Portfolio Ok, so I guess it's True Confessions™ time. Although the words "we" and "us" are used throughout this web site, the truth is that the Next Wave Software staff actually consists of a single developer. That developer would be me, Mike Dailor, and I'm pleased to meet you. Since starting my little company in 1990 I have worked on many projects and worn many hats, as both an employee and as a consultant. Sometimes I've been a chief, sometimes I've been an indian, and quite often I've been the entire tribe. You'd be here all day if I listed everything I've done in the last 20+ years (yes I could do it, I take great notes!), so here are a few of my favorites. Thanks for stopping by! Eastman Kodak Company Imagelink Image Server software I was the sole developer on this project. A long-time leader in the microfilm storage and retrieval industry, Kodak recently replaced their refrigerator-sized analog microfilm reader with a digital desktop unit, and contacted me for a modern replacement for their aging network retrieval system. I designed and developed a software-only Windows-based application to replace their existing hardware-specific DOS-based system, completely eliminating hardware overhead, manufacturing and support costs. The new system costs nothing to ship, is backward-compatible with existing software, works with any vendor‘s hardware and provides customers with the ability to send microfilmed images anywhere in the world via paper, fax or the Internet, as well as to both modern and legacy computer systems. And... it‘s fast! Buzzwords: C++, XML, Windows, NetBIOS, Microfilm, WinFAX, Photoshop, Graphic Design Microsoft Corporation Try IIS marketing web site I developed this site with a creative consultant and a copywriter. In designing this marketing site for Microsoft‘s Internet Information Services 6.0 software, we decided to combine a traditional Microsoft-style browseable/searchable product infomation site with a tried-and-true carrot-on-a-stick: give us information, get free stuff. In addition to obtaining comprehensive information about the IIS product, visitors to the site can also get free online video training, software, trial versions of Windows Server 2003 and other goodies in exchange for providing survey information about themselves and their organizations. The data is collected in real time into a database where it is accessed by Microsoft staffers through their administrative web site for use in tuning their IIS marketing campaigns. You may be thinking that this site looks exactly like every other Microsoft product site you‘ve seen. Thank you! We put in a lot of hours making it that way, right down to the rendered-on-the-fly gradient bars at the top of each page that look and work exactly the same whether you‘re on a Mac, a Windows PC or a Unix machine. Buzzwords: ASP, Visual Basic, .NET, Windows, SQL Server, Photoshop, Graphic Design IBM Corporation ImagePlus/2 document management software I was a team member on this project. A leader in the field of document and workflow management software, IBM was looking for a way to downsize their mainframe-based ImagePlus offering without sacrificing any of the speed or flexibility of the big-iron version. We designed a LAN-based application around two other IBM products, their multitasking OS/2 operating system and their SQL-based DB/2 database system. The fully distributed architecture allows input devices such as scanners and microfilm readers, output devices such as printers, fax machines and e-mail servers, imaging workstations and document depositories to be physically located anywhere on the network, even in different parts of the world and well-documented ‘‘User exits‘‘ throughout the application allow 3rd-party developers to easily extend the functionality of the software. Buzzwords: C, C++, OS/2, DB/2, Dociment Management, Workflow Management Polaroid Corporation Professional services and support web site I developed this site with a creative consultant and a copywriter. Polaroid Corporation wanted to launch their first fee-for-service tech support web site to build on their growing reputation as a leader in digital imaging and image quality. They required a database-driven, multi-functional e-commerce site that would both market and deliver the Polaroid ImageResults product, allowing users to learn about, test drive, purchase and use the service without human intervention. We delivered all of that and more, and of course, Polaroid staffers can easily update pricing, hardware and software specifications, marketing messages, banner ads, images, product features, knowledge base articles, FAQ‘s, online help and informational content through their behind-the-scenes administrative site. Buzzwords: ASP, Visual Basic, HTML, DHTML, JavaScript, Oracle, Photoshop, Graphic Design, eCommerce Axzo Press eCommerce