# Atlantic Business Technologies, Inc.

> Create progress people love.™

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## Pages

- [Working With Atlantic BT](https://www.atlanticbt.com/working-with-atlantic-bt/): This three article series will provide insight into the broad and technical journey of web development by using common and approachable analogies.
- [Strategy](https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/): Navigate the complexities of the digital landscape. ABT's strategic services provide clarity and direction to achieve your objectives.
- [Technology Consulting and Services](https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/): Leverage technology as an unfair competitive advantage. From technology consulting and technology strategy and services, we can help.
- [Cloud Cost Management](https://www.atlanticbt.com/cloud/cloud-cost-management/): Our Cloud Cost Management services help you gain visibility into your cloud spending, identify inefficiencies, and reduce costs.
- [AI Consulting](https://www.atlanticbt.com/ai/ai-consulting/): Our AI Consulting Services help you cut through the noise, evaluate the best approaches, and implement solutions that deliver results.
- [AI Integration Services](https://www.atlanticbt.com/ai/ai-integration-services/): Our AI Integration Services are designed to bridge the gap between AI technology and your business processes.
- [Automated Voice Messaging](https://www.atlanticbt.com/ai/automated-voice-messaging/): In a world where fast and efficient communication is essential, AI-driven Automated Voice Messaging Services offer a game-changing solution.
- [Chatbot Integration](https://www.atlanticbt.com/ai/chatbot-integration/): Chatbot Integration Services bridge this gap by automating customer interactions, streamlining workflows, and enhancing user experiences.
- [Business Analysis](https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/business-analysis/): At Atlantic BT, our Business Analysis Services bridge the gap between business needs and technology solutions to achieve your objectives.
- [ERP Services](https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/erp-services/): We specialize in ERP software development and integration services, tailoring solutions that empower businesses to drive growth
- [Training & Support](https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/training-support/): We provide Training & Support Services designed to maintain your software, ERP systems, websites, web portals, and cloud solutions.
- [React JS Development](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-services/react-js-development/): React JS Development Build Dynamic, Scalable, and High-Performance Web Applications Modern businesses demand web applications that are fast, scalable, and
- [PHP Development](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-services/php-development/): With our PHP Development Services, you gain a trusted partner committed to delivering robust, scalable, and secure solutions.
- [Odoo ERP](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-services/odoo-erp/): With our Odoo ERP Software Development Services, you gain a trusted partner dedicated to delivering solutions that drive efficiency.
- [Custom Reporting](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/custom-reporting/): Our custom reporting and report development services help you make sense of your data at every level of your organization.
- [Spreadsheet Modernization](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/spreadsheet-modernization/): Our spreadsheet modernization services focuses on creating efficient, scalable, and easy-to-use solutions that save time and reduce errors.
- [Legacy System Modernization](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/legacy-system-modernization/): Our legacy system modernization services are designed to breathe new life into your software, creating a modern and scalable solution.
- [Quality Assurance Testing](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/quality-assurance-testing/): Our Quality Assurance Testing services are designed to ensure your software performs seamlessly under any condition.
- [Portal Development](https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/portal-development/): At Atlantic BT, we specialize in web portal development tailored to your unique business needs, delivering intuitive solutions
- [Web Accessibility](https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/web-accessibility/): With a mission to create digital experiences that are inclusive, we offer comprehensive Web Accessibility Services.
- [Website Management](https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/website-management/): At Atlantic BT, our Website Management Services provide comprehensive solutions to maintain and optimize your website.
- [Branding Strategy](https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/branding-strategy/): Our Branding Strategy Services are designed to create a unified brand experience that reflects your company’s values and vision in the digital spaces your customers interact with most.
- [Google Analytics](https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/google-analytics/): Our Google Analytics Consulting services help you implement your analytics strategy, measure, and optimize your digital presence.
- [Information Architecture](https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/information-architecture/): At Atlantic BT, we specialize in Information Architecture services that aligns with your business goals and user needs.
- [Application Development](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/application-development/): Our custom web application development and management services cover the entire software lifecycle, from concept to development and onward.
- [Database Development](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/database-development/): Our database development services are designed to create secure, and scalable solutions that enable your business to thrive.
- [Angular](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-services/angular/): Whether you need a new app or want to enhance an existing one, our team has the expertise to deliver with our Angular development services.
- [Algolia & Search](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-services/algolia-search/): Our Algolia Integration and Search Implementation services designed to deliver user-friendly search capabilities that enhance engagement.
- [Digital Transformation Services](https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/digital-transformation-services/): Our Digital Transformation Services guide your organization through every stage of this journey, helping you achieve lasting success.
- [Technical Governance and Risk Management Consulting](https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/technical-governance-and-risk-management/): Our Governance and Risk Management Consulting provides the expertise and frameworks to mitigate risks and ensure alignment with your goals.
- [Software Architecture Consulting](https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/software-architecture-consulting/): Our Software Architecture Consulting services provide expert guidance to design, optimize, and future-proof your software systems.
- [Website RFP Development](https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/website-rfp-development/): Our Website RFP Development services guide you in crafting an RFP that attracts the right partners and positions your project for success.
- [Website Speed Optimization](https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/website-speed-optimization/): Our Website Speed Optimization services ensure your site is fast, efficient, and fully optimized for performance.
- [Cloud Strategy & Consulting](https://www.atlanticbt.com/cloud/cloud-consulting/): Comprehensive cloud consulting services for creating a winning cloud strategy that maximizes ROI and minimizes risks.
- [Cloud Migration Services](https://www.atlanticbt.com/cloud/cloud-migration-services/): Safe and efficient cloud migration services to ensure minimal downtime and smooth transition, maximizing your cloud benefits.
- [Cloud Security & Compliance](https://www.atlanticbt.com/cloud/cloud-security-compliance/): Comprehensive cloud security services to protect sensitive data and ensure compliance with evolving regulatory requirements.
- [Cloud Monitoring & Maintenance](https://www.atlanticbt.com/cloud/cloud-monitoring-maintenance/): Our Cloud Monitoring & Maintenance services provide comprehensive oversight of your cloud infrastructure, minimizing the risk of downtime.
- [DevOps & Automation](https://www.atlanticbt.com/cloud/devops-automation/): Our DevOps & Automation services can streamline your processes, enhance collaboration, and create a culture of continuous improvement.
- [FAQs](https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/): Find answers to common questions about our digital services. Explore solutions for web development, software, and more with Atlantic BT.
- [Audits](https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/audits/): Optimize your website with ABT's specialized audits, focusing on content, analytics, accessibility, and technical integrity.
- [Prototyping](https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/prototyping/): We can help analyze what you are trying to achieve and our software prototyping services can help you get there faster with more certainty.
- [Software Maintenance & Support](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/ongoing-support/): Having a partner that specializes in software development maintenance & support is critical to ongoing success.
- [Umbraco](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-services/umbraco/): Discover Umbraco, a flexible and secure CMS. See how ABT uses it to deliver custom, scalable digital solutions for your business needs.
- [User Experience](https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/user-experience/): At ABT we know Investments in user experience design services are almost always returned in long-term value.
- [Web Design](https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/web-design/): Web design services that drives results with 25 years of expertise. At ABT, we focus on your goals to create stunning, user-friendly designs.
- [Digital Project Management](https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/digital-project-management/): Expert digital project management for web development, ensuring timely, budget-friendly delivery and lasting client relationships.
- [Subscribe to our mailing list](https://www.atlanticbt.com/subscribe-to-our-mailing-list/): We’ll only email you once a month and we’ll share things you actually want to learn about
- [It's Time For an Upgrade to Drupal 10](https://www.atlanticbt.com/drupal-10-migration/): Upgrade to Drupal 10 for a more reliable CMS with the latest features. Leverage Atlantic BT’s years of Drupal experience to enjoy a seamless migration.
- [Security](https://www.atlanticbt.com/about-us/security/): Security and privacy at Atlantic BT Security Principles Our policies are based on the following foundational principles: Access should be limited to only
- [Cloud](https://www.atlanticbt.com/cloud/): Leverage cloud services to create better scale, redundancy and security for your organization. From managed cloud services to consulting we can help.
- [Integrations](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/integrations/): With over 25 years of experience in software integration services, we can help you build connections between any system in your organization.
- [AI Roadmap](https://www.atlanticbt.com/ai/ai-strategy-roadmap/): Build a practical roadmap to integrate AI deeply, rapidly, and securely into your organization.
- [Software](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/): Elevate your business with custom software development. Streamline operations, integrate data and applications, enhance growth, and provide better experiences.
- [Web Design & Development](https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/): Award-winning web design and development services. From startup to enterprise we develop premium websites for Raleigh's top companies.
- [API Development](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/apis/): Comprehensive API integration services to transform your business operations, drive growth, and keep you ahead.
- [Custom Websites](https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/custom-websites/): Our custom web design and development offers a solution that is tailored specifically to your organization and clients' needs.
- [Drupal](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-services/drupal/): Our forte lies in crafting and managing Drupal development services that precisely meet the rigorous criteria of organizations of all sizes.
- [Magento / Adobe Commerce](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-services/magento-adobe-commerce/): A leading provider of Magento / Adobe Commerce development services, we specialize in customizing eCommerce.
- [AI](https://www.atlanticbt.com/ai/): We'll help you put AI to work for your organization. From AI roadmaps to AI consulting and services we'll help you harness the power of AI.
- [Ecommerce](https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/ecommerce/): Transform your online store with our tailored eCommerce optimizations for increased conversions and customer loyalty.
- [Infrastructure Management](https://www.atlanticbt.com/cloud/cloud-hosting/): Tackle your hosting challenges head-on with our cloud experts, dedicated to delivering customized, robust, and scalable solutions for your business.
- [WordPress](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-services/wordpress/): Our Wordpress development services are about crafting solutions that meet your specific needs; from bespoke designs to custom functionality.
- [AWS](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-services/aws/): Our AWS Cloud Hosting Services can help you optimize your cloud environment by reducing costs, improving performance, or enhancing security.
- [React & Angular](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-services/react-angular/): Building complex enterprise applications that connect with APIs. User interface, UI components, and variable data without page reloading.
- [.NET](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-services/dotnet/): If you need to augment your existing team with top talent or need a .NET development services from start to finish, we can help.
- [Our Process](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/): Learn the proven process for building websites, software, and digital applications with Atlantic BT, trusted experts with 25 years of digital experience.
- [Complex Planning Guide](https://www.atlanticbt.com/complex-guide/): Complex Planning Guide For marketing directors, product owners, and anyone interested in planning a successful web application project. In this guide,
- [Careers](https://www.atlanticbt.com/careers/): Design, develop, and secure web projects with Atlantic BT at our Raleigh office. Web development, Apps, UX & UI design, cloud, and security.
- [Our Services](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-services/): Creating results through digital solutions for content portals, software development, platform integrations, website management & revamps.
- [508 Compliance: Why Web Accessibility Matters](https://www.atlanticbt.com/508-compliance/): 508 Compliance: Why Web Accessibility Matters Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, in accordance with WCAG 2.0, went into effect January 18, 2018.  If
- [Modernizing Mission Critical Business Apps](https://www.atlanticbt.com/modernizing-mission-critical-business-apps-2/): Modernizing Mission Critical Business Apps Your critical business applications are important to the long-term success of your company. Download your FREE
- [Legal](https://www.atlanticbt.com/legal-info/): The following Terms and Conditions, including any addendums, are an integral part of all proposals, contracts, and work.
- [Home](https://www.atlanticbt.com/): Atlantic BT is trusted by top organizations in Raleigh, North Carolina for web design and custom software development.
- [Support](https://www.atlanticbt.com/support/): The emergency support procedure below is designed to help if you aren’t able to reach us using standard support.
- [About Us](https://www.atlanticbt.com/about-us/): Atlantic BT can combine digital marketing with custom software & app development to offer technology solutions and custom web development.
- [Contact Us](https://www.atlanticbt.com/contact/): Contact Atlantic BT today for project inquiries or career information. (919)-391-7601. Together we can solve the toughest digital problems. 

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## Posts

- [Unlocking Efficiency: How Workflow Automation with n8n Transforms Digital Operations](https://www.atlanticbt.com/cloud/devops-automation/n8n-automation-transforms-digital-operations/): Tools like n8n are leading the charge in making workflow automation a reality for organizations of all sizes.
- [Website is Loading Slowly? Uncovering the Culprits](https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology/wordpress/website-is-loading-slowly/): Explore the common reasons and most importantly, what you can do to fix why your website is loading slowly.
- [Beyond Automation: Why Human Agency is the Future of AI at Work](https://www.atlanticbt.com/ai/ai-consulting/beyond-automation-why-human-agency-is-the-future-of-ai-at-work/): The current conversation around Artificial Intelligence in the workplace often feels like a tug-of-war between two extremes. On one side, we have the
- [The State of Web Design in 2025: Beyond Pretty Pictures](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/application-development/the-state-of-web-design-in-2025-beyond-pretty-pictures/): At its core, modern web design encompasses two critical and interconnected disciplines: User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) Design.
- [Life Jennifer's Way](https://www.atlanticbt.com/abt-culture/life-jennifers-way/): I had the privilege of being Jennifer’s boss—and more importantly having her as my friend for almost 13 years.Not everyone has a way about them. You know
- [When You’re Fortunate Enough to Work with Your Closest Friends](https://www.atlanticbt.com/abt-culture/when-youre-fortunate-enough-to-work-with-your-closest-friends/): Fifteen years ago, I started my journey at Atlantic BT as a Senior Systems Engineer. Over time, I took on the role of IT Manager—but titles have never
- [Advanced Pipeline Orchestration Methods](https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology/aws-technology/advanced-pipeline-orchestration-methods/): Explore advanced CI/CD orchestration using microservices, containers, and AI to enhance efficiency, security, and scalability.
- [WP Engine vs. WordPress: The Good, The Great, and the "Hold On a Second..."](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/application-development/wp-engine-vs-wordpress-the-good-the-great-and-the-hold-on-a-second/): When it comes to website hosting and management, two names dominate the conversation—WordPress and WP Engine. If you're already a WordPress aficionado,
- [Celebrating Atlantic BT’s Culture](https://www.atlanticbt.com/abt-culture/celebrating-atlantic-bts-culture/): 2024 Company Weekend Celebration At Atlantic BT, there has always been a well-loved tradition of shared experiences. From competing against each other to
- [The Most Important Step in a Website Redesign Project Plan](https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/user-experience-services/the-most-important-step-in-a-website-redesign-project-plan/): What’s the secret behind every smooth, on-time, and on-budget, and all around successful website redesign project plan? The discovery phase.
- [Testing for HIPAA Compliance](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/quality-assurance-testing/testing-for-hipaa-compliance/): Healthcare orgs can use comprehensive testing for HIPAA compliance of their systems to protect patient privacy and security.
- [Optimizing The Events Calendar Plugin in WordPress: Resolving High CPU Usage During Query Execution](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/application-development/optimizing-the-events-calendar-plugin-in-wordpress-resolving-high-cpu-usage-during-query-execution/): A WordPress upgrade with The Events Calendar plugin caused high CPU usage, performance issues, and downtime, and how we resolved it.
- [Thoughts on Open Source and the WordPress Community](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/application-development/thoughts-on-open-source-and-the-wordpress-community/): Explore the debate between WordPress.org and WP Engine on open-source values. Learn why Atlantic BT supports Matt Mullenweg's vision and open-source integrity.
- [Streamlining Digital Project Management with Jira’s Plans](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/streamlining-digital-project-management-with-jiras-plans/): How I use Jira’s Plans feature to map out, adjust, and execute on projects for multiple clients in a fast-moving space.
- [What is Interaction to Next Paint (INP)?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/application-development/what-is-interaction-to-next-paint-inp/): Interaction to Next Paint (INP) is a new Core Web Vital that measures the responsiveness of website actions.
- [The State of Third-Party Cookies in Browsers - For Developers](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/application-development/the-state-of-third-party-cookies-in-browsers-for-developers/): Find out how to see what third-party cookies on your site are affected and what options you have for fixing them.
- [The State of Third Party Cookies in Browsers](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/application-development/the-state-of-third-party-cookies-in-browsers/): Find out why third-party cookies are or have been removed from browsers and what that means for you and your users
- [Enhancing software quality through exploratory testing](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/quality-assurance-testing/enhancing-software-quality-through-exploratory-testing/): Exploratory testing is an unscripted testing method that leverages a tester's creativity and domain knowledge.
- [Maintain an accessible website in 2024](https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/web-accessibility/maintain-an-accessible-website-in-2024/): In 2024, the new European Accessibility Act (EAA) and WCAG 2.2 updates set the standards for maintaining an accessible website.
- [Atlantic BT Achieves SOC 2 Type 2 Certification](https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/technical-governance-and-risk-management-consulting/atlantic-bt-achieves-soc-2-type-2-certification/): Discover how Atlantic BT's SOC 2 compliance ensures unparalleled data security, making us a trusted partner.
- [Tools to Help Build APIs](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/api-development/tools-to-help-build-apis/): Discover the tools we use at Atlantic BT for defining, documenting, and testing APIs to streamline development and improve collaboration.
- [The 5 Best WordPress Plugins for Large Content Websites](https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology/wordpress/the-5-best-wordpress-plugins-for-large-content-websites/): Discover the 5 best WordPress plugins for managing large websites. Enhance SEO, streamline analytics, and simplify content management.
- [The Drupal 10 Migration Toolbox](https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology/drupal/the-drupal-10-migration-toolbox/): Our migration toolbox with essential tips for Drupal 7 to Drupal 10 migrations, including module audits and specification tools.
- [Five reasons to outsource your software development project.](https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/user-experience-services/outsource-software-development/): Preparing to start a new app or website? Save money, time, and your own programming team's sanity by choosing to outsource your unique software project.
- [How to tell if my website is outdated?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/web-accessibility/how-to-tell-if-my-website-is-outdated/): How to discover if your website is outdated in 2024. Learn about responsiveness, accessibility, speed and performance in website development.
- [Wordpress WebP Conversion](https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/wordpress-webp-conversion/): Looking to resolve the "Serve images in next-gen formats" in PageSpeed Insights? This is a step-by-step guide for a WordPress website.
- [Upgrading Drupal 7 to Drupal 10 can be a game changer for your business. Here’s why.](https://www.atlanticbt.com/project-type/custom-websites/drupal-10-upgrade-guide/): Upgrade from Drupal 7 to Drupal 10 for enhanced security and user experience. Discover how an upgrade solves common Drupal 7 admin issues.
- [Embracing the Future: Navigating 2024 Tech Trends with Generative AI Tools](https://www.atlanticbt.com/ai/ai-consulting/generative-ai-tools-for-businesses-in-2024/): Explore how generative AI tools are revolutionizing business operations and shaping the future of business growth in 2024.
- [Atlantic BT's Epic Scavenger Hunt at the NC State Fair](https://www.atlanticbt.com/abt-culture/atlantic-bts-epic-scavenger-hunt-at-the-nc-state-fair/): Experience Atlantic BT’s vibrant company culture through our epic scavenger hunt at the NC State Fair.
- [Revolutionize Your Business: A Step-by-Step Guide for Implementing AI Applications](https://www.atlanticbt.com/ai/ai-roadmap/ai-implementation-made-easy-a-comprehensive-roadmap-from-industry-experts/): Explore the digital transformation journey from data collection to AI integration. Learn how to implement AI applications into your business today.
- [A Full Guide to PHPUnit in Drupal 10](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/integrations-services/a-full-guide-to-phpunit-in-drupal-10/): With this guide to PHPUnit in Drupal 10, get started confirming the quality and reaction of code on edge cases in different layers.
- [25 Cheers for 25 Years of Delivering Innovative Technologies](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/application-development/25-cheers-for-25-years-of-delivering-custom-crafted-technology/): Join us as we share 25 key moments over the past quarter-century, from customized web applications to the cloud and onward with AI.
- [Drupal Upgrade: 3 Critical Reasons to Migrate to Drupal 10 Today](https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology/drupal/why-upgrade-to-drupal-10/): Don't let a Drupal upgrade intimidate you. Delaying upgrades may drain resources. Discover why upgrading to Drupal 10 is the right move.
- [The ChatGPT Effect: Why Your Company Needs an AI Strategy and Practical Use Cases for Getting Started. ](https://www.atlanticbt.com/ai/ai-consulting/how-chatgpt-mainstreamed-ai-and-why-businesses-need-an-ai-plan/): Learn how ChatGPT changed the world with artificial intelligence. Discover how an AI strategy can enhance your finance, HR, & marketing operations.
- [Unleashing the Power of Cloud with Atlantic BT’s Select Tier AWS Partnership](https://www.atlanticbt.com/cloud/cloud-strategy-consulting/discover-the-benefits-of-partnering-with-a-select-tier-aws-partner/): Learn how Atlantic BT delivers top-tier AWS services through our participation in AWS's Partner Led Business Support program.
- [Why We Included User Interviews in Our Website Improvement and So Should You](https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/user-experience-services/user-interviews-for-website-improvement/): Atlantic BT conducted user interviews to update our website and make more user-centric. Discover how user interviews can improve your website.
- [How User Experience Can Make Or Break Your Website](https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/user-experience-services/how-user-experience-can-make-or-break-your-website/): A poor UX will make visitors leave your website. Here's how ABT's experts can help you improve your website by focusing on your users' needs.
- [From Chaos to Control: How a Technology Consultant Can Streamline Your Business's Tech Assets](https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/business-analysis/what-is-a-strategic-technology-partner/): Learn how a technology consultant can guide your business through the adoption of cutting-edge technologies to propel your company forward.
- [Working with an Agency is like a Fine Dining Experience:  An Analogy to Explain Project Expectations And Interactions](https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/digital-project-management/building-a-custom-website-is-and-isnt-like-a-fine-dining-experience-3-of-3-in-series/): Correlating the fine dining experience to working with an agency who is building your custom website or web application.
- [You Get What You Pay For: Measuring Software Quality](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/application-development/you-get-what-you-pay-for-measuring-software-quality/): “You get what you pay for” is a phrase that applies to many parts of life, and software development is no exception.
- [What does it cost to build and host a web application in 2023?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/application-development/what-does-it-cost-to-build-and-host-a-web-application-in-2023/): Learn how to determine the cost of web application development in 2023, factoring in size, complexity, constraints, and maintenance.
- [3 Reasons It’s Time to Move On From AngularJS and Zend Framework 2](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/software-maintenance-support/3-reasons-its-time-to-move-on-from-angularjs-and-zend-framework-2/): With AngularJS and Zend Framework 2 now both obsolete, and new tools coming out all the time, it’s time to start thinking new.
- [Why Your Content Management System Matters](https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/custom-web-design-development/why-your-content-management-solutionmatters/): It’s critical that companies have a reliable content management system in place for the easy creation, management, and governance of digital content.
- [Why Your Website Needs Accessibility](https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/web-accessibility/why-your-website-needs-accessibility/): The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates Web Content Accessibility Guidelines compliance for easier to use technology for people with disabilities.
- [Why User Testing is Critical for UX](https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/user-experience-services/why-user-testing-is-critical-for-ux/): User testing is a complex process. Learn how web development firms can jump-start the user experience testing process.
- [The Benefits of Outsourcing Your Web Development](https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/website-management/the-benefits-of-outsourcing-your-web-development/): Website design and development shouldn't be left to just one person. Learn how a web development company helps you avoid catastrophe.
- [Top 3 Reasons to Redesign Your Website](https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/web-design-services/top-3-reasons-to-redesign-your-website/): Learn the top 3 reasons from web design and development experts for why you may need to redesign your website. Atlantic BT.
- [AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Journey with AWS She Builds](https://www.atlanticbt.com/cloud/cloud-strategy-consulting/aws-certified-cloud-practitioner-journey-with-aws-she-builds/): Are you looking to get certified as an AWS Cloud Practitioner with free resources? AWS She Builds is way for women to get certified for free.
- [Is a discovery process necessary for development projects?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/user-experience-services/discovery-process/): From defining business objectives to user research and planning for development, see how the discovery process yields success.
- [Maintaining a Website is like Owning a Car:  An Analogy to Help Website Maintenance Make Sense](https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/custom-web-design-development/building-a-custom-website-is-and-isnt-like-owning-a-car-2-of-3-in-series/): In this post I'll be correlating website development, hosting, and upkeep with the owning and maintenance of a car.
- [Building a Website is like Building a House: An Analogy to Help Custom Web Development Make Sense](https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/custom-web-design-development/how-building-a-custom-website-is-and-isnt-like-building-a-house-1-of-3-in-series/): Custom web development is complex. By comparing it to building a house, we make the web development process easy to understand.
- [Deploying a .NET Core API to AWS Lambda & API Gateway using Bitbucket](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/software-maintenance-support/deploying-a-net-core-api-to-aws-lambda-api-gateway-using-bitbucket/): There were many "gotchas" when deploying a .NET Core API to Bitbucket in multiple environments. This article details a number of problems and resolutions.
- [How are you leveraging your data?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/integrations-services/how-are-you-leveraging-your-data/): As we leverage more tools and create more sophisticated digital engagements/experiences, we have more and more data about our customers available. With
- [Atlantic BT’s Annie Tudora teams up with Ablr’s Kim Casey to present on Accessibility in Online Learning](https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/web-accessibility/accessibility-in-online-learning/): We are pleased to announce Atlantic BT’s User Experience Researcher, Annie Tudora, is teaming up with Ablr’s, Accessibility Operations Manager, Kim Casey
- [Figma’s Remote Collaboration is the Future of Design Tools](https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/user-experience-services/design-collaboration-tools/): Embrace remote collaboration with Figma Design. Experience real-time interactions, observation mode, and Figjam for seamless UI design.
- [What should a software development contract look like?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/website-rfp-development/software-development-contract/): A software development contract provides transparency and protection. See what they should include and watch out for red flags.
- [Atlantic BT’s Jon Karnofsky (JonK) to present on cross-functional teams, planning, and empathy.](https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/digital-project-management/atlassian-speaker-jon-karnofsky/): In this session, see how ABT reorganized into cross-functional teams, the benefits recognized and challenges faced, and how to plan and incorporate empathy.
- [Amplify B2B CRO in 2021.](https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/information-architecture-services/b2b-conversion-rate-optimization/): In the past, CRO usually meant A/B testing “as needed.” See how the game is changing and how you can get ahead with new techniques.
- [Streamline Web Design, Content, and Development with PDDs.](https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/user-experience-services/page-description-diagrams/): Page Description Diagrams streamline the web design and development process and facilitate collaboration. Learn how to effectively use them.
- [Break free of CMS constraints.](https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/website-management/flexible-cms-consulting/): By selecting the best-fit CMS and following key principles, you can have all the flexibility needed to help your business grow. Here's how.
- [Five questions to ask a potential SEO firm.](https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/five-questions-to-ask-seo-company/): When you look behind the curtain, many SEO agencies have spammy practices or are a one man shop pretending to be larger. Learn how to choose better partners.
- [An executive’s guide to choosing the right site search.](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/integrations-services/internal-site-search/): In this guide, learn why site search is important, what key features you should look for, and which tool is the best for your business.
- [What issues does a content audit expose?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/audits/content-audit/): Content audits tend to expose issues with site structure, technical SEO, orphaned pages, or content value. Take a look at how it works!
- [Does your website need to be more functional or usable?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/user-experience-services/functionality-vs-usability-ux/): Learn how to achieve a balance between usability and functionality and how it pays off in website design and development. Atlantic BT.
- [Four proven processes for digital marketing pain points](https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/information-architecture-services/marketing-pain-points/): From careful research and testing with hundreds of websites, take a look at our process for handling marketing pain points.
- [Do breadcrumbs improve usability?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/user-experience-services/do-breadcrumbs-improve-usability/): Learn when it's most beneficial to incorporate breadcrumbs and see how they can generate results for your brand.
- [Failed RFPs are expensive. Here’s how to find better vendors.](https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/website-rfp-development/rfp-process/): Have you lost faith in the complicated RFP process? Try these evaluation tactics to dig deeper and choose better partners.
- [How to balance technical risk and innovation.](https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/digital-transformation-services/innovation-risk-management/): In many industries, red tape can cripple innovation. How can you combat a culture of limits and protect your core competency?
- [What should I expect from a website audit?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/audits/website-audit-service/): Learn how a website audit can identify the key issues that are holding your website back from outperforming your competitors.
- [Happy Holidays from Atlantic BT](https://www.atlanticbt.com/abt-culture/happy-holidays-from-atlantic-bt/): As we close out this year we would like to take the opportunity to thank all who have made our year bright in this otherwise difficult time!
- [WFH Workshops: How we effectively conduct UX workshops at home.](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/remote-workshop/): Through new tools and remote techniques, we’ve been able to keep our client relationships meaningful, collaborative, and productive. See how.
- [Five fixes for your top eCommerce SEO challenges.](https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/ecommerce-services/ecommerce-seo/): Take a look inside the top challenges that eCommerce SEO experts face and how they are tackling them.
- [What makes YOU a good fit for Atlantic BT?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/abt-culture/working-with-atlantic-bt/): We find the following characteristics to be strong indicators that clients will collaborate well with Atlantic BT to create highly successful
- [Recognize and fix different types of technical debt.](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/application-development/technical-debt-meaning/): I have been thinking a lot about technical debt lately - weird I know, but these are the things you think about when you deliver code to customers that
- [Take full advantage of the new Instagram Shopping.](https://www.atlanticbt.com/project-type/ecommerce/instagram-shopping/): Learn more about the ins and outs of the Instagram Shopping feature and see what brand value is in store for your business.
- [Try these 5 SEO quick wins for your blog.](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/application-development/blog-seo/): Looking for simple ways to enhance your blog? Before relying on an expert SEO team, try these super easy methods on your own.
- [When should I use Gatbsy?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/application-development/why-use-gatsby/): Gatsby is the most popular JavaScript SSG. See why businesses are beginning to turn to this method to build blazing fast websites.
- [Is Shopify the best option for my eCommerce store?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/project-type/integrations/why-shopify-cms/): Shopify empowers eCommerce businessowners to create a website without technical expertise. See if Shopify is the right fit for your business.
- [Is WordPress the best option for my CMS?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/project-type/custom-websites/why-wordpress-cms/): Does WordPress meet your business requirements? See which situations work well with WordPress and in which scenarios you should look for a new CMS.
- [Is Umbraco the best option for my website?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/project-type/custom-websites/why-umbraco-cms/): Umbraco is the ideal solution for highly customized and unique applications. Learn more about its features and when it's the best option for a CMS.
- [Is Magento 2 a good fit for my eCommerce store?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/project-type/integrations/why-magento-2/): Magento 2 is a feature-packed eCommerce solution that provides complete flexibility when creating an online store. Out of the box, it comes with advanced
- [How to win more business with engaging long-form content.](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/application-development/engaging-longform-articles/): Optimizing your longform content for readers & search engines can improve conversions. See how we're building thought leadership and driving leads.
- [These crucial LMS features will improve learning retention.](https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/web-accessibility/lms-learning-retention/): As the e-Learning space grows in popularity, businesses are finding ways to increase the effectiveness of their learning platforms. Furthermore, this
- [How do I calculate the ROI of a new website?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/custom-web-design-development/calculate-website-roi/): Understand web design cost and calculate the ROI of a new website. Learn the impact of continuous enhancements vs. complete overhauls.
- [Magento Middleware: Mulesoft Anypoint Pros & Cons.](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/integrations-services/mulesoft-anypoint-magento/): Considering using Mulesoft Anypoint? Consider this key feature analysis to see if it will be the best-fit middleware solution for your business.
- [How to develop a new business strategy in turbulent times.](https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/business-analysis/strategic-planning/): Odds are that you and your business have been scrambling to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Start capitalizing on the situation and prepare for the future.
- [Gain Magento flexibility by implementing the best-fit middleware.](https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/ecommerce-services/magento-middleware/): Middleware is software that extends the capability of an existing application by facilitating data transfer with other applications or services. For
- [Coping with COVID-19 and preparing for the future of digital.](https://www.atlanticbt.com/abt-culture/covid-19-digital-future/): Take a look at how COVID-19 has impacted our organization, what to expect in a post-pandemic world, and how we are embracing the future.
- [Navigating uncertainty while fostering innovation during COVID-19 and beyond.](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/application-development/business-as-unusual-covid-19/): How can we create new ways to push ahead intelligently in a crisis, and how can we extend that strategy to clients? Learn more about ABT's latest initative.
- [Shared Google Authorization with an Angular site and .Net Core API.](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/integrations-services/google-auth-tutorial/): Learn how to provide a shared Google authorization from an authenticated angular website to a secured .Net API without a second authentication.
- [Frequently Asked Questions About Major Version Upgrades for Drupal Websites.](https://www.atlanticbt.com/project-type/custom-websites/drupal-migration-faqs/): Drupal websites require continuous maintenance and updates to remain secure. Discover answers to frequent questions about version upgrades.
- [What opportunities do I have to leverage voice interaction?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/application-development/leverage-voice-interaction/): Voice interaction series Part 2: In this post, learn more about the rising popularity of voice interaction and see how you can capitalize. In part 1,
- [The ins and outs of a complex content strategy.](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/content-strategy-principles/): For high-traffic websites, decisions made about content could drastically impact business. Learn more about Atlantic BT's full content strategy process.
- [Shopify Guide: a Simple Solution for eCommerce](https://www.atlanticbt.com/project-type/ecommerce/shopify-guide/): Interested in opening an online store, or moving from your existing platform? Learn more about everything Shopify has to offer.
- [Why Atlantic BT switched to our own shared cloud hosting.](https://www.atlanticbt.com/project-type/cloud-hosting/raleigh-hosting-provider/): Each business requires a unique hosting infrastructure to suit their needs. At Atlantic BT, we’ve seen many issues arise when businesses choose the wrong
- [How Gutenberg is changing the game for WordPress users.](https://www.atlanticbt.com/project-type/custom-websites/gutenberg-block-editor/): Take a look at how past solutions have evolved, how you can benefit from Gutenberg, and how to set yourself up for success.
- [Slow page speed is killing your business. Here’s how to fix it.](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/application-development/page-speed-audit/): Need help increasing page speed? In this post, gain an understanding of why it’s worth the investment and access 6 key factors to share with your team.
- [Google cares about site speed, and you should too! ](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/application-development/google-site-speed/): If your site is loading slowly, you could be facing penalties. Learn more about how page speed can enhance your business and how to fix it.
- [Machine Learning as a Service: It doesn't have to be complicated.](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/application-development/machine-learning-as-a-service/): Machine Learning is gaining popularity, but some approaches make it costly to implement. Take a look at some ready-to-use options that simplify the process.
- [5 ways to write valuable anonymous case studies.](https://www.atlanticbt.com/industry/higher-ed/anonymous-case-studies/): Sometimes, the most relevant examples of your work are with an anonymous client. Here are 5 tips for writing case studies that make them relevant.
- [Bringing Employees Together One Mini Game at a Time](https://www.atlanticbt.com/abt-culture/company-culture-games/): At 2:47 each day, ABT employees gather to play mini games. Learn more about our fun activities and how we stay motivated at work.
- [What are my options for WordPress editors?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/project-type/custom-websites/wordpress-editors/): Which WordPress editor is right for your business? Take a look at some popular options, learn the pros and cons, and see what we prefer at Atlantic BT.
- [How Much Does It Cost to Build and Host an eCommerce Website?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/project-type/ecommerce/how-much-does-ecommerce-website-cost/): Take a look at the key elements that impact the cost an eCommerce website. Then, see what price to expect using our cost chart.
- [Why should I upgrade to Magento 2.3?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/project-type/integrations/magento-2-upgrade/): With so many new features and enhancements, why are people hesitant to upgrade to Magento 2.3 in 2020? Learn more about the pros and cons of upgrading.
- [Choosing the Best Editor: Gutenberg vs. Drupal Layout Builder](https://www.atlanticbt.com/project-type/custom-websites/drupal-layout-builder-vs-gutenberg/): Discover the pros and cons of Drupal Layout Builder vs Gutenberg editor to learn which editor will work best for your website.
- [A Look Inside Atlantic BT's DevOps Process](https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology/aws-technology/devops-process/): Streamline your software development and operations with AtlanticBT's DevOps process. Enhance efficiency and scalability for your digital projects.
- [Leveraging NLP for Better Survey Data & Customer Satisfaction](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/nlp-survey-analysis/): Multiple choice questions can help identify problems, but they rarely provide enough insight to solve them. See how using NLP can provide efficient analysis.
- [Try our simple hack for choosing accessible brand colors.](https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/web-accessibility/wcag-contrast-checker/): Check color accessibility effortlessly with ColorShark, Atlantic BT's tool providing real-time insights for WCAG contrast compliance.
- [Information Architecture & UX: How to Structure Your Website](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/information-architecture-ux-process/): Creating Information Architecture for large websites can be complex process. Before getting help, walk through these steps and see what to expect.
- [4 Simple Tips for a Successful Lean UX Canvas](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/lean-ux-canvas-tips/): When resources are limited for user research, rely on a Lean UX Canvas to capture the essentials. Learn more about the Lean UX Canvas process.
- [Holy Blisters, Batman! Kicking off Halloween Season at ABT](https://www.atlanticbt.com/abt-culture/halloween-culture-events/): Atlantic BT kicks off the Halloween season with a lunch and learn session where employees learn special effects makeup techniques, focusing on boils this year.
- [How Much Does it Cost to Build & Maintain a Web Application?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology/php/how-much-does-it-cost-to-build-maintain-a-web-application/): The cost of building a web application depends on three factors: complexity, refinements and constraints, and hosting and maintenance.
- [Avoid Costly Patch Fixes By Planning for Accessibility [Video]](https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/web-accessibility/avoid-costly-patch-fixes-by-planning-for-accessibility-video/): Effective website accessibility can't always be added as an afterthought - it works best when baked into web development. Here's why.
- [Atlantic BT’s Top UX Success Stories](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/ux-design-projects/): Atlantic BT’s Experience Team is well-versed in business process analysis, user research, testing, and design. Our patented approach to solving complex
- [What eCommerce Business Owners Need to Know About Accessibility](https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/ecommerce-services/ecommerce-accessibility/): Most websites are unintentionally built with barriers to people with disabilities. While Section 508 requires Federal agencies to have accessible
- [Common pain points and solutions in web development.](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/website-development-raleigh/): Take a look at some of Atlantic BT’s top web development projects and learn more about our problem-solving methods.
- [Atlantic BT Selected to Speak at WPCampus 2019](https://www.atlanticbt.com/project-type/custom-websites/atlantic-bt-selected-to-speak-at-wpcampus-2019/): We are proud to announce that one of our very own, Randy Earl, will be speaking at WPCampus 2019 at the end of July. For those that aren’t familiar,
- [Atlantic BT Becomes SOC 2 Type I Certified. What’s Next?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/technical-governance-and-risk-management-consulting/atlantic-bt-becomes-soc-2-type-i-certified-whats-next/): Services Organization Control 2 (SOC 2®) is a thorough technical audit that requires companies to follow strict security procedures. Attaining a SOC 2®
- [Web development challenges & solutions.](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/raleigh-web-development/): We’ve had clients come to us with a variety of asks. Take a look at how Atlantic BT has tackled some of these challenges.
- [Accessibility and Section 508 Compliance: Planning, Testing, and Design](https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/web-accessibility/accessibility-and-section-508-compliance/): Learn more about why web accessibility is important, how to avoid lawsuits, and Atlantic BT's full process to audit and test your website for compliance.
- [Building Brand Credibility With Visual Design](https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/branding-strategy/building-brand-credibility-with-visual-design/): How does visual design impact brand credibility? Learn how to establish a brand that both visually delights users and helps them find useful inforomation.
- [Building a Custom Application to Reimagine Digital Strategy](https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/digital-transformation-services/building-a-custom-react-application/): Explore how our employee developed an application to streamline data architecture and documentation, improve efficiency and resolve pain points.
- [What's the Future of Municipal Sites?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/industry/government-industry/future-municipal-sites/): When I think about cities and city services, I can’t help but see them as user experience projects. As a UX-oriented person, maybe that’s just me being a
- [The Real Story Behind Duplicate Content and Penalizations](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/duplicate-content-penalizations/): Duplicate content can make or break your website's SEO. This article lays out the steps you should take to ensure you're not hindered by duplicate content.
- [Marketing Automation and eCommerce: The Other Half of a Whole](https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/ecommerce-services/marketing-automation-ecommerce-half-whole/): Converting a website visitor into a customer might take multiple visits to that site. So how do we keep visitors engaged? Marketing Automation.
- [How to Innovate in a Highly-Regulated Environment](https://www.atlanticbt.com/abt-culture/how-to-innovate-in-a-highly-regulated-environment/): ABT helped Mutual Drug navigate a highly-regulated environment to provide a modern, user-friendly application which met and exceeded industry standards.
- [The Top 5 Things You Can Do to Improve Your Website Speed](https://www.atlanticbt.com/abt-culture/the-top-5-things-you-can-do-to-improve-your-site-speed/): A colleague just shared a URL with you, his message reading “you gotta check this out!” The URL promises to lead you to a beautiful new website for a
- [Grinding, Burning Out, and How Not to Hit the Wall](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/application-development/grinding-and-burning-out/): As a developer, sometimes you just have to grind to finish a project. How do you maintain that and keep from burning out? Here's our approach
- [How Businesses Can Solve Their Toughest Digital Problems](https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/digital-transformation-services/how-businesses-can-solve-their-toughest-digital-problems/): Businesses today face some of the toughest digital problems they have ever seen. Here are 4 keys to solving the toughest digital problems.
- [Set Your User Goals: An Inside Look at User Stories](https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/user-experience-services/set-your-users-goals/): Part and parcel to the user experience discipline (and any discipline involved in website creation) is establishing user goals.  If visitors have come to
- [Are You Looking at the Trees or the Landscape for Your Web Project?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/are-you-looking-at-the-trees-or-the-landscape/): Trees, Forests, Landscapes If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve heard the phrase “He can’t see the forest for the trees” to describe someone so
- [How to Write Original Web Content](https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/user-experience-services/how-to-write-original-web-content/): If you want your website to be successful, you know you need to create original web content. But how do you get started? Follow these 6 simple steps.
- [6 Questions to Ask About Modernizing Mission-Critical Business Applications](https://www.atlanticbt.com/project-type/cloud-hosting/6-questions-about-modernizing-mission-critical-business-applications/): These 6 questions to ask about modernizing mission-critical business applications are essential to maintaining your IT systems.
- [Ten Critical Elements of a Successful Retail eCommerce Site](https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/ecommerce-services/ten-critical-elements-of-a-successful-retail-ecommerce-site/): It’s no secret that eCommerce is both extremely successful and extremely competitive. How does a site gain market share, loyal customers and revenue? It
- [UX: How Colleges Can Measure What Actually Matters](https://www.atlanticbt.com/industry/higher-ed/ux-colleges-measurements/): It’s no secret that metrics and analytics are crucial to determine and measure the success of a site or web application. However, many organizations often
- [Take Your Client Relationships to the Next Level](https://www.atlanticbt.com/abt-culture/take-client-relationships-next-level/): Ahhh, relationships. When they’re good, they’re great. When they’re bad, they can be downright painful. How’s an Account Executive supposed to keep that
- [Are Your Critical Business Applications Keeping Up with the Times?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/website-management/are-your-critical-business-applications-keeping-up-with-the-times/): Your critical business applications are the lifeblood of your business. But are they able to keep up with the demands of today's business environment?
- [Why Original Web Content Matters to Your Business](https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/user-experience-services/why-original-web-content-matters-to-your-business/): Potential customers turn to the Web when searching for you. But do you have original web content to help answer their questions? This is why you should.
- [I'll Trade You a Thousand Words: Choosing the Perfect Content Image](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/ill-trade-you-a-thousand-words-choosing-the-perfect-content-image/): The content image you share is just as powerful as the words it heralds. Keep these tips in mind when choosing the art to capture your message
- [Atlantic BT's Randy Earl To Present on Higher Education Web Content & Strategy](https://www.atlanticbt.com/industry/higher-ed/atlantic-bts-randy-earl-to-present-on-higher-education-web-content-strategy/): Our very own Randy Earl, no stranger to the digital world of Higher Education, has been asked to present at WPCampus Online on Thursday, January 31st at
- [How To Iron Out Wrinkles In Your Web Development Plan](https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/website-management/iron-wrinkles-web-development-plan/): Crafting a strong web development plan is a crucial start to a complex web project. But it's not as easy as putting together a simple to-do list.
- [5 Good Places to Get Quality Web Design Advice](https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/custom-web-design-development/5-good-places-get-web-design-advice/): A great idea can inspire a lot of excitement but it can be hard to know where to start. Here are some people that will have valuable web design advice.
- [How to Write a Stronger RFP](https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/website-rfp-development/how-to-write-an-rfp/): Coming up with a great RFP should be simple but it acctually can be a challenege to sum up your company's goals and visions. Here's an easy path to follow.
- [4 Things You Need to Do Before Your Website Goes Live](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/quality-assurance-testing/4-things-need-happen-website-goes-live/): You're new website may look great, but it's not ready to launch until you've crossed these vital steps off of your to-do list.
- [A Lack of Accessibility Puts Beyoncé's Website in the Spotlight](https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/web-accessibility/a-lack-of-accessibility-puts-beyonces-website-in-the-spotlight/): As Beyoncé’s website faces scrutiny (and a lawsuit) over accessibility, one of our experts breaks down exactly what went wrong.
- [The Urgent Need for Vulnerability Scanning](https://www.atlanticbt.com/cloud/cloud-security-compliance/the-need-for-vulnerability-scanning/): While technology advances, our data still suffers from vulnerability. Maintaining vigilance over your organization's systems is one of your best defenses.
- [What Your Website Really Wants for the Holidays](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/website-really-wants-holidays/): Tis the season...to give a gift to your website? Sure it is. Don't leave your site off the Nice list. See what it's Holiday wish is and why.
- [How to Market Around the Holidays](https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/google-analytics/marketing-around-the-holidays/): Atlantic BT share's their first-hand knowledge on marketing for your business during the holidays. Stay ahead of the curve with with Atlantic BT.
- [Boldly Go: What it Means to be an Entrepreneur and a Leader](https://www.atlanticbt.com/abt-culture/boldly-go-jon-jordan-entrepreneur/): Atlantic BT CEO and Founder Jon Jordan shares his experience and advice on leadership, social responsibility, and how to be a great entrepreneur.
- [Most Web Design Isn't Good. But Does It Have to Be?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/web-design-services/raleigh-web-design-good/): We're going to say it: most Raleigh web design isn't very good. The good news is that most organizations don't need a very good website to be successful
- [What a Web Development Project Nightmare is Made Of](https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/digital-project-management/imagining-web-development-worst-case-scenarios/): A web development project can face issues like missed deadlines, budget overruns, and leadership changes. Anticipate risks so you can overcome challenges.
- [Moving to the Cloud: What, Why, and How to Get Started](https://www.atlanticbt.com/cloud/infrastructure-management/moving-to-the-cloud-what-why-and-how/): Cloud computing is the biggest trend in IT. But what is cloud computing? Is it right for your business? How do you get started? Let's take a look.
- [Is Your Data Encrypted? It Better Be](https://www.atlanticbt.com/cloud/cloud-security-compliance/is-your-data-encrypted-it-better-be/): Encryption is a crucial component of cybersecurity. If your data isn't encrypted, now is the time to do so. Here are your options.
- [3 Reasons Your Magento Site Isn’t as Secure as You Think](https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/ecommerce-services/magentositeisntsecureasyouthink/): Is your Magento eCommerce site secure? Without a code audit, you simply can’t know for sure. Here are 3 reasons why
- [What Does Your Website Need the Most?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/web-design-services/web-design-priorities/): As you're planning a new web development project, what are your priorities? What does your website need more than anything?
- [How To Secure the IoT For Your Organization](https://www.atlanticbt.com/cloud/cloud-security-compliance/secure-iot-organization/): As all of our devices become more interconnected, it's also becoming more and more important to secure the IoT for your company. Here's how.
- [Network Security Monitoring Demands Your Attention Now](https://www.atlanticbt.com/cloud/cloud-security-compliance/network-security-monitoring-demands-your-attention-now/): Keeping your consumer data safe from hackers should be a top priority. Network Security Monitoring can give you the vantage point you need.
- [How to Choose the Right Web Programming Team](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/software-maintenance-support/choose-right-web-programming-team/): If you want your tech project to succeed, finding the right web programming team is tantamount to your goal. Know what to look for in a trustworthy company.
- [4 Ways to Be Prepared for Cybersecurity Threats](https://www.atlanticbt.com/cloud/cloud-security-compliance/4-keys-to-staying-ahead-of-cybersecurity-threats/): New cybersecurity threats pop up daily. How can you protect your business? Follow these 4 keys to stay ahead of the latest cybersecurity threats.
- [The Hidden Risk You Need to Avoid in Complex Web Design](https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/custom-web-design-development/hidden-risk-complex-web-design-projects/): A great web design team is there to serve your vision. But they can't do it alone. Don't risk the success of your project by not pulling your own weight.
- [5 Questions You Need to Answer Before Taking the Big Magento Leap](https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/ecommerce-services/5-magento-ecommerce-questions/): Whether you're moving your ecommerce platform to Magento or maintaining it further, here are 5 key questions to ask yourself
- [How to Hire the Right Developer](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/hire-the-right-developer/): Hiring a new developer for a project can oftentimes feel like a gamble. How can you be sure they're right for your team? Here is what to stay focused on.
- [How to Integrate Security into DevOps](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/how-to-integrate-security-devops-secdevops-part-1/): SecDevOps is more than a buzzword—it's a powerful way to integrate security into every aspect of development. Here's our introduction to SecDevOps Training.
- [This is When Your Web Design Team Should be in Touch](https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/digital-project-management/hear-web-design-team/): When you're working with a web design team, how often should you expect to hear from them? These are the moments they should be keeping you involved.
- [Inspire Excellent Website Content From Your Brave Team](https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/audits/7-ways-inspire-team-create-website-content/): When there are pages of website content to create, how can you get it all done in time? Your very own team is your best resource. Inspire them to write.
- [How to Make Your Web Project Better With the RACI Method](https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/digital-project-management/4-letters-make-web-design-go-smoother/): The workflow of a complex web project can descend into chaos if it isn't managed well. The RACI Method keeps the team focused and on the same page.
- [One Simple Way to Make Your Website Strategy More Actionable](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/one-simple-way-make-website-strategy-actionable/): Making dreams come true isn't as easy as bibbidi bobbidi boo. Focusing on what you have instead of what you want, is a website strategy that helps.
- [Why Research is the Key to Effective Web Design](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/not-web-design-time-equal/): Many people believe that the most important aspects of web design are creating and building. However, those things can't happen well without soild research.
- [The Double-Edged Sword of KPIs and How to Use It](https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/business-analysis/two-sides-kpis-web-development/): Notable metrics that can help guide the planning process of a complex web project are Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Use them from start to finish.
- [How Project Milestones Can Boost Confidence, Time, and Focus](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/setting-milestones-web-design-project/): Breaking down large projects into smaller, more managable tasks, is the creation of milestones. Reaching each one inspires focus and morale.
- [3 Time Management Problems You Need to Avoid for Web Projects](https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/digital-project-management/web-development-time-management-3-problems-solutions/): Time management is the be all/end all for every kind of project. When it comes to web developement, there are specific time traps you should avoid.
- [Executives are Blanking on the Truth Behind Strong Website Design](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/executives-forget-institutional-web-design/): The vital components of website design can be easy to overlook when you're focused only on the here and now (as many executives are). See the big picture.
- [A Project Charter is the Only Thing You Need to Start Your Web Development](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/web-development-begin-project-charter/): The beginning of a web development project can be nothing short of chaotic. But, by using a Project Charter, your team can start off on the right foot.
- [5 Reminders of How to Best Manage Complex Projects](https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/website-management/5-essential-skills-to-managing-complex-projects/): Managing complex projects can be terrifying, especially with so many people counting on you to lead the way. Stay focused on these 5 essential traits.
- [NDAs: The Secrets That Make Friends and Why You Need Them](https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/website-rfp-development/what-to-disclose-nondisclosure-agreements-ndas/): What can you disclose about a Nondisclosure agreement (NDA)? If your team works within the parameters of an NDA, be sure to know how the rules work.
- [How to Convince Clients to Like Your Creative Ideas](https://www.atlanticbt.com/abt-culture/how-to-get-clients-to-like-your-ideas/): You've got a bold marketing idea. How do you convince a risk-averse client it will work? These 5 tactics can get clients to give your big ideas a chance.
- [How to Choose the Best eCommerce Platform](https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/ecommerce-services/how-to-choose-best-ecommerce-platform/): Choosing an eCommerce platform is difficult. Atlantic BT's how-to guide will help you make the right choice for your business.
- [You're Leaving Out the Best Parts of the Story](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/3-storytelling-methods-content/): Most "storytelling" in content marketing is just lazy, shallow plotting. Proposed here are 3 writing techniques to make your content stories stronger.
- [4 Reasons For You to Redesign Your Site](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/4-clues-redesign-site/): Is something amiss with your website? Have you noticed any of these traits on your site but are still unsure if you should redesign? You might be in denial.
- [Definitive Guide to CSOS Development](https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology/dotnet/definitive-guide-to-csos-development/): Discover a comprehensive guide for developing Controlled Substance Ordering Systems (CSOS), consolidating all the necessary information in one document.
- [The Best Way to Save Your Company is by Phishing Your Coworkers](https://www.atlanticbt.com/cloud/cloud-security-compliance/phishing-coworkers-save-company/): Even tech-savvy companies can fall vicitm to phishing scams. The best way to learn how to avoid these attacks? Lay a phishing trap for your coworkers.
- [4 Questions That Matter for the Mobile App You Want the Most](https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/user-experience-services/4-questions-ask-mobile-app-development/): Ready to get started with building a mobile app for your business? Check out these 4 critical questions you need to ask before you begin.
- [3 Payment Processing Security Measures You Need to Take Now](https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/technical-governance-and-risk-management-consulting/3-payment-processing-best-practices-ecommerce/): If you want your eCommerce site to succeed, you must secure all payment processing on your site. Here are 3 best practices to do so.
- [How to Ask Better User Research Questions](https://www.atlanticbt.com/abt-culture/how-to-ask-better-research-questions/): How can you design research studies and tests to get the answers you need? Here are 5 key questions to ask better research questions.
- [4 Ways to Know If Your Site Is Safe for eCommerce](https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/ecommerce-services/4-ways-to-determine-if-your-site-is-safe-for-ecommerce/): Ready to launch your eCommerce site? Here are four keys to determining if your eCommerce site is safe and ready for online transactions.
- [7 Mistakes That will Make Your High Seas Web Project Sink](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/7-common-web-development-mistakes/): Managing a web project is like sailing the high seas. Teamwork, skill, and a strong vessel will complete the journey . But only if you avoid these mistakes.
- [Every Buyer's Path Leads to the Stronger Content You Need](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/every-buyers-path-leads-to-the-stronger-content-you-need/): Wouldn't it be great to know exactly what your buyer is thinking and then give them the content they need? Of course it would. Good news! It's possible.
- [Which Valuable Website Metrics You Should Focus on and Why](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/website-metrics-focus-reasons/): Website metrics can be difficult to decipher but even harder to prioritize. Which ones give you the most accurate assesment of your website's performance?
- [Should You Spend Big On An Advanced CRM?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/spend-big-advanced-crm/): If you're ready to invest in a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, how do you know which one is the best fit for your budget and goals?
- [How to Know Which Web Hosting Option is Best For You](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/how-to-know-which-web-hosting-option-is-best-for-you/): Of the many decisions made when starting on a new website project, the most important one is your choice of web hosting options. Know what's out there.
- [Why You Need a Responsive Web Design Now](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/why-you-need-a-responsive-web-design-now/): If you've been doing your web design research, and we're sure you have, you've heard this before. Responsive web design is very important for your
- [Happiness Can be Found, Even in the Darkest of Web Projects](https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/website-management/happiest-web-design-clients-common/): Large web projects can fall apart quickly, leaving everyone in despair. But successful clients achieve happiness with their work by making these choices.
- [3 Reasons to Fulfill the Destiny of Your Website and CRM System](https://www.atlanticbt.com/project-type/integrations/3-reasons-integrate-website-crm-system/): Companies often keep their website and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platforms apart. Combing the two into one, however, leads to great benefits.
- [What You Need to Know About the 5 Phases of Software Development](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/understanding-5-phases-software-development/): All software development projects go through a process. Each step is integral and depends on the success of the one before. Be sure to value all 5.
- [Why It's Easy to Love Higher Education UX](https://www.atlanticbt.com/industry/higher-ed/ux-projects-in-higher-ed/): At first glance, a deep look at the user experience (UX) for collegiate websites may look like a drag. Surprise! Higher Education UX is actually a blast.
- [Who is the Winner of the Great Content Delivery Network Race?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/software-architecture-consulting/which-cdn-delivers-the-fastest-performance/): The power of a website is more than the speed of its bandwith. The real page loadtime star is the right Content Delivery Network (CDN). Which is best?
- [Make Your New Digital Dream Big With a Surprisingly Small Plan](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/considered-taking-lean-approach-web-development/): When embarking on new digital projects, it's easy to think that a big dream requires a big plan. Not so. The most effective web development thinks small.
- [4 Need to Know Rules for Supporting and Loving Your Mobile Apps](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/application-development/4-critical-rules-maintaining-mobile-apps/): Even the best mobile apps need to be refreshed every 6-12 months. Here are 4 critical rules for maintaining your mobile apps.
- [How Nature Can Inspire the Best Digital Design](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/biomimicry-digital-design/): Discover how nature inspires digital design: From biomimicry to organic shapes, explore how the natural world influences effective digital design.
- [Gain Blog Freedom and Peace When You Show Non-Writers How to Write](https://www.atlanticbt.com/abt-culture/democratize-blog-teach-techs-write/): Being the only writer managing a blog for your company, can easily get overwhelming. Your not alone. In fact, help is all around you. Here's how to find it.
- [How to Get the Stakeholder Buy In You Need for Your Web Project](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/web-development-project-get-stakeholders-buy/): In order for your web development project to work, every stakeholder needs to be on board. Here's how you can make that happen and cruise to success.
- [The Amazing Benefits a Great Web Programming Team Has to Offer](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/great-web-programming-team/): Web Programming is no simple feat. For software success, you'll want an outstanding team on your side. Their work will be inspired by you. Find your people.
- [How Software Development Ends Up Dead on the Inside](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/web-software-development-projects-go-wrong/): Many software development projects fall apart before they reach the finish line. This can be avoided if you know what ruins a project before it starts.
- [How to Balance Data Security and Accessibility](https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/web-accessibility/balance-data-security-accessibility/): Learn how to keep your business' data secure while maintaining seamless accessibility with this informative how-to guide.
- [Why Institutional Web Development Projects Fail and How to Save Them](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/grim-statistics-institutional-web-development/): Over 40% of web development projects fail to meet expectations. Learn why, including unclear goals, scope creep, and unreliable estimates.
- [Why the EU GDPR is Important to You and Your Security](https://www.atlanticbt.com/cloud/cloud-security-compliance/roadmap-eu-gdpr-compliance/): EU GDPR is no random collection of letters. They are the rules every business must abide by when working with anyone in the EU. Staying up to date is vital.
- [The World of Institutional Web Design and How to Live There](https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/web-design-services/institutional-web-design-different/): Institutional Web Design encompasses many areas, like higher education and government, that require a very different skill set. Here's what makes it unique.
- [What Could Have Prevented Equifax's Security Failure](https://www.atlanticbt.com/cloud/cloud-security-compliance/what-could-have-prevented-equifax-breach/): A thorough penetration test or code review of the Equifax website could have found the security risk early on.
- [Why it's Safe to Invest in Outsourced Cyber Security](https://www.atlanticbt.com/cloud/cloud-security-compliance/why-you-should-invest-in-outsourced-security/): A thriving company can be decimated by one savvy hacker. The right security team is worth the hire on multiple levels and will keep you and your users safe.
- [Why You Need Expert Digital Problem Solvers](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/need-digital-problem-solver/): A great web design is more than its exterior. Digital problem solvers design strong sites from top to bottom, that look and act great.
- [Every Move You'll Find in a Successful Digital Marketing Playbook](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/what-should-go-into-a-well-rounded-digital-marketing-strategy/): Digital Marketing is an ever changing game. New technology, rules, and audiences demand more. These core tactics will help you stay ahead and stand out.
- [Knowing How to Design the Best Government Sites Users Trust](https://www.atlanticbt.com/industry/government-industry/why-choose-atlantic-bt-for-your-government-web-design-project/): Government web design is a daunting undertaking. High stakes, hard work, and a whole citizenry depending on it. What do we say to all of that? Bring it on.
- [The Trends That Will Keep Your Collegiate Digital Strategy at the Top of the Class](https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/digital-transformation-services/5-higher-education-digital-trends-to-keep-an-eye-on/): A strong digital strategy for Higher Education can be hard to ace. Paying attention to current trends will give your institution the advantage it needs.
- [Statistics That Really Matter for Website Success](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/measuring-website-performance-real-world/): Digital Marketers don't often know how to best measure the success of their website or what statistics deserve top priority. It's time to change that.
- [How to Grant Transparency on Amazon Web Services](https://www.atlanticbt.com/project-type/cloud-hosting/grant-read-access-amazon-web-services/): An Amazon Web Services partner values transparency, while keeping sensitive information safe. Follow these steps to grant read only access to your partners.
- [How to Tell if Your Website Has Been Hacked](https://www.atlanticbt.com/cloud/cloud-monitoring-maintenance/how-to-tell-if-your-website-has-been-hacked/): Your website is one of your most important business assets. But can you tell if it has been hacked? Here are 8 signs to look for.
- [Win With This Proven Path to Successful Information Architecture](https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/information-architecture-services/win-proven-path-successful-information-architecture/): There are many ways to establish strong Information Architecture but these are the methods we rely on the most, from content inventory to tree testing.
- [Are You Missing the Ultimate SEO Tool?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/google-analytics/missing-ultimate-seo-tool/): What you're reading right now is an essential tool to achieving great Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Snippets and Quick answers to the rescue!
- [Is It the Right Time for a New Mobile-First Marketing Strategy?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/time-mobile-first-online-marketing-strategy/): Digital marketers need to focus on the rise of mobile use for website visits, when considering their marketing strategy. Here is what that might look like.
- [Know How to Win the Digital Ad Game Under Google's New Rules](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/google-ad-regulations-2018/): 2017 presented many challenges to the digital marketing world. Manipulative advertising, fake news, black-hat marketing, and bot traffic have littered the
- [Do Online Visitors Like You? Really, Really Like You?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/branding-strategy/online-visitors-like-using-website/): You want online visitors to like your website. But what if they don't? Here is how you can ensure that users will really, really enjoy your site.
- [How to gather all of your eCommerce site requirements.](https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/ecommerce-services/a-primer-on-ecommerce-requirements-gathering-plus-free-downloads/): Create the right ecommerce strategy with these 3 tips to successfully identify all of your ecommerce requirements.
- [The Myth of the Full-Stack Unicorn Developer](https://www.atlanticbt.com/project-type/cloud-hosting/myth-full-stack-unicorn-developer/): Unicorn developers: myth or reality? Explore the concept, challenges in hiring, and strategies for building effective teams.
- [Avoid Weeping When You Get a Server Response Code](https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/website-management/301-403-500-server-response-codes-and-what-they-mean/): ABT discusses server response codes, including 300s, 400s, 500s & more in this informational blog post. Learn what they mean and how to address them.
- [How Propper Went From Better to Best](https://www.atlanticbt.com/abt-culture/abt-brings-military-precision-battle-weary-ecommerce-site/): Propper, the leading, industry dominating manufacturer of tactical gear, had a website that couldn't keep up with company growth. See how ABT changed that.
- [True Service, Seen and Shared by a Veteran](https://www.atlanticbt.com/abt-culture/service-means-veteran-abt/): Memorial Day is a time to remember the service of others and the ultimate sacrifice they made. In their honor, how can we serve in our everyday lives?
- [Voice Search Demands to be Heard by Your Website](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/optimizing-website-voice-search/): Voice Search is on the rise as more users access websites via smart devices. Stay ahead of the curve and be sure that your website is listening.
- [Information Finds Its Place in the World of Higher Education](https://www.atlanticbt.com/industry/higher-ed/tackle-information-architecture-higher-education-websites/): Organizing the information that a Higher Education website needs to communicate can seem overwhelming. Smart Information Architecture solves that problem.
- [The Courage To Be Imperfect](https://www.atlanticbt.com/abt-culture/the-courage-to-be-imperfect-brene-brown/): Discover how vulnerability and courage can make a significant impact on standing out and connecting with customers in today's competitive business landscape.
- [The Best Way to Overcome Web Development Anxiety](https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/branding-strategy/want-move-complex-web-design-project-forward/): Trying to move a complex web design project forward can be overwhelming. Learn how to get started through MVP development.
- [Why You Need Strong Governmental Information Architecture](https://www.atlanticbt.com/industry/government-industry/government-websites-need-better-ia/): Information Architecture is vital to an effective and usable Government website. But, its importance often is overlooked. Zero in on what needs your focus.
- [Is Your Website Protected From Disasters and User Errors?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/prepare-disaster-recovery-government-websites/): Technical disasters can strike at any moment. Website protection is crucial to keeping your site information safe. These are our safety tips.
- [The Best Content Strategy for Time and Space](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/building-time-sensitive-content-strategy/): A good content strategy is hard to develop. Find the balance between lasting and time-sensitive content to keep the conversation with your users going.
- [Taxonomies: A Trilogy - Your Hard Won Victory](https://www.atlanticbt.com/project-type/ecommerce/how-to-evaluate-a-website-taxonomy/): The Taxonomy Trilogy comes to its epic conclusion. We examine how to know when a website taxonomy is working and when it needs to be burned to the ground.
- [3 Threats and 3 Benefits of the Internet of Things](https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/technical-governance-and-risk-management-consulting/3-threats-and-3-benefits-of-the-internet-of-things/): Uncover the impact of the Internet of Things (IoT) on security, privacy, and business practices. Learn about IoT’s potential and challenges.
- [How to Create a Strategy That Will Enhance Your Government Website](https://www.atlanticbt.com/industry/government-industry/plan-execute-web-strategy-government-websites/): A government website requires expert development. That goal requires smart strategy. Here's how you can plan ahead for a website that can help everyone.
- [Taxonomies: A Trilogy - Mistakes and How to Survive](https://www.atlanticbt.com/project-type/ecommerce/common-taxonomy-mistakes-fix/): In Part 2 of our Taxonomy Trilogy, we discuss potential mistakes that many make when constructing the right taxonomy for their site and how to survive them.
- [How to Build and Tune Your Website Engine](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/build-tune-website-engine/): Website maintenance is like caring for any engine that keeps things moving. Know the best ways to keep your Website Engine healthy and productive.
- [Want to be a Digital Marketing Super Star? 26 Letters is All You Need](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/abcs-digital-marketing/): Digital Marketing can seem overwhelming. The ABCs of Digital Marketing, with examples that totally make sense, can help you speak in expert DM language.
- [Taxonomies: A Trilogy - The What, the Why, and the Will](https://www.atlanticbt.com/project-type/ecommerce/introduction-taxonomies-signposts-web-site/): Adding proper taxonomies to your site provides users with digital signposts to find what they are looking for. Here are examples of how taxonomies work.
- [How to Use the Secret, Overlooked Power of Radio Buttons](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/3-user-experience-tips-when-using-radio-buttons/): Radio Buttons have been around for a while. Yet, they're still a valuablen, unique tool for web designers. Have you ever considered these radio button uses?
- [Website Discovery Strategy That Will Lead You to Success](https://www.atlanticbt.com/abt-culture/website-discovery-strategy-setting-success/): Atlantic BT's Discovery phase involves comprehensive research, requirements matrices, and initial strategy, to ensure a unique and effective approach.
- [Are You Sure You're Prepared for AI Cyber Attacks?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/malicious-ai-learn-to-hack-humans/): Explore the risks of AI cyber attacks in an IoT-driven world and discover how AI can be used to fortify security measures.
- [Miva Takes on Magento: 3 Reasons Why This is Silly](https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/ecommerce-services/3-reasons-miva-merchant-shouldnt-compare-itself-to-magento/): Magento has earned its respected place in the eCommerce platform field. But other platforms, like Miva, are on the attack. Which platform comes out on top?
- [Discovery Research: It's Not Just What You're Building](https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/business-analysis/discovery-research-not-just-youre-building/): Research is integral to building the best website for your company. Learn more about the Atlantic BT Discovery process and how it elevates our designs.
- [7 Ways to Make Your Automated QA Testing High Quality](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/7-automated-qa-testing-tips-manual-qa-tester/): Automated QA testing can save you time and trouble on your technology projects. But how do you get started? Follow these 7 tips for a smooth transition.
- [The Best Way To Make Your Web Development RFP Perfect](https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/website-rfp-development/creating-perfect-web-development-rfp/): Request for Proposals (RFP) are like Bat-Signals in the sky, calling the best potential web development vendors your project needs. Make yours perfect.
- [How to Work With More Than One Web Development Company](https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/website-management/work-with-web-development-company/): Many large scale web projects require multiple teams to come together for the common good. Learn how to work together effectively to achieve the same goal.
- [Know the Big Three Points in a Website Life Cycle](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/understanding-three-major-points-website-life-cycle/): Every website has a life cycle made up of three distinct stages. Is your site launched, matured, or dated? Know the best choices to make at each level.
- [Why It's Empowering to be a Proud AWS Public Partner](https://www.atlanticbt.com/abt-culture/means-aws-public-partner/): Being an Amazon Web Services (AWS) Public Partner allows Atlantic BT to ensure government clients have the best technology. See why this is unique.
- [Non-Secure Websites, Beware! Google is After You](https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/google-chrome-warn-users-non-secure-websites/): Google will soon steer users away from non-secure HTTP websites. For many web owners and designers, this could be a game changer...and not a good one.

