---
title: Architecture
slug: cms-11/dev-docs/architecture
docTags: 
createdAt: 2026-07-22T19:45:18.655Z
---

## Platform

Optimizely Content Management System (CMS) consists of the Optimizely framework with a core user interface, CMS and Optimizely Customized Commerce for content management and ecommerce, and other modules supporting marketing automation and social interaction features. The Optimizely Application (app, sometimes called add-on) Store contains a broad selection of ready-to-use apps to extend a solution's functionality, and you can also build your own custom apps.

Optimizely has an open and layered architecture, allowing for almost any integration using standard technology.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/_mR-0Pv-IB6HNzeQZVVOG-20260722-194630.png "overviewnew.png")

- **Optimization layer** – Measures, analyzes, and optimizes website content performance, such as conversion rates for a campaign landing page.
- **Delivery layer** – Includes support for responsive design and templates based on Web Forms and MVC and for building advanced search and filtering features.
- **Creation layer** – Manages content such as pages and blocks or ecommerce content such as products and orders. With authorization applied, you can personalize content and be part of an approval workflow.
- **Data layer** – Provides the information from one or more content providers (which can originate from the database) and external data sources integrated with Optimizely.

## CMS

CMS provides core features for content and presentation management:

- Typed model for content types
- Built-in components supporting MVC and Web Forms
- Administration and edit views
- Projects and multi-publishing
- Publishing workflow
- Globalization support
- Friendly URL management
- Version management

## Technical foundation

- Microsoft .NET Framework and ASP.NET
- JavaScript and Dojo toolkit

CMS has a web solution toolkit with sample templates and a plug-in for Visual Studio to get your website development project running.