For an average guy making it in IT, I’m sure you’ve barely seen a project with a budget approved for automation testing.

State of automation testing

For an average guy making it in IT, I&rsquo;m sure you&rsquo;ve barely seen a project with a budget approved for automation testing. Because sales is primarily concerned with closing the deal no matter what, the quoted project price is slashed in the blink of an eye by eliminating nice to have automation testing.
If we&rsquo;re talking about a startup or a smaller project, this decision can be perfectly fine, but for any project lasting more than six months, it might not be. In the case of a project that has multiple user scenarios operating the application, new feature developments or change requests will naturally cause an increase in regression testing. Ignoring automation testing is a cause of great concern if the project is put on a more aggressive schedule with a staging environment available to end users.
The automation testing market size is expected to grow from $20.7 billion to $49.9 billion by 2026, growing at a <a href="https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/automation-testing-market-113583451.html">CAGR of 19.2% during the forecast period </a>. Even if we use a more modest forecast of 14.2% CAGR reported by Mordor Intelligence, it is still a definite and palpable increase. This rise is owed to the increase in the adoption of automated testing methods among enterprises and SME&rsquo;s.
<img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/cappy/69af320a87824a5e85918e79901eff17.png" alt="Automation Testing Growth Forecast 2021-2026" />
We can even see some new trends like smart automation testing, where your codebase is scanned for changes and only tests relating to those changes are executed, a gradual move towards helper frameworks that enable you to write codeless automation tests (AT&rsquo;s) by recording desired application scenarios, to implement cloud based cross-browser testing as well as AT integration into CI/CD loop.
Most of these trends gravitate towards some quality of life improvement, but only after you have finished writing your AT suite. I&rsquo;d love to talk about the most essential step after writing automation tests, which is the integration of the testing cycle into the CI/CD pipeline, but we have to start things from the beginning.
<h2 id="training-of-new-automation-testers">Training of new automation testers</h2>
In our experience, onboarding new personnel to quickly write their first automation test (and from there on the rest of them) has never been a problem. The amount of time that an individual needs to get familiar with the framework and write their first test is the only variable.
The challenge was to get them to quickly grasp the concept of a good test.
Onboarding a person with a QA background is challenging from a software development perspective. They are familiar with the concepts and approaches to testing, but it is difficult to quickly teach them coding strategies and design patterns. Onboarding a developer tends to be more difficult, on the other hand, from a testing theory perspective, especially if they have not been involved in projects requiring large unit testing code coverage.
A knowledge gap can be conquered with time and effort, but as a rule, it is easier to teach good testing fundamentals and their applications to a software engineer than for a QA specialist to grasp how to write good code. With that rule in mind, let&rsquo;s quickly cover the fundamentals of good testing. &nbsp;
<h2 id="what-is-a-good-test">What is a good test?</h2>
Let&rsquo;s start with a simpler question: what is a test?
<blockquote>
&ldquo;A unit test is a piece of code (usually a method) that invokes another piece of code and checks the correctness of some assumptions afterward. If the assumptions turn out to be wrong, the unit test has failed. A unit is a method or function.&rdquo; - <a href="https://www.manning.com/books/the-art-of-unit-testing-second-edition">The Art of Unit Testing Second Edition</a>
</blockquote>
We can easily refine and adapt this general definition to automation testing.
<blockquote>
Automation testing of a task invokes a piece of code interacting with the UI and checks one specific end result of that task. If the assumption turns out to be wrong, the automation test has failed. It is consistent in its results as long as the production code has not changed. It is readable, maintainable, and trustworthy.
</blockquote>
I will highlight the important changes.
<ul>
<li>Checking one specific end result of a task - We reject complex tests in favor of many simpler ones. Every test should have a single responsibility for testing.&nbsp;</li>