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## Case Studies

- [Valeris](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/valeris-pharma-copay-enrollment-forms-design/): This pharma copay enrollment forms design and development project involved transforming cumbersome PDF forms into an accessible online portal.
- [Edvance](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/edvance-higher-ed-website-rebrand/): Higher Ed Website Rebrand for Member Benefit Management Edvance View Site Overview To address Edvance's need for a significant higher ed website rebrand,
- [Raleigh-Durham Airport](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/raleigh-durham-airport/): Drupal Web Development for Major Airport Raleigh-Durham Airport View Site Overview Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) sought to modernize its
- [EnrollmentFUEL](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/enrollmentfuel/): EnrollmentFUEL turned to Atlantic BT for a new website design and development, boosting brand image and improving higher education lead generation.
- [Coastal AgroBusiness](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/coastal-agrobusiness/): Coastal AgroBusiness partnered with ABT to build a custom web application, streamlining sales, inventory, and invoicing for greater efficiency.
- [Civic Federal Credit Union 3.0](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/civic-federal-credit-union-3-0/): Civic Federal Credit Union partnered with ABT to develop Civic 3.0, their next-gen digital banking platform for an enhanced member experience.
- [Sumitomo Electric Europe](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/sumitomo-electric-europe/): Atlantic BT crafted a Wordpress custom template to meet Sumitomo Electric Europe’s robust, user-centered digital platform.
- [Lionheart Alliance](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/lionheart-alliance/): Tactical gear specialists Lionheart Alliance engaged ABT to update their BigCommerce theme, ensuring custom features remained fully functional.
- [Premier Research](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/premier-research/): Premier Research's redesigned WordPress site embodies innovation, featuring responsive forms and a modern appeal to leading biotech companies.
- [NC Department of Labor OSH](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/nc-department-of-labor-osh/): NCDOL's OSH portal for workplace safety standards was modernized with a Drupal upgrade, improving content organization and resource accessibility.
- [NC League of Municipalities](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/nclm-government-web-design/): Atlantic BT was entrusted with the government web design process to better suit members' needs while drawing awareness to the many benefits NCLM offers.
- [Toshiba Global Commerce](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/b2b-custom-website-toshiba-commerce/): Toshiba Global Commerce collaborated with ABT to redesign their custom b2b website, resulting in a Silver Stevie® Award.
- [Comfort Monster (AI)](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/comfort-monster-ai/): Comfort Monster turned to Atlantic BT for HVAC AI consulting to find out how AI could best be integrated into their existing processes.
- [LaMarche](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/lamarche-next-js-software-upgrade/): ABT initiated a Next.js software upgrade allowing LaMarche more efficiently management of their claims and accounting.
- [Shapeways](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/manufacturing-web-design/): Facing the need for manufacturing web design to accommodate escalating enterprise demands, Shapeways collaborated with Atlantic BT.
- [TrackRecord Health](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/custom-web-application-trackrecord-health/): TrackRecord Health found an ideal partner for the Discovery and Design phases of their custom web application for prescription discounts.
- [Conduent](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/conduent-2023/): Conduent, a Fortune 500 company, partnered with Atlantic BT to accelerate development, adapting to changing campaigns and goals.
- [LifeSafer Ignition Interlock](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/lifesafer-ignition-interlock/): LifeSafer helped launch the ignition interlock industry and needed their B2C Wordpress web design to match the same ease of use.
- [General Aviation Modification Inc.](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/gami/): GAMI partnered with Atlantic BT for a top-of-the-line user experience for a seamless application process on a new custom client portal.
- [Mutual Drug](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/mutual-drug-2023/): Mutual Drug relied on Atlantic BT as their technology partner to ensure secure digital operations for their billion-dollar pharmacy business.
- [Sumitomo Electric Lightwave](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/sumitomo-wordpress-website-design/): Sumitomo's WordPress website design enhances UX, supporting their growth as a leading provider of data center and communication network solutions.
- [Sea Cliff Consulting](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/sea-cliff-consulting/): Explore how Sea Cliff Consulting achieved business transformation with Atlantic BT's b2b Wordpress web design, driving growth and user experience.
- [Civic FCU](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/civic-fcu/): With ABT's help Civic FCU has access to an entire team of Drupal developers who are focused daily on their banking website maintenance.
- [NC Sheriffs' Association](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/nc-sheriffs-association/): The North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association sought Atlantic BT as their government technology partner to help them with their .NET portal.
- [Training Industry](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/training-industry/): ABT partnered with Training Industry to revamp their website and develop a partnership for Wordpress maintenance and support.
- [American Board of Dermatology](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/american-board-of-dermatology/): Atlantic BT- technology partner for healthcare industry, providing healthcare portal development of a member portal and API data integration.
- [Red Hat Software](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/red-hat-open-source/): Learn how Atlantic BT has collaborated with Red Hat on Drupal development since 2014, boosting efficiency, performance, and user experience.
- [GT Distributors](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/gt-distributors/): GT Distributors customizations and continued support through ABT's Magento maintenance partnership produced increases in online sales.
- [North Carolina State University](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/north-carolina-state-university/): Atlantic BT automated the process for the generation of course syllabi at NC State with a custom higher ed portal..
- [Campbell University](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/campbell-university/): WordPress website redesign for Campbell University with SwiftType, Amazon CloudFront, Web Application Firewall
- [NCDOR](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/ncdor/): In order to improve the user experience and add more functionality, NCDOR trusted Atlantic BT for a complete government website redesign.
- [Stan Johnson](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/stan-johnson/): SJC was so wowed by the ABT team that they left a 5-year relationship with their previous vendor when awarding us with their Drupal website redesign.
- [HaulMi](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/haulmi-2/): A React and .NET web solution on AWS was delivered by ABT, enhancing efficiency and scalability for HaulMi’s logistics operations.
- [Kryosphere](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/kryosphere/): A customized Umbraco site was crafted by ABT for Kryosphere, enhancing their biorepository services with a user-centric platform.
- [MyComputerCareer](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/mycomputercareer/): MyComputerCareer's website received UX consulting, design updates, and feature development from ABT for an enhanced learning experience.
- [Ramona Optics](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/ramona-optics/): Enhanced image management for Ramona Optics was delivered by ABT with a React site featuring OpenSeadragon and AWS scripts.
- [ROI Revolution](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/roi-revolution/): Dedicated WordPress maintenance by ABT enhances ROI Revolution's digital presence, ensuring stability and continuous performance.
- [Strategic Security Solutions](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/strategic-security-solutions/): User engagement and site modernization were boosted by ABT with a WordPress redesign for Strategic Security Solutions.
- [ScottMadden](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/scottmadden-2/): Tailored WordPress support, including design updates and platform enhancements, was offered by ABT for ScottMadden.
- [ChannelAdvisor](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/channeladvisor/): ChannelAdvisor's visual story was transformed by ABT, using captivating graphics to effectively engage their audience.
- [Comfort Monster (Website)](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/comfort-monster-website/): ABT designed a WordPress site for Comfort Monster, blending professionalism with a playful brand for a unique experience.
- [Hwy 55](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/hwy-55/): Website migration, UX design, and ongoing maintenance were supported by ABT for Hwy 55, ensuring an engaging online presence.
- [NC Conference of District Attorneys](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/government-wordpress-web-design-agency-nccda/): The NCCDA project shows how a government Wordpress web design agency can leverage user-centric development to meet the needs their user base.
- [NC DIT](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/nc-dit-2/): ABT provided tailored Drupal solutions for state web properties, enhancing front-end development and UX consulting.
- [Red Hat (Enterprisers Project)](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/red-hat-enterprisers-project/): ABT upgraded the Enterprisers Project for Red Hat to Drupal 10, adding new features and boosting security through hosting migration.
- [WBAL](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/wbal-hearst/): .NET websites were developed by ABT for WBAL, featuring security upgrades and managed services spanning a decade.
- [Bulldog Steel Structures](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/bulldog-steel-structures/): Expert WordPress design and training were provided by ABT, enhancing Bulldog Steel Structures' website for easier management and improved UX.

---


## FAQs

- [How long does it take to design a website?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/how-long-does-it-take-to-design-a-website/): Time and cost are closely related. You might first read, how much is a professionally designed website to learn more about the effort that goes into
- [How much is a professionally designed website?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/how-much-is-a-professionally-designed-website/): The costs for the development from a professional web design company, more specifically web design in Raleigh, are dependent on a variety of factors,
- [Should you build your own website or hire someone?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/should-you-build-your-own-website-or-hire-someone/): The answer to this question really depends on what the purpose of your website is and what functionality is required. There are two primary approaches to
- [What are the benefits of DevOps?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/what-are-the-benefits-of-devops/): Learn about the many benefits to working with a DevOps partner, such as faster development, increased collaboration, and more stability.
- [How much does custom eCommerce cost?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/how-much-does-custom-ecommerce-cost/): Variable factors include the amount of custom features, the complexity of design, setup investments, training, and maintenance.
- [How do I create, organize, and write a digital strategy?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/how-to-make-a-digital-strategy/): Nearly every time, good execution outperforms good ideas. For the most effective execution, it's essential to have a strong underlying strategy. Try
- [How do I improve my digital strategy?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/how-to-improve-digital-strategy/): The first step to improving your digital strategy is understanding what’s not working with your current digital strategy. Are you not hitting your new
- [How much does a digital strategy cost?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/how-much-does-digital-strategy-cost/): Here is a short answer: Digital strategy can be created internally or externally (with the help of outside partners). Internally, depending on how big
- [What is the difference between eCommerce and eBusiness?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/ecommerce-vs-ebusiness/): Because people like to define these terms to suit their purposes, there are many different definitions of eBusiness and eCommerce. We define eBusiness as
- [What is an eCommerce platform?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/what-is-an-ecommerce-platform/): An eCommerce platform is software that online businesses use to build functions needed to conduct business. The platform may be as simple as a catalog and
- [How do I start an eCommerce business?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/how-to-start-ecommerce-business/): The most important thing to consider is your competitive advantage over others that may compete for the same type of eCommerce store. Low barriers to
- [How do I find out what eCommerce platform a site is using?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/what-ecommerce-platform-is-site-using/): There are several different ways to determine how a site is built. The most effective way would be to use the tool BuiltWith.
- [What is Magento eCommerce?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/what-is-magento-ecommerce/): Magento is an increasingly popular eCommerce platform. It is written in PHP on the ZEND framework and is distributed under the Open Source Initiative.
- [How do I build a WordPress eCommerce website?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/build-wordpress-ecommerce/): There are two strategies to build eCommerce into your existing Wordpress site. First, you need to figure out if you need a complete eCommerce platform
- [What is full stack web development?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/what-is-full-stack/): Full stack web development as a term evolved due to the separation of roles between front end and back end developers. A “full stack” developer is a
- [What is front end vs. back end development?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/front-end-vs-back-end-development/): As web development evolved, it separated into logical specialization: front end web development and back end development. While back end development
- [What is the best way to become a web developer?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/how-to-become-a-web-developer/): We get lots of questions from university students working on projects -- How do I get into web development? How long does it take to learn? How much do
- [What is bootstrap in web development?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/what-is-bootstrap/): Bootstrap is a framework used in front-end development to save time, specifically for mobile-first development. It combines CSS and JavaScript templates
- [What is PHP web development?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/what-is-php-development/): PHP is a back end language primarily used for custom applications, content management systems (such as Wordpress), eCommerce engines (such as Magento), or
- [What is React web development?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/what-is-react-development/): React is a popular JavaScript library. It is primarily used for building interactive user interfaces (UI).
- [What is JavaScript used for in web development?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/how-is-javascript-used/): Historically speaking, JavaScript was only commonly but sparingly used in web development. The multiple browsers in use at the time each supported
- [What is web design and development?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/web-design-and-development/): People often lump web design and development together, so what's the difference? As the Internet has evolved, the skills required to produce a high
- [How much does web development cost?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/web-development-cost/): Web development can vary from a few hundred to millions of dollars depending on what is needed. You may simply need some changes to something that already
- [What is the best programming language for web development?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/best-web-development-language/): If there was one “best” programming language, then everything else would be obsolete. The reality is that there are so many different programming
- [What is the best web development framework?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/best-web-development-framework/): Many people commonly ask “what is a framework in web development?” Web development frameworks can easily be confused with web development tools,
- [Should I hire development resources or outsource application development?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/should-i-outsource-software-development/): Ask yourself a few simple questions. Do you know how to hire and manage a team of developers? Do you know how to setup development environments? Do you
- [Where should my application be hosted?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/where-should-i-host-my-application/): There are many different options for hosting, but most applications would do well with one of the cloud providers -- Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud
- [What language should I use to write my custom web application?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/what-language-for-custom-application-development/): We recommend sticking to .NET, JavaScript, PHP, Python, and Go. These languages have strong support communities and widely-used libraries.
- [How do I know when it’s time to modernize or rewrite my application?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/when-to-upgrade-application/): No matter how well-written your application is, you will need to refactor and clean up the technical debt over time, especially when the proper
- [Can I migrate from my custom application to a SaaS offering?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/migrate-custom-application-to-saas/): This can’t be definitively answered in a short Q&A but it’s absolutely possible with the right migration plan.
- [How do I evaluate a managed application service provider?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/evaluating-managed-application-provider/): The first step in evaluation is to figure out what you need. Do you just need someone to manage the cloud or hosting environment, or do you need them to
- [Should I move my application to the cloud?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/should-i-move-my-application-to-the-cloud/): The answer is ‘probably yes’. There aren’t many reasons for an application to be hosted elsewhere, aside from occasional compliance standards, or
- [How can I improve the performance of my application?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/improving-application-performance/): There are several primary reasons that applications perform poorly, and in some cases it’s a combination of several. 1) Data latency: If your application
- [What’s the benefit of hosting in the cloud vs. traditional options?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/benefits-to-cloud-hosting/): Reasons not to host in the cloud are few and far between. If you don't host in the cloud, you will spend more in both CapEx and OpEx to manage your
- [Are there any drawbacks to cloud hosting?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/cons-cloud-hosting/): Yes, there will always be some risks associated with any hosting option. You are relying on the resiliency and engineering of infrastructure that has
- [Are there differences in application architecture that are important for the cloud?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/cloud-application-architecture/): It is important to build applications and workloads specifically for the cloud. You will want to carefully consider what services the cloud provider of
- [What is Digital Strategy?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/what-is-digital-strategy/): Digital strategy, digital marketing strategy, and digital transformation strategy are separate things that often overlap with each other. They are often
- [What is Digital Transformation Strategy?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/what-is-digital-transformation/): One of the interesting things about Digital Transformation is everyone seems to define it a little differently. The reality is that consultants sometimes
- [Why is having a digital strategy important?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/why-is-digital-strategy-important/): Digital strategy is important because there are few sectors technology won’t ultimately touch or transform. If your organization isn’t paying attention to
- [How does digital transformation help blue ocean strategy?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/digital-transformation-blue-ocean-strategy/): If both blue ocean strategy and digital transformation strategy exist; the blue ocean strategy would be the top level strategy, while digital
- [How do I avoid digital strategy pitfalls?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/avoid-digital-strategy-pitfalls/): Like any strategy, there are more ways to find pitfalls than success. The first step in planning is to clearly articulate the overall strategy in a way
- [How do I calculate the ROI of a custom-built application?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/calculate-roi-custom-application/): The first step to calculating the ROI is determining what the investment will be. Atlantic BT's custom application guide can walk you through this
- [If I find an existing application that does some or most of what I want, but not everything, what do I do?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/evaluating-existing-application/): This can be a difficult decision. In your mind you want to build something that is exactly what you want, but you need to consider what the total cost of
- [What are some things to avoid when building a new web application?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/what-are-some-things-to-avoid-when-building-a-new-web-application/): There are lots of things to avoid when building a web application; but from our experience, #1 on the list is to avoid a bad application developer. The
- [How do I know if I need a custom application developed?](https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/do-i-need-custom-application-development/): While developing custom applications is expensive, the payback can be huge when the application solves problems for your organization or creates a

---


## Processes

- [Business Process Mapping](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/discovery/business-process-mapping/): Business Process Mapping is a tool used to visualize, analyze, and improve the efficiency of various processes within an organization.
- [Service Blueprint](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/discovery/service-blueprint/): Service Blueprints are visual representations that allows us to illustrate and understand the front and back end aspects of an application.
- [User Workflows](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/discovery/user-workflows/): User workflows are step-by-step journeys that users take when interacting with websites or software applications.
- [Accessibility Audit](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/discovery/accessibility-audit/): Our accessibility audit includes a two step process of automated scanning and manual evaluation to report on adherence of standards.
- [React](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/development/react/): React is an excellent JavaScript library for building modern, dynamic websites that are easy to update and maintain.
- [Angular](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/development/angular/): Angular is a JavaScript-based platform that is a bit like a Swiss Army knife for building websites and web applications.
- [Laravel](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/development/laravel/): Laravel is a PHP-based application framework with elegant syntax that aims to make development pleasing without sacrificing functionality.
- [WordPress](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/development/wordpress/): WordPress is a CMS that's one of the most user-friendly and flexible systems out there, a favorite for individuals and businesses alike.
- [Drupal](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/development/drupal/): Drupal is a robust CMS known for its scalability, security, and customization. Learn more about Atlantic BT's Drupal development process.
- [Umbraco](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/development/umbraco/): Umbraco is a Microsoft .NET CMS that streamlines the process of building and managing websites with a focus on flexibility and user control.
- [Magento](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/development/magento/): Magento is a comprehensive e-commerce platform that offers businesses the tools and capabilities to create and operate online stores
- [Integrations](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/development/integrations/): Web-based integrations refer to the process of linking online systems and applications, allowing them to exchange data efficiently.
- [AWS](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/deploy/amazon-web-services-aws/): AWS is a subsidiary of Amazon providing on-demand cloud computing platforms and APIs on a pay-as-you-go basis.
- [Retainer](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/delight/retainer/): A retainer contract with a web development agency is a bit like having a part-time, yet highly specialized, web team.
- [Business Model Canvas](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/discovery/business-model-canvas/): Through the Business Model Canvas framework we can understand your business quickly and effectively and align the project to your needs.
- [Usability Testing](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/discovery/usability-testing/): Usability testing is aimed at evaluating the effectiveness, efficiency, and overall user-friendliness of a web site or application.
- [Continuous Deployment](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/deploy/continuous-deployment/): With continuous deployment, developers can push out new features and bug fixes without having to go through tedious, manual processes.
- [CSS](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/development/css-languages-frameworks/): CSS is a style sheet language that defines the appearance of web pages, allowing developers to create consistent UI/UX and unique designs with animations.
- [.NET](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/development/net-languages-frameworks/): Leverage the power of .NET languages and frameworks with AtlanticBT's development expertise. Build robust and scalable solutions for your business needs.
- [PHP](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/development/php-languages-frameworks/): PHP Development is a programming language used to create dynamic web applications. It is used to create custom websites, content management systems, web APIs, and more.
- [JavaScript](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/development/javascript-languages-frameworks/): Javascript is an incredibly powerful programming language that allows developers to create amazing websites and applications with ease. 
- [Application Architecture](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/development/application-architecture/): Application Architecture involves planning, managing, and reviewing web development projects to design and construct the systems for building applications.
- [Code Reviews](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/development/code-reviews/): Code reviews are an important part of the software development life cycle (SDLC) and are essential for ensuring quality and best practices in web development.
- [Quality Assurance](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/development/quality-assurance/): Quality Assurance (QA) is an important process used to ensure that web and software products meet the highest of standards.
- [Microsoft SQL](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/development/microsoft-sql-mssql/): Microsoft SQL is a secure and powerful database system by Microsoft, enabling fast and easy storage and access of data through structured query language.
- [MySQL](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/development/mysql/): MySQL is an incredibly popular open source SQL database, used by developers and businesses around the world.
- [Data Migration](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/development/data-migration/): Data migration is the transfer of data between systems, involving moving and upgrading data for improved content management and system capabilities.
- [Unit Tests](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/development/unit-tests/): Ensure code quality and reliability with Atlantic BT's unit testing approach. Build robust software solutions with confidence and minimize potential issues.
- [Automated UI Tests](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/development/automated-ui-tests/): Automated UI tests are vital for QA teams, allowing automatic validation of the user interface (UI) in web pages or applications.
- [Accessibility](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/development/accessibility/): Web accessibility is the practice of making websites and web applications more accessible for people with disabilities.
- [Search Engine Optimization](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/development/search-engine-optimization/): Boost your online visibility with Atlantic BT's expert search engine optimization (SEO) strategies. Drive traffic and reach your target audience effectively.
- [Content Migration](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/development/content-migration/): Content migration is a strategic process used to move content from one content management system to another.
- [Continuous Integration](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/deploy/continuous-integration/): Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Deployment (CD) are popular development practices that are essential for successful DevOps teams.
- [DNS Management](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/deploy/dns-management/): DNS (Domain Name System) Management is the process of ensuring that your website's hostname is associated with the correct IP address.
- [Scalable Infrastructure](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/deploy/scalable-infrastructure/): Scalable infrastructure adapts to business needs, providing flexibility and efficiency without downtime or slow speeds.
- [Secure Infrastructure](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/deploy/secure-infrastructure/): Secure infrastructure includes tools, technologies, and processes to safeguard data and systems from external threats.
- [Infrastructure as Code](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/deploy/infrastructure-as-code/): Infrastructure as code is a way of managing your cloud architecture and hosting it in a reliable and repeatable way.
- [Infrastructure Migration](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/deploy/infrastructure-migration/): Migrate your website or application to a cloud provider like AWS through infrastructure migration, transferring it from current hosting.
- [Security Monitoring](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/deploy/security-monitoring/): Safeguard your digital assets with Atlantic BT's robust security monitoring. Stay protected against threats and ensure the integrity of your online presence.
- [Digital Project Management](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/delight/digital-project-management/): Digital project management fosters collaboration, progress, and success in achieving project goals, ensuring teams achieve desired outcomes.
- [Feature Development](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/delight/feature-development/): Feature development is a crucial part of software development, involving coding for specific website or application features.
- [Performance Monitoring](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/delight/performance-monitoring/): Web performance monitoring ensures businesses track and optimize website speed, best practices, and accessibility for a positive user experience.
- [Training](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/delight/training/): Content management system (CMS) training is designed to help website admins and clients get the most out of their websites.
- [Discovery](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/discovery/): The discovery phase of software engineering explained - learn what research and analysis is needed to best analyze customer needs.
- [Design](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/design/): This is the phase where we enter the “solution space,” where we look at how we can meet the organizational objectives and user needs that are defined in the discovery phase.
- [Development](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/development/): This is the phase where the developers take over and start building the underlying infrastructure, the platform on which all else rests.
- [Deploy](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/deploy/): Seamlessly launch your digital projects with AtlanticBT's comprehensive deployment process. Drive success and achieve your business goals with confidence.
- [Delight](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/delight/): Delight your users with exceptional digital experiences. AtlanticBT's process ensures intuitive design, engaging content, and memorable interactions.
- [Stakeholder Interviews](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/discovery/stakeholder-interviews/): Interviewing stakeholders helps define the need for a website overhaul & gets stakeholders onboard with your web redesign project
- [User Interviews](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/discovery/user-interviews/): Learn how user interviews are an easy and popular way to know how users perceive your design and can help increase website conversion.
- [Affinity Map](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/discovery/affinity-map/): Learn how affinity diagrams help Atlantic BT web designers analyze user research and improve user experience and web performance
- [User Personas](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/discovery/user-personas/): Develop user personas to create a customer-centric website & boost online conversions. Learn how with Atlantic BT, 25 years of web experience
- [Content Inventory](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/discovery/content-inventory/): Manage website clutter and simplify content with a website inventory to understand your site better and make changes like adding new keywords
- [Technical Audit](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/discovery/technical-audit/): Is your website underperforming? Here's how a technical audit can improve website performance. Atlantic BT- experienced in website redesign.
- [Contextual Inquiry](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/discovery/contextual-inquiry/): Contextual Inquiry is a research method that observes & interviews users in their setting to uncover hidden insights about your customers.
- [Analytics Review](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/discovery/analytics-review/): Gain insights from user data and optimze your website. Learn how Atlantic BT uses web analytics to help you meet your business objectives.
- [Domain Strategy](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/discovery/domain-strategy/): It is critical to develop a domain name strategy to protect your brand and business and is used with every phase of a web development project
- [Information Architecture](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/discovery/information-architecture/): Learn why information architecture is vital for building a user-friendly website or intranet & how an experienced web design firm ensures its done right.
- [Requirements Matrix](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/discovery/requirements-matrix/): Ensure digital project success with a requirements matrix - a clear understanding of features & priorities for seamless web development.
- [Design Inspiration & Analysis](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/design/design-inspiration-analysis/): Design inspiration and analysis kickstart the official design process, gathering client input on website vision, encompassing design elements and functionality.
- [Wireframe](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/design/wireframe/): A wireframe is a visual plan of a website, allowing stakeholders to see its design and functionality before the full development process.
- [Mockup](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/design/mockup/): High fidelity mockups in UI design and UX branding offer a digital representation of website layouts, aiding in visualizing and refining designs.
- [Clickable Prototype](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/design/clickable-prototype/): Clickable prototypes simulate user interactions, gathering feedback on UX wireframes. They aid in testing and refining the design and development process.
- [Site Structure & Mapping](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/design/site-structure-mapping/): Site structure and redirect mapping are two key components of website development. Site structure is the way the content and pages of a website are organized.
- [Concept Board](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/design/concept-board/): A concept board is a way to visually curate creative information in order to prepare for a new project.
- [Data Design](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/design/data-design/): Data design is the process of creating and managing a web schema, or structure, for a website's content and databases.
- [Migration Planning](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/design/migration-planning/): Migration planning involves the process of identifying, designing, and testing a plan for transitioning from one system to another.
- [Architecture Diagram](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/design/architecture-diagram/): An architecture diagram is a visual representation of a system's components and their relationships.
- [HTML](https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/development/html-languages-frameworks/): HTML is the foundation of web pages, defining their structure and appearance. It's a standard developed by W3C for creating web content.

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# Detailed Content


## Pages

> This three article series will provide insight into the broad and technical journey of web development by using common and approachable analogies.

- Published: 2025-06-20
- Modified: 2025-06-20
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/working-with-atlantic-bt/

Working With Atlantic BT Building a Custom Website Is (and Isn't) Like... This three article series will provide insight into the broad and technical journey of web development by using common and approachable analogies. If you're starting or considering a new web development project, and it's a bit daunting to you, these may help you get a better feel for the entire process.

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> Navigate the complexities of the digital landscape. ABT's strategic services provide clarity and direction to achieve your objectives.

- Published: 2025-04-22
- Modified: 2025-05-19
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/

Digital Strategy Services Achieve Business Confidence with Expert Strategy Navigate the complexities of the digital landscape. ABT's strategic services provide clarity and direction to achieve your business objectives. Let's talk Strategy. Get In Touch Success Through Strategic Vision At Atlantic BT, we believe that a powerful digital presence is built upon a foundation of insightful strategy. We go beyond simply implementing tactics; we delve deep into understanding your business objectives, your target audience, and the competitive landscape. Our experienced strategists collaborate closely with you to define clear goals and develop comprehensive plans that pave the way for sustainable growth and meaningful results in the digital realm. Your Unique Path We recognize that every business operates within its own distinct context, with unique challenges and aspirations. At Atlantic BT, we don't believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Our strategic engagements are tailored to your specific needs, drawing upon a diverse toolkit of methodologies and insights to craft a plan that aligns perfectly with your individual goals and market position. Our Strategy Services Navigating the complexities of the digital world requires a multifaceted approach. Our team of strategists offers a range of specialized services designed to address your unique needs and propel your business forward. Explore the following areas to discover how ABT can provide the strategic guidance you need to succeed. Our software development process We've mastered the art of flawless delivery Discovery Stakeholder Interviews User Personas Accessibility Audit Analytics Review Technical Audit Requirements Matrix Design Concept Board Wireframes High Fidelity Mockups Site Structure & Mapping Migration Planning Architecture Diagram Development Application Architecture SEO Integrations Accessibility Code Reviews Quality Assurance Want to see everything Atlantic BT has to offer? Check out our full process. Top platforms we use Atlantic BT is an expert in many different platforms. Check out all of our areas of expertise. Our Areas of Expertise Want to see examples of all our work? Our Team of Experts Our team is your powerhouse of expertise, ready to support and elevate your website, whether through a complete overhaul or targeted enhancements. Beyond our professional excellence, we value a harmonious balance between...

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> Leverage technology as an unfair competitive advantage. From technology consulting and technology strategy and services, we can help.

- Published: 2024-12-13
- Modified: 2025-05-19
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/

Technology Consulting Services Driving Success with Strategic Technology Consulting The key to successful technology adoption isn’t just about using the latest tools; it’s about aligning those tools with your business goals. Our Technology Consulting services go beyond technical advice—we partner with you to navigate complexities, mitigate risks, and design solutions that drive your business forward. Let's talk Technology Consulting. Get In Touch Collaboration at the Core At Atlantic BT, we understand that successful technology implementation is about more than systems and processes—it’s about building relationships. We prioritize clear, consistent communication to ensure every milestone aligns with your vision, making the journey as valuable as the destination. No One-Size-Fits-All Solutions Every business has unique challenges and goals. By deeply understanding your organization, our consultants craft tailored solutions that not only address your current needs but also position you for long-term success. Our Technology Consulting Services Our comprehensive Technology Consulting Services are designed to align your IT initiatives with your strategic goals, ensuring every project drives measurable results. From streamlining operations and mitigating risks to modernizing legacy systems and implementing cutting-edge solutions, we partner with you every step of the way. Whether you’re seeking guidance on ERP systems, digital transformation, or custom software architecture, our expert consultants deliver the insights and support needed to unlock your organization’s full potential. Our software development process We've mastered the art of flawless delivery Discovery Stakeholder Interviews User Personas Accessibility Audit Analytics Review Technical Audit Requirements Matrix Design Concept Board Wireframes High Fidelity Mockups Site Structure & Mapping Migration Planning Architecture Diagram Development Application Architecture SEO Integrations Accessibility Code Reviews Quality Assurance Want to see everything Atlantic BT has to offer? Check out our full process. Top platforms we use Atlantic BT is an expert in many different platforms. Check out all of our areas of expertise. Our Areas of Expertise Want to see examples of all our work? Our Team of Experts Our team is your powerhouse of expertise, ready to support and elevate your website, whether through a complete overhaul or targeted enhancements. Beyond our professional excellence, we value a harmonious balance between work...

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> Our Cloud Cost Management services help you gain visibility into your cloud spending, identify inefficiencies, and reduce costs.

- Published: 2024-12-09
- Modified: 2025-06-24
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/cloud/cloud-cost-management/

Cloud Cost Management Optimize Your Cloud Spending Without Compromising Performance In a rapidly growing cloud environment, managing costs while maintaining optimal performance is a challenge for many organizations. Our Cloud Cost Management services are designed to help you gain visibility into your cloud spending, identify inefficiencies, and implement strategies to reduce costs without compromising scalability or functionality. By leveraging best practices and advanced tools, we enable your business to maximize the value of your cloud investments and align spending with your operational goals. Let's talk Cloud Cost Management. Get in Touch Take Control of Your Cloud Costs Cloud infrastructure has revolutionized the way businesses operate, but without proper oversight, costs can quickly spiral out of control. Our Cloud Cost Management services are designed to give you full control over your cloud spending while ensuring optimal performance and scalability. Whether you’re looking to identify inefficiencies, automate savings, or establish long-term cost governance, we provide tailored solutions to meet your specific needs. By leveraging our expertise, you can align your cloud investments with your business goals and drive financial efficiency. Cloud Cost Analysis Understanding where and how your cloud budget is being spent is the first step toward cost optimization. Our Cloud Cost Analysis services provide detailed insights into your spending patterns across cloud resources, highlighting areas of inefficiency. We analyze your usage data, identify underutilized resources, and recommend actionable changes to improve cost efficiency. With clear visibility into your cloud expenditures, you can make informed decisions to optimize your budget. Optimize Across Multi-Cloud and Hybrid Environments Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Quisque volutpat, metus a vestibulum facilisis, mauris ligula feugiat sapien, a volutpat ex turpis et erat. Nullam ultricies, sem at interdum tincidunt, justo elit posuere nulla, sed dictum sapien nibh ac eros. Ut id nulla at risus bibendum aliquet in nec elit. Cost Optimization Tools Manual cost tracking can be time-consuming and prone to error. Using advanced cost optimization tools and techniques, we help automate savings by identifying and eliminating unused or over-provisioned resources. From rightsizing instances to automating shutdowns of non-critical workloads during off-peak hours, we...

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> Our AI Consulting Services help you cut through the noise, evaluate the best approaches, and implement solutions that deliver results.

- Published: 2024-12-09
- Modified: 2025-06-24
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/ai/ai-consulting/

AI Consulting Services Unlock the Power of AI with Expert Guidance Artificial Intelligence (AI) holds transformative potential, but navigating its complexities requires expert guidance. With AI, there are often 3-4 right approaches and countless wrong ones, and in some cases, AI may not even be the best solution to a problem. Our AI Consulting Services help you cut through the noise, evaluate the best approaches for your unique challenges, and implement solutions that deliver real results. Above all, we prioritize value and high ROI, ensuring that your investment in AI drives growth and efficiency. Let us help you move beyond the hype with practical, results-oriented strategies. Let's talk AI Consulting. Get in Touch Explore Our AI Consulting Services Our comprehensive AI Consulting Services are tailored to meet the specific needs of your business, ensuring that every step of your AI journey is purposeful and impactful. From assessing opportunities to ongoing advisory, we provide expert guidance at every stage of your AI implementation. AI Opportunity Assessment Identifying where AI can make the biggest difference in your business is the first step toward success. We evaluate your existing processes, pain points, and areas with the potential for AI-driven improvements. This targeted assessment ensures you focus your efforts on high-impact opportunities that deliver measurable results. Use Case Development A clear use case is key to unlocking AI’s full potential. We work with you to define the specific AI applications that will drive the highest ROI, whether it’s through automation, predictive analytics, or advanced data insights. Our approach ensures that AI solutions are aligned with your strategic objectives. AI Adoption & Training AI implementation goes beyond technology; it’s about empowering your team to use it effectively. We provide hands-on training and support, ensuring your workforce is well-equipped to adopt and utilize AI solutions in their daily workflows. This empowers your team to maximize the benefits of AI. Ongoing AI Advisory As AI technologies and your business needs evolve, staying ahead is crucial. We offer continuous support and advisory services to optimize and adapt your AI solutions, ensuring they remain effective and aligned with your...

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> Our AI Integration Services are designed to bridge the gap between AI technology and your business processes.

- Published: 2024-12-09
- Modified: 2025-06-24
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/ai/ai-integration-services/

AI Integration Services Seamlessly Bring AI Into Your Business Ecosystem Integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into your existing systems is essential for unlocking your organization’s full potential. However, this process can be complex, requiring careful planning and execution to ensure AI solutions work seamlessly within your workflows. Our AI Integration Services are designed to bridge the gap between AI technology and your business processes, enabling smooth collaboration between humans and AI. By embedding AI into your ecosystem, we help you maximize efficiency, reduce costs, and achieve better business outcomes. Let's talk topic. Get in Touch Explore Our AI Integration Services Our AI Integration Services encompass a range of tailored solutions to seamlessly integrate AI into your business operations. From data management to process automation, we ensure your AI systems are perfectly aligned with your goals and existing technologies. Data Integration & Management AI thrives on data, and ensuring seamless access to accurate, up-to-date information is crucial. We connect your existing data sources to AI-driven platforms, enabling smooth data flow and integration. This ensures your AI systems can analyze, learn, and deliver insights with precision, enhancing decision-making across your organization. System Integration For AI to add value, it must integrate seamlessly with your existing systems. We connect AI tools to your ERP, CRM, and other business technologies, ensuring smooth communication and interoperability across your technology stack. This alignment allows for a unified workflow, enhancing efficiency and collaboration. Process Automation Automating repetitive, time-consuming tasks is one of AI’s greatest strengths. We help you streamline operations by integrating AI-powered automation tools into your processes. From data entry to workflow optimization, our solutions free up valuable resources, allowing your team to focus on strategic initiatives. Performance Monitoring & Optimization AI systems require ongoing fine-tuning to maintain peak performance. We provide continuous monitoring and optimization to ensure your AI solutions stay aligned with your business goals. By identifying areas for improvement and making adjustments, we keep your AI systems efficient, accurate, and impactful. Our Team of Experts Our team is your powerhouse of expertise, ready to support and elevate your website, whether through a complete overhaul...

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> In a world where fast and efficient communication is essential, AI-driven Automated Voice Messaging Services offer a game-changing solution.

- Published: 2024-12-09
- Modified: 2025-06-24
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/ai/automated-voice-messaging/

Automated Voice Messaging Services Revolutionize Communication with AI-Driven Voice Assistants In a world where fast and efficient communication is essential, AI-driven Automated Voice Messaging Services offer a game-changing solution. These intelligent voice assistants streamline interactions, enhance customer experiences, and reduce the burden on your team by automating routine tasks. At Atlantic BT, we design and integrate advanced voice messaging systems tailored to your business needs. Whether you're managing high call volumes, improving customer service, or optimizing internal communications, our AI-powered voice solutions deliver clarity, efficiency, and results. Let's talk Automated Voice Messaging. Get in Touch Our Automated Voice Messaging Services Our Automated Voice Messaging Services encompass every stage of implementation, providing a comprehensive approach to integrating AI-driven voice solutions into your business. From initial strategy and system design to deployment and continuous optimization, we ensure every element aligns with your specific needs and goals. Our expert team handles the technical complexities of integration, ensuring seamless communication between your voice messaging system and existing platforms like CRMs, call centers, or mobile apps. Beyond implementation, we offer ongoing support, performance monitoring, and updates to ensure your voice messaging system remains reliable, efficient, and adaptable as your business evolves. AI Voice Assistant Integration AI Voice Assistant Integration seamlessly connects advanced voice systems with your existing platforms, such as CRMs, call centers, and mobile apps, ensuring smooth communication and data flow. This integration enhances user experiences, streamlines operations, and enables your business to leverage the full potential of AI-driven voice technology. Custom Workflow Automation Simplify repetitive tasks like appointment scheduling, order tracking, and customer surveys. Our voice messaging systems automate these workflows, saving time and ensuring consistency in communication. Scalable Voice Messaging Solutions Our solutions are designed to grow with your business. Whether you’re handling hundreds of calls a day or scaling to thousands, we build systems that maintain high performance and reliability under any load. Performance Analytics & Optimization Gain insights into how your voice messaging system is being used. We integrate analytics tools to track performance, user engagement, and response accuracy. Using these insights, we continuously optimize the system to meet evolving...

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> Chatbot Integration Services bridge this gap by automating customer interactions, streamlining workflows, and enhancing user experiences.

- Published: 2024-12-09
- Modified: 2025-06-24
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/ai/chatbot-integration/

Chatbot Integration Transform Customer Interactions with Seamless Chatbot Integration In today’s digital-first world, customers expect instant, personalized support, and businesses need to deliver it efficiently. Chatbot Integration Services bridge this gap by automating customer interactions, streamlining workflows, and enhancing user experiences. At Atlantic BT, we specialize in designing and integrating intelligent chatbot solutions that seamlessly integrate with your existing systems. Whether you’re looking to improve customer support, boost lead generation, or simplify internal processes, our tailored chatbot solutions are designed to meet your specific needs and drive meaningful business outcomes. Let's talk chatbot integration. Get in Touch Explore Our Chatbot Integration Services Our Chatbot Integration Services provide a comprehensive approach to implementing chatbots that deliver real value to your business. From crafting a strategic roadmap to designing, integration, and implementing chatbots, we ensure every step is tailored to your unique needs. Our services don’t stop at launch; we provide continuous optimization, performance monitoring, and support to ensure your chatbot evolves with your business and user expectations. Whether you’re aiming to improve customer support, boost operational efficiency, or enhance user engagement, our holistic chatbot solutions are designed to seamlessly integrate with your existing systems and achieve your goals. Chatbot Strategy & Planning Build the foundation for success. We start by understanding your business goals, customer needs, and operational challenges. From there, we design a chatbot strategy that aligns with your objectives, whether it’s reducing customer service response times, increasing conversions, or enhancing user engagement. Platform Integration Connect your chatbot with your existing systems for a unified experience. We integrate chatbots with popular platforms such as CRMs, e-commerce systems, help desk tools, and social media channels. This ensures seamless communication and data flow, enabling your chatbot to deliver accurate and efficient support. Multi-Channel Chatbot Deployment Reach your audience wherever they are. We deploy chatbots across multiple channels, including websites, mobile apps, messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, and voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant. This ensures consistent engagement across all touchpoints. Ongoing Support & Optimization Keep your chatbot performing at its best. Our team provides regular updates, maintenance, and fine-tuning...

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> At Atlantic BT, our Business Analysis Services bridge the gap between business needs and technology solutions to achieve your objectives.

- Published: 2024-12-09
- Modified: 2025-06-24
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/business-analysis/

Business Analysis Services Turning Business Challenges into Strategic Solutions Successful technology development starts with a deep understanding of your business, organization, and key stakeholders. We bridge the gap between challenges and solutions by leveraging technology that is not only effective but also user-friendly and impactful. Let's talk Business Analysis. Get in Touch Our Business Analysis Process Business analysis is a critical step in creating impactful solutions. By understanding the unique goals, pain points, and processes of your organization, we ensure that every decision is data-driven and aligned with your objectives. Our approach minimizes risk, optimizes resources, and helps you adapt to an ever-changing market. Whether you’re planning a new project, improving an existing system, or navigating a complex transformation, business analysis is your compass for success. Here’s how we work: Needs Assessment We begin by thoroughly understanding your business goals, challenges, and opportunities. Through stakeholder interviews, workshops, and detailed reviews, we identify the critical requirements for your projects and processes. Gap Analysis Our team evaluates your current processes, technologies, and workflows to uncover inefficiencies and gaps. This step provides a clear understanding of where improvements can be made to achieve optimal outcomes. Requirements Gathering Clear and comprehensive requirements are the foundation of successful projects. We work closely with your team to define, document, and prioritize requirements that guide the development of effective solutions using a requirements matrix. Solution Design Using the insights gathered during analysis, we craft customized solutions that address your unique challenges. Our designs align seamlessly with your strategic objectives and integrate smoothly with your existing systems to maximize value. Our Team of Experts Our team is your powerhouse of expertise, ready to support and elevate your website, whether through a complete overhaul or targeted enhancements. Beyond our professional excellence, we value a harmonious balance between work and creativity. Visit our About Us page to meet the team. You’ll get a glimpse of our vibrant team culture through AI-generated profile pictures that showcase our ABTers in various imaginative avatars. It’s a fun peek into how we blend generative AI technology with our passion for innovative web design. About...

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> We specialize in ERP software development and integration services, tailoring solutions that empower businesses to drive growth

- Published: 2024-12-09
- Modified: 2025-06-24
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/erp-services/

ERP Software Development Streamline Your Business Operations with Tailored ERP Solutions In today’s fast-paced business environment, efficiency and streamlined operations are more crucial than ever. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems are at the heart of this transformation, integrating all core business functions into a single, cohesive platform. We specialize in ERP software development and integration services, tailoring solutions that empower businesses to optimize workflows, enhance decision-making, and drive growth. Whether you’re implementing a new ERP system or enhancing an existing one, our team ensures seamless integration with your existing tools, helping you unlock the full potential of your business operations. Let's talk ERP Software Development. Get in Touch Explore Our ERP Services Our ERP Services provide end-to-end support to help your business navigate the complexities of ERP systems. From consulting and implementation to training and optimization, we offer a suite of services designed to enhance your ERP experience. With a focus on aligning ERP solutions with your unique business processes, we ensure that every aspect of the system delivers maximum efficiency, scalability, and value to your organization. ERP Consulting Services Navigate the ERP landscape with confidence. Our expert consultants assess your current processes, identify gaps, and recommend ERP solutions tailored to your business needs. Whether you're selecting a new system or refining your strategy, we ensure your ERP aligns with your goals and industry requirements. Custom ERP Development Tailored ERP systems built to meet your unique requirements. For businesses that need custom solutions, we develop bespoke ERP platforms or expand existing systems with specialized modules and third-party integrations, ensuring compatibility and optimal functionality. ERP Integration Services Create a unified system by integrating your ERP with other essential tools. We connect your ERP with CRM software, e-commerce platforms, IoT devices, and more, using custom APIs and automation to streamline data flow and enhance efficiency. ERP Implementation & Management End-to-end ERP implementation with minimal disruption.  We manage every aspect of ERP deployment, from planning to go-live. Our services include implementing full ERP systems or individual modules, ensuring a smooth transition with careful data migration and ongoing support. Odoo ERP Development Odoo ERP Development provides...

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> We provide Training & Support Services designed to maintain your software, ERP systems, websites, web portals, and cloud solutions.

- Published: 2024-12-09
- Modified: 2025-06-24
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/training-support/

Training & Support Services Empower Your team for Success Across All Platforms At Atlantic BT, we believe that technology is only as powerful as the people who use it. That’s why we provide comprehensive Training & Support Services designed to empower your team to confidently utilize and maintain your software, ERP systems, websites, web portals, and cloud solutions. Whether it’s onboarding a new system, troubleshooting issues, or providing ongoing enhancements, our tailored approach ensures that your technology delivers maximum value for your business. Let's talk training & support. Get in Touch Explore Our Training & Support Offerings We offer specialized training and support services across multiple platforms and systems, empowering your team to excel in utilizing and managing the technologies critical to your business. From software applications and ERP systems to websites, web portals, and cloud solutions, our tailored programs ensure your team gains the skills and confidence needed to operate effectively. Our services include in-depth training sessions, hands-on workshops, and comprehensive documentation to ensure all users, regardless of technical proficiency, can navigate systems efficiently. Software Maximize the value of your custom software. Our training programs guide your team through the functionalities and workflows of your software, ensuring they can navigate it with ease. We also provide ongoing support, including troubleshooting, updates, and feature enhancements to keep your software performing at its best. ERP Empower your team to harness the full potential of your ERP system. We provide hands-on ERP training tailored to your business processes, ensuring that every user understands the system’s functionality and how it aligns with their roles. Our support services include troubleshooting, system updates, and optimization to keep your ERP running smoothly. Website Your website is your digital front door, and keeping it updated and optimized is essential. We provide training on content management systems (CMS) to help your team manage website updates, publish content, and maintain site performance. Our ongoing support includes technical troubleshooting, security monitoring, and performance optimization to ensure your website remains effective and engaging. Web Portal Streamline communication and collaboration with effective web portal management. We provide tailored training on web portal...

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> React JS Development Build Dynamic, Scalable, and High-Performance Web Applications Modern businesses demand web applications that are fast, scalable, and

- Published: 2024-12-09
- Modified: 2025-06-24
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-services/react-js-development/

React JS Development Build Dynamic, Scalable, and High-Performance Web Applications Modern businesses demand web applications that are fast, scalable, and dynamic to meet the evolving needs of their users. React JS, the powerful library developed by Facebook, empowers developers to create feature-rich, responsive, and high-performance web applications. Our React JS Development Services deliver tailored solutions that elevate user experiences, streamline workflows, and drive operational efficiency. Let's talk React JS development. Get in Touch Our React JS Development Offerings React JS is renowned for its component-based architecture, virtual DOM, and seamless integration capabilities. We harness React’s strengths to build robust, scalable, and maintainable applications that meet your unique business needs. Whether you’re launching a new product or enhancing an existing platform, our team of React experts ensures cutting-edge results. Custom Application Development We specialize in crafting bespoke React-based applications designed around your specific business goals. From intuitive user interfaces to complex workflows, our solutions deliver scalable, user-friendly designs. Leveraging React’s reusable component architecture, we build applications that can grow alongside your business with ease. Single Page Applications (SPAs) React’s virtual DOM and efficient rendering capabilities make it ideal for building Single Page Applications (SPAs) that provide seamless user experiences. We design SPAs that reduce server load, enhance speed, and enable real-time interactions, ensuring your users enjoy fast, engaging, and intuitive experiences. Integration & API Development Our team integrates React applications with your existing systems and third-party tools to create a cohesive ecosystem. We design and develop custom APIs that enable efficient communication between your frontend application and backend services, streamlining operations and enhancing functionality. Maintenance & Optimization Ongoing performance and reliability are critical for the success of your React application. We offer comprehensive maintenance services, including performance optimization, code refactoring, and feature updates. With proactive monitoring and regular improvements, we ensure your application remains secure, efficient, and aligned with user needs. Our React JS development process We've mastered the art of flawless delivery Discovery Stakeholder Interviews User Personas Accessibility Audit Analytics Review Technical Audit Requirements Matrix Design Concept Board Wireframes High Fidelity Mockups Site Structure & Mapping Migration Planning Architecture Diagram...

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> With our PHP Development Services, you gain a trusted partner committed to delivering robust, scalable, and secure solutions.

- Published: 2024-12-09
- Modified: 2025-06-24
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-services/php-development/

PHP Development Services Build Reliable, Scalable, and Secure PHP Web Solutions PHP has been a cornerstone of web development for decades, powering some of the world’s most successful websites and applications. Known for its flexibility, scalability, and ease of integration, PHP enables businesses to create dynamic and robust web solutions that meet diverse needs. Our PHP Development Services offer tailored solutions to bring your vision to life, providing high-performing, secure, and user-friendly applications. Let's talk PHP development. Get in Touch Our PHP Development Offerings PHP’s open-source nature and vast community support make it an excellent choice for businesses of all sizes. Its compatibility with a wide range of databases, seamless integration capabilities, and performance optimization features ensure your web applications are built to deliver exceptional results. From content management systems to e-commerce platforms, PHP’s versatility makes it a go-to technology for modern web development. Custom Web Application Development We specialize in creating tailored PHP applications that align with your unique business needs. Whether you require a simple website or a complex enterprise solution, our team builds intuitive and scalable applications designed for growth and performance. CMS Development Leverage the power of PHP to build or customize content management systems (CMS) like WordPress, Drupal, or Joomla. We design CMS solutions that are user-friendly, feature-rich, and fully optimized to manage your digital content with ease. Maintenance & Optimization Keep your PHP application running at its best with our maintenance and optimization services. From performance tuning to security updates, we ensure your application remains reliable, secure, and aligned with evolving business requirements. API Development & Integration Our team designs and implements APIs to ensure smooth communication between your PHP application and other software systems. With custom integrations, we help you streamline workflows, enhance functionality, and create a cohesive ecosystem for your business. Our PHP development process We've mastered the art of flawless delivery Discovery Stakeholder Interviews User Personas Accessibility Audit Analytics Review Technical Audit Requirements Matrix Design Concept Board Wireframes High Fidelity Mockups Site Structure & Mapping Migration Planning Architecture Diagram Development Application Architecture SEO Integrations Accessibility Code Reviews Quality Assurance Deploy Continuous...

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> With our Odoo ERP Software Development Services, you gain a trusted partner dedicated to delivering solutions that drive efficiency.

- Published: 2024-12-09
- Modified: 2025-06-24
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-services/odoo-erp/

Odoo ERP Software Development Services Empower Your Business with Tailored ERP Solutions In today’s fast-paced business environment, efficiency, and integration are key to staying competitive. Odoo, a leading open-source ERP platform, provides businesses with a comprehensive suite of applications to manage operations, from sales and accounting to inventory and human resources. Our Odoo ERP Software Development Services deliver customized solutions that streamline your processes, enhance productivity, and drive growth. Let's talk Odoo ERP development. Get in Touch Our Odoo ERP Software Development Offerings Odoo offers unparalleled flexibility and scalability, making it ideal for businesses of all sizes and industries. Its modular architecture allows for seamless integration of various functionalities, while its user-friendly interface ensures smooth adoption across your organization. From automating routine tasks to providing actionable insights, Odoo empowers businesses to operate smarter and more efficiently. Custom ERP Development We design and implement tailored Odoo solutions that align with your unique business needs. Our team works closely with you to understand your requirements and deliver an ERP system that optimizes workflows, improves decision-making, and scales with your growth. \ Module Development & Customization Enhance your Odoo platform with custom modules designed to meet your specific needs. Whether it’s adding new features or adapting existing ones, we ensure seamless integration and a cohesive user experience. Integration Services Connect Odoo with your existing systems, third-party tools, or external applications to create a unified ecosystem. Our integration services ensure data consistency and streamline your operations across platforms. Odoo Migration Services Upgrade your legacy systems to Odoo or transition to newer versions of Odoo with ease. We handle data migration, system upgrades, and user training to ensure a smooth and efficient transition. Our Odoo ERP development process We've mastered the art of flawless delivery Discovery Stakeholder Interviews User Personas Accessibility Audit Analytics Review Technical Audit Requirements Matrix Design Concept Board Wireframes High Fidelity Mockups Site Structure & Mapping Migration Planning Architecture Diagram Development Application Architecture SEO Integrations Accessibility Code Reviews Quality Assurance Deploy Continuous Integration Security Monitoring DNS Management Scalable Infrastructure Infrastructure Migration AWS Delight Project Management Training Feature Development Performance Monitoring Retainer Want...

