ayrmer software :: press release :: march 2009
Bespoke software proves the solution for Plymouth YMCA
A Devon software company has been awarded the contract to develop and launch a series of new websites for Plymouth YMCA, the 3rd largest YMCA in the UK. Bespoke software specialist, Ayrmer Software, will begin work on the major project this month, which will involve completely redeveloping the Plymouth charity´s internet presence.
Having identified the need to strengthen its online communications and make it easier for members to access information on its many services and facilities, Plymouth YMCA looked to Business Link for support. As a result of Business Link´s recommendations, three software companies were invited to tender for the contract, which was eventually won by Ayrmer Software.
Ayrmer´s plans for the project include a completely new corporate site from which a series of up to 15 micro sites will be established, one for each facility and service that the charity provides. These include Bachelors Hall, a farmhouse on Dartmoor for group accommodation and outdoor activities, as well as a number of community fitness facilities like the Stonehouse Project, which also offers GP and outreach services. A large part of the development work will include building a bespoke online membership, bookingand Electronic Point of Sale (EPoS) system for members of Plymouth YMCA, which will also be used by staff to ensure all bookings are fed through a single channel. Launch of the sites is planned for September 2009.
"When researching Plymouth YMCA during the tender process we quickly identified that although it has a wealth of community facilities to offer residents of Plymouth and the surrounding area, its website does not do them justice," said Charlie Collins, managing director of Ayrmer Software Ltd. "What we proposed is that each facility´s micro sites will be developed with the end user in mind, making it easier for current members to book facilities and simpler for newcomers to find the information they need. Each service that the charity offers requires a slightly different approach in terms of communicating with the public online, and we feel that although there will be an overarching unity to the series of sites, doing it this way enables us to cater to precise target audiences. Each site will be directly relevant to the people that access them; this will be achieved by developing a bespoke web based solutions that matches their needs."
"We have always known that our current website does not convey our messages the way it should do," added Alan Newman, IT manager at Plymouth YMCA. "When in discussions with Charlie and the team at Ayrmer about their ideas for the site we felt that the solution they were suggesting really suited us. We´re currently catering for a huge cross section of the public, from families at our Children´s Centre to those who simply want to keep fit at our leisure facilities, and each group has different needs. On the more corporate side of things we also do a lot of partnership work with various agencies and this requires a different approach again. Rather than trying to reach everyone at once, we really picked up on the idea of dedicating a separate online space to each service and felt that Ayrmer´s propositions represented value for money as well as the best end results for our users. Ultimately our aim is to enhance services for existing members, reach out to new members and finance the development of our ongoing work, all of which is non-profit making."
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