U of C COACH Program
The University of Chicago’s COACH (Combating Obesity at Community Health Centers) program is a QI collaborative intervention with MidWest Clinicians’ Network assesses and improves provider effectiveness at recruiting and retaining participants in their obesity programs, as well as their confidence and experience with implementing obesity program improvements. Patient level data (weight, BMI, blood pressure) is collected and analyzed to explore possible effects of the COACH intervention on patient outcomes.
The COACH team wanted something a little more customized and user-friendly than the Sharepoint system that they had initially set up. cre8 came in and after reviewing their needs, we delivered a much simpler PHP web app to power their Internet-based best practices menu/tool kit,
Work Performed
- PHP Development
[cre8] had great ideas and worked quickly to make sure our website was fully functional and user friendly.”
— Abigail Wilkes
My Financial Gap Analysis
My Financial Gap Analysis was developed for the teacher in mind. To be made available for select school systems, teachers and faculties will have the MFGA website as part of their financial-planning toolkit. After identifying their school system, users will be able to identify gaps in their contributions for insurance and retirement while using the MFGA planning screens to see where and how they can shore up any differences.
cre8 developed the site from the ground up using PHP and the CodeIgnitor web application framework. Coupled with our user interface (UI) design, MFGA was delivered an effective and efficient interface that met its requirements.
Work Performed
- PHP Application Development
- User Interface (UI) design
BlueStar Energy Solutions
BlueStar is one of the fastest-growing energy suppliers in the United States and has been consistently recognized by Inc. Magazine on its annual Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing companies.
BlueStar approached us to give their website a refreshed look to accompany their new branding efforts. While updating the website design and search engine optimization (SEO) we also updated their registration screens for their residential segment.
Work Performed
- Website Redesign
- Residential Application Flow Redesign
Institutional Advisory Services Group
IASG.com is the largest, most comprehensive and only 100% open database of Managed Futures. Combined with MyIASG, an advanced yet easy-to-use platform for building portfolios of Commodity Trading Advisors (CTAs), IASG continues to empower investors with unparalleled information, insight and resources. IASG is a revolutionary Managed Futures brokerage powering the portfolios of over $100M of investor assets. They leverage two decades of Managed Futures experience and unparalleled resources to deliver sound advice and build strong alternative investment portfolios. Thanks to unprecedented access to the world’s best Managed Futures, high net worth and institutional investors in 60 countries worldwide trust them with their alternative investments.
We moved their website design and data which was previously hosted on a proprietary PHP-based content management system (CMS) to a previous rendition of their website using the DotNetNuke CMS. A fair amount of work was required to mesh up the new designs with the older site and backend. About a month later after some custom .net programming and serious data scrubbing IASG was back in business with a much more flexible CMS.
Work Performed
- DotNetNuke CMS Development
- Custom .net Programming
Although we have much work ahead of us, so far we have been pleased with the progress made with the new site. Under the pressure of hitting the April 1st deadline, we transitioned seamlessly and kept issues related to the site to a minimum. Moving ahead, we look forward to the many features we know will enhance iasg.com. It has been a pleasure working with [cre8] these past few weeks. We would highly recommend you and the DNN platform which operates our site!”
— JonPaul Jonkheer
ReverseMortgage
Eric and [cre8] were great to work with, they provided quality design on time and under our original budget.”
— John Yedinak
Investors Observer
Background
Investors Observer is an investment research firm focused on the U.S. equities and options markets. Their unique set of analytical tools, screening techniques, research methods along with a staff of analysts, writers and editors provide information to help their clients and subscribers make the best investment decisions possible.
The company launched its first portfolios in December 2002 and currently serves a subscriber base well over 300,000 investors who receive their various investment newsletters, market research, daily reports, and portfolio services.
The Challenge
Investors Observer wanted to freshen their look while not alienating their current userbase.
Results
The resulting redesign is shared between the client-side as well as the prospecting side, with differences in navigation. The old site was cramped and cluttered with many links and redundant information. We went in and helped add focus to their services, helping draw prospective investors in to read more about them.