<li>It's consistent in its result as long as the code has not changed - Also known as the definition of a <a href="https://www.infinitymesh.com/blog/how-to-write-good-automation-tests/">stable test</a>. Unstable/flaky tests will sometimes pass and sometimes fail and thus should be omitted from the test suite.</li>
</ul>
The final three qualities deserve their own chapter.
<h2 id="readable-tests">Readable Tests</h2>
A key trait of any good test is that it should be easy to read, and the intent of the test author should be clear. To achieve readability, the most important thing is to have a good test name, but it also helps to separate assertions from actions, to have good variable naming, and to eliminate magic values.
Roy Osherove, the author of The Art of Unit Testing, talks about three important pieces of information that always need to be present in the test name:
<ol>
<li>The name of the feature being tested</li>
<li>The scenario under which you are testing&nbsp;</li>
<li>The expected behavior</li>
</ol>
If you want to test that entering an incorrect password on the login page causes an alert, use the names <code>LoginPage_Password_Should_AlertIfInvalid()</code> or <code>LoginPage_When_UsingIncorrectPassword_Alert_Should_BeDisplayed()</code>.
<img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/cappy/ea92ea2d44c24e3483355e3a1f5ecdea.png" alt="Best naming practices" />
In the context of automation testing, the most important magic values you should stop yourself from using are field locators.
<img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/cappy/79121ff6ac504129ab2a13d2e18f6579.png" alt="Avoid using magic values in field locators." />
<h2 id="trustworthy-tests">Trustworthy Tests</h2>
<blockquote>
If you can&rsquo;t trust your tests, you can&rsquo;t run your tests
</blockquote>
It&rsquo;s as simple as that. Any test which sometimes passes and sometimes fails due to factors not controlled by the test itself, you will want to exclude from your testing suite.
Once you make your tests a part of your build or deploy pipeline, every time your developer sees a 100% pass rate, he should be happy and confident that his new piece of code is working as expected and did not break anything that previously used to work.
The best way to achieve trustworthiness is to write short, readable tests that focus on testing one specific thing. Troubleshooting a suspicious test is very straightforward. You carefully debug the test to ensure you did not make any mistakes during the test process, and if it still fails, then good job. You have just identified a bug in production. If it passes after fixing, make sure it consistently produces the same results before marking it as fixed.
<h2 id="maintainable-tests">Maintainable Tests</h2>
In the field of automation testing, the main cause of test changes would be UI changes. This would mean some of your locators are no longer correct. Sometimes this is unavoidable, but by proper communication with the front-end engineer, you can ensure that this does not happen often.
Use ID to find page elements in the case of a web app. If ID is not available, make sure you have specific classes on key elements that you can easily target. Agreed element classes should always be kept, even in the case of a frontend refactoring. If you have managed to restrain yourself from using magic values for element locators, then you probably have them listed in a single place. You can always critically look at your locator code and identify what can be improved.
<img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/cappy/7f89e72eaee846e3841dbfbbd9c93dca.png" alt="Refactor bad locators" />
To improve the maintainability of tests, you can use good code writing practices, but this should be something that you constantly research on your own and not the topic of this article.
<h2 id="conclusion">Conclusion</h2>
Readable tests are trustworthy because it is immediately apparent what they are doing. That is exactly what makes them maintainable. This means that readability is a key trait of a good test, even if that wasn&rsquo;t apparent at first glance. When onboarding new automation testing engineers, you should ensure they have a good grasp of these fundamentals. It's easy to go along with the &ldquo;agile&rdquo; way of development and throw them into the fire to make them write their first test as soon as possible, but what good will it do if you end up with an unusable test suite that doesn&rsquo;t help your development cycle in the end?
In the next article, I will cover the inclusion of tests in the CI/CD pipeline.

