By Gemma Simpson, 6 November 2006 09:00
NEWS
The UK's first implementation of Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 has gone live at the Ministry of Sound.
The Ministry of Sound's Hed Kandi site went live last month with an interactive face-lift using the Microsoft website technology, which is formally launched next month.
The Hed Kandi dance music site was in need of a revamp after Ministry of Sound (MoS) acquired it in January 2006. James Bacchus, head of operations at MoS and Hed Kandi, explained: "We wanted to make it more interactive with user reviews and blogs."
The music label found Sharepoint 2007 provided a good match to the existing site and met the new requirements, allowing Hed Kandi to retain its image while providing more interactive content.
Bacchus said: "We could have done it ourselves but we thought because those features were offered we should make the move to Microsoft."
He added: "I looked at other platforms but found they were not as straightforward and missed some essential features."
It seems Microsoft has struck a chord with the Ministry of Sound, as Bacchus told silicon.com: "As and when we come to refresh various Ministry of Sound websites we will move to Microsoft as it makes sense to reuse the skills our developers developed."
Bacchus said further Sharepoint Server deployments should start to happen within MoS sites in early 2007, with developers busy working on enhanced online videos, navigation and structural changes at the moment.
cScape Internet Services took care of the technical development, while the front-end designs - which feature Hed Kandi's distinctive album covers - were handled by the record company's inhouse art team.
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