Now, portfolio pages like the HedgePro have key information at the top of the page along with prominent action buttons to Try or Buy.
Work Performed
- Information Architecture
- Website Redesign
Eric seems to always have the right ideas at the right time. He and his team have worked extremely well with our team. We plan to work with him in the future.”
— Vic Schiller
Duncan G. Stroik Architect, LLC
Duncan Stroik’s architectural practice grows out of a commitment to the principles of classical architecture and urbanism. For over a decade he has focused on the design of ecclesiastical, civic, residential and collegiate buildings, which combine a passion for durability, function and beauty. Stroik’s education and career have closely paralleled the evolution of the international classical movement, and over the past decade his work has been instrumental in the new renaissance of sacred architecture.
Work Performed
- Website Redesign
- CMS Integration
Know Your Options
Mike Cavanaugh of Know Your Options in Chicago wanted to break away from the template website provided by his broker dealer to better separate himself from the pack.
His newsletter signup is no longer buried and is featured at the bottom of every page. To help draw in prospects further, we’ve added a whitepaper download and new, 18-minute portfolio review request feature.
Work Performed
- Website Redesign
- Newsfeed Integration
Eric and his team exceeded my expectations. The results were exceptional, the cost was more than reasonable, and the process in which Eric and his team work is very efficient. I recommend him highly.”
— Mike Cavanaugh
IPOX Schuster
Work Performed
- Website Redesign
- Wordpress Integration
- QuoteMedia Quote Feed Integration
- RSS Newsfeed Integration
SUPER C
Work Performed
- Website Redesign
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
ZOIC Nutrition Drink
Work Performed
- Website Redesign
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Chicago Center for Systems Biology
Work Performed
- Website Design
- Logo Development
cre8 did a phenomenal job in the development and design of two different websites this year. The design and the creativity of cre8 were amazing! I highly recommend working with Eric and his colleagues at cre8.”
— Aharon Solomon
Wise Guides Online
Ever wonder what’s the best way to heckle Cardinals fans at Wrigley Field? Want to be able to head straight for the best hot dog at Yankee Stadium? How about knowing the stories behind every unique stadium tradition and knowing the quickest route to the restrooms?
Thousands of fans turn to their handy pocket-sized Wise Guide Fan Navigator books for this critical info. Now, Andy and John Buchanan have poured their enthusiasm into a companion website, Wise Guides Online. Along with excerpts from their popular guides, the website gives fans the last word. Here they can post comments about their favorite teams, stadiums and even local bars.
We raced to work with the Buchanan brothers to get their website launched just in time for opening day. We’re planning on adding more stadiums as well as more fan-centric community features.
Work Performed
- Website Design
- Rails Development
- Search Engine Optimization
cre8 has become more than just a vendor—they actually care about our success. On top of design and technical upkeep they have provided many suggestions about SEO, content and features. We could not have launched this quickly without them.”
— John Buchanan
Technology Executives Club
After talking to Alex Jarett about his website we determined it was time for them to bite the bullet and start preparing the Technology Executives Club site for better growth. Our first steps included detaching all the pages from their Front Page templates, renaming the static HTML pages to PHP and inserting server-side includes. The homepage was revised as well.
Results
Online newsletter subscription rate increased 300% in the first month.
Work Performed
- Site rearchitecture from FrontPage/templates to PHP pages using server side includes
- Search engine optimization
- Site conversion analysis and usability review
A big part of our vision at the Technology Executives Club is to create an online forum which will allow us to extend our brand from the quality events we're known for to a similar service online. We evaluated a number of excellent development teams but most of them were priced for much larger companies, forcing us to wait on many of our online initiatives. We were thrilled to learn that Eric and the team at cre8 were dedicated to helping small companies like ours create a world class forum at a price we could afford. The initial part of the project has gone so smoothly and quickly that I now have the confidence that we'll be able to provide our members with the the online services they need. In a short time cre8 has already earned a valuable spot on our team and I would highly recommend them!”
— Alex Jarett
SureSpeak
SureSpeak is the first online training product to add true interactivity. Users practice and ultimately master the actual conversations and verbal scenarios that they encounter during critical moments of their job.
