyber Security Centre.
For customers using our Platform-as-a-Service plans, also known as PaaS, we maintain the infrastructure of the platform.
While maintenance of the application and security are the responsibility of the agency meaning they need more technical resources to support their website.
This allows PaaS agencies more flexibility around what extensions they can use on their website.
By using a service like GovCMS, you’re taking advantage of an economy-of-scale.
Meaning that because we provide these services to more than 100 departments and public sector organisations across all levels of government in Australia, we can spread the cost of running and hosting websites across all agencies.
Providing agencies on our smallest and cheapest hosting plans with the same level of support and security as our largest customers.
GovCMS takes the guesswork out of setting up and maintaining modern, responsive and accessible websites.
Visit our website to contact us and find out more.
Built by government as a whole of government service, GovCMS is available to organisations of any size. It is suitable for websites containing publicly available information up to Official: Sensitive.
Using open source technology (Drupal(Opens in a new tab/window)) on a public cloud platform, GovCMS provides cyber security services.
No matter the size of your team, GovCMS allows you to manage and maintain affordable and responsive websites.
What is SaaS and PaaS?
GovCMS has two service offerings, Software as a Service (SaaS) and Platform as a Service (PaaS). Both offerings include web hosting on Drupal, Drupal infrastructure maintenance and website backups.
SaaS
Our Software as a Service (SaaS) offering means we will do the hard work for you. All you need to do is build your website, and add and maintain your content.
The GovCMS team will be responsible for your sites web protection services and security accreditation. As well as the Drupal security updates and application and infrastructure maintenance. You will also be able to access unlimited application and infrastructure support through the GovCMS Service Desk.
PaaS
Our Platform as a Service (PaaS) offering means you'll retain greater control. If your website needs higher levels of control and customisation this plan is for you. You will retain responsibility for the application layer, including security of your website.
As a PaaS customer, you'll get a tailored proposal that will meet your needs. You can choose the size of infrastructure and bandwidth capacity required for your website. You can also add service desk and infrastructure support.
Who can use GovCMS?
GovCMS is available to all Australian government organisations (that is, Commonwealth and State government).
If your website uses authentication, collects personal information or payments, talk to us early. There are some things you'll need to consider before moving to GovCMS.
What does CMS stand for?
CMS stands for Content Management System. The CMS GovCMS uses is Drupal(Opens in a new tab/window).
A content management system is an application used to create, manage and update website content.
What is Drupal open source?
Open source software gives users the ability to reuse, change or share the software. It's usually developed in an open collaborative way by a world-wide network of developers all making contributions. This is one of many reasons the Department of Finance selected Drupal (Opens in a new tab/window)for GovCMS.
The government can save on costs by using open source software. Drupal (Opens in a new tab/window)is free to use. There are no licence fees to install and run the CMS.
You may need to pay an extra cost if you choose to customise codes, make new modules or plugins or create your own templates and designs. You will only need to fund new modules and designs once. It is then available to all agencies using GovCMS and all other users of Drupal.
What to consider
We would love you to join us. Here are some things you need to consider before you make the move.
Do you have the right skills in your organisation to build a website?
We recognise all websites are unique as are the people who manage them. Sometimes organisations have needs ‘outside the box’. That is okay, we’re here to help. Our first tip - consider your needs early. You may need help to create, migrate or maintain your website. Options available to you are listed below.
Drupal services panel
The Drupal services panel is available to help you, using simplified contract management arrangements. All tiers of government can access the panel.
Contact our team, and we will connect you with the panel and send you a copy of the Services Catalogue, which lists available services and fees.
Does your website have any special functions?
Websites provide different functions and vary in complexity. When a website has special functions, we may need to do extra work to get them onto the platform. Talk to us early if your website requires any of the following functions:
- website authentication
- collection of personal information. For example, names, addresses and dates of birth
- financial transactions
Your role
Whether you're migrating an existing website or creating a new one, we will need some help from you.
We recommend you assign the following roles to people in your organisation. In some cases it may be the same person:
- Product owner - first contact, with full decision-making authority for the website
- Subject Matter Expert (SME) - person most familiar with the website content, structure and/or technical details
- Internal technical/ IT contact - to prepare your organisation for the move to GovCMS, answer questions and ensure your network can access the external GovCMS website
- Domain Name Server (DNS) contact - this may be the same person as the technical contact. They will submit and make the DNS change internally to make the website go live
You may also like to use professional services to help with tasks such as content migration and website design, development and implementation.
Your GovCMS plan includes website hosting and management of the software and platform (or just the platform if you have a PaaS plan). You should also consider how you intend to create and maintain your new website; and how you intend to migrate existing content.
URL Redirects on GovCMS
When you create or migrate a website to GovCMS you will have the ability to use the GovCMS redirect service for your alternate domain. For example the www.govcms.gov.au site would have its non-www, https://govcms.gov.au(Opens in a new tab/window), redirect to https://www.govcms.gov.au.
Redirects will be arranged by the Finance onboarding team during the build phase. Additional information will be provided.
This service currently does not support additional redirects for legacy domains. Any legacy domains you wish to redirect will need to be organised separately to the GovCMS on boarding process.