Penzle v2 introduces a series of transformative innovations that will allow you to take advantage of the future of content management. From AI-driven insights to real-time visual editing, Penzle v2 paves the way for better content management.

Experience advanced content management with Penzle v2

Penzle v2 transforms your CMS experience, offering live edits, smarter AI, and seamless integrations.

In this article, we will take a closer look at Penzle V2, which is shown in the short video below.
<iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hF6uibHSMcg?si=kV-2hN-lTtH4dHEp" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
It's a necessity to have a content management system (CMS) that's agile and dynamic in today's digital age. Penzle is a platform designed for creators, innovators, and visionaries in the digital world.
The core of Penzle is more than just a content management system. This powerful platform enables businesses of all sizes to create, manage, and deploy content across multiple digital channels seamlessly. Whether you're looking to populate a website, a mobile application, or even a virtual reality space, Penzle offers a variety of tools and flexibility.
But why does this matter? Businesses today must be agile enough to react quickly to changes, optimize content for different audiences, and ensure consistent brand presence across all touchpoints in the fast-paced digital landscape. The traditional CMS platforms, which often rely on rigid templates and structures, absolutely cannot keep up. With Penzle, these chains are broken, providing a dynamic, API-first approach that makes modern digital strategies easier to implement.
Having a CMS that can adapt and serve the diverse needs of your organization is critical as we move toward a more interconnected world where any device, platform, and interface can serve content.
Penzle is more than just content management; it's about future-proofing your content strategy and staying ahead of the curve.
<h2>A Quick Recap of Penzle v1</h2>
In the beginning, Penzle changed the way we thought about content management systems at the time it was launched. A key feature of the platform was its flexibility, interoperability, and ease of use for both content creators and developers. The following are some key features of the original version that made it stand out:
<ul>
<li>
API-first Design: Allowing for more integrations and a seamless connection between various digital platforms.
</li>
<li>
Flexible Content Modelling: Allows users to shape their content without using traditional templates.
</li>
<li>
Multi-Platform Distribution: We ensured that the content looked great on any platform whether it was a website, a mobile app, or another digital platform.
</li>
<li>
Efficient Workflow Management: A variety of features were available to facilitate the creation, review, and publication of content to help teams collaborate efficiently.
</li>
</ul>
As to be expected, there was always room for improvement, and Penzle v2 was born due to feedback received from our loyal user base and the ever-evolving digital landscape.
<h2>What's New in Penzle v2?</h2>
Taking advantage of the robust foundation that Penzle v1 laid out, Penzle v2 introduces a series of new features that take content management to the next level.
<ul>
<li>
Entry-Level Permissions: In version 2, you can tailor access control for every individual piece of content, so as to ensure that the right people have the right permissions at every stage of content creation and editing, whether it is a simple or complex project. <img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/05404f7009754c00a294776196a677a1.jpg" alt="graphical user interface, application" />
</li>
<li>
Visual Editor: You can watch your content evolve in real time, making on-page edits and seeing them reflect instantly, no matter any web technology you use. Plus, our SDK for live updates is now open-source! Dive in, review, and contribute to its growth on <a href="https://github.com/Penzle/Penzle.Visual-Editor">GitHub</a>. <img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/79fbfcb2378745b593bb2d53c8bee2dd.jpg" alt="graphical user interface, text, application" />
</li>
<li>
AI Capabilities: The power of artificial intelligence enables you to increase the effectiveness of your content with a range of features, including deeper insights that help you better understand your audience, as well as auto-tagging tools that organize your content efficiently. <img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/3187cea3e78342ed92e810c988bc8193.jpg" alt="graphical user interface, application" />
</li>
<li>
Enhanced Web Hooks: Amplify your workflows with improved integration and automation capabilities. Through our enhanced web hooks, you can seamlessly integrate third-party tools and automate routine tasks. <img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/6f876158225440bf81aace48b5a2b518.jpg" alt="graphical user interface, application" />
</li>
</ul>
There is no doubt that digital is going to become a more complex place as time goes on. The challenge is to guide businesses through the challenges of managing content with ease. It is more than just creating content; it is creating smart, efficient, and effective content strategies.
<h2>A seamless transition from Penzle v1 to v2</h2>
It is not surprising that content management is ever-evolving, with innovations and upgrades constantly striving to make our digital experiences more efficient, seamless, and smart. In light of Penzle's transition from version 1 to version 2, users may naturally be concerned about migrating their content, tools, and integrations.
The good news?
The transition promises to be seamless, thanks to thoughtful design and careful planning. Here's a comprehensive guide to migrating from Penzle v1 to v2.
<h3>API Consistency</h3>
For those of you who are concerned about integrations, adjustments, and overhauls, we are pleased to let you know that there is no need to worry. There is one of the biggest advantages to moving to Penzle version 2 that the API remains the same. Therefore, all the connections, the third party tools and custom setups you had incorporated with v1 will remain intact and operational. It does not require a complete re-configuration, which can save both time and frustration.
<h2>Cloud-Based Migration</h2>
In the traditional IT landscape, migration is often associated with extensive downloads, uploads, manual data transfers, as well as the possibility of downtime. With Penzle v2, that's a story of the past. The migration process has been designed cloud-first, ensuring that all the heavy lifting happens behind the scenes, in the cloud.
What does this mean for you?
<ul>
<li>
No Downtime: As the cloud-based migration is handled by us, you can be sure that your platforms, whether they are websites, apps, or other digital platforms, will remain up and running without interruption. This will ensure that your audiences do not experience any interruption.
</li>
<li>
Data Integrity: As the migration occurs in the cloud, there doesn't need to be any concern about data loss or corruption as every piece of content, every tag and every image remain exactly as they were when they were added to the platform.
</li>
<li>
Scalability: Migrations to the cloud are inherently scalable, and regardless of whether you're a small business with limited content or an enterprise with a vast library of content, the migration process scales and is therefore efficient at all levels no matter how many users you have.
</li>
</ul>
<h2>Embracing the New</h2>
The core API of Penzle v2 remains unchanged, but there are now many new features you should familiarize yourself with. In order to improve your content strategy, it is crucial to understand and take advantage of these new features, whether they are the enhanced AI capabilities, entry-level permissions, or live updates.
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
As digital content management continues to evolve, staying on top of the curve is something that is paramount. With our transition from version 1 to version 2, Penzle is more than an upgrade; it is a testament to our commitment to ensuring our users have access to the best tools possible.
Through the seamless integration of an unchanged API and the innovative approach of cloud-based migration, the shift is designed to make users' lives easier and more efficient. This is an exciting time for content managers, because for the first time, they will be able to embark on a new path that not only respects the work they have done in the past, but also empowers them moving forward. With Penzle v2, the world of content management is expansive, promising, and undeniably exciting.

Experience next-level content management with Penzle v2. Explore live updates, smarter AI insights, and more in our latest edition.

Discover the Power of Penzle v2 Innovations

Transform your content into a modern, organized web page, mobile app, or any other channel with Penzle - a headless CMS system.



