About the common web platform

CWP aligns with the Directions and Priorities for ICT by prioritising investment in shared solutions, improving the management and content of Government's web presence, and rationalising investment, procurement and delivery of ICT infrastructure and software. It is key part of the Rethink Online programme, reducing fragmentation of information and services across agencies and channels. It also demonstrates innovation and improvement across a connected, collaborative public sector to create Better Public Services.

Eligible agencies are actively encouraged to adopt the Common Web Platform (CWP).

What is the Common Web Platform?

"A Platform as a Service offering for government websites"

Once you have signed the CWP agreements, you can request a new website instance within three business days. This can be small, medium, large or a custom instance. There is an agreed pricing structure of the setup and monthly cost for each type.

The platform does not mandate a common functionality or look and feel, and each agency can customise their website as they see fit.

Overview of the platform services

A website instance is a staging and production environment with the CMS installed, and access to CWP services.

A Base CMS install will include:

• Features for content publishing, including workflow, content embargo/expiry, preview and rollback functionality
• Default templates which are mobile-friendly and standards-compliant
• Public-facing website features such as site search, forms, RSS and pages in multiple languages

The CWP services include:

• Managed hosting, backup and disaster recovery, backed by service levels.
• Source code repository, code reviews and change control
• Management portal - the agency web team can login to this online site to access support information and submit requests.
• Training and Support for developers working on the platform
• Co-funded development pool – each month hours are contributed into the pool. The CWP product manager will collate feedback from the participating agencies, and decide which new features to make available to websites on the platform.

What types of websites are intended to use CWP?

The types of websites that suit the base CWP offering are government informational websites. CWP is also well suited to urgent websites, as the install presents standard publishing templates, which can be used with only minor cosmetic changes to quickly launch a website.

Can CWP be used for websites with transactional functionality?

The base CWP install offers limited transactional functionality through web forms. Agencies can develop transactional functionality or use CWP as a front line CMS, coupled with back-end transactional systems. Agencies would take responsibility for this work, including reviewing the development work for standards compliance and security.

What is the technology platform?

The content management system (CMS) selected for the platform is SilverStripe. The CMS runs on open-source software (Linux, Apache, MySQL and PHP). The platform will use the iGovt (Real Me) login for secure publishing and authentication. The search engine will use Solr and source code will be managed using Git. All websites will have IPV6 addresses.

Download an overview of the Common Web Platform architecture (PDF, 465KB)

SilverStripe Ltd is managing the platform, in contract to the Lead Agency Internal Affairs.

SilverStripe is a Kiwi company and develops the CMS. With this system, they build websites and applications for government organisations, businesses and non-profit organisations in New Zealand and Australia. The CMS has been downloaded more than 520,000 times and counts about 5,500 active members from around the world.

SilverStripe Ltd has produced a screencast and online demo to summarise existing capabilities of the software. Further capabilities will be added over coming months to form CWP:

http://vimeo.com/53125346

http://ss-express.silverstripe.com

Another New Zealand company, Revera, provides the infrastructure for CWP. Revera is contracted to Internal Affairs through Infrastructure as a Service.

How were the providers selected?

A working group of members from ten agencies was setup to agree a set of common website requirements. An RFP was issued to the web community for solutions. A team of web experts from five agencies evaluated the proposals and selected the solution.

When is the platform available?

The CWS platform will available by mid 2013. There is a group of agencies, the early adopters, who will have launched websites on the platform by then.

How do eligible agencies use the platform?

1. Eligible agencies who wish to use the panel are required to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with DIA.　
2. Once the MOU is signed, the agency meet with the Relationship Manager at SilverStripe, to work out which size website instance meets their requirements
3. The agency signs a Participating Agency Agreement with SilverStripe
4. For future website instance setups, the agency can request them through the CWP Management Portal

Agencies who wish to find out more and obtain copies of key documents should email online@dia.govt.nz.

Downloads