International Association for Impact Assessment

Database Driven Website with Content Management System

The International Association for Impact Assessment came to Ignus to redesign and reorganize their website which had grown convoluted and confusing over the past several years.

IAIA is truly an international organization and sought proposals from vendors across the world before selecting Ignus.

Ignus created a solution that met all of IAIA’s requirements and more. First, Ignus integrated their existing content into a content management system. The content management system improved IAIA’s website in many ways.

1. Consistent look and feel across all site pages.

2. Consistent navigation for all pages.

3. Password protected administration tool allows IAIA staff to update and add pages while forcing them to stick to the proper design and does so without giving dangerous FTP access.

4. Integrated site-wide search.

In the process of migrating content into the content management system, Ignus was able to streamline their information and improve the overall organization of pages. This resulted in a reduction from over 400 pages before the project to approximately 300 pages now. This reduction means less redundant information for visitors to the IAIA website and 25% fewer pages to maintain for the IAIA staff.

In addition, Ignus worked with IAIA to convert their existing members-only content into the content management system, making it much more secure in the process. Previously, it was possible to access certain members-only content without a valid password if the proper web path was known. Now the material is properly secured.

The new web site also features an automated abstract submission system whereby web visitors can submit abstracts on topics related to environmental impact for possible inclusion in future IAIA conferences.

Ignus understands that in order to maximize the benefits of their new web site, the IAIA staff needs to be comfortable with the new site, understand its organization, and be confident in their actions when making updates. To this end, Ignus pre-planned training for IAIA as part of the proposal and worked with their staff to ensure their training needs were met. Ignus is currently finishing up the project and is adding online credit card processing for new member signups, among other features.