e-Spirit Launches AppCenter for the Integration of (Web) Applications Into the Content Management System

Dortmund, Germany, January 29, 2011 --(PR.com)-- e-Spirit AG will present its newly developed AppCenter for the content management system FirstSpirit for the first time at CeBIT 2011 (Hall 6, Booth J21) from March 1 to 5. The AppCenter is the only solution on the market supporting the straightforward interface integration of virtually all (web) applications whether from Cloud and SaaS environments, or from the desktop directly into the CMS. This results in a whole new experience for online editors, since applications that were previously used separately are now available right in FirstSpirit with the accustomed interface and functionality and can be used directly in the CMS. Editors no longer have to keep switching between many different programs in order to transfer content from other applications to the CMS or to conduct information research. This makes the editing processes faster and more efficient – with thousands of different applications.

CMS + AppCenter = increased productivity in the editing process

With the AppCenter, e-Spirit is providing infrastructure for the integration of all types of (web) applications that makes the daily work of editors easier. This new FirstSpirit functionality allows editors to use key programs they are accustomed to directly in the FirstSpirit JavaClient, rather than outside the CMS which was the case previously. Examples include online image databases, image editing, video, geolocation and web analysis services, encyclopedias, office programs and any other applications. The programs are opened using a simple one-click request in the CMS. Thanks to seamless integration with the applications, data are displayed in the CMS and can be used, edited and subsequently published on a website, intranet or any other channel. Text, images, audio and video files, road maps, product information etc. can be comfortably processed in the FirstSpirit editor interface regardless of the source and with media continuity. Prior to deployment, the layout in various output channels can be verified in the WYSIWYG preview.

“The FirstSpirit AppCenter opens up new horizons to companies for the optimization of their content management processes,” said Jörn Bodemann, CEO of e-Spirit AG. “It represents the continuation of our best-of-breed strategy to the Cloud: We allow companies to seamlessly integrate the applications they need into FirstSpirit so that editors can simply continue using their favorite programs in the CMS. Not only does this result in enhanced usability, it also improves the efficiency of editing processes and thereby leads to measurable savings for companies.”

Efficient development and integration of applications

The AppCenter is based on the powerful web browser integration in the JavaClient which was already established in FirstSpirit. Building on this foundation, the AppCenter API is suitable for the straightforward integration into the editing interface of any existing applications, new developments, customer-specific programs and third-party software based on completely different technology platforms, including web applications, platform-independent Java applications, operating system-independent native applications (e.g. Mozilla Firefox), operating system-specific desktop applications (e.g. OLE integration for Microsoft Internet Explorer/Office/Media Player) or complex RIA applications (Flash, AIR, Silverlight). For all companies using FirstSpirit, this now allows developers to easily design and integrate new applications regardless of whether they are tailored to individual companies or intended for general use. It doesn’t matter whether the applications are based on Java, .NET or Flash.

In combination with Cloud and SaaS services, the FirstSpirit AppCenter also supports the cost-efficient and simple integration of complex applications that cannot be operated in-house – at least not economically – due to extensive hardware requirements, maintenance and licensing costs (for example video transcoding).

Examples of web applications that can be integrated in the FirstSpirit AppCenter:

* Image database search (e.g. iStockphoto, flickr, Fotolia, Pixelio, etc.)
* Image processing (e.g. Picnik, Pixlr, etc.)
* Online video technology (MovingIMAGE24)
* Geolocation (mapping software and route planners, e.g. Google Maps/Earth)
* Web analysis (e.g. Google Analytics, etracker, Webtrekk, etc.)
* Office documents for shared editing (e.g. Google Docs, Google Chart Tools)
* Recommendation engines (e.g. Baynote)
* Social web analysis (e.g. Radian6)
* Search engine optimization (e.g. SEOlytics, Sistrix, etc.)
* Contact person search (e.g. in Salesforce)
* E-mail services (e.g. Universal Messenger, inxmail, etc.)
* Translation (e.g. Trados, Across, etc.)
* Online databases / encyclopedias for research (e.g. Wikipedia)

Videos and more details on http://www.e-Spirit.com/appcenter

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