WMRO: Regional public information site
- Services Used: content management, e-commerce, e-directories, web application development, maintenance & support
- Technologies Used: ASP.NET 2.0, IPSV, AJAX, JavaScript, MS SQL Server
- Web: www.wmro.org
- Site design: Cite
Solution
In early 2005, Xibis was asked by the West Midlands Regional Observatory (WMRO) to develop a scalable data website. WMRO needed to deliver a range of complex information services to web users. As a secondary purpose, they wanted to automate some of their business processes and give themselves greater control of the website.
Following its launch, WMRO’s new website experienced a 300% rise in visitor traffic over the first year. Following the successful projects developed by Xibis over the last three years, when it came time to developing version 2 WMRO contacted Xibis again.
Upgrading
For the second version of the WRMO website, Xibis added their new admin system which gave WMRO a selection of extra business features including admin help features, email tracking, advanced AJAX generated menu systems and further content management tools.
Other changes included advanced data storage and an event management system with on-line payment facilities. The new layout gives a fresh look with improved graphics and dynamic page content generated by related data fields.
Store and search
A major addition to the website was the advanced indexing and search facilities. Because of the complexity of the information being stored, data needed to be effectively interrogated to return fast and accurate replies.
The system uses several methods to do this. IPSV, the government standard for categorisation of data is implemented across the system. All metadata is auto indexed and plurals, synonyms, and abbreviations are created. The admin system also gives the facility to exclude “noise words” such as ‘A’ ‘The’ and ‘of’. Removing these words reduced limited searches and increases search accuracy.
The complicated IPSV category selector and search tool was rebuilt using AJAX, which has given huge speed increases. An AA compliant alternative is available for browsers without JavaScript.
Advanced search facilities are employed to allow for quick and efficient mining of the data within the system. This also enables related data to be identified and displayed in dynamic modules on each page to increase their effectiveness and promote continued use of the system.
The three best things about working with Xibis, according to WMRO:
- They keep to their agreed delivery dates.
- Faults are fixed without grumbling and we receive quick and friendly responses to questions and requests for advice.
- The developers can articulate technical concepts in plain English. Plus, they actually answer their phones!