Fuzzle CMS (http://fuzzle-cms.com) is a promising Flash CMS developed by a group of Russian programmers.  The system is claimed to be an extra easy way for creating Flash websites thanks to visual content management. Note, Fuzzle’s website is also made with this CMS.

Advantages of Flash and HTML in one system

A content management system (CMS) is a set of tools that lets you create and maintain your website's content without knowing anything about programming. Fuzzle is a CMS for creating and managing Flash web sites that differs from regular HTML sites mainly by their presentational abilities: Flash technology allows incorporating complex animations and reach multimedia content. However, Flash sites are considered to have such disadvantages as longer time of development (therefore more cost), harder updating, bad search engines ranking. Fuzzle is breaking these stereotypes!

WYSIWYG site maintenance and other Fuzzle features

At the moment a stable version 3.6 of Fuzzle CMS is issued. It has the following main features:

• multilinguality;
• simple management (convenient visual editing is based on blocks placement );
• design integration from a draft within 5 minutes (Flash knowledge is not required);
• SEO support (HTML version auto generation, DeepLinking support);
• continuously replenished Widget Store availability;
• availability of a simple open API for external developers.
  

Fuzzle CMS is an attempt to convince everybody that well-indexed and fast loading Flash site can be created easily and at a relatively low expense. The unique feature of the system is possibility to create a Flash-site on high level without having special knowledge of Flash programming language!

The system basis is visual blocks moving on site pages and it ensures site creation in WYSIWYG mode. Default block types are limited to scrollable text areas, images, image links, flash movies, PDF documents and contact forms. Additionally, you can add a customizable photo gallery or mp3 button using Fuzzle widgets. For instance, the “Simple MP3 Player” and “MP3 Button” widgets are provided on a free basis. On the demo site, which is available for administration for everyone, you can create new page or edit existing ones, change site menu and drag and drop blocks. The simple rule: to edit a block just make a double click on it. You can adjust block’s content animation effects and its decoration.

Flash sites and SEO – is there a challenge?

At this moment Fuzzle CMS system also supports SEO for sites: for each page you can add a Title and Description meta-tags and generate a well-indexed HTML version automatically using special Fuzzle module. The designers have also implemented support for Google Analytics and other web analytics products.

Freedom for web designers

Fuzzle can be a real escape for web site designers, as they can create online business card for their clients without web programmers. Special Fuzzle’s feature, “Design integration in 5 minutes”, allows integrating page design from a JPEG, PNG or SWF prototype file. You just mark the areas on a picture and bring them in correspondence with flash blocks. So you can quickly evaluate the user-friendliness and convenience of created design.

Designers must have also appreciated multiple block selection and the possibility to use habitual shortcuts, set splash screens and gradient background. Just recently support of Youtube video in video blocks was added .

Opening up new opportunities for promotion

Thanks to adopting Photo! Enhancement Platform Fuzzle CMS site can include your own collage generator. Placing amusing funny collages or unusual interactive advertisement on your site is easy with Funny Photo Widget! Fuzzle’s special offer for advertising agencies contains developing of individual collage template and installing and configuring the widget.

Fuzzle API for third-party developers

Due to Fuzzle’s separable architecture, third party developers can make their own widgets. The client side is a Flash (Flex) file, interacting with several JavaScript libraries. The server side is based on Wacko Wiki Quick Start CMS (HTML-based PHP CMS). Optionally, developers can use POST or GET HTTP requests.

Third-party developer can write a widget either for a private or general use. In latter case, the developer will get revenue from each widget’s purchase.

Fuzzle CMS cost and trial possibilities

Today the cost of the Fuzzle CMS base version license is 475€. Each add-in has its certain price, varying from 49€ to 125€. However anyone who is interested in trying Fuzzle CMS can get all the necessary documentation for system installation, design and API integration as well as a user’s manual at http://docs.fuzzle-cms.com/. In addition, the designers provide multiple types of a trial:

• open type for demo-site edition (http://endemo.fuzzle-cms.com/);
• downloaded version which fully operates in a local device;
• 15 days valid free license for any domain name.

Summary

Fuzzle CMS could become a reliable assistant for delivering of small and medium Flash sites. The main advantages of the system is the ability to manage site through dragging and dropping various blocks and wide possibilities for site SEO. Due to Fuzzle’s module architecture, new widgets can be added to the site at any time. Fuzzle’s open API allows third-party developers to design new modules by themselves.