for developing all of the
pages, applications, databases, and content that will be included in
the website. The website architecture represents the specific systems,
technologies and techniques that will be applied to produce the website.
Standards, Languages, Tools & Techniques
To provide the best experience to the broadest audience, we
make use of the most widespread standards, languages, tools and techniques.
Our websites function well in all of the major browsers (Internet Explorer,
Netscape Navigator, Mozilla, Opera) and on the major computer platforms
(Windows, Macintosh, Unix). We make use of standard HTML, CSS, DHTML
and Javascript to ensure that our websites work well both now and in
the future. We test our websites with a variety of tools to identify
errors, verify compliance with standards and to optimize speed and browsing
experience.
Website Framework
Our developers work closely with our designers during the design phase
to ensure that the proposed designs can be implemented within a workable
website structure. We consider 'usability' at each step of the design/development
process. Whether it's a basic brochure website or a sophisticated e-commerce
application, it has to be easy for site visitors to use and easy for
you to update.
Standard Web Applications
'Web applications' are software components that 'do something'. They
are interactive systems that make use of software and databases running
on the 'web server' with the 'web browser' serving as the 'user interface'.
Examples include shopping systems, guest books, discussion forums, and
calendars.
 Direct
Knowledge has developed a number of web application products which can
be easily configured to satisfy a number of website requirements. Our
WebGuest system can be configured to function as a guest book, online
feedback form, discussion forum and survey/poll manager. WebMail is
a web-based mailing list manager which can be configured for sending
newsletters and marketing messages via email or to serve as a self-managed
email-based discussion forum.
When required, we also make use of several 'best-in-class'
commercial web applications such as shopping systems and content management
systems.
Custom Web Applications
For many businesses, the web has become more than just a marketing tool;
it has become a way of doing business (e.g. e-commerce systems). Often,
we can make use of 'standard web applications' to satisfy the requirements
for web applications. In many cases, however, these applications don't
include the required features or the required level of integration with
existing business systems. In such cases, a custom web application can
provide a crucial business advantage.
 Based
on our extensive experience in developing our own web application products,
we are highly skilled in developing custom web applications. We have
developed numerous highly sophisticated applications including a home
health care patient assessment system and a foreign worker recruiting
and visa processing system. These systems have included capabilities
such as: secure SSL processing, data import and export, PDF file generation,
document management and business management.
We have also developed several Intranet and Extranet
applications. The Intranet is a secure (password protected) website
designed to provide information and services to a company's employees.
Similarly, the Extranet is a secure website designed to provide information
and services to a specific group of people such as a company's customers
or an organization's members.
Flash and Glitz
There are a lot of reasons to avoid Flash (the product) and Glitz (the
result). For example, Flash works completely separately from the browser,
ignoring browser functions such as 'back' and 'find'.
 However,
Flash can sometimes provide compelling advantages over 'traditional'
methods. A Flash-based website can provide a much richer experience,
using animation and sound to captivate a website visitor. For projects
with specific requirements for providing such a rich experience, we
make extensive use of Flash..
 Flash-based
components can also be used to add richness to 'traditional' websites.
For example, we often use a Flash-based navigation system to jazz up
an otherwise 'traditional' website. This combination provides some of
the benefits of Flash without 'breaking the browser'.
We also take advantage of Dynamic HTML (DHTML) to add
visual appeal and motion to a website. For example, we often use DHTML
to create 'floating menus', that is navigation systems that remain visible
on the page as you scroll through the page content.
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