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"For the technically challenged, creating a web site is quite an undertaking. Thank you for making it as easy as possible for me and even sharing some laughs along the way."
Jackie Herskovitz
Teak Media Communications
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Our success is due largely in part to our process. We have dedicated substantial time to creating and refining a systematic approach to the development cycle which covers each detail of the project from its inception to the unveiling of the final application.
Discovery
Every Synthenet project begins with a collaborative Discovery meeting between our team and the client's team. This important information-gathering session enables us to combine our expertise in web development with the client's knowledge of their business and customers, their long and short term goals and the systems they already have in place. The information gained through Discovery is used to establish a strategy that will achieve the client's business goals, as well as to create initial design concepts and, depending on the project scope, begin creation of storyboards.
Design
The majority of Synthenet projects include design to some degree - whether a full web site design, a flash piece or design for a custom application.
For artistic direction, we take a close look at the client's audience, corporate message and any graphic standards already in place. When appropriate, we also ask the client for examples of web sites they like and dislike, to get an indication of the style, look/feel, navigation elements, site resolution and dimensions we should take into consideration.
Design concepts are then created and presented for client review, through a browser interface. Any revisions are made and the final design(s) is approved by the client. The design is then assembled into html pages to work in conjunction with the actual application.
Development
The successful development of any application requires a well thought-out blueprint.
The best way to define all the aspects of how a custom application needs to work is through production of storyboards and a database schema. The storyboards are usually broken up into phases and are reviewed extensively with the client's team, then revised and reviewed again until everyone is satisfied that the storyboards completely reflect the project goals. At that point, we use all of the information contained in the storyboards and database schema to build the application.
A project built in the Synthenet Content Management System is less complex. The web site and database are set up in the Content Management infrastructure. The site map and content are populated directly through a browser interface in the Content Management administration. Any additional customized features needed to be built in the Content Management System are addressed in detail during the Discovery phase of the project and are implemented concurrently with the design assembly and content population.
Testing
Once the web site or application is near completion, we perform final testing from a user's perspective. Applications are tested on different platforms, in various browser interfaces with different screen resolutions, in different bandwidth situations. The client is also given access to our development environment to perform their own testing. No application is moved to a production environment until we are confident that the end user is going to have the best experience possible.
Training
As the last stage of the implementation process, Synthenet trains designated staff from the client's company to maintain their web site or application. This training takes place either in person at our office or via telephone conference call with the trainees on IBM compatible computers using Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher. | | |  |