About

The Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) was established in January of 2002 by the Film Act 2001 (Victoria), which provided for a new cultural institution in Victoria dedicated to the moving image in all its forms. ACMI is responsible for the promotion of the moving image, with a charter to develop collections, exhibitions, events and educational resources within a national and global environment. The focus of activities is within the new facility at Federation Square in Melbourne, but the Centre is also a lending collection, an online presence and an international contributor to research and development of screen works. This new Victorian cultural body brings together leading edge digital technology and the screen, providing its visitors, both in person and online, access to the creation and viewing of the moving image.

ACMI comprises four divisions:  Program Development, Operations, Corporate Resources and Creative Development.

Challenge

ACMI’s primary challenge was to provide a Web site that represented the ‘moving image’ while complying with Government Accessibility requirements. 

Given the multiple occurrences of themes and/or exhibitions, they needed an automated calendar and archive to manage their sequence of events.  ACMI also lacked a method that would enable the team to handle content feeds from external systems in combination with complex internal approval procedures.  Other challenges included:

• Ability to schedule content updates
• Needed to archive reoccurring event information
• Lacked the ability to handle content feeds from external systems
• Needed a workflow system to streamline complex content approval procedures

Solution

Upon implementing RedDot’s Content Management Server (CMS), ACMI was able to provide a flash and a non-flash version of every Web page with appropriate HTML tags for screen readers.  RedDot’s workflow provides multiple content sources (including manual) to enable ACMI to apply appropriate business rules for editing and approvals prior to publishing to multiple outputs including flash, non-flash and XML. 

ACMI also implemented RedDot’s Import Manager™ allowing the organisation to integrate external database content into their Web site. 

• CMS produces HTML and Flash versions of the Web site
• Full Conformity to W3C Accessibility standards
• JSP scripting on Solarius
• Using a XML variant to feed to a search engine to obtain relevant search results.
• Using a XML variant to feed Flash
• Using a XML variant to feed forms and calendar applications
• Extensive use of workflow for content approval

RedDot’s Content Management Server was quickly implemented and provided ACMI with the tools and functionality they needed to create a Web site that represents the organisation in a positive manner without detracting from or overpowering the “moving image content” pieces.  RedDot provided ACMI with a frame work in which flash and other media can be included on the site without impacting on the ‘accessibility version’. 

• Ensure default ‘screen reader’ interpretation of page does not include any redirects, and that all higher versions of the site are treated as ‘alternates;’
• Provide intelligent calendar and search functionality using the appropriate (XML and/or HTML) output from RedDot
• Use the RedDot workflow functionality to handle the multiple sourcing, editing and approval process, as well as publishing multiple outputs.

Results

Since the implementation of the RedDot Content Management Server, ACMI has recognised several results that have impacted their business in positive manner.  RedDot had enabled ACMI to create an elegant site that caters to moving images, power users while still being easy to use even by those with accessibility issues. 

Other results include:

• A comprehensive content management and workflow system that can not only produce multiple versions of the site, but also provide XML feeds to information kiosks throughout the venue.
• A content management system (CMS) that applies business rules to automatically publish the appropriate content elements to different parts of the site, ensuring that the site is always up to date with fresh and relevant content displayed prominently.
• The RedDot workflow function ensures all content has been approved by the relevant people (including marketing and legal departments) prior to being presented to the public.

Facts and Figures

URL: http://www.acmi.net.au/

Launch Date: March 2003

Project Duration:  December 2002 to March 2003

Greatest Challenge:  Using FLASH while remaining W3C compliant

Site Volume:  1,200+ pages