Business Applications

Web Templates allows us to develop multiple 'look-and-feels' (skins) which can be applied to multiple sites controlled by the same CMS. With a standard install there will be a minimum of two skins - one for the site's front end, and one for the back end. A more complex site, like the JTL site, will have seven or eight different skins. Through the CMS we can create a page and apply any look to it, quickly and simply. If you decide that you want an updated look-and-feel for a page, we can easily change the information in the back end and apply these changes to the site.

The Marmalade Suite means that sites are completely database driven, so there are no downloadable HTML pages (in the old sense of the term). All of the elements of each page are controlled through Page Structures. After a page is created and assigned its 'skin', the system creates an SEO friendly name. The content is essentially pulled in through 'includes' which define which Developer's Blocks and General Content blocks to display on each specific page.

A Developer's Block is a self contained chunk of programming. In a complicated website, there will be hundreds of Developer's Blocks, so it's really important to be able to find a specific block quickly. Through the CMS they can be easily filtered. If a change is made to a Developer's Block, then it will occur wherever that block is used - across the whole site. For instance, a single change in a header block will be implemented across the whole site, meaning that the change only has to be made once, saving a lot of time. Developer's Blocks require technical knowledge to amend, so we keep access to these reserved for Digital Marmalade staff and your technical teams.

Typically, this is an area that is most frequently used by non-technical staff. Through this area of the CMS you can make changes to the copy and images on your sites. Anyone with a basic knowledge of Microsoft Word will find this area of the site easy to use, as the content displayed in the user interface is very similar to the final output. We've done this by using a program called WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get - pronounced wiziwig). Naturally, some pages of sites are more complicated than others. General Content blocks allow you to select between different templates, and choose between different block combinations. A block may contain words, and then a Developer's Block with the code that makes up an application form. This allows the user a lot of flexibility.

This module controls who is allowed access to the CMS. The administrator can create users, create their password and select which areas of the website they have access to.

SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) is arguably the most important factor for a successfully trafficked website. With natural SEO becoming increasingly crucial to online marketing, The Marmalade Suite has been designed to encourage the effective SEO profiling of each page.

Three elements combine to achieve a higher search engine ranking - meaning that your site has an advantage. Firstly, the site is CSS based and not table based. Secondly, it compiles each page in a natural chronological order. Finally, you have the ability to define SEO specific profiling data for each page.

If you decide that you want to promote a particular page over and above others, you can do this. This means that as a company you can ensure that you have a better search engine ranking, and control this independently.

The FAQ Module allows you to update, add and edit the FAQ area of your website. The interface is really easy to use, meaning that staff don't need any additional training to be able to use it. It is simply a case of inputting the FAQ, the answer, and choosing which site it is displayed on. The module then automatically deals with the way in which the FAQ's are displayed in the front end of the site. The question is listed in one style, and the answer in another. All of the formatting is automated for you.

The List Manager Module is a tool which helps you to organise all of the categories and lists in the back-end of your website. Lists will appear in any drop down menu, such as where you might catagorise a case study, or an address book contact. As well as being able to add items to lists, you can choose their importance, denoting the order that they appear in. It also allows you to control categories in the drop down menus on the front-end of your website.

By partitioning data like this, you site is easier to maintain and to use. This is particularly noticeable when organising uploaded files such as videos and images. Through the List Manager you can create an entry allowing you to catagorise these files and in doing so, to more easily find the file that you are looking for without relying on them having been correctly named.

Through the File Upload / Media Manager Module you can upload all media files and images to a central repository, where you can then classify what that image or file can be used for. The image will then appear wherever it is appropriate. You can define them by preset values or by new values, by using the List Manager Module.

This saves a lot of space. If you upload an image with an element such as a case study or news item, that image can only be used within that page. If you want to reuse that image, you will need to re-upload it, which takes up twice as much of your webspace. By using the File Upload / Media Manager Module you only need to upload it once. The image will then appear in a dropdown when you input an element that it is appropriate for.

