About Us
Case Studies

We invite you to read about some of our successful implementations:

• Content Management Systems
• E-commerce
• Portals
• Analytics
• Help Desk Solutions
• Enterprise Application Integration

Content Management Systems

E.W. Scripps
The Challenge - E.W. Scripps sought to consolidate their existing Web content which was delivered via various online properties utilizing a wide variety of management and deployment tools. Over 30 sites including FoodNetwork.com, HGTV.com, DIYnet.com, various local newspapers and TV affiliate news station sites were identified for consolidation into the Vignette Content Management System (CMS) environment.

The Solution - Members of the Porteck team conceptualized and developed a centralized Content Mangement System powered by Vignette. The CMS was designed to provide a robust foundation for managing and sharing content, while leveraging category information for all Scripps Web sites. The CMS enables the distribution of syndicated content to all of Scripps’ news and information-based properties, the database storage of shared and similar types of content, the management of shared types of content and the internal distribution of one property’s content (i.e., HGTV gardening stories) to all of Scripps’ Vignette enabled sites.

Bear Stearns
The Challenge - To create an information Portal that raises the profile of Bear Stearn's Global Clearing Services and helps generate more business by accurately detailing the capabilities of this department.

The Solution - The Porteck team created a B2E and B2C Portal dedicated to disseminating information about Bear Stearns Global Clearing Services. Within the Portal, we utilized a content management system, helping to organize and revise submitted content to be posted to the Portal. Our front end design was created to draw upon traditional Bear Stearns branding cues, yet still create a distinct identity for Global Clearing Services.

E-Commerce

Socrates
The Challenge - Amidst a re-branding campaign, Socrates Media was repositioning itself as a multi-media information resource, and needed assistance in redesigning its software for sale both on their Web site and at various national retailers.

The Solution - Porteck was brought in to create a single engine that would power Socrates' entire line of software; they required an engine that would be capable of generating forms, managing user data and completing simple calculations. Utilizing a .NET framework, the Porteck team built an engine capable of not only installing and managing Socrates's extensive catalog of forms, contracts and documents but also provided extensive security and fraud protection, preventing unlicensed software copies to be distributed. Additionally, the software is available for purchase and download via the Web.

Cityfeet
The Challenge - To develop a B2B Portal that enables match-making between local small and medium sized businesses and landlords of office, retail, industrial and other types of commercial space in a cost and time effective manner. With points of presence in many markets, Cityfeet needed a solution that would scale as they expanded into new markets as well as new types of commercial space.

The Solution - Porteck designed a scalable Portal solution that allows Cityfeet to launch new cities, new property types, and new email types to its Portal quickly and easily. Porteck also added functionality to the Cityfeet Portal, including the ability to accept credit card transactions (thereby adding a new revenue stream), and enhanced its database of user information by increasing a mere 6 tables of flat file data to a 35 table relational database.

Baby Press Conference
The Challenge - To design and implement Web-based applications that handle multimedia communication between new parents and their friends and families over the Internet via kiosks located within hospitals.

The Solution - Using Microsoft technologies, Porteck developed the kiosk and client software that allowed new parents and their babies to schedule and pay for visits with friends and families via a virtual online community. Porteck also created administrative components that enabled the management of the netcast scheduling and communications.

Portals

The Ford Foundation
The Challenge - The Ford Foundation wanted to create a “Virtual Foundation” by enhancing its current intranet ("ffNet") to expand the feature-set and increase its usability. The Foundation requested that Porteck upgrade their system with minimum interruptions to current usage.

The Solution - Porteck worked with the Ford Foundation to determine what desired modifications and enhancements were required in order to better support the Foundation's activities and processes. In order to minimize disruptions to ffNet users, the Porteck team structured the ffNet enhancements as a series of development modules that were largely built, tested and deployed independently. Upgrades included database modifications, application integration, software upgrades, analytics and personalization modules.

