Issues with the previous application

Client was using a web based extranet application to manage documents and audits for a huge distributor chain. Client wanted do redevelop the application from scratch since this application had the following major flaws:

• The application was slow
• The application did not have any feature whereby the users could directly register and use the application after approval from the administrator. This lead to high dependency on the support team leading to large outflow of money.
• The solution was not at all cost effective in terms of support and maintenance.
• The application had outdated information
• A navigation system which was extremely cumbersome to use

Client expectations

• To review and analyze the limitations of the existing application and come up with a viable solution
• To refine assumptions and come up with technical solution through close interaction with the client and trying to understand client requirements
• To recommend and prioritize information architecture
• To make relevant information easily available to the users
• To maintain a look and feel that matches the corporate image of the client
• Maximize communication between users with optimum ROI
• Deliver the product on time and meet the expected cost and quality requirements

Solution

Web Spiders team analyzed the client’s requirement and came out with an innovative solution. The application is divided into the following interfaces, depending on the types of users who will use the respective applications.

1. Admin
2. Diamondlink site
3. Standard Assessment Tool

Diamondlink Site - Challenges

• Use of index server for search and the application fetches results within 5 seconds from a pool of more than 10000 documents
• The ability to directly update changed login and passwords to the Active Directory  thereby reducing maintenance  and support cost from the client perspective
• Handling of more than 500 concurrent users with the application always responding within 5 seconds. The entire architecture for application was designed keeping in mind optimum stability and performance for a total of 10000 users and 500 concurrent users

Standard Assessment Tool - Challenges

• The previous application was very slow to use leading to frustration for end users. An approach was adopted that would make no compromise on functionality or look and feel but at the same time open up any page within 5 seconds.
• The Offline Audit was very cumbersome to use. A desktop application was created for the offline mode which could be used and uploaded. This helped retain a highly interactive and user friendly interface and at the same time synchronize online with the web service technology.

1) Admin

The Admin module provides a comprehensive interface to the Administrator to manage the sites. Here are some of the important features of this application:

• The Administrator can manage Roles and Privileges and assign the same to the users. Depending on these, different users can access different features of the sites.
• Multilingual site with facility to manage translations through a web interface & Excel template
• The Administrator can add Group Categories, Groups and users. The Administrator can also approve/reject user requests that are automatically forwarded from the sites.
• The Administrator can manage the complete site content
• The Workflow module allows the administrator to define workflows with pre-defined controllers for folders that are part of discrete workflows.

2) Diamondlink Site

This is the site that the users and distributors use. Here are some of the important features of this site:

• The Diamondlink site is fast and accurate even under huge load
• Direct user registration is possible
• The site contains updated information and the site is easy to navigate
• The menus that a user is able to access depend on the user type and the user security (privileges) that are applicable for him/her.
• Security also applies for the operations (add/edit/delete) that the user is allowed for the various sections of the site
• User can upload and publish documents and images, as part of the Content Management System
• The advanced search feature allows the user to create customized search criteria and find the document/image or people he/she is looking for.
• Content Managers can change the look of the site by updating the content and images.
• User can update his/her profile directly from the site
• Member forums allows users to communicate in discussion boards
• Availability of departmental homepage with editable content
• Availability of photo gallery
• Must read – a feature that allows authorized authors to define MustRead properties for content objects
• Poll – users can participate in polls and post their opinion
• News – The latest uploaded articles can be displayed as news items

3) Standard Assessment Tool

Standard Assessment Tool used to carry out audits for the dealers. Based on the compliance of the audit Dealer Ranking is done. Here are some of the important features of this application:

• Audits can be created for the dealers and for those audits auditors can be assigned. There are two ways to perform audits: Online and Offline. When the auditor tries to perform offline audit, he/she installs the Offline Audit software in the PC. In the software the auditor downloads the audit questionnaire and he/she can go to a remote location to perform the audit where Internet connection might not be available. Then the auditor can perform the audit offline and upload the same audit online. The Online Audit is useful when one wants to audit and enter his findings and comments as and when sections are completed. At no point does he need to continue the audit at one go. He can always save it midway. Once the audit is completed he can submit the same, after which it is not editable any more.
• Based upon that submitted audit result the compliance of that dealer is calculated and according to that compliance dealer ranking is done.
• New users can be created using this tool. After creating the user, the user gets an e-mail where his/her username and password are mentioned and he/she can login to the application with these details.
• Multilingual site with facility to manage translations through a web interface & Excel template
• Distributors and Dealer information can be managed using this tool

Key Features:

• Centralized user management
• Advanced user security
• Multilingual site with facility to manage translations through a web interface & Excel template
• Dynamic content management
• Workflow management
• Advanced search
• Online and offline audit tool

Technical Aspects