Requirement

To develop a unique multilingual Facebook application for global consumption on all browsers and mobile devices allowing users to inscribe a personal promise on a ring chosen from a gallery and share their promise on a friend’s Facebook wall or email it to them. The application also required Google Maps integration to allow users to plot their location on a global map.

Key functional elements included:

• Integration of third party functionality such as Google maps API to correctly position locations and allow users to be displayed in clusters on the map
• Functionality using Flash for desktop browsers and HTML 5 on mobile devices to allow users to create personalised content and post it to their own or a friends wall
• Facebook integration including functionality to auto detect a user’s location and display content and language accordingly

Technical Solution

The content with the app is managed using the Sitefinity content management system and the application combines multiple technologies including HTML, .Net, Flash, CSS and JavaScript to achieve the necessary functionality required by the client.

Additionally the project required a significant amount of integration with external APIs.

Project Mechanics

Working very closely with the end client, the project took place over a three month period from initial scoping to launch. Key stages of the project included:

• Working closely with the end client’s internal teams to develop a comprehensive functional and technical specification
• Developing an administration module allowing the end client to update content within the app using their existing main website content management system without needing to use any Facebook functionality
• Full multi-browser testing including testing on mobile devices

Conclusion

Working closely with the end client, Kieon created an app that exactly met the brief, whilst providing a user-friendly method of allowing non-technical users to update content during the course of the promotion.

The promotion was a great success, with user registration far exceeding the expectations of the client. The final solution was exceedingly well received by the end client’s offices around the globe and Kieon continued to provide support for the application during the course of the promotion and works with the end client on its other projects.

Requirement

To build a native iPad app on iOS to allow the end client to conduct a survey and recommend products to consumers then collect and store their information at a trade show.

Key functional elements included:

• Developing a completely native iPad user interface from the designs provided by the agency
• Implementing a local SQLite database for storing all data collected on each iPad device
• Developing a system allowing the app to work offline and sync the collected data with the database via a manual process or automatically when a network connection is detected

Technical Solution

The application was built in Objective-C and stored the data locally.

Project Mechanics

The project ran for one month from initial planning to delivery, and involved working closely with the agency to define the functionality required. Some key stages of the project included:

• Detailed planning sessions with the agency to develop a functional specification document
• Refining and updating the application during development to reflect the changing requirements as set out by the end client
• On-going support for the app and expansion upon the original functionality

Conclusion

The iPad application was delivered to a tight deadline and to an exceedingly high level of quality. The project ran very smoothly and both the agency and end client were very pleased with it. Kieon continue to work with the client to expand the functionality of the app, and have since developed further apps of a similar nature for them.

Requirement

To develop a subscription-based interactive online community and educational website for children to impart information on geography and world culture.

Key functional elements included:

• Developing a secure online community to allow schools and school children to communicate with each other in a highly controlled and moderated environment
• Developing an interactive resource for geography information, to be used by both schools and students
• Integration of Google Maps functionality with content uploaded by the end client to produce an interactive map that teaches users about specific geographical areas
• Developing a site that displays a full spectrum of rich content, from interactive games to maps and video content

Technical Solution

The general website content was developed using PHP and MySQL and content managed through WordPress. Additionally a significant amount of bespoke PHP code was created to integrate Google Maps functionality and to develop the community aspects of the site.

Project Mechanics

The project ran for 8 months from initial planning to launch, and involved working closely with designers and the end client. Some key stages of the project included:

• Detailed requirements definition both prior to and post the commencement of development
• Working in a semi-agile project-approach to adapt to changing functionality requirements
• Developing templates for the end client’s team to populate with rich content
• Developing functionality to allow users of the free trial to view specific content, and allow full access on a subscription only basis
• On-going application development and expansion upon original requirements

Conclusion

Kieon was able to work collaboratively with the client, defining functionality as development progressed and remaining within the pre-agreed timeline and budget. As a result, the client was more than satisfied with the end product.

The website has been a huge success, with subscriptions far exceeding the expectations of the end client, and it recently won the BETT Award for Primary Digital Content. Kieon continue to work with the end client in expanding and supporting the site’s functionality.

Requirement

To rebuild the main website for one of the end client’s most well-known brands, an Irish whiskey producer, adding a great deal of new functionality to make the website more interactive and engaging for users.

Key functional elements included:

• Integrating a JavaScript music player, that allows the user to listen to songs while browsing the site
• Developing navigation elements that load pages on the site using Ajax to allow users to browse the site and listen to music uninterrupted when moving between pages
• Implementing HTML5 video functionality to allow users to play video content on iPads and tablet devices in addition to PC browsers
• Developing JavaScript-based animations and scrollable elements including image carousels and a timeline

Technical Solution

The website was built using HTML and CSS, with JavaScript used heavily on the front end to enable many of the interactive features and animations.

HTML5 was also used to allow video content to be viewed on iPads and similar devices.

