Website - www.claruscorp.com

Description

In December 2002, Clarus completed the sale of the operating assets related to its prior software business to Epicor Software (NASDAQ: EPIC). Currently, Clarus is executing an asset redeployment strategy where it will use its substantial cash resources to acquire or merge with an operating business that will serve as a platform company, enhancing future shareholder value.

Website - www.netperceptions.com

Description

NetPerceptions is executing an asset redeployment strategy where it will use its substantial cash resources to acquire or merge with an operating business that will serve as a platform company, enhancing future shareholder value.

Website - www.curtispapers.com

Description

Curtis Papers produces and sells specialty and fine papers for a variety of markets. Note: The company is in the process or a sell-off/merger/acquisition, so the status of the website is unknown. As such, the link to their website has been removed. However, the case study is still valid and will remain.

Needs

• Product/sample catalog integration
• Product Search
• Shipping rate integration
• Online credit card authorization

Goals

• One of the company's goals was to have a site that would reveal the unique 'personality' of each of their product lines, as well as feature a specific brand of papers for marketing purposes.
• Curtis also wanted the customer to have the power to specify specific attributes in order to find a paper that fulfills the customer's need.
• Once the customer has found a paper, the site needed to not only provide a fast and easy purchase process, but should also provide shipping options and rates for the customer's location.

Solution

First, the product and sample catalogs were imported into Microsoft SQL Server.  Next, sources for shipping rates were acquired and integrated into the system.  Associates of NeoCurve then created the necessary product search functionality, and proceeded to create and integrate the site's shopping cart and purchase mechanism with the company's merchant account.  Additionally, the NeoCurve also gave Curtis Papers a web-based administrative interface for handling tasks such as modifying orders as dictated by the customer.  Mission accomplished within a tight deadline.  The site has been successful enough that the NeoCurve gang was called upon again -- this time to provide expanded shipping options to Canadian customers as well as U.S. residents!

Website - www.edarwinism.com

Description

eDarwinism represents a collection of studies being performed by the Kenan-Flagler Business School at UNC-Chapel Hill. The studies assess business readiness and "survival rating" of competing in electronic marketplaces.

Needs

• Needs Online survey
• Ability to export results to Excel

Goals

• The primary goals of eDarwinism were to implement online surveys for companies who are invited to participate, allow the survey participant to leave an return to the survey anytime before the survey was completed, and to store and export results of any given survey for analysis.

Solution

First, the web design was created following some initial discussion.  The database to store survey questions, possible responses, survey respondent profiles, and survey answers was then created.  After the survey question pages were implemented, the survey implementation was improved to handle questions that required answers, as well as questions that, when answered a certain way, would skip to a question later in the survey.  Once surveys were completed, an automated scoring process was developed to handle assessment of the respondent in several categories. The results could then be retrieved by the survey designers at any time for analysis.  Finally, a survey administrator can use the site to not only assign passwords and invite participants, but the administrator can also be alerted by email whenever a respondent completes a survey.

Since several NeoCurve members have strong backgrounds and experience in data mining, this project was not only completed successfully, but was also enjoyable!

Website - www.joecaddy.com

Description

JoeCaddy.com takes a loving yet lighthearted look at golf. By combining irreverent humor with course ratings, product reviews, contests, and discussion forums, JoeCaddy.com intends to build an online community among golf aficionados, and attract advertisers and sponsors in the process!

Needs

• Affiliate advertising and offers
• User profiles
• Discussion forums
• Online polls
• Online contests
• Product reviews
• Golf course reviews and tips

Goals

• One of JoeCaddy.com's primary goals is to keep fresh content on the site so that members of its community visit every day. Also, the site requires a lot of flexibility in managing features such as product reviews and online contests.

Website - www.martinhersh.com

Description

The Martin Hersh firm specializes in elder law and estate planning, and wanted a web presence that not only describes the company's business, but also answers many of the common questions that clients have regarding estate planning, wills, guardianship, and other topics pertaining to elder law.

