Problem Definition
Many
people work together to create, support, and update material for the
Microsoft Web site. Combining a large number of documents, people, and
updates creates a complexity that is not easily managed without the
help of an automated solution.
Below is a simplified example of
the process used for submitting and updating Web page content for
inclusion in the Microsoft Web, as illustrated in Figure 1:
•
The
process begins with a team of content developers collecting and
authoring documents that are written natively in HTML or converted
using Internet Assistant for Microsoft Word. In addition to HTMl files,
often script language files and graphics format files are involved.
These files are stored in logical directories on a network server to
which each member of the team has access.
•
After
modifications are made to existing Web pages, the revised files are
copied to another server that is managed by a different group of people
who test the files for broken links, proper syntax. Etc. Files are
submitted by many product groups to this central testing group.
•
If
bugs are found in the HTML or code files received from a group, the
testing team communicates this back to the product team, which resolves
the problem and re-posts the Web page on the testing server.
•
Once
tested and successfully debugged, the directories are copied to the
main Microsoft Internet Information Server where the external world can
link to Microsoft via the Internet.
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