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> Our custom reporting and report development services help you make sense of your data at every level of your organization.

- Published: 2024-12-04
- Modified: 2025-06-24
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/custom-reporting/

Custom Reporting Transforming Data into Actionable Insights In the era of big data, the ability to turn raw numbers into actionable insights is a competitive advantage. Our custom reporting and report development services help you make sense of your data, empowering informed decision-making at every level of your organization. Whether you need tailored reports, visually engaging dashboards, or automated reporting systems, we provide solutions that clarify complexity and drive results. With our expertise, you can unlock new opportunities, measure success, and confidently plan for the future. Let's talk Custom Reporting. Get in Touch Tailored Reporting Solutions to Empower Your Business Our comprehensive reporting services are designed to simplify and enhance how you interact with your data. By combining cutting-edge technology with a deep understanding of your business needs, we create solutions that turn data into your most valuable asset. With a focus on precision and usability, we ensure every solution aligns with your strategic goals and operational workflows. Data Visualization Turn complex datasets into clear, interactive visualizations that make data interpretation simple and intuitive. Our dashboards and charts allow you to spot trends, detect outliers, and understand patterns at a glance, enabling faster and more confident decision-making. These tools are highly customizable, ensuring they fit seamlessly into your decision-making processes. Automated Reporting Say goodbye to manual data entry and delays. Our automated reporting systems pull and compile real-time data, ensuring you always have the latest information at your fingertips. This efficiency not only saves time but also reduces the risk of human error, providing a more reliable foundation for decision-making. BI Tool Integration Harness the power of leading Business Intelligence platforms such as Tableau, Power BI, and Looker. We integrate these tools seamlessly into your workflow, enabling deeper insights by combining data from multiple sources into a unified view. Our solutions ensure you get the most out of your BI investments with enhanced functionality and user adoption. Data Analysis Dive deeper into your data with advanced analysis techniques. We identify trends, patterns, and anomalies to help you uncover hidden opportunities, mitigate risks, and make data-driven decisions with confidence. Our analysis...

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> Our spreadsheet modernization services focuses on creating efficient, scalable, and easy-to-use solutions that save time and reduce errors.

- Published: 2024-12-04
- Modified: 2025-06-24
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/spreadsheet-modernization/

Spreadsheet Modernization Transforming Manual Processes into Efficient Systems Spreadsheets are powerful tools, but as your business grows, their limitations become clear. Manual processes can lead to inefficiencies, errors, and difficulty in scaling operations. Our spreadsheet modernization services transform outdated, manual workflows into automated, streamlined systems that are accurate, efficient, and built for the future. By replacing static spreadsheets with dynamic, scalable tools, we help your business unlock new levels of productivity and decision-making power. Let's talk spreadsheet modernization. Get in Touch Comprehensive Spreadsheet Modernization Services Our services are designed to upgrade your data management processes, replacing outdated spreadsheets with modern tools and systems that align with your business needs. We focus on creating efficient, scalable, and easy-to-use solutions that save time and reduce errors. With our expertise, you can enhance operational efficiency while maintaining the flexibility to adapt to changing demands. Spreadsheet Automation Convert tedious, manual processes into streamlined, automated workflows. We design systems that handle repetitive tasks, eliminate manual errors, and free up your team to focus on high-value activities. Automation ensures your data is always accurate, consistent, and up to date, making your operations more resilient and reliable. Custom Tool Development Move beyond traditional spreadsheets with custom-built tools and applications tailored to your specific requirements. These solutions are designed to provide the functionality you need while enhancing performance and scalability for long-term growth. Our tools simplify complex tasks, making them accessible and manageable for your team. Data Visualization Replace static spreadsheet data with interactive dashboards and visualizations that make your information easy to understand. By presenting your data in a dynamic, visually engaging format, we help you identify trends, uncover insights, and communicate findings more effectively. These visualizations empower teams to make decisions faster and with greater confidence. Spreadsheet Consolidation Bring order to chaos by consolidating multiple spreadsheets into a single, centralized database. We streamline your data management processes, making information more accessible and easier to manage, while reducing duplication and inconsistencies. This approach creates a unified data source, fostering better collaboration and data integrity. Our custom software development process We've mastered the art of flawless delivery Discovery...

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> Our legacy system modernization services are designed to breathe new life into your software, creating a modern and scalable solution.

- Published: 2024-12-04
- Modified: 2025-06-24
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/legacy-system-modernization/

Legacy System Modernization Revitalize and Future-Proof Your Technology Outdated systems can become a bottleneck for your business, slowing operations, increasing costs, and exposing you to unnecessary risks. Our legacy system modernization services are designed to breathe new life into your software, transforming it into a modern, efficient, and scalable solution. By upgrading your legacy systems, we help your business stay competitive, enhance system performance, and ensure your technology is prepared to meet today’s demands and future growth opportunities. With our legacy system modernization expertise, we’ll turn your aging systems into assets that drive innovation and success. Let's talk Legacy System Modernization. Get in Touch Comprehensive Legacy Modernization Solutions Our services focus on upgrading your technology while aligning it with your business objectives, giving you a foundation for sustainable growth and innovation. Whether you need to optimize existing code, migrate to modern platforms, or completely revamp your user interface, we provide tailored solutions designed to meet your unique needs. By addressing inefficiencies and outdated technology, we enable your systems to operate faster, more securely, and with greater flexibility. Our modernization process not only revitalizes your current operations but also prepares your technology for future demands, ensuring that your investment delivers long-term value. System Assessment & Analysis We begin with a comprehensive audit of your existing systems to identify inefficiencies, weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement. By understanding your unique challenges, we create a detailed roadmap for transforming your legacy systems into modern, high-performing solutions that align with your goals. Code Refactoring & Optimization Our team refactors and optimizes outdated code to improve performance, maintainability, and scalability. This process ensures your systems run faster and more reliably while reducing technical debt and simplifying future upgrades. Database Modernization Enhance the performance and security of your databases by upgrading to modern, scalable systems. Our solutions ensure your data is easily accessible, highly secure, and ready to support advanced analytics and operations. User Interface (UI) Modernization Outdated interfaces can hinder productivity and frustrate users. We revamp your UI to provide a modern, intuitive, and user-friendly experience that boosts satisfaction and reduces training time. Security Enhancements Protect...

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> Our Quality Assurance Testing services are designed to ensure your software performs seamlessly under any condition.

- Published: 2024-12-04
- Modified: 2025-06-24
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/quality-assurance-testing/

Quality Assurance Testing Ensure Flawless Performance In today’s competitive market, delivering reliable, high-performing software is non-negotiable. Our Quality Assurance Testing services are designed to ensure your software performs seamlessly under any condition. By combining rigorous manual testing with the efficiency of automated testing, we identify and resolve issues before they impact your users. Whether it’s ensuring stability, optimizing performance, or safeguarding security, our QA process guarantees that your product meets the highest standards of quality. With our expertise, you can confidently release software that delights users and achieves your business goals. Let's talk quality assurance testing. Get in Touch All Inclusive Quality Assurance Testing Services Our QA services go beyond bug fixing. We provide a thorough and strategic approach to software testing, ensuring your product is stable, secure, and ready to perform in real-world scenarios. Our team utilizes the latest tools and methodologies, tailoring each step of the process to the unique requirements of your product and industry. Every project is unique, and so is our approach. From functionality and security to performance and usability, we leave no stone unturned in our testing process, ensuring your software performs as expected across all environments and user scenarios. Manual Testing Our team conducts meticulous manual tests to identify bugs, performance bottlenecks, and usability issues. This hands-on approach ensures that no detail is overlooked, allowing us to uncover subtle problems that automated tests might miss. By focusing on real-world scenarios, we help ensure your software performs as intended for your users. Manual testing also provides a human perspective that evaluates not just functionality, but how users experience your product. Automated Testing Speed up the QA process with automated testing scripts designed to efficiently verify your software’s functionality. We implement automated tests to handle repetitive tasks, improving accuracy and allowing us to focus on more complex issues. This approach not only saves time but also ensures consistent quality across iterations. Automated testing is ideal for regression testing, where it ensures new updates don’t break existing functionality. Performance Testing We assess how your software performs under varying conditions, including high user loads and limited system...

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> At Atlantic BT, we specialize in web portal development tailored to your unique business needs, delivering intuitive solutions

- Published: 2024-12-04
- Modified: 2025-06-24
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/portal-development/

Web Portal Development Centralized Solutions for Seamless Connectivity Web portals are vital for businesses looking to streamline operations, engage users, and centralize access to critical information and tools. At Atlantic BT, we specialize in web portal development tailored to your unique business needs, delivering intuitive and scalable solutions that empower users and elevate your digital presence. By integrating cutting-edge technology with user-centric design, we ensure that your portal is not only functional but also a powerful tool for driving business growth and fostering engagement. A well-designed web portal is more than a platform—it’s a strategic asset. It allows organizations to create seamless digital experiences, enhance operational efficiency, and foster stronger connections with users, partners, and employees. With Atlantic BT’s expertise, your web portal can become the central hub for all your digital interactions, transforming the way you do business. Let's talk web portal development. Get in Touch Web Portal Development for Every Project Our expertise in web portal development spans a variety of use cases and industries. Each portal we build is designed to address specific business challenges while delivering intuitive, user-friendly experiences. We focus on creating scalable and secure platforms that can adapt to your evolving needs, ensuring long-term value and usability. By leveraging advanced technologies and user-centric design principles, we create portals that streamline processes, enhance engagement, and provide a seamless digital experience for all users. Customer Portals Enhance customer engagement by providing personalized access to services, support, and resources. These portals streamline interactions and foster stronger relationships by offering tailored content and tools that address customer needs efficiently. Employee Portals Streamline internal operations with centralized tools for collaboration, communication, and resource management. Employee portals increase productivity and connectivity by serving as a single point of access for essential information and tasks. Partner Portals Empower your business partners with secure access to shared data, analytics, and tools that support mutual growth. Partner portals facilitate collaboration and transparency, strengthening relationships and improving operational efficiency. eCommerce Portals Create dynamic online shopping experiences with features like inventory management, order tracking, and customer accounts. These portals are designed to enhance the shopping...

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> With a mission to create digital experiences that are inclusive, we offer comprehensive Web Accessibility Services.

- Published: 2024-12-04
- Modified: 2025-06-24
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/web-accessibility/

Web Accessibility Services Making the Web Accessible for Everyone At Atlantic BT, we believe the web should be accessible to everyone. With a mission to create digital experiences that are inclusive, we offer comprehensive Web Accessibility Services tailored to ensure your website complies with the latest accessibility standards, such as WCAG 2. 2. By making your digital presence more accessible, you not only meet legal requirements but also expand your reach and improve user experiences for all. Web accessibility ensures that everyone, regardless of ability, can fully engage with your website. By removing barriers, you not only comply with legal standards but also enhance user experience, strengthen your brand's reputation, and expand your audience. Accessibility is the cornerstone of inclusive design, benefiting both users and businesses alike. Let's talk web accessibility. Get in Touch Our Web Accessibility Services At Atlantic BT, we provide a full suite of accessibility services designed to meet the unique needs of your website and users. From automated testing to in-depth manual audits and ongoing maintenance, our solutions ensure your site stays compliant with WCAG 2. 2 standards while delivering a seamless, inclusive experience for all visitors. Our expertise empowers you to create a digital environment that is accessible, user-friendly, and legally compliant. Accessible Design Recommendations Effective accessibility begins with thoughtful design. Our team provides actionable design recommendations to help you create an inclusive website from the ground up. We guide you on best practices for color contrast, typography, navigation, and interactive elements to ensure your website is not only compliant with accessibility standards but also delivers a seamless user experience for everyone. Automated Testing Using industry-leading tools, we scan your website for errors such as missing alt text, improper heading structures, and contrast issues. While automated testing can uncover a significant portion of accessibility barriers, we go beyond by pairing it with manual audits for a thorough evaluation. Manual WCAG 2. 2 Audits Compliance with accessibility standards requires human insight. Our experts conduct detailed manual audits to address issues that automated tools can’t catch, such as keyboard navigation challenges, screen reader compatibility, and cognitive accessibility...

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> At Atlantic BT, our Website Management Services provide comprehensive solutions to maintain and optimize your website.

- Published: 2024-12-04
- Modified: 2025-06-24
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/website-management/

Website Management Keep Your Website Running Smoothly and Efficiently In today’s digital-first world, your website is often the first interaction customers have with your business. Ensuring it remains functional, secure, and up-to-date is critical to delivering a seamless user experience and staying ahead of the competition. At Atlantic BT, our Website Management Services provide comprehensive solutions to maintain and optimize your website, allowing you to focus on growing your business. From routine updates and security monitoring to performance optimization and content management, we ensure your website is always at its best. Let's talk website management. Get in Touch Explore Our Website Management Services Our Website Management Services are designed to comprehensively address every aspect of maintaining your website, ensuring that your digital presence remains strong, reliable, and impactful. From routine updates and security monitoring to performance optimization and content management, we take a proactive approach to keep your website functioning flawlessly. Our services go beyond technical maintenance, offering analytics, reporting, and expert support to help your website adapt to evolving business needs and user expectations. Website Maintenance & Updates Regular updates are essential to keep your website functional and secure. We handle software updates, plugin management, bug fixes, and overall maintenance to ensure your site performs optimally. Whether it’s updating content, fixing broken links, or enhancing functionality, our team ensures your website stays fresh and relevant. Security Monitoring & Protection Safeguard your website from potential threats with proactive security measures. We provide 24/7 monitoring, vulnerability assessments, and regular security patches to protect your site from malware, hacking attempts, and data breaches. Our team ensures that your website remains secure, giving you peace of mind and protecting your customers’ trust. Accessibility Updates Accessibility Audits and Updates ensure your website meets ADA compliance standards and provides an inclusive experience for all users. We identify accessibility gaps, implement updates, and optimize your site to ensure it is usable by individuals with disabilities, enhancing user satisfaction and avoiding compliance risks. Performance Optimization A slow website can drive users away and harm your search rankings. We optimize your site’s speed, responsiveness, and overall performance to...

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> Our Branding Strategy Services are designed to create a unified brand experience that reflects your company’s values and vision in the digital spaces your customers interact with most.

- Published: 2024-12-04
- Modified: 2025-06-24
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/branding-strategy/

Digital Branding Strategy Your Brand, Reimagined for the Digital World For brands to resonate effectively, it’s essential that their identity is seamlessly integrated into every digital interaction. As a website and software development agency, we specialize in branding strategy that’s uniquely tailored to digital interfaces. Our approach goes beyond traditional branding to ensure that every element—from visual design to user flow—works cohesively across your website and software platforms. Our Branding Strategy Services are designed to create a memorable and unified brand experience that reflects your company’s values and vision within the digital spaces your customers interact with most, building trust and enhancing engagement at every touchpoint. Let's talk Branding Strategy. Get in Touch Impact of Brand Strategy on Business A well-defined brand strategy is crucial for building recognition and fostering loyalty. It helps differentiate your business from competitors, creating a unique position in the marketplace. Our approach aligns your brand with your core values and customer expectations, which, in turn, leads to stronger engagement and retention. For businesses with a cohesive digital brand, the advantages are clear: consistent messaging and design across your website and software lead to improved user experiences, seamless journeys, and higher conversion rates. Ultimately, a robust brand strategy translates into real business growth and sustainability. We offer comprehensive offerings across your entire digital brand strategy. Creating a Brand Identity Creating a brand identity is about more than aesthetics; it’s about shaping an experience that resonates with your target audience. We work closely with you to develop a visual and verbal identity that captures your brand’s essence. From logo design to color palettes, typography, and tone of voice, each element is carefully crafted to align with your brand’s values and goals. Whether users encounter your business through your website, app, or other digital platforms, a unified brand identity fosters recognition, reliability, and connection. Competitor & Peer Research Understanding your brand’s place in the market is key to creating a strategy that stands out. Our team conducts thorough competitor and peer research to identify industry trends, strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities. By analyzing the positioning of your competitors, we...

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> Our Google Analytics Consulting services help you implement your analytics strategy, measure, and optimize your digital presence.

- Published: 2024-12-04
- Modified: 2025-06-24
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/google-analytics/

Google Analytics Consulting Unlock Google Analytics Full Potential Unlock the full potential of your website with tailored insights and actionable data. Our Google Analytics Consulting services help you implement your analytics strategy, measure, and optimize your digital presence. Whether you’re looking to improve user engagement, refine your marketing strategies, or enhance decision-making processes, we provide the expertise to turn raw data into impactful business outcomes. Let's talk Google Analytics. Get in Touch Custom Analytics Support At Atlantic BT, we understand that every business has unique goals and challenges when it comes to leveraging data effectively. That’s why we offer a full spectrum of Google Analytics services, from technical implementation to strategic analysis. Our team is dedicated to empowering your organization with the tools and insights needed to make data-driven decisions that drive measurable success. Analytics Audit Our Analytics Review focuses on qualitative research to help decision making on your website or application and tracking progress for user research to understand behavior and trends over time. This targeted review ensures your analytics setup supports your specific decision-making needs. Metrics Customization Every business is unique, and so are the metrics that matter most. We offer technical implementation and guidance to align Google Analytics with your business goals, expertise in Google Tag Manager for seamless tracking code management, and the creation of custom definitions for advanced insights into your specific KPIs. For more detailed training on Google Analytics Decision Making, visit Clickvoyant. Advance Technical Support Whether you’re setting up Google Analytics, troubleshooting issues, or unlocking its full potential, our expert team is here to help. We handle everything from setup and configuration, including tracking codes, goals, eCommerce tracking, and custom dashboards, to troubleshooting and debugging issues like tag errors or reporting discrepancies. If you’re migrating to Google Analytics 4 (GA4), we ensure a seamless transition without data loss. Plus, we offer personalized training and consulting to empower your team to manage and analyze data with confidence. Your Partner in Google Analytics Atlantic BT is your trusted partner for all things Google Analytics. With extensive industry expertise, we customize analytics solutions to tackle any...

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> At Atlantic BT, we specialize in Information Architecture services that aligns with your business goals and user needs.

- Published: 2024-12-04
- Modified: 2025-06-24
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/information-architecture/

Information Architecture Services Building the Blueprint for Digital Success A well-structured digital experience begins with a solid foundation. Information Architecture (IA) is the backbone of any website or software, ensuring that users can intuitively navigate and access the information they need. Our Information Architecture services focuses on designing navigation that aligns with your business goals and user needs, creating seamless digital experiences that drive engagement and satisfaction. Our process ensures that your content and functionality are logically organized, paving the way for intuitive user interactions and meaningful connections. Let's talk information architecture. Get in Touch Our Information Architecture Process At Atlantic BT, our Information Architecture (IA) process is built on a deep understanding of user behaviors and business objectives, ensuring a balance between intuitive navigation and strategic organization. We begin by analyzing your content and user needs, crafting a clear site map that serves as the framework for your digital platform. Through detailed taxonomy development, navigation design, and wireframing, we organize information in a way that feels logical to users while supporting your business goals. Navigation Design Intuitive navigation is at the heart of good IA. Our team designs user-friendly menus, filters, and pathways that guide users effortlessly through your digital platform, keeping them engaged and focused on their goals. Competitor Analysis and Research Understanding your users and competitors is essential to crafting effective Information Architecture. Through user research, we identify audience behaviors, preferences, and pain points. By analyzing competitor platforms, we uncover opportunities to differentiate and enhance your digital experience. This research-driven approach ensures that your IA not only meets user needs but also positions your platform as a leader in your industry. Optimizing Existing Structures If your website or software already has an Information Architecture in place, we offer optimization services to improve its performance. We evaluate your current structure for gaps, redundancies, and inefficiencies, then implement enhancements to improve usability and scalability. Whether it’s a minor tweak or a complete overhaul, we’ll help your digital platform operate at its best. Site Mapping and Content Structure We start by creating a clear and comprehensive site map that reflects...

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> Our custom web application development and management services cover the entire software lifecycle, from concept to development and onward.

- Published: 2024-11-21
- Modified: 2025-06-24
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/application-development/

Custom Web Application Development Brilliant Solutions People Love Creating and managing a successful application requires a comprehensive approach. Our custom web application development and management services cover the entire software lifecycle, from concept and design to development, deployment, and ongoing maintenance. We focus on building high-quality, scalable applications that evolve with your business needs. Let's talk custom web application development. Get in Touch Comprehensive Application Development Services Our custom web application development services are designed to handle every aspect of the software lifecycle, ensuring a seamless and successful process from start to finish. We combine technical expertise with a deep understanding of your business needs to deliver high-quality, custom solutions. Whether you're looking to create a new application, enhance an existing one, or maintain a robust system, we provide a full suite of services tailored to your goals. With capabilities ranging from full-stack development and mobile app creation to modern DevOps practices, we ensure your applications are scalable, secure, and aligned with your vision. Our team is dedicated to not only delivering exceptional software but also supporting its growth and evolution as your business needs change. Full-Stack Development We deliver complete solutions with expertise in both front-end and back-end development. From intuitive user interfaces to robust server-side functionality, we ensure your application works seamlessly at every level. Mobile App Development Extend your reach with mobile applications tailored to your audience. Whether you need native apps for iOS or Android, or cross-platform solutions, we create mobile experiences that are fast, engaging, and reliable. Application Maintenance Keep your application running smoothly with our ongoing support services. From updates and performance monitoring to bug fixes and security enhancements, we ensure your software stays efficient and reliable over time. DevOps & CI/CD Accelerate your development cycles with modern DevOps practices. We implement continuous integration and deployment pipelines, enabling faster releases, higher quality code, and smoother updates. Custom Application Technologies Our team of expert developers work with a range of modern technologies, ensuring scalable, secure, and high-performing applications. Here’s a look at the core technologies we use for custom development: Frameworks and Platforms Our custom...

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> Our database development services are designed to create secure, and scalable solutions that enable your business to thrive.

- Published: 2024-11-21
- Modified: 2025-06-24
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/database-development/

Database Development Services Building Reliable Foundations for Data-Driven Success In a world driven by data, a well-structured database is essential for efficient operations and informed decision-making. Our database development services are designed to create robust, secure, and scalable solutions that organize your data, make it accessible, and enable your business to thrive. From designing custom architectures to optimizing performance and ensuring data security, we provide the expertise to meet your current needs and prepare you for future growth. Let's talk database development services. Get in Touch Comprehensive Database Development Services Our database development services are designed to meet your unique business requirements, ensuring your data is organized, secure, and readily accessible. Whether you need a custom database built from scratch, seamless data migration from legacy systems, or optimization of an existing system, we have the expertise to deliver. We focus on creating scalable architectures that grow with your business while implementing robust security measures to protect sensitive information. From performance tuning and enhanced query speeds to ongoing maintenance and support, our solutions are tailored to ensure your database is reliable, efficient, and future-ready. No matter the size or complexity of your data needs, we provide the tools and strategies to help your business thrive. Database Design We craft custom database architectures tailored to your business’s unique requirements. Our designs prioritize efficiency, scalability, and ease of use, ensuring your data is organized in a way that enhances operations and supports your long-term goals. Data Migration Moving data from legacy systems to modern platforms can be challenging. Our seamless data migration services ensure your information is transferred accurately and securely, with minimal downtime and no data loss, so your business operations continue uninterrupted. Database Optimization Is your database slowing you down? We analyze and fine-tune your existing system to improve performance, enhance query speeds, and reduce downtime. Our optimization services ensure your database operates at peak efficiency. Database Security Protecting your data is critical in today’s digital environment. We implement advanced security measures, including encryption, access controls, and regular audits, to safeguard your sensitive information and maintain compliance with industry regulations. Database...

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> Whether you need a new app or want to enhance an existing one, our team has the expertise to deliver with our Angular development services.

- Published: 2024-11-15
- Modified: 2025-06-24
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-services/angular/

Angular Development Services Build Dynamic, Scalable, and High-Performance Web Applications Modern businesses require web applications that are fast, dynamic, and scalable to meet the evolving needs of their users. Angular, Google’s powerful front-end framework, enables the development of feature-rich, responsive, and highly efficient web applications. Our Angular Development Services deliver custom solutions tailored to your business needs, empowering you with cutting-edge applications that enhance user engagement and operational efficiency. Let's talk Angular. Get in Touch Seamless and Scalable Web Solutions with Angular Expertise Angular stands out for its modular architecture, seamless two-way data binding, and extensive support for single-page applications (SPAs). We leverage Angular’s robust framework to create high-performance web applications that are secure, maintainable, and optimized for scalability. Whether you need a completely new application or want to enhance an existing platform, our team has the expertise to deliver. Custom Application Development We specialize in building Angular-based applications that are tailored to your specific business requirements. From intuitive interfaces to complex workflows, our solutions deliver responsive, user-friendly, and scalable designs. Leveraging Angular’s powerful component-based architecture, we ensure every application is built to handle growth and complexity with ease. SPA Development Angular’s built-in support for single-page applications enables us to create seamless user experiences with faster loading times and smoother interactions. We design SPAs that reduce server load, enhance speed, and provide real-time updates, ensuring an engaging and efficient experience for your users. Integration & API Development Our team integrates Angular applications with your existing systems and third-party tools to streamline workflows and enhance functionality. We design and implement custom APIs that enable efficient communication between your application and backend services, ensuring a cohesive and reliable ecosystem. Maintenance & Optimization Keeping your Angular application performing at its best is crucial for long-term success. We provide ongoing maintenance services, including performance tuning, code optimization, and feature enhancements. With regular updates and proactive monitoring, we ensure your application remains secure, reliable, and aligned with evolving user needs. Our custom software development process We've mastered the art of flawless delivery Discovery Stakeholder Interviews User Personas Accessibility Audit Analytics Review Technical Audit Requirements Matrix...

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> Our Algolia Integration and Search Implementation services designed to deliver user-friendly search capabilities that enhance engagement.

- Published: 2024-11-15
- Modified: 2025-06-24
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-services/algolia-search/

Algolia Integration & Search Empower Your Users with Fast, Intuitive, and Relevant Search Experiences Search functionality is no longer just a feature; it’s a critical component of user experience and business success. Today’s users demand search results that are instantaneous, accurate, and personalized to their needs. Our Algolia Integration and Search services are designed to deliver advanced, user-friendly search capabilities that enhance engagement and drive conversions. Whether you need to implement a new search solution or optimize an existing one, we provide tailored strategies and cutting-edge technology to meet your goals. Let's talk Algolia Integration. Get in Touch Powerful, Personalized Search with Algolia & Search Services Algolia is a powerful search-as-a-service platform known for its speed, scalability, and adaptability. We specialize in implementing Algolia’s API-first platform into your digital ecosystem, delivering search experiences that delight users while meeting your business objectives. With features like real-time results, advanced filtering, and personalization, Algolia ensures your users can find what they need quickly and effortlessly. Custom Search Development We integrate Algolia’s flexible and robust platform into your web or mobile applications. By customizing the search interface to align with your brand and optimize user flow, we create an experience that feels intuitive and seamless. We also configure advanced filtering, sorting, and faceting options to refine search results, ensuring users get the most relevant information. Relevance Tuning & Personalization Our team enhances search relevance by implementing ranking rules and weights that prioritize the most critical content. Using machine learning and analytics, we personalize results based on user behavior, clicks, and conversions. This dynamic approach ensures that every search session is tailored to user intent, driving higher satisfaction and engagement. Performance Optimization Search performance is critical to maintaining user satisfaction and operational efficiency. We optimize data indexing processes for speed and reliability, ensuring that your search solution can handle high query volumes and growing datasets. Even during peak traffic, Algolia’s rapid response times ensure a flawless user experience. Search Analytics Integration We enable Algolia Analytics to provide actionable insights into search performance and user behavior. By analyzing this data, we identify gaps in search relevance...

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> Our Digital Transformation Services guide your organization through every stage of this journey, helping you achieve lasting success.

- Published: 2024-11-15
- Modified: 2025-06-24
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/digital-transformation-services/

Digital Transformation Services Drive Innovation and Efficiency with Tailored Digital Solutions Digital transformation is no longer optional—it’s essential. By modernizing processes, technologies, and strategies, businesses can unlock new efficiencies, improve customer experiences, and gain a competitive edge. Our Digital Transformation Services are designed to guide your organization through every stage of this journey, helping you embrace change and achieve lasting success. Let's talk digital transformation. Get in Touch Custom Digital Transformation Services Digital transformation goes beyond adopting new technologies—it’s about aligning your tools, people, and processes to deliver value at every level. We specialize in crafting custom solutions that address your unique challenges and goals, ensuring that your transformation strategy is effective, scalable, and future-proof. Strategy Development We begin by understanding your business objectives and assessing your current digital landscape. Through in-depth analysis, we identify opportunities for growth and innovation, creating a transformation roadmap tailored to your needs. Our strategies align technology investments with measurable business outcomes, ensuring maximum impact and ROI. Process Optimization Streamlining workflows and automating repetitive tasks are critical components of digital transformation. We evaluate your existing processes and implement solutions that improve efficiency, reduce costs, and eliminate bottlenecks. By integrating cutting-edge tools and techniques, we enable your teams to focus on high-value tasks that drive growth. Technology Implementation Adopting the right technologies is central to successful transformation. From cloud migration to implementing AI-driven analytics, we deliver modern solutions that enhance performance and scalability. Our expertise spans a range of tools and platforms, ensuring that your technology stack is optimized for innovation and long-term success. Change Management & Training Digital transformation isn’t just about technology—it’s about people. We work closely with your teams to foster a culture of innovation and adaptability. Through customized training and support, we empower your workforce to embrace new tools and workflows, ensuring a smooth transition and sustainable success. Our Team of Experts Our team is your powerhouse of expertise, ready to support and elevate your website, whether through a complete overhaul or targeted enhancements. Beyond our professional excellence, we value a harmonious balance between work and creativity. Visit our About Us page...

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> Our Governance and Risk Management Consulting provides the expertise and frameworks to mitigate risks and ensure alignment with your goals.

- Published: 2024-11-15
- Modified: 2025-06-24
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/technical-governance-and-risk-management/

Risk Management Consulting & Technical Governance Secure Your Technology Landscape with Robust Governance and Risk Mitigation Technical risks can threaten your operations, reputation, and growth. Ensuring a secure, compliant, and resilient technology environment requires a proactive approach to governance and risk management. Our Technical Governance and Risk Management Consulting provide the expertise and frameworks needed to safeguard your systems, mitigate risks, and ensure alignment with your business objectives. Let's talk governance and risk. Get in Touch Risk Management Focus Technical governance and risk management focus on creating structured processes, policies, and controls to manage technology-related risks. From securing sensitive data to ensuring compliance with industry standards, we help organizations strengthen their IT ecosystems while maintaining efficiency and scalability. IT Risk Assessment & Mitigation We perform comprehensive assessments to identify vulnerabilities across your IT infrastructure, applications, and operations. By analyzing factors like system dependencies, cybersecurity gaps, and technology obsolescence, we develop actionable strategies to mitigate risks. Our solutions prioritize business continuity, ensuring minimal disruption during risk events. Compliance & Regulatory Alignment Meeting technical compliance standards, such as SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, or CCPA, is critical for maintaining customer trust and avoiding penalties. We guide your organization through these frameworks, helping implement technical controls, document processes, and audit systems to ensure full regulatory alignment. Technology Governance Frameworks We create robust governance frameworks that align with your technology stack and business goals. This includes defining policies for system access, monitoring, software updates, and change management. By standardizing processes and roles, we enhance transparency, accountability, and operational efficiency in your technical environment. Incident Response & Cybersecurity Readiness Cybersecurity threats require rapid response and recovery capabilities. We help you develop and implement incident response plans, disaster recovery strategies, and real-time monitoring solutions. This ensures your systems are resilient against breaches, downtime, and data loss while minimizing the impact of unexpected events. Our Team of Experts Our team is your powerhouse of expertise, ready to support and elevate your website, whether through a complete overhaul or targeted enhancements. Beyond our professional excellence, we value a harmonious balance between work and creativity. Visit our About Us...

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> Our Software Architecture Consulting services provide expert guidance to design, optimize, and future-proof your software systems.

- Published: 2024-11-15
- Modified: 2025-06-24
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/software-architecture-consulting/

Software Architecture Consulting Design Scalable, Efficient, and Future-Ready Software Systems A robust software architecture is the foundation of any successful application or system. It ensures scalability, reliability, and maintainability while enabling your business to adapt to evolving needs. Our Software Architecture Consulting services provide expert guidance to design, optimize, and future-proof your software systems, helping you achieve your business goals with confidence. Let's talk architecture. Get in Touch Our Software Architecture Solutions Whether you’re building a new application or modernizing an existing system, our consulting services focus on creating architectures that align with your technical and business requirements. We specialize in crafting solutions that are scalable, secure, and tailored to your unique needs, leveraging the latest technologies and industry best practices. Architecture Assessment & Optimization We evaluate your current software architecture to identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and risks. Our experts provide actionable recommendations to enhance performance, scalability, and maintainability. Whether you need to reduce technical debt, improve system reliability, or prepare for growth, we ensure your architecture is optimized for success. Custom Architecture Design From microservices to monolithic systems, we design software architectures that fit your goals and use cases. Our approach considers scalability, performance, security, and integration requirements. By selecting the right patterns, technologies, and frameworks, we create a solution that supports your business’s long-term vision. Cloud-Native Architecture We specialize in designing architectures for cloud environments, leveraging services like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. Our cloud-native solutions focus on elasticity, cost efficiency, and resilience, ensuring your applications are optimized for the dynamic nature of cloud platforms. DevOps and Automation Integration A successful architecture must work seamlessly with your development and operations workflows. We incorporate DevOps principles and tools into your architecture, enabling CI/CD pipelines, automated scaling, and real-time monitoring. This ensures faster delivery cycles and more reliable system operations. Our custom software development process We've mastered the art of flawless delivery Discovery Stakeholder Interviews User Personas Accessibility Audit Analytics Review Technical Audit Requirements Matrix Design Concept Board Wireframes High Fidelity Mockups Site Structure & Mapping Migration Planning Architecture Diagram Development Application Architecture SEO Integrations Accessibility Code Reviews Quality Assurance Deploy...

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> Our Website RFP Development services guide you in crafting an RFP that attracts the right partners and positions your project for success.

- Published: 2024-11-15
- Modified: 2025-06-24
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/website-rfp-development/

Website RFP Development Craft a Comprehensive RFP to Secure the Right Web Development Partner Selecting the right partner for your website project begins with a clear, well-structured Request for Proposal (RFP). A detailed RFP ensures potential vendors fully understand your needs, enabling them to deliver tailored proposals that align with your business goals. Our Website RFP Development services guide you in crafting an effective RFP that attracts the right partners, sets clear expectations, and positions your project for success. Let's talk RFP development. Get in Touch Our Website RFP Development Process Creating an RFP for a website project involves more than just listing requirements—it’s about communicating your vision, objectives, and technical needs in a way that inspires vendors to offer their best solutions. We work closely with you to develop an RFP that highlights your priorities and ensures you receive proposals that meet both technical and creative expectations. Project Discovery & Requirements Gathering We start by helping you define your project goals, target audience, and key functionalities. Through in-depth discovery sessions, we identify technical requirements, design preferences, content strategies, and any integrations needed. This ensures your RFP reflects a complete and accurate picture of your project. RFP Document Creation Our team crafts a professional, detailed RFP tailored to your specific needs. The document includes clear sections, such as an introduction, project overview, technical specifications, design expectations, timeline, budget guidelines, and evaluation criteria. We ensure the language is precise and vendor-friendly, inviting proposals that align with your vision. Budget Planning Assistance We provide guidance in developing a realistic and transparent project budget that aligns with your goals and constraints. By analyzing the scope of work, technical requirements, and market trends, we help you set a budget range that supports quality proposals while managing expectations. This ensures your RFP communicates clear financial boundaries to vendors, avoiding unnecessary guesswork. Evaluation Criteria Development We help you define objective criteria for evaluating vendor proposals. This includes technical expertise, past experience, creativity, timeline feasibility, and cost. By establishing a clear evaluation framework, you can make informed decisions and select the best partner for your project. Our...

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> Our Website Speed Optimization services ensure your site is fast, efficient, and fully optimized for performance.

- Published: 2024-11-15
- Modified: 2025-06-24
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/website-speed-optimization/

Website Speed Optimization Services Deliver Lightning-Fast Experiences That Keep Users Engaged Website speed is a critical factor for user experience, search engine rankings, and overall business performance. Slow-loading pages frustrate users, reduce conversions, and increase bounce rates. Our Website Speed Optimization services ensure your site is fast, efficient, and fully optimized for performance, helping you deliver seamless experiences that keep visitors engaged and satisfied. Let's talk website speed optimization. Get in Touch Faster than light web speed optimization services Improving website speed involves more than just compressing images—it requires a holistic approach to analyze and enhance every aspect of your site’s performance. From server configurations to frontend optimizations, we focus on delivering measurable improvements that enhance both user satisfaction and business outcomes. Performance Analysis & Benchmarking We begin with a comprehensive performance audit to identify bottlenecks affecting your site’s speed. Using industry-leading tools, we analyze metrics like page load times, server response times, and Core Web Vitals. This benchmarking provides a clear roadmap for optimization efforts and sets measurable targets for improvement. Code Optimization Our team reviews and refines your website’s code to eliminate inefficiencies. This includes minifying CSS, JavaScript, and HTML, as well as optimizing critical rendering paths to ensure faster load times. By reducing unnecessary bloat and improving code execution, we enhance overall performance without compromising functionality or design. Caching & Content Delivery We implement advanced caching strategies and integrate Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) to reduce latency and improve content delivery. By caching static assets and distributing them across global servers, we ensure your website loads quickly, regardless of user location. Image & Media Optimization Large images and media files can significantly slow down your site. We optimize these assets by compressing images, enabling next-gen formats like WebP, and implementing lazy loading for offscreen content. These strategies ensure your visuals look great while minimizing their impact on performance. Our Team of Experts Our team is your powerhouse of expertise, ready to support and elevate your website, whether through a complete overhaul or targeted enhancements. Beyond our professional excellence, we value a harmonious balance between work and creativity. Visit...

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> Comprehensive cloud consulting services for creating a winning cloud strategy that maximizes ROI and minimizes risks.

- Published: 2024-11-15
- Modified: 2025-06-24
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/cloud/cloud-consulting/

Cloud Consulting Services Craft a Cloud Strategy with Expert Guidance Transitioning to the cloud is a significant move for any business, and the first step is to develop a clear, customized strategy that aligns with your business objectives. Our Cloud consulting services provide comprehensive guidance, helping you understand the potential of the cloud and ensuring you make informed decisions. We evaluate your current infrastructure, business needs, and future goals to create a cloud strategy that minimizes risks, maximizes ROI, and sets a strong foundation for digital transformation. Let's talk cloud consulting. Get in Touch AWS Cloud Consulting Services With a wide variety of cloud vendors to choose from, finding the right fit for your business can be overwhelming. That’s why we specialize in Amazon Web Services (AWS)—a trusted and versatile platform that offers unmatched scalability, reliability, and innovation. Our expertise in AWS allows us to deliver tailored solutions that align with your business goals, ensuring you get the most out of your cloud investment. From robust architecture design to cost optimization strategies, we provide comprehensive AWS-focused services that help you unlock the full potential of the cloud. Cloud Readiness Assessment We conduct a detailed analysis of your current IT environment, evaluating infrastructure, applications, and processes to determine cloud readiness. This assessment identifies potential roadblocks, compatibility issues, and areas for improvement, helping you prepare effectively for the cloud. AWS Cloud Architecture Design Designing a robust cloud architecture that aligns with your business goals and technical requirements. We consider scalability, security, performance, and budget to create an architecture that can grow with your business. Our experts recommend the best combination of cloud services (compute, storage, databases, etc. ) for your unique needs. AWS Cloud Cost Optimization Strategies We develop tailored strategies to manage and reduce your cloud costs. Our experts analyze your expected cloud usage patterns, identify areas to cut costs, suggest reserved instances, and implement cost-tracking mechanisms to prevent unexpected expenditures. Cloud Support Accelerate your development cycles with modern DevOps practices. We implement continuous integration and deployment pipelines, enabling faster releases, higher quality code, and smoother updates. Our Team of Experts...

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> Safe and efficient cloud migration services to ensure minimal downtime and smooth transition, maximizing your cloud benefits.

- Published: 2024-11-15
- Modified: 2025-06-24
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/cloud/cloud-migration-services/

Cloud Migration Services Seamlessly Transition to the Cloud with Confidence Moving to the cloud requires careful planning and execution to avoid disruptions and maintain business continuity. Our Cloud Migration Services are designed to handle every aspect of the migration process, from planning and execution to testing and validation. We ensure that your data, applications, and systems are safely migrated to the cloud, with minimal downtime and maximum efficiency, enabling you to benefit from cloud advantages faster. Let's talk cloud migration. Get in Touch Comprehensive Cloud Migration Services Selecting the right cloud vendor is a critical decision, and with so many options available, the process can feel overwhelming. That’s why we specialize in Amazon Web Services (AWS), the world’s leading cloud platform known for its reliability, scalability, and flexibility. Our AWS-focused services are tailored to meet the unique needs of your business, ensuring a smooth migration process that maximizes the value of your investment. AWS Migration Planning Our experts perform a thorough pre-migration analysis to develop a detailed project plan. This includes evaluating risks, estimating costs, setting timelines, and analyzing potential downtime. We prioritize critical workloads and determine the most suitable migration approach—whether it's a big bang, phased, or hybrid strategy—based on your specific business needs. Data & Application Migration We handle the secure and efficient transfer of data, applications, and workloads, whether you're moving from legacy systems, on-premises environments, or even other cloud platforms. Leveraging advanced tools and best practices, we maintain data integrity, encryption, and confidentiality at every step. AWS Cloud Deployment After migration, we configure and deploy your cloud infrastructure to align with your architecture design. This includes setting up virtual machines, databases, networks, and storage solutions to ensure optimal performance, security, and scalability from the outset. Hybrid & Multi-Cloud Migration For businesses requiring a flexible approach, we provide solutions for hybrid and multi-cloud environments. This allows you to integrate on-premises systems with the cloud, diversify risks, avoid vendor lock-in, and optimize workloads across multiple platforms. Our Team of Experts Our team is your powerhouse of expertise, ready to support and elevate your website, whether through a complete...

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> Comprehensive cloud security services to protect sensitive data and ensure compliance with evolving regulatory requirements.

- Published: 2024-11-15
- Modified: 2025-06-24
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/cloud/cloud-security-compliance/

Cloud Security & Compliance Protect Your Data and Meet Compliance Standards As security threats and regulatory requirements continue to evolve, ensuring robust cloud security and compliance has never been more critical. Our Cloud Security & Compliance services are designed to safeguard your sensitive data, applications, and systems against a wide range of threats while ensuring your organization adheres to the latest industry regulations. By leveraging cutting-edge tools and industry best practices, we create tailored solutions that protect your cloud environment and provide peace of mind. Whether you're navigating complex compliance standards or defending against cyber threats, we deliver the expertise and support your business needs to stay secure and thrive in the digital age. Let's talk cloud security and compliance. Get in Touch Comprehensive Cloud Security Solutions From regular audits and vulnerability assessments to advanced encryption protocols and incident response strategies, we provide a comprehensive suite of solutions to keep your cloud environment secure and compliant. Our services are designed to address every aspect of cloud security, ensuring that your systems are protected against evolving threats. With our expertise, you can reduce risks, maintain compliance, and confidently focus on driving business success without worrying about the safety of your cloud infrastructure. Security Assessments & Audits Maintaining a secure cloud environment starts with understanding its vulnerabilities. We conduct detailed security audits to evaluate risk levels and identify gaps that could compromise your systems. These assessments include reviewing access controls, network configurations, and encryption standards to provide actionable recommendations that strengthen your security posture. Compliance Management Navigating industry regulations such as GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS can be a complex process, but staying compliant is non-negotiable. Our team specializes in guiding businesses through the compliance process, implementing the necessary controls, and ensuring all documentation aligns with legal requirements. We work closely with you to design a compliance framework tailored to your business needs, ensuring that your cloud environment meets and exceeds the standards required to protect sensitive data and avoid regulatory penalties. Data Encryption & Protection Protecting your data is paramount, and encryption is a critical component of any robust security strategy. We...

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> Our Cloud Monitoring & Maintenance services provide comprehensive oversight of your cloud infrastructure, minimizing the risk of downtime.

- Published: 2024-11-15
- Modified: 2025-06-24
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/cloud/cloud-monitoring-maintenance/

Cloud Monitoring & Maintenance Ensure Your Cloud Environment is Always Running Smoothly Maintaining a healthy cloud environment requires continuous monitoring and proactive maintenance to ensure optimal performance and security. Our Cloud Monitoring & Maintenance services provide comprehensive oversight of your cloud infrastructure, minimizing the risk of downtime and performance bottlenecks. We leverage advanced monitoring tools to detect and address issues before they can impact your operations, ensuring your systems remain reliable, secure, and efficient. By taking a proactive approach, we help your business maintain seamless cloud operations and avoid costly disruptions. Let's talk Cloud Monitoring & Maintenance. Get in Touch AWS Monitoring Services With a variety of cloud vendors to choose from, selecting the right one is critical for your business’s success. We specialize in Amazon Web Services (AWS) and bring years of expertise in delivering tailored solutions that keep your AWS environment running at peak efficiency. From 24/7 monitoring to troubleshooting, our services are designed to meet the specific needs of businesses leveraging AWS. 24/7 Cloud Monitoring Our team provides round-the-clock monitoring of your cloud environment using cutting-edge tools that deliver real-time insights into system performance, security, and availability. Automated alerts for unusual activity or potential issues ensure that problems are addressed before they escalate, protecting your business from unexpected interruptions. Performance Optimization We perform regular audits of your cloud environment to uncover inefficiencies, fine-tune resources, and optimize configurations. Whether it’s adjusting load balancing, tuning databases, or refining storage strategies, we ensure that your systems are running at their full potential. Troubleshooting & Incident Response When issues arise, swift resolution is essential. Our team responds quickly to diagnose and resolve problems, following a structured incident response plan to minimize disruptions to your business. We focus on identifying root causes to prevent future occurrences, ensuring the long-term reliability of your cloud infrastructure. Patch Management & Updates Keeping your systems up to date is a cornerstone of cloud security and stability. We handle all software and firmware updates, patch management, and version upgrades to safeguard your environment against vulnerabilities and compatibility issues. Our meticulous update process ensures that your systems remain...

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> Our DevOps & Automation services can streamline your processes, enhance collaboration, and create a culture of continuous improvement.

- Published: 2024-11-15
- Modified: 2025-06-24
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/cloud/devops-automation/

DevOps & Automation Accelerate Development and Enhance Efficiency with DevOps & Automation Solutions Staying competitive means accelerating development cycles without compromising reliability. Our DevOps & Automation services offer the tools, methodologies, and expertise needed to streamline your processes, enhance collaboration, and create a culture of continuous improvement. By integrating automation and best practices into your cloud environment, we help you achieve faster software releases, greater operational efficiency, and seamless coordination between development and operations teams. Let's talk DevOps & Automation. Get in Touch Comprehensive DevOps & Automation Services Our DevOps & Automation Services are designed to empower your business with cutting-edge tools and methodologies that enhance efficiency, reliability, and scalability. Whether you're looking to streamline development workflows, optimize your cloud infrastructure, or ensure peak application performance, we offer tailored solutions to meet your needs. From setting up CI/CD pipelines to implementing containerization and automated scaling, each service is crafted to accelerate your operations and foster a culture of continuous improvement. Explore how our services can transform your cloud environment and help your team deliver exceptional results with confidence. CI/CD Pipeline Setup A well-designed Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipeline is the backbone of efficient software delivery. We establish robust CI/CD pipelines that automate testing, deployment, and rollback procedures, allowing your team to deliver new features and updates quickly and reliably. This approach reduces manual effort, minimizes errors, and accelerates the time-to-market for your applications, giving you a competitive edge in your industry. Infrastructure as Code (IaC) Manual infrastructure management can be time-consuming and error-prone, but Infrastructure as Code (IaC) revolutionizes this process. Using tools like Terraform and CloudFormation, we automate the provisioning and management of your cloud infrastructure. This ensures consistent configurations, eliminates manual errors, and accelerates deployment times. With IaC, you gain a scalable, repeatable, and reliable way to manage your cloud environments across all stages of development. Containerization & Orchestration Containerization is key to achieving consistency and flexibility in application development and deployment. We specialize in tools like Docker to package applications into lightweight, portable containers. To manage containers at scale, we implement orchestration platforms such as...

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> Find answers to common questions about our digital services. Explore solutions for web development, software, and more with Atlantic BT.

- Published: 2024-09-30
- Modified: 2025-05-13
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/

FAQs Clear answers to your questions about technology, the web, and digital innovation. Technology can be complex, but finding answers doesn’t have to be. Our FAQ page tackles the most common questions about the internet, digital tools, and how technology shapes our world. Whether you’re curious about web development, cybersecurity, or the latest tech trends, we’ve got you covered. If you don’t see your question here, feel free to reach out—we’re here to help simplify the digital landscape. Have a project in mind? Get In Touch

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> Optimize your website with ABT's specialized audits, focusing on content, analytics, accessibility, and technical integrity.

- Published: 2024-06-21
- Modified: 2025-06-24
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/audits/

Optimize your website with ABT's specialized audits, focusing on content, analytics, accessibility, and technical integrity.

Website/ Application Audits If you don’t know what’s wrong, how can you improve? Many clients come to us with a vague complaint that their web project isn’t working properly or not meeting targets. Determining the best plan to correct these issues is almost always best addressed through a combination of audits and UX research (link). By following this process, we can baseline where you are and how you compare to existing benchmarks or standards. Over the past 25 years we’ve been helping our customers outperform their expectations, and we’ve learned that research, data, and planning are the most important components of success. When we’re not building something new, auditing existing sites or platforms becomes a critical part of building the research and data we need to plan. Let's talk website audits. Get In Touch Our Team of Experts Our team is your powerhouse of expertise, ready to support and elevate your website, whether through a complete overhaul or targeted enhancements. Beyond our professional excellence, we value a harmonious balance between work and creativity. Visit our About Us page to meet the team. You’ll get a glimpse of our vibrant team culture through AI-generated profile pictures that showcase our ABTers in various imaginative avatars. It’s a fun peek into how we blend generative AI technology with our passion for innovative web design. About Us In the ever-evolving landscape of digital technology, a robust web presence is not just beneficial but essential for business success. Web development audits are critical tools that examine various aspects of your website, from content relevance and user engagement to technical integrity and accessibility compliance. These audits provide a comprehensive snapshot of your site's performance and highlight areas that need enhancement to ensure optimal operation and user experience. At Atlantic BT, we specialize in a holistic approach to web audits, focusing on four key areas: content inventory, analytics reviews, accessibility audits, and technical audits. Each of these audits serves a specific purpose and addresses different aspects of your website's ecosystem. A content inventory audit provides a comprehensive overview of your site’s existing content, allowing you to fully...

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> We can help analyze what you are trying to achieve and our software prototyping services can help you get there faster with more certainty.

- Published: 2024-06-10
- Modified: 2025-06-24
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/prototyping/

Transform ideas into interactive models, ensuring precise, user-friendly web solutions from the start with ABT's prototyping services.

Software Prototyping Services Reduce risk and improve speed with prototyping More tools exist today for application and software prototyping than ever before. Low-code and no-code frameworks make it easy to build things with a lot of functionality quickly. We can help analyze what you are trying to achieve and your long-term goals and determine how our software prototyping services can help you get there faster with more certainty. Not all work completed in prototyping can be converted into a production-ready system however, and there are many details to be considered before embarking on larger prototypes. In many projects over 25 years we’ve used a combination of approaches to build something that can validate an idea or approach that can still be extended to a full production-ready application. In fact, one of our largest clients today started with a prototype that now serves a critical need in a compliance-driven industry with hundreds of thousands of users. Let's talk prototyping. Get In Touch Our Software Development Process We've mastered the art of flawless delivery Discovery Stakeholder Interviews User Personas Accessibility Audit Analytics Review Technical Audit Requirements Matrix Design Concept Board Wireframes High Fidelity Mockups Site Structure & Mapping Migration Planning Architecture Diagram Development Application Architecture Search Engine Optimization Integrations Accessibility Code Reviews Quality Assurance Want to see everything Atlantic BT has to offer? Check out our full process. Top platforms we use Atlantic BT is an expert in many different platforms. Check out all of our areas of expertise. Our Areas of Expertise Want to see examples of all our work? Our Team of Experts Our team is your powerhouse of expertise, ready to support and elevate your website, whether through a complete overhaul or targeted enhancements. Beyond our professional excellence, we value a harmonious balance between work and creativity. Visit our About Us page to meet the team. You’ll get a glimpse of our vibrant team culture through AI-generated profile pictures that showcase our ABTers in various imaginative avatars. It’s a fun peek into how we blend generative AI technology with our passion for innovative web design. About Us Types of...

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> Having a partner that specializes in software development maintenance & support is critical to ongoing success.

- Published: 2024-06-10
- Modified: 2025-06-24
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/ongoing-support/

From updates and new features to strategic planning, we keep your websites thriving long-term with ongoing support.

Software Development Maintenance & Support Project success doesn’t end on delivery We believe you should never stop improving your software project. No matter how well planned or well executed the initial build of your project is, there will always be a requirement to properly maintain and manage it. Technical changes, security updates, new information, new features—there’s always something that needs to be done. Having a partner that specializes in software development maintenance & support, and is responsive to your needs for maintaining your website or application, is critical to ongoing success. Let's talk software maintenance & support Get In Touch Our software development process We've mastered the art of flawless delivery Discovery Stakeholder Interviews User Personas Accessibility Audit Analytics Review Technical Audit Requirements Matrix Design Concept Board Wireframes High Fidelity Mockups Site Structure & Mapping Migration Planning Architecture Diagram Development Application Architecture Search Engine Optimization Integrations Accessibility Code Reviews Quality Assurance Want to see everything Atlantic BT has to offer? Check out our full process. Top platforms we use Atlantic BT is an expert in many different platforms. Check out all of our areas of expertise. Our Areas of Expertise Want to see examples of all our work? View Our Work Our Team of Experts Our team is your powerhouse of expertise, ready to support and elevate your website, whether through a complete overhaul or targeted enhancements. Beyond our professional excellence, we value a harmonious balance between work and creativity. Visit our About Us page to meet the team. You’ll get a glimpse of our vibrant team culture through AI-generated profile pictures that showcase our ABTers in various imaginative avatars. It’s a fun peek into how we blend generative AI technology with our passion for innovative web design. About Us Software development maintenance & support includes a range of critical services: from regular updates and security patches to adding new features and strategic planning. These continuous efforts ensure that a website remains secure, efficient, and aligned with the business’s goals. At Atlantic BT, we understand that the digital landscape is constantly changing, and staying ahead requires a proactive approach to...

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> Discover Umbraco, a flexible and secure CMS. See how ABT uses it to deliver custom, scalable digital solutions for your business needs.

- Published: 2024-06-07
- Modified: 2025-06-24
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-services/umbraco/
- Page Types: Single Service

Discover Umbraco, a flexible and secure CMS. See how ABT uses it to deliver custom, scalable digital solutions for your business needs.

Umbraco Umbraco in web development: Harnessing a flexible CMS for your digital needs When selecting a content management system (CMS), do you find yourself puzzled by the myriad of options and technical jargon? Enter Umbraco, a leading CMS known for its robust flexibility and user-friendly approach. In this exploration, we'll unpack why Umbraco stands out in the crowded web development space and how it can serve as the backbone for your digital endeavors. Whether you're managing large-scale enterprise content or smaller, dynamic projects, it provides a scalable and secure platform tailored to your needs. Already know what you need? Get In Touch Our website development process We've mastered the art of flawless delivery Discovery Stakeholder Interviews User Personas Accessibility Audit Analytics Review Technical Audit Requirements Matrix Design Concept Board Wireframes High Fidelity Mockups Site Structure & Mapping Migration Planning Architecture Diagram Development Application Architecture Search Engine Optimization Integrations Accessibility Code Reviews Quality Assurance Want to see everything Atlantic BT has to offer? Check out our full process. Want to see examples of all our work? Our Team of Experts Our team is your powerhouse of expertise, ready to support and elevate your website, whether through a complete overhaul or targeted enhancements. Beyond our professional excellence, we value a harmonious balance between work and creativity. Visit our About Us page to meet the team. You’ll get a glimpse of our vibrant team culture through AI-generated profile pictures that showcase our ABTers in various imaginative avatars. It’s a fun peek into how we blend generative AI technology with our passion for innovative web design. About Us What is Umbraco? Umbraco is an open-source CMS built on the Microsoft . NET framework. Renowned for its flexibility and great editor experience, it allows developers and content creators to construct and manage websites with ease. Unlike other CMS platforms that can be restrictive, it offers extensive customization options through its friendly back-office interface and full access to the underlying code. This unique combination empowers teams to build bespoke solutions that truly match their vision and requirements. Benefits of Using Umbraco in Web Development Through these...

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> At ABT we know Investments in user experience design services are almost always returned in long-term value.

- Published: 2024-06-07
- Modified: 2025-06-24
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/user-experience/

User experience prioritizes user needs and business goals, ensuring experiences that drive customer loyalty, conversions, and growth.

User Experience Design services User experience is 50% art, 50% science, and 110% necessary for digital success User experience is often overlooked in the development process or, worse, introduced too late in the process. When we build things at ABT, our user-experience team is engaged in nearly every part of the process. 25 years of experience has taught us that no matter how well engineered a solution is, if the user can’t glide smoothly through the interface , the value of whatever we are building is greatly diminished. Investments in user experience design services are almost always returned in long-term value. Let's talk UX. Get In Touch User experience is good for business User Experience Design is good for business. Having UX Design methodologies engrained in the website or application design process from the beginning ensures that users will love your service. This also saves money by avoiding lengthy revisions down the road. When users can quickly and easily find what they need, they’re more likely to stick with your product and become loyal customers, boosting your sales and business growth. Atlantic BT is a full service web development company out of Raleigh, NC. We specialize in User Experience Design services that enhance user satisfaction and drive business results.   Want to see examples of all our work? Our Team of Experts Our team is your powerhouse of expertise, ready to support and elevate your website, whether through a complete overhaul or targeted enhancements. Beyond our professional excellence, we value a harmonious balance between work and creativity. Visit our About Us page to meet the team. You’ll get a glimpse of our vibrant team culture through AI-generated profile pictures that showcase our ABTers in various imaginative avatars. It’s a fun peek into how we blend generative AI technology with our passion for innovative web design. About Us What is User Experience? User Experience Design is a process that prioritizes the needs, emotions, and behaviors of the end-users of your website or application to create meaningful and seamless experiences. At Atlantic BT, we understand that UX is not just the visual...

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> Web design services that drives results with 25 years of expertise. At ABT, we focus on your goals to create stunning, user-friendly designs.

- Published: 2024-06-07
- Modified: 2025-05-19
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/web-design/

Web design services that drives results with 25 years of expertise. At ABT, we focus on your goals to create stunning, user-friendly designs.

Web Design Services Web design with a purpose. User interfaces that gets results. We combine careful research, 25 years of experience, and an elegant process to deliver results that are seldom matched with internal teams or external partnerships. Even the first day we opened our doors we knew we were different. Our competitors asked clients “what do you want your website to look like? ” They focused only on the ‘design’ in web design projects. We won’t argue that it's not important, but it’s not the most important. We first seek to understand the purpose and expectations for a project – then we build a plan to be sure our efforts result in success, not just a pretty design. Let's talk web design. Get In Touch What is UI design in web design? User interfaces (UI) are the visual access points to which users interact with an application or website. This includes the buttons, colors, icons, fonts, and other elements that the user interacts with. At Atlantic BT, we believe Web Design is more than just aesthetics; it’s about crafting an engaging and seamless interaction for the user. Our goal is to create eye-catching interfaces that embody your brand, while creating user-friendly and enjoyable experiences for the users.   Our website development process We've mastered the art of flawless delivery Discovery Stakeholder Interviews User Personas Accessibility Audit Analytics Review Technical Audit Requirements Matrix Design Concept Board Wireframes High Fidelity Mockups Site Structure & Mapping Migration Planning Architecture Diagram Development Application Architecture Search Engine Optimization Integrations Accessibility Code Reviews Quality Assurance Want to see everything Atlantic BT has to offer? Check out our full process. Top platforms we use Atlantic BT is an expert in many different platforms. Check out all of our areas of expertise. Our Areas of Expertise Want to see examples of all our work? View Our Work Our Team of Experts Our team is your powerhouse of expertise, ready to support and elevate your website, whether through a complete overhaul or targeted enhancements. Beyond our professional excellence, we value a harmonious balance between work and creativity. Visit...

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> Expert digital project management for web development, ensuring timely, budget-friendly delivery and lasting client relationships.

- Published: 2024-06-07
- Modified: 2025-06-24
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/digital-project-management/

Expert digital project management for web development, ensuring timely, budget-friendly delivery and lasting client relationships.

