We have been recognised once again by the Digital Industry as a leader in our field resulting in two of our projects being nominated for “Best e-business”. As categories go “Best E-business” is one of the most fought over, because those that get nominated have proven that they have not only met targets but went beyond them, created new business and produced amazing ROI.

Our two projects that have been nominated for the “Best E-Business” 2010 are the Jetparks website and ASDA’s virtual assistant, Amy.

Jetparks

The JetParks project was created to help Manchester Airport break into the competitive offsite parking market and establish itself as a provider of cheap Manchester Airport Parking on the search engines. Since its launch a year ago the project has exceeded all targets and produced an ROI of 465%.

Asda’s Amy

Asda launched their new online grocery platform in July 2009 and required a web application that would guide customers through the new interface, encourage the shopping process, handle queries online and decrease the inbound calls. The result of which would subsequently improve customer service, their business process and profitability.
Our Virtual Assistant, Amy, fields over 20,000 conversations a month, 23% of which Asda believes would previously have resulted in a call being made to the call centre and produced a ROI of 185%, which is expected to increase to 1013% by the end of the 2nd year.

As it happens

If you’re interested to see if we won then be sure to return to the blog on Friday to read the post awards entry although we ask for forgiveness if it is late, especially if we win because we are only human and sometimes suffer from sore heads after these award nights.

Be sure to follow us on Twitter to receive the latest developments as they happen on the night.

People to follow:
@KMPDigitata
@JonKeefe
@Gezd
@DanielAshcroft

Following on from our previous Mobile Showdown post, the Smartphone market is starting to once again heat up.

When it comes to the smartphones, nothing can touch the iPhone. It is by far the most popular handset in the world, has the highest number of applications in its market place and it can only be a positive thing that when every single smartphone is released comparisons are invarably made with Apple’s benchmark. The iPhone’s dominance is still strong but has stuttered recently with the ever increasing rise of the Android OS.

The iPhone handset may, individually, still be best selling in the world but 2010 saw the Android mobile operating system outsell the iPhone for the first time due to it’s availability on multiple handsets from Motorola, HTC and Sony Ericsson.

The announcement of the Android 2.2 update, code named Froyo, confirmed what a lot of people were hoping for from the update, Flash being available on a mobile device. This also tied in with the worldwide release of the free turn-by-turn navigation with Google Maps, which stuck fear into the hearts of Garmin and TomTom.

I’ve been fortunate enough to have an early release of Froyo for over a week now, giving me the opportunity to play with the latest update to see how well Flash works.

On a whole having Flash on your mobile does improve the online experience of the net while on the move. There is no need for multiple applications that give you access to on-demand television, watch online videos, or play your favourite online flash games because they are all accessible in the browser.

To say that Flash 10.1 works perfectly would be a lie. It has issues with ability to perform actions that require a precise click because we are working with a 3.7 inch screen after all and there is a noticeable lag when the browser is loading flash heavy sites. The update is not yet on general release and we can only hope that issues that have arisen will be sorted by the time it is available to the public.

Although it is too soon to say whether Android will emerge as the dominate mobile OS it is setting itself up as the strongest contender and we are all looking at Apple to announce its worst kept secret, the iPhone 4G.

Once upon a time, a girl with a flower in her hair wondered into the woods . . .

The Tale of ROI from KMP Digitata on Vimeo.

Eh! I really don’t know what they have been putting in the tea over here at KMP or when Tim Burton slipped into our interactive department?

In-fact, this was a challenge we set ourselves, produce something creative in a day that would showcase our ability over here at KMP Towers to deliver ROI for our clients. Now, don’t get me wrong, we have plenty of work to getting on with, but sometimes it’s important just to have a bit of fun with your own brand, after all, we are a creative company and like to make cool stuff.

So hopefully you will enjoy our little mix of fairytale and business acumen, and who knows, if you do, flower girls adventures may continue . . . if our busy schedule allows once more!

Well we developed an app for that…

The free Manchester Airport iPhone application is an essential tool for those flying out, flying in and even collecting friends or family from Manchester Airport. It has been designed to save both time, money and enable the traveller to plan their journey and time in the terminals more productively, be it exploring the many retail outlets or airport lounges.

The Manchester Airport iPhone application is the perfect accompaniment for both business and leisure travellers.

