Effective web content management requires the capability for business leaders to take full control of the web as an interactive platform, rather than just treating it as another publishing medium. Keeping website visitors satisfied is a tough job. Currently, few corporate websites succeed with static, lifeless pages that lack interactivity. In contrast, pioneering websites, such as Amazon, Google and eBay set user’s expectations high with their compelling and dynamic content.

Because of these pioneering websites, the average visitor now expects targeted and personalised interactions with each and every company with which they come into contact on the web. In recent years the web content management franchise has expanded significantly beyond the 1990s paradigm of creation, management and publishing of content and other ‘resources’. As a result the tools are changing.

Ismael Chang Ghalimi has created an interesting list entitled Office 2.0 at IT|Redux. On this list, Ismael details a wide variety of web based business tools from bookmarking to business intelligence, calendars to contacts, databases to development tools, and beyond. What this list demonstrates is a shift towards new ways of data management, personalisation and targeting. New ways to interact with each and every interaction.

A recent survey from the Economist Intelligence Unit found that, despite early scepticism, “serious businesses” are starting to see that social networking technologies are not just for consumer sites such as YouTube and Facebook, but may also provide a major way for other brands to attract new customers and boost revenue.

 A compelling web experience is no longer based around simple web interactions, but around interactive tools.  The uptake of these tools, however, has been limited and we are only just seeing applications, such as wikis and blogs, join the corporate fold and become a generally accepted business tool.

The ColdFusion, Flex and Flash User Groups represent a central information resource for all UK Adobe developers. With the increasing importance of Rich Internet Applications, Rapid Application Development, the popularity Adobe software and industry recognition of the ColdFusion, Flex, Flash and AIR products, these user groups assist developers in defining their role within the Adobe and wider community. These groups aim to provide information resources and a chance to meet fellow developers and network within the community.

To join the groups and start networking, simply click on the appropriate link below:

UK ColdFusion User Group:

http://www.linkedin.com/e/gis/27811/79F5911ECBBE

UK Flex User Group:

http://www.linkedin.com/e/gis/27255/6343D73C42C2

UK Flash User Group:

http://www.linkedin.com/e/gis/27401/0E94A97A7DD4

The Flex and Flash User Group websites are still being designed/developed, but you can email them at

info [at] ukfxug [dot] org

info [at] ukflug [dot] org

respectively with ideas on what you would like to see on each site.