Extranet Website Case Study
Sector: Rural Commission for independent advice to Government
Project Scope: Extranet website portal with CMS (Content Management System)
Client: The Commission for Rural Communities (CRC)
Rocktime was commissioned to develop an extranet portal that would enable the Commission to manage the dissemination of specific information to a particular audience. The Commission provides well-informed independent advice to government and ensures that policies reflect the real needs of people living and working in rural England, with a particular focus on tackling disadvantage.
The Commission wished to continue to use 'Learning Networks' to communicate information by creating a new type of online community that would demonstrate the organisations culture. Rocktime provided the solution in the form of a public facing Extranet development.
Rocktime was commissioned to develop an extranet portal that would enable the Commission to manage the dissemination of specific information to a particular audience. As part of the overall structure the website would include:
- Discussion forums
- Document library
- Document submission system
- Email marketing application
- Report management system
- Content Management System (CMS)
- Online live broadcasting with IRC Chat
- On demand broadcasting (streamed media)
- Online questionnaire system
- Managed Poll online system
- FAQ online system
- Dedicated hosting
As part of the scope of the project the Commission required the ability through a Content Management System to expand the extranet as and when required by creating 'sub-sites' dealing with particular project areas. The Rocktime Logic CMS enabled the Commission to do as such using the CMS 'Page Builders' pre-designed templates accessible through the Logic CMS control interface. Content is managed within the page format making it visually easier to present specific content.
The extranet Document Library enables the Commission to control access to specific information as well as different file types which include video which are viewable through streamed media. In addition the system allows for members of the public to offer content on subjects which may on approval be included within the Document Library.
The Rocktime extranet system offers The Commission for Rural Communities a suite of online tools that give users the opportunity to participate in their work, have their say and to influence the outcomes. It also allows the Commission to raise its profile and to influence others. In addition the site allows for specific groups of experts within particular areas to access information 'by invitation only'.
The Logic CMS provides an intuitive web based interface that enables administrators to manage all areas of the extranet and through their tasked responsibilities only have access to certain areas. Levels of administration rights range from those able to make textual changes to project outlines through to full rights to add/ edit/ delete information and proofing responsibility prior to approval of any content published to the site.
A 'live lounge' area offers certain audiences with a video screen along with a chat box for communicating with the administrator.
The chat is hosted on an IRC server allowing 2 way typed communication between everyone logged on to the system.
The live video requires a proprietary software application to be loaded on to a broadcasting workstation with a high quality Internet up-link connection.
Live streaming gives the content creator hands on control over the production. On a live Internet broadcast, all end users experience the same content just like a traditional TV or radio station.
> CRC extranet website