Leveraging the power of the web, SureSpeak enables its users to practice, play and record videos, all online.
cre8 updated and refreshed the old site while helping establish SureSpeak’s brand. The clean, CSS layout and sIFR headlines will accommodate expanding content and navigation easily.
Work Performed
- Website Redesign
- Template Development
- Application Interface Design
...you're a genius!”
— Darren Schwartz
Sacred Architecture Journal
After revamping the website for Duncan Stroik Architecture, LLC, Duncan asked us to give his publications’ website a new look as well.
Work Performed
- Website Redesign
- PayPal Setup and Integration
- ExpressionEngine Content Management System (CMS) Setup
OneOption
Pete Stolcers has a systematic approach to trading and his “edge” is his ability to identify relative strength and weakness within the market. The majority of his day is spent on analysis. Hedge funds, professional traders and active investors count on him for solid research.
We helped create the first version of OneOption for Pete and he asked us to give it another once over as his site continues to grow with users and functionality.
Thank you. I love my site!”
— Pete Stolcers
HSA Resources
HSA Resources provides Health Savings Accounts on a nationwide basis through partnerships with insurance agents, insurance companies and directly to consumers. The company provides accounts that are easy to use with minimal fees by employing internet applications including automatic funds transfers.
HSA’s original website was put together in-house to support a quickly growing firm. As HSA was preparing to integrate its services with optionsXpress, we worked with VP Steve Hansen to give their website a more polished and integrated look.
CNX Corp
Robert and Richard over at CNX asked us to give their CNX website yet another facelift, along with a new logo.
Actually, it began as a new logo for their flagship product, Atomic, which then led to us naming their new web application framework, Valence and creating a logo for it as well.
But then we also redid their CNX logo too. And somewhere in between, we also redesigned their website.
City of Chicago
cre8's background in e-commerce and financial websites was tapped by CityTech to assist with business analysis and interface design projects for various City of Chicago departments.
Business Affairs & Licensing
The Department of Business Affairs & Licensing (DBA) empowers businesses to grow and succeed. DBA provides businesses a gateway and will become a primary point of contact for all city services.
DBA's "one-stop-shop" for businesses not only enhances city services but provide business consultants to guide businesses through the government process.
In late 2005, the DBA rolled out their online business license renewal application. We were called in to assist with their next phase: an online application for new business licenses.
We are providing business analysis, prototyping and interface design services for CityTech / Keane on this project, slated to roll out early 2007.
Services Provided- Interaction Maps
- Use Case Development
- Wireframing
- Visual Design
- Prototyping
- XHTML/CSS Template Production
Office of Budget & Management
Our interface design and business analysis skills were called upon for the Office of Budget & Management's Capital Project Management Program internal application.
Services Provided- Visual Design
- Prototyping
- XHTML/CSS Template Production
Department of Construction and Permits
DCaP recently added Easy Permits to their Online E-Permit application. We provided interface design services to update existing .net pages.
Services Provided
- Visual Design
- XHTML/CSS Template Production
Business and Information Services
We provided design services for the BIS Intranet initiative as well as Section 508 Compliance review and guidance for the City of Chicago Department of Procurement Services' Online Electronic Disclosure Statement.
Recently, we also began redesign work for the Health Department's Zoonotic Disease Tracker internal application.
Services Provided- Visual Design
- XHTML/CSS Template Production
- Section 508 Compliance Review
Interested In Learning More? To learn more about cre8’s consulting services please contact us today.
Client List
- BlueStar Energy Solutions
- Chicago Center for Systems Biology
- City of Chicago
- CNX Corp
- Duncan G. Stroik Architect, LLC
- HSA Resources
- Institutional Advisory Services Group
- Investors Observer
- IPOX Schuster
- Know Your Options
- My Financial Gap Analysis
- OneOption
- ReverseMortgage
- Sacred Architecture Journal
- SUPER C
- SureSpeak
- Technology Executives Club
- U of C COACH Program
- Wise Guides Online
- ZOIC Nutrition Drink