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NewswireToday - /newswire/ -
Brighton, East Sussex, United Kingdom, 09/20/2006 - Madgex, the UK market leader in B2B online publishing systems, today announces its new product Backnetwork, a revolutionary social networking tool and information resource for event organisers to offer conference delegates..
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Backnetwork marks Madgex’s latest foray into the events market and is the most comprehensive and function-rich communications tool ever developed for the industry. Available to all conference organisers, it brings the delegate community to life like never before by providing an online meeting place where they can post their profiles and network with each other before, during and after the event.
The product has been designed as an information-gathering resource for events and the people that attend them. It brings an end to delegates having to search hundreds of individual websites and blogs to gather information about speakers and fellow attendees at a show. Instead, Backnetwork centralises all this information in one place by hunting the Internet for blog and website entries on the event and posting them on the site.
In addition, Backnetwork acts as an event-wide social networking site. It enables delegates to enter their profiles on the site, link their profile page to those of industry friends and acquaintances, engage in discussions and automatically post photos from the event via online photo sharing resource, Flickr.
A ‘Relationship Cloud’ on each delegate’s profile page demonstrates who they know, and the nature of their relationship - a fantastic tool for creating networking opportunities via a mutual acquaintance. Backnetwork also features an interactive map so that delegates can find other event attendees in their area and meet for pre or post-event discussion.
Madgex has also incorporated progressive use of microformat standards within Backnetwork. This marks HTML pages so that contact information for delegates can be exported directly into Microsoft Outlook. The site also contains a chat page based on AJAX technology. This creates greater interactivity and a quicker user experience because the page does not have to reload whenever a message is sent or received.
Following the lead taken by modern web 2.0 applications, neither Madgex nor d.Construct will own the content of the site. Instead, the content is created and owned by Backnetwork’s users.
Features of Backnetwork:
· Collation - searches and uploads blog entries about the event and event speakers from delegates' personal blogs on an hourly basis.
· Profiles - provides profiles of attendees posted by the delegates themselves.
· Networking - creates relationships between delegates and indicates the strength of these relationships via the Relationship Cloud.
· Geocoding - automatically geocodes delegate addresses on a map page, enabling delegates to meet up and network prior to the event.
· Chat forum - runs on a web page using AJAX and allows delegates to communicate with each other during the conference itself.
· Photos - uploads photos relevant to the event using Flickr. It searches for photos on Flickr each hour and catalogues these by session.
· Reviews - provides an area for delegates to post event reviews.
· Microformats – delegate contact information can be automatically exported into Microsoft Outlook.
Glenn Jones, Creative Director of Madgex and designer of Backnetwork, comments: “Backnetworking via blogs or emails has become a feature of most conferences, but it has been unofficial and almost secretive. Our Backnetwork product is the first ever tool of its type to successfully open up this experience to an entire conference.
“It brings a completely new dimension to conferences and events and makes the virtual conference discussions just as important and meaningful as those that take place at the show itself. We will offer event organisers a product that they can tailor to their specific needs. It’s an incredibly powerful networking tool to offer delegates, who can quickly find contact details of people they want to meet as well as the best way to meet them – be it via a mutual contact or the geographical map.”
Backnetwork will debut at d.Construct 2006 which takes place in Brighton on 8th September. Two thirds of the show’s delegates have already signed up to the site.
Comments from d.Construct Backnetwork users:
"The backnetwork is a really great piece of work. I'm really in awe of the way you have integrated different feeds into something that has such a consistent feel. It's really opened my eyes to the possibilities of aggregated content and makes "Web2.0" into more than just a buzzword..."
Doug Clinton, Director, Greycout Software Ltd.
“I have really enjoyed being part of this backnetwork - the sense of community it has created is fantastic..."
Ross Bruniges, Web officer, London South Bank University
"Just like to say thanks for what you've done, I think everyone really appreciates it, certainly beats a bag and a pen."
Alan Wallace, 5pm.co.uk
Notes to editors
Madgex delivers the web for publishers by driving traffic to the UK’s most successful b2b titles. With over six years experience in advising clients on online publishing strategy, Madgex knows how to successfully combine commercial and technological considerations with usable design.
The company has distilled its knowledge and experience to build a core Content Management/Editorial system that is specifically designed to support online publishing products. Recognising that brands and businesses are not the same, Madgex’s technology has been developed so that it can be tailored to match clients’ exact needs.
The ‘Origin’ product set incorporates Origin Job Board Manager, Origin Survey and Origin Content Manager. In the online publishing sector, Madgex has designed and developed industry-leading titles such as mad.co.uk, Personnel Today, Design Week, Marketing Week, New Scientist and New Media Age.
Madgex’s Origin job board Software provides the platform for some of the most successful Job Boards around, including Salestarget.co.uk, RetailChoice.com and Computer Weekly (*NORA best online recruitment website 2003 & 2004 (trade publication). Catererglobal.com was winner of Best New Business in the NMA Effectiveness Awards 2005.
The design and development teams at Madgex have a detailed knowledge of web development technologies gained through delivering software solutions to blue chip clients. This means the team can deliver web solutions specific to the technical platforms of its clients. Our software powers Reed Business Information's award winning Enterprise Publishing platform (*AOP Online Publisher of the Year 2005)
Flexibility is a key part of the process at Madgex. The team is not restricted by a set methodology, which can push up costs and prolong delivery times. Working closely with the client from project outset, Madgex always advises and agrees on a process that will maximise efficiency and minimise risk. It’s this experience and ability that gives Madgex the edge.
Madgex’s clients range from market leaders such as Total Jobs, Reed Business Information, Incisive Media, EMAP and Centaur Media through to smaller publishers, start-up job boards and rapidly growing businesses focused on a platform that gives them excellent functionality, speed to market and user experience.
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