Youth Access is the national membership association for information, advice, counseling, and support services to young people. Its members include local and national voluntary organisations, as well as some local authority managed providers.
Dianne Aimable-Lina, the Quality and Membership Development Officer for Youth Access, was faced with the challenge of producing a Web site and online database to further develop Youth Access services. “I had some understanding of what I wanted, but above all I knew I needed to work with a company that was approachable, knowledgeable and friendly.”
This Web site project had two overall aims:
- to develop a Web site aimed at both members and non-members who are involved in the delivery of youth services, whilst also providing a useful resource to the general public – particularly young people:
- to develop an online database of members, non-members and other bodies involved in the delivery of these youth services.
A variety of solutions and architectures were explored for the project before concluding that a bespoke Web based members database coupled with an off the shelf Content Management System was the right solution for this project.
These conclusions were formed since the Content Management requirements were readily and cost effectively matched and exceeded by the CommonSpot content server, whereas a good match for the on line member’s database requirement could not be found. A combination of off the shelf and a well specified and managed bespoke development thus provided the optimum solution for the project.
Roger Fairhead from Cyber Media says “… if an ‘off the shelf’ solution addresses over 90% of a requirement then go with off the shelf; however if it meets less than 70% of your needs, a bespoke solution should be considered.”
“Cyber Media have been helpful and responsive throughout the project, and have assisted us in developing a solution which was right for us. We have been really pleased with the levels of service they have offered” said Dianne.
Cyber Media provided a comprehensive solution in meeting the aims of the project including
- initial consultancy
- bespoke database design and development
- complete Web site design
- accessibility to Bobby AAA
- project implementation
- Web site hosting and maintenance
