From: Russell Bullen | Pebble Design [mailto:*******@pebbledesign.com]
Sent: Thursday, 7 February 2008 5:21 PM
To: Kregg **** {***** ***** *********}
Subject: Re: CMS Deployment

Hi Kregg,

I've been using Business Catalyst for around 2 1/2 years involving a number of different online business modules.

My background prior to this was with a global software developer within the Hotel Management sector. I mention this because it still 'blows me away' at the development cycle of the BC solution. Never have I experienced such a customer focused organisation that actually listens to customers requirements and if they don't already have a solution in place, they carefully consider including such development into the roadmap. Having said that, the product has gone from strength to strength when it comes to API's and the ability to now integrate to corporate data systems, external applications etc. For me, flexibilty is king. I don't want to be locked into 'one size fits all' because at the end of the day, online business needs differ.

I think one of the most exciting things is how the solution can 'bolster' you approach to 'educating' potential customers during the sales process. You know .....the old 'on-line business' as opposed to a 'pretty online brochure' sell. I find that with such a great range of 'modules' you can find a fit for most businesses. And...you don't need a programmer to cut code from scratch, so time to deploy is greatly reduced.

Having deployed many applications in the past, often the biggest issue is to define new work flow processes in conjunction with a new solution. One of the strengths of BC is the workflow management both from a content update and customer response level. Clients can set workflows to manage thier service level committments to online customers as they would with offline customers.

My last company was an online digital reseller, so the product and catalogue database thru to the payment gateway was king. The CRM component and campaign management module played an integral role in the solution as well.

I'm currently working with a large international hotel group who have one company to do their web, one to host the CRM data (monthly cost), another company to peform thier email marketing (another monthly cost). So when they try to profile customers....you kinda need a packet of bandaids to get a clear picture of campaign success or failure. Hence why we are moving them to BC.

In addtion, I'm building some quiet extensive web apps in BC and wrapping them up in a web gui for easy online updates for 3rd parties. The 'database' concept behind the web apps makes this damm easy.

SO ....to answer your questions,

1. Design / Development

The user interface is very user friendly and they always test new releases thoroughly. I personally have not experienced any issues here

2. 1 thing I'd like to change

Mmmmm. Can I get back to on that... (seriously...nothing at the moment in the realms of my requirements)

3. What people love the most

The fact that they can go to one company for design, solution architecture, email marketing and analytics. For me it's about 'owning the customer' , so what people love is the 'one stop shop'. Oh...and the fact I can help them be more responsive to the ever changing landscape of running an online business.

I know this may kinda sound like a sales pitch....but if it was crap, I'd have no problem tellling you that either.

If you need to know anyting more specific to the nature of a solution you are trying to build, don't hesitate to contact me.

Cheers

Russell