Cascade Server from Hannon Hill is a web-based content management system that provides website authoring, publishing and administration tools. It allows end-users to easily add, delete or modify web pages without highly technical programming knowledge. Technology Services has an enterprise license and offers Cascade Server as a shared service.

Getting Started

To request this service, email cascade@tamu.edu or call 979.847.4877.

We can assist with setting up site templates and migrating existing sites into Cascade Server. Please contact us for a consultation.

Texas A&M University (Part 02) rates are displayed below. See General Computing Rates for TAMUS, Non-TAMUS, and Auxiliary Rates.

Service Description	Unit	Rate in $	Item Code/Product/Service
Cascade Content Management System	Year	5940	CASCADE CMS ANNUAL FEE

Additional Details

Use of Cascade Server is charged through an annual subscription fee plus database charges. The annual fee includes:

• Access to the Cascade Server system
• System administration

The annual fee is charged for a subscriber group, which refers to a department, college, division or other entity. Subscribers are not limited on the number of users or sites they wish to add to the system.

Database charges are determined by the database usage for each site and billed monthly. Technology Services offers a database subscription rate for storing large amounts of data, which lowers the per-MB cost. Contact cascade@tamu.edu for an estimate.

Service Description	Unit	Rate in $	Item Code/Product/Service
Database Hosted Services	MB/Month	.100	DATABSE MB/MO

Is Cascade Server right for managing my website(s)?
How much does Cascade Server cost?
My department website has many large files. How can database costs be minimized?
How will support be provided?
Will I be required to use a university standard site template?
Why did Technology Services choose Cascade Server?

Is Cascade Server right for managing my website(s)?

Cascade Server is especially helpful if you have the following needs:

• Do you manage multiple sites? Sites can share templates and content, so changes can be easily propagated across multiple sites. Links to pages within the system are automatically updated. A drop-down list of sites you own allow users to easily move between sites.
• Does your site(s) require frequent updates? Cascade Server empowers non-technical users to update website content without having to rely on webmasters to edit web pages.
• Does your college/unit want to centralize content review and editing for better message and image consistency? Cascade Server's customizable workflows and permissions help ensure only approved content is published.

How much does Cascade Server cost?

See the Cost section. Note that the annual subscription fee is charged per subscriber group, which is a department, college, division or other entity. A subscriber group can add unlimited sites or users to the system. Database costs are charged in addition to the annual subscription fee.

My department website has many large files. How can database costs be minimized?

• You do not need to store all of your website files within Cascade Server. Videos, images, PowerPoint presentations and other large files can be stored on your own web server or hosted elsewhere (MediaMatrix, iTunes U, Vimeo, YouTube, etc.).
• Technology Services offers a database subscription rate for storing large amounts of data. The subscription rate lowers the per-MB cost and caps the total annual cost. Contact cascade@tamu.edu about the subscription rate option. Note: Although a single website's data storage needs may not qualify for a subscription rate, the combined storage requirements of all websites for a college, division or department may be eligible.

How will support be provided?

• Technology Services provides central system administration.
• The license for Cascade Server includes system support, which is handled through designated campus personnel authorized to contact Hannon Hill.
• The license does not include direct technical support for individuals.
• • Technical users should visit the Cascade Server Support site, which includes the Knowledge Base and Public Discussions. Videos of onsite technical training are available (requires login with NetID and password). Technical users are encouraged to join the Texas A&M Cascade Server Developer listserv (TAMU-CASCADE-DEV).
  • Non-technical users should view training and support information on the Business User Introduction page on the Hannon Hill website.

Will I be required to use a university standard site template?

No, you will not be required to use a university-provided template. The system allows site owners to manage their own sites, including creating their own templates.

Why did Technology Services choose Cascade Server?

Technology Services convened a committee tasked with evaluating and choosing a web content management system. After reviewing three finalists, the committee recommended Cascade Server, because this system was the most capable of supporting web content management on an enterprise-wide level. Also, Cascade Server has been deployed at other Texas A&M System institutions, including the Texas A&M Health Science Center, Tarleton State University, Texas A&M University-Commerce, Texas A&M University-Kingsville and Texas A&M University-Texarkana.

Cascade Server Benefits for the University

• Save costs - Cascade Server increases efficiency by streamlining the process of creating, approving and publishing information online. The enterprise solution reduces overall costs through shared central support and by eliminating the need for individual departments to maintain their own web content management systems.
• Enhance brand consistency - Ability to share images, page content, site templates and other assets makes it easier to maintain consistency throughout university websites.
• Improve site usability - Built-in tools make it simpler to meet accessibility requirements and follow web standards, improving usability of university websites.

Cascade Server Benefits for Departments

• Manage web content - System tools allow end-users to easily add, delete or modify web pages without highly technical programming knowledge.
• Maintain control of department sites - The site Manager role, one step below the Administrator role, allows department webmasters to manage their own sites.
• Share content - Cascade Server allows content sharing across sites of your department or college or with other departments within the system. This reduces time spent re-creating content.
• Publish multiple formats - The system allows publishing and repurposing content to multiple formats, including PDF and mobile versions of sites.
• Access with subscription rate - Shared service allows departments to gain access to an enterprise-level system at low subscription rates.

• Cascade Server features
• Hannon Hill's Help Center
• Cascade CMS Knowledge Base
• Cascade Exchange (example code)