Prepress

Le Temps launches mobile with Méthode Portal Server

Thursday 21. January 2010 - The Swiss daily has introduced a special edition for mobile users powered by EidosMedia’s advanced Web CMS

One of French-speaking Switzerland’s leading dailies has launched an online edition specially tailored to the needs of readers using mobile devices. The new edition is produced using Méthode Portal Server, the Web CMS adopted by Le Temps earlier this year as an extension to its Méthode editorial platform, in production at Le Temps since 2005.

The mobile edition is automatically adapted to the display characteristics of each mobile device, optimising layout to the screen type and dimension of the individual model. As well as a constantly updated homepage linked to main news stories, the mobile edition also features an expanding menu giving access to selected sections of the paper, editorials, financial data, TV and entertainment listings and personalized weather forecasts. The home page also includes a search facility allowing readers to locate content in today’s edition and a ‘send to a friend’ option.

Content for the mobile edition is automatically selected and updated from a common editorial content store in accordance with the channel configuration.

“The portal m.letemps.ch is the first full service that we are providing to our mobile users. Additional added value contents and application will follow in 2010,” commented Marc Ramer, Web technical manager at Le Temps. “Having a single editorial platform feeding print, Web and now the mobile channel allows us to offer a rich, interactive news service to our readers while making the most efficient use of our human and technological resources.”

Since the adoption of the Méthode Portal Server in February 2009, Le Temps online offering includes reader comments and polls, e-paper editions and multimedia galleries driven by external image and video feeds.

“Le Temps has made excellent use of Méthode’s multiple-media capabilities,” said Massimo Maggi, EidosMedia VP for professional services. “Its readers are assured of the best possible access to its editorial content whether they choose to access it through the print edition, online or using a handset.”