Getting started with Penzle

a red and white rocket with a trail of smoke

If you are reading this, it means you have probably heard about what Penzle is and what Penzle does, and most likely you want to turn a heap of content that you already have into something more presentable. A modern looking web page, or maybe a mobile app of some sort? We don't know what it is exactly that you are looking for, and maybe you are also not so sure yourself, but you are still interested to know if Penzle might help you get there more easily.
Look no further. Whatever it is you want to do, Penzle can do it.
Well... not everything, but if it's about content, chances are Penzle can handle it. How can you host your content in an organized way, facilitating easy change and maintenance with simple data access? Oh, that's not it... you just want to know how to get from a bunch of text and images to a nice looking web page? This is almost the same question as the first one, only with less tech words.
The aim of this article is to guide you through this ordeal, from the sign-up process up until you view your content somewhere as a result.
<a href="https://penzle.com/sign-up" rel="nofollow">Sign-up process</a> is as simple as you would imagine it to be, just type in some basic information and then check your inbox for that welcome message with the rest of instructions.
<h2>Penzle Dashboard</h2>
Upon using your credentials for the first time you are greeted with what I am sure seems like a challenging dashboard for a first-time user. Don't worry, you will know it like the back of your hand after you start publishing your own content.
<img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/cappy/7067f81bcdf6406f984cbeb027af347e.png" alt="Penzle Home Screen" />
Now you would need to create your project, an ecosystem where all your content will live, but let's keep this as simple as possible. Penzle has a Default Project created just for this purpose, so you can get comfortable working with it.
First thing you have to make sure is that you have our Default Project selected in the top left corner. Sidebar menu is (always) related to the project that you have selected. This enables a clear separation between different projects and easy navigation.
<h2>Create your content</h2>
Next thing to learn is how to create your content and where to put it. There are two most important menu items you need to know about in order to achieve this:
<img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/cappy/a2e890df29f74bcdb4a9d50a31297beb.png" alt="Penzle sidebar" />
<ol>
<li>How can I create a form matching my content structure? - In CMS slang we are talking about a data template. If, for example, you want to publish your weekly blogs, then your usual content consists of a blog title, author, body, and maybe even date of creation. In the sidebar menu navigate to <code>Development -&gt; Data Templates</code> and then click the action button New data template.</li>
</ol>
Template design view that opens up will be quite intuitive, and you can just drag and drop the fields you need to cover the structure of your content. Here is how it looks on our <code>Blog Post</code> template. You can refine settings for each field individually by using <code>Settings</code> on the fields you have added to your template.
<img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/cappy/858a7993575d45789472993a34fb45c5.png" alt="Penzle data template" />
You will also notice we've created a template for the blog post author, along with an author list so that we can manage a complete list of authors under a single folder.
<ol start="2">
<li>Where can I start creating my content? - Navigate to <code>Content Editing -&gt; Content Editor</code>. This is the place where all your content will live in a hierarchically organized structure. Create a selection of blogs by using Add Entry action button and selecting your previously created data template. You can select each one of the new items you have created and write your content or copy/paste it if you have it prepared beforehand.</li>
</ol>
For demonstration purposes, we have created a list of authors and a blog post example as part of Default Project content.
<img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/cappy/c15f839339a240ed9246303f92f0de3b.png" alt="Penzle Default Project Content" />
When adding an author to a blog post, we want to limit the author selection to the list of authors we have previously created. To do this you can navigate back to your blog post template, and go to <code>Settings</code> for <code>Author</code> field on your template. If you expand the <code>Start Node</code> option, you will see we have pointed it to <code>/content/Authors</code> where the list of all authors is located.
<img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/cappy/5c5cbd7740b3416e857d1f2e27c18a49.png" alt="Penzle Blog Post Author Settings" />
There are far more options for a complete publishing workflow, as Penzle allows you to plan your decisions and have full control over content transformation steps.
It can be as simple as saving entered content in order to publish it, or you can add nuances like workflow for content approval/translation, version management and much more. Read the <a href="https://github.com/Penzle">official Penzle documentation</a> for guides on how to use these.
<h2>Authenticating your project</h2>
Penzle is structurally a headless CMS system, meaning its primary concern is content management &amp; delivery. As a Penzle consumer, you always have the absolute freedom to use the content provided by Penzle however you want, whether it be for a Web app, Raspberry Pi, iOS/Android mobile app or something else.
To communicate with Penzle in order to fetch created content, you will need to use your project Id and create an access token.
You can create access tokens for a specific project; simply navigate to Settings in the dashboard sidebar menu, and then go to <code>Projects -&gt; [select your project] -&gt; API Tokens</code>. Write in the token name, description and expiry date. You can choose between two types of tokens:
<ul>
<li>Content delivery token - granting you the ability to retrieve and read data</li>
<li>Content management token - granting you the ability to also modify data and save changes</li>
</ul>
Choose token environment (by default this is set to <code>main</code>, but you can easily create other environments like <code>dev</code>, <code>staging</code> or <code>production</code>).
<h2>Bonus - Retrieving your content in .net environment</h2>
Follow the <a href="https://github.com/Penzle/Penzle.Net/blob/main/docs/configuration.md">steps outlined in this configuration guide</a> to use your created tokens in scope of your .net application.
Then create a DTO model compatible with your data template:
<div class="highlight highlight-source-cs">
<pre>public class BlogPost
{
 public string Title { get; set; }
 public string Body { get; set; }
 public string Author { get; set; }
}</pre>
</div>
All that remains is data retrieval using <code>IPenzleClient</code>:
<div class="highlight highlight-source-cs">
<pre>var blogPost = await _deliveryClient
 .Entry
 .GetEntry&lt;BlogPost&gt;
 (
 	entryId: new Guid("2bcfc9f2-8d12-494b-b56e-8145bb4aa3a3"),
 	cancellationToken: CancellationToken.None
 );</pre>
</div>
entryId can be obtained using the info tab on content of interest, as shown below:
<img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/cappy/19f62198208b4452b7b258ffe8df0d56.png" alt="Penzle - Obtain Entry Id" />

With the help of Penzle's headless content platform, developers can use the toolkits and languages most appropriate for the project.

Learn how Multisite CMS can transform your business. Learn how a centralized dashboard can increase operational efficiency and provide a unified solution for managing multiple websites. Find out how it contributes to today's digital landscape and understand its universal features.

