Benefits

• Global user base can access critical, real-time data in crisis-response mode
• System optimized for multilingual user group spanning many time zones
• Collaborative design iteration process seeks client input, enhances results

Challenge

The September 11, 2001 terrorist strikes against U.S. targets shook a crisis management organization that provides communication, consultation, and support services to more than 150 companies nationwide and abroad. The organization, which assists its clients in events of natural disasters, aviation accidents, and acts of terrorism, was overwhelmed that day with 16,000 phone calls from witnesses, friends and relatives of the victims, and others.

The deluge of incoming information was successfully supported by a new database built by Stratagem. But the disaster necessitated an expansion of the project. The database would now need to be converted to a robust Web-based application, accessible by the organization's client base, that would satisfy reporting standards set by the U.S. Department of Justice and the National Transportation Safety Board.

Stratagem's Solution

Stratagem led the analysis and design of the new system, involving the client in an iterative process to identify new requirements and desired functionality.

Stratagem's team developed the application using ASP.NET and Visual Basic .NET, and built a comprehensive Web-based reporting tool with Crystal Reports .NET. Two load-balanced Web servers with a clustered SQL Server provided the client with fast, reliable access to back-end services.

Stratagem's knowledge of the .NET framework tools made implementation of numerous features and automated enhancements a simple matter. The team made productive use of the stored procedures generated by the .NET tools to accelerate and optimize the development process.

Stratagem's project team adopted a .NET storage-consistency feature, so that the completed application could be used by people in different countries, languages groups, and time zones. Stratagem and its client conducted testing jointly from a secure code repository, ensuring data confidentiality while incorporating testers' comments and suggestions into the production environment efficiently.

Result

The organization and its clients now have fast, global access to vital data needed in emergency situations. Their ability to enter data from any location means that, in the event of a natural disaster or terrorist attack, all parties have instant access to the most current information available and can make appropriate decisions based on it.

The intuitive nature of the design, made possible by collaborative iterations between Stratagem and the client, simplifies navigation, even under stressful circumstances. Users are reportedly very impressed by the application's design and functionality.