customedialabs is an interactive agency that specializes in Online Marketing, Advanced Web Presence and Interactive Communications.
customedialabs leverages market research, strategic thinking, emerging technologies and proven methodologies to develop custom online marketing and interactive communication solutions for our clients.
customedialabs mission is to provide our clients with progressive and comprehensive interactive media strategies and solutions that elevate their credibility in the marketplace.
customedialabs services organizations of all sizes - from small, local businesses to the Fortune 500; and we support a variety of industries including pharmaceuticals, technology, manufacturing, telecommunications, financial services, and franchises.
customedialabs is the biggest interactive agency with experience in TYPO3 Content Management since 2000.
TYPO3 Association releases Version 4.2: Focus on Usability and Performance Improvements
Date: April 22, 2008
BAAR - The TYPO3 Association 4.x Development Team has released a new version of their very successful open source project. TYPO3 has been downloaded over 3.000.000 times from Sourceforge.org which makes it one of the World's leading enterprise Open Source products. The main focus of the new 4.2 version is improving usability, but there are also many enhancements for system administrators and developers. Including bug fixes, there are nearly 650 enhancements in TYPO3 4.2. In addition, the new TYPO3 version now requires at least PHP 5.2.0 in order to run. PHP 4 has served the web developer community for over seven years, but its time has passed. PHP 5 was released three years ago and offers many improvements. In partnership with other popular open source projects, TYPO3 joined the "goPHP5" initiative and agreed to move to PHP 5 and to formally stop supporting PHP 4. This release incorporated substantial changes to the TYPO3 backend interface aiming to improve the usability for end users. Major new features include a top stationary icon and option bar called a "document header," tabbed forms for editing page properties and content elements, page-type dropdown menu items grouped by categories, currently open documents accessible via the document header bar, and page tree and file tree can be collapsed or expanded as desired. The "Cleaner Backend Project" which began with TYPO3 4.0 has now completed its task to restructure the TYPO3 backend. This included enhancements to the included t3skin extension, which improves the overall appearance as well. TYPO3 uses "htmlArea" as the default Rich Text Editor (RTE) for content editing. The RTE has been updated with several enhancements including support for Apple’s Safari browser and many bug fixes. In addition, for developers, a new plug-in API enables TYPO3 extensions to extend the RTE. The Template Module now includes an improved TypoScript editor with syntax highlighting, code snippets, and more. Also, the Constant Editor incorporates a more intuitive interface that eliminates the need for a checkbox next to each field. TYPO3 4.2. has a new login-box system extension called "felogin". This is an enhanced version of the "newloginbox" extension, and is now integrated into the TYPO3 core software. When installed, the new extension will replace the old login content element. The new extension comes with a new redirection framework and many configuration options, but runs well using only the default settings. The Workspaces module with its workflow features was introduced in TYPO3 4.0 and has been improved in TYPO3 4.2. Kasper Skårhøj implemented the long-desired feature to more-easily move elements in a workspace. In addition, workspace element "swapping" is now possible for new and deleted elements just as it has been for changed elements. Also, workspace updates can now be previewed by users who do not have a backend user account. A special link enables access and that link can be sent via e-mail. Several performance improvements have been included in TYPO3 4.2 as well. Speed enhancements have been made to indexed search, local caches, caching of language files, and internal caching of the character set. Also, the "Page is being generated" message has been eliminated using a new locking mechanism. Core Team Leader, Michael Stucki, states, "I'm really proud of the new version and what we have accomplished. There have been so many changes and improvements that it's really difficult to focus on just one aspect. TYPO3 4.2 is the result of a combined team effort resulting in a wide range of new functions." The TYPO3 Association is sure both developers and end-users will appreciate this new version which will contribute to the continued growth of this already highly successful open source project. TYPO3 version 4.2 can be downloaded directly from www.typo3.org/downloads. Technical documentation and the release notes can be found at http://typo3.org/development/articles/release-notes-42 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TYPO3 is an enterprise-level open-source content management system released under the GPL 2.0. It runs on more than 250,000 servers worldwide. The application has been translated into 43 languages and is actively being developed in a community of over 60,000 developers in over 80 countries. TYPO3 is used in all types of enterprises, governmental organisations, educational institutions and non-governmental organisations Among its more well known users is General Electric, Philips, the United Nations and Erasmus University Rotterdam. For additional information on TYPO3, please visit www.typo3.org.
