Devlin eBusiness Architects Inc.

Devlin eBusiness Architects

Devlin Applied Design, a Toronto-based internet agency,
specializes in helping clients maximize the power of new media
to communicate, collaborate and transform their business. Devlin
offers clients a complete package of services, from needs
assessment to website development, and site maintenance.

Devlin combines extensive experience as corporate ommunications
consultants with high quality in-house design, digital
management solutions, usability testing, and technical expertise
to ensure that clients receive business solutions that work.
This strategy of combining creative vision with technology
expertise has helped Devlin build integrated communications
solutions for a wide range of leading North American companies
such as FedEx, BASF, Barclays Bank PLC (iUnits.com), Cott
Corporation, Group Telecom, IMAX Corporation, Camco (GE Appliances Canada) and MAC Cosmetics..

Leading the Way
Evidence that Devlin is leading the way in creating digital
business solutions can be found in the development of DECISION
ROOM, an internet-based communications tool that permits rapid,
accessible and structured communications between a group of
users. Decision Room is a cost-effective method of doing
business digitally, since it eliminates the need for couriers,
faxing, e-mail, travel and face-to-face meetings. Decision Room
requires no software or download, is easy to use and can be
totally customized to meet an organization's specific requirements.

What also sets Devlin apart from the competition is its
Usability Lab, which was established in 1996 to offer clients
both a venue and a methodology to test their products. The goal
is to help clients create applications that provide the
appropriate functionality, are easy to learn and use and are
subjectively satisfying for their customers. The Usability Lab
applies principles from Human-Computer Interaction, a multi-
disciplinary field that investigates the human aspects of
interactive computing systems to evaluate the various elements
of style, technique, accessibility, ease of navigation, graphics
quality, interactivity and speed of an application.

History
Founded in 1994 by Catharine Devlin, Toronto/New York City-based
Devlin has earned a reputation as one of the leading interface
design and development firms in North America. Our specialized
expertise in Usability Analysis and Digital Business Planning
augments Devlin's capabilities in Interface Design, Back-end
Development, and 3D/Web Animation.

In addition, Devlin Applied Design is one of the Envoy Group of
Companies, a publically-traded company (TSE: ECG; NASDAQ: ECGI).
Our combined strengths in Marketing, Advertising, Retail, and
Corporate Design make us an integrated marketing powerhouse. Click on these links to visit Envoy and the companies a part of the
group:

*Envoy Communications Group Inc. (www.envoy.to)
*Communique Group (www.communique.to)
*Hampel | Stefanides (www.hsny.com)
*Sage Information Consultants (www.sageconsultants.com)
*Watt International (www.wattinternational.com)
*John St. (www.johnst.com)

Company Details

Year Established: 1994

Total Sales ($CDN): $500,000 - $1,000,000

Number of Employees: 12

Company Information

Brian Mark
Title: Director
Area of Responsibility: Manufacturing/Production/Operations
Telephone: (416) 363-6316
Fax: (416) 363-6102
Email: Click Here

Catharine Devlin
Title: Owner
Area of Responsibility: Management Executive
Telephone: (416) 363-6316
Fax: (416) 363-6102
Email: Click Here

Products

Decision Room

Services

Interface Design Devlin's interface design capabilities have provided extensive digital solutions, including: web sites, intranets, extranets, interactive presentations, kiosk systems, database user interfaces, and e-marketing. Devlin's award-winning Interface Design expertise includes: *GUI / Information Design All graphic design solutions are based on the combination of user- centered research and artistic vision. The resulting artful interfaces present information in a simple, intuitive manner within a GUI that reflects client values and brand identity. *Navigation Development Because the organization of information is crucial to designing a successful site, much of our creative efforts focus on navigation development. Devlin's architectural methodologies are based on page tracking results and user insight, enabling us to create an intuitive navigation for users and a more positive experience over all. *Evaluation and Quality Assurance As part of all the work we do, Devlin provides mechanisms for improvement through evaluation and quality control. Using heuristic evaluations, user testing, and extensive quality assurance methods, Devlin ensures the design is not only aesthetically rewarding and usable, but also completely functional and error-free.

