KnowledgeView implements content management system for CNN's Arabic news site

The project included developing an Arabic content management system that runs on editorial servers in Dubai Media City that gather, classify and export published articles to the CNN publishing servers in Atlanta, USA, in a completely automated and cost effective manner. Using KnowledgeView's RAPID Publish technology, the project was completed in record time with requirement analysis starting in November 2001, implementation in December 2001 and official launch on 19th January 2002.

"CNN's launch of its comprehensive Arabic news web site is a significant sign of the increasing interest in the western world in the Middle East market. We are pleased to have been selected by a global-renowned professional organization like CNN to help set up a fully automated content management system for their Arabic web site, which comes after our successful work with other global media organizations such as News International. We are also keen to work with Arab media organizations to publish their content, using latest technology, not only to the Arab World but also to the Western World." said Dr. Ali Al Assam, Chairman, KnowledgeView. "With the ever-increasing need for timely and well-classified news, KnowledgeView enables publishers and enterprises to provide highly customized and targeted content services to consumers interested in receiving information. Our expertise lies in news intensive areas, and the KnowledgeView technology allows clients to manage content with a high degree of automation," he added.

"Our project with CNN included implementing the system that will allow the editorial group at CNN's Dubai bureau to creatively adapt its international coverage for the Arab world. The tools will enable CNN content to be organized and managed in an efficient and timely manner, providing rapid delivery and publication of indexed searchable editorial content to editors and managers," said Ammar Alassam, Director, Middle East KnowledgeView. "In addition, it will also facilitate the input and management of content from this region as well as its efficient transfer to the CNN publishing servers in Atlanta," he added.

KnowledgeView Ltd had also provided CNN.com with software programs that include support for the main functional areas. The database backed content management allows text articles, photos or graphics to reside in a database, with a comprehensive article metadata including fields for classification, priority, usage, ownership, language and editorial history. The content collection software acquires text, photo or graphics from news agencies and CNN sources. The acquired content is fed into one or more collections for either automatic mapping to on-line publishing services or for editorial use and enhancement. The Editorial services for content creation will enable editors to capture and create stories for storage in the database and subsequent editing. The project also ensures that the editorial group will enjoy Dubai-based technical, design and logistical support thus ensuring the most productive use of the systems.

The system provides access to different modules and publishing services, thereby enabling editors to work from more than one geographical location if required. The editorial system has the capacity to publish, un-publish, archive and classify selected articles. The system supports the XML standard for data collection and delivery, to ensure easy integration with the overall CNN publishing system. Web delivery facilitates the release of published articles in XML format to the CNN Dispatch server locally in Dubai for syndication and in HTML format to the CNN publishing servers in Atlanta.