We all know just how frustrating it can be to try and directly contact a particular individual within a big company. By having an up to date, easy to use address book on your website, customers can find the details for the contact that they need without having to be redirected. The address book module allows the user to easily input the details of a contact through the back-end of the site using the simple interface in place. The information is then translated into a neat, formatted front-end address book entry. You can update, delete and edit address book entries without in any way causing any problems on the front end of the site, meaning that this area can be opened up to staff without them needing any training to use it.

The News Module is a really valuable tool. By keeping your site updated and the content fresh, you are making the most of your investment, and encouraging repeat visits. The news module allows you to do just that, easily and quickly, and without any technical training needed from the user. As all of the modules are built utilising a program called WYSIWYG (an acronym of 'what you see is what you get' - pronounced 'wiziwig'!) the user can input and edit information with just a basic knowledge of how to use Microsoft Word. The text is displayed and formatted in the back-in the same way that it will appear in the front-end. Style, fonts, text colour and sizing are processed through the module automatically using CSS sheets. This means the information that is input is controlled from data perspective as well as a design perspective.

There are set templates that you can choose from so that you have some variation from article to article, too. You can upload an image to accompany the news item, and chose to catagorise it. Once the news item is active on the site, it can be edited or deleted easily.

Keeping the news on your website regularly updated is also really good for encouraging natural SEO. By adding fresh content, your site will move up in the search engine ranking. The news module also utilises RSS Feeds. This means that your news can be published on other sites, automatically giving your site a credit and encouraging visitors.

Case studies give you the chance you to showcase your work in a clear and detailed way. It is a great way to present the work that your company has done. The Case Study Module allows you to input and edit case studies easily and without training. Through this module you can add graphics and images, videos and audio clips. You can organise your case studies by category and prioritise them using the List Manager Module.

Having the independence to make changes to your website without technical or programming support, gives you the opportunity to react quickly in this fast moving world. You don't have to wait to be fit in to a work list when you want a simple change or addition made to your site - you can do it yourself, at your own discretion.

As with all of the modules, it uses WYSIWYG so as you can see how it will look in the front-end of your site as you input the information. The module automatically converts the data into the correct format. You can have confidence that your case study will appear correctly in the front end, without you or your staff needing any technical training.

As an optional extra you can chose to add the Testimonials Module. This can be multipurposed across your website. Testimonials will appear not only on the Case Study pages, but also throughout your website, giving visitors a real taste of your company's successes and giving your business a more personal impact.

The Glossary Module allows you to easily maintain your website's glossary. As new content is added to your site, your glossary can be updated in line with it. A glossary is useful in helping you create the most successful copy for your site. Instead of bombarding the visitor with technical explanations or skipping over important details, you can cover everything you need to with the help of a glossary. It enables you to communicate directly with a broader audience. More technical minded or specialist visitors will be able to understand without having to be patronised with explanations, and those that don't understand a certain term can learn its meaning at their own leisure.

Our Glossary Module is really easy to use. The user simply creates a title for the entry, inputs all of phrases and variations that should be included, and adds an explanation. Once enabled, it becomes active across the whole website. Words or terms are underlined on the front-end of the site, and if the visitor clicks on them, a pop up window appears. The pop up can contain anything - words, images, video, or an explanation for the term. It could also be a link to a website, or a 'buy' button on other sites.

The Jobs Module is essentially made up of three elements; Job Vacancies, Job List Management and Job Vacancy Alerts. Through these three elements you can create and advertise jobs, notify people that have subscribed, and manage communication between people on your mailing list of subscribers and your company.

The web is, albeit arguably, a more important place to advertise job vacancies that the print press. By promoting job opportunities n your site, you are opening the position out to a potentially huge audience, and giving your the best chance of finding the right person to join your team. The Jobs Module supports you in this, by making it really easy for you to update and post jobs, as well as helping you communicate with potential applicants in a fast and organised way.

Creating a job opportunity on the site is really easy, thanks to our intuitive back-end interface. You simply input the details of the job, attach any assets and he closing date. The closing date automatically lays an embargo on the advert. You do all of this through a form - all of the formatting is automated when the ad goes lives on your website.