Mastering Digital Management with Multisite Content Management Systems

Learn how Multisite CMSs are revolutionizing the digital domain. Take a deep dive into the essence of Multisite CMS and learn how it simplifies managing multiple websites seamlessly.

<h2>Multisite CMS Platform Overview</h2>
Today's digital landscape is more complex and vibrant than ever before. You can think of Multisite Content Management System (CMS) as a super-organized, time-saving tool for websites. This way, managing multiple websites becomes more accessible and efficient, allowing them to flow seamlessly and efficiently.
So, let's embark on a journey to understand the essence of Multisite CMS, elucidating how it revolutionizes the digital management domain.
Single-site CMS are typically designed to manage one website, limiting your ability to manage multiple domains effectively from a single access point. This often leads to juggling multiple login credentials and interfaces, complicating workflow and reducing efficiency.
<img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/c8875e23593242f9b9d92bbd7883e48e.jpg" alt="Diagram illustrating the architecture of a Single-Site CMS." />
Figure 1. A diagram illustrating a single-site CMS architecture.
Using a single-site CMS in an enterprise setting can inadvertently contribute to app overload, undermining productivity and workflow efficiency. Employees are estimated to navigate through 60 different applications, including four collaboration apps, daily. The multitude of platforms leads to a tedious process of switching between apps up to ten times an hour, resulting in a significant loss of focus. In addition to switching between different CMS platforms, each with its own interface and operational nuances, nearly 70% of workers report disruption due to frequent app switching, resulting in a 40% productivity drop.
<img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/6ff51419ebd440c3a41c26c29b027b6c.png" alt="Diagram illustrating the challenge of using multiple Single-Site CMS platforms, showing workers toggling between different systems, highlighting the disruption and productivity loss due to frequent app switching." />
Figure 2. A graph showing how productivity drops when employees switch between multiple CMS platforms and collaboration apps at work.
Multisite CMS allows you to manage and operate multiple websites on a single platform. Unlike conventional CMS, it doesn't limit you to managing only one website. The unified interface enables you to manage multiple websites through one interface. It saves time and reduces complexity by eliminating the need to repeatedly log in and out of different sites.
In the heart of a Multisite CMS lies a robust and centralized dashboard. This feature lets you update, monitor, and publish content across different websites. By doing so, website management becomes unified and simplified.&nbsp;
<img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/fab45d0b150d4cb5bfecc9ec3a1d9d8f.jpg" alt="Diagram showing centralized management of a Multisite CMS with a single dashboard interconnected to multiple websites, simplifying operations and reducing app switching to enhance productivity." />
Figure 3. A diagram illustrating a Multisite CMS architecture.
It's a versatile platform that transforming your digital strategy by elevating operational efficiency, enhancing control, and ensuring consistency across multiple websites.
<h2>The Importance of Multisite Features</h2>
In digital management, where multiple websites often intertwine in a complex web of content and functionality, a Multisite Content Management System (CMS) shines with features built for efficiency and effectiveness. Why are these features so important, and how do they impact our ability to manage multiple websites?
At its core, the platform is based on centralized management. Providing a unified dashboard eliminates the need for multiple admin panels for each website. Even those with no background in technology have no difficulty managing multiple sites with this system, as it simplifies and makes intuitive the administration process.
<img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/1f35d139f969420ea57f27e4f7ea4abd.jpg" alt="graphical user interface, application, Word" />
Figure 4. Easily manage multiple sites with Penzle's centralized dashboard, which is suitable for users with no technical skills.
Managing the security of multiple websites individually can be challenging. By centralizing security management, multisite CMS eliminates this difficulty by making it easy to monitor, update, and secure all of your websites from one central location.
The role assignment feature is crucial in delineating responsibilities and access within your website. Different roles can be assigned depending on the responsibilities of team members and the websites they manage. This way, a more organized structure is created, where users know their duties and permissions, and the right people can access the right information. The balance between autonomy and control can be achieved by assigning someone administrator access to one website while giving them editor access to another.
<img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/7f290ef3fb0e448ba15a0e95ea938bcb.jpg" alt="graphical user interface, text, application, email" />
Figure 5. A role assignment interface for website management that balances autonomy and control between users.