The key features of the application allow you to:

• Explore each terminal through the interactive map
• Car park booking – Save money and time by pre-booking your car parking
• View a Google map of each terminal and get directions to and from the airport
• Get real time flight information for arrivals and departures.

The Manchester Airport iPhone application is available to download from the AppStore now for free and more information about the app can be found at the Manchester Airport website.

For too long now events like this have been the property of London, dragging the digital world to capital and delivering a thoroughly mediocre affair. It’s about time the North had a platform to attract an international audience, and show our selves off a bit.

SAScon is a truly international event, with celebrated practitioners from the US, Spain, Holland, Belgium and Iceland sharing the stage with some of Manchester’s own, Paul Fabretti from Gabba and Neil Hardy from the Co-operative group to name but two. Personally I can’t wait to hear some more on the darker arts of SEO from Ralph Tegtmeier, who, according to Aaron Wall, is “one of the most insightful minds and original voices in the search game”.

A great deal of credit needs to go to SEMPO and Manchester Digital for delivering SAScon at a time when the digital landscape in the North demands it. We have some of the most innovative minds and cutting edge ideas, not just with the digital agencies, but with the digital departments of our regions forward thinking companies.

Up here in’t North have always been willing to take a punt, always keen support and embrace new initiatives, happenings and events, as the success of Manc Twestival proved. SAScon has the potential to be a permanent fixture on the digital calendar for digital marketeers from around the country. If you can make it, please go, it will be great to see you there.

www.sascon.co.uk

@sasconference

#sascon

The Technique Mission

Technique provide a fresh approach to training and development for digital designers and developers by organising events that are intensive, intimate and hands-on, helping to maximise time. More intimate and in-depth than a conference, and more dynamic than traditional training, Technique is all about practical, hands-on development.

Running in Newcastle, Leeds and Manchester, Tech Days are single day intensive workshops led by renowned international developers. Tech Days give you the chance to get in-depth and hands-on with the subject of your choice, learning from experts and fellow developers in a full-day of hands-on training.

Continued support for new developments in the North

KMP Digitata is always excited to support new innovative thinking and ways to help the development of the digital sector in our region. We previously sponsored Speak the Web, which proved a great success, and we see Technique Tech days as another great opportunity for both established and new members of the industry to learn from a variety of experts in these workshops.

As a company KMP Digitata are extremely proud that Richard Clark was invited to teach at this event, strengthening both KMP’s and Richard’s position as a leading authority in web design in the North.

Rich Clark had this to say:

I’m really excited to be involved with Technique Digital. It’s a great opportunity to educate designers and developers on the possibilities of HTML5. I’ve heard really good things about the previous Technique events so hope to continue that trend.

For more information or to book tickets to the events visit Technique. KMP Digitata and Rich Clark look forward to seeing you there.

Ask questions at panels either during or at the end. All the speakers are more than happy to talk. Just so you understand the scale of  SXSW, there are about 15-20 events (panels, keynotes, lounges, trade show events) starting simultaneously each hour of the day from 9am to 5pm from the Friday through the weekend till the Wednesday. Then there are the evening sponsored mixer events of which there were about 3 or 4 each night, dotted around Austin starting early doors 6-8pm. The major sponsored events started at 8pm and went on till 2am. Believe me its a marathon not a sprint and there were several who peaked too soon!

My advice would be to pick a mixture of different types of events in advance. So some panels, some keynotes etc and try new topics or events with weird titles or unusual speakers. Have second choices as well because some get full quickly. Don’t get drawn into attending just events that you have a personal specialism in. Some people did that and came away frustrated that they already knew the stuff they had just listened to. The fact is if you are a bit of a social media guru already for example, you should be on top of your game anyway, so perhaps go to some of the more geeky stuff about SM and try out a few other new topics. You’ll be amazed who you sit next to and what you learn. Also I learned that if you don’t like what you are hearing it is perfectly acceptable just to get up and politely exit stage left.

Street art Austin style

Austin is a compact city and the convention centre, where the trade show and most of the events are, is central with some events spilling to the adjacent Hilton or Radisson Town Lake. Bottom line is you can walk everywhere as long as you stay in either the aformentioned Radisson Town Lake as I and most of the Digital Mission did or the Four Seasons or the Hilton or the Marriott Courtyard. This also affords walking in the evening to the famous 6th Street where most of the mixer events are hosted. Beware hotels out of town or near the airport as taxis take their toll. As I have said in previous posts about SXSW,  Austinness is extremely important to the success of SXSW. The city and its people are fantastic.

