Concrete CMS & Trivera: A Legacy of Innovation, Excellence and Expertise.

by Tom Snyder on Dec 27, 2024

In the rapidly evolving world of website content management systems (CMSs), businesses often face difficult decisions about maintaining, upgrading, or replacing their existing platforms. A concerning trend has emerged in recent years: some agencies are advising clients to abandon Concrete CMS (formerly Concrete5) under the false premise that it is becoming obsolete. This claim, often rooted in agencies’ unfamiliarity with Concrete or their developers’ preference for platforms like WordPress, is misleading and costly for businesses.

Concrete CMS is not only thriving but continues to be an exceptional choice for organizations prioritizing robust functionality, security, and ease of use. Trivera, a leading agency in the Concrete CMS community for 15 years, is here to set the record straight and ensure businesses recognize the value of staying with or transitioning to this powerful platform.

A History of Innovation: Why Trivera Chose Concrete CMS

Trivera’s roots in web development date back to 1996, when we pioneered building custom websites during the internet’s infancy. Back then, creating dynamic functionality required backend PHP developers to enhance Dreamweaver HTML pages with custom features like e-commerce, advanced search, and user personalization.

By 2008, the emergence of CMS platforms offered a new way to streamline website management. Recognizing this shift, Trivera tasked our team with evaluating the most promising platforms of the time, including WordPress, Joomla!, and Drupal. Concrete CMS (then Concrete5) stood out for one game-changing feature: in-context editing. This innovation allowed website managers to edit content directly on the live page, eliminating the need to navigate complex admin panels and enabling unprecedented ease of use.

Concrete CMS’s clean interface, extensibility, and focus on empowering users made it the clear winner for Trivera. We embraced it as our preferred platform and began educating our clients about its benefits, even as the market flooded with agencies pushing WordPress. Among our first implementations were websites for Potawatomi Hotel & Casino and Milwaukee’s Mitchell International Airport—both of which remain on the platform today, 15 years later.

Our continued commitment to Concrete CMS has been reinforced by contributions from Trivera team members who have strengthened both the platform and our expertise. Jessica Dunbar, who for many years was Trivera's Emerging Technology Sherpa, joined the Concrete CMS team as a Technology Evangelist, working directly from our offices to bridge the relationship with Portland Labs and ensure a seamless partnership. Meanwhile, Jonah Person, Trivera’s hosting System Administrator and a full-stack developer, has been a prolific creator in the Concrete CMS Marketplace, developing plugins and extensions that have enhanced the platform's functionality. These efforts exemplify the ways Trivera has invested in Concrete CMS while other agencies surrender to the pressures of working exclusively with WordPress.

Concrete CMS in Action: High-Profile Implementations and Success Stories

Concrete CMS’s versatility and reliability have earned it a reputation as a trusted platform for organizations across industries. The U.S. Army, for instance, relies on Concrete CMS to power its Family and MWR Programs, demonstrating the platform’s ability to manage complex, secure, and large-scale websites.

Other high-profile adopters include global brands and essential public institutions. Home Depot uses Concrete CMS for portions of its digital infrastructure, highlighting its scalability for enterprise needs. Locally, Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport employs Concrete CMS to keep travelers informed with real-time updates, while Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) uses it to share vital water management and infrastructure information with the public.

Trivera has also played a pivotal role in delivering standout Concrete CMS projects. Potawatomi Hotel & Casino has maintained its Concrete CMS site for over a decade, a testament to the platform’s longevity and Trivera’s expertise in ensuring its continued success. For The Bartolotta Restaurants, we created a visually engaging and user-friendly site that reflects their brand excellence while optimizing customer engagement.

The Fallacy of Migration: Why Staying with Concrete CMS Makes Sense

The recommendation to migrate from Concrete CMS to platforms like WordPress is often driven by an agency’s lack of familiarity with Concrete rather than objective technological considerations. Such migrations typically lead to unnecessary expenses, project delays, and potential disruption to operations.

Concrete CMS, in contrast, is an actively developed platform backed by a dedicated community and Portland Labs, its steward. Its in-context editing, flexibility, and proven track record make it a better choice for organizations already familiar with the platform. Instead of incurring the significant costs and risks of migration, businesses can invest in optimizing and enhancing their existing Concrete CMS sites—an approach that Trivera specializes in.

Trivera: Your Trusted Partner for Concrete CMS Excellence

For businesses currently using Concrete CMS, there is no better partner than Trivera to support, maintain, and optimize your website. With over 25 years of digital experience and 15 years of dedicated Concrete CMS expertise, we’ve helped clients maximize the platform’s potential while avoiding unnecessary transitions to other systems.

Our deep involvement with Concrete CMS, from early adoption to active contributions, positions us uniquely to deliver solutions tailored to your needs. Whether you’re managing a long-standing Concrete CMS site or exploring the platform for the first time, we provide the technical expertise, strategic guidance, and creative vision to help your business thrive.

For businesses on other platforms considering a move, Concrete CMS offers unmatched ease of use and enterprise-level capabilities. Trivera ensures a smooth transition and helps unlock the full power of Concrete CMS to achieve your digital goals.

Conclusion

Concrete CMS is not going away. It remains a robust, innovative, and user-friendly platform, supported by an active community and a track record of excellence. At Trivera, we’ve championed Concrete CMS from the beginning, delivering solutions that stand the test of time.

While we are passionate advocates for Concrete CMS, it’s not the only platform we work with. Trivera also develops in WordPress, HubSpot, and other CMS platforms to meet the needs of clients who come to us with sites already built in those systems. For many businesses, staying with their existing CMS makes the most sense economically and operationally, and we excel at helping those clients optimize their platforms for maximum results.

However, our commitment to Concrete CMS remains steadfast. As one of the platform’s most prolific developers, we’ve dedicated our expertise to building, maintaining, and enhancing Concrete CMS websites. For businesses already on Concrete, our experience ensures your site will thrive without the need for costly migrations. And for those considering switching to Concrete CMS, we’re here to show you the power and flexibility it can bring to your digital strategy.
 

About Tom Snyder

Tom Snyder, founder, president and CEO of Trivera, a 28-year-old strategic digital marketing firm based in suburban Milwaukee. Tom has been blogging since 1998, sharing the insight gained from helping businesses and organizations reinforce their brands by taking full advantage of digital and web technology as powerful tactics.

Photo Credit: Adobe Stock