In a market saturated with content management systems that basically do all the same things, it is important for software vendors to come up with new products that stand out from the rest. Every other product is advertised as “easy to use”, rarely ever do you see one blatantly catering to webmasters rich in development skills. A hosted software solution, BitsyBox is proof that the landscape could be changing as this CMS caters to experienced users with features that aim to make life much simpler for the savvy developer. While the software requires an advanced skill set to maintain, it does offer a great deal of simplicity for site users.
Flexible API
The major selling point of BitsyBox is that it offers an API that allows developers to easily manage their data and programming code. This hosted API outputs commonly used parse-able formats such as XML and JSON, which spares developers from having to learn a new skill. BitsyBox also offers support for a PHP 5 client that ties everything together by giving developers the ability to manage the connection, caching and of manipulation of API data. By simply adding a couple of lines to the code, authorized users can easily update content at their leisure directly from the dashboard. This PHP client can be downloaded freely and easily incorporated into the BitsyBox framework.
BitsyBox’s API data can also be integrated with iPhone apps and sent to just about any location. The API offers support for a wide range of technologies, including XML, JSON and PHP, enabling developers to perform their own tweaks and implement new features as needed. For the most part, the goal of this CMS is the provide a simple way to transform a static website into a dynamic site that developers can make more flexible and one users have an easier time editing.
Robust CDN
BitsyBox users with static image hosting receive a free content delivery network to increase the speed of their site in major browsers around the world. The CDN is powered by Amazon CloudFront and its extensive global network of servers to enhance the delivery of images to web pages. The dashboard has been notably improved with enhancements that appeal to the less experienced user. Features such as sliding windows make sure the content you need is always available, helping users work faster and more efficiently.
Scott Rocher, BitsyBox co-founder, explained that its main competitors are currently, Drupal, WordPress and CushyCMS. He says that right now, BitsyBox is somewhere between Drupal and WordPress, yet a compelling package that appeals to developers. Rocher also said that unlike other hosted CMS solutions, BitsyBox does not offer web page creation; just a platform for storing text and photos in a structured manner.
The BitsyBox CMS is available in three flavors. The free package supports one five-page website and a single users, while the Basic Package is $10 with support for 5 users, up to 20 pages and 500 hits per hour. Those with more demanding needs can build their own custom package at varying prices.
