The Extreme Web Makeover By Greg Smith PDF Format

Greg Smith Webmaster

To begin this renovation, BASIS assembled a team of employees whose talents and expertise include graphic arts, technical writing, and Web development. Combining customer feedback with suggestions from BASIS management, this design team identified the following goals to direct the Web site's makeover:

• Emphasize content
• Provide useful information to various customer segments
• Maintain a similar hierarchical structure throughout
• Present a more pleasing look and feel, color scheme, and layout

The team laid out the framework for the new design, changing the focus from an "inside-out" perspective – what BASIS (inside) considers important to the customer (outside); to an "outside-in" viewpoint – what the customer considers important. This new "outlook," so to speak, creates a more relevant, more valuable, and more effective tool for BASIS developers and partners.

Considering the various BASIS customer types and roles within these global organizations, the makeover team reorganized the information in the most easily accessible and logically arranged layout possible. Designing a site that functions effortlessly and intuitively both within a browser and to the users, increases their comfort level and enhances their ability to understand the general layout and navigational methods. In addition, the Web site's general look and feel is important to its reception and ability to generate return visits.

Figure 1. A sample of the new look of www.basis.com

To implement all of the proposed components across the entire site at one time would greatly delay customer's access to the improvements. So considering the options, the team decided to roll out the new site in phases. The first phase, debuting in the coming weeks, carries the new look and feel component throughout the site (see Figure 1), plus rewritten content for the Products section. In the months to come, the team will rollout the remaining sections, one or two at a time, as they complete the rewrite.

To see the exciting new changes, periodically check www.basis.com and experience our more intuitive, aesthetically pleasing, and useful tool. If you have any comments or suggestions, please contact the BASIS Webmaster.

	SCO Forum in Las Vegas By Laurence Guiney PDF Format

Laurence Guiney Senior Account Manager

Several hundred attendees heard SCO's Darl McBride, CEO and President, tout their latest product offering, OpenServer 6. OpenServer 6 provides new kernel features, hardware support, and enhanced security and stability.

Our very own customer, Dave Ramgren, Division V.P. with BIS Computer Solutions, Inc., "wowed the crowd" with the featured SCO OpenServer 6 success story of an expansive BBx installation at a large U.S. defense department contractor. In addition to this public success story, we also heard similar stories from the many BASIS customers who stopped by the BASIS booth.

In addition, we met a number of potential customers who visited us at our booth and learned about the latest BASIS product offerings. This brief introduction whetted their desire for more information, which we satisfied during our breakout session. During this session, they learned about our integrated application development tools and robust database management system. The turnout was very encouraging and Nico Spence, our Chief Marketing Officer, received a warm greeting and enthusiastic feedback at the conclusion of his presentation.

In every aspect, SCO Forum 2005 was a tremendous success for BASIS and SCO. I look forward to returning to Las Vegas with SCO as they join us next May for the BASIS TechCon2006. Hope you can join us too!