web site I was the sole developer on this project. When the staff of NETg Press decided to buy their company from their employer and head out on their own, they knew that the Internet was the perfect vehicle to bring them business. It turns out that it‘s also the perfect way to manage their business. Working together from geographically diverse locations like San Francisco and Boston, the Axzo Press team uses their web site along with a QuickBooks Enterprise back end to manage their customers, sales, inventory and marketing. Orders entered by both staff and customers flow into the web site and are sent to accounting, the warehouse and the freight carrier in real time, making it possible for Axzo Press to make good on their same-day-shipping guarantee. Buzzwords: ASP, C#, .NET, HTML, DHTML, JavaScript, SQL Server, QuickBooks, Photoshop, Visual Studio Revolution EDI Corp. Financial health services web site I was the sole developer on this project. Revolution EDI‘s ‘‘Revolution ONE‘‘ is an internet-based claims processing service for the dental industry. Initially, the client approached me with a desire to allow dental practices to enter claim information into a web browser for electronic transmission directly to insurance companies. After brainstorming with the client, I designed and built for them a data-driven web site that not only allows dental practices to input their claims online, but also interfaces with their existing practice management software to allow them to transmit claims and receive reports automatically with a single mouse click. Also, by establishing relationships with third-party service providers and a clearing house, I was able to add optional services such as statement printing, data archiving and paper claims processing that generate additional revenue for the client while costing them nothing. Buzzwords: Windows Server 2003, IIS 6, Visual Studio .NET, ASP, C++, VB.NET, Database, SQL Server 2000, HTML, DHTML, JavaScript, XML, X12 837 spec, eCommerce, SSL, HIPAA, Copywriting Energetix, Inc. Day-to-day operations intranet I was a team member on this project. Energetix, an Energy Services Company, uses an ASP-based intranet running on a Microsoft SQL Server database to manage their business. A variety of subsystems using a range of technologies from Microsoft Access, Excel and Word to Crystal Reports and proprietary 3rd-party software move data into and out of the intranet in real time 24 hours a day. As a member of the Energetix team, I designed, developed and maintained many systems, including EDI interfaces to energy supply companies, a customer prospect entry system, a customer enrollment system, a welcome/decline letter management system, a commissions management system, a purchase of receivables management system and many more. Buzzwords: ASP, Visual Basic, .NET, HTML, DHTML, JavaScript, SQL Server, Access, EDI, Photoshop, Graphic Design, Energy Services AngstLAB Records Record company web site I was the sole developer on this project. AngstLAB Records is an independent record label with a simple idea: spend only what is necessary to produce a quality product, and then split the profits equally with their artists. To help them realize that goal, I provided them with a web-based solution that allows them to control and monitor every aspect of their business. Through their administrative site, the AngstLAB Records staff is able to post artist bios and releases complete with audio and video content, stock their online store with products and sell them, monitor inventory levels, fulfill customer orders, track expenses, collaborate on projects with their artists, make automated royalty payments and much, much more, all through a standard web browser. Buzzwords: ASP, Visual Basic, HTML, DHTML, JavaScript, XML, Database, SQL Server, Photoshop, Graphic Design, Flash, Copywriting Sage Rutty And Company, Inc. Financial planning corporate web site I developed this site with my creative partner under our Tech NuVo banner (please visit technuvo.com for more info). We designed and built an award-winning data-driven web site for Sage Rutty and Company, a Rochester NY-based financial firm. The client can easily update their site content (bond listings, broker information, seminars, newsletters, etc.) at any time via their password-protected administrative web site using just a web browser. Sage Rutty has increased their customer base dramatically via opt-in e-mail campaigns directed from their administrative site, and recently won the Rochester Business Journal‘s Best of the Web award for ‘‘Best Small Business Site in Rochester‘‘. Buzzwords: ASP, Visual Basic, HTML, DHTML, JavaScript, Java, Database, Microsoft Access, Photoshop, Graphic Design, Copywriting AM&M Financial Services, Inc. Financial planning corporate web site I developed this site with my creative