Exemplas use RedDot CMS for new corporate intranet
Netcel redeveloped the existing corporate intranet for Exemplas using RedDot CMS to allow authorised staff to maintain content. Online applications provided improved staff productivity and efficiency including a staff directory and advanced document search tool.
Project requirements
Exemplas required a new Intranet site to replace their existing site. One objective was to improve the visual appearance of the site with better structured layout and navigation. But a more important objective was to ensure site content remained up to date. A major problem with the old site was that content was too quickly out of date due to the problems associated with updating content using either Microsoft FrontPage and Macromedia Dreamweaver. Many people would ideally have been updating the site, but the use of FrontPage or Dreamweaver presented training issues, user-support issues and licensing issues. In addition to that, it was all too easy for a site editor to makes changes to sections that they shouldn't have.
Solution
To overcome these problems, the new site was developed using RedDot Content Management System. This web-based system would mean that any authorised member of staff within Exemplas could access the site using a standard web browser, and use the intuitive RedDot SmartEdit interface to make content changes. Little or no training would be required. Workflow and authorisation would ensure that specific sections could only be edited by specific members of staff, while changes made could be authorised prior to publication by a senior editor. Finally, as the site was developed using a CMS, the content and structure would be separate, meaning that serious editorial mishaps could be avoided.
In addition to the site development, the project required that a staff directory application be developed, but one which integrated with the existing staff details held within the SalesLogix CRM, so to avoid data duplication.
Having developed and agreed the site specification and project plan, Netcel designed and developed the site using RedDot CMS Professional. The site framework was established and all required templates developed before deployment on the live RedDot server (the hosting of which was out-sourced to Netcel). Netcel worked with Exemplas to correctly configure the live Intranet web server, hosted by Exemplas, and establish secure and robust publication routes from the RedDot server to the Intranet server.
Netcel developed the staff directory application using a combination of RedDot's database integration functionality along with bespoke Microsoft ASP and SQL scripts. The solution saw staff details stored within the existing SalesLogix CRM, and automatically exported from SalesLogix to the Intranet server every 20 minutes. The application on the Intranet allows staff details to be searched by numerous fields (such as car registration or team), as well as allowing the staff hierarchy to be viewed by browsing up and down reporting lines to see who reports to who.
The solution successfully addressed the issues of the previous Intranet, and has established itself as an invaluable internal communication and information tool.