Needs

•  Allow users to pay for services online
•  Site design

Goals

•  Develop a site that targets customers with legal needs in the elder law and estate planning areas. The site should display informational content so that it can be easily understood by computer novices, and easily updated as needed

Solution

The site design targets seniors and families, with content broken down into small, easily-digestible pieces. To inform clients about the elder law and estate planning, a Frequently Asked Questions area was developed. The FAQ is database driven for both clustering questions by category and providing easy maintenance. The site shows enough promise that it may be expanding to include online creation of common legal forms.

Website - www.mousescape.com

Description

MouseScape is a Disney information source that gives the Disneyphile park information, travel tips, and trivia, and whose mission is to help the Disney adventurer plan a fantastic trip. They also offer a banner rotation network with statistics reporting for Disney-related sites.

Needs

• Migration to 100% online presence
• Affiliate advertising and offers
• Online Disney trip planning
• Data mining for targeted advertising
• Banner Rotation Network

Goals

• MouseScape wanted to transform itself into a 100% online presence, and NeoCurve was there to help make it happen.
• MouseScape also wanted to completely rethink every aspect of its business. With NeoCurve.com by its side, we established areas to focus on.
• A key element of the new vision was to empower the Disney visitor with a customizable and intelligent travel plan. The goal was for the user to list his travel dates and interests in his profile, and MouseScape.com would provide him with a flexible itinerary that took into account weather factors, interests, Disney events, and more during the travel dates.
• As part of its business model, MouseScape wanted to use the travel profile to recommend affiliates for trip reservations, and even create offers in the itinerary that matched the customer's interests! For example, a user who expressed an interest in Italian cuisine might find a special offer to eat at Alfredo's in the Italy region of EPCOT.
• Finally, MouseScape wanted to mine the profile and itinerary data for interesting information in order to better attract affiliates and target affiliate offers.

Solution

After establishing the common vision for the MouseScape.com presence, the initial database and site design were developed.  Once basic functionality was established, customer profile surveys were developed. At this time, Disney attractions, events and affiliate offers were integrated into the system as well.  The profile matching engine was then created, and the data mining engine was also developed concurrently. 

According to the CIO of MouseScape, "We had a bold vision, and NeoCurve.com definitely helped us to make it a reality. MouseScape is truly pleased to have an ongoing relationship with the NeoCurve!"

Website - www.rpea-westput.org

Description

When the Westchester-Putnam County, New York chapter of the Retired Public Employees Association needed a quick and basic website that stressed content over flash and delivered ease of use and accessibility for the handicapped, NeoCurve got the job done quickly.

Needs

• Site design

Goals

• RPEA wanted to develop a site aimed squarely at their target audience -- seniors. The content should explain clearly and simply what RPEA was all about, and the interface should keep the retiree in mind.

Solution

The interface chosen for this project had seniors in mind -- large text within an intuitive and easy-to-use overall design. The content for the interface also explained RPEA's goals in direct, no-nonsense language. As a result, the site speaks directly to seniors without speaking down to them.

Website - www.screenvision.com

Description

The leader in worldwide cinema advertising, ScreenVision provides their clients with customized marketing programs that use larger-than-life sight, sound and motion to connect their clients' brands with their desired target audiences.

Website - www.snkypete.com

Description

Snkypete Racing is a Mustang enthusiast site, with a health dose of other activities too! In addition to discussing Mustang models and modifications, Snkypete Racing also features a web store for purchasing Mustang parts and accessories.

Website - www.storemyphotos.com

Description

StoreMyPhotos.com lets its customers quickly and easily create online photo albums for sharing with colleagues, friends, or family. The company also gives the customer the power to order real photos, as well as CDs and DVDs of their pictures.

Needs

Goals

• StoreMyPhoto.com's first goal was to have a site that would be easy for novice computer users to use.
• The company also wanted to provide a tiered service plan, so that customers could upgrade their photo album size as needed. Toward this end, StoreMyPhotos.com wanted the flexibility to quickly adjust details of each tier or create additional service plans to fulfill market needs.
• StoreMyPhotos.com, in an effort to satisfy user demands for developing photo prints, CDs, and DVDs from their photo albums, wanted to find an affiliate to handle these services, and integrate them into the website.

Solution