Digital Project Management Not just keeping projects on track, keeping relationships on track. Digital project management is a tough job, and we have utmost appreciation for the role inside Atlantic BT and our counterparts at the organizations we work with. Building a successful web project involves lots of people, lots of details, and an incredible amount of input and changes throughout the process.   Already know what you need? Get In Touch A good part of the success of every project can be attributed to good project management – a skill our project managers have turned into a science. We use the latest (and most common) industry tools to manage all the details, schedules, and deliverables in a way that keeps everyone informed and on-track. Our methodology has been honed over 25 years of success (and a few failures). Top platforms we use Atlantic BT is an expert in many different platforms. Check out all of our areas of expertise. Our Areas of Expertise Want to see examples of all our work? Our Team of Experts Our team is your powerhouse of expertise, ready to support and elevate your website, whether through a complete overhaul or targeted enhancements. Beyond our professional excellence, we value a harmonious balance between work and creativity. Visit our About Us page to meet the team. You’ll get a glimpse of our vibrant team culture through AI-generated profile pictures that showcase our ABTers in various imaginative avatars. It’s a fun peek into how we blend generative AI technology with our passion for innovative web design. About Us Building More Than Successful Web Projects — Building Relationships At Atlantic BT, we understand that the foundation of any successful web development project lies not only in careful coding and innovative design, but in forging strong, lasting relationships with our clients. Our project management philosophy is rooted in a client-centric approach that prioritizes your needs and your vision as the cornerstone of our work. Communication is the Cornerstone Effective project management is the creation of a transparent communication channel that keeps you informed and engaged throughout the development process....

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> We’ll only email you once a month and we’ll share things you actually want to learn about

- Published: 2023-12-12
- Modified: 2024-11-19
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/subscribe-to-our-mailing-list/

We’ll only email you once a month and we’ll share things you actually want to learn about

Subscribe Stay Updated with Our Latest Insights We’ll only email you once a month, and we’ll share things you actually want to learn about, like how to improve your website’s speed, the benefits of user testing, how to estimate development costs, important technology updates, and more. Mailing List Signup Recent Insights

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> Upgrade to Drupal 10 for a more reliable CMS with the latest features. Leverage Atlantic BT’s years of Drupal experience to enjoy a seamless migration.

- Published: 2023-09-27
- Modified: 2023-12-15
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/drupal-10-migration/

It’s time to upgrade to Drupal 10. We can help. Atlantic BT can help you migrate to a secure, feature-rich system before your current site reaches end of life.

Drupal 6 and Drupal 8 are long dead. And Drupal 7 and Drupal 9 are close. Even though Drupal 7 was released in 2011, it still seems to be the most widely used version. Nearly half of all Drupal websites are on Drupal 7. So the kind folks with The Drupal Association are giving the 7’ers a little more time to migrate to Drupal 10.   Not sure what version of Drupal you’re using? Figure it out here, builtwith. com GA: General Availability (e. g. starts)EOL: End of Life Get Started Now And give yourself plenty of time to do a Drupal 10 migration right. Why Upgrade to Drupal 10? Support When technology reaches its end of life, the development firm no longer provides support for the product. Security Hackers know how to exploit vulnerabilities in outdated software.   Features Add more features to your website that you never knew you needed Media Supports more media types, more languages, and makes embedding videos easier. Mobile-Friendly Improved mobile experience for users and administrators.   Experience Drupal 10 has an easier interface for your administrators.   We’ve been doing this for 25 years. Our process is solid.   When migrating from one version of Drupal to the next, we begin by evaluating the 3rd party modules you’re currently using. We’re analyzing quality, security, and performance to determine if the current modules can provide the appropriate stability for your website as we make the upgrades.   If your website has good modules already in place, then we’ll be able to jump right in - expediting the timeline for your project. Drupal development is Atlantic BT’s expertise! Because we’ve been doing this for so long, we have our own Drupal baseline already perfected. A jumpstart on development of configurations, security and performance means our wealth of experience can save your company time and money. How else can we help you feel confident that Atlantic BT is your next website partner? First off, Drupal backs us up. Here’s a link to our profile on Drupal’s website.   And you can learn more about how we’re...

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> Security and privacy at Atlantic BT Security Principles Our policies are based on the following foundational principles: Access should be limited to only

- Published: 2023-08-17
- Modified: 2023-08-21
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/about-us/security/

Security and privacy at Atlantic BT Security Principles Our policies are based on the following foundational principles: Access should be limited to only those with a legitimate business need and granted based on the principle of least privilege. Security controls should be implemented and layered according to the principle of defense-in-depth. Security controls should be applied consistently across all areas of the enterprise. The implementation of controls should be iterative, continuously maturing across the dimensions of improved effectiveness, increased auditability, and decreased friction. Data protection Data at rest Sensitive data is encrypted even before it hits the database so that neither physical access, nor logical access to the database, is enough to read the most sensitive information. Data in transit Atlantic BT uses TLS 1. 2 or higher everywhere data is transmitted over potentially insecure networks. We also use features such as HSTS (HTTP Strict Transport Security) to maximize the security of our data in transit. Server TLS keys and certificates are managed by AWS and deployed via Application Load Balancers. Enterprise security Endpoint protection All corporate devices are centrally managed and are equipped with mobile device management software and anti-malware protection. Endpoint security alerts are monitored with 24/7/365 coverage. We use MDM software to enforce secure configuration of endpoints, such as disk encryption, screen lock configuration, and software updates. Vendor security Atlantic BT uses a risk-based approach to vendor security. Factors which influence the inherent risk rating of a vendor include: Access to customer and corporate data Integration with production environments Potential damage to the Atlantic BT brand Once the inherent risk rating has been determined, the security of the vendor is evaluated in order to determine a residual risk rating and an approval decision for the vendor. Secure remote access Atlantic BT secures remote access to internal resources using a modern and decentralized VPN platform. Security education Atlantic BT provides comprehensive security training to all employees upon onboarding and annually through educational modules from KnowBe4. Atlantic BT ’s security team shares regular threat briefings with employees to inform them of important security and safety-related updates that require special attention or action. Identity and access management...

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> Leverage cloud services to create better scale, redundancy and security for your organization. From managed cloud services to consulting we can help.

- Published: 2023-03-14
- Modified: 2025-05-19
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/cloud/

Transform your business with our custom cloud solutions, leveraging cloud hosting and management alongside software-as-a-service.

Introduction to Cloud Services Unlock the Power of the Cloud Cloud services have become the backbone of modern technology, enabling businesses and individuals to access computing resources over the internet. Instead of relying on physical hardware and local storage, cloud computing provides on-demand access to servers, storage, databases, and software, making it easier to scale, collaborate, and innovate. From everyday applications like email and file storage to advanced artificial intelligence and big data processing, cloud services offer flexibility, security, and cost-efficiency. From startup to enterprise, leveraging cloud services is key to staying competitive. Let’s talk cloud Get In Touch A full suite of cloud services for your organization Why Choose Atlantic BT for Cloud Services? Atlantic BT is a trusted partner for organizations seeking to optimize their cloud infrastructure, whether migrating to the cloud, modernizing applications, or ensuring top-tier security and compliance. Here’s why we should be your go-to cloud services provider: Insights on Cloud Services All Cloud Services Insights

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> With over 25 years of experience in software integration services, we can help you build connections between any system in your organization.

- Published: 2023-03-14
- Modified: 2025-06-24
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/integrations/
- Page Types: Single Service

Streamline operations, automate tasks, and enhance user experiences by connecting software systems with seamless website integrations.

Software Integration Services Connect your silos of data into integrated systems The ability to seamlessly integrate your systems and platforms is imperative for businesses aiming to stay competitive and agile. Integration services play a pivotal role in enabling smooth communication between disparate applications, databases, and technologies, empowering organizations to streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and accelerate innovation. With over 25 years of experience building and software integration services, we can help you build seamless connections between nearly any system or datastore in your organization. Whether you know exactly what you need or need us to figure it out, we’ll make the journey smooth and enjoyable . Let’s integrate your data. Get in Touch Want to see examples of all our work? Our Team of Experts Our team is your powerhouse of expertise, ready to support and elevate your website, whether through a complete overhaul or targeted enhancements such as software integration services. Beyond our professional excellence, we value a harmonious balance between work and creativity. Visit our About Us page to meet the team. You’ll get a glimpse of our vibrant team culture through AI-generated profile pictures that showcase our ABTers in various imaginative avatars. It’s a fun peek into how we blend generative AI technology with our passion for innovative web design. About Us Benefits of Website and Software Integrations Our website and software integration services offer a multitude of benefits for businesses of all sizes. Firstly, they enhance the overall user experience by enabling seamless data flow between different systems. This means that customers can have a consistent experience across multiple touchpoints, whether it's placing an order, accessing their account information, or receiving personalized recommendations. By integrating your website with other platforms, you can also gain valuable insights into customer behavior and preferences, allowing you to tailor your offerings and marketing strategies accordingly. Secondly, website and software integrations can help automate repetitive tasks, saving time and resources. For example, integrating your e-commerce platform with your ERP system can automate inventory management, order fulfillment, and invoicing processes. This eliminates the need for manual data entry and reduces the risk of...

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> Build a practical roadmap to integrate AI deeply, rapidly, and securely into your organization.

- Published: 2023-03-14
- Modified: 2025-06-24
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/ai/ai-strategy-roadmap/
- Page Types: Single Service

Build a practical roadmap to integrate AI deeply, rapidly, and securely into your organization.

AI Strategy & Practical Roadmap Build a practical roadmap to integrate your AI Strategy Navigating the world of artificial intelligence can feel overwhelming, but with a well-crafted AI Strategy, your organization can unlock its full potential. At Atlantic BT, we specialize in creating tailored AI Strategy Roadmaps that align with your business goals, ensuring you harness the power of AI effectively and efficiently. From identifying opportunities to implementing practical solutions, our proven approach delivers measurable results, helping you stay ahead in today’s competitive landscape. Let us guide you through the complexities of AI and empower your business with innovative, value-driven strategies. Schedule a Quick Call Our AI Roadmap Process Our team applies their intelligence, experience, and a proven framework to produce a clear step by step, custom, roadmap. Implementing AI in your organization, starts with the highest value, lowest effort opportunities, and yes, we also get some help from AI. Business Model Canvas The business model canvas helps us identify growth opportunities, pinpoint challenges, and align the project to our clients’ business needs. Our experts take those insights and transform them into an actionable strategy for the design and development of our clients’ software or website. With the Business Model Canvas, Atlantic Bt provides a dynamic framework that not only clarifies business strategy but also serves as a robust foundation for sustainable growth and success. System Inventory A robust AI strategy begins with a thorough understanding of your existing technology infrastructure. Our System Inventory service provides a comprehensive audit of your current systems, applications, and data architecture. We assess the tools and technologies currently in use across your organization to identify areas that can be leveraged for AI integration or need upgrades. This analysis helps uncover gaps in data flow, system compatibility, and operational efficiency, ensuring that any AI solutions we implement are fully aligned with your existing infrastructure. By documenting all relevant systems and processes, we also highlight opportunities to optimize or consolidate resources, reducing redundancies and streamlining operations. Our inventory process is critical for making informed decisions about the right AI tools, platforms, and models that will integrate...

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> Elevate your business with custom software development. Streamline operations, integrate data and applications, enhance growth, and provide better experiences.

- Published: 2023-03-14
- Modified: 2025-05-19
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/

Elevate your business with Atlantic BT's custom software development – bespoke solutions to drive growth, efficiency, and innovation.

Software Development Transform Your Business with Custom Software Development In today’s digital world, your success depends on innovation. Our expert software development team crafts tailor-made solutions to streamline operations, enhance user experiences, and drive growth. Whether you need a custom application, enterprise software, or scalable cloud solutions, we bring your vision to life. Let’s talk custom software Get In Touch Building custom software isn’t the answer to every problem, but we recognize that off-the-shelf solutions often fall short in addressing the unique complexities and nuances of your operations. Our comprehensive suite of services goes beyond writing code – we're your strategic partner in leveraging technology to propel your business forward. From initial concept to final deployment and ongoing support, our seasoned team of developers works closely with you to conceptualize, design, and build software that meets your current needs but also scales and adapts as your business evolves.   We love tackling difficult technical, engineering and business challenges so if you think you might need a custom software development, we’d love to help. Our Services Why Choose Us? Experienced Team: A dedicated team of developers, designers, and strategists with a track record of delivering excellence. Agile Development: Rapid, iterative development to ensure flexibility and quality at every stage. Client-Centric Approach: We collaborate closely with you to understand your goals and deliver solutions that exceed expectations. End-to-End Solutions: From ideation to deployment and beyond, we support your digital transformation journey. Insights on Software Development All Software Development Insights

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> Award-winning web design and development services. From startup to enterprise we develop premium websites for Raleigh's top companies.

- Published: 2023-03-14
- Modified: 2025-05-19
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/

Unlock your brand's potential with Atlantic BT's custom web development, delivering dynamic, secure, and user-focused digital experiences.

Expert Web Design in Raleigh If Sir Walter Raleigh Needed a Website, We’d Be His First Call Well, after he got a phone, of course. For over two decades, we’ve been crafting custom websites for businesses and organizations across Raleigh and North Carolina. Our expertise has helped some of the region’s top organizations achieve their online goals with stunning, high-performing websites. Let’s talk websites and portals Get In Touch Why Choose Atlantic BT for Web Design? A well-designed website is a powerful tool for engaging customers, driving business growth, and standing out from the competition. Atlantic BT has been a trusted name in web design for over 25 years, helping organizations create innovative, user-friendly, and high-performing digital experiences. Web Design and Development Services What sets us apart? Insights on Web Design & Development All Web Design & Development Insights Ready to elevate your website? Choosing Atlantic BT means partnering with a team of expert designers, developers, and strategists committed to your success. Whether you need a full website redesign, a custom application, or a UX audit, Atlantic BT is the trusted partner to bring your digital vision to life.

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> Comprehensive API integration services to transform your business operations, drive growth, and keep you ahead.

- Published: 2023-03-14
- Modified: 2025-06-24
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/apis/

Redefine your digital strategy with our API mastery. We blend tech-savvy ingenuity with strategic prowess.

API Integration Services Unlock new capabilities, insights and efficiencies with integrated data and applications If you're looking to enhance your customer experience, improve operational efficiency, or gain a competitive edge, leveraging API integration services is essential for unlocking the full potential of your technology investments. Comprehensive API integration solutions can transform your business operations, drive growth, and keep you ahead in the rapidly evolving digital world. Let’s talk APIs and integrations. Get In Touch Seamless connectivity and data exchange between your organizations' many software applications is critical for business success. API integration services play a pivotal role in enabling this connectivity by allowing diverse software systems to communicate and work together efficiently. These services streamline processes, enhance functionality, and foster innovation by integrating various applications, platforms, and databases. Our team loves data and technology. We enjoy our work and love the satisfaction that comes from providing deep and enduring value to our customers. If you need to connect and integrate your applications or build your own APIs we’d love to help. Top platforms we use Atlantic BT is an expert in many different platforms. Check out all of our areas of expertise. Our Areas of Expertise Want to see examples of all our work? Our Team of Experts Our team is your powerhouse of expertise, ready to support and elevate your website, whether through a complete overhaul or targeted enhancements. Beyond our professional excellence, we value a harmonious balance between work and creativity. Visit our About Us page to meet the team. You’ll get a glimpse of our vibrant team culture through AI-generated profile pictures that showcase our ABTers in various imaginative avatars. It’s a fun peek into how we blend generative AI technology with our passion for innovative web design. About Us Empowering Your digital journey with APIs APIs are the essential connectors in the digital world, enabling your applications to communicate, share data, and perform functions across a variety of platforms effortlessly. Our role is to simplify the complexities behind these systems, allowing you to deliver compelling user experiences that captivate your audience. With our secure, scalable, and...

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> Our custom web design and development offers a solution that is tailored specifically to your organization and clients' needs.

- Published: 2023-03-14
- Modified: 2025-06-24
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/custom-websites/
- Page Types: Single Service

Your unique business vision comes alive through custom websites designed to enchant and convert.

Custom Web Design and Development We have turned building complex, mission-critical websites and portals into an art. Think of us like Michaelangelos of HTML. Maybe that’s a bit brash, but we are proud of the work that we do. Our expertise is in building that hard project. Not that we won’t build basic websites, it’s just not where we excel. We have built a proven process to take complex concepts and turn them into reality – and not just reality, enduring reality. Our custom web design and development stands the test of time due to the planning, engineering and quality that goes into every project. Already know what you need? Get In Touch They say there’s no substitute for experience... ... and we’d agree. It’s hard to quantify what over 25 years of experience means when translated into our ability to make your website project an overwhelming success. From process improvements, relationship management, technical choices, hiring and team selection – experience is everything. We truly enjoy the work we do, and we gain energy from helping our customers achieve digital success.   Our web design and development process We've mastered the art of flawless delivery Discovery Stakeholder Interviews User Personas Accessibility Audit Analytics Review Technical Audit Requirements Matrix Design Concept Board Wireframes High Fidelity Mockups Site Structure & Mapping Migration Planning Architecture Diagram Development Application Architecture Search Engine Optimization Integrations Accessibility Code Reviews Quality Assurance Want to see everything Atlantic BT has to offer? Check out our full process. Top platforms we use Atlantic BT is an expert in many different platforms. Check out all of our areas of expertise. Our Areas of Expertise Want to see examples of all our work? Our Team of Experts Our team is your powerhouse of expertise, ready to support and elevate your website, whether through a complete overhaul or targeted enhancements. Beyond our professional excellence, we value a harmonious balance between work and creativity. Visit our About Us page to meet the team. You’ll get a glimpse of our vibrant team culture through AI-generated profile pictures that showcase our ABTers in various imaginative...

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> Our forte lies in crafting and managing Drupal development services that precisely meet the rigorous criteria of organizations of all sizes.

- Published: 2023-03-14
- Modified: 2025-06-24
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-services/drupal/
- Page Types: Single Service

Elevate your online presence with Atlantic BT's Drupal expertise creating dynamic, user-friendly sites. Your digital vision, expertly delivered.

Drupal Development Services Government, enterprise, and non-profit, if it’s built in Drupal, we drop it like it’s hot Drupal development demands extensive expertise for secure and scalable deployment, especially for organizations adhering to strict governance, scalability and security standards. Our forte lies in crafting and managing Drupal development services that precisely meet the rigorous criteria of governments, enterprises, non-profits, and organizations of all sizes. Engage with our vibrant team of skilled Drupal designers and developers. We thrive on shared enthusiasm and purpose, leveraging it to transform your concepts into tangible outcomes. Let us help you unlock the full potential of Drupal. Already know what you need? Get In Touch Our website development process We've mastered the art of flawless delivery Discovery Stakeholder Interviews User Personas Accessibility Audit Analytics Review Technical Audit Requirements Matrix Design Concept Board Wireframes High Fidelity Mockups Site Structure & Mapping Migration Planning Architecture Diagram Development Application Architecture Search Engine Optimization Integrations Accessibility Code Reviews Quality Assurance Want to see everything Atlantic BT has to offer? Check out our full process. Want to see examples of all our work? Our Team of Experts Our team is your powerhouse of expertise, ready to support and elevate your website, whether through a complete overhaul or targeted enhancements. Beyond our professional excellence, we value a harmonious balance between work and creativity. Visit our About Us page to meet the team. You’ll get a glimpse of our vibrant team culture through AI-generated profile pictures that showcase our ABTers in various imaginative avatars. It’s a fun peek into how we blend generative AI technology with our passion for innovative web design. About Us Drupal 10 Development Released in December of 2022, Drupal 10 brings a host of exciting updates that enhance the user experience. As a leading Drupal development company, our team is adept at leveraging the latest features and improvements to build powerful, efficient, and user-friendly websites for our clients. Our Drupal development services include digital strategy, user experience, custom module development, architecture design, and more.   Drupal Integrations As a leading Drupal development company, our developers are adept at integrating...

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> A leading provider of Magento / Adobe Commerce development services, we specialize in customizing eCommerce.

- Published: 2023-03-14
- Modified: 2025-06-24
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-services/magento-adobe-commerce/
- Page Types: Single Service

A leading provider of Magento / Adobe Commerce development services, we specialize in customizing eCommerce.

Magento Development Services (Adobe Commerce) Leverage Our Adobe Commerce Experience to Ignite Your eCommerce Strategy We’ve been offering Magento Development services and building with Adobe Commerce since Magento version 1 (2008), so you could say we know the platform inside and out. Crafting successful ecommerce platforms requires far more than just experience, however. A successful ecommerce partner for your storefront needs a comprehensive understanding of customers, marketing, analytics, integrations, architecture, and design. Our team brings a boundless supply of all these skills, plus a fun and friendly culture that makes relationships effortless. There’s a reason why our client relationships are among the oldest in the business. Let’s talk Adobe Commerce. Get In Touch Our Magento development process We've mastered the art of flawless delivery Discovery Stakeholder Interviews User Personas Accessibility Audit Analytics Review Technical Audit Requirements Matrix Design Concept Board Wireframes High Fidelity Mockups Site Structure & Mapping Migration Planning Architecture Diagram Development Application Architecture Search Engine Optimization Integrations Accessibility Code Reviews Quality Assurance Want to see everything Atlantic BT has to offer? Check out our full process. Want to see examples of all our work? Our Team of Experts Our team is your powerhouse of expertise, ready to support and elevate your website, whether through a complete overhaul or targeted enhancements. Beyond our professional excellence, we value a harmonious balance between work and creativity. Visit our About Us page to meet the team. You’ll get a glimpse of our vibrant team culture through AI-generated profile pictures that showcase our ABTers in various imaginative avatars. It’s a fun peek into how we blend generative AI technology with our passion for innovative web design. About Us The Power of Magento Magento was one of the first online storefront services to launch, surpassed by Shopify just one year earlier. But unlike Shopify, Magento is a self-hosted, open-source platform. This model allows for a more robust feature offering, giving businesses more customization control. Greater flexibility and customization options makes it more suitable for businesses with unique requirements.   Navigating the advanced customization options in Magento can be complex. Atlantic BT's Magento Development services...

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> We'll help you put AI to work for your organization. From AI roadmaps to AI consulting and services we'll help you harness the power of AI.

- Published: 2023-03-14
- Modified: 2025-05-19
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/ai/
- Categories: Software

Unlock AI's potential with our expert consulting, delivering tailored strategies, quick wins, and deep integration to revolutionize your operations.

The Future of Innovation: AI Services Transforming Businesses with Intelligent Automation Artificial Intelligence (AI) services are revolutionizing industries by enhancing efficiency, automating tasks, and providing deep insights through data analysis. From machine learning-powered analytics to natural language processing and intelligent automation, AI solutions help businesses streamline operations, improve decision-making, and deliver personalized experiences. Whether you’re looking to optimize customer interactions, enhance cybersecurity, or leverage predictive analytics, AI services offer limitless possibilities for growth and innovation. Embrace the power of AI to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Let's talk AI. Get In Touch Why Choose Atlantic BT for AI Services? Your organization needs cutting-edge AI solutions to drive efficiency, enhance customer experiences, and unlock new growth opportunities. Atlantic BT is a trusted AI partner that delivers customized, scalable, and innovative artificial intelligence solutions tailored to your unique business needs. A full suite of AI services for your organization What sets us apart? Insights on AI

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> Transform your online store with our tailored eCommerce optimizations for increased conversions and customer loyalty.

- Published: 2023-03-14
- Modified: 2025-06-24
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/ecommerce/
- Page Types: Single Service

Transform your online store with our tailored eCommerce optimizations for increased conversions and customer loyalty.

Custom eCommerce Development Services Unleash eCommerce Brilliance: Your partner in digital commerce Engage with our team of eCommerce experts to bring your vision of frictionless commerce to life. Our energy and experience helps turn your ideas into reality, delivering custom eCommerce development solutions that excel in performance, function, and user experience. Together, we’ll help you harness the full potential of eCommerce to elevate your online presence and achieve your digital objectives. Whether you need help enhancing your existing eCommerce platform, integrating your commerce solution into other software, or building new capabilities we can help. Let's talk ecommerce. Get in Touch Our Custom eCommerce Development Process We've mastered the art of flawless delivery Discovery Stakeholder Interviews User Personas Accessibility Audit Analytics Review Technical Audit Requirements Matrix Design Concept Board Wireframes High Fidelity Mockups Site Structure & Mapping Migration Planning Architecture Diagram Development Application Architecture Search Engine Optimization Integrations Accessibility Code Reviews Quality Assurance Want to see everything Atlantic BT has to offer? Check out our full process. Top Platforms We Use Atlantic BT is an expert in many different platforms. Check out all of our areas of expertise. Our Areas of Expertise Want to see examples of all our work? View Our Work Our Team of Experts Our team is your powerhouse of expertise, ready to support and elevate your website, whether through a complete overhaul or targeted enhancements. Beyond our professional excellence, we value a harmonious balance between work and creativity. Visit our About Us page to meet the team. You’ll get a glimpse of our vibrant team culture through AI-generated profile pictures that showcase our ABTers in various imaginative avatars. It’s a fun peek into how we blend generative AI technology with our passion for innovative web design. About Us Tailored Shopping Experiences Immerse your customers in a shopping journey uniquely aligned with your brand's heart and soul. By leveraging custom theme designs and personalized product recommendations, we create a captivating online environment. This approach not only engages but also delights your audience at every interaction, fostering loyalty and encouraging repeat business. Seamless eCommerce Integration The performance and functionality...

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> Tackle your hosting challenges head-on with our cloud experts, dedicated to delivering customized, robust, and scalable solutions for your business.

- Published: 2023-03-14
- Modified: 2025-06-24
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/cloud/cloud-hosting/
- Page Types: Single Service

Tackle your hosting challenges head-on with our cloud experts, dedicated to delivering customized, robust, and scalable solutions for your business.

Cloud Hosting & Infastructure Management Cloud is no longer a concept or a buzz-word. It’s a business necessity. When we started hosting applications and websites, the cloud didn’t exist. From the early days of VMware and virtualization to the modern cloud, we’ve always been ahead of the curve. Today, our experience is vital in helping customers modernize and scale their hosting with the cloud. Let’s talk cloud hosting. Get In Touch On the tech side, we don’t miss the days of 3am pager alerts when the automated processes to roll logs restarted Apache and something didn’t come back up – which sometimes prompted a physical trip to the datacenter. If you’ve been in the IT trenches as long as we have you know what we’re talking about. On the business side, before the cloud there was substantial business risk most managers didn’t even know about. Backups and redundancy were difficult and often not tested properly. Hardware is prone to failure and requires large capex. Software requires updates and managing traditional hosting is just expensive and exhausting. There’s a better way, and it's cloud hosting – and we can help. Top platforms we use Atlantic BT is an expert in many different platforms. Check out all of our areas of expertise. Our Areas of Expertise Want to see examples of all our work? View Our Work Our Team of Experts Our team is your powerhouse of expertise, ready to support and elevate your website, whether through a complete overhaul or targeted enhancements. Beyond our professional excellence, we value a harmonious balance between work and creativity. Visit our About Us page to meet the team. You’ll get a glimpse of our vibrant team culture through AI-generated profile pictures that showcase our ABTers in various imaginative avatars. It’s a fun peek into how we blend generative AI technology with our passion for innovative web design. About Us Seeking Enhanced Security In an era where digital threats are becoming more sophisticated, the security of your data and applications is paramount. Many businesses are on the lookout for cloud hosting services that offer more than...

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> Our Wordpress development services are about crafting solutions that meet your specific needs; from bespoke designs to custom functionality.

- Published: 2023-01-27
- Modified: 2025-06-24
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-services/wordpress/
- Page Types: Single Service

Team up with Atlantic BT for WordPress development expertise, plug-in integration, salesforce, API, configurations, management, and hosting.

WordPress Development Services 15+ years of WordPress mastery at your service WordPress is a comprehensive content management system, thanks to its accessibility and adaptable, modular structure. We didn’t start with version 1 in 2004, but we began implementing our first solutions shortly thereafter. Over time we’ve honed our skills building and managing hundreds of Wordpress-driven websites as a part of our Wordpress Development Services. If you’re looking for a team to help you leverage all of the features and power of WordPress while maintaining clean, secure, and performant code, we’re a great fit. Employing a DevOps philosophy, we merge development and engineering expertise to deploy WordPress websites and portals of varying scales with elegance. Our WordPress Development Services are tailored to ensure seamless functionality, scalability, and user experience for your unique project needs. Let's talk WordPress. Get In Touch Our website development process We've mastered the art of flawless delivery Discovery Stakeholder Interviews User Personas Accessibility Audit Analytics Review Technical Audit Requirements Matrix Design Concept Board Wireframes High Fidelity Mockups Site Structure & Mapping Migration Planning Architecture Diagram Development Application Architecture Search Engine Optimization Integrations Accessibility Code Reviews Quality Assurance Want to see everything Atlantic BT has to offer? Check out our full process. Want to see examples of all our work? Our Team of Experts Our team is your powerhouse of expertise, ready to support and elevate your website, whether through a complete overhaul or targeted enhancements. Beyond our professional excellence, we value a harmonious balance between work and creativity. Visit our About Us page to meet the team. You’ll get a glimpse of our vibrant team culture through AI-generated profile pictures that showcase our ABTers in various imaginative avatars. It’s a fun peek into how we blend generative AI technology with our passion for innovative web design. About Us Why Choose WordPress? The question isn’t why choose WordPress, but why go anywhere else? Its ease of use is matched only by its incredible flexibility and extensive feature set. Whether you’re a small business or a multinational corporation, WordPress provides a scalable, customizable foundation that can adapt and grow...

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> Our AWS Cloud Hosting Services can help you optimize your cloud environment by reducing costs, improving performance, or enhancing security.

- Published: 2023-01-18
- Modified: 2025-06-24
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-services/aws/
- Page Types: Single Service

Atlantic BT has partnered with AWS since 2012. Specializing in application migration, managed services, DevOps audits, and cloud architecture

AWS Cloud Hosting Services It’s hard to imagine a modern business who isn’t leveraging AWS There are lots of cloud offerings available, but we are comfortable admitting our bias. In our opinion, AWS stands out from the crowd. Part of the bias may come from how long we’ve been building solutions on AWS. When many companies were still stacking and racking physical iron, we were already building resilient infrastructure with AWS. Over the years, we have come to respect its power, capabilities, and ease of implementation—and we don’t mind saying we’ve also gotten pretty darn good at it. Our expertise extends to AWS Cloud Hosting Services, where we leverage AWS’s robust platform to deliver scalable, secure, and efficient solutions tailored to your business needs. Let’s Talk AWS Get In Touch Unlock the Power of AWS Cloud Hosting Services We love AWS, we’re certified to build and manage solutions with it, and we’d love to help your organization take advantage of the many benefits it can offer. Through our expertise in AWS Cloud Hosting Services, we can help you optimize your cloud environment, whether by reducing costs, improving performance, or enhancing security. If you’re already leveraging AWS, we can help you do more, save money on your existing instances, or manage and secure them better. If you’ve got a real infrastructure challenge, we thrive on finding creative solutions. From seamless migrations to complex hybrid cloud implementations, our team is ready to tackle your toughest technical problems. Tell us about your business or technical challenge, and we’ll craft a solution that delivers tangible results. Our website development process We've mastered the art of flawless delivery Design Concept Board Wireframes High Fidelity Mockups Site Structure & Mapping Migration Planning Architecture Diagram Development Application Architecture Integrations Search Engine Optimization Accessibility Code Reviews Quality Assurance Deploy Continuous Integration Continuous Deployment Security Monitoring Infrastructure as Code Secure Infrastructure Scalable Infrastructure Want to see everything Atlantic BT has to offer? Check out our full process. Want to see examples of all our work? Our Team of Experts Our team is your powerhouse of expertise, ready to support...

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> Building complex enterprise applications that connect with APIs. User interface, UI components, and variable data without page reloading.

- Published: 2023-01-18
- Modified: 2024-12-09
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-services/react-angular/
- Page Types: Single Service

Building complex enterprise applications that connect with APIs. User interface, UI components, and variable data without page reloading.

React / Angular Custom Development Single-page applications and progressive web apps? We love 'em. We have the React and Angular development skills to bring your web application ideas to life. With our team of seasoned React and Angular developers, we can build or assist your team on your project. Whether you're looking to build a brand-new application from scratch or enhance your existing project, we have the skills and expertise to make it happen. Let's Talk JavaScript. Get In Touch Our website development process We've mastered the art of flawless delivery Discovery Stakeholder Interviews User Personas Accessibility Audit Analytics Review Technical Audit Requirements Matrix Design Concept Board Wireframes High Fidelity Mockups Site Structure & Mapping Migration Planning Architecture Diagram Development Application Architecture Search Engine Optimization Integrations Accessibility Code Reviews Quality Assurance Want to see everything Atlantic BT has to offer? Check out our full process. Want to see examples of all our work? Our Team of Experts Our team is your powerhouse of expertise, ready to support and elevate your website, whether through a complete overhaul or targeted enhancements. Beyond our professional excellence, we value a harmonious balance between work and creativity. Visit our About Us page to meet the team. You’ll get a glimpse of our vibrant team culture through AI-generated profile pictures that showcase our ABTers in various imaginative avatars. It’s a fun peek into how we blend generative AI technology with our passion for innovative web design. About Us React & Angular JavaScript Development React and Angular are JavaScript libraries for building user interfaces.   Our experts are experienced in both frameworks and can help you decide which technology will work best for your project.   Angular Angular is a Javascript framework built using Typescript. It is mostly used to build complex enterprise-grade applications like single-page applications (SPA) and progressive web apps (PWAs). It offers modern, clean code that allows your website to be more than a simple, static page.   React React was designed by two software engineers from Facebook and built for creating large-scale applications that store and modify data without reloading pages. It is...

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> If you need to augment your existing team with top talent or need a .NET development services from start to finish, we can help.

- Published: 2023-01-18
- Modified: 2025-06-24
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-services/dotnet/
- Page Types: Single Service

Expertise in .NET takes years to master. Our team has cultivated that experience first-hand building, maintaining, and scaling custom .NET applications.

. NET Development Services Smart architecture, engineering and best practices available on-demand If you need to augment your existing team with top talent or need a . NET development services from start to finish, we can help. We're exports in modern . NET and Umbraco, and we've been building Microsoft solutions for over 25 years, dating back to VB and classic ASP. As development has changed, we’ve stayed ahead of the curve by embracing quality and efficiency standards that help our customers maximize their technology investments. Let's talk . NET Get In Touch Choosing a . NET development partner is no different from traditional hiring. It’s hard to identify a rock star just reading resumes. Our advice is, when hiring a true partner, culture is the surest test of long-term success. We are a team of smart, experienced engineers who understand users and organizational goals, not just the code. From the first conversation, you’ll see how “we get it” and can add energy and experience to your immediate needs or long-term vision with our . NET development services. Our . NET development process We've mastered the art of flawless delivery Discovery Stakeholder Interviews User Personas Accessibility Audit Analytics Review Technical Audit Requirements Matrix Design Concept Board Wireframes High Fidelity Mockups Site Structure & Mapping Migration Planning Architecture Diagram Development Application Architecture Search Engine Optimization Integrations Accessibility Code Reviews Quality Assurance Want to see everything Atlantic BT has to offer? Check out our full process. Want to see examples of all our work? Our Team of Experts Our team is your powerhouse of expertise, ready to support and elevate your website, whether through a complete overhaul or targeted enhancements. Beyond our professional excellence, we value a harmonious balance between work and creativity. Visit our About Us page to meet the team. You’ll get a glimpse of our vibrant team culture through AI-generated profile pictures that showcase our ABTers in various imaginative avatars. It’s a fun peek into how we blend generative AI technology with our passion for innovative web design. About Us Why . NET is Ideal for Your Web Projects...

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> Learn the proven process for building websites, software, and digital applications with Atlantic BT, trusted experts with 25 years of digital experience.

- Published: 2022-12-22
- Modified: 2025-06-23
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/

We have a robust process and software development lifecycle, with a variety of expertise and skills to best suit your project. By breaking the process down into five stages, you can easily navigate the journey from concept to completion.

The Elements of Success At Atlantic BT, we don’t provide a single solution. We follow your needs throughout the entire software development life cycle. Our process unfolds in five phases, providing a clear journey from concept to completion. The 5 D’s At Atlantic BT we use the 5 D’s to explain our process. The first phase is Discovery. This involves getting to know you and your users’ needs, and understanding the project goals and objectives. Next is Design, where we’ll create the strategy, visual elements, and technical planning for your website. The third phase is Development. We’ll use the design to build the site, using HTML, CSS, and other programming languages. Deploy is the fourth phase, where we ensure your website is fully functional and ready to go live. The final phase is Delight. This involves monitoring the site after deployment, making sure it’s always up to date with the latest trends and technologies. https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=YkEWjb9YgNA

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> Complex Planning Guide For marketing directors, product owners, and anyone interested in planning a successful web application project. In this guide,

- Published: 2019-08-28
- Modified: 2024-07-01
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/complex-guide/
- Page Types: Marketing LP

Complex Planning Guide For marketing directors, product owners, and anyone interested in planning a successful web application project. In this guide, you’ll learn: How to define scope for a large project. How to properly schedule resources. How to avoid costly pitfalls. Prevent Failure – Learn from Our Experiences Have you ever participated in a project that delivered lackluster results, did not meet expectations, went over budget, took longer than expected, or outright failed? These types of project issues stem from a lack of proper definition, scoping, planning, and organizational preparation. At Atlantic BT, we found ourselves seeing the same challenges, answering the same questions, and making the same recommendations repeatedly. Most clients come to us because they aren’t experienced in managing complex web projects. And since we’ve been developing custom web applications for over 20 years, we wanted to share our proprietary (but not secret) process to help you. Get the full guide today.

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> Design, develop, and secure web projects with Atlantic BT at our Raleigh office. Web development, Apps, UX & UI design, cloud, and security.

- Published: 2018-05-23
- Modified: 2025-06-09
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/careers/
- Categories: ABT Culture

Our Culture Professional Growth At Atlantic BT, your growth is our priority. We offer continuous learning opportunities, from cutting-edge training to mentorship programs, ensuring you're always evolving in your career. Social Activities Life at Atlantic BT extends beyond the desk. Join our vibrant community for social events, team outings, and opportunities to connect with co-workers in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. Recognizing Success Your hard work doesn't go unnoticed. We believe in celebrating achievements, big and small, and regularly recognize the dedication and impact of our talented team members. Transparency We foster an open and honest environment. At Atlantic BT, we believe in clear communication and readily share insights into our company's direction, performance, and decisions. Benefits Fully Remote We believe that great talent knows no boundaries. With flexible hours and a collaborative culture, we thrive no matter the location. Health Insurance Designed to protect the health of our employees and their families and promote on-the-job productivity. PTO We believe that employees should have opportunities to enjoy time away from work to help balance their lives. Hear from the team Current Openings Interested in becoming a part of the family? We’re currently looking for: Atlantic BT jobs powered by More than just teammates At Atlantic BT, we're more than just teammates; we're a supportive community dedicated to fostering genuine connections and empowering each other's success and well-being, both professionally and personally. Frequently Asked Questions

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> Creating results through digital solutions for content portals, software development, platform integrations, website management & revamps.

- Published: 2018-04-23
- Modified: 2025-05-20
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-services/
- Categories: Software

Our Solutions Transforming your ideas into real business results We’ve been around for more than 25 years and as we’ve matured we’ve learned what we’re really, really good at, and what others can do better. When we’re a good fit for your team and your organization, together we can do amazing things. Let's talk. Get In Touch Top platforms we use Atlantic BT is an expert in many different platforms. Core expertise Our services revolve around four core areas of expertise. While our offerings evolve with the digital landscape, these pillars remain central to our mission. Our website development process We've mastered the art of flawless delivery Discovery Stakeholder Interviews User Personas Accessibility Audit Analytics Review Technical Audit Requirements Matrix Design Concept Board Wireframes High Fidelity Mockups Site Structure & Mapping Migration Planning Architecture Diagram Development Application Architecture SEO Integrations Accessibility Code Reviews Quality Assurance Deploy Continuous Integration Security Monitoring DNS Management Scalable Infrastructure Infrastructure Migration AWS Delight Project Management Training Feature Development Performance Monitoring Retainer Want to see everything Atlantic BT has to offer? Check out our full process.

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> 508 Compliance: Why Web Accessibility Matters Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, in accordance with WCAG 2.0, went into effect January 18, 2018. If

- Published: 2017-11-13
- Modified: 2024-04-01
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/508-compliance/

508 Compliance: Why Web Accessibility Matters Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, in accordance with WCAG 2. 0, went into effect January 18, 2018. If you are a Federal agency or an organization that does business with a Federal agency, this impacts you. The new law requires all customer-facing content, including websites and apps, meet updated accessibility standards. Accessibility (or A11y) means clarity and ease of use for everyone, regardless of circumstance and ability. The standards that must be met are simple in concept, but extensive in scope. Implementation can be challenging and many aspects can be easy to miss. Atlantic BT can guide you through the new requirements and implement the necessary changes to make your website not only compliant, but accessible and inviting to all users.

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> Modernizing Mission Critical Business Apps Your critical business applications are important to the long-term success of your company. Download your FREE

- Published: 2016-03-21
- Modified: 2024-04-01
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/modernizing-mission-critical-business-apps-2/
- Categories: Software

Modernizing Mission Critical Business Apps Your critical business applications are important to the long-term success of your company. Download your FREE guide to critical business application modernization. If your applications are in danger of falling behind, you need to act quickly. And to help, we’ve compiled the most important items you need to know in our guide to Modernizing Mission Critical Business Applications. In this guide, you will learn: How to evaluate the health of your critical business apps Which environment is best for your applications Whether you should remodel or rebuild your application Download your free copy of this helpful guide and find out how you can bring your critical business applications up to today’s modern IT standards.

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> The following Terms and Conditions, including any addendums, are an integral part of all proposals, contracts, and work.

- Published: 2016-02-02
- Modified: 2024-06-21
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/legal-info/

The following Terms and Conditions, including any addendums, are an integral part of all proposals, contracts, and work.

Legal Terms and Conditions Web Hosting Addendum Domain Name Registration Addendum Privacy Policy Terms and Conditions SUMMARY: The following Terms and Conditions, including any addendums, are an integral part of all proposals, contracts, and work supplied to the customers of Atlantic Business Technologies, Inc. (“ABT”) and acceptance of a proposal or contract, or any instructions by a customer (sometimes referred to as “Client” or “User”) to ABT to commence work or services shall be deemed acceptance of these Terms and Conditions by Client. Warranty of Funds and Payment. Sufficient funds are available or will be made available by Client to make payment in full for services rendered by ABT. Past due balances are subject to a late charge of one and one-half percent per month, whether before or after judgment. Collection costs shall also include reasonable attorney fees. In addition to all other available remedies, ABT may, in its sole discretion and without liability to Client, suspend or terminate access to servers, web sites, email accounts, customer data and other online services provided by ABT. ABT may set additional terms and conditions for reinstatement. Warranty of Work by ABT. ABT and its subcontractors and agents shall provide a level and quality of service using a degree of care and skill ordinarily exercised by others providing a similar service in a similar locality. ABT does not warrant or represent that any web sites or other work will comply with state or federal law for electronic commerce. Client shall arrange review by counsel at its own cost. Any nonconforming work brought to attention of ABT within one year shall be corrected or replaced at no additional cost. If correction or replacement is not practical, ABT shall refund Client that portion of previously paid invoices attributable to the nonconforming work. This is the sole warranty provided by ABT and supersedes any other warranties, express or implied. Limits of Liability. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the aggregate liability of ABT (including agents, employees or subcontractors) shall not exceed the total fees paid by the Client for the specific nonconforming work. Upon request of Client, and at...

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> Atlantic BT is trusted by top organizations in Raleigh, North Carolina for web design and custom software development.

- Published: 2016-01-26
- Modified: 2025-07-17
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/

Atlantic BT is trusted by top organizations in Raleigh, North Carolina for web design and custom software development.

Why Choose Atlantic BT Trust Is Earned, Not Given—Here’s How We Do It Practical, Durable Strategy We don’t just build for launch day—we build for long-term success. Our end-to-end approach blends problem solving, IT, application management, and other tailored services to solve your biggest challenges and set you up for sustained growth. Proven Track Record of Success We thrive on solving complex problems. From AI to app modernization and scalable cloud hosting solutions, for over 25 years we’ve delivered durable enterprise results for organizations worldwide. Elite, Cross-Functional Talent Our team is packed with top-tier developers, designers, strategists, and project managers. Together, we craft tailored solutions that reflect your unique goals and vision—with creativity, precision, and a collaborative spirit. Excellence at Atlantic BT Toshiba Wins Stevie® Award for Web Design Excellence Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions’ company web design was named a winner in the 22nd Annual American Business Awards®. The website renewal was part of a new brand story renovation project that included significant updates to the company’s digital web presence. Read Case Study Atlantic BT Achieves SOC 2 Type 2 Certification SOC 2 Type 2 certification is a significant milestone that underscores our unwavering commitment to the security, availability, and privacy of the solutions we provide to our clients. Top platforms we use Atlantic BT is an expert in many different platforms. Check out all of our areas of expertise. Our Areas of Expertise

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> The emergency support procedure below is designed to help if you aren’t able to reach us using standard support.

- Published: 2016-01-13
- Modified: 2024-09-10
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/support/
- Categories: Software

The emergency support procedure below is designed to help if you aren’t able to reach us using standard support.

Support Need Emergency Support? The emergency support procedure below is designed to help if you aren’t able to reach us using standard support, and you have any of the following problems: Site or email down (first be sure your Internet connection is working to other sites) Errors in sites that prevent transactions or are costing your business revenue Dial (919) 518-0670 x6. You will be prompted to select emergency support. Leave a complete message with the phone number where you can be reached. As soon as you hang up, an advanced notification and escalation system will page multiple technicians 24 hours a day to respond to your issue. Note: Be sure that you do in fact have a true emergency. Use of emergency support in non-emergency situations may result in additional charges or account cancellation. General Help Request Use our help portal to submit your issue to our Technical Help team. Please include any information you think might be relevant to solving your issue. We will do our best to respond in a timely fashion. If this is an emergency, call us immediately – (919) 518-0670 x6. Atlantic BT Help Portal

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> Atlantic BT can combine digital marketing with custom software & app development to offer technology solutions and custom web development.

- Published: 2016-01-07
- Modified: 2025-03-20
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/about-us/
- Categories: ABT Culture

Atlantic BT can combine digital marketing with custom software & app development to offer technology solutions and custom web development.

Award-Winning Results We help clients easily manage, secure, and scale their core technologies. Our awards stem from outstanding results in all aspects of digital, from UX design to modernizing applications. Our Values. Do Good Help others, be kind, be humble, positive and respectful. Be Driven Set goals, exceed expectations, and overcome challenges. Enjoy Have fun and enjoy the journey. Take Pride A job worth doing is worth doing right. Be Honest Build lasting relationships with open communication. Our remote-first company. Atlantic BT has evolved to a fully remote company. We understand that superior talent doesn’t just come locally and can be sourced from anywhere. That being said we still prioritize great company culture, with remote and in-person events to help build employee relationships and create a fun working environment.

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> Contact Atlantic BT today for project inquiries or career information. (919)-391-7601. Together we can solve the toughest digital problems.

- Published: 2016-01-07
- Modified: 2024-03-05
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/contact/
- Categories: Software

Need help building your web application strategy? Our team is here to answer any questions. Whether you are looking for references, a project quote, or some guidance planning strategy - we are ready to help you move forward.

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## Posts

> Tools like n8n are leading the charge in making workflow automation a reality for organizations of all sizes.

- Published: 2025-07-15
- Modified: 2025-07-15
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/cloud/devops-automation/n8n-automation-transforms-digital-operations/
- Categories: AI Consulting, AI Integration Services, DevOps & Automation, Software

In today's fast-paced digital landscape, efficiency is not just a buzzword – it's a necessity. Businesses are constantly seeking ways to streamline operations, reduce manual effort, and free up valuable human capital for more strategic, creative tasks. This is where workflow automation steps in, and tools like n8n are leading the charge in making this a reality for organizations of all sizes. What is n8n? Your Automation Powerhouse At its core, n8n is a powerful, open-source workflow automation tool. Think of it as a digital orchestrator that connects various applications, services, and APIs to automate repetitive tasks. What makes n8n particularly appealing is its low-code/no-code approach, allowing users to build complex workflows with minimal programming knowledge. This means your teams can design and deploy sophisticated n8n automations quickly, without heavy reliance on development resources. The Unmistakable Benefits of Automation with n8n Why should your business consider integrating n8n automation into its operations? The benefits are compelling: Boosted Efficiency: Say goodbye to tedious, manual data entry or repetitive checks. n8n automates these tasks, allowing your team to focus on high-value activities that truly move the needle. Enhanced Accuracy: Human error is inevitable. N8n automation ensures consistency and precision in every step of your workflow, leading to more reliable data and outcomes. Scalability at Your Fingertips: As your business grows, your workflows can scale with you. n8n makes it easy to adapt and expand your automated processes to meet increasing demands without proportional increases in manual labor. Seamless Integration: With a vast library of pre-built integrations and the flexibility to connect to virtually any API, n8n acts as a central hub, enabling disparate systems to communicate and work together harmoniously. Customization for Unique Needs: Every business has unique processes. n8n's flexible nature allows for highly customized workflows tailored precisely to your specific operational requirements. Case Study in Action: Revolutionizing Web Performance Audits To illustrate n8n's transformative power, let's look at a real-world application – streamlining web performance audits. Traditionally, analyzing website performance involves several time-consuming steps: manually running tests, extracting key metrics, interpreting complex data, and then compiling reports. This process can...

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> Explore the common reasons and most importantly, what you can do to fix why your website is loading slowly.

- Published: 2025-07-15
- Modified: 2025-07-15
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology/wordpress/website-is-loading-slowly/
- Categories: Drupal, Web Development, Website Speed Optimization, WordPress

8 Reasons Your Website is So Slow Is your website loading slowly? This is a frustrating problem that can plague any website owner, and for good reason. A sluggish website doesn't just test your visitors' patience – it actively drives them away. In today's fast-paced digital world, users expect a seamless, instantaneous experience. If your pages are loading slowly, potential customers will leave, your search engine rankings will suffer, and your conversion rates will plummet. Speed isn't just a desirable feature; it's an absolute necessity for online success. But pinpointing the exact cause when you notice your website loading slowly can be frustrating. Let's cut through the technical jargon and explore the most common reasons why your website is lagging, and more importantly, what you can do to fix it. 1. Your Images are Too large The Problem: High-resolution, unoptimized images are one of the biggest and most common causes of a slow website. A beautiful hero image that is several megabytes in size has to be downloaded by the visitor's browser before it can be displayed, causing significant delays in page load time. The Fix: Compress your images before uploading them. Tools like TinyPNG or ImageOptim can drastically reduce file size without a noticeable drop in quality. Additionally, serve images in next-gen formats like WebP and ensure they are sized correctly for their containers on the page (don't use a 2000px wide image for a 300px thumbnail). 2. You Have Inefficient Code The Problem: Your website is built on code: HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. If this code is bloated, poorly written, or disorganized, the browser has to work harder and longer to render your page. Render-blocking JavaScript, in particular, can prevent a page from displaying until the script is fully loaded and executed, leading to a frustrating delay when users notice their website loading slowly. The Fix: This requires a bit more technical know-how. Minifying your CSS and JavaScript files removes unnecessary characters from the code, making the files smaller. Deferring the loading of non-critical JavaScript can also ensure that the most important content on your page loads first....

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> The current conversation around Artificial Intelligence in the workplace often feels like a tug-of-war between two extremes. On one side, we have the

- Published: 2025-06-26
- Modified: 2025-06-26
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/ai/ai-consulting/beyond-automation-why-human-agency-is-the-future-of-ai-at-work/
- Categories: AI Consulting, AI Roadmap, Software

The current conversation around Artificial Intelligence in the workplace often feels like a tug-of-war between two extremes. On one side, we have the utopian vision of AI handling all the drudgery, freeing us up for more creative and strategic pursuits. On the other hand, a dystopian fear of mass job displacement and a future where human skills are obsolete. But what if this binary view is missing the point? A recent paper from researchers at Stanford University, "Future of Work with AI Agents: Auditing Automation and Augmentation Potential across the U. S. Workforce," offers a more nuanced and, frankly, more human-centered perspective. The authors, Yijia Shao et al. , move beyond the simple "will a robot take my job? " question and instead ask: "How do we want to work with AI? " This is where it gets interesting for those of us who believe that technology should be built around the human experience. The paper's most valuable contribution is the Levels of Human Agency Scale (HAS). This framework provides a much-needed language for discussing the various ways humans and AI can collaborate. It’s a powerful tool for anyone involved in building or implementing new technologies. The Human Agency Scale (HAS): A Framework for Collaboration The HAS is a five-point scale that calibrates the role of AI in a given task, ranging from full automation to tasks where humans are essential. Let's break it down: H1: Full Automation: The AI system handles the entire task with no human intervention. Consider tasks such as automated data entry or scheduling appointments. These are the "set it and forget it" applications of AI. H2: AI-led Collaboration: In this scenario, the AI takes the lead, performing the bulk of the task, with a human in a review or oversight role. A good example is an AI-powered diagnostic tool in medicine. The AI might analyze medical images and suggest a diagnosis, but a human doctor makes the final call. H3: Human-AI Collaboration: This is a true partnership. The human and the AI work together, each contributing their unique strengths. Imagine a writer using an AI...

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> At its core, modern web design encompasses two critical and interconnected disciplines: User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) Design.

- Published: 2025-05-14
- Modified: 2025-05-21
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/application-development/the-state-of-web-design-in-2025-beyond-pretty-pictures/
- Categories: Application Development, Web Development

At its core, modern web design encompasses two critical and interconnected disciplines: User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) Design.

The digital landscape in 2025 is more dynamic and demanding than ever before. When we talk about Web Design, we're not just referring to how a website looks. At its core, modern web design encompasses two critical and interconnected disciplines: User Experience (UX) Design and User Interface (UI) Design. UX design is the science and art of understanding user needs, behaviors, and motivations. It involves conducting thorough research, creating user personas, mapping user journeys, and testing prototypes to ensure a website is intuitive, efficient, and provides a seamless experience. Think of it as the blueprint of a building, focusing on functionality and flow. UI design, on the other hand, focuses on the visual elements and interactive components of a website. This includes everything from typography and color palettes to button styles and animations. UI designers ensure the interface is aesthetically pleasing, brand-consistent, and guides users effectively through their journey. It's the interior design of the building, focusing on aesthetics and usability. While a website built on a standard platform might be fine, it often won't achieve the level of polish and user-centricity that a custom-designed website can offer. Beyond the Surface: Why Web Design Isn't Just Graphic Design A common misconception is that any designer can tackle web design. While graphic designers possess valuable skills in visual communication, web design requires a specialized skillset. You wouldn't ask a dentist to perform brain surgery on you, would you? Similarly, expecting a graphic designer without specific web expertise to deliver a high-performing website can lead to suboptimal results. Getting the Right Person for the Job Investing in a dedicated web designer, or better yet, a team that includes both UX and UI specialists, is crucial for success in the digital realm. These professionals understand the intricacies of designing for the web – considering factors like responsiveness across various devices, website performance, accessibility standards, and user behavior patterns specific to online environments. A skilled web designer doesn't just create visually appealing layouts. They take the valuable insights and data provided by UX researchers and translate them into intuitive and engaging user experiences. They...

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> I had the privilege of being Jennifer’s boss—and more importantly having her as my friend for almost 13 years.Not everyone has a way about them. You know

- Published: 2025-03-28
- Modified: 2025-05-13
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/abt-culture/life-jennifers-way/
- Categories: ABT Culture

I had the privilege of being Jennifer’s boss—and more importantly having her as my friend for almost 13 years. Not everyone has a way about them. You know that feeling you get that someone is something special, even when you first meet them. And as you get to know them, their way takes on new dimensions. – Jennifer had a way. Her way was the opposite of pretentious. She was beautiful—she could have been pretentious—but she wasn’t. She would rather go fishing or ride 4-wheelers than waste time or money on appearances. Not that she didn't like to dress up and go out, that's just not what mattered most in her life. –Her way was being genuine. Friendship should be easy. And with her, it was. She didn’t have unrealistic expectations from others in a friendship. If you made a mistake and missed a birthday, she didn’t mind. If she didn’t get back to you for 10 minutes or two days, it didn’t mean anything was wrong—it was just her way. Whether you talked every day or once a month, you could always pick up right where you left off. No awkwardness. No gaps. She could be friends with a software developer, an executive, or a mechanic—it didn’t matter. –Easy friendships were her way. Strong relationships require honesty. And she never held back. If it came to mind, she’d say it. She didn’t worry about how it came out—just that it came from a place of truth. Years ago, after giving an annual speech to the company I asked her what she thought. She said, “You shouldn’t read from your notes. ”I said, “Anything else? (fishing for a compliment)But she was right. And I’ll remember her advice forever. Well Jennifer—I’m reading this now because I want to get it right. For you. –Honesty was her way. Achievement takes hard work and dedication. Jennifer didn’t come from the tech world, but she carved out a place in it anyway. She started at our front desk right out of college. A year in, she said she wanted to be a developer. Not...

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> Fifteen years ago, I started my journey at Atlantic BT as a Senior Systems Engineer. Over time, I took on the role of IT Manager—but titles have never

- Published: 2025-03-25
- Modified: 2025-06-09
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/abt-culture/when-youre-fortunate-enough-to-work-with-your-closest-friends/
- Categories: ABT Culture

Fifteen years ago, I started my journey at Atlantic BT as a Senior Systems Engineer. Over time, I took on the role of IT Manager—but titles have never been what kept me here. What’s kept me grounded, motivated, and thankful every single day is something much rarer than job satisfaction: friendship. Many people draw a clear line between their work relationships and their personal lives. For some, that boundary is essential. But for me, Atlantic BT became something different. Here, I found not just coworkers, but some of the closest friends I’ve ever had. I don’t know if it’s because making friends has always been a little hard for me, or if it’s because of the shared passions and projects that bring us together. Maybe it’s the joy of connecting with people outside my typical age group or social circle. Whatever the reason, I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have built genuine friendships within these walls. But with that blessing comes a bittersweet truth—when friends move on, change careers, or when we lose someone dear, it hits differently. This week, we suffered a profound loss. My friend Jennifer passed away unexpectedly. And while my heart aches, I also want to celebrate who she was and what she meant to me—and to so many others. Jennifer started as our Administrative Assistant and Office Manager. She was usually the first person I saw each morning, always ready with a smile and a warm greeting that somehow made the day feel brighter, no matter what was ahead. We’d often grab lunch together, share stories about life, talk about our challenges, and even open up about our faith. There was a depth to those conversations that left a mark on me. I’ll never forget her dedication to causes she believed in. One year, she joined a flag football fundraiser for Alzheimer’s research called Blondes Vs. Brunettes. She threw her whole heart into it. I proudly sponsored her that year, not just because I cared about the cause, but because I was inspired by her passion. She gave me a t-shirt from that fundraiser, and...

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> Explore advanced CI/CD orchestration using microservices, containers, and AI to enhance efficiency, security, and scalability.

- Published: 2024-12-06
- Modified: 2025-06-02
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology/aws-technology/advanced-pipeline-orchestration-methods/
- Categories: Application Development, AWS, Web Development

Explore advanced CI/CD orchestration using microservices, containers, and AI to enhance efficiency, security, and scalability.

Using Microservices and Containers Microservices and containers have revolutionized the way CI/CD pipelines operate, improving agility and efficiency. By breaking down large applications into smaller, independent services, teams can work faster and with more flexibility. Containers package these services, ensuring consistency across various environments. Key Benefits of Microservices and Containers: BenefitDescriptionBetter Fault HandlingIf one service fails, the rest of the application remains operational. Easier UpdatesYou can update or modify one microservice without affecting others. Faster DevelopmentTeams can build, test, and deploy smaller, independent components more quickly. Steps to Implement Microservices and Containers: Break down your application into smaller, manageable services. Select a containerization tool like Docker. Use orchestration tools like Kubernetes to manage your containers at scale. Working with Serverless Systems Serverless architectures, such as AWS Lambda, allow you to focus on writing code without worrying about managing infrastructure. This can lead to cost savings and faster deployment times. Best Practices for Serverless Systems: Utilize frameworks like AWS SAM or Serverless Framework to simplify the creation and deployment of serverless applications. Design your applications to respond to specific events (event-driven architecture). Continuously monitor your serverless functions' performance and optimize them for better efficiency. Managing Multi-Cloud Pipelines Multi-cloud environments introduce additional complexity into CI/CD pipelines, but they offer flexibility and resilience. Tips for Managing Multi-Cloud Pipelines: ApproachDescriptionUse Cloud-Neutral ToolsChoose tools like Terraform or Jenkins that work across multiple cloud providers. Unified PipelinesBuild a single CI/CD pipeline such as bitbucket pipelines or Jenkins that can deploy across different cloud platforms. Monitor PerformanceImplement monitoring tools to track the performance of your pipeline across clouds. Applying AI and ML in Orchestration AI and machine learning are transforming CI/CD pipelines, helping to predict and prevent issues, optimize performance, and improve testing processes. How AI and ML Can Enhance Pipelines: Error Prediction: AI can predict potential failures based on historical data. Pipeline Optimization: Machine learning can automate performance tuning, making pipelines run faster. Intelligent Testing: AI can identify high-risk areas of the application to prioritize testing. Getting Started with AI/ML in CI/CD: Collect pipeline performance data. Choose an AI platform like Google Cloud AI or AWS...