Project Mechanics

The project ran for a period of three months, from initial planning and scoping meetings with the agency and end client to launch and involved working closely with the agency from the conceptual stage to delivery. Some key stages of the project included:

• In-depth planning with the agency and end client to define the scope of the project and advise on the suitability and implementation of the animated elements required
• On-going support for the website post-launch leading into a second phase of development expanding upon the original brief

Conclusion

By working closely with the agency to define the needs of the end client, and by giving advice on the technical side of the interactive elements, Kieon was able to deliver a website that perfectly met the requirements of the end client, whilst remaining within the given timescale and budget.

The website has been very well received by the agency, end client and by users of the site, and it has exceeded its objectives, seeing an increase in visits and dwell time beyond that expected by the end client prior to the start of the project.

Requirement

To rebuild the end client’s existing website, implementing new design and functionality that allows customers to reach the site through a large number of campaign URLs offering different APR rates for a range of new credit cards being offered. A user’s journey through the site is then tracked to dynamically display the content associated with a specific campaign.

Key functional elements included:

• Developing bespoke modules for site administrators to be able to add content to be displayed dynamically across the website
• Developing a bespoke image carousel that displays images dynamically based on a specific campaign reference code specified by the admin
• Building a custom module to enable site administrators to manage campaigns and display them dynamically on the website

Technical Solution

The foundation for the website was Sitefinity, a commercially available .NET CMS, integrated with an MS MySQL 2008 database with Javascript elements also included on the front end.

Several bespoke modules were also built and integrated into the CMS to completely meet the requirements of the end client.

Project Mechanics

The project ran for a period of 4 months from initial scoping discussions with the agency and end client to launch. Some key stages of the project included:

• In-depth gathering of requirements with the agency and end-client to fully define the scope of the project
• Working in a semi-agile project-approach to react to changing functionality requirements and wireframes
• Developing functionality to allow the end client to create targeted PPC campaigns and serve dynamic content to users arriving on the site through these
• On-going development and support, including CMS training sessions with the agency and end client

Conclusion

Through working very closely with the agency and end client, Kieon was able to deliver a website exactly meeting the end client’s requirements, which evolved during the course of the project. This involved working in a semi-agile project approach, with development, content entry and UAT taking place simultaneously.

The end client was extremely satisfied with the end product, which was delivered on time and within budget, and the website has been a great success, with the end client seeing a significant uplift in applications for the new products it is offering through the website.

Kieon continue to provide support for the website on an on-going basis, and work with the agency on a number of other projects.

Requirement

To build a website to publicise the start of the first event on the opening day of the London 2012 Olympics. The purpose of the website was to display information concerning the event and to allow users around the UK to register a location for a private event where bells were rung as loudly as possible for three minutes to herald the start of the Olympic Games.

Key functional elements included:

• Developing a system allowing users to register for around 6,000 main bell tower locations and ring bells as a tower captain or participant
• Integration with Google Maps API To plot the locations on the map and allow users to register and display a private event through this
• Providing a cloud hosting solution to allow users to download a specially produced mobile ringtone if they had registered for the campaign

Technical Solution

The website was built using HTML, .PHP and CSS, with the content managed through WordPress.

Additionally, bespoke code was created to integrate with Google Maps API.

Project Mechanics

Phase one of the project ran for a period of one month from initial planning to launch, and involved working closely with the agency to manage a quick turnaround. A second phase of the project, building upon the content and functionality of the website is on-going. Some key stages of the project included:

• Detailed definition of the requirements and strategy for the campaign with the agency and end client
• On-going development and expansion upon the original requirements outlined for phase one
• Providing a scalable hosting solution to meet the expected levels of site traffic

Conclusion

The website was a huge success, with the campaign gaining global coverage across social and broadcast media and the end client was extremely happy with the end result.

Through working very closely with the agency and end client, Kieon were able to deliver the website within a very short timescale, whilst bringing the project in within the agreed budget.

Kieon continue to expand the functionality of the website and work with the agency on a number of other projects.

Requirement

To develop a multilingual trade-facing website to update their existing online presence, adding new functionality as well as new languages to their previously English-only online presence.

Key functional elements included:

• Developing custom functionality within the site’s CMS to allow users to easily add product images and video and display them in a lightbox on the front end
• Developing bespoke code to Integrate with a third party user registration system
• Customising the site to display content in 5 languages including Japanese and Traditional Chinese

Technical Solution

The site was built using ASP.Net 4.2, HTML, CSS and JavaScript technologies, with content managed through a Sitefinity CMS integrated with an MS SQL 2008 database.

Project Mechanics

The project ran for a period of three months from initial scoping to launch, and involved working closely with the end client and agency. Some key stages of the project included:

• Detailed planning workshops with the end client and agency to define the scope of the project and create a functional specification for the website
• Working in a semi-agile project management approach with the agency as additional language variants of the multilingual homepage were added to the original project brief as development progressed
• On-going application development and support

Conclusion

Through working closely in collaboration with the agency, Kieon were able to deliver a website that perfectly satisfied the needs of the end client even as it evolved through the course of development.

