Product Overview

Does SWITCH support global sites?

Yes, SWITCH was developed to include features that allow for streamlined management of your global corporate website. The integration of a site inheritance feature helps you keep a consistent look and feel throughout all of your sites.

Can SWITCH support multiple languages and translation?

SWITCH’s structure provides the ability to directly integrate third party translation services and then seamlessly integrate the translated content into your global websites.

How many users can SWITCH handle?

The number of users the system can handle is only limited by the physical hardware. SWITCH is built as a highly scalable SOA, so components can be distributed across multiple virtual and physical servers. SWITCH offers complete control over user permissions and access levels. To complement the multiuser environment, SWITCH has incorporated workspaces that allow each user to work on their individual content and then logically merge this content with other users’ changes.

Does SWITCH support publishing to devices other than Web?

The ability to publish your content to a variety of devices, including desktop, web and mobile, is a key feature of SWITCH. Smart Content Groups and Templating features allow your web content to be easily displayed in alternate environments with little effort.

In regard to technologies, what is SWITCH built upon?

SWITCH is built as a Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) and based on industry standard Java 5EE containers. SWITCH supports JDBC-compliant database systems, including MySQL and MS SQL Server. SWITCH’s SOA framework allows it to support access via Java remoting, web services and Flex Data Services. The rich client UI was developed using Adobe Flex technology.

What is the technical infrastructure required to run SWITCH?

The infrastructure requirements for SWITCH vary depending on many factors, including size of site, traffic and content weight. SWITCH configurations can range from a single application server and a single database management system to multiple web servers and multiple database systems. The application server and database system can reside on a single server, or the system can be configured to utilize many servers that are load balanced. A typical configuration for a web or database server is a server-class machine consisting of a 3GHz dual processor with 8GB of RAM. For more details, please refer to the Technical Overview section.

Can SWITCH be applied to intranets and extranets?

Yes, SWITCH’s functionality allows administrators to set up both intranets and secure extranets for corporate environments.

How does SWITCH handle front-end technologies like Flash?

SWITCH allows virtually any type of front-end display technology, including Flash, HTML and XML/XSLT. SWITCH can provide XML or HTML output, which can be transformed by an appropriate display technology like Flash. Content can be static, CMS-supplied content or more dynamic, database-driven content, such as product information.

Is the SWITCH content management system a template-based system?

Yes, SWITCH uses a multilayer approach to templates. Page templates define the general structure of the page and help ensure brand consistency across the site. Within page templates, you can utilize block templates, which define the formatting of page components (or blocks of content). The blocks can be nested within other blocks, providing component-based reusability of the design styles within the site.

How does SWITCH share data with other applications in the system?

SWITCH was designed from the ground up as a stateless Service Oriented Architecture that is immediately ready for use with applications through Enterprise JavaBeans, SOAP web services stack and Flex Data Services.

Is my company’s data secure in SWITCH?

Yes, SWITCH is as secure as the database and application servers it resides upon. Encryption and SSL functionality seamlessly integrate into the backend of SWITCH. Enhanced levels of user permissions and access control provide an additional layer of security when managing your content.

What companies currently use SWITCH?

SWITCH currently serves many global brands in wide variety of industries. SWITCH is also used by users with skills ranging from marketing and content publishers to technologists and campaign managers.

Does SWITCH have a product roadmap?

Yes, SWITCH has a product roadmap that describes enhancement opportunities up to 18 months into the future. SWITCH is built on open standard enterprise technologies, so that the application is both scalable and easily modified to accommodate client need. The roadmap is shared with clients and is impacted by feedback generated from SWITCH user forums.

What are the main functional components of SWITCH?

SWITCH is composed of five main functional areas: Publishing, Library, Administration, Configuration and Online Marketing. SWITCH Publishing provides the ability to create and publish pages as well as control site navigation structure. SWITCH’s Library component allows for storage of assets, templates and content data. The Administration console gives management control over user access, site instances and URLs as well as languages. Users can also control Workspaces and Site History within the admin control panel. SWITCH’s Configuration utility gives IT users direct access to servers and settings, license management, extensions and logs. The Online Marketing portal of SWITCH provides tools for viewing and administering online marketing (OLM) tools, including analytics, metrics, SEO and search features.

What third party products does SWITCH integrate with?

SWITCH features a full extension framework that allows for virtually any extension to the system. By managing extensions separately from SWITCH, product updates and enhancements to the core product are independent from extension layers.

Does LEVEL support a dedicated R&D budget for SWITCH?

Yes, LEVEL has allocated funding and a dedicated developer group to contribute to the ongoing development of SWITCH outside of any given services project.

How can implementing SWITCH improve online marketing initiatives?

SWITCH has the ability to manage keywords, description and other metatags as part of the CMS-managed content. In addition to this management, integration with leading OLM tools provides a mechanism for viewing statistics and optimizing your content. This workflow also allows for logical improvements when it comes to search engine optimization. The incorporation of analytics and metrics utilities provide useful and relevant tools to interpret this data. SWITCH’s open API means it can also be integrated with third party metrics solutions like WebTrends, Omniture and Google Analytics.

Will SWITCH still be relevant in 3 years?

Yes, SWITCH is built on open standard enterprise technologies, so that the application is both scalable and easily modified to accommodate client need. SWITCH has a product roadmap that defines the future vision and direction of the core software. This roadmap is created in conjunction with our partners/clients and can be modified as market forces shift.

What is the licensing model for SWITCH?

SWITCH is offered in a variety of licensing models to suit your business needs. Models include a Software as a Service (SaaS) Model, a standard version for entry level sites, as well as an advanced/enterprise version that offers greater scalability and allows for multiple server instances. For more information regarding licensing options, please refer to the SWITCH License Model Overview.

Is SWITCH a hosted application?

Yes, the license models include an ASP or Software as a Service model. With the ASP/SaaS model, LEVEL hosts and operates the application for you at a set monthly rate. For more information regarding this option, please refer to the SWITCH License Model Overview.

Can SWITCH be extended?

Yes, SWITCH was designed to address the most common website management needs “out-of the-box”; however, our in-house technology team specializes in customizing SWITCH to meet the specific needs of our clients.

Why would I buy a web application from an agency?

Enterprise software applications are often overloaded with features and typically fail around system implementation and associated training. A digital agency that provides a web application allows for an easier integration between design and engineering, resulting in user adoption and a stronger final product with a quicker time-to-market. Additionally, the technology infrastructure ensures that future customization can be implemented by the same agency that guides the client’s overall digital strategy.

What is unique about SWITCH in comparison to similar products from other vendors?

SWITCH is backed by a full-service digital agency. Utilizing best practices learned from cross-industry experience, LEVEL offers in-house Strategy, Creative and Technology teams that serve as a digital consultancy to contribute to client success. Providing “out-of the-box” functionality that addresses the most common website management needs, SWITCH helps clients manage their web properties with the added benefit of professional services that are wrapped around the core application. The inclusion of advanced SEO features and utilities, as well as innovative inheritance features, gives you the ability to support a consistent global web presence. These services make SWITCH ideal for clients that need business-directed functionality and ensure that a client only pays for the functionality they need.

What skills should my team have to operate successfully?

A basic understanding of websites and how they operate is helpful. HTML is required only if one is creating templates. The intuitive Adobe Flex-based user interface offers an easy learning curve for new users as well as a powerful solution for experienced web content managers.