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> When it comes to website hosting and management, two names dominate the conversation—WordPress and WP Engine. If you're already a WordPress aficionado,

- Published: 2024-12-06
- Modified: 2025-06-02
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/application-development/wp-engine-vs-wordpress-the-good-the-great-and-the-hold-on-a-second/
- Categories: Application Development, Web Development

When it comes to website hosting and management, two names dominate the conversation—WordPress and WP Engine. If you're already a WordPress aficionado, you know it’s the king of flexibility, giving you the freedom to customize just about everything. But what happens when WP Engine enters the picture? Designed to supercharge WordPress, it promises a high-performance, headache-free experience. On the surface, WP Engine feels like a dream come true for website owners. It’s packed with features, boasts stellar performance, and provides a level of security that could make your site feel invincible. Yet, as Atlantic BT's experience has shown, beneath that shiny exterior are some important considerations that aren’t always apparent at first glance. WP Engine’s Shine: The Allure of Premium Hosting Let’s start with what WP Engine does right. It offers managed hosting tailored specifically for WordPress, taking care of all the technical heavy lifting—think automatic backups, built-in caching, and other performance enhancements that keep your site running smoothly. Here’s why it stands out: Speed and Performance: WP Engine uses proprietary caching technology, giving your site a speed boost that makes it feel turbocharged. For businesses where every millisecond counts, this can be a game-changer. Security: The platform’s focus on security is hard to match, with features like firewall protection, DDoS prevention, and malware scanning. Your website can rest easy knowing it’s well-guarded. Automatic Updates: Forget about scrambling to apply updates—WP Engine handles them, keeping your site current with the latest WordPress versions and security patches. But while all this sounds fantastic, there’s more to the story. A Deeper Dive: Atlantic BT’s Expert Insights Atlantic BT has worked closely with many clients hosting on WP Engine, which gives us a front-row seat to its strengths and shortcomings. Here are some deeper considerations that might not be on your radar: Lack of Support: Effective support plays a key role. While WP Engine does offer 24/7 support, some issues can be hard to resolve due to the platform’s intricacies. When your site’s performance is directly linked to your business outcomes, the quality of support matters just as much as the platform’s capabilities....

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> 2024 Company Weekend Celebration At Atlantic BT, there has always been a well-loved tradition of shared experiences. From competing against each other to

- Published: 2024-11-01
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/abt-culture/celebrating-atlantic-bts-culture/
- Categories: ABT Culture
- Tags: ABT Culture

2024 Company Weekend Celebration At Atlantic BT, there has always been a well-loved tradition of shared experiences. From competing against each other to create the best Spaghetti Bridge, to chunking pumpkins with a giant trebuchet, we have always loved spending time together and getting to know our coworkers on a deeper level “outside the office”. It often sounds cliché or like a cheap marketing term when a company says that they are “one big family”, but with ABT it truly does feel that way.   During the 2020 global pandemic, ABT made the shift to go fully remote, a shift that has been for the betterment of the company. The only tricky part was, how do we sustain the rich culture that has been a cornerstone of our company for so many years? The answer is, in true ABT fashion, we adapt. From in person events, we go to virtual, hosting trivia, online escape rooms, and jackbox game competitions. When it was once safe again, we reintroduced company lunches and in-person events. One of the biggest things we introduced was our yearly “Company Get-Together”. For this year’s Company Get-Together, we decided on three separate events to appeal to three different parts of our culture. Friday night was a casual hangout where we spent time with both new and old ABT’ers. This event turned out to be for many people the most special one of the weekend, talking with people who have been a part of ABT’s crew from the start, getting to swap old stories, and introduce newer employees to people they’ve only known from code logs. Saturday, we tapped into the competitive spirit of ABT with a downtown Raleigh scavenger hunt, hosted by Search in the City. After some questionable shenanigans, Team Videogames managed to grab first, securing their second scavenger hunt win! The weekend concluded with a dinner at Sitti, where we met as a company to celebrate the year and all of our accomplishments. It was truly the perfect weekend! At Atlantic BT, strong company culture is one of the reasons we thrive as a company. When...

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> What’s the secret behind every smooth, on-time, and on-budget, and all around successful website redesign project plan? The discovery phase.

- Published: 2024-10-23
- Modified: 2025-05-21
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/user-experience-services/the-most-important-step-in-a-website-redesign-project-plan/
- Categories: Custom Web Design & Development, Custom Websites, Strategy, User Experience

You want to redesign your website! It’s tempting to want to jump right in and skip to design and development. However, skipping this important step could lead to costly delays, budget overruns and poor user experience. In fact, according to IBM, fixing problems in development costs 10 times more than fixing them in design, and fixing them after launch costs 100 times more. What’s the secret behind every smooth, on-time, and on-budget, user-friendly and all around successful website redesign project plan?   It’s the often-overlooked discovery phase.   In web and portal development, this early stage sets the foundation for everything that follows. It’s the hidden ingredient that ensures your project aligns with both your business goals and user needs, all while maintaining the budget and timeline that you sought to begin with. Without it, your project risks falling short of expectations, whether through misaligned priorities, user frustration, or missed opportunities. What is the Discovery Phase? The discovery phase is the first and the most important step in any web development project. It’s the process where we dig deep into understanding both business objectives and user needs. The discovery phase is about balancing these two critical elements—because a product that only satisfies one without the other is destined to fall short. By the end of this phase, we develop a detailed blueprint that guides the design, development, and launch of your product. At its core, discovery is about uncovering the following: Business goals: What are the business drivers behind the redesign? Are you looking to increase conversions, improve brand perception, or enhance functionality? Defining these goals early ensures your redesign stays on track. User needs: Who are your users, and what do they expect from your website? Gathering insights about user behaviors, pain points, and preferences will guide the redesign toward a user-friendly solution. Technical requirements: What are the technical constraints or opportunities that need to be addressed? Whether it’s integrating with existing systems or ensuring site scalability, the discovery phase ensures your project plan is technically sound. The Benefits of a Comprehensive Discovery Phase Skipping or minimizing the discovery...

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> Healthcare orgs can use comprehensive testing for HIPAA compliance of their systems to protect patient privacy and security.

- Published: 2024-10-07
- Modified: 2025-05-20
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/quality-assurance-testing/testing-for-hipaa-compliance/
- Categories: Healthcare, Quality Assurance Testing

Healthcare orgs can use comprehensive testing for HIPAA compliance of their systems to protect patient privacy and security.

Healthcare organizations rely heavily on software systems to manage patient data. However, with the increasing risk of data breaches and cyberattacks, testing for HIPAA compliance is extremely important to protect patient health information (PHI) and ensure regulations are met. This involves a rigorous evaluation of the software's security measures, privacy protocols, and data protection mechanisms to safeguard sensitive patient data. Understanding HIPAA Compliance The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) sets standards for the privacy and security of PHI. It outlines specific requirements that healthcare providers and their business associates must follow to protect patient information. These requirements include: Access controls and monitoring: Limiting access to authorized personnel. Data integrity: Ensuring the accuracy and completeness of PHI.   Data transmission: Protecting PHI during transmission. Security safeguards: Implementing technical, administrative, and physical safeguards to protect PHI data.   Testing for HIPAA Compliance By conducting comprehensive testing, healthcare organizations can verify that their software systems meet the necessary standards for protecting patient privacy and security. The following is recommended: Do a Risk Assessment:  Identify potential vulnerabilities and risks to the PHI. Prioritize risks based on likelihood and impact. Develop a risk management plan to address identified vulnerabilities. Verify Security Controls: Test access controls to verify that only authorized individuals can access PHI and that appropriate permissions are in place to prevent unauthorized disclosure. Evaluate encryption mechanisms to ensure that PHI is protected during transmission and storage. Assess data backup and recovery procedures to ensure that PHI is protected against loss or corruption. Check the software's ability to audit and monitor user activities, providing a record of who accessed PHI and when. Evaluate Data Integrity:  Test data validation and error checking to prevent incorrect or incomplete data entry. Verify data backup procedures and disaster recovery plans. Make sure that data is stored in a consistent and accurate format and is protected against loss or corruption. Assess data auditing and monitoring capabilities to detect unauthorized access or modifications. Transmission Security: Test secure communication protocols (e. g. , HTTPS) to protect PHI during transmission. Evaluate encryption algorithms used to secure data in transit. Assess...

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> A WordPress upgrade with The Events Calendar plugin caused high CPU usage, performance issues, and downtime, and how we resolved it.

- Published: 2024-09-30
- Modified: 2025-05-21
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/application-development/optimizing-the-events-calendar-plugin-in-wordpress-resolving-high-cpu-usage-during-query-execution/
- Categories: Application Development, Database Development, PHP, Web Development, WordPress

A WordPress upgrade with The Events Calendar plugin caused high CPU usage, performance issues, and downtime, and how we resolved it.

Recently, we encountered an issue while upgrading a client’s WordPress site that utilizes The Events Calendar plugin from theeventscalendar. com. The upgrade caused a significant spike in database CPU usage, leading to severe performance degradation and eventual downtime. The site would become unresponsive within 1 to 12 hours post-deployment, forcing us to revert to the previous version. Identifying the Issue: A Slow Query After investigation, we isolated the problem to a specific SQL query that was being executed repeatedly: SELECT SQL_CALC_FOUND_ROWS wp_4_posts. ID, CAST(wp_4_tec_occurrences. start_date_utc AS DATETIME) AS event_date_utcFROM wp_4_postsLEFT JOIN wp_4_term_relationships ON (wp_4_posts. ID = wp_4_term_relationships. object_id)LEFT JOIN wp_4_term_relationships AS tt1 ON (wp_4_posts. ID = tt1. object_id)LEFT JOIN wp_4_term_relationships AS tt2 ON (wp_4_posts. ID = tt2. object_id)LEFT JOIN wp_4_term_relationships AS tt3 ON (wp_4_posts. ID = tt3. object_id)LEFT JOIN wp_4_term_relationships AS tt4 ON (wp_4_posts. ID = tt4. object_id)LEFT JOIN wp_4_term_relationships AS tt5 ON (wp_4_posts. ID = tt5. object_id)LEFT JOIN wp_4_term_relationships AS tt6 ON (wp_4_posts. ID = tt6. object_id)JOIN wp_4_tec_occurrences ON wp_4_posts. ID = wp_4_tec_occurrences. post_idWHERE 1=1AND ((wp_4_term_relationships. term_taxonomy_id IN (147,148,149,150,96)AND tt1. term_taxonomy_id IN (147,148,149,150,96)AND tt2. term_taxonomy_id IN (147,148,149,150,96)AND tt3. term_taxonomy_id IN (147,148,149,150,96)AND tt4. term_taxonomy_id IN (147,148,149,150,96)AND tt5. term_taxonomy_id IN (147,148,149,150,96)AND tt6. term_taxonomy_id IN (147,148,149,150,96)))AND CAST(wp_4_tec_occurrences. start_date_utc AS DATETIME) > '2024-06-24 03:59:59'AND wp_4_posts. post_type = 'tribe_events'AND wp_4_posts. post_status = 'publish'GROUP BY wp_4_tec_occurrences. occurrence_idORDER BY wp_4_tec_occurrences. start_date_utc ASC, wp_4_posts. post_date ASCLIMIT 0, 1; Each execution of this query was taking over 23 seconds, leading to a bottleneck that caused the CPU to max out at 100%. Clearly, this query needed optimization. Investigating the Query: EXPLAIN Command to the Rescue To better understand what was causing the delay, we turned to MySQL’s EXPLAIN command. By analyzing the query execution plan, we could pinpoint inefficiencies related to the joins and groupings, particularly involving the wp_4_term_relationships and wp_4_tec_occurrences tables. We found that key indexes were either missing or not being utilized optimally. The absence of appropriate indexing on columns like object_id, term_taxonomy_id, and post_id meant that the database had to scan entire tables repeatedly—leading to high CPU usage and slow response times. The Fix: Adding Indexes To resolve the issue, we added three specific indexes....

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> Explore the debate between WordPress.org and WP Engine on open-source values. Learn why Atlantic BT supports Matt Mullenweg's vision and open-source integrity.

- Published: 2024-09-26
- Modified: 2025-05-22
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/application-development/thoughts-on-open-source-and-the-wordpress-community/
- Categories: Application Development, Cloud Hosting, Web Development

Explore the debate between WordPress.org and WP Engine on open-source values. Learn why Atlantic BT supports Matt Mullenweg's vision and open-source integrity.

Updated: October 23, 2024, as new details and perspectives have emerged. WP Engine and WordPress It is not surprising that WordPress. org is blocking WP Engine and that Matt Mullenweg is publicly discussing what they have refused to commit to or give back. At some point, communities feel taken advantage of and absolutely must enforce the terms of their licenses. Open Source licensing adherence is critical to the future success of Open Source communities. WordPress holds a special place in the open-source collaboration and innovation CMS ecosystem. Moreover, Matt Mullenweg's vision and Automattic’s reach have empowered countless individuals and businesses to build and maintain their online presence. Recent events have sparked discussions within the WordPress community, highlighting the delicate balance between open-source ideals and commercial interests. This begs the question, where do we draw the line? Should open-source platforms force contributions? We think not. Should open-source software get paid dividends from successful businesses built on them? Obviously no. The essence of open-source Open-source software is more than just freely available code; it's a philosophy that promotes transparency, collaboration, and collective progress. WordPress, as an open-source content management system (CMS), has thrived because of its community-driven approach. Developers worldwide contribute to its core, ensuring it remains secure, flexible, and up-to-date with the latest web standards. Mullenweg's vision Matt Mullenweg co-founded WordPress with the aim of democratizing publishing. His commitment to keeping WordPress free and open has enabled a diverse ecosystem of themes, plugins, and services. This ecosystem not only fosters innovation but also provides opportunities for businesses and developers to offer specialized solutions that enhance the core functionality of WordPress. Atlantic BT leverages WordPress, amongst other open-source technologies, to power many of the sites we build. Admittedly, we could do more to give back, and this conversation illuminates that for me.   The role of commercial entities Companies like WP Engine have built successful businesses within the WordPress ecosystem, offering managed hosting and other premium services. While commercial entities play a significant role in expanding WordPress's reach, their operations must align with the fundamental principles of the open-source community. It’s also...

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> How I use Jira’s Plans feature to map out, adjust, and execute on projects for multiple clients in a fast-moving space.

- Published: 2024-07-22
- Modified: 2025-06-02
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/streamlining-digital-project-management-with-jiras-plans/
- Categories: Software

How I use Jira’s Plans feature to map out, adjust, and execute on projects for multiple clients in a fast-moving space.

As a digital project manager in the agency space, staying on top of multiple client projects and keeping my team aligned can be tricky. I’ve explored various tools to streamline my workflow, but so far none have been as effective as Jira’s Plans. Plans has not only simplified project management but also reduced my reliance on multiple disparate tools. I’d like to talk about how I make the most of it in my day-to-day work. Comprehensive Roadmapping One of the core functionalities of Jira’s Plans feature is its ability to create detailed visual roadmaps. This is key for me; I need to be able to “zoom out” and look at a 10,000-foot view. Here’s how I utilize it to ensure a clear project trajectory: Creating a Visual Timeline: I start by laying out the entire project on a timeline. This will include the major phases we use at ABT: Discovery, Design, Development, and Deployment. The visual representation makes it easier to communicate the project plan to stakeholders and team members. Setting Milestones and Dependencies: I then create milestones for key deliverables like wireframes, final designs, major development sections, and finally site launch. After which, I set dependencies to better understand the flow of the project, and usually I identify any gaps in the initial project plan to address with the team. Scenario Planning One of my favorite things about Plans is the ability to set Scenarios. Any time a major adjustment in the project plan comes up, you can easily duplicate your existing plan and make adjustments to map out 'what-ifs'. What-If Analysis: I can create multiple scenarios and adjust them to see how changes in resources affect the project timeline. For example, I can simulate what happens if we add an extra developer to speed up the process. This helps in assessing the impact on the overall project without making any actual changes within Jira. Balancing Workloads: By visualizing team members' workloads, I can redistribute tasks if someone is overburdened. If a developer is tied up with critical bug fixes, I can reassign less urgent tasks to another team...

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> Interaction to Next Paint (INP) is a new Core Web Vital that measures the responsiveness of website actions.

- Published: 2024-07-17
- Modified: 2025-05-22
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/application-development/what-is-interaction-to-next-paint-inp/
- Categories: Application Development, Web Development

Interaction to Next Paint (INP) is a new Core Web Vital that measures the responsiveness of website actions.

In March of 2024, the Google Chrome Team replaced one of their original Core Web Vitals with one they had been testing for two years: Interaction to Next Paint (INP). With this move, INP became the new gold standard for testing the “snappiness” of users’ experience on the web. But what is a Core Web Vital, and why does it matter? What is a Core Web Vital? Web Vitals are metrics put out by Google intended to help website owners understand the quality of experience they are delivering to their users. Some of these metrics apply less to some websites than others, so Google has designated three of these which they consider to be relevant to every website as Core Web Vitals. These cover three categories of user experience: loading, interactivity, and visual stability. INP is the metric corresponding to “interactivity. ” Importantly, this is not just about user experience; Core Web Vitals also affect a site’s page ranking in Google. What is INP? INP measures (with a couple technical exceptions) the duration of the longest interaction on a page. Interactions primarily consist of clicks (or taps on mobile) and key presses, and the interaction length is measured as how long the page takes to do what it needs to do after the user initiates the interaction. Thus, if a page has a bad INP, this does not mean that all interaction lengths are long, but rather that there exists some interaction which takes an inordinately long amount of time. How can I measure and improve my site’s INP? As a site owner, though there are many ways to measure INP, all you need to do is enter your site URL into Pagespeed Insights, which is a tool run by Google themselves that will tell you how your site performs across all three Core Web Vitals. If they tell you that you have a good score, you should have nothing to worry about. If not, you may need to do some digging on what exactly the issue is that they’re detecting. There is no one-size-fits-all resolution to this sort of...

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> Find out how to see what third-party cookies on your site are affected and what options you have for fixing them.

- Published: 2024-07-05
- Modified: 2025-05-22
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/application-development/the-state-of-third-party-cookies-in-browsers-for-developers/
- Categories: Application Development, Web Development

Find out how to see what third-party cookies on your site are affected and what options you have for fixing them.

If you spend time in Chrome DevTools console tab you may have noticed these warnings "Third-party cookie will be blocked. Learn more in the Issues tab. " In this post we're going to cover some beginning details a website developer is considering. To be certain, there will be some nitty-gritty details not covered here, but it will give you a general lay of the land and link to further details. If you need to know more on what these cookies are, check out my other post: The State of Third Party Cookies in Browsers. Third-party cookies are created by domains other than the one you are directly visiting. These cookies are mostly used for tracking users across different websites, enabling businesses to serve targeted advertisements based on browsing history and preferences. For more basic information, you can read this post. Does My Site Have Affected Third-Party Cookies? We have the problem, third-party cookies are going the way of the dinosaurs. Now, what needs to be done to assess the likelihood your site is affected? What steps may need to be taken to continue using the functionality they enable? Testing Existing Cookies in Chrome DevTools The easiest way to view cookies on a site and see if they will be blocked, either by browsers that currently block third-party cookies or browsers that may and are planning to block cookies in the future, is to: Open up Chrome DevTools in the Chrome browser. Click to open the Application tab. Open up the Cookies section in the left-hand sidebar and select a domain. From there, find the "Only show cookies with an issue" checkbox and mark it checked. This will filter down to only cookies which are currently blocked (in FF and Safari for example) and possibly will be blocked in the future (in Chrome and Edge for example). If you right-click on one of the affected cookie rows, you'll see you can select from "Show Requests With This Cookie" and "Show issue associated with this cookie".   The first option will bring you to the network tab, with the results filtered down...

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> Find out why third-party cookies are or have been removed from browsers and what that means for you and your users

- Published: 2024-07-02
- Modified: 2025-05-22
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/application-development/the-state-of-third-party-cookies-in-browsers/
- Categories: Application Development, Web Development

Find out why third-party cookies are or have been removed from browsers and what that means for you and your users

What are Third-Party Cookies? Third-party cookies are small text files created by domains other than the one you are directly visiting. There are various reasons they are used: Tracking and Analytics: Third-party cookies can track a user's browsing activities across multiple websites. This data is valuable for analytics, helping website owners understand user behavior and improve their site's performance and content. Advertising: Perhaps the most well-known use of these cookies is in targeted advertising. Advertisers use these cookies to gather information about your interests based on the sites you visit and the actions you take. This allows them to show you more relevant ads across different websites, attempting to increase engagement and conversion rates. Social Media Features: Websites might use them to enable social media functionalities, such as "Like" buttons, sharing capabilities, and other interactive elements that link back to social media platforms. Content Personalization: Similar to advertising, third-party cookies can be used to personalize content across websites. For example, a news site might modify what you see based on the articles you've read on other sites. Cross-Site Login: Some services use them to allow users to log in to various websites with the same credentials without having to authenticate separately on each site. Why are Third-Party Cookies Being Phased Out? Privacy. Digital privacy has reached a tipping point and become a culturally visible concern. Companies compiling detailed personal profiles with cookies has raised alarms about individual privacy rights. Third-party cookies, which track users' across different sites, often without explicit consent or clear understanding from users, is an example of the lack of digital privacy that affects anyone using a browser. This has led to laws and regulations like GDPR in the EU and CCPA in California that put strict requirements on how personal data can be collected, processed, and stored; consent must be clear before data can be used, and users have more control of their personal data. Effects of Removing Removing third-party cookies will significantly affect how websites track user behavior across the internet. Currently, many businesses rely on these cookies for targeted advertising and analytics. Without these...

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> Exploratory testing is an unscripted testing method that leverages a tester's creativity and domain knowledge.

- Published: 2024-06-26
- Modified: 2025-05-22
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/quality-assurance-testing/enhancing-software-quality-through-exploratory-testing/
- Categories: Quality Assurance Testing

Exploratory testing is an unscripted testing method that leverages a tester's creativity and domain knowledge.

Exploratory testing is an unscripted, manual testing method that helps teams deliver higher quality software. It relies on the creativity, intuition, and domain knowledge of the tester to analyze the software and identify things like unexpected defects, edge cases, and accessibility concerns. While planned/scripted tests and automated testing ensure that known features and functionalities work as expected, exploratory testing allows testers to uncover hidden issues as they dynamically probe the software's functionality and design. By simulating real-world usage, exploratory testing also helps uncover usability issues that might affect the end-user experience. This testing method complements other testing techniques well, especially when there is not enough time to create comprehensive scripted tests for every possible scenario. Since exploratory testing does not require extensive test case preparation, it can also be more cost-effective than traditional testing methods. Due to its flexibility and adaptability, testers can quickly adjust their approach based on the latest software updates or changes. Conducting Exploratory Testing Exploratory testing is one of my favorite methods. It encourages testers to think outside the box and explore software in a natural, intuitive way. Here are some tips for conducting exploratory testing: Set the test environment: Start by preparing your testing environment. Ensure you have access to the latest software build, any necessary testing tools, and a clear understanding of the software's objectives and functionalities. Outline test areas: Because exploratory testing is less formal, it can sometimes lack detailed documentation. Create a loose outline of the objectives and scope of your exploratory testing. The outline could be a simple list of features that are ready for testing. Having an outline can help you stay focused while allowing flexibility in your approach. Go play: Start exploring the software. Interact with the software as an end-user would. Guess where potential bugs might exist based on factors such as complexity, areas of frequent change, or past issues, and spend some time testing those areas.   Log bugs: Document any issues or unexpected behavior you encounter while testing. Provide thorough notes in the bug report to give developers the information needed to reproduce and fix the...

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> In 2024, the new European Accessibility Act (EAA) and WCAG 2.2 updates set the standards for maintaining an accessible website.

- Published: 2024-06-18
- Modified: 2025-05-22
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/web-accessibility/maintain-an-accessible-website-in-2024/
- Categories: Application Development, Custom Reporting, Custom Websites, Web Accessibility, Web Development

Your probably do not have an accessible website Making your website accessible to all users is more important than ever. Despite this, over 96% of the world’s top one million web pages fall short of website accessibility standards, leaving a significant portion of the global population unable to fully engage with online content. Creating inclusive online environments is not just a moral obligation but also a legal requirement in many regions. In 2024, the new European Accessibility Act (EAA) and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2. 2 updates set the standards for making digital content accessible. By embracing website accessibility, you can enhance usability, expand your user base, and comply with international regulations. Why make your website accessible? Designing for accessibility isn't just about compliance; it's about inclusivity and ensuring that everyone can use and benefit from your website. According to the World Health Organization, 16% of the world’s population, or 1 in 6 people, experience significant disability. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 1 in 4 people, or 27%, have a disability. Given these statistics, it’s clear that accessibility is a critical consideration. Everyone will experience a temporary or permanent disability at some point in their life. Whether it's a broken arm, age-related impairments, or situational disabilities like a noisy environment, designing for website accessibility ensures that your website remains usable for a wide range of users. Key Takeaway: Creating accessible designs means you expand your user base and increase usability for everyone! Who needs an accessible website under the law? In the United States, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates that state and local governments must be accessible under Title I. Additionally, any business open to the public must comply under Title III. This includes a wide range of entities: State and Local Government: All government websites and digital services must be accessible.   Private companies funded by the government: These entities are required to ensure their digital presence is accessible.   Airlines: The Department of Transportation Rule #2 requires airline websites and automated kiosks at U. S....

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> Discover how Atlantic BT's SOC 2 compliance ensures unparalleled data security, making us a trusted partner.

- Published: 2024-06-13
- Modified: 2025-05-22
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/technical-governance-and-risk-management-consulting/atlantic-bt-achieves-soc-2-type-2-certification/
- Categories: ABT Culture, Cloud, Cloud Monitoring & Maintenance, Cloud Security & Compliance, Governance and Risk Consulting, Technology Consulting

Discover how Atlantic BT's SOC 2 compliance ensures unparalleled data security, making us a trusted partner.

A Milestone in Our Commitment to Security and Trust We are thrilled to announce that Atlantic BT has achieved SOC 2 Type 2 certification, a significant milestone that underscores our unwavering commitment to the security, availability, and privacy of the solutions we provide to our clients. What is SOC 2 Type 2? SOC 2 Type 2 is a rigorous, industry-wide standard developed by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA). It is designed to ensure that service providers like us manage your data with the highest standard of security and compliance. Unlike SOC 2 Type 1, which evaluates the suitability of design controls at a specific point in time, SOC 2 Type 2 involves a more detailed examination of operational effectiveness over a defined period. Why It Matters For Atlantic BT, achieving SOC 2 Type 2 certification is not just about security theater. It is about building trust with our clients and partners. At a time when data breaches are all too common, this certification is a testament to the robustness of our systems and processes and people that protect and secure your data. Our Journey to Certification Achieving this certification was a rigorous process that involved detailed audits of our data management practices and the controls we put around those practices. Our team worked diligently to meet and exceed the strict criteria set forth by the AICPA. This included enhancing our security measures, refining our data processing procedures, and strengthening our system controls. It was also amazing to partner with Vanta for automation in reporting and control objectives related to the SOC 2 Type 2 framework.   What This Means for Our Clients With this certification, our clients can feel even more confident in partnering with Atlantic BT. Whether you're looking to design a new website, enhance your e-commerce platform, or secure your digital assets, you can trust that your projects and data are in safe hands. Our SOC 2 Type 2 certification assures you that we adhere to the highest standards for security and compliance, today and into the future. Thank You We want to take this opportunity to...

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> Discover the tools we use at Atlantic BT for defining, documenting, and testing APIs to streamline development and improve collaboration.

- Published: 2024-06-11
- Modified: 2025-06-09
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/api-development/tools-to-help-build-apis/
- Categories: .NET, API Development, Quality Assurance Testing

Discover the tools we use at Atlantic BT for defining, documenting, and testing APIs to streamline development and improve collaboration.

One of the most common types of development work done at Atlantic BT is building APIs. An API (Application Programming Interface) is a set of defined rules that allow different software applications to communicate and share data with each other. The APIs we develop at Atlantic BT are used not only by the websites we create, but by external clients and third-party services. Therefore, defining, documenting, and testing these APIs is a critical part of our process. This blog post will showcase several helpful tools that we use while building APIs for our clients. Defining and Documenting APIs Defining and documenting your API is an important step when building and maintaining an API. Regardless of whether the consumer of your API is an internal or external user, having a clear understanding of how to interact with your API is essential for making the development process as smooth as possible. Fortunately, there exists a suite of tools to help with this. Swagger Swagger Home Page Swagger (referred interchangeably with Open API) is a standard, programming language independent way to describe APIs. When defining your API, you create an Open API specification that describes your API's endpoints, input/output parameters, and authentication methods. This specification can then be used to generate interactive documentation and client SDKs. Swashbuckle  Swashbuckle Page Swashbuckle is a . NET library that automatically generates Open API standard documentation from your existing API code and provides a user-friendly UI for testing them. This is great for legacy applications that may be missing documentation. With minimal code, Swagger documentation can be generated, giving developers and API users specifications that would otherwise take considerable time to write and maintain. While Swashbuckle is a . NET specific library, there exists comparable tools made in almost every language. SwaggerHub SwaggerHub Home Page SwaggerHub is a collaborative platform designed for API development that leverages the Swagger/OpenAPI standard. It provides a centralized place to manage and version your API documentation. At Atlantic BT, we use SwaggerHub when building APIs that need to be consumed by our clients. This allows everyone involved to always have the latest...

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> Discover the 5 best WordPress plugins for managing large websites. Enhance SEO, streamline analytics, and simplify content management.

- Published: 2024-05-16
- Modified: 2025-05-22
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology/wordpress/the-5-best-wordpress-plugins-for-large-content-websites/
- Categories: WordPress

Discover the 5 best WordPress plugins for managing large websites. Enhance SEO, streamline analytics, and simplify content management.

Even though one of ABT's core offerings is custom development, I have always advocated for not reinventing the wheel if necessary. So I've come across a number of plugins that I have since found indispensable in managing a large WordPress site - and our site isn't even nearly as large as others! Here are the five top WordPress plugins I recommend for pretty much anybody. These may still be useful if you've got a 5-10 page site - but if you've got hundreds or thousands of pages and posts, I think these are badass! Why did I write this? I've been the primary person responsible for the Atlantic BT website for more than a year now. By that, I don't mean I do the development or write every single piece of content, but I am the main admin of the website. Similar to the role many of our clients are in, or you may be. I thought an article that isn't based on popularity or what sells, but instead first hand practical use, would be helpful to you. ABT does not get any referral fees or compensation, this is all just personal opinion by the author. Yoast SEO Premium Yoast is one of those plugins that it seems like everyone uses. Like, everyone. And for good reason - when it comes to managing SEO it's got a great set of features and admin user experience too. I tried the premium version out for some of the features, and it's here to stay. I won't go into the free version features, just some of the premium ones that make it worth it. Redirect Management The feature I love the best is the redirect management. I try to stay up to date on making sure we don't have any internal 404 links, and this helps a ton. You can manually add any redirects that you want - so if you're doing spring-cleaning on your content, it's really easy to make sure no one hits a dead end. But even better is the real-time redirect updates. If you change the URL of a...

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> Our migration toolbox with essential tips for Drupal 7 to Drupal 10 migrations, including module audits and specification tools.

- Published: 2024-05-13
- Modified: 2025-05-22
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology/drupal/the-drupal-10-migration-toolbox/
- Categories: Database Development, Drupal, Legacy System Modernization

Our migration toolbox with essential tips for Drupal 7 to Drupal 10 migrations, including module audits and specification tools.

After a number of Drupal 7 (D7) to Drupal 10 (D10) migrations, we'd like to share our tips and tricks for streamlining the process.   Discovery Process Our Drupal migration process starts the same way as any other project at ABT, with our comprehensive discovery phase. We do this to make sure that the existing Drupal 7 site is continuing to meet the needs of our customer, and whether there are new features and functionality that can be added during the migration. If the customer would like to refresh the look and feel of the site at the same time, we move on to our design phase. While the design phase is going on, we also march on with the next steps in the migration. Module Audits We developed a spreadsheet template (with conditional formatting! ) to determine whether the projects used in the Drupal 7 site are Drupal 10-compatible. The Upgrade Status and Upgrade Rector modules help speed this process up, but there is still a little legwork to do to determine version numbers, patches that need to be applied, and to weed out both false positives and false negatives that the modules report. One thing to watch for is that the upgrade modules will report that a project has a patch to make it Drupal 10-compatible. However, if that patch includes a change to the project's composer. json file, then the project cannot be patched with the commonly used cweagans/composer-patches library. A developer would have to either remove the project from Composer and check the patched version into the site's repository, or the developer would have to create a fork of the project and change their composer. json file to pull the project from the forked repository. Both situations are not ideal, as then the developer would have to keep track of project updates and pull in the changes manually. Luckily, there is a workaround in the mglaman/composer-drupal-lenient project. The composer-drupal-lenient project allows developers to add projects to an allow list that tells Composer to ignore the Drupal core version requirement in a project's composer. json file. If...

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> Preparing to start a new app or website? Save money, time, and your own programming team's sanity by choosing to outsource your unique software project.

- Published: 2023-12-06
- Modified: 2025-05-22
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/user-experience-services/outsource-software-development/
- Categories: .NET, Application Development, Software, Software Maintenance & Support, Strategy, Technology, Technology Consulting, User Experience

Preparing to start a new app or website? Save money, time, and your own programming team's sanity by choosing to outsource your unique software project.

There are many scenarios where it could make sense to outsource a software project. But first, let’s clarify the difference between outsourced development and offshore development. You could outsource to an offshore firm. You could also outsource to a company in your backyard. In this post we are talking about partnering with a software development agency in your backyard, not overseas.   Here are a few reasons outsourcing might be the smarter and easier route. 1. Your team lacks the technical skills needed for this project. Although It would be convenient if all programmers had the qualifications to work on all projects, that’s far from reality. Each developer has a unique set of technical skills and experiences.  You could have many highly-qualified and capable people on your team. But that does not guarantee that they are a good fit to build the kind of software you need at the moment. By turning to an outsourced team, you can find teams that specialize in exactly what you’re looking for. When you’re positive you’ll get the specific knowledge needed for the job, you lower your risk of missing deadlines and making mistakes. 2. A new project could derail your busy team. In other cases, your software development team may have the right background needed for your project. But companies with in-house programmers usually have many ongoing needs. Your team may not have time in their schedule to give the project necessary attention and care. Or maybe your team is focused on other features and don’t want to do the upkeep or grunt work on a new application. Adding a large job on top of existing duties can slow down work on critical tasks. It can also leave your new development project in a perpetual purgatory. On the other hand, let’s say your programmers do have the time to tackle the new project. Do they have expertise in using new tools? Buying necessary tools to complete a new project and training your software development team is costly. 3. You need the project finished on a tight deadline. An outsourced programming team is your best bet...

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> How to discover if your website is outdated in 2024. Learn about responsiveness, accessibility, speed and performance in website development.

- Published: 2023-12-05
- Modified: 2025-05-22
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/web-accessibility/how-to-tell-if-my-website-is-outdated/
- Categories: Application Development, Cloud, Cloud Monitoring & Maintenance, Custom Web Design & Development, Legacy System Modernization, Software, Web Accessibility, Web Development, Website Management, Website Speed Optimization

How to discover if your website is outdated in 2024. Learn about responsiveness, accessibility, speed and performance in website development.

If your website is not responsive, not accessible, not performant (mobile included), or leveraging outdated or insecure technology, it may be a sign that your website is outdate. This can give the impression that your business is not reliable or trustworthy. In such cases, it's crucial to consider the services of a company specializing in website development to ensure your site is up-to-date and effective. Outdated websites that are not compatible with modern web browsers and devices can lead to poor user experiences. This can include issues such as slow loading times, broken features, and security vulnerabilities. And since users expect websites to be reliable and functional, these issues can be frustrating and off-putting. Add to this the fact that old, outdated websites may not comply with modern web design and accessibility standards - such as a website that doesn't use responsive web design principles. It may not display properly on mobile devices, or if it doesn't comply with accessibility standards it may exclude users with disabilities.   You may think that because your website still seems okay, it's okay to not update things. But in today's competitive digital landscape, businesses need to prioritize their core web vitals and ensure that their website development is up-to-date and user-friendly. Without it, there’s a chance you could drive potential customers to choose a competitor's website instead. Based on our 25 years of website development experience, here are four main things that make a site look outdated: Non-Responsive Website In 2024, non-responsive website development is no longer acceptable because of the increasing number of users accessing the internet through their mobile devices. With the proliferation of smartphones and tablets, users expect websites to be mobile-friendly and responsive. A responsive website adapts to different screen sizes and devices, ensuring that the user experience remains consistent across all platforms. Non-responsive websites require users to zoom in and out or scroll horizontally to view content, leading to a clunky and frustrating experience. This gives the impression that a business is out of touch with modern technology and trends, which can negatively impact its reputation and credibility....

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> Looking to resolve the "Serve images in next-gen formats" in PageSpeed Insights? This is a step-by-step guide for a WordPress website.

- Published: 2023-11-27
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/wordpress-webp-conversion/
- Categories: Custom Websites, Project Type, Technology, Web Development, WordPress

Looking to resolve the "Serve images in next-gen formats" in PageSpeed Insights? This is a step-by-step guide for a WordPress website.

Looking to resolve the "Serve images in next-gen formats" warning in PageSpeed Insights? This is a step-by-step guide for a WordPress website. This is for sites that are using S3 to host all media. The implementation that inspired this post used WP Offload Media, but the steps involving that tool are likely simple enough that they’ll carry over to other offloading plugins, so I’ve abstracted that part of the instructions to be plugin-agnostic. Instructions Add the EWWW Image Optimizer plugin to your project (WP Packagist has it at the time of writing). Activate EWWW and go to its settings page Turn on Ludicrous Mode so you can see all settings Ensure both WebP Conversion and Force WebP are turned on (Force WebP is regrettable, but it’s necessary if you don’t have local copies of your images, as specified in the linked article). Save your settings changes. If you have pre-existing media, you’ll want to run a Bulk Optimize as outlined below to make sure all your images have a WebP version available. Use your media offloading plugin to copy all media from the bucket to the server if they aren’t there already. Run EWWW’s Bulk Optimize tool (Media > Bulk Optimize) with the WebP Only and Force re-optimize options checked. Theoretically, it should work without these checked, but both seem to skip over some items unnecessarily when unchecked, leading to an incomplete bulk optimization. If you want to compress as well, it may be best to do that in a separate optimization step. After all media has been converted, copy everything back to the bucket from the server. Now you need to choose a WebP delivery method. Go back to the EWWW settings and scroll to the bottom of the Basic tab where it says “WebP Delivery Method”. Picture WebP Rewriting was chosen for my implementation since it uses native browser functionality designed for exactly this purpose and requires no JS injection. If you have extra URL patterns that you want to be rewritten, add them to the WebP URLs section as described in this article, which is the same...

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> Upgrade from Drupal 7 to Drupal 10 for enhanced security and user experience. Discover how an upgrade solves common Drupal 7 admin issues.

- Published: 2023-11-17
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/project-type/custom-websites/drupal-10-upgrade-guide/
- Categories: Custom Websites, Drupal, Legacy System Modernization, PHP

Upgrade to Drupal 10, stay with D7, or move to another platform? Learn more about the full D10 benefits in security, efficiency, and more.

As with all major website changes, the upgrade from Drupal 7 to Drupal 10 may be intimidating to plan. Despite the time investment, fully recognizing the benefits of the newest version of Drupal will be well worth your while. Read on to learn more about how upgrading will help your business through increasing efficiency, security, and an improved overall experience for your team. Primary Benefits of Upgrading to Drupal 10 So why should you upgrade to Drupal 10, rather than staying with Drupal 7 or moving to another platform like WordPress? Ensure your application is secure. Drupal 7 is scheduled to reach its end of life in January of 2025. This means it won't receive security updates or bug fixes after that point. The Drupal Association has discontinued their 3rd party maintenance program for Drupal 7, so this will be your last chance to upgrade! The Drupal community already did the work for simple migration paths. The Migrate module has been moved into Drupal 10 core code, and the community has included migration scripts to migrate most Drupal 6 and Drupal 7 configuration and content to Drupal 10. If you were moving to another platform, you would have to develop your new data structures, themes, and migration scripts yourself. With Drupal 10 you can leverage the efforts of the community to migrate your data structures and content with less effort. Upgrading to Drupal 10 will facilitate your upgrade to Drupal 11. While the Drupal 7 to Drupal 10 transition requires a migration of configuration and content (because of the extensive re-factoring of Drupal's core code), the Drupal 10 to Drupal 11 upgrade will not require a migration. The Drupal community is returning to an upgrade-in-place strategy, much like between previous versions. Drupal 11 will be built off of Drupal 10, with its third-party dependencies updated and some old code removed. This will result in a smoother transition between Drupal 10 and 11. You may be wondering: why not upgrade to Drupal 8 or 9 first? The biggest reason is that Drupal 8's end of life was November 2021, and Drupal...

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> Explore how generative AI tools are revolutionizing business operations and shaping the future of business growth in 2024.

- Published: 2023-11-08
- Modified: 2025-06-02
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/ai/ai-consulting/generative-ai-tools-for-businesses-in-2024/
- Categories: AI, AI Consulting, Algolia & Search, Application Development, Automated Voice Messaging, Chatbot Integration, Software

Explore how generative AI tools are revolutionizing everyday automation and shaping the future of businesses in 2024. Dive into our insights on the transformative power of generative AI for driving growth.

This year was a big one for tech innovation with the breakthrough speed of AI technologies. As we approach 2024, it’s crucial for businesses to understand and adapt to the rapidly evolving tech trends that are set to revolutionize the business landscape. Such as - generative AI tools, quantum computing, and voice search optimization.   Understanding these trends is not just about keeping up with the times, but about leveraging these advancements to drive growth and stay ahead of the curve. 2024 will be the year when businesses fully harness the transformative power of AI, driving growth and shaping the future of business. Generative AI Tools – Everyday Automation Generative AI is set to become a game-changer in 2024. This technology burst into the mainstream in 2023, and now we're seeing its true potential. Unlike traditional AI, which is primarily used for understanding and analyzing data, generative AI tools go a step further. They use patterns and structures in the data it has learned to generate new, original content, be it text, images, or even music. Utilizing generative AI tools is like having a super-smart personal assistant available 24/7. They can handle everyday tasks such as obtaining information, scheduling, compliance management, and project organization. By delegating these tasks to AI, businesses can free up valuable time for employees to focus on more creative and strategic activities. While there are ethical and regulatory challenges to overcome, 2024 will be the year when businesses fully understand the transformative power of generative AI tools. Cyber Resilience in the Face of Growing Threats The threat of cyberattacks continues to grow, with the cost to industry expected to reach over $10 trillion by the end of 2024. Cyber resilience goes beyond cybersecurity and encompasses measures to recover and ensure continuity when defenses are breached. This includes remote working procedures, integrated frameworks that merge security measures with continuity protocols, and awareness of social engineering attacks. As cyber threats become more sophisticated, businesses will need to adopt AI and machine learning-driven solutions to bolster their defenses and protect sensitive data. Yet another challenge that generative AI tools...

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> Experience Atlantic BT’s vibrant company culture through our epic scavenger hunt at the NC State Fair.

- Published: 2023-10-26
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/abt-culture/atlantic-bts-epic-scavenger-hunt-at-the-nc-state-fair/
- Categories: ABT Culture

At Atlantic BT, we’ve mastered the art of remote work. We’ve assembled a team that spans time zones, making up some of the brightest talent there is. We don’t let distance dampen our company culture either. From virtual escape rooms to trivia showdowns, we’ve still found creative ways to have fun with our teammates! But we’re not all Google Meet and virtual spreadsheets. This year, we flew out-of-towners to Raleigh, North Carolina and spent the day at the North Carolina State Fair for a scavenger hunt. For some of us, it was the first time meeting many of our coworkers in person. Faces that had been confined to screens now materialized in three dimensions! Adding to the amusement, our Senior PHP Developer, Gabby, brought her niece with her to partake in the scavenger festivities. Picture the scene: our Senior Front End Developer Dave extended a warm hug to Gabby. Only he had actually embraced Gabby’s niece, mistaking her for Gabby herself! Pictured from left to right: Gabby's niece, Gabby, Dave, Smokey Bear, Jenn and Tyler. Scavenger Hunt Rules For the Scavenger Hunt, developers, designers, discoverers, and deployers were armed with a strange list of Fair paraphernalia such as fried oreos, prized cows, ferris wheels, a sweet potato weighing 8. 781 lbs, and stretchy ice cream. The rules were simple, teams of five find the items on the list and take a picture with at least three of their teammates. This prevented teams from dividing and conquering while also creating opportunities for goofy photo sessions! Kevin with his name on a t-shirt plus Shoshana, Annie, Rachel and Ria. Friendly Competitive Spirit The competitive spirit was lively as teams scattered throughout the North Carolina State Fair. They frantically captured as many items on the list before the time limit. ABTers clocked in steps like they were training for a marathon. Our IT Manager was so caught up in the competition he had a clash with a fire hydrant! The fire hydrant won.   Time was our most precious currency. Every moment spent elsewhere meant a point lost. It was funny to see...

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> Explore the digital transformation journey from data collection to AI integration. Learn how to implement AI applications into your business today.

- Published: 2023-10-25
- Modified: 2025-05-23
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/ai/ai-roadmap/ai-implementation-made-easy-a-comprehensive-roadmap-from-industry-experts/
- Categories: AI, AI Consulting, AI Integration Services, AI Roadmap, Application Development, Software

21st-century advancements are rapid. ChatGPT enables faster decisions. ABT aids businesses in adopting technologies and AI strategies.

The pace of technological advancements we’re seeing in this early part of the 21st century is amazing, almost unbelievable. And now, with the launch of ChatGPT, businesses have the opportunity to utilize AI applications to help them to make decisions faster and more accurately than ever before. Atlantic BT has been in business since 1998 and has helped over 1,000 businesses to capitalize on the past 25 years of emerging technological advancements. We’re using this deep experience to help our clients enter this new era of technology, artificial intelligence, as well. In this article, we’ll discuss how “digital transformation” has progressed from data collection and analysis, to automation, and now artificial intelligence strategies. Then we’ll outline the steps necessary to implement AI applications in your business.   The Impact of ChatGPT on Business: Opportunities and Challenges with AI Applications OpenAI brought Artificial Intelligence to the mainstream with its 2022 launch of ChatGPT. And it still reigns supreme today as the most powerful and versatile tool for natural language processing available to the general public.   One of the key features that sets ChatGPT apart from other AI applications is its ability to generate text that is both natural and coherent, making it well-suited for tools like chatbots and other conversational agents. Which makes it a game changer for businesses. With AI technology, businesses can greatly enhance their operations, improve customer experiences, decrease costs, and further drive innovation.   However, this fast-paced technological innovation has created some challenges for businesses as well. From labor shortages, to inflation, cost limitations, and increased competition, organizations are under immense pressure to boost productivity and maintain their competitiveness. (To be fair, this has always been the case, but it seems to be even more important "now. ") Incorporating AI applications into a business isn’t much different than the process a business would have gone through when it incorporated any other new technology of its time. Innovative business leaders, especially those at the enterprise-level, have already turned their focus towards leveraging automation and artificial intelligence (AI) as a solution to bridge productivity gaps. Which means that...

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> With this guide to PHPUnit in Drupal 10, get started confirming the quality and reaction of code on edge cases in different layers.

- Published: 2023-10-18
- Modified: 2025-05-23
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/integrations-services/a-full-guide-to-phpunit-in-drupal-10/
- Categories: Database Development, Drupal, Integrations, PHP, Quality Assurance Testing, Software, Technology, Web Development

Like many open-source projects, Drupal comes with automated tests that help prevent breaking changes while promoting code quality. Drupal 8 changed its testing framework for unit and functional tests from its own Simpletest framework to PHPUnit. PHPUnit is a unit testing framework hosted by GitHub and built for the PHP programming language. The change from Simpletest to PHPUnit follows Drupal 8's strategy of using more third-party libraries in Drupal Core. All Simpletests have been moved to PHPUnit as of Drupal 8. 7. x, and the Simpletest module was removed in Drupal 9. PHPUnit can handle different types of tests in Drupal core: unit tests, kernel tests, and functional tests. With these three tests, you can confirm the quality and reaction of code on edge cases in different layers. Unit tests test functions, methods, and classes without requiring a database connection to run. On the other hand, kernel tests test the integration of module APIs and require a database connection to be configured to run. Functional tests test the entire system and require more setup than the others. Within the functional tests, there are both browser and JavaScript tests. In addition to these PHP-based tests, you may also run core JavaScript tests using the Nightwatch framework. PHPUnit: Unit Tests Your unit tests won't be found unless they follow specific file structure, namespace, and metadata requirements. Drush can generate stub tests for a module. When writing custom code, be sure to use dependency injection to make mocking easier. You can find detailed information in this blog post, or see the examples module. Unit test mocks are created using Prophecy. PHPUnit: Kernel Tests Per the documentation of the KernelTestBase class, kernel tests are "useful for testing some types of integrations which don't require the overhead of a fully-installed Drupal instance, but which have many dependencies on parts of Drupal which can't or shouldn't be mocked. " The class partially boots Drupal, and can load the services and hooks of other modules. The documentation says that the configuration, database schema, and entity schema could be installed for some modules, but it's not clear which modules...

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> Join us as we share 25 key moments over the past quarter-century, from customized web applications to the cloud and onward with AI.

- Published: 2023-09-14
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/application-development/25-cheers-for-25-years-of-delivering-custom-crafted-technology/
- Categories: Application Development, Software

Join us as we share 25 key moments over the past quarter-century, from customized web applications to the cloud and onward with AI.

Atlantic BT was founded on September 14th in 1998, just 10 days shy of the almighty Google. While we may not have grown to Google’s size (yet! ), we take great pride in the fact that we have been in the game for as long as the most popular search engine in the world. Our founding belief was in the power of technology to shape the future, and that’s exactly what we’ve been doing for the last 25 years - delivering innovative technologies.   What better way to commemorate our journey than by raising 25 cheers for all 25 years that we’ve spent transforming technology? Let us take you on a journey through the remarkable milestones that shaped Atlantic BT into the powerhouse it is today.   1. Cheers to the beginning.   One of our very first projects was building software to help medical offices process prescriptions faster. An innovative idea for new technology 25 years ago, that’s become a real game-changer today for doctor’s offices and patients alike. 2. Cheers to surviving Y2K. As the new millennium approached, there was widespread fear among computer experts and financial analysts about the potential chaos that could ensue from transitioning from a two-digit year '99 to '00. The worry extended to various computer systems, including those used for airline reservations, financial databases, and government operations. Spoiler alert, nothing happened!   3. Cheers to free resources like The Wayback Machine.   Internet Archive, a nonprofit organization headquartered in San Francisco, California, launched the Wayback Machine in 2001. It allows users to view previous versions of websites and observe their appearance at different points in time. Here is a link to their search engine. Type your website into the search bar to check out what your own site looked like “way back in time”.   4. Cheers to making everyday business better.   It’s clear we’ve been laser focused on our mission from the very beginning. In 2002 our website read: Now that the dust is beginning to settle, it is more obvious that the real future of the Internet is not replacing...

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> Don't let a Drupal upgrade intimidate you. Delaying upgrades may drain resources. Discover why upgrading to Drupal 10 is the right move.

- Published: 2023-09-06
- Modified: 2025-05-23
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology/drupal/why-upgrade-to-drupal-10/
- Categories: Drupal

Are you comfortable with your Drupal website, but intimidated by an upgrade? Many businesses are enjoying the benefits of the Drupal platform, but are still on versions 6 or 7. While a Drupal upgrade could appear to be an unnecessary hassle, delaying your move to Drupal 10 could be hurting your business for several reasons. Drupal 6 and 7 Support is Ending First of all, official support for Drupal 6 has ended and support for Drupal 7 is ending in January 2025. That may seem far in the future. However, when you include annual budget, approval, and procurement cycles, plus a typical migration project timeline, you should be planning your Drupal 10 migration project today. Waiting for Drupal 11 Could Cost You Resources There were some major technology changes in Drupal 8. Thus, a Drupal upgrade to 10 from older versions like Drupal 6 or 7, will require a significant effort. You can learn more about the issues of upgrading from older versions. On the other hand, the upgrade from Drupal 10 to 11 will be relatively easy due to the similarity of code architecture. You might be tempted to wait for the release of version 11 and skip 10. However, remember that you also need to consider the development of community modules for version 11 - if you try to skip 10 and wait for version 11, you could get caught between the end of support for 7 and full compatibility of your needs in version 11 community modules. In the long run, a Drupal upgrade to 10. 1 now will give your team more time to focus on content and strategy when it comes time to upgrade to Drupal 11. Avoid the time crunch of a complete site overhaul. Recognize the Benefits of Drupal 10 Immediately Upgrading to Drupal 10 now will provide immediate benefits to your team. Many features that previously required customization have been included in version 10 core functionality. In addition to performance and security improvements, Drupal 10 includes a better experience for front-end users, an improved experience for admin users, and easier development. Don't...

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> Learn how ChatGPT changed the world with artificial intelligence. Discover how an AI strategy can enhance your finance, HR, & marketing operations.

- Published: 2023-08-28
- Modified: 2025-05-23
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/ai/ai-consulting/how-chatgpt-mainstreamed-ai-and-why-businesses-need-an-ai-plan/
- Categories: AI, AI Consulting, AI Roadmap, Chatbot Integration, Custom Reporting

Learn how ChatGPT changed the world with artificial intelligence & discover how businesses can leverage AI in accounting, HR, and marketing.

When OpenAI launched ChatGPT, the world suddenly couldn’t stop talking about Artificial Intelligence (AI). In the months after it launched, millions of people used it to write songs, apply for jobs, and even win the lottery (so claims a man in Thailand).  With the general population paying such close attention to ChatGPT, it underscores the importance of an AI strategy for businesses operating in today's digital age. Yet AI is no spring chicken. Scientists first began talking about an “artificial brain” in the 1940s, with 1956 credited as the year artificial intelligence was officially founded.   So how, nearly 70 years later, was ChatGPT able to finally mainstream AI and set off such a huge cultural phenomenon? ChatGPT: The AI Strategy Wake-Up Call. ChatGPT was able to generate text that better resembles human speech and engages in conversations with people in a manner that we haven’t seen with any other system that came before it.   Some argue its impact could be internet-scale disruption.   Yet, so many businesses are still in a state of uncertainty, without any formal plan for how they will implement an AI strategy into their operations. AI is complex and constantly evolving. So it’s understandable how half of US businesses still don't have a plan for how they’ll use it. Plus, it’s so new that many business leaders aren’t even sure of who to turn to for help (btw, we can help ).   It seems unfathomable that 30 years ago businesses would have been scratching their heads, wondering if they really need this new internet thingy.   Yet that’s where we are right now with artificial intelligence. In this article, Bill Gates reflects back to mid-2022 when he challenged OpenAI to pass an Advanced Placement Biology exam. He thought it would take them a few years. They finished in a few months. So, yes, your business absolutely needs an AI strategy. Atlantic BT has been building websites, improving software applications and managing cloud services for 25 years. That’s more than two decades of experience using the same kind of strategic thinking and creative development...

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> Learn how Atlantic BT delivers top-tier AWS services through our participation in AWS's Partner Led Business Support program.

- Published: 2023-06-22
- Modified: 2025-05-23
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/cloud/cloud-strategy-consulting/discover-the-benefits-of-partnering-with-a-select-tier-aws-partner/
- Categories: Cloud, Cloud Hosting, Cloud Monitoring & Maintenance, Cloud Security & Compliance, Cloud Strategy & Consulting, Project Type

Learn how Atlantic BT delivers top-tier AWS services through our participation in AWS's Partner Led Business Support program.

Welcome to the future of cloud computing, where we, as a Select tier AWS partner, are ready to take your business to new heights. Our partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS) is more than just a badge—it's a testament to our commitment to delivering top-tier cloud solutions to our clients. The AWS Partner Network (APN) Advantage Being part of the AWS Partner Network (APN) is a significant achievement. The APN is a global community of partners who are committed to helping customers build, market, and sell their AWS offerings. This includes a wide range of services from storage and databases to analytics and machine learning. As a Select tier partner, we've proven our expertise in AWS services. We've passed rigorous certification processes and demonstrated our ability to deliver effective solutions. We're not just experts—we're trusted professionals with a track record of success. Take, for example, our work with Mutual Drug – a billion-dollar business that supplies more than 500 pharmacies with over 25,000 drugs and other items. With a business model completely dependent on online transactions, Mutual Drug recognizes the importance of superior network reliability and Amazon Web Services’ position as the leader in this space. Several years ago, we helped Mutual Drug to create a scalable and fault-tolerant hosting solution on Amazon Web Services.   Delivering Success with AWS Partner Led Business Support Our partnership with AWS extends beyond the Select tier. We're also part of AWS's Partner Led Business Support program. This program enables us to provide our customers with extensive technical support, ensuring their AWS solutions are optimized for their specific needs. We're here to help you navigate the complexities of the cloud. Our team of certified professionals will guide you through every step of your cloud journey, from initial consultation, to ongoing support, and through your first production incident. We're committed to delivering solutions that drive your business success and keep you secure. Why Choose a Select Tier AWS Partner? As a Select tier partner, we've met specific requirements set by AWS, including extensive training and a proven track record of customer success. But we're not...

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> Atlantic BT conducted user interviews to update our website and make more user-centric. Discover how user interviews can improve your website.

- Published: 2023-06-05
- Modified: 2025-05-23
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/user-experience-services/user-interviews-for-website-improvement/
- Categories: Branding Strategy, Information Architecture, Strategy, User Experience

Websites are not static objects, they need to scale and change as your company grows. Before long, websites can become stale, outdated and accumulate technical debt if left unattended. Therefore, website improvement needs to be a regular part of every company’s business practices. It can be difficult to know what parts of the website needs improving or agree internally which parts should be changed. User Interviews can be a big help in deciding where your organization should focus its improvement efforts. You Don't Know Until You Ask Atlantic BT recently decided it was time to update the website to reflect our change and growth and reflect the needs of our users. Like many companies, our internal stakeholders had differing opinions on how the website should be redesigned. As a B2B business, we want to make sure our website is a pleasant experience for the people that make the decision to use our services. We weren’t sure any of our ideas for the website would actually accomplish that.   The solution may seem obvious, but the best way to find out what problems, desires and goals your customer has when interacting with your website is to ask them. So we did. How We Did It We didn’t just throw out a survey to a bunch of clients and website users either. That kind of research will tell you whether they like your website or not, but not why. So the results still wouldn’t help much with how to change your website. We asked five of our clients to do a user interview, a user experience method where researchers conduct one-on-one sessions with users to ask questions about a product or website. You can include either established clients or potential users within the same demographic as your clients, although you will get differing results.   Established clients will be able to tell you what they love about your company/product/service and whether your site represents that well. Potential clients can give you a fresh perspective on your website. They can tell you whether it is understandable right away without any background knowledge.  ...

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> A poor UX will make visitors leave your website. Here's how ABT's experts can help you improve your website by focusing on your users' needs.

- Published: 2023-05-23
- Modified: 2025-05-23
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/user-experience-services/how-user-experience-can-make-or-break-your-website/
- Categories: Application Development, Branding Strategy, Information Architecture, Software, Strategy, User Experience

A poor UX will make visitors leave your website. Here's how ABT's experts can help you improve your website by focusing on your users' needs.

User experience, or UX, refers to the overall experience that a user has while interacting with a website. It encompasses everything from the website's layout and design to its functionality, responsiveness, and ease of use. Navigating a website without a lot of effort or difficulty. No fuss, no muss. That's an exceptional user experience.   In this blog post, we'll explore what user experience is, why a great user experience is important in web development, and what you should do to get right. What is User Experience? User experience is all about creating a positive experience for the user. It involves designing a website that is easy to navigate, has a clear and intuitive layout, and provides users with the information they need.   Good user experience goes beyond just giving customers what you think they want. According to Nielsen Norman Group, world leaders in research-based user experience, to achieve high-quality user experience, there must be a seamless merging of engineering, marketing, graphical and industrial design, and interface design.   Additionally, a website that prioritizes user experience can help to build trust, increase customer loyalty, and ultimately drive sales. How Does a Poor User Experience Impact a Website Visitor? Simply put, poor user experience will make visitors leave. If a website is difficult to use, slow to load, or doesn't provide users with the information they need, visitors are likely to leave and look for alternatives.   According to a recent study shared by Medium, 46% of website users studied will leave a website if they cannot immediately determine what the company does. Being unable to find the company’s contact information was the second reason website users abandoned a site, followed by poor design and navigation.   Poor user experience can and will damage a company's brand perception and reputation. Thus leading to a loss of potential customers and revenue. How to get User Experience right?   A study by Forrester Research determined that with a great user experience, a website can achieve conversion rates of up to 400%! The following factors are crucial to get right for a great...

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> Learn how a technology consultant can guide your business through the adoption of cutting-edge technologies to propel your company forward.

