Williams-Forrest

BMW Ranks High Among Manufacturer Web Sites in Satisfying New-Vehicle Shoppers in Recent J.D. Power And Associates Study

BMW ranks among the highest in automotive manufacturer web sites for usefulness in new-vehicle shopping according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Manufacturer Web Site Evaluation Study - Wave 2 released today.

BMW received an index score of 864 on a 1,000-point scale in the study, performing significantly above the industry average. All scores are based on evaluations gathered in April 2008 from more than 11,400 new-vehicle shoppers who assessed automotive web sites on four key elements: appearance, speed, navigation and content.

The redesigned BMWUSA web site reviewed in the study was launched in 2007 and provides an entirely new performance-oriented user interface. Williams-Forrest played a key role in the team responsible for the redesign, providing strategic architecture, web solutions management, and organization of vendors involved. The recognition granted by the recent J.D. Powers study demonstrates the web site’s ability to positively impact the customer experience by providing additional functionality and information, all at a significantly reduced cost of ownership.

Williams-Forrest provides sustainable technical services and solutions utilizing leading-edge technologies for web and applications development. For more information, please visit www.williams-forrest.com.

Williams-Forrest to Help Provide CRM Registration Process for Wendy’s

Williams-Forrest, a creative technology solutions consulting firm, announces it will participate in a collaborative effort with Dotglu, Merkle, and Resource Interactive to develop a registration process allowing customers to opt into Wendy’s Customer Relationship Management(CRM) program.

This advanced registration process will be written using Java Server Pages with the open source Netbeans IDE and Apache Tomcat server, and will be server independent as Wendy’s runs on BEA WebLogic 9.0.2. The program is designed to be a simple pluggable solution, with no existing Wendy’s code being modified, and will integrate seamlessly with Microsoft.NET web services implementation.

Williams-Forrest provides sustainable technical services and solutions utilizing leading-edge technologies for web and applications development. For more information, please visit www.williams-forrest.com.

Williams-Forrest partners with Lightmaker Orlando to deliver BMW Championship Experience section for BMWUSA.com

Williams-Forrest, a creative technology solutions consulting firm, has partnered with Lightmaker Orlando to design and develop a new interactive and experiential section of the www.BMWUSA.com, web site entitled BMW Championship Experience.

This new experiential section provides www.BMWUSA.com users and BMW owners with detailed information about BMW’s sponsorship of the BMW Golf Championship tournament and a broad spectrum of news relating to the world of golf. Also featured are exclusive offers and contests where the BMW owner can enter to win select prizes.

Williams-Forrest provides sustainable technical services and solutions utilizing leading-edge technologies for web and applications development. For more information, please visit www.williams-forrest.com.

Williams-Forrest to Provide Quality Assurance Professional Services for BMW NA’s Dealer ICS for 2008

Williams-Forrest LP, a creative technology solutions consulting firm, has been contracted by BMW of North America to provide application and product accuracy quality assurance in support of this year’s BMW NA Dealer Indoor Communication System (ICS).

The Dealer ICS system is the BMW NA version of a worldwide system, sponsored by BMW AG, providing an interactive communication channel broadcasting directly into all US BMW Center showrooms. This channel displays updated content on a 46”Sony Bravia screen relating to every aspect of BMW including all Series, technology, safety, Drivers Guides, events, commercials, and much more. All material is closely aligned with that available on www.BMWUSA.com, however due to the large display running at a higher resolution, the content is often longer and in more detail than that of the website. The system is designed for use by the customer alone or with a Client Advisor.

Williams-Forrest QA efforts will ensure the ICS system performs accurately through functionality testing in accordance with technical criteria and that product presentation meets specifications outlined by BMW NA.

Williams-Forrest provides sustainable technical services and solutions utilizing leading-edge technologies for web and applications development. For more information, please visit www.williams-forrest.com.

Williams-Forrest to Provide Software Upgrades to the Sleeptracker® Watch and Desktop Applications

Williams-Forrest LP, a creative technology solutions consulting firm, announces it will provide upgrades to the popular Sleeptracker® watch and its accompanying desktop application. The Sleeptracker® watch is a product of Innovative Sleep Solutions (wwww.sleeptracker.com) of Atlanta, GA.

Williams-Forrest was selected to re-architect and re-develop the Sleeptracker® watch software as well as the Windows and Mac versions of the desktop application. The upgrades will advance product performance, and the improved single code framework will allow for total code reuse across both Windows and Mac platforms making it a more sustainable long-term solution.

Williams-Forrest provides sustainable technical services and solutions utilizing leading-edge technologies for web and applications development. For more information, please visit www.williams-forrest.com.

www.BMWUSA.com Redesign Launch

Williams-Forrest LP, a creative technology solutions consulting firm, announced the launch of the redesigned www.BMWUSA.com website that will act as a benchmark for premium automotive companies seeking to promote their online services for owners and enthusiasts. BMW selected Williams-Forrest to provide technical web solutions management for the redesign.

Williams-Forrest helped strategically architect the website so as to maximize Web 2.0 technologies while also organizing vendors involved in the redesign. BMW-specific CMS designed for the site will provide greater flexibility while at the same time providing BMW with significantly reduced cost of ownership.

The redesigned website provides an entirely new performance-oriented user interface. A highlight is the revamped Build Your Own component that offers users over 130 million customizable combinations and is synchronized to the Dealer Ordering System to ensure accuracy. The site also features a new integrated enthusiasts and owners section which offers additional functionality, information and the ability to make payments online. More image and video assets are available as well with Driver’s Guide videos showcasing the many features and technologies of each BMW model for new owners.

Williams-Forrest provides sustainable technical services and solutions utilizing leading-edge technologies for web and applications development. For more information, please visit www.williams-forrest.com.

BMW AG Presented with JD Powers Automotive Online Marketer of the Year Award

J.D. Powers and Associates names BMW AG, along with Toyota Motor USA, the 2007 Automotive Online Marketer of the Year, marking the second consecutive year in which the manufacturer has received the award. The award recognizes BMW AG as a proven leader in automotive online marketing, according to JD Powers and Associates who presented in Las Vegas.

The recognition is based on the demonstrated effectiveness of the automakers website at bringing in visitors, converting those visitors into purchasers, achieving superior market share among automotive shoppers who use the Internet in their shopping process, and consumer evaluations on the usefulness of the automakers website while shopping.

Williams-Forrest LP, a creative technology solutions consulting firm, was a member of the development team responsible for building the www.bmwusa.com website that enabled the automaker to secure the award.

Williams-Forrest provides sustainable technical services and solutions utilizing leading-edge technologies for web and applications development. For more information, please visit www.williams-forrest.com.