Introduction to Zuse and UWSA Community Sites

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Last updated: Jun 14, 2023 by Jessica Coda
3 min read

What is Zuse?

Zuse is our customized WordPress web content management system (CMS). It was built by and for UW System to meet all our web needs. It allows our staff to update and manage our websites, and also lets us make site-wide functionality enhancements and design updates.

Why are we using Zuse?

Zuse/WordPress is a framework that allows staff to contribute their content to the UWSA website. It is flexible, offering a wide variety of options for building a website while keeping a consistent look between departments.

Can I use other tools?

Zuse/WordPress is the only allowed CMS at UW System Administration. It replaced other web authoring tools that departments might have used to update any site on wisconsin.edu or uwsa.edu in the past. In most cases, Zuse is the only tool needed to maintain your website. If there are features not included that you need, or if you have questions on whether Zuse is the right tool for you, please Submit a Web Request.

What can I do with Zuse?

Zuse is a tool for building websites. Zuse offers a wide variety of options for building pages, both simple and complex. Using Zuse, you will be able to create menus to help users navigate around your site. It allows you to upload documents, images, and other types of files to post on your site. You can create events using Zuse as well as forms to manage registration or other data collection needs. Zuse offers the option of a News section and a Blog to post timely content.

How is Zuse different from Dreamweaver, MODx, and other tools we used previously?

Zuse is an online application. That means you can update your website from your browser instead of buying software for your computer. MODx was also an online tool, however, with Zuse we have many more features to allow flexible layouts and functionality for your content. 

What is the concept of a community site?

When you update your Internet (public) web content, you will be doing so on a community site. Community sites are the individual websites owned and operated by UWSA Offices. The key concept is that content should be organized around an audience or topic rather than around an office structure.

Site owners have full control over the Main Menu, the organization of content, and the individual content pages. The business purpose of each community site is unique to the needs of the particular audience. The owners of each community site will decide on the Business Purpose of the site.

Office pages (pages about an office) will be housed on the UW System umbrella site. These pages are called office snapshots and describe the purpose of the office and other office-wide information. They link to the office's community site(s).

Both the community site and umbrella site concept is part of UW System's overall Information Architecture plan.  

What are the roles in Zuse?

There are four roles in Zuse. Different roles have different capabilities in the system and require different types of training. Below, they are listed in order of the least to most capabilities.

Stakeholder

The stakeholder role is the only role that requires no training. It allows you to view pages that have not yet been published. For more information, see The Stakeholder Role.

Author

Authors are the most limited role that can edit in Zuse. They can:

  • Upload and update documents.

  • Create and publish news stories, posts, and events.

  • Create and edit draft Classic Editor pages.

  • Create and edit draft Zuse Create pages.

  • Create forms and menus.

Authors can not:

  • Make changes to published Classic Editor or Zuse Create pages.

  • Publish changes to any type of page.

Editor

Editors have all of the capabilities of Authors and can:

  • Publish Classic Editor or Zuse Create pages.

  • Make updates to published Classic Editor or Zuse Create pages.

Administrator

Only Web Team members are Administrators. Administrators can:

  • Create new community sites.

  • Change the URLs of existing sites.

  • Add and change users' access to sites.

Features and Capabilities of Zuse in Non-Technical Terms

Zuse provides the capabilities to have:

  • flexible layouts

  • document management for files like PDFs, XLSs and DOCs

  • blog and newsfeed functionality

  • feedback, registration, and other custom forms

  • restricted access for specific audiences

  • custom and flexible menu options

    • editable main site menu

    • sub-page menus

    • supplemental menus for related content

    • tabs and accordion menus for groups of content shown on one page

  • RSS feeds

  • social media capabilities

  • events and calendars

  • reusable content throughout the site

Get Help, Make a Suggestion, or Request a Change

If you have a question, Submit a Web Request.