- Published: 2023-05-02
- Modified: 2025-05-23
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/business-analysis/what-is-a-strategic-technology-partner/
- Categories: Application Development, Business Analysis, Cloud, Cloud Hosting, Cloud Monitoring & Maintenance, Digital Project Management, Digital Transformation Services, Project Type, Software, Technology Consulting

Companies today face all sorts of disruptions, but the most complex among them comes from technology assets. Even if you were clear about your organization’s systems and platforms just a few years ago, chances are that everything has changed since then.  Recognizing this, Atlantic BT steps in as a leading technology consultant, offering a suite of services to help organizations navigate the ever-changing technological landscape. You may find that you’re spending more time keeping up with technology than you are on your core business functions, which will cause your business to suffer. Perhaps your workers are continually burned out because in addition to carrying out their core jobs, they are having to put out technology fires.   Successful companies adapt to new technology changes in order to maintain their market presence, increase their market share and keep up with the competition.  If your organization is struggling to keep up with the ever changing technological landscape, it may be time to partner with a technology consultant. What is a Technology Consultant? Technology consultants are indispensable allies in today’s digital age. They guide businesses through the adoption of cutting-edge technologies, advising them on the use of modern tools. Possessing the right digital technology can propel a business to the forefront of innovation and significantly enhance revenue generation. An experienced technology consultant will bring a robust understanding of technology, its workings, and its business applications. This expertise is rooted in extensive industry experience and an educational background in technology, enabling them to help businesses leverage technology effectively and efficiently. Exploring Key Technologies for Business Growth In the digital era, businesses are increasingly leveraging a variety of technologies to streamline operations, enhance customer experiences, and drive growth. These technologies, ranging from Content Management Systems and Customer Relationship Management systems, to data analytics tools and cybersecurity measures, serve as the backbone of modern businesses. They not only automate and simplify complex processes but also provide valuable insights, improve online visibility, and ensure the security of digital assets. Here’s a closer look at some of these key technologies and how they benefit businesses: Content Management Systems...

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> Correlating the fine dining experience to working with an agency who is building your custom website or web application.

- Published: 2023-03-10
- Modified: 2025-05-23
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/digital-project-management/building-a-custom-website-is-and-isnt-like-a-fine-dining-experience-3-of-3-in-series/
- Categories: Application Development, Approach, Digital Project Management, Digital Transformation Services, Page Topics, Software, Technology Consulting, Working with Atlantic BT

Correlating the fine dining experience to working with an agency who is building your custom website or web application.

In two previous posts, I compared 1) website planning and development with custom house building, and 2) website maintenance with owning a vehicle.   In this post, I correlate the fine dining experience to working with an agency who is building your custom website or web application. This will make fewer technical correlations, but instead focus more on the people and process involved in bringing your project to life. And yes, I did make myself hungry while writing this article. Getting Seated You walk into the restaurant. The atmosphere is calm, the lighting is warm and soft, and you approach the host. There's a short introduction, and they make you feel welcome. Maybe you made reservations earlier, but maybe not. If not, you put your name on the list and relax in the lobby. At some point (now or later), the host calls your name, and you make your way to the table. They inform you who will be your server for the evening, and soon that person arrives. Surprisingly, the sales process can and should follow a similar path. Once you reach out to a vendor and you're introduced to a sales representative, hopefully you feel at ease. Sure, you're having discussions about schedule, scope, and budget when planning a project (which doesn’t happen while waiting in the lobby for your table), but you're learning if your companies are a fit. It's clear you've found a vendor who understands your needs, cares about your success, and budgets align. Eventually a contract is agreed upon, you're assigned team members, and a kickoff meeting is occurs. What's on the Menu? With fine dining, there are a lot of interactions with staff once you are at your table. Many of them are with your server. To start, water is brought to the table and drink orders are taken. While the server gets your drinks from the bartender, you start browsing the menu. Your drinks arrive, and you have questions about the menu. The server has answers to most, but they go and ask the chef about one particular detail.   It's a...

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> “You get what you pay for” is a phrase that applies to many parts of life, and software development is no exception.

- Published: 2023-03-07
- Modified: 2025-06-09
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/application-development/you-get-what-you-pay-for-measuring-software-quality/
- Categories: Application Development, Custom Reporting, Integrations, Project Type, Software

“You get what you pay for” is a phrase that applies to many parts of life, and software development is no exception.

“You get what you pay for” is a phrase that applies to many parts of life, and software development is no exception. However, much of what goes into software development is a bit of a mystery to the layman, and understandably so.   It took me four years of education to gain a cursory understanding and many more years of hands-on experience to gain real knowledge of software development. So if you aren’t a technical expert and you’re paying for software development services, how can you truly evaluate quality?   The difference often lies in four areas: change management, planning and review, automation, and testing.   Simply put, companies that get these right produce higher quality software than those that don’t. These key elements drive efficiency, building software with fewer errors while creating a structure that facilitates future development Change Management Source Control We store code in a source control repository, meaning every change we make is tracked and saved. Furthermore, multiple developers can work on a project at once without fear of overwriting each other’s changes.   We also practice Infrastructure as Code. This means that hosting environments are scripted as code and stored in the repository, ensuring that infrastructure can be stood up in a repeatable manner. The benefits include simplified maintenance, testing, and disaster recovery. Versioned Releases Every deployment is planned and versioned so that we know the exact state of our software and when it got there. Being able to reference past work enables us to add new features quickly and easily. Planning & Review Feature Specifications Every feature is planned using a consistent format. We outline the feature’s business objective, document our assumptions and questions, outline dependencies, formulate a work plan, and determine how to test if it’s working correctly. We prefer to measure twice, cut once. Code Reviews Every line of code that’s written is reviewed by another developer. Nothing is released without peer review and approval. Automation Continuous Integration Code from all developers is run through software that compiles or parses the code, triggers the automated tests, and reports back on coding style...

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> Learn how to determine the cost of web application development in 2023, factoring in size, complexity, constraints, and maintenance.

- Published: 2023-02-24
- Modified: 2025-05-23
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/application-development/what-does-it-cost-to-build-and-host-a-web-application-in-2023/
- Categories: Application Development, Cloud, Cloud Monitoring & Maintenance, Software

Web applications play an essential role in business operations. These software applications are accessed through a web browser and don’t need to be downloaded. They provide functionality through a URL so companies can engage with customers, automate processes and improve efficiency. With web application development, most businesses want to first understand how significant their investment in the technology will need to be. The answer can differ depending on many factors. In 2023, the cost of web application development is determined by things like the size and complexity of the application, any refinements and/or constraints, and hosting and maintenance costs. Start with the basics: how to determine size and complexity. To determine the size and complexity of your web application, we need to first define what it’s going to do. The specifications for modern software are often defined by ‘user stories’. These user stories are a simple way to describe discrete functionalities your application should provide, from an end-user perspective. They are often used by developers to define and estimate the effort required for web application development. Let’s use Facebook as an example of a web-based application that most people are familiar with. While Facebook may seem relatively simple to use, it is actually a massive web application with many different layers of functionality for different user groups. Describing it in user stories would take a very long time, however, if we stick to its most basic functionality we can use it as a good example. Here are some examples of web-based user stories: As a user, I need to register and create a profile As a user, I need to verify my email address to complete my registration As a user, I need to find friends to connect with As a user, I need to request to connect with the friends I find As a user, I need to add pictures to my profile  As a user, I need to post status updates to my feed  As a user, I need to be able to react (like, love, hate, cry, etc) to posts  As a user, I need to be...

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> With AngularJS and Zend Framework 2 now both obsolete, and new tools coming out all the time, it’s time to start thinking new.

- Published: 2023-01-09
- Modified: 2025-05-23
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/software-maintenance-support/3-reasons-its-time-to-move-on-from-angularjs-and-zend-framework-2/
- Categories: Application Development, PHP, Software, Software Maintenance & Support, Technology, Technology Consulting

AngularJS was once one of the most popular structural frameworks for dynamic web applications. The beauty of this tool was that it let you use HTML as your template language and build applications without the code otherwise needed. Developers had come to love its ease of use and the speed with which they could offer complete application builds.   Another popular open-source tool, Zend Framework, also made it easy to produce and manage PHP-based websites for a long time by creating object-oriented web applications using PHP 5 scripting language.   Both did an incredible job for years – but as with everything, time changes things and there are better, more efficient ways to get application building done.   The world of software development is changing. Creating applications that are far more scalable, and secure and that meet the constantly changing demands of the market requires change.   In 2014, Zend Framework 2 stopped being maintained and after pushing back its support end date due to the pandemic, AngularJS support support officially ended in January 2022. Angular, now replaces AngularJS and is a typescript-based rebuild of the AngularJS framework. As a more modern web framework, it includes a number of improvements. The latest version, Angular 15, was developed by Google and released on November 16, 2022, and supports the latest TypeScript 4. 8 release.   Zend Framework has now been renamed Laminas Project and is under an open governance model managed by the Linux Foundation. It includes a number of professional PHP-based packages for web applications in PHP 7. Laravel is another popular and widely supported PHP framework. With AngularJS and Zend Framework 2 now both obsolete and new tools coming out all the time, it’s time to start thinking about how you’ll move your applications into the next generation. Not convinced? Here are 3 important reasons to move on to new application tools. Security Issues Even if your website and applications are still working as they should, it's important to not ignore the security risks involved with outdated, no longer supported tools. Vulnerabilities in web applications are serious and costly risks....

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> It’s critical that companies have a reliable content management system in place for the easy creation, management, and governance of digital content.

- Published: 2022-11-09
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/custom-web-design-development/why-your-content-management-solutionmatters/
- Categories: Custom Web Design & Development, Custom Websites, Legacy System Modernization, Project Type, Technology Consulting, Web Development, Website Management

In the twenty-first century, content is king. Highly targeted and well-crafted content is one of your organization's most important assets. It’s the tool you use to create positive experiences for your customers and potential customers, enticing them to come back for more. It's the means to capture your audience's attention and continually reinforce a positive opinion of your brand. With content as a tool, your content management system should be considered your toolbox. For this reason, it’s critical that all companies, regardless of size, have a reliable content management system (CMS) in place for the easy creation, management, and governance of digital content. The right system will serve a broad range of needs from web content management (WCM) to enterprise content management (ECM). Which Content Management System Should You Choose? Given how urgent content creation is today, a wide variety of content management systems are available, ranging from simple CMS solutions for specific tasks to highly complex enterprise-grade systems. Not only is choosing the right CMS important, but configuring, administering, and maintaining it is crucial. If a system doesn’t meet your organization’s needs, it’s unlikely it will be used to its full potential, and your content will suffer. It's critical, when looking for a content management solution, that you find one that not only meets your needs today but that will meet your needs in the future. For this reason, it’s important to choose a scalable system that supports a variety of channels... even channels you’re not using yet. Wix, WordPress, Drupal, Shopify, and Joomla are considered the top five CMS platforms available on the market today (Forbes 11. 06. 2023). Resist the Temptation to DIY your Content Management System Since saving resources today is very critical, it’s tempting to think you can build your own custom CMS. While it may seem like saving you money, most professionals will tell you that it’s unlikely to work without hiccups. Your team members don’t have the years of experience necessary to create and support a good CMS platform. (And even if they do, chances are that they don’t have the time. )...

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> The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates Web Content Accessibility Guidelines compliance for easier to use technology for people with disabilities.

- Published: 2022-11-07
- Modified: 2025-05-23
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/web-accessibility/why-your-website-needs-accessibility/
- Categories: ABT Culture, Custom Web Design & Development, Government, Higher Ed, Industry, Information Architecture, Quality Assurance Testing, Software, Strategy, User Experience, Web Accessibility, Web Design, Web Development

We've all heard the saying that "content is king" when it comes to the web. But what if you're a sight-impaired person trying to access your favorite website? In a perfect world, your screen would read out all of the text on the page and give you the option to click on links. That's where website accessibility works: to ensure that everyone has access to the same information and tools, regardless of disability or other factors. Most of us already know that there are rules for physical premises when it comes to accessibility for people with disabilities, either physical or socio-economic. Fewer know that accessibility can apply to online content, as well.   The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates something called WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) compliance, which is a means of designing websites, tools, and technologies so that people with disabilities can use them as easily as possible. WCAG compliance covers several types of disabilities, including blindness and low vision, deafness and hearing loss, limited movement, speech disabilities, neurological limitations such as Parkinson’s disease or Alzheimer’s, and cognitive limitations such as learning disabilities.   The goal of ADA compliance is the creation of a website that uses a variety of different design and web development practices to assist people with disabilities in successfully navigating the site. Who Needs to Have an Accessible Website? The ADA requires state and local governments to be accessible under Title I and any business that is open to the public under Title III.   State and local government websites, as well as any private business that receives federal funding receive the most scrutiny for accessibility. An inaccessible website can bar users with disabilities from the government entity’s services, events, and activities. Websites are increasingly becoming accepted as public spaces and public spaces are required to be accessible in order to be ADA compliant. The Department of Justice has historically interpreted that ADA compliance applies to all “goods, services, privileges, or activities offered by public accommodations, including those offered on the web. ” Public websites may include those for: Retail Restaurants Hotels, Inns, and...

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> User testing is a complex process. Learn how web development firms can jump-start the user experience testing process.

- Published: 2022-11-01
- Modified: 2025-05-23
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/user-experience-services/why-user-testing-is-critical-for-ux/
- Categories: Custom Web Design & Development, Information Architecture, Strategy, User Experience, Web Development

Disjointed user experiences are a widespread marketing pain point, according to research conducted by Gartner. User testing is a powerful tool that can help businesses identify and rectify these disjointed UXs, enhancing website performance and ultimately leading to improved customer satisfaction and increased conversions. “Siloed UX approaches based on traditional channel mentality are preventing organizations from delivering a seamless digital customer user experience to internal and external audiences,” said the company.   In the past, user testing was a complex process, and it often involved collecting volunteers into labs and using high-tech solutions such as eye-tracking cameras. These high-tech solutions, of course, had high costs to go along with them. Luckily, times have changed, and companies are now offering a new generation of usability testing solutions and strategies. In Gartner’s report entitled, “Drive Seamless Digital Customer Experiences with Composable UX,” the company noted that a better strategy around customer data management and customer journey intelligence is needed to make composable UX attainable. What is Composable UX?   Forbes has noted that composable UX helps businesses keep up with the lightning speed of change. It flexes as circumstances shift, allowing for the real-time assembly, combination, and orchestration of individual customer employee experience capabilities from a robust set of building blocks: product, marketplace, CX ecosystem, and development. It’s labeled as “composable” to differentiate it from the brittle, inflexible user experiences of the past.   Why Is User Testing So Important? In order to serve your customers and enable your employees, you need to know what their needs are before you can begin to address them. (Guessing seldom works out for anyone. ) User experience testing, of course, is the process of testing different aspects of the user experience to determine the best way for a solution, a website, or an app to interact with its core audience. The following are some of the most critical processes that must be undertaken to engage in effective user testing:  Usability testing. This involves putting a website to the test to see if usability problems are stopping your users from reaching their goals. Contextual inquiry. During...

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> Website design and development shouldn't be left to just one person. Learn how a web development company helps you avoid catastrophe.

- Published: 2022-08-15
- Modified: 2025-05-23
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/website-management/the-benefits-of-outsourcing-your-web-development/
- Categories: Application Development, Custom Web Design & Development, Software, Web Design, Web Development, Website Management

Here’s a scenario: you run a business and have an in-house web development employee. This individual controls your critical digital platforms and helps support your vital business systems. One day, this person gets a better offer from another company and departs. Perhaps they get recruited by NASA to join the Mars program or decide to move to the mountains and just ski and enjoy life. Whatever the reason, this individual takes nearly all your web development knowledge and know-how out the door, and your business immediately feels the pinch. For some, it even leads to an operations catastrophe. Building up a business takes a lot of work and something like this could be a deathblow to a burgeoning enterprise. Why it’s a Good Idea to Outsource Web Development While your own situation may not be quite so dramatic, there’s a good chance you won’t have your web development person forever, and a sudden departure won’t leave you with enough time to transfer knowledge to someone new.   This will result in lost knowledge, delayed projects, customer displeasure, workforce chaos and lost revenue. Good reasons to outsource include the following: Risk mitigation. By aligning your company’s future with a professional web design and development firm, your business can mitigate the very real risk of sudden brain drain. Outsourced web development companies can provide all the same services as your in-house personnel - while also offering a broader range of services that can help your company grow. A new perspective. If you’re not 101 percent pleased with your company’s website, it may be because you’re stuck in a rut. After all, a single individual can only work from a single perspective. Outsourcing your website development is a great way to introduce new perspectives to your web presence. Having someone working internally on your software and programs means they know it well, but access to even more creativity and talent to solve technical challenges is a reason to outsource as well. Today’s technologies are growing and changing at a rapid pace and having a team of dedicated individuals who are skilled in all...

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> Learn the top 3 reasons from web design and development experts for why you may need to redesign your website. Atlantic BT.

- Published: 2022-07-21
- Modified: 2025-05-23
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/web-design-services/top-3-reasons-to-redesign-your-website/
- Categories: Application Development, Custom Web Design & Development, Software, Web Design, Web Development, Website Speed Optimization

Before embarking on any web design and development project, it's important to ask a few key questions to best understand the reasons why the website needs to be redesigned to begin with. While every project is different, we've found that most businesses will decide to go through a website redesign when they are experiencing the following issues. If any of these reasons resonate with why you feel your website is not attracting visitors or getting conversions, then it might be time to consider revamping your website. 1. You Want to Add More Functionalities to Your Website Websites are now the most common point of contact between customers and companies, as well as among employees. Many websites incorporate payment processing, live chat, administrative tools, and other advanced features. These features require sophisticated technologies implemented within the code and backend of the website to function seamlessly and with zero downtime. Many businesses today are adding custom-built applications to their websites to allow customers to make purchases, add a modern feel to the site, and integrate with other systems (such as ERP, CRM, and POS). An experience web design and development company can really add value to your website by making it more functional for your users. 2. You Need an Industry Compliant Website In addition to the reasons mentioned above for updating your website, there are a number of regulations and stringent compliance requirements many industries must adhere to today. For example, if you are a medical clinic or hospital and you want to provide online appointment booking services, you will need to be HIPAA compliant in order to do so. Even if you aren’t a medical facility or government agency, you may still need to comply with certain security and privacy regulations on your website. For example, if you are collecting sensitive information from users, you need to ensure that your site is secure. Failure to do so could result in serious consequences for both your business and its customers/clients. A web design and development agency can help ensure your website is compliant. 3. You Have Large Amounts of Content With...

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> Are you looking to get certified as an AWS Cloud Practitioner with free resources? AWS She Builds is way for women to get certified for free.

- Published: 2022-06-29
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/cloud/cloud-strategy-consulting/aws-certified-cloud-practitioner-journey-with-aws-she-builds/
- Categories: Application Development, AWS, Cloud, Cloud Hosting, Cloud Monitoring & Maintenance, Cloud Strategy & Consulting, DevOps & Automation, Project Type, Software, Technology
- Formats: Image

Are you looking to get certified as an AWS Cloud Practitioner with free resources? Here are free resources for all and a way for women to get certified for free.

The Certified Cloud Practitioner journey is about as simple as you allow it. The AWS She Builds program is strictly for women or individuals who identify as women. However, this post will discuss the free resources offered in a non-structural format, allowing all individuals interested in getting certified to learn more. Most importantly, studying for 1-3 months and taking the exam while it's fresh in your mind is recommended. The initial sign-up process for AWS She Builds was simple. There are individual cohorts that span eight weeks. To clarify, you're not limited to those eight weeks as it's self-paced. Therefore, taking this journey with a full-time job is possible. However, they request that you get through the process within a specific time frame to get a free voucher ($100 USD value). There is a requirement to attend the initial onboarding meeting. After that, they will send an email, including an invite to Slack, and your journey will begin! They offer near-immediate responses to questions within the Slack channels. In addition, previous cohorts and other women who are more experienced can also provide guidance. The next cohort starts on August 25th (2022): AWS She Builds - SkillUp with CloudUp - Cloud Practitioner What is AWS She Builds Flexible 8-week program for individuals who identify as women only. Community-driven learning environment. Utilizes AWS Skillbuilder for structure. It provides a baseline structure to keep you on track. A weekly guided academic-based flow with modules and dates to help you stay on track. Live training sessions and webinars. Study groups within Slack that are available online across the globe. Resources from external sources are provided for extra practice. Weekly live Q&A sessions for any individuals who feel 'stuck' or just want to listen. Why is AWS She Builds just for women? AWS She Builds desires to bridge the gender gap, pay discrepancies, and lack of diversity in IT teams. Allows women to bond and come together to discuss tech, leadership, and network for career expansion. What about others? The resources used for AWS She Builds are available for free for others. The caveat to that...

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> From defining business objectives to user research and planning for development, see how the discovery process yields success.

- Published: 2022-06-23
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/user-experience-services/discovery-process/
- Categories: Business Analysis, Strategy, Technology Consulting, User Experience

Most people will agree there needs to be some level of planning before a project begins. But some may need convincing on spending thousands of dollars for what seems like a simple planning process.   A useful discovery process will go beyond standard timelines, budgets, and technology planning. In fact, a discovery is often needed to get to the root of the problem. Discoveries separate “core issues” from “nice to haves”.   The planning phase of a project should include the definition of what needs to be done - from which everything else proceeds.  However, we often find differing perspectives on the definition of “what needs to be done. ” Failing to fully understand desired outcomes can lead to unfavorable results. Scope creep could lead to budget and timeline overages. There’s a chance you’ll end up solving a problem that wasn’t the core issue.   Following a structured discovery process can ensure all of your bases are covered. The Discovery Pyramid ensures a full-picture diagnosis. At Atlantic BT, we like to describe our proven process in terms of the Discovery Pyramid. Each piece of this pyramid covers a crucial aspect of the total definition of the problem; skipping any one can negatively impact a project’s success. The key focus areas of the Discovery Pyramid are: Business Objectives - Determine the high-level business need that must be addressed, in terms of impact on sales, operational efficiency, market share, etc. This step also includes key objectives and constraints. Understanding the true business objectives sets the context and north star for further decision-making. Typical activities and deliverables include: Stakeholder interviews Affinity Map (A visual representation of goals and feedback from interviews) Draft Requirements Matrix User Research - These activities seek to understand your customer base, target audience, and/or key users, including their wants, needs, pain points and behavior patterns. Research is essential to providing a solution that truly meets user requirements, thus boosting customer satisfaction.   Typical activities include: User Interviews Persona workshop Review client user data / market research User workflows workshop Resulting deliverables typically include: User Personas User Journey Map or...

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> In this post I'll be correlating website development, hosting, and upkeep with the owning and maintenance of a car.

- Published: 2022-05-31
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/custom-web-design-development/building-a-custom-website-is-and-isnt-like-owning-a-car-2-of-3-in-series/
- Categories: Application Development, Approach, Cloud, Cloud Hosting, Cloud Monitoring & Maintenance, Custom Web Design & Development, DevOps & Automation, Page Topics, Project Type, Software, Web Design, Web Development, Website Management, Working with Atlantic BT

In this post I'll be correlating website maintenance and ongoing development with owning a car. Keeping an application "purring like a kitten" takes effort, and I also won't leave out aspects of digital upkeep that just don't make sense with car terminology.

In the previous post, I discussed how the planning and development of a custom website can be similar to having a custom house designed and built. The analogy works in many ways, particularly in the planning and designing phases, but it's not a perfect analogy. In this post, I'll correlate website maintenance and ongoing development with owning a car. Keeping an application "purring like a kitten" takes effort, and I also won't leave out aspects of digital upkeep that just don't make sense with car terminology. When you're done, the last post in the series compares the experience with your vendor to a fine dining experience. Keeping Fuel in the Tank Visiting the gas station is probably the most ubiquitous aspect of owning a car, unless the sole purpose of the vehicle is keeping it on a pedestal for viewing only. With a website, the same case can be made for hosting. Server or cloud hosting is foundational for a site to be usable. And similar to a car that may be driven more or less in a month, hosting costs can fluctuate - particularly from high or unexpected amounts of traffic. (Although we want web traffic, we don’t want car traffic. ) With a website that your users (or future customers) depend on, someone needs to be monitoring that hosting. A common offering these days is the Managed Service Provider (MSP). Picture this as a dedicated fueling crew, keeping the gas and fluids topped off. With the monitoring and ownership of an MSP, it could be said they also maintain and protect your garage and driveway, which can be compared to how your site reaches the rest of the internet. Maintenance Every 5,000 Users or 3 Months, Whichever Comes First No, not really every 5,000 users. But maintenance should be performed at least every 3 months. You may fuel your car regularly, but you also need oil changes and other regular maintenance items. Hosting on its own isn't enough.   Code libraries and software versions need updates. If your site uses a Content Management System, those platforms also require...

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> Custom web development is complex. By comparing it to building a house, we make the web development process easy to understand.

- Published: 2022-04-21
- Modified: 2025-05-22
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/custom-web-design-development/how-building-a-custom-website-is-and-isnt-like-building-a-house-1-of-3-in-series/
- Categories: Application Development, Approach, Custom Web Design & Development, Page Topics, Software, Web Design, Web Development, Website Management, Working with Atlantic BT

Building a website or web application is complex, and building a house is a common analogy we use. Find out what's similar, and what's not.

We use many metaphors (or analogies) when trying to describe what goes into custom web development. Building a website or web application is technical, complex, and sometimes tricky. Metaphors like "building a house" are helpful in aligning expectations from sales to deployment to ongoing maintenance - but they're never perfect. This series will cover some of the main metaphors we use, both internally and with clients. I’ll describe some of the major and minor points that correlate – but also some of the nuances that aren’t the same. You can always jump to the other articles in the series, which compares website maintenance with owning a vehicle and the experience with a development agency to fine dining. We're Talking About Building a House, Not Buying  Building a house is probably the most common analogy used when describing what we do. And we don’t mean buying a house that already exists; we mean building one from scratch. Imagine all the planning and decisions which you (as the eventual homeowner) would need to provide to others so you one day take out your shiny key, unlock the front door, and step into your perfect living space. We heavily leverage the five phases of software development with custom web development, and I’m mostly going to reference the discovery, design, and development phases. Discovery, or Why Do You Even Want a House? You may have already thought about blueprints as part of the analogy of building a house. Let me stop you though – we’ll get there soon. This is the house you want, you've always dreamed of, made for you - you're not picking from a few pre-existing models. How would you feel if you hired a builder, and a week later they brought you blueprints only knowing you want four bedrooms? Wouldn’t you expect to spend some time explaining as many details as you can? Wouldn’t you expect the builder to ask you questions you didn’t know you needed to answer? This is discovery. We (as the builder in this scenario) want to know as much as we can because we want...

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> There were many "gotchas" when deploying a .NET Core API to Bitbucket in multiple environments. This article details a number of problems and resolutions.

- Published: 2022-02-25
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/software-maintenance-support/deploying-a-net-core-api-to-aws-lambda-api-gateway-using-bitbucket/
- Categories: .NET, Application Development, AWS, Cloud, Cloud Strategy & Consulting, Custom Web Design & Development, DevOps & Automation, Software, Software Maintenance & Support, Technology, Web Development

There were many "gotchas" when deploying a .NET Core API to Bitbucket in multiple environments. This article details a number of problems and the resolutions.

After a transition to Bitbucket for our repository hosting last year, we've been setting up more and more CI/CD using Bitbucket Pipelines. I recently converted a . NET Core API project that was deploying to an auto-scaling group of EC2s into a project that could be deployed in AWS Lambda behind API Gateway using Bitbucket. The web project that consumes this API is written in Angular. As a shop that leverages automated deployments in multiple environments, I found documentation on the web to be in short supply other than very basic "deploy using VS Studio" articles. As part of updating the API project to Lambda, I did make my LambdaEntryPoint reference APIGatewayHttpApiV2ProxyFunction and the serverless template event of type HttpApi. A guide to these updates can found here: One Month Update to . NET Core 3. 1 Lambda In this post, I provide some snippets of YAML code which I found out in the world that didn't work, and also what ultimately did. Jump to What Worked What Didn't Work aws-sam-deploy caches: - dotnetcore steps: - export PROJECT_NAME=this-dotnet-project - dotnet restore - dotnet build $PROJECT_NAME - pipe: atlassian/aws-sam-deploy:1. 5. 0 When trying to use the aws-sam-deploy pipe, I wasn't able to leverage enough options or get the API to run the . NET code successfully. The API Gateway endpoint was running and hitting Lambda, but I was getting system errors I just couldn't resolve. Using project appsettings files Since appsettings. json files contains secrets, we don't check them into the repo. At some point I was receiving these errors, and I realized that the appsettings files weren't getting deployed correctly. run_dotnet(dotnet_path, &args) failed Could not find the required 'this-dotnet-project. deps. json'. This file should be present at the root of the deployment package. : LambdaException We ended up injecting the appsettings content using the AWS Parameter Store with aws ssm get-parameter. dotnet publish, zip, and aws-lambda-deploy - apt-get update && apt-get install --yes zip - dotnet restore - dotnet publish ${API_PROJECT_NAME} --output ". /publish" --framework "netcoreapp3. 1" /p:GenerateRuntimeConfigurationFiles=true --runtime linux-x64 --self-contained false - curl -o /bin/jp -L https://github. com/jmespath/jp/releases/download/0. 1....

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> As we leverage more tools and create more sophisticated digital engagements/experiences, we have more and more data about our customers available. With

- Published: 2022-02-24
- Modified: 2025-06-02
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/integrations-services/how-are-you-leveraging-your-data/
- Categories: ABT Culture, API Development, Application Development, Integrations, Integrations, Project Type, Software, Technology Consulting

As we leverage more tools and create more sophisticated digital engagements/experiences, we have more and more data about our customers available. With customer experience data alone, the average organization has over two dozen potential technology applications and data sources to leverage customer data (1) These include multiple social media streams, CRM platforms, marketing automation, PPC advertising, Point of Sale/eCommerce, survey tools, email marketing tools, and the list goes on.   There is so much we can do with data, but many organizations, managers, and executives feel like data exercises are frustrating and time-consuming. How can all this data be useful if we don’t have ways to connect, view, measure, and act on it? While technological advances may have gotten us to this issue of data overload, technology is also the solution to making data more meaningful and useful. Imagine the possibilities for efficiency when all of your information is available in one single location and all working together. This may sound like a costly endeavor, but the return on investment will be well worth it. According to a study by the University of Texas in Austin on Fortune 1000 companies, a 10% increase in data usability could increase a company’s revenue by over $2 billion. (2) Suggestions for using technology to make data more meaningful: Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Integrations As the hub that ties all other administrative applications of an organization together, an ERP system is usually the most massive piece of software in an organization. The system includes modules for every facet of the business – finance, accounting, customer management, human resources, manufacturing, inventory management. Most organizations cannot afford to operate without the automation, integration, and efficiencies an ERP delivers.   Having a way to get information out of an ERP into other systems for specific reporting or usage is critical in today's IT environment. Leaving data locked away in an ERP system may be slowing you down. Having an application in place to automate these ETL functions of your business should only be the beginning. The real magic comes when you have meaningful data pipelines to get...

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> We are pleased to announce Atlantic BT’s User Experience Researcher, Annie Tudora, is teaming up with Ablr’s, Accessibility Operations Manager, Kim Casey

- Published: 2021-08-30
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/web-accessibility/accessibility-in-online-learning/
- Categories: Strategy, User Experience, Web Accessibility, Web Design, Web Development

We are pleased to announce Atlantic BT’s User Experience Researcher, Annie Tudora, is teaming up with Ablr’s, Accessibility Operations Manager, Kim Casey to present at WPCampus 2021 Online on Tuesday, September 21 at 10 am EST. WPCampus is a community of web professionals, educators, and people dedicated to supporting the convergence of Wordpress in higher education. This free conference will cover a variety of topics surrounding web accessibility, Wordpress and higher education.   Annie and Kim’s session will focus on the benefits and challenges of online learning for people with disabilities. Annie’s personal experience with navigating higher education through the lens of a disability inspires her to advocate for accessibility for all. Kim has over two decades of experience in creating accessible products and content.   You can watch the video here or read the transcript below. Watch her talk here - Empowering accessibility in the era of online learning. Annie Tudora 0:00 Thank you for joining us today for our lightning talk and powering accessibility in the era of online learning. I'm Annie Tudora, a User Experience Researcher at Atlantic BT. And I have my master's degree in user experience design from Kent State University. Kim Casey 0:19 And I am Kim Casey, an Accessibility at Ablr, a digital accessibility firm that focuses on eliminating barriers for people with disabilities. And I have just over 20 years of experience developing accessible products and training resources. Annie Tudora 0:36 So here's a picture of me and I'm super excited in this picture. And not only because I had just graduated with my bachelor's in film and media at Georgia State University, but also because I had just finished what was the most difficult semester of my entire college career. I spent most of my bachelor's degree limping around campus, and something to know about downtown Atlanta where Georgia State . The classroom buildings are very far apart. So it takes about a 15 to 20 minute walk to get from building to building. And after three years, I was diagnosed with osteonecrosis, also known as bone death. And several of...

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> Embrace remote collaboration with Figma Design. Experience real-time interactions, observation mode, and Figjam for seamless UI design.

- Published: 2021-06-14
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/user-experience-services/design-collaboration-tools/
- Categories: Prototyping, Strategy, User Experience, Web Design, Web Development

Sketch has long held the title of “industry standard” for user interface design. However, the global pandemic has shifted countless companies to work remotely, creating a slew of difficulties with online workflows and processes.   Like the Google Doc of design tools, Figma offers an antidote to online collaboration pain points. Additionally, it helps preserve a sense of togetherness and teamwork in a time where remote work is the norm. In this increasingly online environment, Figma found a place in the Atlantic BT family. Here’s why we love it. Figma makes online collaboration easy and fun. 1. Real-Time Interactions Unlike Sketch, which is a Desktop app that runs on Apple computers only, Figma is a web-based app that runs on almost any operating system. You could even choose to run it as a desktop app if that’s your preference.   Anyone can quickly share a project board, prototype, or mockup with a simple Figma link. We often share a link right on slack in order to collaborate with developers, clients, and other team members.   In the past, designers would have to export drafts of a design minutes before a meeting to ensure all the latest changes are incorporated. With Figma, designers can change elements on the fly. Collaborators can drop comments and feedback anywhere on the design and receive responses from the designer in a back-and-forth chat.   2. Observation Mode Clients and team members are able to watch the designer’s cursor as they work on projects in real-time using Figma's “Observation Mode”. Seeing everyone’s cursors moving around the project provides a proud sense of teamwork that was often missing in early stages of the pandemic. Observation Mode has several other use cases, including: Design Critiques: Give a live demonstration to stakeholders and team members. User Testing: Observe with users as they flow through prototypes. Users will be able to use their own equipment, and we gain better insight into their experience early on in the design process.   Presentations: When audio or visual issues become a problem in Zoom or Google Meet, Observation Mode can be a good...

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> A software development contract provides transparency and protection. See what they should include and watch out for red flags.

- Published: 2021-06-04
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/website-rfp-development/software-development-contract/
- Categories: Application Development, Digital Project Management, Software, Technology Consulting, Website RFP Development

The reason to start any relationship or partnership with a formal agreement is to create a backstop, ensuring all legal expectations are covered and compliance needs are met. A software development contract provides transparency and protection for businesses and their development partners. Plainly defined terms should keep a project moving forwards and align expectations between both parties. In the worst case scenario, you may need to refer to the contract to prevent a disagreement from becoming an expensive lawsuit. What’s included in a software development agreement? As we discussed above, it’s important to make sure there is a sufficient legal backstop should things not work out with a vendor. But this is a rare use case. At Atlantic BT, we primarily use contracts for setting expectations. Some elements you should expect in a contract include: Governing legal jurisdiction Separation or termination terms and costs Ownership of the code Definitions of acceptance Authorizations for points of contact If any of these baseline elements are missing from a contract, you may want to find a new software development partner. You risk finding yourself exposed to legal challenges of code ownership, expensive or combative separations, or having to litigate in a different state than where you are incorporated. What are some examples of red flags? The most obvious red flag for a software development partnership would be the lack of a formal agreement. Some developers are not sophisticated enough to hire lawyers to generate professional and legally binding contracts. Without a contract, you are opening your business up to unnecessary risk of employee solicitation, customer solicitation, unfair billing practices, or liabilities for licensing/payments that are unexpected. Another common issue would be businesses hiring offshore developers or third-party contractors without transparency. Look out for language around including subcontractors without approval or awareness. Some “software development agencies” may not actually have software developers on staff at all. If they’re hiding this fact, there’s a chance the outsourced development is low cost and low quality. Also be wary of hidden licensing and termination clauses. Make sure you know what you own at the end of the...

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> In this session, see how ABT reorganized into cross-functional teams, the benefits recognized and challenges faced, and how to plan and incorporate empathy.

- Published: 2021-05-04
- Modified: 2025-06-09
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/digital-project-management/atlassian-speaker-jon-karnofsky/
- Categories: Cloud, Cloud Monitoring & Maintenance, DevOps & Automation, Digital Project Management, Technology Consulting

We are excited to announce that Atlantic BT’s own Director of Operations, Jon Karnofsky, is scheduled to speak at Atlassian’s Team Tour: the Series event on May 11th at 11:00am PDT. Atlassian is a global software company dedicated to creating amazing products, practices, and open work for all teams. You’ve likely heard of their software development and collaboration tools like Jira, Confluence, Bitbucket, and Trello. This free virtual conference will cover teamwork trends, expert insights, and actionable ways to implement change. Get hacks for maximizing Atlassian products and see how other companies are using their tools to drive long-term success. In JonK’s session, he will discuss how we reorganized into cross-functional teams, the benefits and challenges of moving to teams, and how planning and empathy can be used in organizational change. Be sure to check it out on May 11th - Reorganizing into cross-functional teams takes smarts and heart: here's how we did it.

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> In the past, CRO usually meant A/B testing “as needed.” See how the game is changing and how you can get ahead with new techniques.

- Published: 2021-04-30
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/information-architecture-services/b2b-conversion-rate-optimization/
- Categories: AI, AI Integration Services, Information Architecture, Strategy, User Experience

Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) has been an element of B2B digital strategy for years. But as more businesses rely on websites as a primary sales channel, bare minimum CRO strategies grow outdated. You’ll be left behind if you aren’t experimenting with CRO on a regular basis. How did B2B businesses implement CRO in the past?   In the past, CRO usually meant A/B testing “as needed. ” Tools like Hotjar or Crazyegg were the most common mechanisms to see how users behaved. You may have made small tweaks based on heat maps and recordings. Platforms like Optimizely and Google Optimize were used as tools to test out new ideas or respond to perceived issues. For instance, maybe someone wanted to test using a new opening statement on the home page. Or maybe they realized people drop off on product pages so they tested some new layouts. How is CRO changing for B2B companies now? Frequency of tests increase. Tools used for A/B testing and tracking site behavior are still relevant. However, the way companies are using them is changing. According to Sitetuners. com: “Businesses will need to shift to a longer-term perspective in their digital marketing and conversion rate optimization efforts in order to gain a sustainable competitive advantage. This means optimizing the entire business as opposed to tactical responses to issues that arise. Tactical optimization is useful but it can only do so much. ” Instead of reactionary, tactical testing; understand there is constant room for improvement and test every day. Make a minimum amount of tests required of marketing teams. After all, running 10 small tests is bound to provide more useful insights than 1 carefully researched test. It’s also important to note that tests are only useful if results are compiled in a way that teams can easily draw insights. If not, it’s easy to repeat testing the same concept over and over instead of creating new hypotheses and moving forward. AI amplifies opportunities. The largest way we see AI impact CRO is with chatbots. In fact, Backlinko states that Chatbots saw a 92% increase in use...

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> Page Description Diagrams streamline the web design and development process and facilitate collaboration. Learn how to effectively use them.

- Published: 2021-04-01
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/user-experience-services/page-description-diagrams/
- Categories: Application Development, Information Architecture, Software, Spreadsheet Modernization, Strategy, User Experience, Web Design, Web Development

See how Page Description Diagrams can streamline the website redesign process and learn how to effectively use them.

What are PDDs and what is their purpose in web design? PDD stands for Page Description Diagram. It's used to outline the content and elements on web pages and can improve the overall web design process. The elements are organized into low, medium, and high priority. Showing wireframes too early on can trigger premature discussions around layout and design, no matter how bare-bones the wireframes appear. PDDs offer a solution. They come before wireframes to keep the focus on taxonomies, functionality, and prioritization. After all, web design should support desired content - not the other way around. Outlining PDDs can also make the wireframing process much faster since everything is already outlined for the UX designer.   In special cases, it is even possible to skip the wireframes and hand PDDs straight to the designer. The drawback is that skipping the wireframes may inadvertently skip the UX designer’s interpretation of layout, flow, and interactions with the user in mind.   What does a PDD look like? PDD’s can be created in several different ways, from a simple Google Doc list to a Sketch or Figma file with basic graphic elements. Atlantic BT prefers to use Trello, a kanban style list application, because it is easy to move elements around and collaborate with our clients. No matter the tool, each list will represent a single page or type of page. Individual cards or bullet points within the list represent a component on the page.   Trello allows for tagging cards, which we use to identify the type of content of each card (call to action, metadata, search field, etc). Furthermore, the tagging can be used to indicate priority. PDDs facilitate web design collaboration. Collaborating with clients. The ability to easily collaborate with clients is one of the benefits that make PDDs so attractive. Involving stakeholders in the web design process creates a shared sense of ownership and helps develop the list of components in more detail. With Trello, clients can add comments and examples in real time to elicit discussions. Clients are empowered to include feedback from key players in their...

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> By selecting the best-fit CMS and following key principles, you can have all the flexibility needed to help your business grow. Here's how.

- Published: 2021-03-19
- Modified: 2025-06-10
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/website-management/flexible-cms-consulting/
- Categories: Custom Websites, Project Type, Technology Consulting, Web Development, Website Management

Your content management system is meant to empower you, not limit you. A CMS should facilitate content creation for those who don’t code. It can include permissions, workflows, and elements of page design.   Unfortunately, many businesses start to feel restricted by their CMS as they grow. Atlantic BT has seen cases where companies spend weeks creating key pages, lose money from downtime, experience security breaches, or lose organic traffic as the website grows slow or outdated. These issues are preventable and should not be the norm. By selecting the best-fit CMS for your requirements and following key principles, you can have all the flexibility needed to help your business grow.   Here’s how to ensure your CMS is flexible and capable of supporting your business needs. Choose the most beneficial CMS to start. Some popular CMSs include WordPress, Drupal, and Umbraco. In certain use cases, companies are also starting to go headless. A Headless CMS requires more technical knowledge, but gives unlimited flexibility. You can publish content in one place, and have an API query the content anywhere (like a website or mobile app). The process of selecting the best CMS includes a careful examination of business requirements. For example, if your business includes a custom developed feature like a unique checkout process or customer portal, an Umbraco CMS could facilitate the integration with your website. On the other hand, a large website without proprietary software integrations may benefit from a WordPress CMS. Atlantic BT helps you identify and prioritize needs, performing a comparative analysis of a subset that most closely matches your criteria. This method is similar to a personalized magic quadrant analysis.   Incorporate modular design. A modular design means using repeatable elements, or components, to build pages. This method empowers both non-technical users and developers. Developers have a library of components available to quickly create new page templates. Users can rearrange, include, or exclude these components within a template to design and publish new pages. Now and then, there may be a request to design and develop a new component. But this is much faster than...

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> When you look behind the curtain, many SEO agencies have spammy practices or are a one man shop pretending to be larger. Learn how to choose better partners.

- Published: 2021-03-15
- Modified: 2025-06-10
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/five-questions-to-ask-seo-company/
- Categories: Cloud, Cloud Monitoring & Maintenance, Information Architecture, Strategy

It's easy for SEO firms to lie to businesses who have little SEO experience in-house. In fact, when you look behind the curtain, many SEO agencies have spammy practices or are a one man shop pretending to be larger. That's why it's important to ask the right questions when vetting an SEO agency. Better still, learn how to evaluate their answers. 1. Ask if page 1 rankings are guaranteed. If an SEO firm promises rankings or immediate results right from the beginning, it's a major red flag. For one, it is dishonest to promise something that is beyond their control. Basically, claiming that your site will rank #1 or show up on the first page for a specific keyword is not accurate. The reason is that nobody but the major search engines (Google , Yahoo and MSN) control how websites rank in their organic search results. No SEO firm can guarantee results because they have no control over the search engines algorithms. It is true that a reputable SEO firm understands what factors go into ranking websites and can help increase search engine visibility, but no quality firm will ever promise rankings. Look for month-to-month contracts, references from existing customers, or portfolio of results. 2. Ask what is involved in a successful SEO strategy. A legitimate SEO firm is able to explain what goes into a successful SEO strategy in plain English; not some overly technical industry jargon. Every strategy should mention important on-page and off-page optimization, tracking results through website analytics, content development, link building, and continuous tweaking/testing to increase rankings and conversion rates. 3. Ask when you can expect to see results. Setting proper expectations on both ends is key. Any firm that says you will be fully optimized in 2 weeks is lying. A successful SEO campaign is ongoing and always improving. The first thing the SEO firm should ask you is what are you goals? Without understanding what you are trying to accomplish, there is no way anyone can give proper expectations. Once your goals are established, the following can be determined: realistic expectations based on...

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> In this guide, learn why site search is important, what key features you should look for, and which tool is the best for your business.

- Published: 2021-03-12
- Modified: 2025-06-10
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/integrations-services/internal-site-search/
- Categories: Algolia & Search, API Development, Application Development, Integrations, Software

Why is site search important? Did you know that website visitors using site search are 216% more likely to convert than other users? Your website's internal site search fosters conversions by helping users find the information they need in a hurry.   But site search doesn’t have to be “hands off”; you can gain even more benefits by going a step further. For example, you can build lists of visitors who search certain terms in Google Analytics. Now you have an engaged segment for remarketing ads that are more likely to convert.   Or, simply gather information on search queries and use the data to optimize content. Popular search terms can provide direction for SEO, content priority, and user-friendly navigation labeling. What key features can site search provide? At a minimum, your site search should include features that a user would expect, like fast results, filtering options, breadcrumbs, synonyms, and typing ahead. On the admin side, your site search should include reporting on key terms and usage, a Google Analytics integration to help you compare queries to behavior, and the general ability to integrate with your tools. Some top tier search tools go above and beyond, including features like AI auto ranking, proximity matching, and personalization. Which software should I choose? At Atlantic BT, our teams have experience implementing Swiftype, Algolia, and ElasticSearch. All of these options offer standard features, fast results, and plenty of integration options. We would recommend using Algolia or Elastic Enterprise Search in almost all situations. Take a look at a few scenarios where you would use each. Algolia In most situations, Algolia is the best option. That’s because it includes well-defined API documentation, framework integrations, and a developer-friendly platform that make for simple implementation. It is also the platform that offers the best pricing for low volume performance while offering the most advanced features for high volume websites. Some of Algolia’s unique optional features include A/B testing, merchandising, AI auto adjusting of result sets, and search result personalization. Because it directly integrates with Magento 2 and Shopify, Algolia is usually the best solution for eCommerce...

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> Content audits tend to expose issues with site structure, technical SEO, orphaned pages, or content value. Take a look at how it works!

- Published: 2021-03-11
- Modified: 2025-06-10
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/audits/content-audit/
- Categories: Audits, Google Analytics, Information Architecture, Strategy, User Experience, Web Development

When restructuring a complex website, an important first step is to inventory existing content and analyze findings in an audit.   The purpose of a content audit is to see which pages exist, decide which ones are valuable, and expose any hidden issues with the website.   Content audits tend to expose issues with site structure, technical SEO, orphaned pages, or content value. Take a look at how it works! Unveil any strange categories, taxonomies, or hierarchical issues. With an outdated or limiting CMS, many companies get in the habit of creating pages without housing them in a logical place. Websites can grow larger over time, creating a mess of page categories, tagging systems, and menus. By closely examining pages, a content audit breaks down this mess to guide decisions about the restructure. And good news for you - with a combination of an updated CMS and clear site structure, it will be easy for you to create new pages moving forward.   Diagnose technical SEO issues. A content audit can also help you diagnose any missed opportunities with SEO. And we’re not talking about expensive monthly backlinking campaigns. There are many ways to optimize your website for search engines by simply building SEO-optimized page templates. The content inventory step will show all meta and H1 tags in plain view, allowing marketers to quickly find patterns in how they were generated. Are these page elements exceeding character limits? Missing keywords? Missing altogether? Your new website should have auto-generated meta tags that fall within guidelines. From there, follow best practices to manually optimize key pages. At Atlantic BT, we will even take content audits a step further, cross-referencing additional tools to find slow pages and opportunities to incorporate schema markup.   Find orphaned pages. During a content audit, we trace navigation to all pages and get familiar with paths users can take. If we see a page listed and cannot find a way to navigate there, it’s likely an orphaned page. Orphaned pages, or pages that are impossible to get to by clicking through a website, are harmful for both SEO...

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> Learn how to achieve a balance between usability and functionality and how it pays off in website design and development. Atlantic BT.

- Published: 2021-02-22
- Modified: 2025-06-10
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/user-experience-services/functionality-vs-usability-ux/
- Categories: Custom Web Design & Development, Information Architecture, Prototyping, Strategy, User Experience, Web Development

The simpler the website design, the easier it is to use. The more functionality a website has, the more useful it can be. With website design and development, the focus needs to be on maintaining a balance between usability and functionality to maximize user satisfaction. People need to have access to features that help them complete tasks, but they also have to be able to easily find these features. Plus, they need to be able to comprehend how to use them. What makes a website usable? A usable website has a simple experience. It’s easy for people to find necessary information, complete tasks, and learn how to use features. What makes a website functional? A functional website has many operational features. Maybe users can add items to a favorites list, get a price quote from a calculator, make online purchases, or filter through content with search. Achieving a usability and functionality balance pays off in website design and development. If you can find a way to hit the sweet spot of balancing functionality with usability, you’ll reap the rewards. Crafting a this sort of experience with website design and development means: Increased customer satisfaction More online conversions Boosted brand loyalty and positive word of mouth Reducing frustration that leads to poor word of mouth or people calling support Why do people clash over functionality and usability? Usability and functionality can be considered a tradeoff in website design and development. It’s not easy to design a website to perform complex tasks while being simple enough for its intended users to handle. You’ll have to face tough questions like: Are some features taking away from others? Are they cluttering the website? Can people find the feature they need? Can the average visitor use the feature easily? Usually, designers will push back on stakeholders during this step. While a stakeholder wants to add as much functionality as possible to pages, a web designer needs to remind them that if everything is urgent, nothing is urgent. It’s a team effort to optimally prioritize elements of a page. Testing is an essential step in website...

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> From careful research and testing with hundreds of websites, take a look at our process for handling marketing pain points.

- Published: 2021-02-08
- Modified: 2025-06-10
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/information-architecture-services/marketing-pain-points/
- Categories: Information Architecture, Spreadsheet Modernization, Strategy

Many of our clients have marketing teams that handle ads, content, and overall strategy. But even with a well-structured marketing team, it’s easy to spin your wheels on elements of your website that don’t have a clear formula for success.   In this grey area, we’ve found some patterns in what our clients need help with. From careful research and testing with hundreds of websites, we’ve compiled some best practices in how to handle common marketing struggles. 1. You know SEO is essential, but you’re unsure where to spend your time. Everyone seems to understand the importance of organic optimization. But as your competitors start to invest in SEO, you quickly realize that you can’t do everything without a large specialized team. So how do you identify the quick wins or your “best bang for your buck” initiatives? One way we help our clients discover these quick wins is by completing an SEO audit in an effort to point them in the right direction.   Our SEO audits are generally not a one-size-fits-all template. Instead, we take some time to understand your business goals and review your Google Analytics profile. From there, we identify pain points and discover opportunities that are worth taking a deeper dive by leveraging other tools. These deep dives provide actionable steps to get you ranking for the best keywords. For example, we might: Find page two keywords and provide an internal linking strategy to help achieve page one results. Evaluate site speed performance and identify the top development changes to give you a boost. Provide keyword clusters that help you build a focused content strategy. Generate lists of “unlinked mentions” so you can reach out for backlinks over time. Create guides including best practices for your continual reference. 2. You’re unsure if your site structure is optimal. Does your site have all the necessary information for a potential buyer? Are the right pages prioritized in your navigation? Are the pages named correctly? Are the URL’s optimized? Does the hierarchy make sense? There are many factors to consider with creating an improved information architecture. At Atlantic...

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> Learn when it's most beneficial to incorporate breadcrumbs and see how they can generate results for your brand.

- Published: 2021-02-05
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/user-experience-services/do-breadcrumbs-improve-usability/
- Categories: Information Architecture, Strategy, User Experience

What are breadcrumbs? Breadcrumbs are dynamic navigation paths throughout web pages. They show you the trail that led you to the particular page you are on with clickable links, allowing you to jump back to previous pages.   Breadcrumbs are most useful when websites house a large volume of information broken into clear categories and hierarchical structure. While a website like nestle. com should use breadcrumbs for its many brands, a local bakery probably should not. Why should we incorporate breadcrumbs in web design? You’re probably most familiar with seeing breadcrumbs on eCommerce websites. They helped you go back to a product category when you wanted to see other options. You knew to use this navigation element because you see them all the time; users understand the breadcrumb pattern well. Breadcrumbs enhance UX. Breadcrumbs are an important part of content strategy. They give users a roadmap to web pages and help them feel less overwhelmed. They are also beneficial because: They provide contextual information to help users understand categories. They make it easier for users to jump to previous pages without using the “back” button (when they likely forgot where it will take them). They tell users the pattern of a site’s structure so they have a better understanding of how to find other pages. Breadcrumbs boost SEO. Breadcrumbs are recommended for SEO for several reasons. Partly, search engines evaluate the user friendliness of a website. Breadcrumbs can help reduce bounce rate and increase pageviews per session for the reasons outlined above. Additionally, breadcrumbs can boost crawlability and increase rankings because: Google uses breadcrumbs to gain context of content (just like users). Google includes breadcrumbs in the Search Engine Results page, giving users extra information that makes them want to click. How do I get started? Talk to your development team about how to add breadcrumbs to a website. For WordPress, it’s as easy as using breadcrumbs with the Yoast plugin. For other websites, it may require a custom development piece. A designer may need to find the best placement for this navigational element and provide styling as well. Structured...

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> Have you lost faith in the complicated RFP process? Try these evaluation tactics to dig deeper and choose better partners.

- Published: 2021-01-28
- Modified: 2025-06-10
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/website-rfp-development/rfp-process/
- Categories: Application Development, Cloud, Cloud Monitoring & Maintenance, Cloud Security & Compliance, Government, Healthcare, Higher Ed, Industry, Software, Technology Consulting, Website RFP Development

Many RFP partnerships fail due to poor vendor selection or unclear project requirements and deliverables outlined. ABT Can fix this for you.

When you find yourself in a scenario where custom software is essential, you have three options: Develop the custom software in-house. Find a partner to handle the entire project. Partner with a vendor who integrates with your team. This middle ground of working closely with a vendor leads to writing an RFP and evaluating responses. Why do RFPs fail? Many RFP partnerships fail due to poor vendor selection or unclear project requirements and deliverables outlined. You may have even lost faith in the process of trusting partners altogether. Consider that it might not be the RFP process that’s failing, but rather using outdated methods for evaluating your partners. After all, they’ve probably responded to enough RFPs that they’ve learned what you want to hear at the surface level. Try these evaluation tactics to dig deeper and choose better partners. 1. Stop using price as a measure of quality. We are trained to believe that price and quality is a linear relationship: the more you pay, the higher the quality and the less you pay, the lower the quality. However, price is not exclusively tied to a company’s output. It’s also closely tied to internal efficiency and how streamlined internal processes may be. A vendor who has found a highly efficient way to produce a quality product may have the same price as a company who cuts corners to produce a low quality product. According to CIO. com, “The highest priced technology partners often spent longer amounts of time on the project, with too many unnecessary staff members and account managers. On the other hand, the lower end of the market often lacked the skill and technical ability to produce consistent quality. Picking a technology partner is a completely different experience than shopping on Amazon. You cannot go to a vendor and simply pick the lowest price for the exact service you need. It can be a nuance-filled and complex process. ” For this reason, your perfect partner is likely in the middle ground of high and low price. 2. Rely on references over examples. Most organizations like to see vendors’ examples...

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> In many industries, red tape can cripple innovation. How can you combat a culture of limits and protect your core competency?

- Published: 2021-01-28
- Modified: 2025-06-10
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/digital-transformation-services/innovation-risk-management/
- Categories: Application Development, Cloud, Cloud Monitoring & Maintenance, Cloud Security & Compliance, Digital Transformation Services, Software, Software Maintenance & Support, Technology Consulting, Web Development, Website Management

While following strict corporate regulations makes sense from a risk management standpoint, it can be debilitating to innovation.   Issues like regulatory compliance, privacy protection, and data security result in a plethora of processes and policies to reduce risk. Unfortunately, this red tape also slows down the hiring, development, and technological advances needed to move business forward. Processes slowing change is especially dangerous if technology is part of your competitive advantage. So how can you combat a culture of limits and protect your core competency? Recognize the dangers of technology complacency. What happens when your technology is stagnant? Your organization’s growth is hindered due to these issues. Low employee morale. Outdated technology can make you feel stuck. Employees may no longer enjoy working within an application and feel frustrated leveraging it to perform needed tasks. They may not be able to find needed information with poorly connected systems, which weakens decision making. Feeling limited can lead to turnover, a lack of creativity and initiative in employees, and ultimately less innovation. Increased technical debt. Not only does outdated technology hurt morale, applications will incur expenses from technical debt. Past decisions that were meant to eliminate risk prove harmful over time. This may have been a quick security patch or the decision to delay a helpful feature. Missed market opportunities. What are the costs of going through your business strategy with slow technology, security gaps, or a poor user experience? You may opt to forgo some opportunities all together, giving your competitors an instant advantage. Find ways to foster innovation in a regulated environment. These two simple changes to a company’s culture can start remedying the harmful practices that slow you down.   Encourage people to take risks and allow for mistakes. While industry regulations will always be a requirement, there may be some other areas where risks are permissible.   Bizjournals. com states: Roger Perlmutter, the new research and development director at drug giant Merck, gives leaders and their teams the opportunity to take chances without punitive risk. Most wrong decisions at low- to middle-management levels won't kill the company, and...

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> Learn how a website audit can identify the key issues that are holding your website back from outperforming your competitors.

- Published: 2021-01-08
- Modified: 2025-06-10
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/audits/website-audit-service/
- Categories: Application Development, Audits, Cloud, Cloud Migration Services, Cloud Monitoring & Maintenance, eCommerce, Google Analytics, Project Type, Software, Strategy, Web Accessibility, Web Development

A website audit can refer to many different ways of analyzing your website, from SEO assessments to UX analysis, cloud optimizations, and code reviews.   A reasonably-priced audit can give you a boost when attempting to improve the performance of your website, and even help save you money in the long run. Website audits can also serve other purposes: Get a fresh pair of eyes on your website to check for gaps Help you plan ahead for major web projects, streamlining the process Get the expert opinion of a specialist Take a look at some of the most commonly requested website audits from Atlantic BT, why they are popular, and what you can expect: Technical Audit Content Audit UX Audit SEO Audit Accessibility Audit AWS Cloud Audit Site Performance Audit 1. Technical Website Audit Why are technical debt audits popular? With accrued technical debt, you face tough decisions in regards to weighing costs and benefits. Will the amount of time, energy, and budget poured into refactoring your website's technologies be worth it? A technical audit can help you uncover hidden forms of debt and give you a starting point to make informed decisions. What can I expect from a technical audit? An overall review of your code, infrastructure, and integrations are part of a technical website audit. We can also help with a skills assessment of internal staff to make sure it lines up with the applications and infrastructure they need to support. A technical audit on code could include several tests to manually review code, static and dynamic analysis, Linting, and unit test coverage reporting.   Atlantic BT will additionally review documentation for weaknesses and hold conversations with your internal teams around coding practices, software methodologies, CI/CD, and DevOps. 2. Content Audit Why are content website audits popular? A content audit is usually an early step in a website redesign. Content audits help provide clarity for what content needs to stay, where it should be placed on a new website, and what content is excessive.   These website audits not only enhance messaging and provide user information, but also...

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> As we close out this year we would like to take the opportunity to thank all who have made our year bright in this otherwise difficult time!

- Published: 2020-12-17
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/abt-culture/happy-holidays-from-atlantic-bt/
- Categories: ABT Culture

https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=W98DHJDjPKg As we close out this year we would like to take the opportunity to thank all who have made our year bright in this otherwise difficult time! We sincerely appreciate all of our clients, partners, friends, family, and employees, and would not have been able to make it through another year without you.   Throughout 2020, we’ve encountered many changes, welcomed new clients, relocated to a co-working space and learned how to work remotely, increased our employee footprint across the country, and made life work amidst a pandemic. While we look a little different, ABT is still here to help you with whatever your needs may be.   Our team wishes you a holiday season filled with peace, joy, and prosperity continuing throughout the new year. We look forward to another great year together and thank you for your continued support and partnership.  

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> Through new tools and remote techniques, we’ve been able to keep our client relationships meaningful, collaborative, and productive. See how.