I now appreciate the US market and how to set up business there. I also learnt that usefulness is often better than innovation because of the sheer scale of the opportunity in the US.

Smart/engaging/ pioneering people to follow (There were so many but here are 4 less well known)

1/. Brynn Evans – Social Anthropologist

A great slideshow from Brynn http://www.slideshare.net/bmevans/designing-for-sociality-in-enterprise-search

http://brynnevans.com/

@brynn

2/. Max Ventilla – Rich smart guy whose business was bought by Google

User driven design http://ventilla.posterous.com/preaching-user-driven-design

http://vark.com/

@ventilla

3/. Valerie Casey – Inspiring co-founder of Designers Accord

Graphic of Val Casey's keynote

Surely the most inspiring speaker all week

www.designersaccord.org

@valcasey

4/. Clara Shih – Author of the Facebook Era and CEO of Hearsay Labs

http://www.thefacebookera.com

@Clarashih

What is going to be huge (if the following are obvious to you then apologies)

Spotify when they break into the US (No brainer, but Android mobile app looked great)

Twitter’s @store – Because everyone loves Twitter

Mobile video and open source video technologies (Down with YouTube and Flash etc) – Especially as mobile devices will overtake PCs globally as the method of choice for viewing video by 2013.

Social search –  Not only on the basis that networked people prefer to consult their network first before Google for knowledge, but there are now technologies out there that will select from your network based on social graph, your combined intimacy and their expertise who is best placed to answer your question.

Sustainability in interactive design – As interactive and technical  designers begin to consider the overarching sustainability of the systems they are scoping and implementing.

What’s still got a way to go

Location based services – monetization, monetization and monetization, yep same old same old. However I believe privacy is a bigger issue here.

Thanks

Chinwag team for organising a great Digital Mission – Sam, Emily, Juliet, Benjamin and Ed.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Shawn O’Keefe (no relation I think)  - Along with Hugh Forrest, Shawn is Event Producer for SXSWi, which means he is quite a busy chap but he still found time to come and speak to the Digital Mission on the opening day of SXSWi to give us some tips for getting the best out of the event.

Miles Galliford of Subhub, Chris Lee of Qhub, Rob Smith of Blueleaf, Jonathan Palmer of Mobilized, James Mayes of TweetJobs, Ted Han of VideoJuicer, Karen Barber of AudioBoo, Jasper Westaway of OneDrum, for keeping me entertained

Rackspace,  Mashable, Rudy’s, the worst BBQ in Texas (their line not mine)

Rudy's - Worst BBQ in Texas (Their line not mine)

Until next time. Its been memorable. Goodnight SXSW, Jon Keefe has left the building, please move towards your nearest exit.

Finally I will leave you with the Unicorn Kid, great headgear.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Yesterday (Saturday) was another full day of selling, networking and information upload. I discovered that BcToolkit is well liked and has merit, even the chaps at AKQA thought is was great and are going to give it a whirl. Thanks guys

There is a lot of talk from service-based companies trying to move away from services and into products because of the revenue visibility, IP and low direct costs. This is another notion that satisfies me seeing as as that is where we have been for the last 12-18 months with Ackura and Bctoolkit. The other thing that I learn’t is that unless you are trying to build a billion dollar corporation fast, then your product doesn’t have to be that staggering or innovative because there is space in the market.  What is important is that your product has to do what you say it will, and do it well. Focus on those core issues. A good analagy I heard was if you are going to open up a hot dog stand, focus on the hot dog not the stand or the mustard or the bun because without the hot dog you just have a “Stand”. There are tonnes of small business owners with one or two “me-too” tech products sold SaaS style that make a nice living thank you very much. The differentiator is often the niche markets that they are being sold into. I met a guy whose name I didn’t catch, he had a CMS for car retailers. The only unique thing about it was that he had packaged it as “The” CMS for car retailers. The web is the small guys friend in this respect because it allows them to compete in a way that wasn’t there 10 years ago.

Last night was the official opening party for SXSW as the film buffs have all started to arrive. It was held at The MACC (Mexican and American CulturalCentre) and it was an outdoor extravaganza which was basically a one night festival type gathering. One entertaining point in the evening was when a budding script writer approached myself and my partner in crime Miles Galliford @subhub and asked us if we would give him feedback on his script synopsis. Hmm maybe we shouldn’t have been so straight forward, anyway I hope they got him down from the roof OK.

