Archive for the ‘Current Affairs’ Category
Apr
28
The development of the Web today includes powerful applications that mimic desktop software. Google Docs has tried to provide the functionality of Microsoft Office. Picnik is attempting to target Photoshop users. And even our own Content Management System, WebGen, uses some of the basics that made Dreamweaver so popular a few years ago. Perhaps the majority of us may soon only need an Internet connection rather than a computer when Web sites mature into full online applications.
In the meantime, we will experience the migration of software evolving into websites, and Twelve Horses is expanding its boundaries with these new technologies. Recently, we created a new event planner that integrates the functionality of software but utilizes the power of the Web.
Dynamic Meeting Planner
Our client, Dynamic Competence, needed a way to transform a paper-based meeting system into a dynamic communication tool that facilitates conversations for meeting topics. To be successful, the client needed to manage and monitor meeting plan revisions, improve group communication, and use a medium that would help save time and effort for meeting planners.
In this project we developed features that we have not yet seen: the website works more like a software application than a traditional HTML site. Below I’ve highlighted some of the functionality we developed.
Features for Success
1. Drag-And-Drop Interface
 A planner has the ability to categorize their contacts into different groups before sending out the meeting invite. To help increase speed and usability, the interface allows the planner to drag-and-drop their contacts into the available groups before sending. This saves the planner time and effort when creating the invitee list to be a part of the meeting process. |
2. Double-Click Editing
 Instead of making edits via a regular textbox and hitting save, a meeting planner simply goes to the topic they need to edit, double-clicks on it, and this opens up the section to be edited. This dynamic interface also allows editors to add and disable topics with one-click, saving time and effort. |
3. User Feedback System
 The success of the system relies on the interaction of the client’s users. If, for any reason, a user has an issue with a website or wants to comment, a Feedback button is provided on every page. To provide more insight into the feedback, the user’s comments, current page, and date submitted are all tracked by the System Admin Inbox (see below). This valuable feedback data also provides insight on how to improve the application for future use. |
4. System Admin Inbox
 The system administrators wanted to be sure all the feedback was being read and responded to appropriately. With multiple feedback messages, this could be a daunting task to make sure everyone is receiving a response. To complicate matters, there could be multiple System Admins in the system. To resolve this, the feedback items are displayed in an email inbox format (read or unread), and the message tracks which System Admin first read the response. |
5. Versioning
 Each iteration of the meeting process is saved as a separate webpage to the website. With this, a meeting planner can see how the meeting agenda transformed from the first draft to the final version of the agenda. This tracks all comments and changes, keeping the meeting processes organized and easily retrieved for historical purposes. |
Using web-based applications provides many advantages: updates and new features are rolled out across to users in real time; data is stored on the server and is accessible from anywhere that has Internet access; and custom solutions are tailored to a client’s needs, which isn’t as easily done with software.
Soon we may solely rely on the Web for our daily workflow. Until that happens, we will continue to push the boundaries of Web technology to help meet clients’ needs and increase the usability of applications.
Posted in Atlanta, Blog, Company News, Current Affairs, Finance & Banking, Las Vegas, Marketing, Marketing Tools, Member Orgs, SEO, Salt Lake City, Service Industry, Social, Travel & Tourism, Utah, Video, Web & SEO, Web Design
Sep
25
WordCamp is going down this weekend in Salt Lake City, and a few of the 12H crew will be in attendance. In fact, we are pleased to be a sponsor. If you plan on attending reach out and say, what’s up! We’ll be the folks wielding cameras and causing trouble for our next episode of Horse Power. That will be forthcoming, so stay tuned!
Our president, Steve Spencer said it well on Utah Tech Spotlight. Wordpress is an incredible story of a business that is more than a business. It is an idea that evolved into a community of users and contributors that has empowered millions of people to communicate and express themselves more effectively and efficiently. It has certainly changed my life, and many of those around me.
So Blog On! And come on down if you are around on Saturday.
