University of Northampton delivers a 'one user - one journey' rich web experience
The University of Northampton has recently developed a new website, built using Jadu's transactional content management platform, with the specific objective of 'making difference' to the user journey.
This was achieved by focusing design and development on what the users wanted, rather than the organisational structure of the University which had previously driven the structure. The key aim was to deliver a 'one user - one journey' online experience.
There had previously been no central point of control for applying organisation wide changes across the University's web site, as information had been held in two systems. A corporate system, built in PHP/MySQL and maintained by Information Services provided the external face of the University and a marketing presence for student recruitment.
In addition, a separate Oracle Portal based web content management system was used to support school and department web sites. Lack of a central point of control had resulted in an inconsistent user experience and web content.
The University needed to rethink the structure of the web site from scratch. We wanted to get a consistent user journey driven by target user rather than organisational structure. We also needed a system that enabled devolved content management as this enabled information to be kept up to date.
Steve Martin, Web Manager, The University of Northampton
The University of Northampton's selection of the Jadu's web transactional platform (Jadu CMS Clearwater plus Jadu Rupa Search) provided the flexible and robust platform needed to enable future development to be planned with confidence, whilst also delivering a consistent user experience that had previously been lacking.
The University of Northampton's key goals for the new CMS are to deliver the following:
- More efficient management and updating of content
The need to reduce dependency on the central web team for any changes in content and increase web author usage, whilst also reducing the time required to train authors is critical to efficient content management.
- Consistency in branding and content
By providing one central point of control for making changes to global changes rather than continuing to manage content across two systems, the quality and accessibility of information will be improved.
- Improved quality and accessibility of information
The transition from two systems to one is key to ensuring a consistent user experience and to making web content and information available to the maximum number of users.
- The ability to use the CMS as a platform from which new requirements can be fulfilled
Requirements within an Higher Education Institution can change rapidly so a flexible development platform is key to being able to adapt to change.
The University of Northampton's new web site was launched in September 2010. Jadu developed and implemented the web site working closely with leading creative agency Headscape, plus the internal University Web Project Team, comprising of staff from Information Services and Marketing and External Relations.
The new system is already delivering positive outcomes for users and the University.
- The ability of the Jadu CMS to enable central control and devolved content means that efficiency savings are being generated as an increasing number of content authors are trained.
- The improved work flow, versioning, functionality and accessibility provided by the Jadu web transactional platform, is enabling the consistency of the web content required to support the University's branding.
- By providing one central point of control for making changes to content rather than continuing to manage content across two systems, the quality and accessibility of information is improved.
- New requirements are being responded to rapidly. To date the University has built two custom modules, a course finder and a staff directory module.
Jadu provides the University with outstanding ease of use. We have full control over navigation and taxonomy and creating rich and engaging content is very easy. The importance of 'freeing' our content and engage with students at all stages of their time at the University is key. That's why we have put the emphasis on a modern, scalable platform with a rich user interface and attractive design. The new website will usher in a new online future for the University.
Phil Chapman, Director of Marketing and External Relations, The University of Northampton
The new system has been well accepted by senior management and users and the next step is to build a road map for future development.
There is already a large demand from internal departments and the task is now to prioritise the evolution of the platform and begin to build a future proofed, rich and engaging online experience for all audiences of the website, including students, teaching staff and alumni.