Chicago Museum of Science and Industry Live with Advanced Web Presense
Date: March 20, 2008
After 4 months of hard work customedialabs is pleased to present to the world the new website presence for the Museum of Science & Industry (MSI) of Chicago. The website that can be found at http://www.msichicago.org is the latest and greatest achievement to date for customedialabs. The museum's website became the agency's most comprehensive TYPO3 project to date together with the corporate website for Organic Valley which was launched in January of 2008. The Museum's platform was based on customedialabs distribution of TYPO3 a leading Open Source Enterprise Level Content Management System. TYPO3 is the primary CMS of choice at customedialabs chosen by the agency due to its robust framework and enterprise level features and performance.The Museum of Science & Industry of Chicago is the oldest science Museum of its kind in the Western Hemisphere attracting approximately 2 million visitors per year. The Museum is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the City of Chicago, and among seven of the most visited museums in the United States. As the first Museum in North America to develop the idea of hands-on, interactive exhibits, its only fitting that MSI's brand identity and web property remain on the cutting edge, and as interactive as possible. To that end, MSI decided the time was right for re-branding, as well as re-designing the user experience and re-architecting the website's functionality. The new website needed to have a rich user experience for the various Museum exhibits, events, activities, and multiple dynamic content areas. In order to manage the numerous assets and content areas, MSI knew they needed a robust content management system that would provide a scalable platform to support the website's maintenance and evolution without the need for a full time web team. The new site has been received with great enthusiasm, with more features scheduled for launch later in 2008. For more information on how customedialabs can help your organization achieve their business goals online, contact us at +1.866.287.8750 or e-mail info@customedialabs.com.
Davidson Trust Company Revitalizes its Web Presence to Make Way for Expected Growth
Date: February 1, 2008
Davidson Trust Company (Davidson), in Devon, PA is a financial services institution, in operation since 1974, and located on Philadelphia’s affluent “Main Line”. Davidson’s mission is to provide comprehensive wealth management solutions for its clients. Davidson has been enjoying a period of steady financial growth over the past several years, and came to customedialabs of Wayne, PA for suggestions on how to rebuild their website. Davidson was interested in expanding their client base to reach a younger target audience, mostly men in their 30’s,40’s, and early 50’s who had either inherited money or who were currently building their fortunes. They wanted a site design that was fresh, innovative, that would appeal to a younger audience, but not alienate their loyal client base. They wanted to show how their wealth management solution was appropriate for all generations of investors. In addition, Davidson recently announced that it was acquired by Boston Private Financial Holdings, Inc. (Boston Private) in December 2007. The acquisition has propelled Davidson’s visibility in the marketplace and it has become an urgent need for them to makeover their old flash-based, frame-constrained website and hire customedialabs to bring them into 2008. customedialabs (CML) is an interactive media agency located in Wayne, PA specializing in web design and development, rich media and flash applications and online marketing. Davidson hired them for their proximity and innovation. CML built Davidson a website with a fresh, vibrant design, enhanced usability, and a Content Management System (CMS) that would allow Davidson to manage their own site content. Davidson’s marketing team is able to make text, image and promotional changes quickly and easily on their own. There are no costly web maintenance or support fees. CML provided Davidson with complete ownership of their website. The site is under development with an expected launch date of February 14th. For more information, contact customedialabs at +1.866.287.8750 or e-mail info@customedialabs.com.
Falcon Technologies Reshapes its Website and the Future of Worksite Marketing
Date: February 1, 2008
Falcon Technologies is a software development firm specializing in enrollment and communications solutions for core and voluntary employee benefits. Falcon’s core product, Visual Enrollment, has become one of the industry’s leading enrollment and benefit communication systems. Falcon boasts 13 of the leading worksite insurance carriers as clients, enrollment of over 1,000 cases, and over $200 Million in individual life and health premium written. With these statistics and such a high level of success, it became imperative for Falcon Technologies to rethink their web presence. Their current website showcased an older pixelated version of their logo, blurry photos, and a cookie-cutter amateur-looking design that was not reflective at all of Falcon’s true success in the marketplace. They turned to customedialabs (CML) in Wayne, PA to help them completely overhaul their online presence. customedialabs started with a deep discovery exercise to extract information needed to help build Falcon’s brand and messaging platform. This exercise helped customedialabs develop a visual identity, color palette, and wireframe design for the new website. From there, CML’s expert creative team developed a homepage design that was modern, information-oriented, and more appropriate for a fast-paced technology company. The new site design positions Falcon Technologies as a highly credible software development company. Falcon has not only reshaped their web presence, but reshaped the future of worksite marketing through their leadership, creative vision, and by raising the bar just a notch higher. The Falcon Technologies site is under development with an expected launch date of February 8th, 2008. For more information, contact customedialabs at +1.866.287.8750 or e-mail info@customedialabs.com.
