[Blog] The "Multi, Multi!" Update

Internally, we've resorted to calling our next release of Sutra CMS the "multi, multi!" update. On the surface it refers to the addition of multi-lingual and multi-platform capabilities. But 20% of the time what we're really referring to is the resulting explosion of challenges multi times multi represents. The other 80% of the time we're just calling ourselves stupid.

Because there was a point where we didn't think we could do this.

As such things go, it all started with a client giving us feedback: "But it needs to be multi-lingual right here, not there! Does it do iPad too?" Mental response: "*slap*". Real response: "Why yes dear sir, just click here, here, here -- and then there, there, there -- then hire us to help you remember how to do these steps in the correct order."

Was that a qualified answer? One of those innocuous looking little yellow warning flags that we happily ignore until the big red sign that means business knocks you on your ass? Sigh...back to the drawing board.

It turns out that baking multi-lingual and multi-platform into the core of a CMS (which is already multi-site and multi-group) is not a trivial thing. How many CMS's do you know out there than can easily morph into any combination of these options, share content globally, and are easy to use?

Well, after going through some really low moments ("multi, multi!"), I think we're on to something. Here's a first stage demo video:

http://www.youtube.com/datamosaic#p/u/0/P9jYnMw78l4

Feedback is welcome.