In summary
- The first website in the world built in Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007
- Focus on Web 2.0 and user generated content
In full
Hed Kandi/Ministry of Sound, Microsoft UK and cScape Internet Services have achieved the world’s first ever live implementation of Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007™ by launching a revamped version of Hed Kandi's website.
cScape has handled the technical development, while front end designs have been provided by Hed Kandi’s in-house team, featuring the record company’s distinctive album covers.
Hed Kandi is a major trend setter on the global clubbing scene and is best known for its stylish dance music compilation albums and plush events. To ensure Hed Kandi’s cutting-edge style is brought to the forefront, tools such as blogs and user generated content, which are enabled automatically by Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007™, feature prominently on the new site.
“Ministry Of Sound is right on the cutting edge of technology adoption. Theirs is the first web content management system in production running on Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 – a product only scheduled for release at the end of this year with the 2007 Microsoft Office system. Even though Ministry of Sound accept risk in deploying software while it is still in beta, much of this risk is offset by having a highly skilled partner, cScape, support them throughout the planning, development and deployment of the Hed Kandi website,” said Rob Gray, Product Marketing Manager at Microsoft UK.
Hed Kandi is keen to strengthen connections with its growing international network of dedicated fans. That’s why cScape has ensured online community development and user experience are at centre stage on the new site. It serves as a portal for all upcoming events, all record releases and all other aspects of the brand. Users can create an online profile, sign up to newsletters and browse and contribute to discussions around releases and events. Fans can also read and comment on Hed Kandi’s DJ blogs.
"The redesign of the Hed Kandi website presented us with an opportunity to move the site from the infrastructure which we inherited following our acquisition of the brand earlier this year onto what will be our future web platform,” said James Bacchus, Head of Operations Ministry of Sound/Hed Kandi. “We faced aggressive timescales for this project and wanted the site to use a number of features: the decision SharePoint Server was based on the key components of content management, search and community that were all integrated and available out-of-the-box. From the experience we've gained on this project we'll be in a position to migrate our Content Management Server 2002 sites to standardise our web presence on Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007™."
His enthusiasm is shared by Hed Kandi’s General Manager Dan Baxter, “Hed Kandi/Ministry of Sound is very proud to be part of a world first, especially during such exciting times for the brand. The redevelopment of hedkandi.com is another example of Ministry of Sound’s significant investment in the future of the Hed Kandi brand and the delivery of a new website is a key improvement to our offer.”
cScape is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner and has worked closely with Microsoft on this project. With cScape’s focus on customer engagement, it was in an ideal position to advise Hed Kandi on how to develop online communities and keep in close contact with its fans.
“cScape is thrilled to have implemented, not just the UK’s, but the world’s first ever live website on Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007™. The relaunch of the Hed Kandi site was a perfect opportunity for cScape and Microsoft to apply the innovative features of this new technology, in particular those that enhance Hed Kandi’s customer engagement,” said Rob Killick, CEO, cScape.
About Hed Kandi
Hed Kandi is a record label and music brand established in 1999. In January 2006, the label was purchased by Ministry of Sound, one of the most famous dance music businesses in the world.
Hed Kandi is best known for its eclectic compilation albums and artist releases, but also holds nightclub events around the UK and worldwide, most notably summer residences in Ibiza. There is also a monthly residency in the London nightclub Pacha and regular events around the world from Sydney, to Singapore, to New York’s Crobar to Sao Paolo.
Further information:
Megan Codling
Megafone Communications Ltd
megan@megafonecomms.co.uk
Mb 07795 848586