Membership Directory

The Requirements

We developed an online Directory of Ohio Biomedical and Biotechnology Companies. We originally developed this directory as an in-house Microsoft Access database system that the client used to print and distribute to its members annually. They returned to us to take the data previously published in a hard-copy and to now publish it to a web-site accessible only by its members. Specific requirements included:

• The client wanted to use the web to leverage its existing Access application that we had developed.

• Reduce printing and distribution costs with online distribution.

• The directory was printed and distributed only annually and so was quickly out of date. Moving the directory online would help alleviate this problem.

• The website would need to be secured so that only paying members would be allowed to access it.

The Solution

With the underlying Access system already in place, we simply added an Internet front-end to it. The directory required members to log in and we took special precautions to secure the information in the database. The client's members now use the Internet to access the up-to-the-minute directory at any time resulting in no more printing and mailing costs.

Technology, Tools and Innovations

• System Architect for the analysis and design.

• Active Server Pages to develop the web site.  

• Microsoft Access for the database.