Blue-Bag Information System Solutions: Bespoke Software, Internet applications, metadata, HTML/XML, databases: Part of the solution

A selection of projects we have undertaken

Spotlight

Globetrotter Inns

Brief: To improve Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and design for the Globetrotter Inns website

Solution: We undertook a competitor analysis and began a rolling report of the ranking in the main search engines to gauge the success of the SEO. Keywords were generated from the most frequently used search terms and marketplace knowledge. The pages were re-coded to increase the keyword density throughout the website. Areas of the site that were improved for SEO were text of the page, text links on site, names of pages, folders and alt text on images.

See for yourself: www.globetrottersworld.com

The Species Dictionary at the Natural History Museum

Brief: To create an online representation of the NBN Species Dictionary. The required version was to be a simple reflection of the structure of the data model to highlight the concepts and the content of the standards promoted by the Species Dictionary.

Solution: We created a detailed specification for a dynamic data driven ISAPI application. The budget for the work was limited and the customer wanted to be able to alter the pages produced by the application independently. We deployed our tag based HTML templates for use with the custom ISAPI application against an MS-SQL™ database. The resulting web site enables visitors to browse and query the species listings of the Species Dictionary. The look and feel of the site has been completely revamped over the past two years - with no need to alter the ISAPI code base.

See for yourself: www.nhm.ac.uk/nbn

See also: The NBN Index & The Wood-pasture & Parkland Information System for similar tag based ISAPI solutions

Encryption of 1:50,000 Ordnance Survey maps for Recorder

Brief: To enable the secure distribution of the 1:50,000 Ordnance Survey map series for use with the Recorder 2000 application. The maps were to be encrypted and supplied on CD. Users of the CD set should be able to apply for unlock keys for maps, to which they access, by email, fax or post. Once unlocked, the maps should be automatically installed for use with the Recorder 2000 software

Solution: We employed triple DES encryption to distribute the maps on a CD set. A bespoke map selector application on the CD enables the user to visually select map tiles (shown with a thumbnail view and a representation of location on a map of GB). The selected map tiles can be added to a basket which can be used as a basis for an order for unlock codes. The unlock code order produced by generating an email automatically for the user addressed to the NBN as a digital order or a text file for faxing/posting. A further application (used by the NBN staff) produces secure unlock keys for the user and emails (or post/fax) them back to the user.
The whole ordering system is highly secure and efficient (the user application reads the returned keys in and unlocks the maps) and enforces the licensing requirements of the Ordnance Survey.

See for yourself: www.nbn.org.uk

WetWoods

Brief: To design, create & host a web site to highlight the work undertaken for the LIFE project for the management and conservation of wet woodlands in Scotland. The resulting web site was also to present a gallery of photographs depicting wet woodlands and their management.

Solution: The resulting web site used a mixture of static and dynamic ASP based HTML. The various cases studies of woodland sites and their management and conservation status are linked to the gallery of photographs available. We provide the domain registration and hosting for this site.

See for yourself: www.wetwoods.org

The NBN Index

Brief: To create the foundation for a metadata standard to be used across organisations working together for the conservation of biodiversity. In addition to the production of a 'standard' the client commissioned a metadata collection exercise to 'pump prime' the initiative. The client also required a dynamic web site to show case the metadata collected.

Solution: We used our own unique metadata collection tool for the collection and sharing of metadata. We built a tag based ISAPI application to present the metadata online. We have provided hosting and management of the online web application free of charge for the past five years as an example of our metadata tools and services.

See for yourself: www.UKWildlife.com/nbn

UK BIODIVERSITY Action Planning

Brief: Produce a first version of a web site to highlight the work undertaken by organisations in the UK supporting the International Convention on Biological Diversity. The client required that the design enabled their in-house staff to continue the production of the site. The client also wanted to have a geographical searching method to enable visitors to the site to search for details about biodiversity initiatives in their area.

Solution: A set of draft designs were reviewed with the client and a final look and feel chosen. This was implemented in a series of Dreamweaver™ templates that enabled them to continue to update and add to the site. Geographical searching was achieved by implementing a copy of our unique Flash™ based Mapping application (Tell me more)

See for yourself: www.ukbap.org.uk

See also www.jncc.gov.uk, www.chm.org.uk for similar types of solutions

ConvertAll

Brief: To create a vertical shrink wrapped application to perform robust currency conversion with Microsoft Office applications for the Euro changeover in Europe.

Solution: The resulting application is comprised of a suite of tools that are integrated within Word and Excel. Currency conversion rates are managed centrally and can be used to control a network of installations.

Scottish Species Database

Brief: To create a single database out of a series of information sources relating to species of conservation concern in Scotland. The resulting database was to be delivered with a web interface that enabled searching and updating for the clients Intranet.

Solution: The various spreadsheets and other data sources were cleaned, reconciled to use standard dimensions and modeled within a single relational database in MS Access format. An ASP application was designed and built around Dreamweaver templates . The resulting Intranet application enables the delivery of the data across the clients intranet. A user management model enables control of access to features such as editing, etc.

The Integrated Waterbird Database

Brief: To generate a standard database from two large databases resulting from coordinated monitoring of waterbirds in the UK. The client required a set of management utilities to enable the maintenance of core aspects of the resulting database.

Solution: We provided major data cleaning and dimension modeling services to create a database in MS-SQL of over 10 million records in the NBN data format (with extensions). We provided a custom application that enables the comprehensive management and viewing of the data in one interface. Data import and validation utilities are also provided to enable import of new data to the database.

Wood-pasture & Parkland Information System

Brief: To create an information management system using a standard data model and custom COM based add-ins for the Recorder 2000 software. The data model was to be populated with trial data from a number of external partner sources. The resulting database was to be presented online in a dynamic web site to enable online browsing of the data.

Solution: We developed a data model based on the standard datamodel for biodiversity information developed by the NBN. A custom add-in for the Recorder 2000 software was developed to enable collection of the core and extended attributes of the data model using the Recorder 2000 software. A tag based ISAPI application with standard templates was developed to present the data online.

We provide domain registration and hosting for this site.

See for yourself: www.wapis.org.uk

Discovery consists of seeing what everyone else has seen and thinking what no-one else has thought
Albert Szent-Gyorgyi, 1983-1986