UBCM

Overview

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.

Role in Development

UBCM was looking not only for a new website but a new web identity as a whole. They had kept their name, but had wholesale changes aside from that: their logo was updated, they'd changed their URL, they wanted a new website design and a whole new navigation structure for their site, as well. With so many constituent municipalities and subsequent documents, they needed a site that displayed equal representation and made their wealth of information much easier to find for all site visitors. With the knowledge that they would continue to add numerous other documents, they also required a Content Management System that would allow them to add these documents frequently and facilely; and easy-to-use CMS system would save them a large amount of budget by mitigating the frequent number of updates they would require for the site.

Project Plan

In 2008, after a competitive bidding process, UBCM selected our team to work with them on completing a comprehensive online strategy. The online strategy for UBCM included, amongst other things: Website strategy; Revised site architecture; and, Website re-design. We improved their out-of-date design, giving it a stylish new look, while tying in new parts of the site that they wanted to emphasize.

Once it was approved and created, we created templates for the new design, and integrated it into ElementCMS, our Content Management System (CMS). This featured creating custom CMS templates and integrating applications into the system, as well. Furthermore, we also looked after Web Hosting and Content Integration. After the CMS was installed and integrated, Atomic Crayon also provided training to UBCM staff, thereby empowering them to update their new website themselves.

A wealth of enhanced functionality and custom applications were also 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.

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.

Project Outcome

UBCM's new site went live in September 2009 and was instantly lauded as being a much better site in terms of both form and function; with such a wealth of municipal and administrative information, visitors had previously had issues finding the information the sought - this was widely seen as a great improvement with new web site structure and clean layout, and it was all wrapped in an attractive design.

Website: www.ubcm.ca