Ektron, provider of web content management software, announced the availability of Ektron CMS400.NET Version 6.0, its all-in-one application for creating, deploying and managing interactive web, intranet and extranet sites.

With new features, such as site analytics, blogging, forums, polls, surveys and content ratings, the company expands CMS400.NET with more out-of-the-box capabilities organizations must have to directly engage site visitors, collaborate on ideas and allow interaction among visitors.

Ektron CMS400.NET enables organizations to develop richer, more interactive sites and web applications that communicate better with visitors, foster community, boost loyalty and attract more repeat visits, which can lead to increased business opportunities. In CMS400.NET Version 6.0, Ektron brings together more functionality for companies to build and manage their online presence, including:

Website analytics - Understand and optimize web, intranet and blog usage with built-in measurement, analysis and reporting

Blogging - Automate and control the blog posting process, including RSS syndication, pinging and trackbacks. There is also support for structured blogging and microformats to easily syndicate content across many sites

Forums - Create and manage discussion forums to encourage online community, provide customer service and increase communication between a site and its visitors or the visitors themselves. Site administrators can control look-and-feel, regulate access with registrations and review postings and responses
Surveys, polls and content ratings - Gain feedback from site visitors with built-in surveys, quick polls and ratings that allow readers to evaluate and comment on content. Results can be displayed instantly

AJAX-enhanced search - Improve visitors' search experience and help them find information quickly with AJAX-powered results

Multimedia asset management - Manage multimedia assets, such as Flash, RealAudio and RealVideo, Microsoft Windows Media and QuickTime, track changes, reference and display files within website templates or content, and define and assign metadata to the multimedia files, optimizing them for search engines
Multi-site management - Use one interface and one installation of CMS400.NET to manage multiple sites and subsites and share content, workflow and publishing rules where appropriate

In addition to performance and other enhancements, CMS400.NET Version 6.0 introduces document management support for OpenOffice.org, the multiplatform, multilingual open-source office suite, and Oracle Database 10g for storing site data.