Item: Drupal
Rating: 8
Author: Fernanda Ministerio

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

It is a very powerful tool for the general construction of websites.
Drupal is used by my department as a content management tool to bring information and communication to our users on a variety of digital channels. All of this is managed using the open source Drupal framework for which we have a license. Another very interesting point is the possibility of applying different themes for each site. It allows good user management and is also easy to use.

Pros and Cons

Open source framework
Variety of themes, colors and possibilities of work with images and texts
Easy to use

Security and new release notifications are a hassle as they happen too often
Allowing them to write PHP modules is a big advantage, but sometimes integrating them is a small challenge due to the version the developer is working on.
Steep learning curve, but worth it

Return on Investment

Drupal brought to my team the possibility to build more robust applications and websites
Drupal allows good integration with other applications, which is beneficial in reducing application costs
A negative impact was that the learning curve was longer than expected

Alternatives Considered

Joomla!

We use both, for different projects (Joomla and Drupal). Drupal proved to be more robust, more secure and more integrable with PHP applications.
Drupal requires a more senior technical team but allows for more complex activities. It's great if you have a medium to a large operation that depends a lot on always having new content deployed on your web pages.

Key Insights

Do you think Drupal delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with Drupal's feature set?

Yes

Did Drupal live up to sales and marketing promises?

I wasn't involved with the selection/purchase process

Did implementation of Drupal go as expected?

Yes

Would you buy Drupal again?

Yes

Other Software Used

Joomla!

Likelihood to Recommend

Drupal is suitable for design or development professionals looking for a more robust platform than Joomla or WordPress. It has many better features. With a little thought and creativity, Drupal allows you to do many amazing things. The possibility of integration with PHP modules is really the limit for customization. However, Drupal is not suitable for amateurs; someone who wants to make just one website for themselves; or a professional on a tight deadline. The learning curve can be a very big obstacle and is sometimes not worth it.

I have been working for some time and sometimes give up on some projects and choose another tool. It is definitely not a technology for those in a hurry, it is necessary to have time and dedication. The newer versions of Drupal are more friendly and intuitive and allow the construction of many cool things.

Drupal is a great open source CMS

Overall Satisfaction with Drupal