In addition to role management, Multisite CMS also offers customized workflow. It may be necessary to manage and publish content differently for each site in your network, depending on its specific purpose. Using multisite CMS, you can tailor the workflow to meet each site's specific needs and objectives. Managing content creation, review, approval, and publication can thus be customized according to each site's unique requirements.
<img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/b9ff3063ed02415f883b73d10adc0e5f.jpg" alt="graphical user interface, application" />
Figure 6. Adaptable workflow interface for multisite CMS that enables tailored content management processes.
Additionally, it provides scalability, which is essential to growth. As your digital presence grows, you can easily add more websites to your network without managing them individually. A streamlined approach allows digital needs and trends to be quickly adapted and expanded.
<h2>Tips for Effective Multisite Content Management</h2>
Managing content across multiple sites requires a strategic approach that combines coherence with customization, flexibility, and adaptability. A roadmap must respect each site's uniqueness while maintaining a consistent overarching strategy.
Establish a centralized strategy first. This strategy aims to ensure that the brand voice and messaging are consistent across all of your websites. An integrated online strategy weaves a common thread between multiple websites by creating a cohesive online presence.
A key component of the multisite ecosystem is customization. It is essential to recognize that each website has its audience and purpose. The content should be tailored to resonate with the specific audiences, aligning with their expectations and needs. Create engaging and relevant content for each site by adjusting its tone, style, and substance.
To keep the websites vibrant and relevant, the content must be updated and refreshed continuously. The ease of managing multiple websites with a multisite CMS allows you to keep your content updated, fresh, and current on all sites.
Analyze your content strategy to refine it. In most cases, multisite CMS comes with tools for analyzing traffic, engagement, and behavior of users. Optimize your content strategies for better performance and engagement by using these insights.
An effective multisite content management strategy relies on a balanced approach. Using a multisite CMS, you can leverage centralized control while respecting the individuality of each site. Multisite content management will be more resonant and impactful by combining coherence with customization.
<h2>Managing multiple websites has never been easier with Penzle</h2>
In the diverse world of Content Management Systems (CMS), Penzle emerges as a formidable player, especially when it comes to managing multiple websites. Why is Penzle's multisite approach revolutionary for the modern digital landscape? Now let's look deeper into Penzle's multisite management capabilities.
Penzle adopts a headless CMS architecture, separating content management from the presentation layer. This architectural brilliance means that content resides in a centralized repository, allowing it to be pushed seamlessly across various platforms and websites. It creates an ecosystem where content flows effortlessly, ensuring uniformity and consistency, vital for multisite configurations.
<img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/be70707ec576430da408baf569585d24.jpg" alt="The diagram illustrates the separation of presentation and content management layers in a headless Multisite CMS." />
Figure 7. Penzle's headless CMS diagram shows a centralized content repository for seamless distribution across multiple platforms and websites.
See how Penzle manages multisites in the video below.
<iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p0nyfqLCe7A?si=6sTlQN77TXY3430Y" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
A traditional CMS may have difficulty handling multisite setups effectively due to their lack of flexibility and scalability. With robust APIs, Penzle facilitates seamless content management across various platforms by enabling integration of various platforms. Penzle allows you to define content models, structures, and relationships, which are crucial to maintaining an effective multisite content strategy.
Why is Penzle's approach to multisite management so significant? Adaptability and real-time content updates are essential in today's digital world. Penzle's headless CMS architecture promotes real-time synchronization, ensuring content across all sites is consistent and up-to-date. By leveraging APIs, businesses can push content across various platforms rather than just websites, which increases reach and engagement.
Moreover, it streamlines the workflow, making the content management process more efficient and less cumbersome. It allows for content reusability, saving time and resources that would have been spent managing each site's content individually. It also reduces the complexities of handling different technologies and platforms in a multisite setup.
In conclusion, Penzle revolutionizes multisite content management by leveraging the power of headless CMS and robust APIs. Using it, you can manage multiple websites effectively because it promotes a flexible, scalable, and efficient content management system. Its importance resonates with the modern necessities of adaptability, consistency, and simplified workflows, making Penzle an exemplary choice for multisite configurations.

