Planning for the Media Guide Site

The Media Guide Web site will be the main portal that Fabrikam employees use to access the rich store of on-demand and live content available to them. The Media department was tasked with developing and maintaining the site. Initially, the site will be developed by the department’s Web design team with input from content producers. Once online, the site will be updated and maintained by members of the production scheduling team. Because the site will be run by people who are not trained Web designers, it needs to be easy to update and require low maintenance.

The Media Guide will include the following minimum functionality:

• On-demand content list, search, and link. Several ways for users to locate on-demand content.

• Live content calendar, search, and link. Several ways for users to locate broadcasts.

• Announcements. Timely information regarding important video programs.

• Information and help. How to use the site and locate content.

• Production requests. A system for requesting production resources.

• Content upload. A system for adding content to the site.

• Windows Media Player download package. A way for users to download and install the correct version of Windows Media Player.

The Web designers decided a database-driven site would be the best way to go. They chose Microsoft SharePoint Portal Server to provide the structure for the site. A SharePoint Portal site is easy to develop and change, and will provide all the functionality they anticipate needing. As the database grows and the team discovers new needs, the Web team can either create a custom site or purchase a third-party solution.