Microtech is a systems integrator and manufacturer of automated media duplication equipment and media publication and archiving solutions for a number of vertically integrated markets. Their legacy website had a 5×7 index card dimension and layout and was long due for an overhaul.

I proposed a migration to the WordPress platform, since it would not only give them the new look they sought, but also have the built in facility for a corporate blog. A critical requirement was that Microtech staff could manage their website content (blog postings, product listings, service offerings) themselves, without requiring a webmaster for every minor update.

Here’s the first draft I presented, based on corporate styled WordPress theme I suggested and subsequently configured to Microtech specifications. (During the entire development cycle, the new site was constructed on a staging server, where the staff could observe and interact with the work in progress)

I reconstituted all of the product photos (which were low-res versions on the original site) from the original digital photo files. Once the the photo files were prepared, I ported each product page from the old site, with all the descriptions, spec sheets and ancillary information to custom designed product pages, with product index pages grouped according to product line categories.

The migration of the site to an updated look and layout was routine. The technically demanding aspect of this project was integration with legacy systems for two user communities. Outside sales and distributors needed a secure access portal to confidential company information (pricing, commission structures, production/delivery schedules). This was accomplished via WordPress password protected pages accessed through a login page. An access portal was also required to support current customers, where firmware upgrades could be downloaded only by customers who had purchased that particular model/unit. This level of access granularity was accomplished via  the WordPress Magic Members membership plugin.

Once all of the backend functionality was operational and tested, I was retained to train in-house staff in maintenance and modification of the software components as well as more routine updates to the product line database.

Here’s the final design/look of the Microtech home page: