Emergencies 101

No one likes them, but alas… we are all going to be faced with an emergency at some point in our lives. As a lifelong sailor, I’ve had my fair share of emergencies on the water. Most of them have been mitigated by simply being prepared, having a plan, and pushing aside the fear that comes with… taking charge. In retrospect, I’ve come to the conclusion that at least 25% of my sailing emergencies have one thing in common; they could have been prevented. the events of the past week are the subject of this BLOG post… Emergencies 101.

As mentioned in an earlier post, Lighthouse Web Solutions deals with “emergency” requests many times throughout the year. As also previously stated; there has NEVER been a time when we haven’t risen to the challenge and solved the issue for our client. Sound a little cavalier? It’s true. The emergencies we addressed over the past week mirror nicely the emergencies I’ve had on the water; being prepared, having a plan, and not being afraid to take charge are critical. Also,  a good percentage of them could have (and should have) been prevented.

The last 7 days at Lighthouse Web Solutions:

10/22-2010 -
We began a project for a new client to migrate their  web site from a competitor to the Lighthouse servers and CMS. We had been asked to take over the management of their site. Upon migrating the architecture, we discovered a serious security issue with one of the on-line processes that had previously been developed for them. So serious in fact, that it had legal implications.  Because we make our living, in part, leveraging our knowledge in this particular industry, we were able to rebuild a compliant, secure solution for them in mere hours. Could this emergency been prevented? Absolutely. The lesson – when regulatory and/or federal compliance issues are involved… use the experts – Lighthouse Web Solutions.  In this case, an ounce of prevention is always worth avoiding a pound of pain. Lighthouse staff are: Microsoft Certified Application Developers (MCAD), Certified Web Application Security experts (GIAC Secure Software Programmer- .NET), Certified Enterprise Content Management Experts (AIIM IOA (Information Organization & Access) ECM Practitioner Certification).

10/27/2010 -
We were hired to build a new real estate management application using the Kentico CMS system (Lighthouse is a Certified Partner and staffs certified Kentico Developers). The existing site for this client, hosted by a competitor, was taken down without notice as the impending loss of their client grew near. We received a very concerned call from our new client regarding the fact that her business web site was down and unrecoverable from her former web design firm. Within 24 hours we had her new application built, tested, migrated to our production servers (a month ahead of schedule)… and up and live. This is not only a testament to the dedication of the Lighthouse staff… but our promise to you and your business. Trust.

It’s been a busy week here at Lighthouse Web Solutions, and frankly, I wouldn’t want to sail these waters with any other crew. The Lighthouse staff are the best.

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Lighthouse Web Solutions delivers award-winning, best practice business web design and health care web design services specifically aligned to your strategic goals and focused on business website design that will convert your web visitors into new customers.  On budget. On time. Every time.

And we have a lot of fun along the way.

It’s the foundation you build your house on.

We’ve been designing and developing websites for businesses for a long time. We’ve also been developing custom web applications and interfaces for a long time.  We understand the business and we do it well. We also thoroughly enjoy the diversity of our clientele and the challenges that each project presents.

Every once in a great while, we run into an extremely challenging situation. It could be a software issue, a hardware issue, or a client who comes to us with an “emergency” project. It’s during these times I usually make the statement (which the folks around Lighthouse have heard more times than they would like to recall)  – “Well, there’s never been a situation that we haven’t been able to conquer. We’ll conquer this one too. Let’s figure it out.”

I can make that statement, without hesitation… because it’s true. There has NEVER been a time when we’ve been faced with a seemingly overwhelming challenge where we haven’t risen to face the challenge and conquered it. Ever.

Though on first impression this may sound rather cavalier. It’s not. We have an outstanding team here at Lighthouse Web Solutions.

The reason that Lighthouse Web Solutions has won 18 national awards since 2006, maintained a post-project Customer Satisfaction Rating of over 97% in that same time, and continues to provided our customers with enterprise-class innovative business growth solutions?

Simple: Lighthouse Web Solutions has built its house on a rock-solid foundation. Our staff love what they do, and are focused on ensuring that each and EVERY customer walks away saying, “Wow, we’ve never been treated this well!” Our staff are:

• Microsoft Certified Application Developers (MCAD)
• Certified Web Application Security experts
• Certified Enterprise Content Management Experts – AIIM IOA (Information Organization & Access) ECM Practitioner Certification
• Competent Internet Marketer & Professional Internet Marketer Certified for our Search Engine Marketing, Social Media Marketing, Web Analytics, Email Marketing, Bid Management and Affiliate Marketing Services.
• Certified Ektron CMS400 Developers
• Certified Ektron CMS400 Web Administrators
• Foundation Certified – ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library)

It’s the foundation that you build your house on. And the Lighthouse Web Solutions foundation? Rock solid.

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Lighthouse Web Solutions delivers award-winning, best practice business web design and health care web design services specifically aligned to your strategic goals and focused on business website design that will convert your web visitors into new customers.  On budget. On time. Every time.

And we have a lot of fun along the way.

Innovation in Maine – It’s Here to Stay

I recently spent three of the most mentally challenging days I’ve ever experienced, with a man named Doug Hall. Now, I don’t expect you to know the name (for now), nor do I expect that you would want to spend three days working 13-14hrs per day on; estimating how many ping-pong balls will fit in a room, developing marketing strategy for a dry cleaner, inventing new tourist attractions for the Grand Canyon, and inventing-branding-marketing-pitching… a new type of popcorn (in just under 2 hours).

But you should.

In fact, if you want your business to be around (and thriving) in the next 5-10 years… you should run (not walk) to the Foster Center for Student Innovation at the University of Maine and demand to know how you can spend three of the most important days of your professional life  with a world-renowned, enthusiastic & dedicated innovation leader/lunatic. And while you are there, you should ask why Doug has made a 10-year commitment to the University of Maine and Maine businesses, why he’s passionate about the history, evolution, and science of innovation… and why he is steadfastly focused on carrying the innovation torch of his mentors and predecessors.

As far as innovations goes… I’m sure happy Lighthouse Web Solutions asked, “why”.

It’s changed our path…

Oh yeah, Doug Hall is a best-selling author and innovation thought leader, founder of the world-famous Eureka! Ranch, past judge on ABC television’s “American Inventor“, and small business advocate.

… and if Doug looks you in the eye during the Popcorn Invention Challenge and says, “I get it”. That’s all the validation you need… to know… you “got it”.

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Lighthouse Web Solutions delivers award-winning, best practice business web design and health care web design services specifically aligned to your strategic goals and focused on business website design that will convert your web visitors into new customers.  On budget. On time. Every time.