Website-as-a-Service in this context of GovCMS NZ refers to a comprehensive service that provides government agencies with a fully managed platform to create, host, and maintain websites without needing to handle the underlying technical infrastructure or complex development tasks. It combines all the necessary tools and services into one package, enabling agencies to focus on content and service delivery, while the technical aspects like security, hosting, and updates are handled by the service providers.
Key Elements of Website-as-a-Service
1. Click-and-Configure Simplicity
One of the main advantages of the WaaS model in GovCMS NZ is the click-and-configure capability. This means agencies can:
- Quickly Set Up a Website: Without needing deep technical expertise, agencies can choose from predefined settings and configurations to get their website up and running.
- No Coding Required: Users can adjust site layouts, add modules, or change content settings through an intuitive user interface, reducing the reliance on developers.
- Pre-Configured Components: Essential website features like search bars, forms, and social media integration are pre-configured, so agencies can activate them with minimal effort.
This user-friendly approach allows non-technical staff to build and manage websites with a few clicks, dramatically reducing the complexity and time involved in creating functional government websites.
2. Themes
GovCMS NZ offers a library of pre-built themes that are:
- Customisable: Agencies can apply their own branding, colours, logos, and design elements to these themes, ensuring their websites align with organisational identity.
- Responsive Design: These themes are mobile-friendly, meaning they automatically adjust to various screen sizes, ensuring a consistent user experience across devices.
- Government-Compliant: Themes are designed in compliance with New Zealand government standards for accessibility, security, and user experience, ensuring uniformity across public sector websites.
- Drag-and-Drop Capabilities: Themes often come with simple drag-and-drop tools, allowing agencies to rearrange elements like banners, menus, and content blocks without needing technical skills.
This flexibility allows agencies to deploy highly professional, accessible websites quickly while still reflecting their unique visual identity.
3. Accessibility
GovCMS NZ ensures that all websites meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA standards. This means:
- Inclusive Design: The platform is built to be usable by everyone, including individuals with disabilities (e.g., those using screen readers, keyboard navigation, or other assistive technologies).
- Automated Accessibility Checks: The platform includes tools to help ensure content remains accessible, alerting users to potential issues like missing alt-text for images or improper use of headings.
- Pre-Configured Themes for Accessibility: The themes and design templates are already aligned with accessibility standards, so agencies don’t need to manually adjust code or design to meet compliance.
- Continuous Compliance: Public Purpose Technologies, in partnership with the technical teams, regularly updates the platform to ensure ongoing compliance with accessibility requirements as they evolve.
By building accessibility into the core of the WaaS offering, GovCMS NZ ensures that government websites are inclusive for all users, aligning with the legal obligations of New Zealand public agencies.
4. Migration
For agencies moving from existing platforms, GovCMS NZ provides migration services, with Xequals playing a critical role:
- Seamless Data Transfer: Xequals handles the migration of content, media, and metadata from legacy systems to the GovCMS NZ platform, ensuring data integrity and accuracy.
- Minimal Downtime: Migration processes are designed to minimize service disruption, ensuring the continuity of critical digital services during the transition.
- Compatibility Checks: Before migration, technical teams perform compatibility checks to ensure the new platform will support existing content and functionality.
- Post-Migration Support: After migration, ongoing support is provided to ensure the new website performs optimally, including fine-tuning content structure, layout, and SEO.
5. Security and Compliance
Security is a top priority in a government setting, and the GovCMS NZ WaaS platform ensures that websites are fully compliant with New Zealand’s privacy and cybersecurity regulations:
- Regular Security Patches: Automatic application of security updates to address vulnerabilities.
- Data Encryption: Data is encrypted in transit and at rest, ensuring sensitive information is protected.
- Compliance with Government Standards: The platform is designed to meet New Zealand’s government security requirements, including data sovereignty, meaning data is hosted and managed within New Zealand.
Website-as-a-Service Summary
Benefits include:
- Ease of Use: Even non-technical staff can manage websites using click-and-configure tools, predefined themes, and drag-and-drop interfaces.
- Cost-Effective: Shared infrastructure and services lower the costs of hosting and development, making it affordable for government agencies of all sizes.
- Scalable and Flexible: As agency needs grow, the platform can scale to meet new demands without major investment in additional infrastructure.
- Compliance Built-In: The platform adheres to government standards for security, accessibility, and data sovereignty, relieving agencies of the burden of maintaining compliance themselves.
This Website-as-a-Service approach provides a streamlined, cost-effective solution for New Zealand government agencies to create and manage compliant, secure, and accessible websites. With the software provider, Public Purpose Technologies, handling the platform management, Xequals supporting migration and customisation, and Amazee.io delivering robust hosting, agencies can focus on content creation and public service delivery, while technical complexities and security are expertly managed in the background.