Knowledge sharing for digital decision makers
Conference, 3-5 May 2011

Randar Puust

Software Architect, Jonas Software

Biography

Randar Puust

Randar Puust is the Software Architect for Jonas Software in Toronto.  He works for the ClubHouse Online group, which provides a SaaS based application for the private/semi-private golf industry throughout the world. ClubHouse Online requires 24/7 up time, excellent usability and performance.

Randar has been in the technology industry for 15 years working in software, professional services, mobile, insurance and legal.  He is active member of Microsoft user groups, including a number of speaking engagements and online articles.

When he’s not spending time with his wife and children, he is sailing or racing the family station wagon around the autocross track.

Jonas Software

Jonas Software

Jonas Software is a provider of enterprise management software solutions to the Club, Foodservice, Construction, Leisure Fitness & Sports, Attractions, Metal Service Centers, and Moving & Storage industries. Within these seven vertical markets, Jonas boasts 16 distinct brands, all of which are respected and longstanding leaders within their own domain.

Jonas’ vision is to be the branded global leader across the aforementioned seven vertical markets and to be recognized by customers and respective industry stakeholders as the trusted provider of Software For Life and as an ambassador for technology, product innovation, quality, and customer service.

Jonas Software is the valued technology partner of over 10,000 customers worldwide in more than 15 countries. Jonas employs hundreds of skilled individuals consisting of a cross-section of industry experts and technology professionals. Jonas is headquartered in Canada and also operates offices throughout North America, the United Kingdom, Australia and the Caribbean. With the talents of Jonas employees spanning the globe, Jonas is proud to avail cost-effective training and consulting services to our entire client base.

Presentation

Content Management and SaaS: A Hole in One!

Case: Jonas Software

Track: Web content management
Conference Day #1, Wednesday May 4th, 3.15 pm - 4.00 pm

Software as a Service (SaaS) and Web Content Management (WCM) can be an unlikely combination.  SaaS works best in a cookie cutter environment, while WCM needs a uniquely tailored experience.  ClubHouse Online is a SaaS application, created by Jonas Software, providing a number of online services to the private/semi-private golf industry including tee times, event management, online statements, etc.   Jonas Software wanted to take their ClubHouse Online product to the next level.  One of the key components of this vision was Content Management.  Clubs and country clubs worldwide want to be able to create and manage their own online presence, but often lack the technical knowhow or infrastructure.

Jonas Software went through a detailed evaluation of a number of vendors but found there were issues with usability, cost, inflexibility, technical fit or most importantly inability to work in a multi-tenant environment, until we found Kentico.  This business case will describe how Jonas Software was able to leverage the combined strengths of Kentico and ClubHouse Online (CHO) and was able to create a unified experience.  The presentation will outline some of the challenges we overcame and best practices others can use if they decide to use WCM through a SaaS model.

  • Multi-Tenant – Every customer shares the same system.  How we made sure each customer felt like they were our only customer.
  • Site creation and management - How we made sure that customers could be up and running as quickly as possible and we could easily manage their modules.
  • Software as a Service – Every customer has different needs.  How we made CHO configurable, while staying focused on the common ground.
  • Usability - How we make sure our system is usable for club administrators, so they can make the site usable for their end users.
  • Template management – Re-use was a key goal.  Proper planning ensures we will be able to maintain our system and scale as we grow.
  • Publishing - Every page has many contributors.  Content from the customer, templates from graphics designers and code from developers, all delivered through a hosting company.  How we manage the whole process.

See slides online