- Published: 2020-12-07
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/remote-workshop/
- Categories: Software

What is a UX workshop? At Atlantic BT, we use workshops to define strategic direction of development projects. A UX workshop typically includes assembling stakeholders in a room to work on refining some aspect of the user experience with a web application. While meeting the team, we collaborate to gather requirements, perform exercises to gain clarity, and generate ideas.   While this method has always been a staple in our Discovery process, we’ve had to quickly adapt to changing times. Now, we are continuing to improve the process of remote workshopping. Through new tools and remote techniques, we’ve been able to keep our client relationships meaningful, collaborative, and productive. Pre-covid, what was the normal workshop process? Our workshops are designed to identify needed features and define interface elements, which are later translated to development criteria.   While each in-person workshop was uniquely tailored to address a particular need, several process elements would stay consistent.   First of all, we liked to have 3-5 people present in a distraction-free space. We find that less than three people removes the collaborative group element and waters down the generation of ideas. On the other hand, more than 5 people can be noisier and create chaos. Secondly, we liked to perform exercises with markers, post-its, and a whiteboard. These simple tools make it easy for everyone to participate in generating ideas and create clear patterns. Some examples of activities that could take place include: A group writes ideas on Post-it notes and places them on the board. Here, they can see where they agree, disagree, and any trends in their thoughts. When people notice these groupings and similarities, it fosters deeper thinking and new ideas. After completion of an affinity mapping exercise and pulling out key points, you can have group voting with color coding (put all your dots on one idea or spread across several, etc. ). Remote workshopping creates some key challenges for participants. ABTers are recognizing some advantages of in-person workshops and downfalls of virtual meetings. Take a look at some of the challenges we’ve identified and our creative approach to...

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> Take a look inside the top challenges that eCommerce SEO experts face and how they are tackling them.

- Published: 2020-11-19
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/ecommerce-services/ecommerce-seo/
- Categories: AI, AI Integration Services, eCommerce, Ecommerce, Integrations, Integrations, Magento, Project Type, Software, Technology, Web Development

Local or service-based SEO is fairly straightforward: you optimize service pages, start a Facebook page to drum up local interest, build some relevant links to pages, write some keyword optimized blogs, and ultimately cover the SEO basics. But for something like an online learning system, a media platform, or eCommerce; SEO presents new challenges. The sheer breadth of these websites is a challenge in itself. All SEO tasks will have to be prioritized by effort and impact, regular audits become essential to stay on top of site health, and you’ll likely be coordinating with several internal or external marketers to keep things afloat. Aside from page volume, eCommerce websites have a unique structure that presents industry-specific challenges. Digital ads will be closely tied to your revenue and technical SEO becomes a priority. Take a peek at 5 of the top challenges that eCommerce SEO experts face and how they are handling them. 1. Implementing custom product descriptions. Custom product descriptions are an opportunity to create unique content on product pages. Custom descriptions will also help you add several relevant keywords in one place. Better still, you can incorporate some tricks in your product descriptions to make them convert - such as using sensory adjectives or suggesting some common product uses, helping buyers picture a product in their everyday lifestyle.   Here are some methods to create a consistent practice of unique product page content. Train site users for SEO. Train the people who actually upload products and add descriptions in keyword research. For example, we wrote a blog on SEO basics for this reason. We can share these simple tips with clients who have larger site sizes so that they can train blog writers to incorporate best practices. A blog post isn’t always the best way to train. Try having an SEO expert audit some existing pages and show teams how they would fix them. Showing tangible examples is usually easier to digest than having people read an overview. Make sure you house a writeup or presentation as an internal resource. SEO is complicated, and you’ll need to make it...

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> We find the following characteristics to be strong indicators that clients will collaborate well with Atlantic BT to create highly successful

- Published: 2020-11-16
- Modified: 2025-05-12
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/abt-culture/working-with-atlantic-bt/
- Categories: ABT Culture, Application Development, Software

We find the following characteristics to be strong indicators that clients will collaborate well with Atlantic BT to create highly successful projects.   You want to be an engaged part of the process. We are experts in web solutions and consulting, but you are the experts in your business. That means we need to work closely with you to leverage your expertise for maximum effect. You understand and appreciate team efforts. We find the collaboration of many minds across disciplines to be highly effective; this requires teamwork as a part of the process, from workshops in discovery all the way through to deployment. You appreciate an analytical, data-driven approach to developing strategy. We always want to know what your business reality is, rather than making an assumption. This can be challenging, as it sometimes forces a re-examination of existing practices and policies, therefore, the next point is important: You embrace being challenged. To be truly innovative, we have to challenge existing assumptions; change can be uncomfortable, but it is better to drive data-driven change than react to market changes later. You have a continuous process improvement mindset. In today’s web environment and competitive marketplace, the only fixed truths are that change is constant and competition is fierce. A once-and-done approach will lead to a solution that could quickly become dated and ineffective. Instead, our most successful clients are constantly monitoring their key metrics, looking for opportunities, then leveraging new solutions for the opportunities they find. That done, the cycle repeats anew. When you watch the Atlantic BT team in workshops, whiteboard sessions, and presentations, you can see all of the above in action. We are most excited by digging into understanding customer needs and providing innovative solutions. If you approach your business the same way, we’re eager to get started on our partnership. How do we engage customers? We are open to lots of flexible contractual engagements to help you with your digital initiatives. We want to work with companies that understand the value of their digital platforms and can measure the impact on their business. What size company do...

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> I have been thinking a lot about technical debt lately - weird I know, but these are the things you think about when you deliver code to customers that

- Published: 2020-11-10
- Modified: 2025-06-10
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/application-development/technical-debt-meaning/
- Categories: Application Development, Web Development

I have been thinking a lot about technical debt lately - weird I know, but these are the things you think about when you deliver code to customers that power their businesses, digital initiatives, and websites.   I am also celebrating with our IT Team the decommissioning of our datacenter footprint. For decades, we had physical servers running in a local datacenter. As we deployed new projects to AWS; we let our servers and equipment age out, running fewer critical services on it over the years. But back to the point... What the heck is all this technical debt? Traditionally, technical debt means that choosing a quick and easy solution now reflects an implied cost of additional rework down the road. Without recurring updates, any software can incur technical debt over time. It’s a bit easier to think about technical debt in terms of physical infrastructure or hardware. Think of your phone or laptop. While it may be shiny and new now, in a few years it’ll need more memory to even browse the Internet (we will cover PWA’s and SPA’s in another post)... or the phone may need to be replaced altogether.   What kinds of technical debt are out there? Here at Atlantic BT, we have to think not only about technical debt in the cloud servers we run, but also in the code that powers the web-based software we build. The technical debt in code is a bit more abstract to think about.   Over the years, we have learned many IT tricks to keep legacy code stable, maintain security, and keep applications resilient. Implementing these tricks can be highly effective in extending the lifetime of the application.   However, nothing lives forever, and applying these techniques can be misleading. It’s possible to actually hide the growing technical debt accrued due to advances in the surrounding technical environment.   Technical debt in software design. There is a lot of talk about the tradeoffs at the software design stage of a project and how that translates to technical debt - while that is where the debt starts, it’s...

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> Learn more about the ins and outs of the Instagram Shopping feature and see what brand value is in store for your business.

- Published: 2020-10-13
- Modified: 2025-06-10
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/project-type/ecommerce/instagram-shopping/
- Categories: eCommerce, Integrations

Instagram has slowly been increasing its features for advertisers and sellers. The new Instagram Shopping experience provides an additional revenue stream for the app itself (as they charge a fee for sales). But it’s also providing a whole channel for brands to gain exposure and drive sales! Read on to learn more about the ins and outs of Instagram Shopping and see what brand value is in store for you. Whats the new Instagram Shopping experience like? Instagram Shopping began with the rollout of tagging products within posts and video descriptions. Users were able to click on these products and either save for later or click through to purchase on the brand’s website. But this month, Instagram began rolling out a whole new shopping experience in test phases. How do users get there? Instagram shops are now a tab in the interface, letting users browse products when they’re in the mood to purchase. How do users browse products? Products are organized into collections, making it easy to stumble upon appealing items. Product recommendations are based on the brands that Instagram users are following, meaning this shop is completely customized towards an individual’s preferences. What other features should I know about? Instagram influencers and creators are also able to tag products in their own posts. This means that affiliate programs are now more useful to sellers than ever before. Better still, users now have access to a seamless in-app experience. Since all of their information is already stored in Facebook pay, the checkout process is simple. How does Instagram Shop benefit eCommerce sellers? Bypass larger brands - get exposure through targeting your niche. eCommerce is a growing, competitive space; especially since Covid forced many stores to rely on digital sales.   While you are enjoying the benefits of more people shopping online, you likely noticed that traditional channels are becoming more competitive at the same time: Search engines driving organic traffic Paid ads targeting through custom audiences and search intent Social media exposure through relevant hashtags or the Instagram Explore page Now, Instagram Shop provides a channel with less barriers to...

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> Looking for simple ways to enhance your blog? Before relying on an expert SEO team, try these super easy methods on your own.

- Published: 2020-09-30
- Modified: 2025-05-14
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/application-development/blog-seo/
- Categories: Application Development, Web Development

As businesses improve SEO techniques over time, the competition to rank has intensified. You’ll want to rely on an SEO professional for advanced link building, site speed optimization, and well-researched keyword-optimized blog posts.   If you’ve never invested in SEO resources before, there’s a few things you can do to clean up your blog and get a jumpstart all on your own.   Our 5 SEO quick wins to optimize your blog are: Perform keyword research. Optimize URLs. Optimize meta tags. Use purposeful headings. Incorporate internal linking. 1. Perform keyword research. Many of our tips include optimizing elements of your blog - but you can’t keyword optimize without performing research. We also know that it’s not possible to keyword optimize your entire blog retrospectively. Instead, find blog posts that are already bringing in some traffic and see how you could improve. Then, implement keyword research for all blogs going forward. Choose keywords and topic areas that you think would be a good start. Then, either plug them into Google’s keyword planner or the tool Ubersuggest (they’ll provide similar results). Browse the suggestions for easy wins. You want to choose keywords with high search volume (at least 50 average monthly searches) and low competition. Choose 1-3 keywords for each blog post.   Now that you’ve mapped out which keywords go with which blog, you can continue optimizing the content, URLs, and meta tags.   2. Optimize URLs. Including keywords in your URLs will definitely give you a competitive edge. However, you might not want to change the URLs of your older blog posts. You would have to implement some 301 redirects, and too many of those could slow down your website. So for your upcoming blogs, make sure you implement optimized URL structures before publishing. Aside from including keywords, you’ll want to balance length with relevance. There is no “end all be all” for how many characters a URL should be. As a rule of thumb, make it as short as possible while including keywords and letting users know where they are. Using the Yoast plugin’s automated URL for this blog...

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> Gatsby is the most popular JavaScript SSG. See why businesses are beginning to turn to this method to build blazing fast websites.

- Published: 2020-08-31
- Modified: 2025-06-10
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/application-development/why-use-gatsby/
- Categories: Application Development, Custom Websites, Web Development

What is Gatsby? Gatsby is an open-source static site generator (SSG) which is used to build lightning fast Progressive Web Apps and websites. SSG frameworks are appealing to many business owners because they are cheap and extremely performant. While there are several static site generators that are written in different programming languages, Gatsby is the most popular JavaScript SSG. Who is using Gatsby? More and more businesses are beginning to recognize the benefits of using Gatsby: The Braun website - a popular manufacture of shaving products The Reactjs website that provides documentation The Spotify Design website for sharing UI tips Many of these businesses started with a WordPress website and sought a faster solution. For reference, here’s a comparison of Gatsby matched up with WordPress. In what scenarios should I use Gatsby? Performance is a priority. Gatsby comes with a variety of built-in features that empower you to out-perform your competitors. For example, using a Content Delivery Network (CDN), page caching, and minification are all factors that boost speed. Security is crucial. Gatsby doesn't run off a database, which is a common gateway for hackers. Furthermore, you can easily enable XSS protection and access control to prevent DDoS attacks. You are looking for affordable hosting and a low-maintenance setup. Because you’re only serving static files with Gatsby, there are free hosting options available. Other options may cost as little as $5/month. Static files are also low-maintenance, freeing up costs associated with building complicated server infrastructure. Let your managed host worry about infrastructure so you can focus on strategy. In what scenarios should I not use Gatsby? Your website uses dynamic content. Gatsby handles dynamic content by doing client side rendering (CSR). This type of dynamic content is difficult for search engines to crawl, putting you at a disadvantage for SEO. You update your website multiple times a day. Gatsby is a high performance option because all of the work is done at build time (before the website is published). On the downside, that means that each time you publish changes, the website could be down for several minutes. You want...

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> Shopify empowers eCommerce businessowners to create a website without technical expertise. See if Shopify is the right fit for your business.

- Published: 2020-08-17
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/project-type/integrations/why-shopify-cms/
- Categories: eCommerce, Integrations

Shopify provides the ability to have a fully functioning eCommerce website without having to do any coding or hosting.   Because it is a Saas offering, all you need to do is sign up for an account and start adding products to your store. It is very simple to use.   Some customizations are able to be made through its API and Liquid templating. While Shopify is not easily customized like Magento 2, it works well if you would like to start a small, simple store. In what scenarios should you use Shopify? You have a small product catalog. Shopify is a great starting point for a business with a small number of products. It simply wouldn’t make sense to use a robust platform like Magento 2, which would include a large upfront investment and unnecessary features for inventory management.   eCommerce is not the main focus of your website. If you would like a store in addition to your main website, Shopify is a simple way to do this. For example, many businesses need a side store to sell merchandise for the brand - like t-shirts, mugs, or stickers.   Because Shopify is a low time and monetary investment, it’s quick to see a return with this secondary revenue generator. You need a quick proof of concept. Many businesses wish to test selling some products before focusing on expansion. Due to the low cost barrier and how quickly a store can get running, Shopify can be a great way to dip your toes into having an eCommerce site without having to commit capital.   For those needing a store up right away, but still want the customization of Magento, a solution could be to have a store running in Shopify while the Magento 2 store is being built out. Once the Magento 2 store is complete, you can rely on a partner to help migrate the products. There are little customization and integrations required. If the eCommerce site requires very little customizations and very little integrations with other services, then Shopify becomes the obvious choice.   Shopify allows some...

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> Does WordPress meet your business requirements? See which situations work well with WordPress and in which scenarios you should look for a new CMS.

- Published: 2020-08-05
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/project-type/custom-websites/why-wordpress-cms/
- Categories: Custom Websites, Legacy System Modernization, PHP, WordPress

WordPress is the most popular Content Management System (CMS), covering 64% of the market. That’s because it’s a free, open-source platform that is simple to host and manage. At Atlantic BT, we find that WordPress is a good option in many industries in a range of business cases. Take a look at some of the advantages of using WordPress and see if it fits your unique business needs. WordPress' popularity provides many benefits. Due to its popularity, WordPress has a mature ecosystem of plugins, themes, and tools that are easy to integrate. Furthermore, there is a large community of developers, documentation, and content creators for support. Many third-party plugins have created integrations for certain business cases which simplify data streams. WordPress facilitates DevOps. The WordPress core codebase and most publicly available plugins are available through wpackagist, so you can track and manage dependencies via Composer. Using dependency management tools like Composer allows development teams to easily track, update, test, and deploy updates to dependencies based on known compatibility. It also makes it easier to identify any conflicts between versions of dependencies and to roll-back those dependencies to previous versions known to work. WordPress makes it easier for marketers to do their jobs. Marketers love to use WordPress for two primary reasons: WordPress is designed for SEO. Advanced features are freely available through the ubiquitous Yoast SEO plugin. WordPress is simple to administer, with an intuitive UI and a range of plugins and themes that provide similarly intuitive UIs. WordPress simplifies the web design process. WordPress includes a basic site layout and navigation out of the box. Furthermore, custom themes can easily be created by web designers and applied through PHP development. In what scenarios would WordPress be a good option? In general, WordPress can be a good fit for simpler websites. Simple does not refer to size; WordPress can be used for small businesses or large organizations. But the functionalities your business requires are key deciding factors. WordPress may be a good fit if: You are building a "brochure website". Maybe you are creating a blog or “brochure site” that will...

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> Umbraco is the ideal solution for highly customized and unique applications. Learn more about its features and when it's the best option for a CMS.

- Published: 2020-07-24
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/project-type/custom-websites/why-umbraco-cms/
- Categories: .NET, Custom Websites, Legacy System Modernization

Umbraco is an open-source CMS running on the . NET framework. It has been and remains the front runner for a . NET CMS. Umbraco is the ideal solution for highly customized and unique applications. This is an enterprise solution that leaves you open to endless possibilities. For example, access some of the highest tier plugins and software packages available for . NET. First of all, review the key features of Umbraco.   It's free to use. While the open-source platform is free, your . NET team may require you purchase some plugins to facilitate development. Work in a simple UI. Creating and building pages in Umbraco was designed to be intuitive. Minimal training is needed to get users familiar with entering content in the CMS, and no HTML experience is needed. You have multiple options for building content. Choose from the following editing experiences with content layouts: Grid layouts: This option is for maximum freedom. A Row/Column builder that lets you freely enter content or insert custom components in basically any configuration. Band system or component picker: Select various components to put together pages. Strict property entry: Don't worry about layout - simply enter content into fields on pre-styled pages. Rely on a robust hosting option. Umbraco can handle the hosting of large content bases, including many pages and catalogs of content. It can be self-hosted on windows servers, or you may use Umbraco's own cloud hosting. Hosting is built with load balancing at its core, perfect for multi server load balanacing. It's easy for developers to use. Umbraco makes it easy for developers to set up and manage page types, templates, content, and plugins. This saves money on development time and maintenance (with a cleaner code base). Upgrades are simple. Umbraco has recently focused on improving upgrades. Most are automated, and others have instructions for manual changes. Umbraco includes vast functionality and community support: Multi-user and role support Simple multilingual management Easy-to-use form builders Powerful search based on the lucene framework Content migration features Open source and well documented API Large, active development community provides support   When...

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> Magento 2 is a feature-packed eCommerce solution that provides complete flexibility when creating an online store. Out of the box, it comes with advanced

- Published: 2020-07-20
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/project-type/integrations/why-magento-2/
- Categories: Integrations, Magento

Magento 2 is a feature-packed eCommerce solution that provides complete flexibility when creating an online store. Out of the box, it comes with advanced features which allow you to run an online store with very little add-ons needed. Magento 2 includes advanced eCommerce features and unlimited customization. Outside of the standard eCommerce features needed to run an online store (user management, catalog management, cart, credit card processing, etc. ), Magento 2 comes with advanced eCommerce features: Advanced promotions building Customer groups with customer group pricing (far exceeding Shopify’s capabilities) A robust CMS for creating pages, navigation, and more Various product types B2B Features (commerce edition only) Dynamic rule based product relations (commerce edition only) Customer segments (commerce edition only) Multi-lingual support Multiple catalogs, stores, and websites Multi-source inventory Magento 2 is fully customizable, and allowing development teams to add any additional features a client would request. All platform limitations are removed - meaning anything can be expanded if it falls within a developer's skillset. Choose between two versions: Magento Open Source and Magento Commerce. Magento Open Source is a free version that contains enough features for most stores. However, it does not come with any support from Magento directly. Magento Commerce, on the other hand, provides more built in features (customer segments, b2b, dynamic product relations, and more) and direct customer support from Magento. Magento Commerce is costly, but for many larger businesses it is the better option due to the addition of support and features. Which eCommerce scenarios would benefit from Magento 2? You need extensive integrations to external systems. If a website needs extensive integrations to external systems like an ERP or CRM, Magento 2 is the best option. That's because Magento 2 has a robust API that makes many of these integrations possible. There will always be some complex situations where the API is limited. In these instances, a trusted partner can create custom integrations to go beyond the supplied APIs. You have multiple websites or stores. Magento has multi storefront functionality built in. Everything is managed through the single application, with no need to install additional...

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> Optimizing your longform content for readers & search engines can improve conversions. See how we're building thought leadership and driving leads.

- Published: 2020-07-09
- Modified: 2025-05-14
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/application-development/engaging-longform-articles/
- Categories: Application Development, Web Development

Writing content that converts is a balancing act. You want to write in a way that engages readers, but you also need to rank on Google so people can find your page in the first place. Both attracting users and keeping them engaged are important elements of the conversion process.   Our tips for boosting user satisfaction in lengthy content include: Use highly specific titles. Let headings protect readers from consuming irrelevant content. Incorporate an interactive table of contents. Get designers and developers involved in blog UX. Only include useful images. Optimize page load times. First of all, how does Google rank blog content? In many instances, Google uses ranking factors that aim to increase user satisfaction. For example, a low bounce rate and high time on page signify quality to search engines.   However, this is only a small piece of the pie when it comes to serving the best content to users. That’s because Google is also on a mission to rank the most authoritative and credible content.   Factors that signify factually correct information include: Content length Linking out to stats Having authoritative websites link to your content SEO expert Neil Patel emphasizes the importance of content length in his blog post: How to Make Every Blog Article You Write Rank High in Google Search. And according to Hubspot’s article on the ideal blog length: “For SEO, the ideal blog post length should be 2,100-2,400 words, according to data. ” Here lies another challenge for content strategists. How do you keep readers engaged with a blog that is 2000+ words long? Will publishing lengthy, factual blogs harm user satisfaction and engagement? These guidelines will help you increase engagement with long-form content. When longer content is handled with care, you can make it digestible for readers and point them only to information that they need so they can skip the rest.   Here are some tips to harmonize lengthy content and user satisfaction: 1. Use highly specific titles. This blog could have been titled something like: “Writing better content in 2020. ” “The balancing act of readability and...

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> As the e-Learning space grows in popularity, businesses are finding ways to increase the effectiveness of their learning platforms. Furthermore, this

- Published: 2020-06-29
- Modified: 2025-05-14
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/web-accessibility/lms-learning-retention/
- Categories: Application, Portal Development, Project Type, Software, Web Accessibility, Web Development

As the e-Learning space grows in popularity, businesses are finding ways to increase the effectiveness of their learning platforms. Furthermore, this rising popularity kickstarted a race to meet user expectations. According to e-student. org: Today’s educational landscape is going through a revolution unlike any we’ve ever seen before. The e-learning industry growth statistics aren’t showing any signs of slowing down, and the corporate e-learning sector is expected to grow by as much as $38 billion from 2020 to 2024. The largest EdTech companies such as Coursera are already valued at well over $1 billion, and they will be the driving force of the entire online education industry. Making e-learning as easy and enjoyable for users as possible improves online engagement, helps garner positive reviews and word of mouth, and ultimately boosts user retention and success. Designing a strong LMS experience ensures a higher quality product. 8 key tips to improve retention and keep the attention of learners. 1. Use small slices of content. Studies have shown that "microlearning," or breaking content up into modules, improves the learning experience in the following ways: Better holds people’s attention Increases information retention Improves speed and efficiency in test-taking When breaking content up into digestible pieces, subjects retained 20% more information than their peers who learned in longer blocks of content. In addition to higher test scores, the “micro learners” completed their tests 28% faster. 2. Implement quizzes throughout a course. Quizzes do much more than tell you whether or not you get the gist of the information. They can help people decipher what they actually know from what they thought they knew, allowing them to diagnose and fix their weaknesses. 3. Make it easy to backtrack and find information. Once you are quizzed, you’ll have to go back and improve retention for specific information. It’s important to make sure courses are organized appropriately. Not only is it essential to use shorter modules, but there should also be a user-friendly roadmap or table of contents to point learners to the right information easily. For example, the Google Academy Advanced Analytics course is broken up...

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> Understand web design cost and calculate the ROI of a new website. Learn the impact of continuous enhancements vs. complete overhauls.

- Published: 2020-06-25
- Modified: 2025-05-15
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/custom-web-design-development/calculate-website-roi/
- Categories: Application Development, Custom Web Design & Development, Software, Web Design, Web Development, Website Management

If you're contemplating changes to your website, it's crucial to first understand the web design cost associated with making those changes. This understanding will allow you to calculate the potential return on investment (ROI), helping you determine whether the proposed changes will be beneficial to your bottom line. The average lifespan of a website is 3-5 years. After this period, aspects such as design and device compatibility may become obsolete. However, Atlantic BT has seen websites last much longer. That’s because these custom web projects include ongoing maintenance: Framework updates Updates to underlying software packages Server hardware updates (or migrating to AWS with a well-architected framework and careful attention to workload-specific services) Continued design and user experience tweaks based on data It takes a continued investment to maintain a reliable, secure, and performant website. In reality, these long-lasting websites have never really never stopped the development and improvement process. We like to implement new technologies and constantly experiment to stay current. Is experimenting with new technologies worth the investment? You are faced with two options: overhauling your website every 3-4 years or investing in continuous enhancements. Your decision ultimately depends on which option gives you the highest ROI.   Let’s say you are at year 2 and start to see the benefits in switching your platform. How should you calculate ROI for the investment?   Frame your mindset in three simple questions: 1. How much does my website impact my revenue currently? It can be challenging to measure revenue if you aren’t directly selling products online. In businesses outside of eCommerce, it usually boils down to analytics and recognizing patterns in inbound leads.   Do 100% of your leads come in digitally? How does word-of-mouth impact your leads? Are you doing any other non-digital or traditional marketing? 2. Is my website an important tool in my strategy going forward? What is my digital strategy moving forward, and how does my website play into it? Will you be driving ads to landing pages, hosting whitepapers, or creating a login portal for customers to self-serve? Take some time and determine how much...

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> Considering using Mulesoft Anypoint? Consider this key feature analysis to see if it will be the best-fit middleware solution for your business.

- Published: 2020-06-19
- Modified: 2025-05-15
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/integrations-services/mulesoft-anypoint-magento/
- Categories: API Development, Ecommerce, Integrations, Integrations, Magento, Project Type, Software, Technology, Web Development

Mulesoft’s Anypoint platform can be a reliable choice for middleware. With its maturity in the integration space, combined API and IPaaS functionality, and simplicity to use, we consider it a contender against Red Hat Fuse and Amazon Eventbridge.   Anypoint is truly ready-to-go with minimal coding needed to expose and connect existing APIs. Mulesoft offers multi-cloud support, security support, multi-tenancy (to appropriately attribute costs to different business units). The API offering allows companies to create API endpoints to all their connected systems with robust monitoring and configurations. This allows for robust and secure access to internal or external systems. Mulesoft is also a thought leader in the integration space and has underpinned its Anypoint platform with machine learning that can discover reusable artifacts, flows, connectors, and data from within the platform. Mulesoft, however, is more expensive than other solutions. The entry-level cost is around $100,000 per year , and they typically look for three- or five-year contracts. Their sales force is informed, technical, helpful, and stays heavily engaged during contract negotiations (Mulesoft is owned by Salesforce). Analysis of key features. Ease of Use Mulesoft is extremely easy to use, with a desktop-integrated development environment (IDE) in Anypoint Studio. This IDE allows developers to get right to work in interacting with the Anypoint platform. Mulesoft is also continually offering simple-to-use integration tools, like flow designer, to their toolset. These interface-based tools give developers and IT professionals a quick way to start to integrate services in Anypoint.   Community Support There is a large and highly engaged community around Mulesoft, boasting 42,000 members. There are regular conferences, meetups, community-driven Q&A sites. Ability to Scale Mulesoft’s iPaaS is running on top of Amazon Web Services with flexibility baked into the pricing model - as they sell Anypoint based on CPU consumption. The platform has been built to be distributed, not just a monolith - Mulesoft says their platform will run on a raspberry-pi or any cloud provider.   Mulesoft’s active-active clustering does, however, require a Platinum Support subscription, which claims to be infinitely scalable. Their ETL is very mature as they have distilled...

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> Odds are that you and your business have been scrambling to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Start capitalizing on the situation and prepare for the future.

- Published: 2020-06-16
- Modified: 2025-05-15
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/business-analysis/strategic-planning/
- Categories: Application Development, Business Analysis, Software, Strategy, Technology Consulting

Odds are that you and your business have been scrambling to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. From economic impact, to workplace adjustments, to changes in our personal lives; we’ve all had a lot on our plate.   Responding effectively has been a matter of survival for many businesses. It can be a physically and emotionally exhausting process.   The fact is that as painful as struggles can be, they are the best time to push for rapid experimentation and observation. These periods are key to developing or refining your strategic plans to help you not only survive for the time being, but also thrive in a post-pandemic world.   Still not convinced that now is the time to focus on strategy? Most of your competitors are. The basics: laying a foundation for your strategy. Start by reviewing your Mission - what you do, who you do it for, and why. It sounds obvious, but clearly stating your mission helps your team focus on the big picture. In times of severe constraint, we are all having to focus our limited resources on what is truly important, and having a well-defined mission clarifies where you should allocate resources. Next, review your Vision - where you want your organization to be at some point in the future. This is the realization of your Mission and how it will manifest itself in the world. There are many ways to take action and implement your mission, but your vision is where you focus on what you want to accomplish. Assess your Current Situation - how do things stand now, both internally and externally? To map out the best strategic path, you have to know where you are and what the landscape around you looks like. A SWOT Analysis helps you further capitalize on your situation. The time-tested tool for defining your landscape is a SWOT analysis. As shown in the diagram below, this technique helps you examine both internal and external factors, determine strengths to leverage, opportunities to seize, weaknesses to fix, and threats to prepare for.   An example of how a restaurant might...

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> Middleware is software that extends the capability of an existing application by facilitating data transfer with other applications or services. For

- Published: 2020-06-04
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/ecommerce-services/magento-middleware/
- Categories: Custom Web Design & Development, Ecommerce, Integrations, Magento, Project Type, Technology, Web Development

Middleware is software that extends the capability of an existing application by facilitating data transfer with other applications or services. For eCommerce, middleware is commonly used to integrate the online commerce platform with back-end ERP systems. Middleware also connects to third-party services like tax compliance, calculations, and shipping data. Why use middleware for Magento integrations? Unlike other types of integrations, middleware can offer the ability to deliver information to multiple sources at the same time while also giving a centralized place to handle all logging of calls to different services. Some of the big advantages for this particular instance include: The ability to swap integrated systems, such as an ERP system, while not affecting the front-end Magento platform. This allows for the middleware to handle any kind of transformation or data manipulation to happen on that layer and keep the existing integration with Magento intact. During the phase of the migration to the new ERP, using middleware allows the system to send data to both the new and existing ERP at the same time while transitioning to production. Middleware offers a centralized way to queue communications, centralize API communication, transform data, and ensure delivery of important information between multiple systems. Middleware also provides a way to handle the addition of new systems such as PIM, CRM, or fulfillment software. Atlantic BT’s research narrowed down three leading providers. Many eCommerce businesses come to us for help extending the capabilities of their Magento application. Here, we provide a summarized example of a typical system integration analysis for an online distributor. This distributor was looking for a solution to integrate their multiple back-end systems with a Magento eCommerce platform. Research included reviewing reports, speaking to many vendors, and testing different tools. Keeping 4 criteria in mind (ease of use, scalability, security/stability, and total cost of ownership), we selected three preferred providers for a comparison.   EiPaaS - Mulesoft Anypoint platform Open Source Enterprise Integration Platform - Red Hat Fuse IaaS Serverless - Amazon Eventbridge an Amazon Web Services (AWS) service In evaluating these contenders, our primary areas of assessment were: Feature Analysis (focused...

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> Take a look at how COVID-19 has impacted our organization, what to expect in a post-pandemic world, and how we are embracing the future.

- Published: 2020-05-18
- Modified: 2025-05-20
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/abt-culture/covid-19-digital-future/
- Categories: ABT Culture, Application Development, Cloud, Cloud Security & Compliance, eCommerce, Project Type, Software

Take a look at how COVID-19 has impacted our organization, what to expect in a post-pandemic world, and how we are embracing the future. A new normal: working fully remote. I personally am settling into week 9 of isolation and social distancing, it’s been fun to watch other people adjust to becoming remote workers. In 2019, Atlantic BT decided that we needed to open our minds to people working full-time remote. This would help us recruit top talent across the East Coast and give employees flexibility they needed. This change also aligned well with my move to Ottawa, Canada, as I took the plunge into working fully remote for the first time. We encouraged the remaining ABT-ers in Raleigh to explore working from home a few days a week to avoid traffic and maximize their flow. What this means during this time of "Business as Unusual" is that Atlantic BT is already prepared to be fully operational as a remote team. We are still managing web applications, writing quality code, and settling into video conversations. Some of the benefits we are seeing include: Better written documentation More chatter that’s searchable and archivable Finding creative ways to socialize (We are still having our 2 4 7 mini game breaks for some virtual games at home. ) How will reopening impact our digital future? While we understand that these unusual times are putting a strain on many of you in all facets of life, I think it’s important to focus on the post-pandemic world and look to our digital futures.   At ABT, we are taking this time to streamline our processes to provide more value at a lower cost, develop more useful and value driven baselines for our favorite platforms (Wordpress, Drupal, Magento, Shopify, React), and tackle enterprise integration as we never have before.   If there is one thing we can count on, it’s that we as a collective humanity will emerge from this as changed for better and worse. While popular media wants to emphasize the worst, I want to think about the better for a bit. Industrial Automation...

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> How can we create new ways to push ahead intelligently in a crisis, and how can we extend that strategy to clients? Learn more about ABT's latest initative.

- Published: 2020-05-15
- Modified: 2025-05-19
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/application-development/business-as-unusual-covid-19/
- Categories: Application Development, Web Development

The COVID-19 pandemic has created great uncertainty for businesses. The future is unclear and ambiguous. We cannot say with confidence when the pandemic will end, and we can only speculate what life will look like on the other side. There is no precedent for how to respond in the moment, much less looking to the future.   At ABT, the primary question has become: How can we create new ways to push ahead intelligently in a crisis, and how can we extend that strategy to our clients?   While many traditional patterns are broken anyways, now is a great opportunity to intentionally look at things differently, beyond where we are forced by current conditions. We are taking the opportunity to reflect and prepare for the future. Who do we want to be when we emerge from the pandemic? How might we use this moment to strengthen the business for tomorrow? Experiment today, be stronger tomorrow. As the future holds drastic change, creativity is essential to push businesses to adapt and capitalize on a new normal. There has never been a more crucial time to experiment. And experimentation doesn't have to result in a full-scale transformation or polished new offering. Experimenting in a low-fidelity, quick-and-dirty way can help teams minimize investment and risk for a potentially high return. Experimentation not only serves as a response to our current situation, but it can also help you stay ahead of the curve and prepare for change. Things are not “business as usual” around here. Recognizing that business was -- and will likely continue to be -- very different, our Experience team started asking ourselves: how can we challenge the fundamental assumptions about how we do business, interact with coworkers, and solve problems for our clients?   We have incredibly smart, talented, and creative people here at ABT. Who better to take on these problems than the people closest to them? So we issued the challenge:  How can we, as a company, find new ways to operate Business as Unusual?   What does Business as Unusual mean? The Business as Unusual Initiative - or...

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> Learn how to provide a shared Google authorization from an authenticated angular website to a secured .Net API without a second authentication.

- Published: 2020-05-08
- Modified: 2025-05-19
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/integrations-services/google-auth-tutorial/
- Categories: .NET, API Development, Application Development, Integrations, JavaScript, Software, Technology, Technology Consulting

There are many Angular tutorials for setting up websites using the Angular framework and . NET Core APIs. Likewise, there are many walkthroughs for integrating Google authentication with each. However, implementing these solutions separately yield the need to authenticate through Google twice, once for the angular site, once for the API. This article provides a solution that allows shared Google authorization through authentication on the angular site. To surpass the need to authenticate a second time, pass the token through a standard header to the API and use Google libraries to validate and authorize. Technology used in this Angular tutorial. Angular 9 website angular-social-login library (obsolete) . Net Core 3 Web API Google. Apis. Auth nuget package This post assumes you've got the basic angular website and Web API projects running. This post will also likely be effective for any angular site 2+ or front end site where google authentication occurs. It should also work if your Web API project is Core 2+. The site I'm working with is designed to be exclusively authenticated through Google, however this method could be extended to handle multiple authentication formats (assuming there are . Net validation libraries for them or you write your own). Therefore, one other aspect to mention is that I am not storing any user data in a database. Using the Angular site, Google login, and local storage as a start. The primary goal is to make sure you have access to Google's idToken after authentication. Using the angular-social-login default setup is pretty simple to get working. This is a pretty good article which also walks through setting up the Google App as part of this if you need. I can't find the original post I followed, but this stackoverflow post shows storing the Google user/token in state for future calls. This code block (customauth. service. ts in the Angular site) just shows that on user subscription the user is stored in local storage: constructor( public authService: AuthService, public router: Router, public ngZone: NgZone // NgZone service to remove outside scope warning ) { // Setting logged in user in...

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> Drupal websites require continuous maintenance and updates to remain secure. Discover answers to frequent questions about version upgrades.

- Published: 2020-04-24
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/project-type/custom-websites/drupal-migration-faqs/
- Categories: Custom Websites, Drupal, PHP

Continued upgrades are needed to keep Drupal websites secure and to receive new feature opportunities. However, many businesses hesitate to upgrade to new versions of Drupal due to the complexity of the process. There’s no simple solution, and these projects take careful scoping and planning. To help you fully understand the process, we’ve compiled answers to the most common questions we see about migrations to Drupal websites. When are Drupal 7 and 9 end of life? Drupal 7 end of life has been extended several times over the years, but its final end of life date has been set for January 5, 2025 (14 years after Drupal 7 was first released). Drupal 8's end of life was in November 2021. Drupal 9 is scheduled to hit end of life Nov 1, 2023 (the same day as the end of life for Symfony 4, which Drupal uses extensively). Drupal 10 is the latest version of Drupal, and its end of life date hasn't been announced yet. When did Drupal 10 Release? Drupal 10 was released in December of 2022. Drupal 10. 0. 0 was essentially the same code as Drupal 9. 5. 0, with upgraded third-party libraries and deprecated legacy code. Drupal 10. 1 is the current version. What is the migration process from 7 to 10 for Drupal websites? Drupal 10 has been re-architected to use more third-party PHP libraries like Symfony, so Drupal websites that are still running on Drupal 7 are required to migrate their configuration and content to upgrade to Drupal 10. The Drupal 10 Migration API makes this piece easy for core modules, which have pre-configured migration plugins. On the other hand, migration support for contributed modules is spotty. You’ll need to evaluate which modules will be difficult to migrate, and a Drupal migration audit can help determine the best course of action by answering these questions: Does the module have migration support? Would it be beneficial to replace it with another module before migration? Could writing a custom module streamline the site's migration? Is there an upgrade path from Drupal 7 to Drupal 10? Yes...

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> Voice interaction series Part 2: In this post, learn more about the rising popularity of voice interaction and see how you can capitalize. In part 1,

- Published: 2020-04-14
- Modified: 2025-05-19
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/application-development/leverage-voice-interaction/
- Categories: Application Development, Web Development

Voice interaction series Part 2: In this post, learn more about the rising popularity of voice interaction and see how you can capitalize. In part 1, learn more about Machine Learning as a Service. In their "FTI 2020 TREND REPORT FOR ENTERTAINMENT, MEDIA & TECHNOLOGY”, The Future Today Institute predicts that: “In developed markets, half of the interactions consumers have with computers will be using voice by the end of 2020. ” When I heard this recently I was surprised, but then I reflected upon how much I already rely on computerized voice interaction on a daily basis. Here's just a few examples: I use Google Assistant regularly to make calls and send texts while driving. I use neural speech-to-text software to turn audio interviews into written transcripts to speed my workflow. I use text-to-speech services to listen to articles and content originally published in written form. So why would we think of computerized voice interaction as unusual or something futuristic? I think that’s because I am using it in a few, well-defined use cases. Voice interaction hasn't become a key, popular interface option (like mobile, for example). How do we know voice interaction is going to become essential? One way to look at the future and coming trends is to look at enabling technologies - there is always a lag between when a technology is first developed and widely adopted. There is usually a refinement period in between. While the time to adopt varies, many analyses of technology adoption prove: When a technology becomes available, it will be used - it’s just a question of who will be the first to use it most effectively in their competitive space. The pace of technology adoption is speeding up at the consumer level as well as the enterprise - your customers will use it very soon after you implement it. Harvard Business Review sums it up nicely: "Innovations introduced more recently are being adopted more quickly. By analogy, firms with competitive advantages in those areas will need to move faster to capture those opportunities that present themselves. " AWS has made...

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> For high-traffic websites, decisions made about content could drastically impact business. Learn more about Atlantic BT's full content strategy process.

- Published: 2020-03-27
- Modified: 2025-05-20
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/content-strategy-principles/
- Categories: Software

Content strategy involves the planning and creation of copy for your business. The principles of a basic content strategy for your website include: Deciding who your customers are and what they want to read Performing keyword research Crafting copy or a content plan within these guidelines When is a basic content strategy not enough? If your website gets hundreds of thousands of visitors a month, the decisions you make about content could drastically impact your business. For this reason, content strategies for larger websites go beyond basic copy. They also incorporate: Detailed persona research and testing Categorizing information (Information Architecture) Navigation and design Selection of a Content Management System (CMS) to support user level access, page creation, and approval workflows For example, Atlantic BT has been faced with the following scenarios: When redesigning a website for the Department of Revenue, how do you label information so people can easily find the tax forms that pertain to their situation? When designing a university website, how do you point prospective students to information when they are at different phases of the decision and enrollment process? When designing an eCommerce website, how do you categorize thousands of products and incorporate search? When creating 1 page of content takes 3 weeks, how do you simplify the CMS experience to reduce turnaround? Atlantic BT has developed a proven process for Content Strategy. An all-encompassing content strategy will include persona and market research, information architecture, user testing, and supporting technologies. Take a look at the steps and considerations involved. Defining personas. Persona research varies on a client by client basis. Personas may include both internal users of the website, or external users (customers and clients). Through conducting interviews, market research, and web behavior analysis; Atlantic BT creates detailed profiles that describe a member of the audience segment, their preferences, their perspective, their background, and what influences them. Creating a content plan and information architecture. Atlantic BT develops a comprehensive Content Strategy using a structured sequence of research, workshops, and strategy development methods. Websites of all sizes benefit from going through these steps. Content inventory: We carefully...

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> Interested in opening an online store, or moving from your existing platform? Learn more about everything Shopify has to offer.

- Published: 2020-03-27
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/project-type/ecommerce/shopify-guide/
- Categories: eCommerce

Is Shopify right for my business? Because of its scaling capabilities and easy integrations, Shopify is an all-encompassing solution that fits the requirements of many businesses. Shopify might be the best choice for you if you identify with the following: I need a quick and easy way to transition into eCommerce. My business is a startup, and I need to be able to manage my store easily (without technical knowledge). I only have a few products/services now, but I will be adding many more in the future. I can invest in a web partner to get me started, but then I’d like to manage my store independently. I have an online store, but I am too busy running my business to keep up with eCommerce improvements. My small product catalog site is taking off and needs a more reliable solution. You may need a more complex solution, like Magento, if you identify with these issues: I want full control over the customization of my eCommerce store. My store needs to integrate with specialized software. At times, I have large surges in traffic and need highly scalable hosting. I’d prefer to rely on a website partner to fully manage my upgrades, feature development, and integrations. Shopify feature breakdown. While each of Shopify’s plans includes hosting, staff accountants, a blog, and other basic features; some additional features can be purchased through the Shopify app store. What’s included in each tier? Most businesses choose between one of Shopify’s main tiers: Basic Shopify, Shopify, and Advanced Shopify. Each of these three tiers include an online store, unlimited products, staff accountants, discount codes, SSL certificate, and abandoned cart recovery. Other features - like gift cards, professional reports, and cubic pricing - will come at a price. Shopify also offers Shopify Lite - which adds simple features to an existing website or social media page for $9/month. At the other end of the spectrum, Shopify Plus offers enterprise features and scalable hosting at $2,000/month. Shopify web design. Shopify offers hundreds of professional themes to choose from, from free options or templates closer to $200. All that...

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> Each business requires a unique hosting infrastructure to suit their needs. At Atlantic BT, we’ve seen many issues arise when businesses choose the wrong

- Published: 2020-03-06
- Modified: 2025-05-19
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/project-type/cloud-hosting/raleigh-hosting-provider/
- Categories: Cloud Hosting

Each business requires a unique hosting infrastructure to suit their needs. At Atlantic BT, we’ve seen many issues arise when businesses choose the wrong solution. They frequently come to us to help them minimize costs, recover from a security breach, or prevent future threats. We’ve customized two primary hosting options to serve clients: shared cloud hosting and AWS. While many people believe that shared hosting is only meant for small businesses, we find it is a good option for any company that doesn’t have specialized requirements. In fact, our shared hosting is so trustworthy, we recently migrated our own website from AWS to shared hosting. What value will I recognize from shared cloud hosting? Shared clouds are affordable and, when set up correctly, provide businesses with the security and performance needed to run smoothly. Atlantic BT uses LightSpeed Web Server and has built a custom infrastructure on Liquid Web. We limit servers to 30 websites, reducing risks of outages. While some people are hesitant to start out with shared hosting as they anticipate rapid growth, it’s fairly simple for our team to switch over to AWS. You could save some money by starting out with a shared option. What happened when Atlantic BT switched to shared hosting? We took some time to reevaluate our hosting setup with two primary goals in mind: reduce costs and boost performance. Initially, we were using a standard LAMP setup in AWS, paying $650 month. Switching from Apache to LiteSpeed Web Server gave us some immediate benefits with performance. This proprietary web server software is a popular choice, built with modern architecture in mind. Google recommends using modern web hosting software that supports newer optimized protocols, like LiteSpeed. For this reason, implementing LiteSpeed can also give you some SEO benefits. Combining LiteSpeed with our shared hosting platform meant that Atlantic BT reduced monthly costs by over 80% and page load from 4. 1 to 1. 8 seconds. When should you use AWS vs. shared hosting? In most situations, shared cloud hosting will be sufficient for your business. AWS is essential for businesses with the following...

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> Take a look at how past solutions have evolved, how you can benefit from Gutenberg, and how to set yourself up for success.

- Published: 2020-03-06
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/project-type/custom-websites/gutenberg-block-editor/
- Categories: Custom Websites, WordPress

Gutenberg is gaining popularity every month, and it has rapidly become the standard for building custom WordPress websites. Take a look at how past solutions have evolved, how you can benefit from Gutenberg, and how to set yourself up for success. How Atlantic BT used to address WordPress customization issues. TinyMCE was the default WordPress editor in the past. Due to its limitations with responsiveness and design flexibility, Atlantic BT built a “flexible bands” system with Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) to provide custom options. This system was built upon reusable design components. It created a much-needed balance between brand adherence and flexibility. Teams were able to build pages on their own using pre-styled components. Flexible bands worked well for our clients who were committed to learning the custom system (for example, Campbell University). Many felt that they were no longer confined by their WordPress editor and could rapidly produce new pages. Additionally, a system based on reusable components simplified development and design. “Flexible bands” are no longer necessary - Gutenberg is changing the game. While Atlantic BT’s flexible band system initially filled the gaps, WordPress caught up to modern design needs. Their latest editing experience, Gutenberg, now offers a similar solution with additional benefits. Gutenberg also works best with reusable components. The components, called “content blocks,” can be used to build pages in the same way as the flexible band system Atlantic BT developed. WordPress has worked out many of the kinks since its December 2018 release, which continues to boost Gutenberg’s popularity. Better still, Gutenberg is so widely used that it’s easy to find tutorials, support, and training. Why do you need to switch now? Upgrading to Gutenberg can do more than enhance your editing experience. In order to stay ahead of your competition, it’s important to implement modern technologies. Yoast said it best: “The Gutenberg project and with it, the Block Editor, is literally where all the innovation in the WordPress space is happening. Think of it this way: the only car race you’re going to win by using old technology, is a classic car race. If you...

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> Need help increasing page speed? In this post, gain an understanding of why it’s worth the investment and access 6 key factors to share with your team.

- Published: 2020-03-01
- Modified: 2025-05-19
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/application-development/page-speed-audit/
- Categories: Application Development, Web Accessibility, Web Development

Page speed is a critical element of a revenue-generating website, but it’s sometimes overlooked and can be a challenge to fix. In this post, gain an understanding of why it’s worth the investment to improve page speed as we breakdown 6 key factors to share with your development team that will get you closer to improving your page load. The 6 key factors to improving page load are: Reduce the number of third-party scripts Caching and minification Optimize images Lazy load images Serve content from a Content Delivery Network (CDN) Remedy redirect chains How important is page speed? As a general rule of thumb: the faster your website loads, the better the user experience. But do you know how many opportunities you are missing out on with slow page load time? Load time exceeding 2 seconds increases the exit rate. First of all, Google ran a study and found that 53% of mobile ad clicks immediately exited when load times exceeded 3 seconds. And people’s standards for speed have only increased over the years. In fact, 47% of consumers expect a page to load in 2 seconds or less. Faster page speed means higher rankings. Google takes user preferences into account with its ranking algorithm. Therefore, they favor pages with fast performance. Google’s Webmaster blog confirmed the importance of speed in a July 2018 announcement: “Today we’re announcing that starting in July 2018, page speed will be a ranking factor for mobile searches... We encourage developers to think broadly about how performance affects a user’s experience of their page and to consider a variety of user experience metrics. " Furthermore, recent studies by Hubspot, Backlinko, and Optinmonster each listed site speed as a top-ranking factor for Google (both mobile and desktop). What happened when Atlantic BT tested page speed factors? When we noticed a decrease in organic performance on Atlantic BT’s own website, we decided to perform a technical SEO audit to diagnose the issue. We found that our page speed was not up to par using Lighthouse and GTMetrix, free tools that provide detailed reports on your site performance....

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> If your site is loading slowly, you could be facing penalties. Learn more about how page speed can enhance your business and how to fix it.

- Published: 2020-02-11
- Modified: 2025-05-20
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/application-development/google-site-speed/
- Categories: Application Development, Web Development

Building a high-performance website starts with site planning and architecture. Unfortunately, for many development projects, site speed is overlooked because the responsibility spans across different roles and page speed wasn’t always a Google quality standard. As of July 2018, Google announced a new ranking algorithm known as “The Speed Update” where Google will look at how fast your mobile pages are and use that as a ranking factor. Even though this update focused on mobile experiences, if history is any indicator, the expectation will extend to desktop experiences as well. While site speed should be baked into an entire development project, you may need to find ways to retroactively fix it. Why do you need to fix this immediately? As Ricky Bobby says, “if you ain’t first you’re last. ” Would you rather be proactive or reactive? The former gives you a competitive advantage, and it’s one we recommend. Google rewards sites that apply best practices when it comes to site development. Ignoring site speed is becoming more hurtful than ever. First of all, your users expect your site to load quickly. Site performance plays a major role in engaging and retaining users. If you run your business on the web, performance is crucial. If you can’t retain your users then they won’t convert, which ultimately has a negative impact on your revenue. Don’t take our word for it. Take a look at what Google has to say about site speed and how poor site performance impacts paid and organic visibility. Fast websites generate more revenue. Google Ads Impact According to Google studies, sites that load within 5 seconds vs 19 seconds: Drive double the mobile revenue. Mobile users are impatient! They are much more likely to convert on a fast page Gain 25% in ad viewability. Google takes your landing pages into consideration; they are more likely to serve your ads if your page speed is fast. Have 60% more page views, increasing retargeting opportunities. If your website loads quickly, people are more likely to stay on your website and browse around. Google Organic Impact 1 second delay in...

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> Machine Learning is gaining popularity, but some approaches make it costly to implement. Take a look at some ready-to-use options that simplify the process.

- Published: 2020-02-06
- Modified: 2025-05-19
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/application-development/machine-learning-as-a-service/
- Categories: Application Development, AWS, Web Development

As I was watching the AWS re:Invent 2019 keynote addresses and product releases, I was struck by a realization, namely, that machine learning isn’t some science fiction future yet to come - it’s already here, if you know where to look and how to use it. Machine Learning is increasingly available, but some approaches are easier than others. Our clients are starting to ask more and more about implementing machine learning into the solutions we provide for them. They do this because they have heard of the increasing ability of machine learning to enable automation of tasks that, until recently, could only be performed by human intelligence. The cost and time required for humans to perform these tasks meant they were often too expensive or couldn’t be offered in real-time - for example, document translation services. What you may not know is that many services leveraging machine learning (ML for short) are already available. For example, Amazon Web Services (AWS) is continually developing and expanding a broad range of technology services - we watch their annual re:Invent conferences very carefully to learn more about their new offerings. In fact, AWS re:Invent 2019 introduced or expanded twenty ML based services! We categorize ML solutions into two models. I like to think of these services in two broad categories: “Ready-to-Use” and “Build-Your-Own” models. Why do I make this distinction? It comes down to what machine learning involves. Think about what “learning” entails for a human: years of experience, from crawling to graduate school; feedback in forms ranging from trial-and-error to peer review; and the sheer repetition involved to internalize what we learn. The process with machines is fundamentally the same. It takes large amounts of raw data, intense processing, and guidance to develop the algorithms. For humans, this takes years of full-time processing by the human brain. For machines, the effort required is comparable - developing effective machine learning is no small task! For this reason, the ready-to-use models are the ones that excite me the most. In these cases, the data gathering, algorithm development, and validation have all been done for...

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> Sometimes, the most relevant examples of your work are with an anonymous client. Here are 5 tips for writing case studies that make them relevant.

- Published: 2020-01-29
- Modified: 2025-05-27
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/industry/higher-ed/anonymous-case-studies/
- Categories: Higher Ed

When working towards winning enterprise, government, and higher ed projects; smart organizations will only consider your services after reviewing past results. It’s in their best interest to make sure you have a proven process that serves the requirements of an organization their size. But sometimes, the most relevant examples of your work will be with an anonymous partner. You could simply stick to writing about businesses that allow you to use their name. Or, you could learn how to impactfully write anonymous case studies. Your portfolio will ideally have a healthy mix of both. Our 5 tips for writing anonymous case studies are: Lead with results. Come up with a name for reference. Use this name as little as possible. Take advantage of anonymity. Give very specific, tangible details. When writing anonymous case studies, you have three goals. Case studies are ultimately about building trust. But it can be challenging to build trust when you are hiding details. Your goals are to: Reduce suspicion that you are making this case study up. Prove that you have a game plan by showcasing your processes. Demonstrate that your processes get results for large brands. Achieve these goals by following our 5 writing tips. 1) Lead with results. In order to distract from the fact you are not giving a name, focus on the results at the very beginning of the case study. You can do this in a summary format early on. Then, go into careful detail of the results at the end of the case study, where they naturally belong. 2) Come up with a name for reference. You will have to refer to the business as something. You may choose to call it “this city,” “this South Carolina university,” or “this vehicle brand. ” Whatever you choose, you want it to be as specific as possible without giving away the brand (or over-hinting in a way that could annoy your client). 3) Use the reference name as little as possible. You do want to use a descriptive name to give readers a frame of reference in the beginning. However, overusing...

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> At 2:47 each day, ABT employees gather to play mini games. Learn more about our fun activities and how we stay motivated at work.

- Published: 2020-01-21
- Modified: 2025-05-27
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/abt-culture/company-culture-games/
- Categories: ABT Culture

Doo dooo doo doo doo, MAHNA MAHNA. Do you know the theme of the Muppets? The employees at Atlantic BT sure do. Each day at 2:47pm, employees are summoned by the muppets song to participate in a voluntary mini game and take a break from their everyday work. These mini games serve as a time for employees to hang out with coworkers they don’t always get to see in a fun, competitive setting. 2 4 7 wouldn’t be nearly as fun if it weren't for the competitiveness of my coworkers... their strive to victory makes it so much sweeter when I come out on top. - Andrew Aldaya, current Water Pong, Mario Kart, and Two-Time 2 4 7 Champion Mini games last only about 10-15 minutes and change almost every day to keep things fresh. Some examples of our favorite games are Telestrations, water pong challenges, 99, high/ low, nerf gun target practice, and the ever popular flip cup (which we consistently plan on Monday). Employees get points at the end of each game. On Friday, we tally up the 2 4 7 scores and give winners a prize. Having new games every day keeps it interesting. Doing this helps keep 2:47 spicy and prevents an otherwise fun perk becoming dull. - Jon Karnofsky, former Culture Club President Although 2 4 7 is all fun and games, there is a bigger purpose. The core is to bring people together, have fun and meaningful interactions, and to grow the culture of Atlantic BT. In one of our 2 4 7 games, we drew contour pictures of each other and tried to guess who each drawing was. 2 4 7 is to provide a safe space for people to do silly, new things all while getting to know coworkers better. If your employees have this space to grow their relationships and relax for a bit, they can work better as a team, thus working better as a whole. The reason why I chose the time of 2:47 was two-fold. First of all, it was a nice time in the afternoon where everyone...

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> Which WordPress editor is right for your business? Take a look at some popular options, learn the pros and cons, and see what we prefer at Atlantic BT.

- Published: 2020-01-17
- Modified: 2025-05-27
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/project-type/custom-websites/wordpress-editors/
- Categories: Custom Websites, PHP, WordPress

WordPress is a popular CMS due to ease of customization, a large community, and SEO-friendliness. WordPress lists over 55,000 plugins available to customize your website, and new ones are constantly being added to the mix. There are many different ways to use a WordPress site, from eCommerce to local businesses and large university websites. Because of WordPress’ versatility, there are many ways of setting up the website for employees to make content adjustments. For example, employees could build new pages with a drag-and-drop interface, or they could simply select a pre-styled page template and enter content. In this article, we will cover these popular editor options: Page builders Advanced Custom Fields Gutenberg While each editor has their own sets of pros and cons, read on to learn more about the different options available and which may be the best fit for your website. Page builders, bands, and blocks - which choice is best for me? The best editor to use in WordPress depends on several factors: The complexity of web features The complexity of design The amount of control you want your users to have in design What tasks users will need to complete in the admin Page Builder Plugins in WordPress Page builder editors are drag-and-drop interfaces that, generally speaking, make it simple for admin users to design pages however they envision. Users will not experience constraints in design. Some popular page builder plugins include Beaver Builder, WPBakery, Divi, and Visual Composer. These drag-and-drop editors work best with a simple design and very basic websites. The primary benefit of using a page builder is that editors can create highly customized pages without any HTML or CSS knowledge. Additionally, if editors need to have full control, page builders give them the capability of overriding templates with their design changes. As long as the design is simple, editors can easily drag and drop content blocks and elements into a page to style how they like. Page Builder plugins work well when: Design is simple Admin users need full control of layouts and design elements Developers do not make frequent design updates...

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> Take a look at the key elements that impact the cost an eCommerce website. Then, see what price to expect using our cost chart.

- Published: 2020-01-10
- Modified: 2025-05-27
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/project-type/ecommerce/how-much-does-ecommerce-website-cost/
- Categories: eCommerce

If you’re looking to build an eCommerce website, you’re probably wondering about the cost. As you might have guessed, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. The price can range from as little as $5,000 to well over $5 million, depending on the platform, features, and complexity of your online store. But the cost doesn’t stop at the initial development. To maintain and grow your eCommerce business, you’ll need to factor in ongoing investments in functionality, user experience, marketing, and security. Key Factors That Influence eCommerce Costs To help you estimate the cost of your eCommerce website, we’ve outlined the major factors that influence pricing. At the bottom of this article, you'll find a cost summary table to give you a clearer breakdown. 1. How eCommerce Platforms Impact Cost The cost of your eCommerce site largely depends on the platform you choose. Options range from industry-specific solutions to Software as a Service (SaaS) platforms, integrated solutions with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, and fully custom-built stores. SaaS Platforms (e. g. , Shopify, BigCommerce, Wix eCommerce) Best for business owners who want an easy-to-use solution with minimal setup. Subscription costs range from free tiers to $20 to $30 per month for entry-level plans. Mid-tier plans with more features can go up to $250 per month. Advanced plans can cost upwards of $2,000 per month Customizable Platforms (e. g. , Magento, WooCommerce, OpenCart) More flexible but require technical expertise for setup and customization. Expect to spend at least $10,000 with a reputable vendor for setup and training. Advanced configurations can push costs from hundreds of thousands to millions. Need help picking a platform? Check out our eCommerce platform selection guide. You can also check out an interview about these platforms and how to get started. 2. How Web Design Choices Impact Cost The look and feel of your website affect both customer experience and branding. Your design costs will depend on whether you choose a pre-built theme or a custom design. Pre-Built Themes Many SaaS platforms offer ready-to-use templates that cost between $0 and $250. Minor customizations (beyond basic branding) can add $1,000 to...

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> With so many new features and enhancements, why are people hesitant to upgrade to Magento 2.3 in 2020? Learn more about the pros and cons of upgrading.

