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UBCM Launched with ElementCMS - September 25, 2009
We are very happy to announce that the new UBCM website has gone live!
A wealth of enhanced functionality and custom applications were added. This includes a bespoke Document Library application, amongst other items - this Library is a custom-built, web-based file management system housing over 1300 documents that integrates seamlessly into the public-facing website.
UBCM is an organization that has served and represented the interests of local governments in BC since 1905. They offer resources and publications relating to the latest issues affecting local government in BC, including policy documents, discussion papers, UBCM services, programs and special events. As well, they provide links to BC's local governments and other related organizations.
In 2008, after a competitive bidding process, UBCM selected our team to work with them on completing a comprehensive online strategy. This included, amongst other things: Website strategy; Revised site architecture; Website re-design; Content Management System (CMS) integration; Template creation; Web hosting; and Content Integration. After the CMS was installed and integrated, our team also provided training to UBCM staff, thereby empowering them to update their new website themselves.
As with all our projects, widespread web accessibility was a key to our website release. The website features text-resizing and a high-contrast stylesheet for people with vision impairments; a mobile stylesheet for those viewing the website on a PDA or mobile device; RSS feeds throughout the site for frequent updates; and, a high-powered, integrated search engine.
We've turned the key and punched the red button... UBCM has been launched!
ElementCMS Gets Some Northern Exposure - September 1, 2009
Like the finest moss, our team turned our attentions north - we are very proud to announce the release of our latest municipal website: That of the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality.
The NRRM, incorporated on February 6th, 2009, is the first Regional Municipality in BC and officially combines the former entities of the Town of Fort Nelson and the Northern Rockies Regional District. The boundaries of the NRRM mimic that of the previous Regional District, encompassing about 10% of provinces landmass (85,808 km² or 9500 square miles).
This new and improved website features an inviting new design that is filled with terrific photos of the region and its surrounding natural beauty. For functionality, RSS feeds were added to the site, as was a live weather stream and options for improved accessibility, including multiple stylesheets for people using mobile devices, and text-resizing and a high contrast layout for those with vision impairments.
We also added RFPs and Tenders into the site, and re-skinned their Minutes, Agendas, Reports and Bylaws, which are currently hosted on the FilePro website. This ensures that all the necessary municipal information is still conveyed, but now it is in an attractive manner that ties into the new website.
Roll on over to the new website at:
www.northernrockies.ca
The Kitimat's Out of the Bag - August 18, 2009
Our team is very happy to announce our latest municipal website project has now hit an internet near you: the District of Kitimat's cracking new website has launched this week.
Located as the heart of British Columbia's Pacific Inland Coast, the Kitimat Valley is the second of only two wide-flat valleys on Canada's west coast. It is Western Canada's busiest private port - and a location with ample room for growth.
The District selected us as for their new website as they had a vision for a new website that will significantly improve communication between the District of Kitimat and their constituents, visitors and business. We began this project in August 2008 and subsequently created a site that is both visually attractive and easy to navigate. With over 300 pages and hundreds more documents, it importantly also provides a moderate, yet comprehensive, collection of information about municipal services, functions and regulations and is expandable to accommodate more information as municipal and client needs evolve.
For this website we gave Kitimat's site a complete re-design with a sharp new look and enhanced website accessibility: this included text resizing and a high contrast layout for people with vision impairments, and a mobile stylesheet for those viewing the site on portable devices. We also increased the site's functionality, adding a customized events calendar and RSS feeds to the website. The site was then integrated with our content management system, ElementCMS, via custom templates, and Kitimat staff were given on-site CMS training. Lastly, we are hosting the site for Kitimat, as well, thereby giving them a truly comprehensive website solution.
Check it out live!
Atomic steps up to the (Nanaimo) bar with new website - September 29, 2008
As summer draws to a close, our team is doing its best to fight off the oncoming autumn season. We're playing outside, wearing our new pair of jams, and working hard on websites that allow us to hang out in beautiful harbour cities. And with that, we're pleased as punch to announce the unveiling of what might just be our most comprehensive project yet: the new website for the City of Nanaimo!
With many months of development for application integration and over 450 webpages to create, Nanaimo's site was always going to be a big project. But those were just a small part of the project as a whole. From strategy to development to design to accessibility, this site has every angle covered.
The City of Nanaimo - "The most desirable, livable small city in North America" - has made a concerted and highly successful effort to be on the forefront of web technology, as a municipality. The City wanted to provide quality information and services to Nanaimo citizens online and to make those services available 24/7. And they wanted to do it with a stylish new website that shows off their forward-looking ethos.
On top of a clean, contemporary and colourful new layout, our work with Nanaimo included a replacement of their previous content management system with ElementCMS, and comprehensive training. It also included the integration of 21 custom applications - including up-to-the-minute weather, property taxes, photo submissions, and more - and of course Sharepoint, to ensure that all the City's documents and information are current, thereby improving the site for their constituents.
The site was also honed for accessibility, allowing for font-resizing and enhanced accessibility for those using mobile devices.
There's a lot more, too. But you'll have to check it out for yourself; we're hitting the patio!
Atomic lives life in the fast lane with CCTA - September 25, 2008
We are very happy to announce we have gotten on board with the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) for our latest web project. The CCTA was seeking out a powerful Content Management System that would allow them to update their current website, and after their studies of various CMS systems, ElementCMS sped past the competition.
Located in Pleasant Hill, California, the Contra Costa Transportation Authority is a public agency that was formed by Contra Costa County voters in 1988. The Authority manages the county's transportation sales tax program and all facets to do countywide transportation planning. The Authority is also the county's designated Congestion Management Agency, responsible for putting programs in place to keep traffic levels manageable.
With a large and much-used website already in place, what the Authority needed was a Content Management System mighty enough to allow them to complete all the work they needed, and a full integration of that CMS. With all the rave reviews they'd been hearing about ElementCMS, Atomic came out ahead. For this project, we are providing the CCTA with full CMS integration, new templates, customized features and comprehensive training.
CMS integration to be transported live in October 2008.
Helping Build Your Future, Element-Style - April 29, 2008
ElementCMS has gone back to school with their release of the new CMS-integrated Fanshawe College website.
Fanshawe College is a post-secondary institution offering well over 100 programs leading to certificates, diplomas and degrees. Fanshawe is one of the largest colleges in Ontario with a community focus and campuses located in London, Simcoe, St. Thomas and Woodstock and smaller centres in Tillsonburg and Strathroy. It has over 14,000 full-time students and 300 international students from more than 30 countries.
Fanshawe contacted us in May 2007, looking for help on how to integrate their new web design into a content management system. With courses and faculty changing frequently, staff wanted the ability to easily update their website themselves. Targeting the 18-25 market, Fanshawe had created a slick new website, featuring a flowing design and a wealth of Flash and video. This design required complex CMS templates and a thorough strategy for ensuring the design was perfectly implemented.
We created unique templates to handle over 2,000 webpages, many of which had to take the site's advanced and customized functionality into consideration.
Having a long-distance client located in Ontario added to the list of considerations for the site. With ElementCMS staff located in Ontario and our Victoria staff available for Eastern time zone hours, we worked with the college's staff to ensure everything was exactly the way the wanted it, and that the site went up as smooth as silk. Fanshawe staff have been updating the website regularly, the site looks great, and we didn't even have to do any extra homework!