Benefits of Multisite CMS in Modern Web Management

Discover the transformative power of multi-tenancy in software. Explore key architectures, understand their vital benefits, and see how it's innovatively reshaping today's CMS platforms.

Mastering Single-Tenant & Multi-Tenancy | Architectures, Benefits & Modern CMS Insights

Dive into the world of multi-tenancy! Explore its transformative impact on modern CMS platforms and how it's shaping the future of SaaS. 

Cloud-like digital environments represent a multi-tenant environment in the digital world.

Let's imagine an apartment building. Each unit within the building is distinct, housing different families with unique decorations, preferences, and lifestyles. These units share the same foundational structure, plumbing, and electrical systems. In the world of software, this apartment building represents a multi-tenant system.
At its core, multitenancy is an architectural approach where a single instance of a software application serves multiple customers, known as tenants. Like the apartment building, each tenant has its own secure space but shares the same underlying infrastructure.
<h2>Why Does Multi-Tenancy Matter?</h2>
Businesses are constantly looking for ways to optimize operations and reduce costs in the digital age. SaaS providers significantly, can benefit from multi-tenancy. Multi-tenant architectures allow providers to serve multiple clients using a unified infrastructure, resulting in economies of scale and streamlined maintenance.
As a result of the ever-growing emphasis on sustainability, multitenancy stands out as a green option. We save costs and minimize our carbon footprint by maximizing resource use and reducing redundancy.
<h2>History of Multi-Tenancy</h2>
The roots of multi-tenancy can be traced back through the history of computing. As a concept, it is not a new invention but a refinement of decades-old ideas. Multi-tenancy was born in the 1960s, a period of innovation and breaking traditional boundaries.
<img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/21c7a6a351794d20a7bcd88e65c70c35.jpg" alt="The image represents multi-tenancy in the 1960s; among the pioneers in this field were universities with powerful and expensive mainframe computers." />
Figure 1. Mainframe computers at pioneering universities use timesharing software to allow multiple users simultaneous access to computational resources.
Among the pioneers in this field were universities with powerful and expensive mainframe computers. Due to the need to maximize their computing investments, they developed timesharing software. In this type of solution, multiple users were able to access, utilize, and take advantage of the mainframe's capabilities simultaneously, essentially sharing the computational space and resources of the mainframe simultaneously.
It was this historical inception that laid the foundation for multi-tenant architecture. This early understanding of resource optimization and accessibility continues to drive and define multi-tenancy evolution in our modern technological world.
<h2>Multi-Tenant vs. Single-Tenant: What Is the Difference?</h2>
Two terminology phrases resound when navigating software architecture terminology: Single-Tenant and Multi-tenant. Both terms have pros and cons when it comes to the software application environment. Here's a brief explanation of these terms, and we'll discuss their meanings and implications.
<h3>Single-Tenant Architecture: An Exclusive Allocation</h3>
Single-tenant architecture epitomizes a model of exclusivity and dedicated resource allocation. There is a high degree of customization and security for each tenant because they operate in an isolated environment.
<img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/ebfeb6cb1816494e91b48946f3490325.jpg" alt="Diagram illustrating the architecture of a single tenant environment, showcasing dedicated resources and isolated operational components." />
Figure 2. A diagram illustrating a single-tenant architecture.
Benefits of single-tenant:
<ul>
<li>Dedicated Resources: In a single-tenant environment, each customer (tenant) has a dedicated set of resources, including databases and servers. This ensures optimal performance and customization capabilities.</li>
<li>Enhanced Security: With resources not being shared, the risk of data leakage or vulnerability is minimized, making it a preferred choice for organizations with stringent security requirements.</li>
<li>Customizability: Single tenancy allows for extensive customization, enabling the tenant to tailor the application environment to meet specific needs and preferences.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Multi-Tenant Architecture: A Shared Resource Model</h3>
A multi-tenant architecture, on the other hand, implies resource optimization and communal operations. This model allows tenants to share infrastructure components within a unified environment while maintaining individual operational autonomy.
<img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/5542048bc9bb42518939e79c22540f7b.jpg" alt="Diagram depicting the architecture of a multi-tenant environment, highlighting shared resources and infrastructure among multiple tenants." />
Figure 3. A diagram illustrating a multi-tenant architecture.
Benefits of multi-tenant:
<ul>
<li>Cost-Effectiveness: In a multi-tenant environment, the software provider can serve multiple tenants with a single instance of the application and supporting infrastructure, so the ongoing costs tend to be lower than those for a single-tenant arrangement (since tenants share the burden of software maintenance infrastructure, and data center operations). Typically, SaaS software is offered for a predictable subscription price on a monthly or annual basis based on the number of users, usage level, or data volume that can be managed in the application.</li>
<li> Getting Customized without Coding: SaaS solutions allow tenants to customize applications to meet specific business needs easily, eliminating the need for costly and time-consuming custom development.</li>
<li>Continuous and Consistent Updates: The provider centrally manages updates and patches in a multi-tenant SaaS environment, seamlessly introducing new features or fixes. Unlike in single-tenant architectures, this streamlined approach spares customers from individual update hassles, where each instance must be updated separately.</li>
<li>Enhanced Tenant Productivity: With no need to manage infrastructure or software, tenants can concentrate more on innovation and critical tasks, improving their productivity.</li>
<li>Continuous Improvement: Updates and enhancements flow seamlessly, ensuring all tenants can access the latest features and improvements.</li>
<li> Resource Optimization: The architecture maximizes resource utilization to ensure performance and efficiency.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Types of Multi-Tenant Architecture</h2>
When you navigate the world of Multi-Tenant architecture, you'll find a variety of models, all designed to optimize resource efficiency, scalability, and performance in unique ways. The concept of Multi-Tenancy, which is a fundamental component of cloud computing and SaaS, manifests in many forms and has specific architectural features and strategic advantages. We'll explore the different types of Multi-Tenant architectures, unraveling their distinct characteristics.
<h3>Shared Everything Architecture</h3>
Every resource, from databases to user interfaces, is shared among tenants. All elements operate within a unified ecosystem that is intertwined and harmonious. There is no doubt that this architecture is highly efficient and cost-effective, but it requires detailed management to ensure data isolation and security, as well as the ability to isolate performance fluctuations.
