Miller Systems, one of Boston’s premier design and technology consulting firms, today debuted an innovative online presence for the Boston Society of Architects (BSA), www.architects.org , a nonprofit professional service organization that administers programs and provides resources to enhance the practice of architecture and the public and professional understanding of design. Miller Systems partnered with the BSA, an existing Miller Systems’ IT Consulting client, to deliver an imaginative ground-up redesign of its entire website, leveraging and integrating BSA’s existing membership management system and simplifying content presentation to meet the needs of its multiple constituencies. As a result of combined efforts on the new site, the BSA and Miller Systems accepted today’s Cool Site of the Day award, www.coolsiteoftheday.com.
“Miller Systems developed an excellent overall understanding of our constituencies and how they interact with each other—members of the BSA, building industry professionals, consumers and providers of architecture related services. Together, we were able to design and develop a site that meets our complex business requirements,” said Nancy Jenner, Deputy Director of the Boston Society of Architects. “Combined with extensive principal level involvement and its ‘single point of contact’ accountability for every phase of the development and maintenance lifecycle, Miller Systems delivered results that were on time, on target and on budget.”
Founded in 1867, the BSA is a 3,600-member organization of architects, allied professionals, and citizens in Massachusetts. As the largest branch of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the BSA has multiple constituencies with a wide range of needs. Recognizing the need to serve its overall member community better, the BSA sought out Miller Systems to implement a new online presence, complete with an integrated membership management system, custom application development including e-commerce, site wide content management system and “one click access” information architecture.
Continued Ms. Jenner, “We value Miller Systems’ ability to deliver integrated services. Their common sense approach, deep technical expertise and design savvy enabled the BSA to build, maintain and host a site where the information architecture goes ‘beyond brochureware’ to make the end user’s experience as reliable, efficient and content-relevant as possible. We already have plans for Phase Two developments and look forward to continuing our work with Miller Systems.”
Completely integrated with the BSA’s existing eNOAH membership system from JL Systems, Inc., the new site is segmented by constituents’ needs. For the first time, it enables members with a single click to check membership information and directory listings, and to post and search information in the BSA resume bank. Miller Systems also developed the BSA’s first e- commerce application, enabling members to search, sort, purchase and respond to classified advertising online. The site is powered by a combination of Ektron Inc.’s eMPower web content management software, the existing BSA membership directories in eNOAH, and custom tools developed from the ground up, including the resume bank, the classified e-commerce application, and an easy-to-use event calendar manager. Today, all BSA staff members are empowered to contribute and update content, keep the site current, and continually improve service to its members.
“Our work with the BSA exemplifies the breadth and depth of our offerings and the value our integrated service methodology brings to clients,” said Seth Miller, Founder, President and CEO of Miller Systems, Inc. “The range of services we delivered will benefit the BSA with increased staff productivity, revenue opportunities, most importantly, a well served membership.”