Tooting the horn

Since iMarc merged our News & Blog functions into a single Communique (see Dave's series of blogs on the redesign, and specifically the architecture notes), we haven't really been promoting our recent work. Wiffle ball, avoiding snake oil, virtualization and the Darwine project, web standards, development tools, sure. Tooting our horn? Not so much.

Pity. Because we have some truly awesome clients.

Here's what we've been up to this year...

• ECRM
  ECRM creates imaging technologies and software systems for commercial printers and newspapers around the world. ECRM asked iMarc to help redesign the site, complete with new architecture, content management system, dealer profiles and secure dealer extranet, ad campaign management and tracking, customer product registration, and more. ECRM's rich content management system, based on the iMarc SiteManager frameworks, has become our flagship CMS example. More importantly to ECRM, though, is the way the web site creates news sales leads, supports their regional VARs, provides powerful marketing support and saves time so they can focus on what they do best — making the best imaging systems in the business!
  
  
• Springstone
  Springstone provides financing to patients of elective medical procedures (think braces — not cheap, and what HMO covers orthodonics?). This simple looking site belies its underpinnings; the web site communicates securely with Springstone's back end business sytems to perform live credit checks/approvals. The new site keeps patients moving quickly to get the care they need, while streamlining processing for medical offices. Good stuff.
  
  
• The Museum of Biblical Arts
  MOBIA had a great web site design in place, but wanted to add an online store. MOBIA asked iMarc to add a store to the existing site, and to create a new content management system based on the iMarc SiteManager frameworks. Along the line we helped them update the site architecture and navigation, and added a rich HTML newsletter for their members.
  
  
• ReloJournal
  ReloJournal is an unbranded web site providing resources and community for HR professionals. The design is very open, inviting and contemporary. Check it out!
  
  
• Massachusetts Society of CPAs
  MSCPA is a long-time iMarc client; we've been working with them for seven or eight years now. They'd gotten a great return on investment in their site, but in 2006 they decided it was time to get the sprawling monster under control. We spent a lot of time working with them to create a new site architecture, plan real-time integration and data exchange with AM4 (a business system purpose-built for CPA societies), improve discoverability of member services, and so on. It was a big project and the site launched in June of 2007.
  
  
• TVAR Solutions
  TVAR is a professional consulting firm specializing in high security and classified government and military consulting projects. TVAR has really been picking up momentum, and wanted a great new web site to help bolster their marketing and sales efforts. We worked with TVAR and a great Flash designer they had worked with in the past to create a new site that tells their story.
  
  
• Maine Maritime Museum
  We love doing museum sites. The content is rich and engaging and they benefit their communities and society as a whole. Maine Maritime Museum celebrates Maine's maritime heritage and culture, and is just down the street from the historic shipyards of Bath, Maine. A special treat while doing this project was a site visit for photography and project discussions. Our project team really got a great sense of the museum's identity, and the great design ideas for the site really came out of that.
  
  
• Newburyport Pedicab
  A pro-bono project taken on by iMarc employees (and Newburyport residents) Jeff and Patrick. Pedicab is a local non-profit that raises money for cancer research.
  
  
• AMAG Pharmacueticals
  AMAG came to us as they were doing a re-branding to refocus their company around their growth areas. iMarc worked with AMAG's branding agency to create a web design based on their new branding, and create a nice, compact site architecture presenting their new products, information for investors, and to attract top candidates for employment.
  
  
• Motorola Solutions Catalog
  An online catalog of software for Motorola phones. Third-party developers who create apps for Motorola mobile phones and other wireless devices can log into a secure extranet and create product listings for their solutions. The site looks elegantly simple but it's a very powerful beast beneath it's beautiful skin. Our developers have been working on this for months. We were very excited to launch this because it's a great tool for developers to get in touch with end users and to help Motorola grow its mobile platforms.
  
  
• Custom House Maritime Museum
  Launched just last week, the Custom House is an all-volunteer museum located in downtown Newburyport, just a hundred yards from iMarc's offices. iMarcians Christian and Patrick took on this project on a pro bono basis. The museum has had some tough times over the past three years, but it has recently re-opened, revitalized and better than ever! Check it out when you're in town!
  
  
• Starwood Resorts and Hotels Worldside
  Last but not least, Starwood has been keeping us busy. iMarc has worked with Starwood since inception, when we created an asset management system for them. Over the years they've asked us to take on more and more projects, and not a week goes by that Starwood isn't on our project list! They keep us pretty darned busy!

So, that's what we've been up to. It's been a busy year with lots of growth.

But before you go, if you haven't met Team iMarc's new 2007 members, please meet designer and InDesign wizard Melissa Maguire, innocent-looking developer Craig "Ruks" Ruksznis and suspiciously quiet developer Dan Collins. They've made it through the hazing more or less intact and are making great contributions to our clients' projects!