In a CMS, data can be defined as nearly anything: documents, movies, text, pictures, phone numbers, scientific data, and so forth. CMSs are frequently used for storing, controlling, revising, semantically enriching, and publishing documentation. Serving as a central repository, the CMS increases the version level of new updates to an already existing file. Version control is one of the primary advantages of a CMS.

Enterprise content management systems

An enterprise content management system (ECM) organizes documents, contacts, and records that are related to the organizational processes of an enterprise—i.e., commercial organizations. It serves to manage the enterprise's unstructured information content, rendering the multiplicity of file format and location more manageable. It achieves this goal by streamlining access, eliminating bottlenecks, optimizing security, and maintaining integrity.

Web content management system

A web content management system (web CMS) is a bundled or stand-alone application used to create, manage, store, and deploy content on Web pages. Web content includes text and embedded graphics, photos, video, audio, and code (e.g., for applications) that renders other content or interacts with the user. A web CMS may also catalog or index content, select or assemble content at runtime, or deliver content to specific visitors in a personalized way, such as in different languages.

Component content management system

A component content management system (CCMS) is a specialized form of a CMS designed to facilitate the creation of documents from component parts. For example, a CCMS that uses DITA XML enables users to assemble individual component topics into a map (document) structure. These components are then reused (rather than copied and pasted) within a document or across multiple documents. This ensures that content is consistent across the entire documentation set.