<img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/7f5279973163458ea5cf12c51a023788.jpg" alt="Diagram illustrating the 'Shared Everything Architecture' in a multi-tenant environment, emphasizing the complete sharing of resources, infrastructure, and components among various tenants." />
Figure 4. A diagram illustrating a multi-tenant shared everything architecture.
<h3>Shared Database, Separate Schemas</h3>
A common database is shared among multiple tenants, but each tenant has its own schema. This solution offers a shared environment while retaining a sense of separation and customization. Scalability and performance are ensured by careful design, but easier maintenance and management are facilitated.
<img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/d522ad052b454369a567d9ec3cce8242.jpg" alt="Diagram showcasing the 'Shared Database, Separate Schemas' multi-tenant architecture, highlighting a common database utilized by multiple tenants, each with a distinct schema for organized and isolated data management." />
Figure 5. A diagram illustrating a multi-tenant&nbsp;shared database, separate schemas architecture.&nbsp;
<h3>Separate Database, Shared Application</h3>
Each tenant has its own database, while the application layer is shared. This model enhances data isolation and security, providing each tenant with a private database while maintaining a unified application structure for operational efficiency.
<img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/a3337a66eb3b4cd2a2db2c33916f4638.jpg" alt="Diagram displaying the 'Separate Database, Shared Application' multi-tenant architecture, illustrating individual databases for each tenant while sharing a common application layer, emphasizing data isolation and unified application management." />
Figure 6. A diagram illustrating a multi-tenant&nbsp;shared&nbsp;separate database, shared application&nbsp;architecture.&nbsp;
<h3>Hybrid Models</h3>
In hybrid models, various elements from all of the above architectures are combined to create a multi-tenancy environment tailored to each tenant's needs.
<img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/586648d3bccd4e53aadb40b83c05650a.jpg" alt="Diagram representing the 'Hybrid Models' of multi-tenant architecture, showcasing a fusion of various architectural elements to create a customized, adaptable, and efficient multi-tenancy environment." />
Figure 7. A diagram illustrating a multi-tenant&nbsp;hybrid model&nbsp;architecture.&nbsp;
<h2>Transforming CMS Platforms into SaaS through Multi-Tenancy</h2>
Software as a Service (SaaS) has revolutionized Content Management Systems (CMS) through multi-tenancy, a fundamental aspect of the dynamic evolution of CMS. Historically, CMS platforms were ensconced in monolithic architectures, bounded by single-tenancy limitations, which hindered their adaptability and scalability in a cloud-based environment.
<h3>Limitations of traditional content management systems in the past</h3>
In the traditional landscape, CMS platforms were predominantly standalone, requiring dedicated resources and infrastructures. Hardware and software investments were significant, and the operational overhead was high. Due to their rigidity, these systems are difficult to adapt to evolving business demands, limiting the agility and flexibility of organizations.
<h3>The Multi-Tenant Revolution</h3>
CMS platforms now offer unprecedented flexibility, scalability, and accessibility thanks to multi-tenancy. Using multi-tenancy, multiple users or organizations could securely interact in a single digital environment. This architectural innovation enabled CMS platforms to surpass the constraints of traditional models, taking advantage of the benefits and efficiencies of the SaaS model.
<h3>CMS in the SaaS Era</h3>
With multi-tenancy at its core, CMS platforms could be transformed into SaaS offerings, representing a model of accessibility, cost-effectiveness, and dynamic scalability. Organizations could utilize CMS as a service, eliminating the complexities of managing dedicated infrastructures and enabling a focus on core business functions. This transformation indicated a new era of CMS utilization, characterized by improved user experiences, streamlined operations, and adaptive digital environments.
<h2>Penzle Multi-Tenant Management: A Revolutionized Approach</h2>
Penzle's design principles combine with multitenancy principles in a landscape where innovation and adaptability are crucial. Penzle brings a transformative approach to content management through this approach, leveraging multitenancy to improve functionality, scalability, and user experience.
By employing database isolation (separate database for each tenant) in its multi-tenant architecture, Penzle stands out when it comes to data security and integrity. With this strategic implementation, tenants' data remains isolated and secure, enhancing overall system reliability and trustworthiness while preventing potential vulnerabilities.
Penzle's multi-tenancy architecture allows multiple users to share infrastructure and code, enhancing efficiency and flexibility. Each digital experience can operate within its own secure, customized environment and host a wide range of content projects simultaneously. Besides optimizing resource utilization, this enhances the ability to implement updates and enhancements centrally, reducing operational costs and ensuring consistency.
An integrated platform ensures consistency and easy access to content across multiple channels. Scalability is also improved, allowing the platform to handle changes in demand and user base without compromising performance or stability.
<h3>Feature Spotlight: Penzle's Project Environment Facilitating Multi-Tenancy</h3>
One of the remarkable features that Penzle brings to the forefront of multi-tenancy is its innovative "Project" environment. It demonstrates Penzle's commitment to providing a robust and flexible multi-tenant architecture. With a "Project" environment, you can run multiple projects or teams within the same account in their own isolated world.
<img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/1f35d139f969420ea57f27e4f7ea4abd.jpg" alt="graphical user interface, application, Word" />
Figure 8. Image displaying the multi-tenant dashboard in Penzle.&nbsp;
"Projects" are universes of their own, containing content, assets, and configurations tailored to meet a team or project's specific needs and objectives. This separation ensures that each tenant's data and content remain secure and uncompromised, maintaining the integrity of the multi-tenant architecture. In addition, each "Project" can be configured and managed according to individual preferences and requirements.
The role assignment feature in a multi-tenant architecture is essential in orchestrating security and harmonization. Regarding multi-tenancy and workflow customization, it is a crucial tool for delineating responsibilities and access. By meticulously assigning roles, it ensures that each user or team interacts with the system in a manner that aligns with their responsibilities and expertise.&nbsp;
<img src="https://pnzdemostorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/app/7f290ef3fb0e448ba15a0e95ea938bcb.jpg" alt="graphical user interface, text, application, email" />
Figure 9. Image displaying the role assignment feature in Penzle.&nbsp;
Using access control based on a user's role will not only improve the security of the project by limiting access based on user characteristics but will also foster a more organized and efficient workflow, ensuring that all aspects of the project are managed and executed by the most qualified individuals. Therefore, role assignment guides a symphony of multi-tenancy to efficiency, security, and excellence through its conductor.

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