The strategic concept serves as a basis for all subsequent procedures in the scope of an e-business project. As part of the tasks, the strategy and concept for an internet/intranet project are specified.

Based on extensive TIMES experience, Skillnet’s goal is to develop a concept which maximizes the client’s corporate value.

Only in rare cases can Skillnet work on a Greenfield approach. Normally, we have to integrate existing structures, technological conditions, and processes into the strategic concept.

The business planning and profitability evaluation incorporate the quantitative validation of the business model. The results of the strategic concept provide binding specifications for the project team in the planning of all subsequent detail deliverables.

Services in phase 1 "Strategic Concept":

• Implementing market, competitor, and best practice analyses
• Developing, or if required, repositioning e-business strategies
• Formulating business plans and profitability evaluations
• Developing general intranet/internet concepts in the areas of "products & services," "fulfillment," "internationalization," “content production,” “partnering,” “distribution,” “organization,” etc.
• Assessing “make or buy” decisions

Following the verification of the strategic concept, the concept is then consistently developed and detailed as are the exact specifications of the front-end design, content production, and IT requirements.

The goal is to implement standard software solutions and adapt them to the client’s requirements.

Services in phase 2 "Business Activities":

• Developing precise taxonomy and navigation concept
• Defining navigation concept (based on existing software solutions)
• Detailing services and functionalities (based on existing software solutions)
• Defining processes (content production, fulfillment, debtor management, etc.)
• Determining design and content requirements based on client branding

In phase 3 "Infrastructure," the technological solution is developed, a suitable technology platform is selected, and the detailed planning of infrastructure project activities is done.

The infrastructure activities include integrated solutions (own systems and third-party systems) such as enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, e-commerce platforms, and customer relationship management (CRM) systems as well as the associated “make or buy” decisions.

The subsequent technical implementation phase is usually undertaken in collaboration with selected system integrators with Skillnet serving in a project management/architectural role.

Services in phase 3 "Infrastructure":

• Detailing technological concepts
• Selecting the most suitable technological platforms (SW, HW, providers, etc.)
• Programming
• Developing, testing, and implementing
• Identifying and, if necessary, supporting the construction of appropriate warehouse locations (national and international)

Following the verification of the strategic concept and the technical platform, the concept is consistently developed and detailed as is the exact specification of the front-end design requirements.

Services in phase 4 “Front-end Design”:

• Developing a style guide
• Developing the screen design
• Creating a user-friendly navigational tool
• Preparing individual templates for implementation on the basis of a content management or e-commerce system
• Developing design elements and graphics
• Structuring masks and forms

Another main focus in the framework of an e-business project lies in content production. The ultimate goal of this task is the definition of the most suitable sales approach as well as the subsequent production of the content within the launch schedule timeframe and during operation.

Content production is not only producing editorial text, but rather includes the coordinating and providing of all materials from the development of digital formats, product photography including model and location scouting, and digital postproduction to the production of multilingual product texts.

Services in phase 5 “Content Production”:

• Developing tonality and user language
• Defining imagery and the requirements for product photography
• Choice of appropriate partners
• Defining and implementing of processes
• Production of content for online launch (via partners)
• Filling the system with initial content

State of the art marketing is a key success factor of a fruitful e-business project. Marketing includes activities from the development and continuous implementation of online marketing activities (e.g. SEM, SEO, email marketing) up to the implementation of innovative CRM activities.

Services in phase 6 “Marketing”:

• Developing central specifications for online marketing
• Selecting online marketing partners
• Developing and implementing CRM solutions

Well-timed updates, maintenance, and continuous enhancement are crucial for the success of an online service. The behavior of users on the site, awareness of emerging trends in the market, and the performance of key competitors all form the basis to initiate and implement optimization measures.

Services in phase 7 “Site management”:

• Developing and implementing content management processes
• Support during the analysis of reporting data
• Market intelligence
• Developing measures for site optimization