- When? Saturday 27 September 2008
- Where? Novell (1800 Novell Place) Open Source Technology Center in Provo, Utah — Map
- Why? Bring together people interested in WordPress, blogging (and the web in general) to talk about what’s possible, where’s it going
Posted in Blog, Current Affairs, Salt Lake City, Social, Web & SEO
Sep
12
TJ Crawford has been with Twelve Horses for almost eight years now, and in that time he has implemented many complex business automation and multi-channel marketing strategies for a variety of our enterprise level clients. With more than twelve years of experience in website design, application development, and integrated online marketing, T.J. is a master of melding web applications and technologies with database management and customer interaction. Whether the conversation is centered around multi-channel marketing, data replication, content management, ecommerce, Salesforce integration, or an amalgamation of all of the above he has plenty to share. It is for these reasons that I thought I’d chat a little with TJ to see what he is up to.
What are you most excited about right now?
It is not any one item, product or industry but technology period. There is a lot of fantastic innovation and discovery going on. I just saw the Space Cube, which is a computer condensed into a 2-inch cube. It has decent memory, USB, VGA output, Linux operating system etc. Something that used to take up a whole room can now easily fit into your hand. A large number of our cell phones have more computing power than NASA had when we went to the moon. There is just a plethora of technological innovations going on out there. Moore’s Law is in full effect for not only hardware but innovation as well. And where I get excited is finding that innovation and bringing it to use.
What changes have you seen in the company since you first started?
I actually have the proud designation of being the first Twelve Horses North America employee going back to when we merged in 2002. It was at that time that we went from being a 12-person web development shop called, Aztech Cyberspace to an international email marketing company…overnight. At first we focused on email software solutions but quickly found that people still need web services and integration; so we made sure those areas had the proper people and resources. We had our MessageMaker platform and Content Management System already, but over the years we developed quite a few more systems (Compliance, Automated Alert Systems, Membership Managment, Ticketing etc.). We went from being a web service company to a software company, to where we are now, which is a full-scale web development company helping automate and streamline all of the above. We have the brains (the people) as well as owning the development and IP for several software platforms.
And it makes perfect sense for us when you look at it from a competitive position. Most interactive companies don’t own their own solutions. They have to go out and find an email provider, a website designer, a content management system. Because we own them we are not limited to some 3rd party’s off-the-shelf feature sets.
What is new in enterprise-level application development?
Different industries are asking for different things. For instance, the financial industry is very focused on security. If they send an email they want to be sure the information in that email is secure. Having data portability is also really important. Sharing information internally, with 3rd parties and vendors, but doing it securely. Also, where the data is actually stored.
We are still very focused on technology systems that allow us to alleviate physical resources. Figuring out how we can automate and pull the labor out of it so the company can focus on how to make the business better, not just simple execution of processes.
Also, the ability to track data and put together actionable items. Just tracking is no longer enough. Don’t tell me I have 10,000 visitors, but tell me what they want. You not only have to provide insight, but you need to integrate it with multiple applications so you can get more of a holistic and aggregate view.
Tell us about a difficult challenge you’ve recently been faced with?
It is really the people equation. We can’t automate a solution around people acting differently depending on the variables within a situation. While there is fuzzy logic built into many systems, we can’t really automate a relationship decision, or a decision that is based on loose variables involving the human element.
For instance, clients place value on the relationship – the history, loyalty, and personality – you can’t automate that. We use Salesforce, love Salesforce, and have dedicated employees who only work on Salesforce; but Salesforce cannot go out and meet with a client.
What are you currently working on?
I have taken a very active role in business development because of our recent product developments. For instance, with our CMS system we have done 3 major new releases since the beginning of the year. Going out and talking to our customers is very important. Internally, you can talk to project managers, developers, and designers, and while they can give you great feedback, you have to get the full balance. You’ve got to know what your clients are doing, and what they are struggling with. You need their feedback. If you are not out in front of your customers hearing what their needs are, what their goals are, then you can’t build a great solution. That is how you bring real value.
We have a lot going on particularly with our CMS and supporting application development. The applications are much like plug-ins. For instance, we have a lot of CVB clients, so we have developed a stakeholder application for them. It gives the hotels, eateries and other businesses within the community access to manage content on the CVB’s site. It gives the stakeholder control of their interest and removes the labor component from the CVB.
Also, I’ve been working for quite some time on a ticketing system. The ticketing industry has been going through a lot of changes. Technologies have improved dramatically since the early 90s when many of these original ticketing systems were being built. A lot of old ticketing systems focused on the operational side, but they overlooked the marketing piece of it. Also, if you don’t provide some of that data on what your customers are buying and their demographic information, purchasing habits, etc, then you’ve really falling behind. There is also a lot of opportunity to take these transactions to the mobile environment, both on the payment side as well as using your mobile device as the ticket itself.
