Design Haus have recently become Microsoft partners to allow our clients to benefit from the latest Microsoft technologies, including SharePoint Portal Server 2003. We are now in a position to supply, integrate and support this new technology.



Design Haus currently develop on a Microsoft platform and this new partnership will also allow us valuable access to Microsoft support, for the ongoing commitment we have to developing client applications for the Microsoft Windows Server 2003 and Microsoft SQL Server 2000 platforms

Many companies are discovering the power and flexibility of a corporate intranet or extranet. It makes sense to use the existing network for more then just file sharing. Internet technologies can extend your business applications beyond the confines of the office. A password protected site can make sensitive information available to your customers. This kind of "24 hour" communication can makes it easier and quicker for clients to do business with you.

The key to starting an intranet is to start small. There may be a number of personnel forms you want to make available on the network or it may be something more complex like building a web 'front-end' for your CRM package. The important thing is to start and then adapt the site to meet the company's needs.

A typical company intranet could include the following areas:

• Documents Area
• Company Events
• News
• Message Board
• Contant Directory
• Useful Links
• Corporate Info/Policies/Procedures
• Forms/Time Sheets/Expense Reports

• Start small (have we mentioned this already?)
• Keep in mind that your intranet/extranet can make use of any web functionality available. Because we generally know what browsers and what computers the system will need to run on there is more room to experiment.
• Always include an area for requests, get people in your organisation involved in the development.
• Have a "Killer Application". There should be one thing that really attracts people to the site. It can be something as simple as the lunch menu.
• How will your intranet/extranet tie-in with your existing website, it at all.
• Use an easy to remember name for the URL.
• Use limited graphics, the site needs to be functional. Concentrate on making it easy to use.

George and Harding's core capabilities include the design, construction and off-site fabrication of buildings and their infrastructure as well as the re-fitting of interiors and exhibition stands. They provide total project management solutions tailored to meet the specific needs of each client. As a long standing client George and Harding came to us to initiate their first extranet.

Like all extranets George and Harding's extranet has grown and become and invaluable asset to their company.

Phase 1 - Document Management System
George and Harding started off needing a system to manage all their files and documents. The main feature of the system was to allow read/ write privileges to certain people and departments. Once logged in, their company documents can be searched/browsed and then retrieved. This was aided by a helpful folder structure so the user can browse around like on the operating system of their computer.

Phase 2 - Staff Holidays System
A visual system for staff to book their holiday leave was developed as part of Phase 2. The system shows days booked and taken for an employee and for all departments together. The information can be kept anonymous if desired by an employee. So if a member of staff was interested in taking a weeks leave at short notice they can instantly check to see whether their are free days available. This has freed up resources for George and Harding and allowed their production levels to increase.

Phase 3 - Secret Service System
This system is not as secret as it sounds but was dubbed "Secret Service" because of its nature. The system was setup as the third area of their extranet and is designed to allow members of the building community to share problems and solutions relating to their own industry. The system is built around total anonymity online message boards.

Phase 4 - WAP Site Managers System
A WAP system was also been developed to allow site managers to send in material requests via their mobiles. This has sped up the process of paperwork and has saved massive amounts of time in production. Once a site manager makes a material request it gets fed into their internal systems where a member of staff in the office can process the order through to George and Harding's suppliers.