MetaModels allow you to define your data model in the Contao backend (almost) without any restrictions.
No matter what the datatype of the desired attribute is, let it be text, image, some number, tags, everything is possible and should you ever hit a limit that the desired type is not available, you can implement it with minimal amout of hassle.
The flexible right system developed for MetaModels allows to define seperate backend sections for certain editor- and administrator groups. The edit view is still the familiar look and feel of the Contao backend.
But the backend can be altered to give only certain groups access to a predefined set of fields and even change the order of the fields. The first step towards a perfect workflow has been made.
Ein umfangreiches und flexibles Rechtesystem gestattet es, unterschiedliche Backendansichten f¸r Redakteur- und Administrator-Benutzergruppen zu definieren. Die Eingabemasken verwenden weiterhin das aus Contao bekannte Look und Feel.
Das Backend kann weiterhin dahingehend angepasst werden, dass nur bestimmte Gruppen Zugriff auf einzelne Eingabefelder erhalten und obendrein kann auch deren Reihenfolge individuell pro Benutzergruppe angepasst werden.
MetaModels were designed from the beginning with data in multiple languages in mind. Therefore attribute types may support translation of it's data into different languages. You simply switch the current language via the language selector on top and are editing the data in the selected language.
The best part of it, the data not defined as translateable will not be translated. This allows you in example to only translate the name and description texts of products without having to re enter the sku and dimensions reducing redundancy of data.
Variants are the logical answer to the problem of managing datasets that differ only in a few attributes. Instead of defining all entries as an independant dataset, variants collect these related items to a logical group. It was about time to have variants of datasets in Contao without having to abuse Isotope for this.
With MetaModels, you can manage variants of the same item. Simply define which attributes of the model may change in variants of an item and only these will be editable in the variants.
MetaModels feature a completely redefined and alternative filter concept. The administrator of the website is completely free in defining the filter interaction to the custom need by simply configuring and combining "filter settings" and parameters.
MetaModels does not impose any limits when combining filters and is well capable of the most complex filter environments and should the need arise, thanks to the open structure of the API, own filter setting classes can be developed in almost no time.
MetaModels does ship with six different filter settings which can be used to generate frontend-filter-widgets like select boxes, range filters, text search etc. Combining these filter settings with non widget capable filter settings using AND/OR conditions, custom SQL statements and other pre defined filter rules allows to define complex interactive filters without sacrificing high performance.
Of course filter rules providing filter widgets are as easy to implement as the others lowering the barrier of alterering the behaviour to custom need.
Using rendersettings, MetaModels take the "partial"-Template concept of Contao (at least) one step further. The user is free to define every aspect of the view on attribute and item level.
Many common settings can be defined in the backend configuration but can also be overridden, fine tuned or ignored altogether by switching to a custom template per attribute or item. Render settings simply provide the most flexible way to define data views.
The designer can configure a completely seperate view for each purpose, let it be a simple list, a teaser for the home page or a detail view of an item, and also when and where to use it.
Output of RSS-Feeds and other syndications are planned and will perfectly complement the concept of render settings. We love the render settings and are confident, so will you!
Along the previous mentioned major features, MetaModels provides a whole lot of small features which turn MetaModels into what it is today.
Among these small features are Inserttags, content elements, frontend modules and a lot of useful attributes (text, select, tags, rating, geoprotection, etc). Thanks to the community and the team new attributes are added regularly.
Furthermore, MetaModels provide an internal API for developers which gets enhanced over time. Especially useful for editors is the automatic usage of the meta title and meta description (SEO) and the generating of search engine friendly URLs.
Many more features can be discovered in the backend.
We continuously strive to extend the functionality of MetaModels. The following points are planned for future releases:
A quick development of further functionlities and the continuous maintenance of MetaModels is only possible with financial support or the release of contract programming work.
Feel free to send your request by email (mail@metamodels.me) or request form. Read more about donation informations.