Xoomworks - Case study.

PresideCMS puts Xoomworks in control of its website

New content management system enables consultancy to create and manage its own content

Founded in 2000 by former partners of Deloitte Consulting, Xoomworks is a London-based procurement and finance professional services company. It delivers a complete range of consulting, technology and outsourcing solutions to large and mid-sized companies.

Employing over 40 strategy, business process and IT consultants, Xoomworks specialises in becoming part of its client organisations. It aims to understand their businesses, analyse their problems and put them in control of their procurement and finance functions.

Growth drives new website

When the company started it used a local web design company to develop its website www.xoomworks.com. But three years ago, following the rapid growth and development of its business, Xoomworks recognised the need to make changes – and gain more control of its online activities.

“We were reviewing the branding of the company and wanted to reflect that on our website,” explained Steve Jackson, Chief Operating Officer, Xoomworks. “The marketing consultants we were using recommended Pixl8 Interactive, who came up with some very innovative ideas for the site within a very cost-effective framework. We also thought that Pixl8 was a company we could work with - it had a similar outlook and demonstrated that it could meet our requirements.”

Pixl8 Interactive is an Internet consultancy and web design services company that enables organisations to improve their online effectiveness and impact through a unique mix of creativity and technical expertise.

Managing change

Until this point, managing change on the Xoomworks website was a complex and expensive process. “The previous web design agency locked us in to certain technologies and we were charged for access to the content management system (CMS). We had to pass any changes to the agency, which then billed us on an hourly basis.”

Needless to say, this wasn’t working for a fast-moving business that wanted to control its own website and ensure up-to-date and interesting content, including new service offerings, news flashes, and so on. As part of its proposal, Pixl8 provided the ability for Xoomworks to take control of its own content, using unique software that it had developed - PresideCMS.

Taking control with PresideCMS

PresideCMS is a powerful content management system that is affordable, scalable and easy to use. Designed for websites, intranets and extranets, it allowed Xoomworks staff – in particular, admin staff who update the site, but have no technical expertise - to take control of the content.

“We’re very focused on putting our clients in control of their own businesses and, with PresideCMS, we feel that we’re in control of our website,” said Jackson. “The key thing about PresideCMS is that it’s not proprietary technology and we don’t feel locked in to it. We’re really happy with the software because it‘s so easy to use and does everything we need it to do – however, we know that if we wanted to change, we have the flexibility to do so without any hassle.”

Pixl8 has so far designed and developed two versions of the Xoomworks website, the most recent being towards the end of 2005. “The company has worked with us to add new features and functionality and has succeeded in making the site suitably corporate while still interesting, which is a difficult combination to achieve.”

He concluded: “We’re now looking at making the site more interactive, which is something that PresideCMS will help us achieve.”