For the third year running, SOCITM's Better Connected 2007 report, a detailed analysis of Local Authority websites, has named no less than five Jadu powered council websites as examples of best practice - awarding them the esteemed transactional rating.
Lichfield DC, North Warwickshire BC, Pendle BC, Staffs Moorlands DC and Wellingborough BC have all made it to a 'Transactional' rating in the Better Connected 2007 report - making Jadu CMS one of the most 'transactional' content management systems in the UK. A nice accolade for Jadu and great news for our Local Authority partners, who work tirelessly to deliver the best quality online experience for their customers.
SOCITM also named Staffordshire Moorlands DC as one of the top shire districts - whilst Lichfield District council were praised for their uncluttered navigation and accesibility:
All menus, including Local Government Navigation List (LGNL) to Level 2 and quick links, appear on all pages but this is done without clutter and pages are still very readable. 'Report it' section has table of images for selection - very accessible. FAQs well integrated.
Better Connected 2007, Page 90
In the 2006 Better Connected report, Jadu was named as 'most accessible CMS' - the first time the report has named a CMS. The year before that, in 2005, Kettering BC were named five times as an example of best practice - the most for any Local Authority in the history of the report.
"We hold an annual 'Jadu Experience' conference every year to prepare our partners for the Better Connected review" says Paul Johnson, Delivery Manager for Jadu's Local Authority partners. "Clearly, this has paid off for FIVE of our partners and this makes us very proud - of them and of their commitment to their customers".
"We work tirelessly to help ALL our Local Authority partners deliver accessibility for our CMS customers, our Google Enterprise Search customers and our XForms customers" continues Paul.
"Local Authorities look to SOCITM to guide them and provide direction" says Suraj Kika, CEO of Jadu, "The Better Connected report remains the single, most comprehensive review of Local Authority website delivery - and it's a useful report if interpreted on face value."
"However, as discussed on the RNIB'S blog" says Suraj "SOCITM's have continued to use flawed testing mechanisms for 'automated technical testing' - and these methodologies will always be a blot on an otherwise useful and usable report".
Jadu have enjoyed continued success in delivering for Local Authorities, long after the eGovernment agenda was concluded:
- Lichfield District Council became the first ever Local Authority to win a Webby Official Honoree
- Kettering Borough Council have been nominated as a finalist in the SXSW Web Awards for CSS design excellence - the category is described as: "showcasing sites that push the boundaries of CSS coding technology, bringing together top-notch design and content with standards compliant and accessible code".
"These are global accolades on the World stage." Says Suraj, "And we fully expect to be delivering a lot more for our Local Authority partners during 2007 and 2008 - with some amazing new functionality and systems to enable service delivery like never before. Watch this space."
Jadu will continue to support SOCITM - at both the Spring Seminar in April and as major sponsors of the SOCITM 'Perfect Council Website' event in July.
More information about the Better Connected 2007 report can be found on the SOCITM website.
About Jadu
Jadu is an ancient Sanskrit term commonly used in Hindi it means, 'To effect change by magic. To appear by magic. To control by the use of magic.'
Jadu helps businesses and public sector organisations to create and manage their online presence quickly, simply and cost effectively. Formed in Leicester in 2001 by founder and CEO Suraj Kika, Jadu initially focused on content management solutions for the public sector. Five years on, Jadu has developed to become the solution of choice for businesses and public sector organisations looking for simple, yet feature-rich, Enterprise Content Management.
Hundreds of public sector websites are powered by Jadu including: The Department for Trade and Industry (Offshore SEA), Kettering Borough Council, Rugby Borough Council, Ribble Valley Borough Council, Rossendale Borough Council, Cannock Chase District Council, Lichfield District Council, Lancashire County Council, East Lancashire eGovernment Partnership, Education Business Consortium and Hartlepool Partnership.
Jadu also provides Enterprise Content Management solutions to the private sector, with businesses in retail, entertainment, healthcare and manufacturing all realising the benefits of Jadu's powerful web content management tools.
