Interactive media and digital production company, Juju, won a Silver Loerie Award in the `Digital Web site` category at the annual Loerie festival last month.
According to Peter Robson, project manager at Juju, much of the credit for the company`s achievement is due to the Macromedia technologies that underpin its Web site (http://www.juju.co.za).
"We produce our work in a variety of outputs, including Internet, DVD and television and needed a Web site that showcased our technical skills and know-how, as well as our understanding of new media as a legitimate platform. The latter is vital as many of our customers operate in the same digital field," says Robson.
Pixel Project, a Cape Town-based interactive motion design company specialising in Macromedia Flash and complementary software, designed the Web site with Macromedia Devnet Professional making extensive use of Macromedia Flash, Fireworks, Dreamweaver and Contribute. All the products are available locally through Macromedia distributor, Dax Data (www.daxdata.co.za).
According to Jeremy Matthews, MD of Dax Data, Macromedia`s latest product set reflects the evolving role of Web professionals as they move from working strictly as designers or developers into a combination of roles aimed at providing engaging content.
"Users today want a rewarding experience with intuitive navigation and rich media when they interact with the Web. Macromedia Flash allows them to do that, even over slow dialup connections."
Preston Thomas of Pixel Project confirms that Macromedia Flash allows the company to deliver rich Internet content that integrates video, text, audio and graphics into immersive, rich experiences that deliver excellent results.
Speedy development
"Speed of development of our products is a key criteria for us to stay competitive in the marketplace. Flash allowed us to accelerate the development of the Juju Web site and deliver exactly what the company was looking for - a cutting-edge design and interactivity. The tools found in Macromedia Flash make it easier than ever to create animation, add interactivity and incorporate rich-media assets, which form the bulk of this Web site," says Thomas.
Updating content made easy
Adds Dax Data`s Matthews: "Deploying Contribute ensures the Web site is easily refreshed. In traditional Web sites, the content would be managed and maintained in html. In this case the output is scripted dynamically and rendered in Flash as XML, which is a very innovative way of using the technology.
"The software enables Juju staff to update pages on the Web site as easily as they would edit Microsoft Word documents, with professional results.
"This power to publish or change content on Web sites has traditionally been restricted to technically proficient users. Contribute empowers individuals to edit and publish, while giving businesses the control they need to manage their publishing process," he concludes.
For more information on Macromedia technologies, visit www.daxdata.co.za.
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Dax Data is a value-added software distributor and product marketing organisation, focusing on Web technology and host connectivity. With offices in Cape Town and Johannesburg and holds a variety of distribution and remarketing agreements for local markets, including:
* Macromedia - Web design and development tools and servers
* NetManage - RUMBA and OnWeb Web enablement and host connectivity
* Graphon - thin client solutions
* DataMirror - Enterprise connectivity, data availability and disaster recovery with replication products
* Logitech - Webcams and desktop peripherals
Historically, Dax Data has assisted companies with delivery of mainframe-based information to open systems platforms such as PCs and LANs - primarily by means of the NetManage suite of products such as RUMBA, which it has distributed since 1992.
Developments in recent years have seen the company expand its range of Web technologies; its distribution agreement with Macromedia becoming a mainstay. Dax Data works with a number of resellers, consulting and training partners to ensure the successful delivery of customer solutions. Driven by customer demand, Dax Data has transitioned strongly into the Web development market, offering a set of value-added services that include presales evaluation programmes, first line technical support, consultancy and training. Dax Data enjoys various industry accreditations and is recognised as a Microsoft Certified Partner, IBM Business Partner and Sun iForce Partner.
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Experience matters. Macromedia is motivated by the belief that great experiences build great businesses. Our software empowers millions of business users, developers and designers to create and deliver effective, compelling and memorable experiences - on the Internet, on fixed media, on wireless, and on digital devices.
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