Website Management Gets Smart

Christchurch (7 May 2001) – Web site development and management is set to change with a software program that makes it easy for web site owners to manage their site without any special skills.

The program, called SmartAlec, can be used for new or existing web sites and has been developed by Wired Internet Group, a Christchurch based developer of Internet related software.

“SmartAlec lets businesses manage their website information through an easy to use administration area that’s available any time and anywhere through the Internet..” said Mike Baddeley, Managing Director of Wired Internet Group.

“It’s the sort of tool that big companies use, but at a small company price.” Mr Baddeley said.

While companies are demanding more from their web sites, a shift is taking place in who delivers web development services.

Technically oriented web companies have dominated the industry, but are being supplanted by media agencies offering web development along with their other services. “These companies need back-end products like SmartAlec so they can deliver web sites quickly without having to up-skill in non-core areas” Mr. Baddeley said.

The SmartAlec product comes with a content manager so website pages can be added, deleted or amended in real time through a word processor-like interface.

A built-in newsletter function in SmartAlec allows frequent communication with groups of newsletter subscribers, encouraging further visits to the web site.

“Companies are also concerned about re-investing in a website each time they do a major upgrade, so we addressed this by making scalability a principal feature of SmartAlec” said Richard MacGeorge, a Wired director.

Modules that Wired is either building or planning include a comprehensive eCommerce component using Microsoft Commerceserver®, integration with applications like QuickBooks® and Goldmine®, a WAP site builder and text-messaging centre.

SmartAlec™ uses one centralised set of code to run many web sites, which is the model used by the new breed of Application Service Providers (ASPs).

The advantage of this approach is that enhancements can be rolled out to users quickly and easily. Site maintenance costs are much lower as well, leading to a lower total cost of web site ownership.

Wired is discussing distribution rights with several large companies in New Zealand and in the United Kingdom.

Wired Internet Group is an Internet software development company based in Christchurch, New Zealand. As a Microsoft Certified Partner, it has been building software from static web sites to complex XML driven systems integrations since 1996. Our web site at www.wiredgroup.com contains more information about the company.

Digital images and a demonstration CD of SmartAlec can be provided on request and more information on SmartAlec can be found at http://www.getsmartalec.com.

ENDS

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