The website has been very successful and Kieon continue to work with the agency and provide on-going support to the end client as they look to expand upon the website’s functionality.

Requirement

To develop a unique Facebook competition that promotes Britain as a destination to visitors from Australia, Canada and the USA.

Key functional elements included:

• Developing a competition mechanism that allowed users to register for the competition, be matched to a second registrant and then have to find their respective profile on Facebook.
• Building the entire application so that from registration to matching and emailing users it was automated and required no intervention from the client or end client.
• Ensuring that all entrants’ Facebook identifying data was masked so that it was impossible for users to cheat.

Technical Solution

The application was built in .NET 3.5, MS SQL 2005 and JavaScript and Flash elements for the front end and with integration to Facebook and Campaign Monitor (an email distribution firm) via their respective API’s.

The application was integrated with Facebook to pull user data, including the user’s profile image and Friend IDs, into a database upon registration. On a daily basis users were matched with one another and then emailed their matches via Campaign Monitor.

Additional functionality included allowing users to upload an image to replace their Facebook profile image and a moderation module to allow users to report issues and for administrators to react accordingly.

Project Mechanics

The project ran for four months from initial planning to the competition closing and involved working closely with the agency in order to create an application that hadn’t previously been developed for Facebook. Some key stages of the project included:

• Detailed requirements gathering and prototyping to ascertain if the application could actually be developed in the form proposed
• Developing a process to match users that ensured that both their Facebook identifying data would not be visible to other users and also to ensure that users could not be matched to anyone from their existing Friends list within Facebook
• Complete integration with Campaign Monitor to automate the creation and distribution of emails to users on a daily basis once they had been matched by the application
• Building an administration module that allowed the client and end client to view and moderate user comments and requests
• On-going application maintenance and support and implementing and supporting a load balanced cloud hosting solution

Conclusion

By working closely in partnership with the client from the outset of the project by first creating proof of concept prototypes we were able to develop an application that not only completely met the original brief but evolved during the project to create a richer, more user friendly experience.

The competition was extremely successful and user registrations greatly exceeded its original target. In addition the client received enquiries from other brands to develop similar applications for other market segments.

Requirement

To develop and then maintain and support the end client’s global web presence in 13 languages and markets globally including European and African sites, with a separate instance of the Sitefinity CMS required for each market/language.

Key functional elements included:

• Creation of all the templates and pages to be used on the website within the Sitefinity CMS
• Integration of third party web services and feeds into the website to display external content such as stock market information in real time

Technical Solution

The foundation that the website was built upon was a Sitefinity CMS integrated with a MS SQL 2008 database and JavaScript elements on the front end. Separate instances of the Sitefinity CMS were utilised for each market.

Project Mechanics

The project ran for a total of almost 15 months from initial scoping, to delivering the first site and each additional site at a rate of 1 site per 3-4 weeks. During the project, Kieon worked closely with the end client’s UK and Malaysian teams, as well as with the local teams for each market as each site entered and progressed through development. Some key stages of the project included:

• In-depth scoping of requirements with the end client both prior to and post the commencement of development
• Working in a semi-agile project-approach to adapt to changing functionality requirements and the priorities of the end client
• Co-ordination with the Malaysian team updating the external web services to maintain compatibility whenever functional changes and changers to key parameters were made
• Developing templates, pages and functionality for the end client’s global team to approve before making a release of each site to country managers for each individual market
• On-going application development and expansion upon the original requirements of the project

Conclusion

Through working very closely in collaboration with the end client’s global team and country managers, Kieon was able to define functionality in a semi-agile way as development progressed, whilst keeping within the pre-agreed timeline and budget. As a result, the client was extremely satisfied with the end product, and this has continued through on-going stages of enhancement post-launch.

Requirement

To implement a new design to the end client’s existing global employee intranet site reflecting revised corporate branding and including an entirely new look and feel, fonts and other styling elements.

Technical Solution

The intranet is built on the Microsoft SharePoint 2003 platform. Working within this, Kieon modified the relevant page templates and style sheets to implement the rebranded designs.

Project Mechanics

The project ran for two months from initial planning to delivery, and involved working very closely with the agency’s creative and project management teams. Key stages of the project included:

• Detailed requirements gathering with the agency to identify the changes needed and how they should be implemented
• Creating a copy of the Intranet in a local development environment on which to implement the styling changes and then packaging and deploying the changes back to the client’s environment
• Modifying the intranet page templates and style sheets to achieve the desired changes

Conclusion

By working very closely with the agency, Kieon were able to ensure the project was delivered on time and exactly to the specifications of the end client. In transferring a copy of the intranet website to a local hosting environment in which to modify the page templates, Kieon were able to guarantee a smooth transition from the existing design to the updated one, without disruption to day to day users.

The end client was extremely pleased with the end result and continues to be a major client of both the agency and Kieon.