The Job List Management area of this module then allows you to send an email out to all of your subscribers telling them about the job opportunity. You can really target your advert and ensure that it is going to interested parties. You simply select which jobs you want to include in the email and it will be automatically sent out to all subscribers.

The Job Vacancy Alerts area of the Module then comes into real use. Replies can be grouped and organised, and replies sent out. You can make interview arrangements, or just let know applicants that they have been unsuccessful through this area, making the process even easier to manage.

If communicating with the media is important to you and your business, then the PR Module is really valuable tool for your website. Through this module, we have made it easy for you to maintain this communication efficiently and quickly.

Creating a Media area of your site allows you to put all of your press resources in one place.

Through the PR Module you can upload press releases and press assets which can then be downloaded by the relevant people from the front end of your website. You can choose who you has access to this functionality, too, by creating a login area.

When you upload a press release in the back-end of the site, you are then asked to associate it with a news item. The module becomes really advanced at this point - it automatically sends an email to the relevant journalists and publications, letting them know that something that is relevant to them has been uploaded. Press contacts are categorised at your discretion, so you have the ability to control the information that you distribute.

The second area of the PR Module is an area for all media files. Having high resolution images is crucial for the print press, and this area acts as a library of such resources. There is even a search function available which you can choose to catagorise.

This is an extremely powerful tool which can help you to keep the press up to date - and therefore ensure that successes or changes within your business are publicised. By making your press releases so easily accessible you are also controlling what information goes out, and that it is presented exactly as you want it to be.

One of the biggest issues with any site ensuring that web traffic is directed around it in a way that allows you to maximise you ROI. You need to be able to promote different elements of your site that you think are appropriate to a user interested in a particular page. This includes maximising advertising revenue as much as it does promoting your own services and achievements.

Through the Site Promo Tool Module you can do just that! On any site of any page on your site you can add any number of promo 'pods'. These 'pods' are then controlled through the back-end of your site through the Site Promo Tool Module.

The back-end admin interface is split into two parts. First, you create the promo. It can contain anything - words, images, photographs - whatever you decide. You have complete freedom in choosing what goes in them. Once you have given the promo a name you can select what type of promo it is from a predetermined list. You may want it to link externally, internally, to a news item or case study, job vacancy or a video. You may want it to open in a new browser window, or the existing browser window.

The next step is to position the promo. Using the URL, you dictate where the promo sits on your site. Default settings allow you to control if the promo appears across all of the site, or parts of the site - which is useful if your site is big. Like all of the Modules, the interface is so easy to use that your staff won't need much training to learn how to operate it.

The Site Promo Tool Module gives you the flexibility to change your site on a daily basis and keep its content really fresh. Deals can be promoted, video added, or you can even direct web traffic to different sites. It is great for improving your user experience.

With bandwidth becoming less of an issue, video is becoming ever more accessible on the web. By adding video content to your site you can give it a whole new dimension, and more effectively communicate with your visitors. Vide also, quite simply, makes your site more entertaining and helps to convey the personality that makes your business special.

We have created a complex video tool which is at the same time remarkably easy to use. Through this Video Module you can upload video content which then automatically populates a Flash Player on the front-end of your site. You can create and name any number of channels, and give them a 'skin' to define them. These channels will look different and have different assets, which will help you to communicate different areas of your business. Through the Video Module you can select which channels you would like it to appear on.

Video is uploaded either to your server, or to a third-party server. You can decide to have a third-party company host your video if you choose to - as this is a real benefit if you don't want video taking up space on your own server.

The Video Module includes a Video Placement tool, which is where this tool becomes really powerful! There are various different ways of showcasing your video, and this is done through where you place your video. Once the video is uploaded, you can select which page you would the video to appear on. You can choose to have just one video embedded on a page, or a link to a pop-up window containing a player with a number of videos.

If you want your site to really stand out from the crowd, then video content is a must have. We are making this possible through this easy to use Video Module.