Application Development Devlin's platform agnostic application development capabilities provide powerful functionality to all of our projects. Devlin's user-focused development process applies our diverse technologies to build solutions tailored to your system and business requirements. Our diverse technological expertise ensures that all back-end development is easily integrated into a client's existing technical infrastructure. In developing back-end solutions, Devlin always conducts extensive testing and quality assurance to guarantee that our back-end solutions are easy to use and fully functioning before we release any final product. Devlin's Development Expertise includes: *Development Platforms Windows, Unix, Linux, Mac OS *Database Design and Modeling Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, Lotus Domino *Web Programming & Technologies HTML, DHTML, CSS, JavaScript, ASP (Jscript/VBScript), ColdFusion, PHP3, PERL, Java/J2EE, EJB, Java Servlets, Java Applets, JSP, JDBC, PL/SQL, XML *Web Application Servers Oracle Application Server, IBM WebSphere, Lotus Domino, Allaire JRun, Microsoft IIS, Apache Server, Apache JServ *Partnerships Oracle Partner Program, IBM Business Partner, Lotus Business Partner, Apple Premier Developer *Training and Certification Oracle Certified Professionals, Microsoft Certified Professionals, Certified Lotus Professionals

Usability Analysis Devlin's usability expertise integrates user needs with business strategies to deliver high-impact digital solutions. Usability is built into all of Devlin's projects as part of our development process; however, we also offer our usability services independently to assist businesses in assessing and testing their digital projects. As part of our user-centered process, usability begins with audience research and user profiling, as well as analysis of your business, competition, and industry. We establish who your users are and research their specific requirements. Any design or application is created as a prototype first, undergoing rigorous user testing. The analysis continues through the production of our digital solutions and provides final feedback before the launch. Devlin applies a variety of techniques molded around individual goals and objectives of each project. Devlin has a variety of specific methodologies that we can apply to our projects, which are also available as independent services. Devlin's Usability Expertise includes: *Heuristic Evaluation *User Testing *Contextual Inquiry *User Profiling *Requirements Gathering *User Case Scenarios *In-house Usability Lab In 1996, Devlin began usability testing and subsequently built an in-house usability lab that is modeled after labs set up in the mid-90's by AmeriTechTM. Our lab is a completely secure, inter- connected, double room environment with one-way mirrored glass to provide clients the opportunity to witness the testing process.

E-business Strategy Whether you want to expand into the online medium, enhance your current online initiatives, or strategically reposition your business in the digital economy, Devlin can help you build your user relationship strategy. Devlin's user-focused approach combines, your company's business goals, research and planning to establish an effective strategy for each new digital challenge. Devlin's supporting services, including e-marketing, user testing, and evaluation methodologies, ensure a sustainable implementation of your e-Business strategy. Devlin's e-Business Strategy expertise includes: *Research Before creating any solutions, Devlin thoroughly researches your business, your users, your competition, and your industry. Our extensive research lays the groundwork for a digital solution that is tailored to your business needs. *Information Management and Architecture Information within your digital projects must promote your core business objectives, while remaining organized and web-friendly. Strategic planning evaluates the information to be included in your digital projects, including recommendations for category labeling, content, structure, and management of your online initiative. *Account/Project Management Our project team establishes a close working relationship with our clients to foster the creative energy and excitement necessary to produce a top quality product on time and within budget. Meetings and sessions are held face-to-face, as well as online using our proprietary collaboration tool, DECISION ROOMTM (www.decisionroom.com). *e-Marketing Support Services All digital projects that Devlin develops can be supported with e- marketing initiatives. Devlin can develop and execute a plan that will launch your new site to the digital world, targeting your intended audience.