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The
purpose and value of the Internet is driven by the energy in
information exchange. If a Web site's information is accurate, timely
and easily accessible, its value begins multiplying with each click
of a page. The actual value lies in the perception of the visitor. A
site has only seconds to answer two visitor questions: What will this
site do for me? and What does this site want me to do? If the site's
response is not immediate and convincing, the visitor may never
return. If the site isn't worth more than a few seconds of the
visitor's time, he will perceive that the company isn't either.
Because time is an increasingly valuable commodity for the average
visitor, the Web site must make a strong, initial impression.
Visitors
tend to view their experiences as personal interaction. They desire
the same courtesies and level of trust that are generated by a
commissioned salesperson. Because the Web site presents a ubiquitous
global presence for the company, visits may go unnoticed. The team
must strive to capture the individual visitor while satisfying
corporate objectives. It is frequently difficult to offer as much
information as possible and remain within business parameters.
Thus,
the challenge to the Web Team.
The
DeSai Web Team must appraise each need when developing and
maintaining the various sites for which it is responsible. In
addition to www.desai.com the team has designed www.doli.net,
www.holi.net, www.c-university.com and several corporate
intranet sites. These sites focus largely on the development of
Corporate Universities and e-commerce solutions. Each demands a
delicate balance between data collection and manipulation, business
rules and user interaction.
"Programming
is like mind language where the computer understands what we want.
When I struggle with something complicated and I complete it, it's
like I've won the war,"said application developer, Rupal Patel,
about the database application that helps run one of DeSai's sites.
The
DeSai Web Team is a collaboration of individual artistic talent. The
mix is composed programmers, graphic artists, content managers and
writers. Each discipline is highly unique but supports and relies on
the others for its existence. Team members are resolved to the
essential atmosphere of coordination and cooperation. Web design is
an art of weaving numbers, images, facts and words into a functional
instrument to exchange information. The combination presents a
particular feel, level of interactivity and content that is
consistent with intent. In the end, inspiration evolves into a
marketable asset.
"The
Internet represents the next frontier in cross-media
publishing," according to DeSai creative director, Dean
Hathaway. "The Web's nature demands that we become more
sensitive to the different mindsets of the audience. This was always
the case with print and TV, but the Web is much more demanding. The
audience expects satisfaction now and may not return if it isn't
immediately available. The stakes are very high here."
Site
development extends beyond the individual talent and personal
challenge of each Web team member. Research is a constant and key
factor. The team is in a constant state of awareness of new ideas,
trends and standards. Every aspect that could affect its work is
scrutinized. The latest news stories and court decisions involving
laws and uses of copyright, spam, marketing, privacy and
accessibility issues are closely watched. Awareness of regulations
and usability is top priority for the team.
"Personalization
and customization needs are key factors in designing and managing
both outside and internal projects," observed Beth Preston,
DeSai's Web content manager. Usability is key in today's dynamic Web
sites." Preston remains in constant contact with the disparate
areas of the company to pinpoint their needs and compile relevant content.
Web
projects are not limited to site design; they also include marketing
and other external departmental support. Most Internet-based
advertising is designed, implemented and tracked by the Web team.
Other support provided by the team includes the design and
maintenance of databases that collect and dispense information about
business contacts, the progress of students served by DeSai's
Education Group and site registrations.
The
Education Group is a major beneficiary of the Web team's extensive
efforts. The DeSai Online Institute (DOLI) is one of DeSai
Education's windows on the world, inviting students to participate in
a wide range of courses that imploy multimedia. DOLI plays a key role
in coordinating the education sales and course scheduling functions.
The team develops instructor presentation materials, script writing,
voice-overs and student correspondence. Automated applications are
regularly employed to survey students and deliver monthly e-mail
newsletters and communicate corporate marketing information.
A
number of team-created sites rely on two award-winning DeSai
applications known as YATRA and Ycamp. The applications
recently earned first place recognition in Microsoft's Bob and Larry
DNA (Distributed interNet Applications Architecture) awards
competition. The two programs serve as 'technical resource robots'
and career counselors for those in pursuit of careers in information technology.
The
ultimate goal of the Web site is to exchange information with its
visitors. A multitude of critical and creative decisions are woven
into a Web site's intrinsic verbal and graphic architecture to ensure
that it captures its visitor's attention and produces desired
results. Fully aware of this challenging mission, the experienced
DeSai Web Team is committed to the principles of excellence which are
vividly reflected in the many sites it has developed.
Sue
Patten is a DeSai Web Team senior writer-editor. |