A Major Telecom Organization
The Challenge - To create a personalized B2B Portal for telecommunications companies to assist them in managing their Toll Free numbers.

The Solution - The Porteck team built a multifunctional Portal for a major telecom organization offering toll free services. The Portal we developed provides users with information, documentation, schedules and update notifications regarding industry events. The Telco's can also link to a Web-based access system that enables the telcos to manage their accounts. Each user has personalized access to the Portal, utilizing role-based content filtering, single sign-on and content management capabilities that allow them to personalize the updates and information they receive.

Westvaco / Paxonix
The Challenge - To develop a B2E and B2C Portal that allows Paxonix employees to store digital assets for packaging, price potential new projects, create packaging specifications and also allows their customers to track progress on their projects. Paxonix designs and creates packaging for retail products.

The Solution - Porteck worked with Paxonix to develop the client facing side of this application by integrating their existing systems with Microsoft's Sharepoint and by implementing design specifications. We integrated their security protocols with Sharepoint as well. This Portal has not only streamlined their internal and external business processes but also allows Paxonix to service their customers online.

Intercommercial
The Challenge - To create the world's first physical commodity trading Portal for green coffee traders and establish Intercommercial as the pioneer in this field.

The Solution - The Porteck team built a B2B Portal that closely parallels and supports the business requirements of physical commodity traders and brokers. In a Portal interface format, traders can place bids and offers or request a firm reply on line. The Intercommercial Portal maintains role-based security, controlling who sees quotes and who can accept them. The site also includes news feeds, industry-private email, instant messaging, on-line forums and personalization, empowering traders with their own "My Pages" that provide a customized view of the commodities market.

Analytics

GE Capital
The Challenge - To develop a Portal that captures, analyzes and disseminates a wide variety of on-line financial data in specialized graphical form for use by regional GE Capital offices worldwide.

The Solution - We developed a B2E Portal solution for GE Capital that helps globally dispersed managers to generate customized graphs enabling them to analyze data captured by their businesses. This was accomplished through extensive use of Macromedia Generator, Flash and ColdFusion coupled with a SQL Server database.

Help Desk Solutions

A Major Telecom Organization
The Challenge - A major telecom organization offering toll free services wanted to create an online Trouble Reporting System (TRS) that would allow it to communicate with industry users regarding the status of system issues. Furthermore, the TRS would need to automate many of the manual processes that the organization followed in managing and reporting issues.

The Solution - Porteck gathered detailed business and functional requirements before evaluating several trouble reporting software products. Ultimately, Action Request System (a product of Remedy Corporation) was chosen as the engine used to run TRS. The Porteck team customized ARS based on the unique business rules, processes and workflows required by the client. Today, users can access TRS to view updates on system issues without having to contact the organizations Help Desk. Furthermore, the organization's technical staff use TRS to communicate with each other regarding the status of troubleshooting efforts. The organization's management team uses TRS as a tool to measure trends regarding system issues and evaluate ways to improve processes to better serve their users.

Enterprise Application Integration

Knoll
The Challenge - Historically, Knoll’s order process was comprised of dealers and sales representatives sending faxes and/or mail to Knoll’s main clearinghouse where they would be processed internally and manually entered into a legacy JD Edwards system. Knoll wanted to take this process to the next level by creating Internet accessed custom catalogs for their best customers.

The Solution - Porteck created a B2B Portal that allows Knoll’s clients and dealers to collaboratively build custom catalogs for quick order submission and processing, providing ordering efficiencies for Knoll and its clients. The solution is built on an IBM WebSphere platform, and heavily employs the use of XML/XSL. The design is relational in nature and data redundancy is eliminated through normalization. The model is highly scalable and integrates with Web based procurement packages, JD Edwards and Lotus Notes customer databases in addition to accessing Knoll’s entire product database with millions of product combinations. IBM’s MQ series is used as middleware and provides optimized communications between the systems