Details

Most web and application development companies take what the client asks them to do and write a document about it, get a signoff from the client on the application development specifications and then disappear for a few months to develop the site. Aside from some visual design sketches for design direction, the client is left powerless over the direction the site and application development.

At CEONEX we understand that the client learns more and more about the Internet as a whole, application development specifically and the overall possibilities during the course of the project. So we let the client decide how involved the company wants to be, and how much the company wants to learn through every step of the application development process.

Instead of building a large, closed system that will take a year to complete and may be outdated by the time we launch-we build "Modules" that we "phase in," which allows us (with the clients help) to gauge response to partial site deliveries, beta test ahead of launch, and respond very quickly and efficiently to market and industry changes and trends.

Our Guiding Principles of Engagement

I. We build everything in a modular fashion to minimize the costs in money and time of adapting to changing conditions and to allow easy integration with other elements and future additions of new functionality to avoid overhauling everything each time.

II. Our integrated project team works closely with client contacts to show progress every step of the way to ensure that what is being built is exactly what is needed (it is easier to accommodate incremental changes during development rather than building a closed system based on initial specifications).

III. We are responsible for quality and continually test our assumptions, designs, and code.

IV. Our team is required to spend 10-15% of their day learning and evaluating new technologies and solutions to integrate into our future development.

Before undertaking any actual development work on a site we first go through a standard set of procedures to ensure that the final product will not just be a technical and visual masterpiece - but that it will also fulfill the vision, needs, and desires of our client.

Here is an outline of some of those procedures.

• We meet with key in house staff to understand first of all what clients expects from the site and where they see the site taking their company in the next several years. And also to get a high level of understanding about the client's business, products and/or services.
• We do extensive research into the client's competition and ascertain a precise definition of the desired target audience, user expectations, level of internet experience, and their technical (hardware/software) capabilities.
• After that we hold several internal meetings at CEONEX to discuss different approaches and possibilities and analyze in detail which of our ideas would benefit the client the most based on the above outlined information-gathering steps.
• At this stage we inform the client about the most appropriate and beneficial options we can offer based on the objectives. After in-depth discussions and Q&A, the client has a deep understanding of the possibilities. Armed with this knowledge, the client can adequately access and utilize our high level Internet skills.
• At that point in time we start putting together a specification document that outlines the elements involved, describes the ""modules" and "phases", a budget and outlines delivery milestones and deadlines.
• The specifications are shown to the client for approval and discussion, and refinement if necessary. Once the specs are approved, the budget is finalized and signed by the client, and a Purchase Order is issued.
• With firm specifications in our hands we start the development process. This process takes place on several team tracks-thus we have a team working on visuals, a team working on programming, a team working on interactive animations, a team working on content and assembly. Each team is guided by a Lead Designer, Programmer, Animator etc. All are overseen by one of our art directors, project managers and account managers.
• At that point in time we start putting together a specification document that outlines the elements involved, describes the "modules" and "phases", a budget and outlines delivery milestones and deadlines.
• During the development process we show the client the progress and let the client test the system prototypes; the client provides feedback and modification requests that are immediately implemented into the future development process.
• Once the development is finished all systems are integrated with each other and are tested for satisfactory operation even under extreme conditions. Beta testing for usability is also done at this point.
• Modifications are done to the system based on the stress and beta testing results.
• The Website is launched!
• User Feedback is gathered and web site statistics analyzed to see if some parts of the site need improvement and clarification.
• Based on these analyses recommendations on improvement are made.
• Client has a full online point-and-click administrative interface to the company's website that enables updates and modifications to site.
• CEONEX continues to monitor site and maintain flawless operation and implementation of any needed improvements based on site operation, user feedback and statistics analysis.