VMC Web Development

Hi All,

We have a date, time, and location for the first VMC SiteBuilder 2.0 Perview Session.  It will be held on April 4th in room 214 Light Hall.  The meeting will begin at 2:00 p.m.

I want to remind everyone that this is not a training session.  This is to preview the new functionality of SiteBuilder.  This session is for seasoned SiteBuilder users who clearly understand the basic functionality of S.B.

The preview should not take very long, but we also want to talk to you about the new VMC Web Initiative, a new VMC Web resource group, and field any questions you may have.

The goal is to keep this simple, informal, and we may even have some fun.

The VMC Web Team and I are looking forward to seeing you all next Friday.

Respectfully, Terry

The votes are in; we have received an overwhelming response from you, our VMC SiteBuilder users, to preview VMC SiteBuilder 2.0. We are in the process of securing a large room on the medical campus to make this happen. Hopefully we will have the date, time and location to everyone by tomorrow.

This is an exciting time regarding the VMC Web presence. For the first time in our history, we are moving, with administration’s support, to a more unified Web presence that is designed and written for the end user. In the past we, as you know, have had a variety of designs that were flavored with each department’s idea of how the end user wanted to get that information.

Our institution has an awesome and well deserved reputation, but the Web presence did not adequately echo that professionalism. Now with your help, we are on our way to achieving this lofty goal.

So to keep from putting you to sleep, I will end this entry and promise to get back to you about the preview meeting as soon as I hear from room scheduling.

Take care. Terry

Yesterday at 2:30 p.m. the VMC Web Team launched VMC SiteBuilder 2.0.  This was a huge amount of work by Ryan Huber and Jonathan Dees.  Jason Coles also contributed to the effort.

What this means to SiteBuilder users is new functionality.  It includes the ability to create and place content modules, add preexisting tools (e.g. Find a Doc and Maps & Directions), and create forms. Plus, Google Analytics is an option for all new sites.
The new SiteBuilder uses two approved templates.  One is for clinical sites and a second for all others.  The new templates have a fresh new look and promise to help our visitors get the information they need about Vanderbilt and our services.

With any new software, we expect some wrinkles to happen and we will do our best to iron them out in a timely manner.  While that is happening, Jason Coles will be gearing up to train users on the new tool.  It isn’t complicated, but with new features it is a good idea to be exposed to them in a one-on-one training session. So, if you want a refresh or new training, please email Jason at: jason.coles@vanderbilt.edu to set up training beginning the week of March 17.

Like any SiteBuilder(SB) update, the new functionality is available to all SB users immediately with the caveat, the new functionality is only available on the new templates. Older templates do not and will not have the new functionality.

We are also working on the new www.mc.vanderbilt.edu Web site. It is long overdue.  We met with Joel Lee, Associate Vice Chancellor of Communications two times in the past three months and have received approval to move forward with our new design.

The new .edu design will echo the clinical side, but have a slightly different, more academic/research feel to it.

In the past I have shared with everyone the new VMC Web initiative.  It first became apparent with the release of the new clinical site. Now, the rest of the medical center Web sites will be coming on board.

As new and updated SiteBuilder sites come on board, users will note that there are only two templates to choose from. This is part of the new initiative.  One, consistent look.  We feel it is a good one that you will like.  I hope you do.

Finally, as I come to the end of this book, I want to make it clear that current SiteBuilder users will not have to give up their current templates until they decide to change them to the new design.  They can still make updates to the content without changing the template, but once they pick the new design, there is no going back.

In the future there will be discussions as to when all sites must come over, but that has not been decided yet.

As always, if you would like to talk to me directly, please call me at 3-1659.  I would rather you call me to clear up any confusion than to assume the worst.

Thanks for your time and patience,

Terry