What would be your one piece of advice for database and online marketers out there?
Work smarter not harder. Find ways to bring exponential value to your clients both internally and externally. Don’t just implement changes to save a penny but sacrifice your brand by ticking off a client. Also, over the years I’ve seen companies invest a lot of money developing or buying closed systems. But to get into a system that does not take into account the other systems within your company, or integrate with them, is shortsighted. If they don’t play friendly with other companies and other solutions then you should be suspect. Getting locked into these long term contracts with closed system means they basically don’t have to develop new solutions and features and compete for your business as aggressively. That is why companies like Google have done such a great job. Many of their systems are open and continue to add value. They continue to innovate at a breakneck pace.
Custom vs Out-of-the-Box?
A lot of clients think they need a custom solution, but they really don’t. You have to ask, what is the cost vs benefit? Sometimes we have customers that come to us and the solution just doesn’t exist. So we have to determine whether or not it makes sense. An example of that is an economic development authority we recently worked with. They were shopping for an event management solution. We showed them what we could do, as well as what some other competitors were doing. They did a considerable amount of research and after that came back to us. They couldn’t find one that fully integrated with their systems or managed their groups the way they wanted. So we built it; and the ROI has far exceeded their and our expectations.
When TJ is not busy strategizing, scoping, and architecting technology solutions, he can be found playing golf or hanging out with his wife and twin boys. He even on occasion finds a little time for abstract blogging.
Posted in Company News, Current Affairs, Finance & Banking, Marketing, Member Orgs, Reno-Tahoe, Service Industry, Social, Travel & Tourism, Web & SEO
Sep
5
When our CEO, David LaPlante is not busy running Twelve Horses, traveling between our different offices, maintaining an active speaking schedule, raising two sons, and serving on the Boards of an Entrepreneur’s Organization, Economic Development Authority, a local school, and a group advocating for alternative transportation, he also proudly serves as chairman of the Nevada Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology. It is for this reason, in conjunction with the fact that it illustrates the impressive economic growth and evolution of Nevada and Reno, that I share the following press release with you.
NCET and DRI recognized for excellence by EDA
The US Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) has recognized NCET, Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology, and DRI, the Desert Research Institute for excellence in economic development grant performance.
Both NCET and DRI have received previous awards from the EDA, which announced that NCET will receive an additional $20,000 grant while DRI will receive an additional $5,700. The original EDA grants in 2006 were facilitated by Nevada Senator Harry Reid when NCET received $200,000 and DRI received $57,000.
NCET was recognized for its work on a variety of programs designed to encourage Nevadans to start new businesses, and to then connect them to the
resources they need to succeed.
“NCET’s work with entrepreneurs and small businesses is very important for Nevada’s economic growth and vitality, and I am pleased that the EDA chose to recognize their efforts,” Reid said. “DRI plays a critical role in the environmental research that occurs within Nevada’s System of Higher Education. I’m excited about the prospects of the research park, which will tap into emerging technologies and clean energy.”
“NCET won for its notable demonstration of organizational leadership, innovation, entrepreneurship and regional collaboration to achieve greater competitiveness in the global marketplace,” said Barbara Earman, from the EDA.
“We are honored to be recognized by the EDA for NCET’s work in helping Nevada’s entrepreneurs and small businesses,” said Dave Archer, NCET’s CEO. “They drive Nevada’s economy, and we are pleased that we’re able to help them.”
DRI was recognized for its feasibility study and business plan of a new business incubator to be located at DRI’s Research Park in Reno, NV. The proposed incubator is designed to provide resources and expertise to technology based companies from the local community and emerging technology developed at DRI and the University of Nevada.
“To be recognized by the EDA for performance excellence with an additional financial award is a tremendous shot in the arm, and even more important are the relationships our community is building with the EDA and the Department of Commerce,” said Jeff Pickett, Managing Director of the DRI Research Park.
NCET and DRI were notified of the awards by Congressman Dean Heller’s office. Congressman Heller noted, “I am very pleased that the EDA has selected two Nevada organizations for this honor. DRI and NCET are excellent examples of how the private and public sectors can work together for the betterment of all Nevadans.”
Posted in Company News, Current Affairs, Member Orgs, Nevada, Reno-Tahoe, Technology
WordCamp
