www'merrimack'edu

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www.merrimack.edu

• Migration to Version 2.0

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Current Pages
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Version 1.0 Challenges

• Ease of navigation
• Ease of maintenance
• Freshness of look and feel
• Logical hierarchy
• Language tone
• .leads to decision to redesign

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Version 2.0 Enhancements

• Navigation system
• Updated graphics
• Improved searching capabilities
• Streamlined content and hierarchy
• Content Management System (currently piloted
  through Academic Departments)
• Rewritten top level pages
• Audience specific information
• Merrimack.edu Inside Page Template

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Content Management System (CMS)

• Completely web enabled and cross platform.
  Administrators will manage pages through a web
  interface as simple as buying a book online.
• Reminder system will email administrators when
  their pages are due to be reviewed.
• Will allow content to be entered into
  preformatted templates, allowing for a consistent
  look and feel.

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Plans for Front Page

• Hot links to Sports Scores, Latest News, Rogers
  Schedule, Making a Donation
• Small, quick loading, Flash animation on top.
  Similar to Bentley College
• Collage, using new photos including Campus Center
• User can opt into Audience level info or use the
  enhanced main navigation
• Moving toward a portal strategy and the concept
  of a MyMerrimack.

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Design Paradigm

• Feedback from Community
• Competitors websites
• Educause Best Practices
• Additional research on web usability and content
  management.

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Schedule

• Inside template page completed
• Hierarchy Finalized 1/1/02
• Home Page Finalized 1/15/02
• Programming commences on Content Management
  System 1/1/02
• Content Freeze on static pages NOT dynamic -
  from 1/15-3/1/02, while data is migrated into the
  database for the CMS.
• Static page HR Benefits Page
• Dynamic page Job Postings

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Schedule contd

• 1/15-2/1 All data migrated into database
• 2/1-2/21 Build out front end
• 2/21 Add, Modify, Delete functions of CMS
  completed
• 2/21-2/28 Test/Debug
• 3/1 Version 2.0 goes live
• 3/31 CMS reminder system completed

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Watch the construction!

• Project Website
• http//www.merrimack.edu/new
• Feedback form will automatically email me.
• Schedule is ambitious, therefore timely feedback
  is requested and encouraged.
• The entire community must be represented
  adequately, an enterprise perspective will be
  very helpful.

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Thank you for your time, input, and support.