XIST recently finished the first iteration of a comunity oriented website. The project involved extensive stakeholder consultations and information architecture planning. XIST carried out an environmental scan of webb content management systems and selected Drupal.

More information and a full project description will be coming after the official site launch.

XIST researched online video standards and best practices. Using the results from the research phase of the project XIST converted existing videos on DVD to web appropriate formats.

Challenges met include:

Project: XIST conducted an environmental scan of open-source digital library technologies, developed a high-level development schedule and made recommendations to migrate a legacy database to a web-based digital library platform.

Project: XIST placed a consultant onsite to provide full-time web planning, communications policy and web development services for a Government of Canada client. Under the direction of the client, the consultant developed policies for web based communications, developed a strategic plan for aligning the department web site with emerging communication priorities, and provided project management services to guide the development team through a transition period, until a new web master was hired full time on staff.

Project: XIST placed a consultant onsite to provide full-time senior level database design, application development, programming and implementation for a Government of Canada. Under the direction of the client, the consultant provided expertise with a variety of enterprise level technologies including Oracle db and Evergreen open-source integrated library system. The consultant also helped to translate knowledge to the client and create application documentation.

Project: XIST redesigned a web site for a Canadian builder of world-class rowing shells and single racing sculls. The project included a broad range of integrated services:

• online marketing strategy design
• application development and content management system design
• content development
• user interface design
• multimedia podcast development
• search engine optimization

Project: XIST completed an assessment of information management processes for a multi-partner government agency to analyze its information management practices and technologies, establish information management priorities, and outline a way forward to improve its information management capabilities. Recommendations included potential development strategies to streamline the organization’s information management operations, control critical sets of data, and position it to better manage increasing workloads and program activities.

• stakeholder consultations

Project: XIST provided a broad range of Internet development skills related to graphic design, HTML development, and JavaScript programming of web page templates for several of the Natural Resources Canada web and Intranet sites, including the Issues and Topics Natural Hazards site, Earth Sciences Sector, and the International Projects site, among others.