Organic Valley Family of Farms launches new website with TYPO3 Content Management
Date: January 17th, 2008
Organic Valley, America’s largest cooperative of organic farmers and one of the nation's leading organic brands proudly launched its new web property on January 17th, 2007 – www.organicvalley.coop Organic Valley’s founding mission is focused on saving family farms. Organic Valley produces more than 200 organic foods, which are sold in supermarkets, natural foods stores and food cooperatives nationwide. Organic Valley’s co-operative values center around sustainable, organic growth. That is why when Organic Valley began the search for a web platform and vendor that could provide technical leadership and support the organization’s core values, they looked to customedialabs (CML) of Wayne, PA. CML is an interactive media agency that specializes in TYPO3 content management solutions. TYPO3 is open source, available under the General Public License, and free to download. TYPO3 is not a public company, but a community-driven open source project, which explains its appeal to Organic Valley – both organizations are in the business of sustainable, organic growth and market leadership. Critical TYPO3 functionality extensions of their website included geo-targeted content delivery to support the Organic Valley brand impressions throughout the US, Recipes, Shop Locator, eCoupons, News, Events, Site Search, Banner Management and many more features. Both CML and Organic Valley look forward to a long term partnership dedicated to promoting innovation in web site design and development best practices. Visit www.organicvalley.coop. For more information, contact customedialabs at +1.866.287.8750 or e-mail info@customedialabs.com.
customedialabs wins bid for the prestigious Chicago Museum of Science & Industry
Date: December 4th, 2007
The Museum of Science & Industry (MSI) of Chicago is the oldest science Museum of its kind in the Western Hemisphere attracting approximately 2 million visitors per year. The Museum is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the City of Chicago, and among seven of the most visited museums in the United States. As the first Museum in North America to develop the idea of hands-on, interactive exhibits, its only fitting that MSI’s brand identity and web property remain on the cutting edge, and as interactive as possible. To that end, MSI decided the time was right for re-branding, as well as re-designing the user experience and re-architecting the website’s functionality. The new website needed to have a rich user experience for the various Museum exhibits, events, activities, and multiple dynamic content areas. In order to manage the numerous assets and content areas, MSI knew they needed a robust content management system that would provide a scalable platform to support the website’s maintenance and evolution without the need for a full time web team. MSI selected customedialabs, a Philadelphia-based interactive agency and TYPO3 as the Content Management System of choice. MSI also selected Odopod, a San Francisco based interactive agency for the user experience. The new site is in production, with an expected launch date of March 2008. For more information, contact customedialabs at +1.866.287.8750 or e-mail info@customedialabs.com.
Community Energy Brings Green Concern to the Forefront with New Web Site Design and Environmental Calculator
Date: July 30th, 2007
Community Energy, Inc. (CEI), wholly-owned subsidiary of IBERDROLA – the largest owner and operator of renewable energy facilities in the world, launched its new website live this summer – www.newwindenergy.com The site launched, as scheduled, just in time for Live Earth New York, part of the 24-hour, 7-continent concert series on July 7, 2007 that brought together more than 150 music artists to combat the climate crisis. Community Energy provided the “power” for the electricity used at the Giants Stadium concert, with locally produced wind energy credits from the country’s only coastal wind farm. As a subsidiary of Iberdrola, Community Energy operates as a marketer and developer of wind energy generation, founded in 1999 and headquartered in Radnor, Pennsylvania. Community Energy hired customedialabs, Inc. (CML) of Wayne, PA to develop their unique web presence. It was critical to Community Energy that their delicate new brand be handled with kid gloves. CML provided a dynamic flash header that communicated Community Energy’s unique value proposition in a sensitive and humanistic way that would resonate with their target audience. CML also developed an Environmental Calculator for Community Energy. The Calculator is an engaging interactive tool that shows users their impact on the environment, and how much clean energy would be needed to offset that impact. Users are then directed to an online form where they can purchase offsets directly from their utility. The tool not only strikes a chord with folks concerned about the environment, but also operates as an incomparable lead generation tool. The core of the Community Energy site is TYPO3, an open source content management solution that enables any user, regardless of their level of technical knowledge, to make changes and updates to a website on demand with a few simple clicks of the mouse. CEI wanted a solution that would empower them to manage their website on their own. As a growing organization, with its key players wearing multiple hats as they take their organization to the next level, it was critical that CML deliver a solution that was turnkey. Today, CEI is able to use the site to add landing pages for specific campaigns, change promotional pods on several areas of the site, and change content on the fly. To view the Community Energy website, visit www.newwindenergy.com. For more information, contact customedialabs at +1.866.287.8750 or e-mail info@customedialabs.com.