partner under our Tech NuVo banner (please visit technuvo.com for more info). When AM&M Financial Services looked to us for a facelift for their brochure-style site, we saw an opportunity to put them on their client‘s desktops on a daily basis. ‘‘My AM&M‘‘ is a free service that provides clients (and potential clients) with personalized content like news, weather, financial calculators, market data and calendars while allowing AM&M to promote their services to a targeted audience. AM&M is also able to provide their registered clients with web-based services such as proposal delivery, online account access and messaging through their behind-the-scenes administrative web site. Buzzwords: ASP, Visual Basic, HTML, DHTML, JavaScript, Java, Database, Microsoft Access, RSS, XML, Photoshop, Graphic Design, Copywriting Restaurant 2 Vine Restaurant corporate web site I developed this site with my creative partner under our Tech NuVo banner (please visit technuvo.com for more info). Known for their landmark location as much as for their cuisine, Restaurant 2 Vine approached us to design a web site that would cover their entire operation from soup to nuts. After whipping up a tasty food-meets-architecture base for the user site, we topped it off with an administrative back-end that allows Restaurant 2 Vine to showcase their operation on the web just as they do in the restaurant itself. Lunch, dinner and dessert menus change with the season or at a creative whim. The wine lists let you know what‘s in the cellar tonite. The recipe for the dish that you are enjoying right now might very well be found in the ‘‘Recipe of the Month‘‘ section. And of course, we‘ve left them plenty of room to add new awards. Buzzwords: ASP, Visual Basic, HTML, DHTML, JavaScript, Database, Microsoft Access, Photoshop, Graphic Design, eCommerce, Copywriting Harper Homes Housing sales corporate web site I developed this site with my creative partner under our Tech NuVo banner (please visit technuvo.com for more info). A builder and retailer of prefabricated homes, Harper Homes had built their own web site in-house and were maintaining it with Microsoft FrontPage. As their business and inventory steadily increased, they were ready to move up to the next level. We provided them with a solution built around a Microsoft Access database. The new site is an attractive and user-friendly showcase for Harper Homes properties, communities and services, and a behind-the-scenes administrative site allows any authorized Harper employee to easily add and update photos, home listings, contact information, and other content no matter what their level of technical skill. Buzzwords: ASP, Visual Basic, HTML, DHTML, JavaScript, Database, Microsoft Access, Photoshop, Graphic Design, Copywriting Atomic Softworks Rocket Science product web site I was the sole developer on this project. Long before Microsoft FrontPage, Macromedia DreamWeaver and other such web-authoring applications existed, I created and marketed ‘‘Alchemica WebSite‘‘, a project-based development environment for building and publishing web sites. Alchemica WebSite won and was nominated for several awards, including PC Magazine‘s ‘‘Shareware Of The Year‘‘, and at a time when the most sophisticated internet authoring tools available were text editors and FTP clients, it created a whole new category in web authoring software. Alchemica WebSite was later rebranded as Rocket Science for marketing purposes, and although the product has since been discontinued, I‘ve kept the web site alive for nostaligic purposes. Buzzwords: ASP, Visual Basic, HTML, DHTML, JavaScript, Database, Microsoft Access, Photoshop, Graphic Design, eCommerce, Copywriting David J. LeVant Creative services web site I developed this project with a *really good* copywriter. :) A copywriter, creative director and marketing strategist, David LeVant is also a friend and colleague with whom I‘ve collaborated in the past. So when he approached me to build him a portfolio web site for which he would write the copy, it was just like old times. When we were finished, David, unlike most, nixed the administrative web site approach and opted to do his own site maintenance using Microsoft FrontPage. But then again, he does ride a Harley… Buzzwords: HTML, DHTML, JavaScript, Photoshop, Graphic Design AngstLAB, Inc. Computer-based DJ/VJ software I was the sole developer on this project. I moonlight as a DJ/VJ at clubs and concert events, and finally got tired of lugging cases of equipment and vinyl and CD‘s to my gigs. So, I developed a PC-based dual-CD player that allows me to DJ with audio and video files. It doesn‘t have an ‘‘official‘‘ name yet, but for the meantime it goes by the handle ‘‘DJ Sony‘‘ since I run it on a pair of Sony VAIO laptops. DJ Sony allows me to do anything that I can do on a dual-well CD player (beat matching, pitch control, EQ kills, etc.) and the latest version emulates a few vinyl tricks as well (backspins, tables tops and starts, scratching, etc.). Plus, it plays MPEG video files with the same control as MP3 audio files. Where I used to travel to gigs with a station wagon full of gear, I now travel with 2 laptops, a mixer and a FireWire drive in a knapsack. Not bad for a few months of work! Buzzwords: C++, DirectX, Database, Microsoft Access, Photoshop, Graphic Design, Copywriting Campbell Illinois Outdoors Online media kit I was the sole developer on this project. Campbell Illinois Whitetails, a hunting outfitter, had a concept for a unique weekly ‘‘outdoorsman‘‘ television show combining hunting and wildlife management. To attract advertising sponsors for the series, I created this online media kit as part of a targeted marketing campaign. Call center representitives are able to direct prospective clients to the site to obtain in-depth information after a brief phone call, and Campbell personnel are able to track marketing results and maintain a real-time inventory of available sponsorship packages through their administrative web site. Buzzwords: ASP, Visual Basic, HTML, DHTML, JavaScript, Database, Microsoft Access, Photoshop, Graphic Design, eCommerce, Copywriting Kristin Dowejko, Financial Consultant Investment services web site I developed this site with my creative partner under our Tech NuVo banner (please visit technuvo.com for more info). As the Money Matters consultant for a Rochester, NY television station, Kristin asked us to build her a site to handle the financial traffic generated by the station‘s web site. We provided a two-pronged solution consisting of a ‘‘first contact‘‘ section that anticipates and addresses the questions and needs of new investors, along with a password-protected ‘‘clients‘‘ section specifically for Kristin‘s exisiting clients. Via her administrative web site, Kristin is able to post timely Market Watch and Featured Stocks articles to her site, and an opt-in newsletter delivered via e-mail and the web helps to convert her first-time callers into repeat visitors. Buzzwords: ASP, Visual Basic, HTML, DHTML, JavaScript, Database, Microsoft Access, Photoshop, Graphic Design, Copywriting Gary Castine, Financial Consultant Investment services web site I developed this site with my creative partner under our Tech NuVo banner (please visit technuvo.com for more info). A top-notch financial consultant and a nice guy, too, Gary Castine uses his web site to inform and educate his customer base. We provided a behind-the-scenes administrative site that allows him to publish and distribute his own monthly newsletter via e-mail and the web. Buzzwords: ASP, Visual Basic, HTML, DHTML, JavaScript, Database, Microsoft Access, Photoshop, Graphic Design, Copywriting Corrosion Products and Equipment, Inc. Industrial equipment corporate web site I developed this site with my creative partner under our Tech NuVo banner (please visit technuvo.com for more info). Who says ‘‘brochure sites‘‘ have to be dull? When we sat down with Corrosion Products and Equipment, Inc. to get a feeling for the types of products that they make and the services that they offer, there were a lot of blank looks on our side of the table. PD Pumps? Scrubber Duct? Balancing Valves? These are not the types of things we run into every day. ‘‘How about some pictures?‘‘, we said. ‘‘Sure!‘‘, they said. Ah, much better! New visitors to this site will find plenty of narrative photos and things that go ‘‘click‘‘, keeping them engaged and encouraging them to browse the site from cover to cover, while returning visitors and existing customers will appreciate the convenient directories of company contacts and services. Buzzwords: ASP, Visual Basic, HTML, DHTML, JavaScript, Photoshop, Graphic Design, Copywriting Sage Advantage Group Investment services web site A team of financial advisors tasked with overseeing retirement accounts, the Sage Advantage Group needed a way to provide information and support to two different groups of customers: participants in corporate 401k plans, and clients with individual accounts. The Sage Advantage web site allows the Sage Advantage team to meet the needs of both. A password-protected 401k section provides corporate clients with access to their information on a company-by-company basis, while private clients are given direct access to their accounts by supplying a user ID and password. And of course, the client list, companies, funds, newsletters and performance data are all maintained in real time by the Sage Advantage Group through their administrative web site. Buzzwords: ASP, Visual Basic, HTML, DHTML, JavaScript, Database, Microsoft Access, Photoshop, Graphic Design, Copywriting © Copyright 2010 Next Wave Software, Inc. All Rights Reserved.