Crowdsourced car from Local Motors

On the way to the event Miles and I happened across the latest crowd-sourced car from Local  Motors, the car manufacturer aiming to turn the car industry up side down by building cars based on the most popular suggestions and ideas from the likes of you and I. So if you fancy a car like this then sign up because the top voted contributors all get to buy one.

At these places you bump into interesting entreprenurial people who otherwise, let’s be honest, you would probabaly never meet. For example I enjoyed conversations with Alicia Navarro co-founder of Skimlinks, the simplified affiliate marketing company (which by the way is a great concept), Michael Smith co-founder of Hotbox which went on to become Firebox and Charlie Osmond from SM people Fresh Networks.

Finally I’ll sign off with some short iphone video of Natal ( this is a link to an official Microsoft video), which was well used at the event. It is, if you want my humble opinion, going to revolutionise the way we decorate or build houses because in a couple of years time every house will include in it somewhere a massive plain white wall. Enjoy

Click here to view the embedded video.

We sent our own Rob Sandbach to the events in Manchester and Liverpool, who had the following to say;

The format of each event was similar: 3 or 4 talks in a small bar with a wonderful, intimate atmosphere which fostered social interaction with other web folk whether you wanted it or not! Comfy couches were par for the course if you were an early bird, sturdy pillars and walls to lean against if not. This might sound like a complaint but in reality the pub-like atmosphere was Speak the Web’s second greatest asset. It set the tone for an informal heckle inducing melting pot of forward thinking ideas to be churned out, discussed and disagreed upon in abundance.

The greatest asset was, naturally, the people. The speakers ranged from your best mate Joe, to Andy Clarke and each brought a unique style of presentation to the party. From #macfail filled presentations to #keynoterocks professional, rehearsed talks, the speakers brought a range of ideas, advice and predictions to the room. Andy Clarke’s forward thinking “Hard Boiled” presentation in Manchester was a highlight. Andy put forward an uncompromising agenda to deliver fantastic web experiences to capable browsers before facilitating an equally presentable, but perhaps less inspired, experience on less-capable browsers. Graceful degradation is too compromising, he argued, instead we should focus on, and design for, the bleeding edge; using whatever tool each the browsers affords us.

Jake Smith’s discussion at the Liverpool event on the use of custom fonts in modern design was frank (“95% of free fonts are a bit shit”), but fascinating for a non-designer-but-still-a-geek type like myself. As one might expect, CSS3 and HTML5 were hot on the agenda, but topics varied as far as mobile, SEO, and post-modernism inspired design.

Speak The Web was driven by a sincere desire to deliver a passionate calendar of events to the northwest web scene. All profits are going to local charities, with Andy Clarke and other speakers contributing their fee to the charity pool which reflects the passion of all speakers and attendees to bring this format of event to the northwest.

Here at KMP Digitata we look forward to seeing Speak The Web develop further and will continue to support this and other events in the North West.

One of the big topics of January was the battle between Google and China over it’s censorship of search results. It started with a cyber attack on Google originating from China, believed to be aimed towards Human Rights Activists involved in issues, such as Tibet.

• Google lifts censorship on China’s search results

Internet Explorer (IE) took a hit from the German and French governments when they both advised their people to find alternatives to using Microsoft’s browser in order to protect themselves from online attacks.

• Germany & France warn against using IE

Google also featured heavily in the news thanks to the launch of its first smart phone, the Nexus One. Many smart phones on the market use Google’s operating system Android, but this is the first attempt by the Mountain View Giant to enter the handheld market.

• Google launches Nexus One

Social Media websites, such as twitter, have caused problems for sports teams when their players share too much. In the summer Darren Bent was tweeting about his potential transfer to Sunderland and recently Ryan Babel vented his frustration about Liverpool’s selections on his twitter account. This resulted in both Manchester United and Manchester City banning their players from having twitter accounts.

• Manchester United ban Twitter
• Manchester City ban social media sites

Finally we have to mention Apple’s big announcement of January, the iPad. Apple once again got the world excited and sitting on the edge of their seats awaiting for Steve Job to take to the stage and reveal the latest toy.

• Apple launches iPad

Now all that is left is to wait and see what February has in store for us.