PTO Today

PTO Today, Inc. is a key resource in the U.S. for parent groups and their leaders, helping them to better understand and interact with teachers and parent group marketers.

Objective: PTO Today, Inc. required a portal-style website with the following attributes:

• integrated seamlessly with their existing static web pages
• provided member self-management functionality and secure preferred member areas
• could be updated quickly and easily without technical assistance;
• could incorporate a variety of different elements such as message boards, news articles, advertising banners for PTO-Today, Inc. products and services;
• offered complex e-commerce capabilities to sell a variety of products and services;
• did not require multiple software products and licensing fees; and,
• would integrate easily with 3rd party transaction processing systems or other online service providers.

PTO Today, Inc. needed a website that could easily be used and understood by people who represent a very wide range of experience using the Internet. Usability and operability were of extreme importance.

Solution: DJiNN Software Inc. worked closely with designers to create a brand new website – one with a new creative design (look-and-feel), a new site hierarchy and a new colour scheme. The resulting website:

• can be completely managed by non-technical staff at PTO Today;
• integrated seamlessly with 4 other external systems to present a single web presence;
• allows PTO Today to sell online products and services;
• provides e-newsletter and outbound email campaign tools;
• incorporates advertising banners for key PTO Today offers or special events; and,
• allows for easy expansion to include new site elements (pages, blogs, newsfeeds and related tools for members).

The site does not rely on a complex mix of software products and does not require ongoing license fees or mandatory upgrades.

Using JADE, PTO Today can create any custom business tool they require and be able to manage any content involved. They can also integrate with external databases and information service providers with ease.

Technology: The following technologies are employed within the PTO Today website:

• JADE web management system
• MySQL RDBMS (database)
• JSP presentation layer (web pages)
• Apache/Tomcat web server platform

Project Statistics: The initial deployment was completed within 90 days on time and on budget. DJiNN continues to work with PTO Today on new products and additional site system requirements as they expand into new areas of service.