- Published: 2020-01-08
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/project-type/integrations/magento-2-upgrade/
- Categories: eCommerce, Integrations, Magento

Magento 2. 3 released November 2018, providing a wealth of new functionalities and improved experience for both Open Source and Commerce editions. Just a few new features include Progressive Web App, GraphQL as an alternative API endpoint, and Multi-Source Inventory. So with all these enhancements, why are people still hesitant to upgrade to 2. 3 in 2020? Why are people hesitant to upgrade? It takes careful planning and resources to make changes. Upgrading to new versions should always be done with caution and careful QA. Developers will need to ensure the version installs correctly and works within your design and customizations. You will also need to check that all third-party extensions are compatible with the new version. New updates can bring new problems. When first released, Magento 2. 3 users were experiencing a high volume of bugs. Fortunately, at this point many of the common bugs already have solutions. MageHost compiled a list of the top issues found in forums, offering fixes for each. Here are some of the top bugs (and solutions) mentioned: External Request, Invalid Form Key Magento 2. 3 Magento 2. 3 issue on the local server Magento 2. 3 technical issue with the server while uploading files Upgrade from Magento 2. 2. x to Magento 2. 3. 0 issue Magento 2. 3 composer upgrade fail Why should I upgrade, and what new features are included? Aside from new features, upgrading to newer versions of Magento will keep your eCommerce store secure and well-supported. Magento 1 is reaching end of life. Magento announced that support for Magento Commerce 1 (Enterprise Edition) will end in June of 2020. Additionally, security patches for Magento Open Source (Community Edition) will only be released through June 2020. The Magento 2 community is growing rapidly. With Magento 2. 3’s release in 2018, Magento also mentioned there were over 2,000 available extensions, 30,000 existing Magento 2 sites, and over 8,000 launching quarterly. With more websites upgrading, it’s easier than ever to access support within the community and find solutions to any problems you may face. Don’t miss out on new features essential to...

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> Discover the pros and cons of Drupal Layout Builder vs Gutenberg editor to learn which editor will work best for your website.

- Published: 2019-12-09
- Modified: 2025-05-27
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/project-type/custom-websites/drupal-layout-builder-vs-gutenberg/
- Categories: Custom Websites, Drupal, PHP

Gutenberg and Drupal Layout Builder are two editors aiming to solve the same challenges. Implementing either of these solutions can enable content editors to publish their own content, build pages quickly, and have the flexibility to adjust pages. No HTML, CSS, or developer knowledge is required. With both options, content editors can change the layout of the page without having to change templates in the source code. This makes for an easy and flexible tool to create great-looking pages. Depending on your content goals, one option may work better for your Drupal website than the other. Let’s take a look at the key features of each to choose the best editor for your website. Gutenberg Editor Pros and Cons Gutenberg is the new editor for WordPress 5. 0+, but is is also available as a standalone library that easily integrates with Drupal. You will no longer have to edit a page as individual form fields that are then output by a template in the source code. Instead, content editors can create and visualize their layouts in one large form field that accepts HTML. Content editors assemble pages using blocks (not to be confused with Drupal Block entities, which we'll discuss later), which are HTML elements like headings, columns, and image galleries. Gutenberg Pros: Use quick, visual editing. Gutenberg is integrated with Drupal's new media library to find and re-use media assets. You don't have to know HTML or CSS. You can use blocks developed by other open-source developers, or develop your own. Gutenberg Cons: Individual instances of blocks and layouts aren't reusable. That means, if users want more than one page to look the same, they have to manually lay out the content the same way each time. Drupal Layout Builder Pros and Cons Drupal Layout Builder is a new editing experience in Drupal 8. 7. 0+ that allows non-developers to change page layouts without changing templates in the theme's source code. It uses a drag-and-drop interface to customize content on a page or across pages. Drupal Layout Builder makes more sense for a traditional Drupal page structure, where users...

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> Streamline your software development and operations with AtlanticBT's DevOps process. Enhance efficiency and scalability for your digital projects.

- Published: 2019-11-15
- Modified: 2025-05-27
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology/aws-technology/devops-process/
- Categories: AWS, Cloud Migration Services

In order to deliver robust solutions to clients; code must be robust, reliable, scalable, maintainable, and secure. This level of quality only be achieved through building a solid software development process throughout the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). The Benefits of DevOps Methodology DevOps is the combination of cultural philosophies, practices, and tools that increases an organization’s ability to deliver applications and services at high velocity. Atlantic BT adopted DevOps methodology because we saw the following benefits, both tangible and intangible, to our ability to deliver quality solutions to our clients: Tangible Benefits Shorter development cycle Increased release velocity Improved defect detection Reduced deployment failures and rollbacks Reduced time to recover upon failure Intangible Benefits Increased communication and collaboration Improved ability to research and innovate Promotion of a performance-oriented culture How will working with a DevOps partner benefit me? You can benefit from partnering with a company that follows DevOps practices in the following ways: Faster delivery of features More stable operating environments More time available to add value (rather than fix/maintain existing features) DevOps Process Chain Because DevOps is a cultural shift and collaboration between development, operations, and testing; DevOps focuses on process and approach. Atlantic BT takes the following steps in our DevOps process for software development and delivery: Code – Conduct code development and review, version control tools, and code merging Build – Implement continuous integration tools and build status Test – Test results to measure performance Package – Create artifact repository and application pre-deployment staging Release (Deploy) – Set up change management, release approvals and release automation Configure – Implement infrastructure configuration and management, as well as Infrastructure as Code tools Telemetry – Implement application performance monitoring and end user experience measurements Elements of Atlantic BT's DevOps Process Automation with Jenkins Because automation is an important part of DevOps, your tool set is essential. Atlantic BT's primary Continuous Integration (CI) tool is Jenkins automation server. Jenkins is an extensible, cross-platform, continuous integration and delivery automation server for open source projects. Jenkins supports version control systems like Git, making it easier for developers to integrate changes to...

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> Multiple choice questions can help identify problems, but they rarely provide enough insight to solve them. See how using NLP can provide efficient analysis.

- Published: 2019-11-07
- Modified: 2025-05-27
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/nlp-survey-analysis/
- Categories: Software

How often have you found yourself frustrated when answering a survey? Perhaps you were not presented with an option that covered your case or enabled you to raise your concern. Maybe you wished for a place to provide more detailed information. In either of these situations, that firm could not get useful information to improve your experience with them. Why Should I Include More Open-Ended Survey Questions? While multiple choice responses are straight-forward to analyze with clear trends in responses, it only leaves room for answers to questions that the survey writer anticipated. This is okay for some questions, such as yes or no, how many times, Likert ratings, or questions with only a few possible responses. For other questions, like “how do you feel about our product? ”, it's nearly impossible to anticipate any adjective a person would want to use. Furthermore, with multiple choice for such a question you are limiting responses in a way that manipulates data. You could lead the survey taker into submitting a misleading response by forcing their selection into predetermined categories. Multiple choice questions can help you identify a problem, but they rarely provide enough insight to help you solve the problem. Open-ended questions allow respondents to provide answers in their own words, focusing on what is important to them. With no restrictions on their response, you can identify new issues that you would not have thought to include in your questions. In addition, this kind of open text feedback will often contain information about context (in which circumstances an event occurred) and additional detail (exactly what happened). The Challenge With Open-Ended Question Analysis While open-ended questions can provide a wealth of meaningful information, it takes a great deal of time to analyze them properly. In fact, User Researcher and founding partner of Adaptive Path Indi Young, plans for 8 to 10 hours of analysis time for every hour of recorded interviews or text read at natural speed. We have found this estimate to be realistic. Why does it take so long? It takes time because you don’t know what you are looking...

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> Check color accessibility effortlessly with ColorShark, Atlantic BT's tool providing real-time insights for WCAG contrast compliance.

- Published: 2019-10-31
- Modified: 2025-05-27
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/web-accessibility/wcag-contrast-checker/
- Categories: ABT Culture, Branding Strategy, Strategy, Web Accessibility, Web Design, Web Development

Color – it's one of the most expressive, subjective elements in life. Color surrounds us everywhere we go and shares a powerful connection with our emotions. And yet ironically — most of us are too blind to see just how lucky we are to have the ability to see in color. A lot of people today cannot see as many — or in some cases, any — colors like the rest of us. It's no surprise that our world is changing rapidly and becoming more dependent on technology. Digital experiences, such as browsing websites or applications, has become critical to our daily lives. When designing these experiences, it can be easy to overlook color accessibility. Recently, I was asked about my design process and how I go about inclusivity – in particular with color accessibility. I realized how many people were not aware of accessible design. So, let's talk about color accessibility and how to go about tackling these challenges in your own digital experiences. Why is accessibility so important? Digital experiences can be expressive to everyone, regardless of color deficiencies. As creative professionals, we have the power to make the lives of those affected better — to have a sense of belonging. It starts with planning and designing for accessibility. It involves crafting experiences for all people, including those of us with visual, speech, auditory, physical, or cognitive disabilities. Let’s create a web we’re all proud of: an inclusive web made for and consumable by all people. Color accessibility is important because it enables people with visual impairments or color vision deficiencies to interact with digital experiences in the same way as their non-visually-impaired counterparts. If you have to squint at any point in a website or web app to read or articulate something, there’s an accessibility problem. While we often think of visual impairments as long-term or permanent, many of us may experience short-term visual impairments. Have you ever had the sun glare into your eyes or your monitor when trying to browse the web or use an app? Ever forget your glasses or contacts? What about trying...

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> Creating Information Architecture for large websites can be complex process. Before getting help, walk through these steps and see what to expect.

- Published: 2019-10-22
- Modified: 2025-05-27
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/information-architecture-ux-process/
- Categories: Software

Why is Information Architecture Important? Information Architecture (IA) is the structural design of organizing information and its findability. For sites with large amounts of diverse content, a properly developed Information Architecture is critical to optimize both organic discovery through search engines, as well as ease of navigation once a user is on the site. Read on to learn more about the thorough planning process involved in developing IA, gain insight into best practices, and see real-world examples. Useful Exercises for Information Architecture In order to build an information architecture that facilitates user experience, you will have to go through some planning exercises. The activities most commonly undertaken in defining an information architecture involve: Content inventory: Examination of a website to locate and identify existing site content. Content audit: Evaluation of content usefulness, accuracy, tone of voice, and overall effectiveness. Information grouping: Definition of user-centered topics and relationships between content. Card Sorts: A method, live workshop or online, which identifies the way users understand and group the content being presented to them. Tree Testing: A method of testing user navigation through a proposed navigation in response to task scenarios, used to check effectiveness of various navigation paths and labelling. Taxonomy Development: Definition of a standardized naming convention (controlled vocabulary) to apply to site content. Descriptive Information Creation: Definition of useful metadata that can be utilized to generate “Related Link” lists or other navigation components that aid discovery. Steps for Determining Information Architecture Developing Site Structure & Navigation Site structure is the most basic component of information architecture. It’s an important first step for planning navigation and content. The ultimate goal of a well-planned site structure is understandability; the structure should be based on the ways that user conceptualize the information provided by your website. Structuring Taxonomies Search capability is tremendously enhanced by a well-structured taxonomy. Proper development of taxonomies requires user research to identify and validate how your users need to group, sort, and identify the information on your website. After all, a search engine is only as good as the information structure it has available to search through! In addition...

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> When resources are limited for user research, rely on a Lean UX Canvas to capture the essentials. Learn more about the Lean UX Canvas process.

- Published: 2019-10-21
- Modified: 2025-05-27
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/lean-ux-canvas-tips/
- Categories: Software

While visuals are a prominent piece of website interaction, user experience design goes far beyond aesthetics. UX professionals go deeper, seeking to create experiences that meet user needs and connect their interactions with business goals. Ideally, this process begins with user research. During this phase, a user researcher and their team will dig into the real-life tasks and pain points that people experience. After gaining a thorough understanding of user motivations and behaviors, the team will then design products to help meet business goals while solving real-life problems of the target market. When resources are limited, rely on a Lean UX Canvas. Not every project can follow an in-depth user research process. Common reasons for trimming it down include lack of budget, difficulty accessing representative users, or a limited project timeframe. When resources are limited, you shouldn’t throw UX principles out the window. Instead, we recommend a workshop technique called the Lean UX Canvas. The canvas was created by Jeff Gotthelf, and it just so happens that he recently released the Lean UX Canvas V2. How does a Lean UX Canvas work? First, a Lean UX Canvas is used to help teams recognize their core business problems and break them down into key assumptions. Then, these assumptions can be reworked into hypotheses for future testing. A Lean UX Canvas creates a foundation for running useful tests that reduce risk and drive smarter UX decisions. Tips for a successful Lean UX Canvas: A skilled facilitator can guide you through the canvas pretty quickly. Participants and stakeholders should keep the following principles in mind: You are not your user; their perspectives are often different. Don’t get too far ahead of yourself. This isn’t visual design, but if you get this part wrong the visual design won’t matter. Be careful with your assumptions! You have to make them, but keep yourself as grounded as possible by whatever data or knowledge you have. It’s great to propose that your tool will save the world, but being unrealistic will cause problems later. Making changes is okay. The canvas should be a flexible document. Just because...

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> Atlantic BT kicks off the Halloween season with a lunch and learn session where employees learn special effects makeup techniques, focusing on boils this year.

- Published: 2019-10-17
- Modified: 2025-05-27
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/abt-culture/halloween-culture-events/
- Categories: ABT Culture

Atlantic BT is kicking off spooky season with an unusual lunch and learn! On Wednesday, October 16th, employees got the chance to gross themselves out by learning special effects makeup techniques. The special effects makeup ranges from burns and boils to deep cuts. Atlantic BT puts together this highly-requested lunch and learn every year. Employees agree that having some theater experts on staff has its perks! “My favorite blood and guts so far is the one where we did bloody knuckles on our hands. It was just so realistic and disgusting looking! When I sent a snap of it to my friends, my girlfriend called me believing I was in an actual medical emergency situation. ”- Jorma Pelto, Web Hosting Engineer “I liked the 'peeled-back hand' one the best. I remember thinking how doing something so simple as putting a piece of yarn on your hand can turn into something so realistic and gross. I also liked this year’s, because it was by far the grossest. It’s oddly fun trying to gross yourself out with makeup. ”- Dan Sweet, Senior . NET Developer This year’s gory lesson was making blisters and boils. Employees used a mixture of hot glue, liquid latex, and makeup to make a nasty, stomach-curtling concoction. “My goal of the lunch and learn today was to create something that looked real enough to upset my coworkers who were too squeamish to attend. ”- Chris Duffy, Application Architect While the lunch and learn is pretty gruesome, it is always looked forward to by our employees, as is the rest of the Halloween season. Coming up during the rest of October is a pumpkin spice cooking competition, Halloween Trivia, pumpkin carving, and a costume contest.

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> The cost of building a web application depends on three factors: complexity, refinements and constraints, and hosting and maintenance.

- Published: 2019-09-27
- Modified: 2025-05-27
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology/php/how-much-does-it-cost-to-build-maintain-a-web-application/
- Categories: .NET, PHP, Quality Assurance Testing, Software Architecture Consulting

How much does a custom web application cost to build and host? If you are reading this article you are probably trying to figure out if the application you need can be built at an affordable cost. Use this guide as a web application cost calculator. While there are many variables that can impact cost, the key factors generally fall into three categories: 1) size and complexity, 2) refinements and constraints, and 3) hosting and maintenance. Start with the basics: how to determine size and complexity. To determine the size and complexity of your application we need to first define what it’s going to do. The specifications for modern software are often defined by ‘user stories’. These user stories are a simple way to describe discrete functionalities your application should provide, from an end-user perspective, and are often used by developers to define and estimate the effort required to build an application. Let’s use Facebook as an example of a web-based application that most people are familiar with. While Facebook may seem relatively simple to use, it is actually a massive web application with many different functionalities for different users. Describing it in user stories would take a very long time, however, if we stick to its most basic functionality we can use it as a good example. Here are some examples of web-based user stories: As a user, I need to register and create a profile As a user, I need to verify my email address to complete my registration As a user, I need to find friends to connect with As a user, I need to request to connect with friends I find As a user, I need to add pictures to my timeline As a user, I need to post status updates to my timeline As a user, I need to browse my feed from other friends As a user, I need to be able to react (like, love, hate, cry, etc) to posts on my feed As a user, I need to be able to comment on posts on my feed As an advertiser, I need...

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> Effective website accessibility can't always be added as an afterthought - it works best when baked into web development. Here's why.

- Published: 2019-09-26
- Modified: 2025-05-27
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/web-accessibility/avoid-costly-patch-fixes-by-planning-for-accessibility-video/
- Categories: Web Accessibility

Accessibility is important to ensure all of your visitors can use the features and content provided on your website. However, good accessibility can't always be added as an afterthought - it must be built in from the start. Let me give you an example with a simple analogy. https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=Vqce1v3ebxo&feature=emb_title The Benefits of Considering User Requirements From the Start We recently renovated our bathroom - we took a decades-old, utilitarian bathroom and turned it into a bright, pleasant space with much more convenient features. As we were happily admiring the final results, we realized we had forgotten something. We have aging family members visit and wanted them to have a sturdy handrail for getting into and out of the combination tub/shower. We assumed the contractor could do this easily. Unfortunately, when we asked him to do it he said, “Well, it depends. ” A handrail that will support body weight should be attached to a stud, not just to drywall. Therefore, the handrail had to go wherever the stud was; we couldn’t just put it anywhere. As it turns out, the stud wasn’t in the ideal location. Because we hadn’t planned ahead, we were faced with a choice. We could either provide a compromise solution, or tear out the work already done and put in a brace, then put the fixtures and tile back (an expensive and frustrating process). So, we learned our lesson the hard way: consider ALL requirements for ALL users from the start. The Consequences of Skipping Over Accessibility It may seem like it’s not a big deal to move the brace a few inches one way or the other, but we have to remember that for someone who needs it, proper location can be extremely important - improper placement could lead to imbalance, a fall, and a broken bone. This example is of physical accessibility in three-dimensional space - accessibility in the digital space has similar constraints and similar real-life consequences for those who need it. In the digital world, some accessibility considerations are easy to provide, such as providing alt text for all...

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> Atlantic BT’s Experience Team is well-versed in business process analysis, user research, testing, and design. Our patented approach to solving complex

- Published: 2019-08-02
- Modified: 2025-05-27
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/ux-design-projects/
- Categories: Software

Atlantic BT’s Experience Team is well-versed in business process analysis, user research, testing, and design. Our patented approach to solving complex web problems has lead to many success stories. Learn more about some of our company’s UX research and design projects throughout the years. NC. gov: Streamlining Web Navigation to Reduce Direct Calls NC. gov serves 9. 9 million people in North Carolina. As a wide range of users attempted to navigate NC. gov, the link-heavy interface and discrepancies in navigation across different agencies frustrated visitors. This often led visitors to call the agency office directly instead of finding it online, wasting the time of state employees and taxpayers. Atlantic BT reimagined NC. gov using a user-centric content governance strategy and digital style guide to unify the look and feel of every agency page. The new NC. gov used a streamlined, mobile-friendly sitemap that made it simple to find essential information across devices. Atlantic BT also performed persona research to create a flexible design system that would adapt to each agency’s needs. With a streamlined navigation, mobile-friendly sitemap, and a system for publishing new content; NC. gov achieved a user-friendly structure. ScottMadden: Building a Filterable Resource Library & New Taxonomy ScottMadden wanted to leverage the content on their website to engage their audience and develop relationships. However, the content was extremely difficult to find and lacked a human-centric strategy. Being a consulting firm, their people were the ones creating content and relationships, and the website needed to highlight consultants’ individual expertise. Atlantic BT developed a taxonomy to connect their areas of focus to both insights and the internal thought leaders creating these insights. A new insights library showcased all of their content, allowing users to search and filter for what they sought out. Furthermore, the library helped users navigate to similar content or additional pieces by the same author. Campbell University: Rebranding & Website Redesign Campbell University was in search of a partner to unify their brand and build a more effective website. Seventy-five percent of Campbell students and staff reported difficulty finding information on the university’s website, while each...

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> Most websites are unintentionally built with barriers to people with disabilities. While Section 508 requires Federal agencies to have accessible

- Published: 2019-08-01
- Modified: 2025-05-27
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/ecommerce-services/ecommerce-accessibility/
- Categories: Ecommerce, eCommerce, Project Type, Web Accessibility, Web Development

Most websites are unintentionally built with barriers to people with disabilities. While Section 508 requires Federal agencies to have accessible websites, eCommerce business owners should also be wary of their store’s accessibility. For starters, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities, leading to many web accessibility lawsuits across the country. Could My eCommerce Site Face an Accessibility Lawsuit? Among other factors, an accessible eCommerce website:  Can be read and navigated with screen readers Uses alt tags to describe images Incorporates color combinations that meet specified contrast ratios  Can be consumed with a keyboard and monitor (no mouse needed) Therefore, if your eCommerce store was not specifically designed and tested by accessibility experts, it is at risk for a lawsuit because it doesn’t provide equal accommodations for users with disabilities.   According to the Bureau of Internet Accessibility, thousands of accessibility lawsuits were filed in 2018. Some of the most widely sued industries included retail and apparel stores, restaurants, and eCommerce websites. Some websites that have been hit with lawsuits in the past few years include: Nordstrom, Warby Parker, Kylie Jenner Inc. , and Glossier. Why Else Should I Care About eCommerce Accessibility? First of all, making your eCommerce store accessible can help you tap into a larger market. According to the CDC, over 20% of adults in the US have a disability. This number is only expected to grow as the population ages. Secondly, while federal agencies are under the microscope with Section 508, many eCommerce websites have not caught up with the latest accessibility standards. At this time, making your website accessible can give you a competitive edge over other stores.   Finally, designing for accessibility tends to overall enhance UX. All users should benefit from implementing updates that make your website easier to consume. How to Test for Accessibility While an initial automated scan can pick up on obvious issues, other problems can only be discovered with a certified specialist or by getting real users to test. Atlantic BT uses a combination of the following for thorough accessibility audits: Automated Testing – We...

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> Take a look at some of Atlantic BT’s top web development projects and learn more about our problem-solving methods.

- Published: 2019-07-01
- Modified: 2025-06-02
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/website-development-raleigh/
- Categories: Software

“My web development process is slow and pricy. ” “My application is unreliable. It crashes constantly. ” “My website is slow and users are complaining. ” “My CMS is limiting things we need our website to do. ” These are just a few examples of problems our customers have expressed to us. Many times, we work with customers to recommend new technologies, expand functionalities of their existing website, or do the research necessary to enhance UX. An overview of some of our web development projects. Our Raleigh-based website development company has been around for over 20 years. We’ve tackled all sorts of projects, from WordPress websites to custom . NET applications complying with strict cybersecurity guidelines. Take a look at some of Atlantic BT’s top web development projects and learn more about our problem-solving methods.   Customization to expand the functionality of WordPress. Conduent had several business lines and were ready to ramp up marketing campaigns for these segments. The problem was, their WordPress website was built with a page builder plugin. This editing interface had limited templates, making the landing page creation process up to 3 weeks long. They relied on agency support, creating complicated feedback loops and some lag time. Atlantic BT was able to step in with a solution to reconstruct the editor. We built a new editing interface that empowered employees to easily create landing pages. This meant creating a page based off a template, then selecting components to complete a page layout. The new flexible editor meant reduced spend in agency dollars (to reallocate towards marketing campaigns) and reduced turnaround time in creating new pages. Building a custom application for a university. North Carolina State University summarized course offerings in a syllabus application. The university needed to find a way to standardize syllabus management for faculty and make it easier for students to review.   Atlantic BT worked closely with the NCSU development team to architect a solution. The chosen JSON-based configuration method would provide the desired flexibility and ease of configuration.  Paper testing a prototype proved the design was a success. Customizing a proprietary...

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> We are proud to announce that one of our very own, Randy Earl, will be speaking at WPCampus 2019 at the end of July. For those that aren’t familiar,

- Published: 2019-07-01
- Modified: 2025-06-02
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/project-type/custom-websites/atlantic-bt-selected-to-speak-at-wpcampus-2019/
- Categories: Custom Websites, Higher Ed, Industry, Project Type, Technology, WordPress

We are proud to announce that one of our very own, Randy Earl, will be speaking at WPCampus 2019 at the end of July. For those that aren’t familiar, WPCampus 2019 is the fourth annual in-person conference for the WPCampus community, “gathering of web professionals, educators and people dedicated to the confluence of WordPress in higher education. ” Randy Earl is Atlantic BT’s UX Research Manager and Senior Business Analyst. His presentation, “Fail Early or Fail Large: Embrace Negative Results”, focuses on ways you can minimize risk and ensure success in your next project or endeavor. Randy reviews two real-world example projects produced by Atlantic BT to illustrate the value of how user research testing methods and tools can identify gaps and prevent significant issues early and help avoid costly rework. The key is to experience 'failures' as early test observations rather than project disasters. Test key value propositions and user interactions as early as possible to allow for change while it is still cost effective to do so. Don’t miss out! Registration for WPCampus 2019 has been extended to Sunday, July 7. Join Randy and Atlantic BT in Portland, Oregon from July 25-27 for an enriching conference experience focused on accessibility and WordPress in Higher Ed.

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> Services Organization Control 2 (SOC 2®) is a thorough technical audit that requires companies to follow strict security procedures. Attaining a SOC 2®

- Published: 2019-06-26
- Modified: 2025-06-02
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/technical-governance-and-risk-management-consulting/atlantic-bt-becomes-soc-2-type-i-certified-whats-next/
- Categories: ABT Culture, Cloud, Cloud Monitoring & Maintenance, Cloud Security & Compliance, Governance and Risk Consulting, Government, Healthcare, Higher Ed, Industry, Technology Consulting

Services Organization Control 2 (SOC 2®) is a thorough technical audit that requires companies to follow strict security procedures. Attaining a SOC 2® report ensures that Atlantic BT is providing safe cloud environments for our clients, both protecting their private data and having a plan of action for detected threats. While Atlantic BT completed a SOC 2® Type I Audit examination on April 1st 2019, we are currently pursuing SOC 2® Type II. Our goal is to give clients peace of mind with our cloud solutions, educate on security measures, and continue to stay up-to-date with industry standards to prevent future threats. Type I vs. Type II: What’s the Difference? SOC 2® engagements are performed in accordance with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ (AICPA) AT-C 205, Reporting on Controls at a Service Organization and based on the trust service principles outlined in the AICPA Guide. The SOC 2® Type I report is performed by an independent auditing firm and is intended to provide an understanding of the service organization’s suitability of the design of its internal controls. Type I and Type II both involve reporting controls and processes related to five principles: Privacy, Security, Availability, Processing Integrity, and Confidentiality. Atlantic BT is focusing on Security, Availability, and Confidentiality. The primary difference is that Type I confirms our security controls at a single point of time, assuring that all of the proper policies and procedures are in place. On the other hand, Type II spans over six months, assuring that these processes are effectively working. How Atlantic BT Became SOC 2® Type I Certified SOC 2® Type I is a starting point that paves the way for Type II. Some examples of the measures we took to achieve our Type I certification include: Use of encryption protocols to protect customer data Designing with tiered access for client accounts Ongoing management of capacity demand Required internal training courses to help employees spot suspicious activity Skoda Minotti, an international business advisory firm, was selected to conduct the final audit. Atlantic BT received its SOC 2® Type I certification after thorough testing...

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> We’ve had clients come to us with a variety of asks. Take a look at how Atlantic BT has tackled some of these challenges.

- Published: 2019-06-16
- Modified: 2025-06-02
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/raleigh-web-development/
- Categories: Software

“My eLearning website conversions are stagnant or dropping. ” “My technology is older and outdated, and I don’t know where to begin reassessing them. ” “I need help finding technology to support our content strategy. ” “I’m ready to overhaul my website, but I want to find a partner that has a proven process for this complex project. ” We’ve had clients come to us with a variety of asks. Take a look at how Atlantic BT has tackled some of these challenges. Strengthening UX for an eLearning Powerhouse Global Knowledge provides training and technological education to the employees of Fortune 500 companies and small businesses alike. The business was juggling many challenges - including offering over 4,100 courses online, maintaining the website, and training the employees managing it. Atlantic BT stepped in to enhance the website’s UX, guiding users to relevant courses and streamlining the checkout process to reduce cart abandonment. New information architecture, a custom checkout feature, and a . NET framework set the e-learning business up for success. Financial Group Invests in Their Future With RFP Research Many businesses use RFPs to find partners that meet their requirements. But what happens when a business is new to the RFP process? Atlantic BT was able to partner with CAPTRUST to help them break down existing needs, determine what features would be needed in the future, and outline requirements for future projects. We recommended they use a WordPress multisite to achieve their goals, then helped craft an RFP to set them up to find a development partner. Helping the City of Raleigh build for the future. RaleighNC. gov needed to showcase the city’s services and amenities by providing accessible information to residents, businesses, and visitors. They served a wide variety of personas with unique goals. Furthermore, they would have to accomplish all these tasks while staying within strict government guidelines. Atlantic BT began by holding workshops with the team to architect a user role and authentication model, create a content workflow, and structure information with a smooth navigation. We then built a new Drupal 8 website that would meet...

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> Learn more about why web accessibility is important, how to avoid lawsuits, and Atlantic BT's full process to audit and test your website for compliance.

- Published: 2019-06-03
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/web-accessibility/accessibility-and-section-508-compliance/
- Categories: Government, Higher Ed, Industry, Information Architecture, Quality Assurance Testing, Software, Strategy, User Experience, Web Accessibility, Web Development

There are many different pieces to obtaining digital accessibility, and it can be an issue that needs clarification. Atlantic BT can help you feel confident that your site is in compliance with the latest accessibility regulations to reach a larger, more inclusive audience for your company. But let’s take a step back and think about why it matters. Digital spaces are essential to the way we live our lives. “We” is a collective, inclusive word. So digital solutions wind up affecting the lives of every person who has access to the Internet. It is clear that designing web experiences for all users, regardless of ability or potential needs, is a crucial component of modern web design. Not to mention, it is also the law. Web accessibility is an element of your website that can not be ignored. Why Should You Care About Website Accessibility? Americans With Disabilities Act While the ADA does not explicitly mention websites in its language, it does prohibit discrimination based on disability in places of public accommodation. As many organizations have discovered, the ADA has been applied to lawsuits over inaccessible websites. Perhaps one of the most famous was the National Federation of the Blind’s lawsuit against Target in the mid-2000’s, which led to Target settling the case for $6 million. Section 508 Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, is another law that many of our clients have their eyes on. Organizations that are subject to Section 508 have a clear requirement to meet accessibility standards. As of January 2018, these organizations are now required to make sure their websites meet the guidelines laid out in Level A and Level AA of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2. 0 (WCAG 2. 0). Appeal to a Wider Audience Aside from the law, there are benefits to making your website more inclusive. Provides key services to people with disabilities Increases the audience or customer base an organization can reach through its website Often makes sites easier for all users And the need for accessibility continues to grow. According to the CDC, more than 20% of adults in the...

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> How does visual design impact brand credibility? Learn how to establish a brand that both visually delights users and helps them find useful inforomation.

- Published: 2019-05-03
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/branding-strategy/building-brand-credibility-with-visual-design/
- Categories: Branding Strategy, Custom Web Design & Development, Strategy, User Experience, Web Design, Web Development

Think about a brand you experienced in the past that made you feel happy. It could be a one-time thing, or maybe it’s a brand you’ve interacted with frequently. Think about the things that made you feel this way, like delightful products, friendly customer service, or honest communication. Brands can have a powerful impact on people's lives and emotions, and it’s safe to say that they don’t go in hoping for a substandard experience. Similar to a walking inside a store, your website or application is one of many gateways for your audience to engage with your brand. How do you think your audience feels about your brand right now? Branding demands commitment. It demands a commitment to connect with people and stir their emotions. It demands a commitment to imagination. Many brands are only given one shot to engage people. Regardless of what you believe, people will quickly evaluate you and your brand when looking at your website or application. The care you put into your website and brand reflect the attention you put into your product and services. Consider this: if your content is valuable, someone might assume you believe in clear communication, honesty, and care for customers. If your content is wasteful, contains broken links, or is surrounded by confusing navigation, someone might assume you lack a commitment to quality. Don’t do the latter. Establishing and growing a brand—including a website or application —takes careful craftsmanship, commitment, and dedication. Brands are organic in nature, so they need to be cared for over time or they’ll eventually die off. The way in which you approach branding can allow you to speak volumes about your priorities, culture, trustworthiness, and level of expertise. Nike—first and foremost—promotes beauty in their products to build brand credibility. Is Visual Appeal Enough to Create a Trustworthy Brand? Are there any intrinsic biases that we have as a species that prevent us from making calculated and good decisions? Yes, there are. Mainly beauty. Beauty can influence whether we decide to walk into a store in person or explore deeper into a store online. It’s quite...

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> Explore how our employee developed an application to streamline data architecture and documentation, improve efficiency and resolve pain points.

- Published: 2019-04-24
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/digital-transformation-services/building-a-custom-react-application/
- Categories: Application Development, Database Development, Digital Transformation Services, Information Architecture, JavaScript, Software, Strategy, Technology, Technology Consulting, User Experience

Explore how our employee developed an application to streamline data architecture and documentation, improve efficiency and resolve pain points.

One of the most influential life lessons that I follow every day is about planning—which teaches us that if you fail to plan, then you are planning to fail. You may wonder if planning really is that important. Uh, yes—yes, it is. As part of a digital agency, planning is one of the core phases of every project we engage with. The ability for us to strategize as a team really feels like a game of chess. Every piece has a purpose, and if you plan well in advance, you just might make it out alive. When it came to planning, communicating, and documenting data architecture, I noticed that our organization had some inefficiencies— repeated issues that chewed up both time and money. This past year, I sought out to design and develop a tool that would build in efficiency into our process—and look good while doing it too. Digital strategy has always been about connecting people to information through well-informed navigation. For most projects we’ve engaged with, there had been some level of documentation around research and data architecture. Who is this product for? What information are they seeking? How will they get to this information? Digital strategy boils down into a few primary areas. 3 Primary Areas of Digital Strategy 1. People Until the robot apocalypse occurs (it’s only a matter of time), the products we design and develop are to be consumed and engaged by people. Whether we put together assumptions on personas or we conduct user research and interview actual people, it’s important that we document the characteristics of these people to help us understand them better. The better we understand, the more accurate our recommendations become. Empathy is a powerful emotion that we can use to connect with people. 2. Information Information can come in many forms, such as products or services. They can also tell stories and evoke emotions. We use content strategy methodologies to define and organize content that audiences seek. More specifically, content models help document information with a brand and define the relationship between them. These relationships help shape data types,...

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> When I think about cities and city services, I can’t help but see them as user experience projects. As a UX-oriented person, maybe that’s just me being a

- Published: 2019-04-16
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/industry/government-industry/future-municipal-sites/
- Categories: Government

When I think about cities and city services, I can’t help but see them as user experience projects. As a UX-oriented person, maybe that’s just me being a hammer and seeing a UX nail, but as more and more diverse citizens rely on these municipal sites, city governments will have to take UX seriously to serve citizens in the future. This UX perspective should extend from city hall buildings to services in the community to digital spaces like social media and city websites. I’m not only saying this because I think it’s the right thing to do, it’s also what citizens are increasingly coming to expect. Research from Accenture has shown that people are coming to expect more and more from digital government. Over three quarters of US citizens expect the same or better service from government websites as they do from commercial sites, and that number is growing. Some government institutions like the State of Georgia are catching on to this trend, though that appears to be more the exception than the rule. Since we know how important city websites are, my user research team and I are always watching where these municipal sites seem to be headed. This can be a hard thing to pin down because there is so much variation in the execution of city websites, but here are a few trends that stand out. Municipal Sites Will Focus on Findability One of the hardest challenges of municipal sites is creating effective navigation systems. These sites struggle because they need to meet the needs of many user segments as well as the needs of many internal departments. Pick a city site at random, and chances are you will notice critical information buried in deep site structures. Deep structures aren’t necessarily always bad, but designing navigation for municipal sites is especially challenging because of the abundance of jargon in field. This in mind, here are specific ways municipal sites can improve findability: Search Search is an obvious way to get around the problems of navigation and hard-to-find information. While this might seem behind the times to include,...

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> Duplicate content can make or break your website's SEO. This article lays out the steps you should take to ensure you're not hindered by duplicate content.

- Published: 2019-04-11
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/duplicate-content-penalizations/
- Categories: Software

Duplicate content is a cardinal sin that will drive search engines to de-index your entire website. This is what many came to believe following a flurry of algorithm updates from May of 2015 to March of 2017. The truth is more complicated. Although content quality is a major factor in Google’s algorithm, many claims surrounding duplicate content penalizations are unwarranted and blatantly untrue. For that reason, I’d like to provide some best practices regarding duplicate content and how you can better optimize your content. What Types of Duplicates Can Be Penalized? Using duplicate content is inevitable, and almost every website has instances of it. According to Matt Cutts, Google’s algorithm expert, approximately 25–30% of content throughout the internet is duplicated from another web property. We constantly see eCommerce retail websites using manufacturers’ product descriptions, branded boilerplate content, and legal information. And in many situations, that’s required by the manufacturer—so it’s often unavoidable. Google knows that, and they’ve explicitly stated they will not penalize a website for duplicate content UNLESS the content is being used in a manipulative, intrusive, or misleading way. What does Google mean by manipulative or misleading? For example, some eCommerce companies create a number of microsites with entirely duplicated content in order to rank in multiple positions for the same search query. Another example of a misleading strategy is when a blogger aggregates content from other websites instead of creating his/her own content. These types of sites could easily be removed from Google’s index as a penalization, but most instances will go unnoticed. That said, there is always a caveat. While Google won’t necessarily penalize your website for non-egregious uses of duplicate content, they do encourage and reward unique content. Google groups all of the sites that have similar content into a cluster. From that cluster, Google’s SERPs display content from the URLs with the highest domain authority. The websites with lower domain authority won’t be removed from Google’s index, but it will be challenging for them to rank higher than the sites that created unique content. How to Address Duplicate Content There are countless reasons you...

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> Converting a website visitor into a customer might take multiple visits to that site. So how do we keep visitors engaged? Marketing Automation.

- Published: 2019-04-04
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/ecommerce-services/marketing-automation-ecommerce-half-whole/
- Categories: Ecommerce, eCommerce, Project Type, Web Development

During the wonderful pleasure of checking out of a eCommerce website, something shocking happened: I became distracted. What was the website's shortcoming? A poorly placed call-to-action button? Some user experience faux pas that made me feel under-appreciated as a consumer? A page load time that took milliseconds longer than the time I felt like waiting? Actually, there was no digital culprit. My wife came in with the groceries. So I stopped shopping to help her put away food. Even with craftsman-like attention to every nuance of customer experience, life can and does find a way to distract us from purchases we intend to make. In a world of digital noise and constant demands for attention, we shouldn't be surprised there are so many things that prevent customers from completing an order. I'd argue there are more things that prevent an order from happening than help it. Adobe Digital Insights estimated only 30% of desktop shopping carts resulted in an order (dropping down to 19% on mobile devices). That same study also surveyed consumers about how they source the best deals for the holidays. Most agreed on email and search ads were the best methods, while social media and app push notifications were the worst. Whatever methods they use, eCommence retailers need to dig deep and command attention to break through to new sales goals. Constant awareness, presence, and time-sensitive actions are all must-do actions to push sales higher and make people remember why they need that thing you offer. One Half of a Whole: eCommerce and Marketing Automation I'm going on the record here: There should be no eCommerce without Marketing Automation. You know how every movie with ghosts theorizes that spirits come back to haunt us because they have unfinished business on our earthly plane? This is exactly how you should think about marketing automation—as a reanimated specter that reaches from the great beyond and will not be silenced until you complete your transaction (at 15% off with promo code GHOSTLY15). Here's the bad news, much of marketing automation is a guessing game. You choose arbitrary dates, subject lines,...

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> ABT helped Mutual Drug navigate a highly-regulated environment to provide a modern, user-friendly application which met and exceeded industry standards.

- Published: 2019-04-02
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/abt-culture/how-to-innovate-in-a-highly-regulated-environment/
- Categories: ABT Culture, eCommerce, Healthcare

ABT helped Mutual Drug navigate a highly-regulated environment to provide a modern, user-friendly application which met and exceeded industry standards. Here's how we modernized this healthcare website. Needed: A Secure and Streamlined Ordering System Pharmacists and pharmacy managers must maintain an inventory and order replenishment stock, just as any business selling physical products. However, pharmacies have the additional challenge of meeting the regulatory requirements of dealing with controlled substances (drugs that require a doctor’s permission to use). Specifically, any electronic ordering system they build or use must be compliant with the Controlled Substances Ordering System (CSOS) requirements of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). This basically requires pharmacists to digitally sign orders for controlled substances in order to verify the authenticity of the order. Atlantic BT’s client, NC Mutual Drug, is a pharmaceutical distributor with $1. 2B+ in B2B volume. Their existing system, while CSOS-compliant, was cumbersome to use and required logging in and navigating two different systems. The client tasked us with designing and building a new system that was secure, highly available, fault tolerant, fully compliant with CSOS requirements and, most importantly, simpler and faster to use than their previous system. Achieving these objectives made it easier for the client's customers to place small orders more frequently, thus reducing the need for bulk orders and product stockpiling. Performing 11 Validations without Losing Your Mind Conceptually, the technical challenge was straightforward: enable the standard required use of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) to manage a system of digital signatures which could then be used to encrypt and ensure the authenticity and security of orders for controlled substances. This kind of technology is often integrated with web applications to facilitate the secure electronic transfer of information for a range of activities such as e-commerce, internet banking and confidential email. Straightforward, however, did not mean simple—we had to design, build, and test a robust, scalable, secure system that would perform eleven validations for each transaction, yet be simple and efficient for the user. After working closely with the client to understand all the usability and functional requirements, we proposed a design to meet...

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> A colleague just shared a URL with you, his message reading “you gotta check this out!” The URL promises to lead you to a beautiful new website for a

- Published: 2019-03-28
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/abt-culture/the-top-5-things-you-can-do-to-improve-your-site-speed/
- Categories: ABT Culture

A colleague just shared a URL with you, his message reading “you gotta check this out! ” The URL promises to lead you to a beautiful new website for a company that created a software tool that could save your life. You eagerly click the link and wait. One, two, three seconds go by as the page struggles to load. Before your frustration gains any more momentum, you close the page. Sound familiar? This example illustrates why site speed analysis should be STEP ONE of every conversion optimization project. And as the Internet becomes even more entwined in our work, entertainment, and everything else, your customers will become even less patient for any delay in opening your page. Before launching into ways to improve the speed of your website, here’s one key note about website speed: there’s a difference between Page Load Time and Page Interactive Time. Page Load Time means “the length of time until every element on the page is done loading”, while Page Interactive Time means “length of time until the site is usable. ” The latter is the more important metric to pay attention to. Now, here are the top causes of site-slowing and what you can do to fix them: #1: Optimize Your Images Large images are the culprit for a lot of the ‘weight’ of many websites. Website weight, for our purposes, is measured in bytes—the fewer bytes the browser has to download, the faster the download can happen and the more quickly your users will see your content. This is a great argument for optimizing how you use images on your site. First, it’s important to consider how essential each image is to the success of your website. Well-placed images can communicate loads of information, but make sure every one of them is worth the real estate. Also, if you ever find yourself encoding text in an image asset, stop and reconsider. Text-in-images delivers a poor user experience – the text is not selectable, not searchable, not zoomable, nor accessible. Web fonts are always a better choice for text. Once you’ve chosen the...

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> As a developer, sometimes you just have to grind to finish a project. How do you maintain that and keep from burning out? Here's our approach

- Published: 2019-03-26
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/application-development/grinding-and-burning-out/
- Categories: Application Development, Software

Many jobs in the software industry have some level of ‘grind’. The 'grind’ means days, weeks and (hopefully not) months of extra work that comes with projects. Perhaps a key client needed a feature added, or a certain task proved harder than expected. When you enter the software business, you have to accept there will be times when you have to grind to finish a project. But, it's important to recognize that there is a fine balance. Taking breaks and resting will benefit teams in the long run. How Can Preventing Burnout Boost Efficiency? Developers are thought-workers. They don’t work in a factory churning out the same thing over and over again. They have to know all the tools in the toolbox, know how to use them and know where to find new tools as well. Sometimes they even have to create new tools. A large amount of mental energy is spent in the pursuit of the solution of a problem. Some problems are very complex, and it can take hours just to understand the environment in which a problem exists. This takes an enormous amount of concentration, which is why you will see most developers with headphones on. It’s not just that they love the new Twenty-One Pilots album—they’re blocking out the rest of the world to eliminate as much distraction as possible while spending their mental energy inside the “zone”. What it Means to Live in the Zone The “zone” is a focused mental state where the developer’s mind is fully engaged in solving problems. It takes time for a developer to go from zero to totally zoned in and it can be derailed with a single tap on the shoulder. Every developer has a natural amount of time that they can spend in the “zone”. For some developers, a 40-hour week is all they can take. For others it might be 60 hours. It is a mentally draining experience. At some point the developer will hit the wall. Their brain reaches its limit and needs to do something else. Encourage teams to get up and walk around,...

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> Businesses today face some of the toughest digital problems they have ever seen. Here are 4 keys to solving the toughest digital problems.

- Published: 2019-03-21
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/digital-transformation-services/how-businesses-can-solve-their-toughest-digital-problems/
- Categories: Application Development, Cloud, Cloud Monitoring & Maintenance, Digital Transformation Services, Software, Technology Consulting

Many businesses today are facing some of the toughest digital problems they have ever encountered. The combination of continuous technology evolution and explosive adoption in business have created remarkable challenges for modern executives and business owners. In addition to moving the organization forward, these challenges are sometimes significant enough to threaten basic business continuity. A decade ago technology was often contained to individual business functions and fairly rarely exposed directly to customers. Today, that is no longer the case. As the complexity of the challenges has grown, businesses have added dozens of individual systems to perform specific business functions. Unfortunately, these systems are often disconnected and do not share data directly with the rest of the enterprise. And that creates a new set of problems that further hamper the growth of the business. The Pressures That Create Tough Digital Problems The key factors that are creating pressure for business leaders to continually solve tougher and tougher digital problems are security, efficiency, and customer/competitive demands. The pressures these key factors generate has never been greater and comes at a time when many enterprises are squeezing their IT budgets. So how does a business or enterprise become leaner and more agile so they can solve tough digital problems? Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to this question but there are some specific actions an organization should take to remain competitive and avoid putting the organization in catastrophic risk territory such as what happened to Sony Pictures. 4 Keys to Solving Tough Digital Problems Commit to making technology a competitive advantage. Technology can either be something an organization deals with because it has to, or something an organization embraces and turns into an advantage. The first step is as simple as announcing the organization’s intention to embrace and drive technology. With clear focus and proper leadership, it will quickly grow from a liability to an asset. Determine roles and responsibilities. Clearly determine who in your organization is responsible for the overall technology vision. If left to their own devices, individual departments will innovate and solve their own problems. While this is normally a...

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> Part and parcel to the user experience discipline (and any discipline involved in website creation) is establishing user goals. If visitors have come to

- Published: 2019-03-07
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/user-experience-services/set-your-users-goals/
- Categories: Cloud, Cloud Monitoring & Maintenance, Strategy, User Experience

Part and parcel to the user experience discipline (and any discipline involved in website creation) is establishing user goals. If visitors have come to your site then you can be sure that they’re looking to accomplish something, be it gathering information, contributing to a community, or ordering one of your products. Clearly defining your user's goals at the beginning of a project and sticking to them throughout the design and development processes will help ensure that the final product is something your visitors will actually want to use, and hopefully use again and again. User Story Examples Your goals can be very straight forward, such as “encourage the user become a registered member” or somewhat more abstract like “delight the user so they spread the word about us. ” In our work here at Atlantic BT we’ve been writing user stories to help guide our project's along. User stories are a great tool because our clients, their users, and our team members can easily contribute to them, and they’re written in plain English so everyone can understand them. Here’s an example from a recent project: “As a potential customer, I’ve been asked to a seminar at the company headquarters. How do I get there, and who do I contact if I need assistance? ” Seems simple, right? We've gone and defined the user (a potential customer) and their needs (directions and contact information). Our UX and design team know that including a “Company Locations” page with driving directions on the website is a must. Our programming team knows that they need to add seminars and events points of contact to emails. Here is an example from a new client: “I am a doctor and I need to order a prescription and have it shipped to a customer or my clinic” This user story helps define what our programming staff has ahead of them, and what sort of user experience interactions will have to be mapped out. This sort of simple story-telling helps prevent patch fixes towards the end of a project. User Stories In Practice In one of our projects,...

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> Trees, Forests, Landscapes If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve heard the phrase “He can’t see the forest for the trees” to describe someone so

- Published: 2019-03-05
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/are-you-looking-at-the-trees-or-the-landscape/
- Categories: Software

Trees, Forests, Landscapes If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve heard the phrase “He can’t see the forest for the trees” to describe someone so focused on specific details that he misses the big picture. Rather than repeat this cliche again, I’d like to discuss a third level I consider more important—the landscape, or how we choose to shape a natural environment to meet our needs. Let me explain with an example. Recently, I was looking over a heavily-wooded property with a neighbor and discussing ideas for how to landscape it. We agreed the property could be greatly improved by removing many of the trees. However, when my neighbor pointed out which trees he would remove, they were the exact opposite of the ones I would! I realized even though we were gazing over the same property, we had dramatically opposed visions for the new landscape. We agreed on the need for change, but our desired end results could not have been more different. Trees Are Features. The Landscape Is the Objective. So, what does this have to do with planning complex digital projects? In this landscaping comparison, we need to think of trees as features—they give shade, add visual interest like color or shape, provide privacy, offset architecture, and so on. The right combination of trees, applied as part of an overall plan, can immensely enhance a landscape. However, features aren’t everything—they need to serve a purpose. Are you focused on individual features (the trees), or do you have a clear vision of the end business objective (the landscape)? We often have new clients who want to begin the discussion at the feature level—take this one out, speed that one up, redesign another one. We always back up and ask: "What business objective are you trying to achieve? " The answer is usually some benefit to the bottom line like increasing revenue through growth in market share, or decreasing cost by leveraging technology more efficiently. Ask Five Whys An excellent exercise for zooming out from the feature level is to ask "why? " Then ask it again, and again,...

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> If you want your website to be successful, you know you need to create original web content. But how do you get started? Follow these 6 simple steps.

- Published: 2019-02-28
- Modified: 2025-05-22
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/user-experience-services/how-to-write-original-web-content/
- Categories: Application Development, Google Analytics, Software, Strategy, User Experience

In a previous post, Why Original Web Content Matters to Your Business, I explained why creating original web content is important. In short, original content plays a significant role in conversion optimization and the organic search performance of your site. In this post, I’ll focus on how to create original content. Writing original web content can be challenging. However, it is not impossible and becomes easier with practice and a plan. Here are some key things to keep in mind to help you get started: Identify topics where you have expertise. If people are paying for your product or service, you know something of value to others. You don’t have to be the world’s top expert on the subject, you just need to have information of interest to your audience. Provide a valuable perspective by combining your knowledge with your unique insight. Know your audience. Make sure you know what you are writing, for whom, and why. An excellent way to really know your target audience and how to address them is through developing Personas; it takes a little time, but the insights gained are invaluable - so much so that we perform Persona Workshops as a first step for all our clients. Plan ahead. List topics you can write about, do some keyword research, develop a schedule around product releases, calendar events, etc. Build in a draft, review, and publish cycle; this is called an editorial calendar and is very helpful to maintain regular content production. Start writing. Starting can be the hardest part, but the most important. Write a draft, then rework it as you see fit; it is much easier to work with once it is out of your head and on paper (or screen). Structure for online consumption. Writing for the web is very different from writing a short story or novel; web content must match the way users scan websites: Start with your key point (don’t bury the lead) Write in small, digestible chunks (provide individual answers) Use headlines and headings (make it easy to scan) Write in active voice (be approachable, not remote) Write...

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> These 6 questions to ask about modernizing mission-critical business applications are essential to maintaining your IT systems.

- Published: 2019-02-21
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/project-type/cloud-hosting/6-questions-about-modernizing-mission-critical-business-applications/
- Categories: Cloud Hosting

The pace of change in information technology can be dizzying at times. New technologies are quickly developed and yesterday’s standards are no longer acceptable. For businesses today, simply keeping up with the latest IT developments can be a chore all on its own. And keeping your mission-critical business applications up-to-speed can feel like an impossible task. But the fact remains, if you are not modernizing your IT systems and applications, you are at risk of falling further behind, which can cripple the long-term viability of your business. So, how can businesses keep their systems up-to-date with modern IT standards? Modernizing Mission-Critical Business Applications: 6 Questions to Ask Through our experience helping companies such as Mutual Drug and one of Baltimore’s leading news outlets, we’ve developed a solid process for helping companies evaluate the health of their mission-critical business applications and executing a strategy to bring them up to modern IT standards. And along the way, we’ve identified a few key questions that businesses should consider when taking a look at their IT systems and applications. These questions include topics such as: How old is your mission-critical business application? Old age for IT applications is not a good thing. And each year that passes potentially brings you one step closer to disaster. Who built this application and was it made specifically for your business? Your business has unique concerns that need to be addressed. Off-the-shelf applications are a risk. But so are custom-built applications if they haven’t kept up with changes in the IT landscape. How well is your application performing in your current environment? Do you regularly experience downtime with your applications? Is it slow to respond? Modern businesses demand applications that can keep pace. Was your application designed with the cloud in mind? Everyone is talking about the cloud these days. Data storage, application operation and maintenance are just a few of the concerns. Is your application ready to function in the cloud? How secure is your application? Your business applications contain data. Lots of important data. And if that data were to get in the wrong hands, it...

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> It’s no secret that eCommerce is both extremely successful and extremely competitive. How does a site gain market share, loyal customers and revenue? It

- Published: 2019-02-19
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/ecommerce-services/ten-critical-elements-of-a-successful-retail-ecommerce-site/
- Categories: Custom Web Design & Development, eCommerce, Ecommerce, Information Architecture, Project Type, Strategy, User Experience, Web Development

It’s no secret that eCommerce is both extremely successful and extremely competitive. How does a site gain market share, loyal customers and revenue? It may seem mystical -- lots of smart people have created good sites and not been successful. The example I will use to illustrate the 10 critical elements is www. extremeterrain. com. I happen to also be an off-road enthusiast and this site caught my attention by how well it is put together. Our company didn’t build the site and we aren’t affiliated with it at all. It is impressive work, however. This post doesn’t deal with anything related to marketing or actual fulfillment or customer service. Let’s assume that you won’t be successful if nobody comes to your site or you deliver really lousy service. Agree? As you read through this list you notice a consistent theme. Trust. People very rarely do business with anyone they don’t trust. Most of the keys to successful eCommerce are related to establishing trust with the consumer. Trust in the company and trust in the product. 1. Precise, Targeted, Unique Emails on a Regular Schedule Successful e-commerce sites use e-mail. A lot. So what’s different? Lots of people use spammy communications to try and drum up business for everything from drugs to Groupon specials. Successful e-commerce mailing appears in your inbox as something very interesting and targeted specifically for you. Looking at the email below you will notice how many times they use the information they gathered about me to precisely target the email. “2009 Wrangler” is used in the subject, the header, and the sub-heading above the targeted product listing. Exciting Wrangler imaging is, of course, also used as the primary e-mail image. 2. Big, Detailed, Consistent Pictures One of the things that makes customers hesitate to buy, even if they think they want the product, is a lack of confidence about the quality or whether it’s really exactly what they want. Having big, detailed, consistent pictures closes the gap from an in-store experience significantly and increases the buyer’s confidence that it’s what they are looking for. Where all...

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> It’s no secret that metrics and analytics are crucial to determine and measure the success of a site or web application. However, many organizations often

- Published: 2019-02-15
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/industry/higher-ed/ux-colleges-measurements/
- Categories: Higher Ed

It’s no secret that metrics and analytics are crucial to determine and measure the success of a site or web application. However, many organizations often track metrics that reveal little about their target objective—and higher education is no exception to the plague of inefficient UX metric tracking. In this blog, I want to explore the why and how behind effective user metrics in higher education. Why You Should Measure Higher Ed Pages First, the why. Essentially all universities want to know everything they can about prospective and current students in order to deliver an experience that aligns with university culture and values. This in mind, universities operate much like businesses by competing for customers (in this case, students). Tracking the right metrics to measure these users’ experiences and acting on those findings can aid any business (including universities) in engaging their ideal audience. Without measuring the right data, your users and their motivations will be a mystery to you. So what are the right metrics? Among the different aspects of student interactions that universities and colleges would like to measure, one of the most important is the effectiveness of the institute’s site. This brings up a two-part question: What is the goal of this site, and how do we know when the site achieves this goal by reaching desired effectiveness levels? One of the main purposes of a university site is to provide information to prospective students (about institutional culture, values, campus life, etc. ) and make sure that information is actually being viewed and processed by the target audience. Measure these factors, and you’ll know in detail how effective the website is. There are a number of metrics (as part of a greater measurement strategy) that can reveal details of how effective the website is at providing information to prospective students. The first step needed before deciding on specific metrics is identifying what information these students want/need. This is usually identified through discovery research and stakeholder interviews. Assuming these needs have already been identified, the next step is to create content that meets the students’ informational needs and then...

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> Ahhh, relationships. When they’re good, they’re great. When they’re bad, they can be downright painful. How’s an Account Executive supposed to keep that

- Published: 2019-02-14
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/abt-culture/take-client-relationships-next-level/
- Categories: ABT Culture

Ahhh, relationships. When they’re good, they’re great. When they’re bad, they can be downright painful. How’s an Account Executive supposed to keep that spark alive? Here’s my advice on how to get, maintain, and keep a healthy client relationship. Swiping Right... on the Right One. Compatibility leads to happiness and harmony. There are plenty of prospects out there that are attractive on paper but may not be looking for what you have to offer. Make sure that you and your potential client are a match. The most important part of this is knowing what your company is looking for in a partner before you begin a conversation. Do you share the same interests and goals? Are your communication styles similar? Do you just ‘get’ each other? Once you find that match, be confident in what you have to offer and know what they expect from your collaboration. Your confidence will inspire their confidence and relationship potential will bloom. “Dress” to Impress So, you’ve set the first date—a face-to-face meeting with the potential client. Like most first dates, you want to put your best foot forward and leave the right impression. Do your research – Don’t be afraid to turn to Google and LinkedIn to gather information prior to your first meeting. Find out more about the client’s company, along with their own professional history, background, and interests. Sometimes this may be all you have to go on prior to the first meeting, and that’s okay! The goal here is to know what to ask and listen for. Show you are interested – Active listening is necessary in any stage of the relationship, but it’s key when you’re wooing someone new. In that first meeting, you will be able to glean what they need or are interested in from your company, giving your team a leg up in creating the right pitch and strategy. Asking the right questions is crucial. You should be able to understand their budget, internal process, and expectations during those first conversations. Establish what you’re offering and what they need. It’s so much easier to keep a...

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> Your critical business applications are the lifeblood of your business. But are they able to keep up with the demands of today's business environment?

- Published: 2019-02-12
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/website-management/are-your-critical-business-applications-keeping-up-with-the-times/
- Categories: Application Development, Cloud, Cloud Monitoring & Maintenance, Digital Transformation Services, Software, Software Maintenance & Support, Technology Consulting, Web Development, Website Management

Most businesses today have at least one (and likely more) business applications that they use to move information, connect with customers, process transactions, monitor systems and more. These critical business applications are essential to the health of your business. In many cases, vital parts of your operation may completely shut down if these applications were not available. But how much do you pay attention to the health of these applications? And, are you making sure that they are keeping pace with new developments in technology? In this post, we’re going to explore three elements that pressure your critical business applications. Three Pressures on Your Critical Business Applications Changes in your business process. Over time, business processes change for a variety of reasons, such as shifts in customer needs, regulatory requirements, data collection/storage, and workflow. If your critical business applications do not adjust to fit these changes, it will get harder to work with them. For example, your business may have shifted collection and management of customer information from a call center to an online account through your website. If your core business systems storing that data are not redesigned to work with the web front-end, you will soon experience large gaps in customer information. This will threaten your ability to run your business processes efficiently. Solution: Periodically review your critical business applications against your workflow with the assistance of an application architect. This will identify the gaps and engineer solutions that will keep your applications aligned with your workflow. The Rise of Mobile. Smartphones and tablets are so integral to our daily routines that we are almost lost without them. Your customers and your workforce both expect to interact with you via mobile. Are your systems mobile-compatible? Have they been designed to be responsive to the needs of tablet and smartphone users? Solution: Start by determining whether mobile is a critical part of how users interact with your business applications. For any system that needs a strong mobile component, you should work with user experience specialists and developers to re-engineer your application to work in the mobile environment. For example,...

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> Potential customers turn to the Web when searching for you. But do you have original web content to help answer their questions? This is why you should.

- Published: 2019-02-05
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/user-experience-services/why-original-web-content-matters-to-your-business/
- Categories: Audits, Google Analytics, Information Architecture, Strategy, User Experience

When your customers seek out solutions for the problems they face, the Internet is the first place they look. “They come for information that answers their question or helps them complete their task. They want that information to be easy to find, easy to understand, up-to-date, and credible. ” -Ginny Redish You need to make sure your solution is easy to find, easy to understand, up-to-date, and credible. The best way to do this is by writing original web content that grabs your audience’s attention. To create content that stands out, it’s helpful to understand how your customers use online information. Thankfully, the explosion of data made available by the Internet has allowed us to analyze how web users consume online content and what drives their behavior. How Consumers Use Online Information Google has studied consumer shopping behavior extensively. Many shoppers now search for online product descriptions as well as professional and individual consumer reviews before making a purchase decision. Google calls this consumer decision-making process the “Zero Moment of Truth (ZMOT). ” According to a shopping behavior study by Google and Shopper Sciences, the Zero Moment of Truth has become more important in recent years: 88% of U. S. consumers now engage in ZMOT research before making a final purchase decision. Consumers consult an average of 10. 4 sources before buying and this rate continues to rise. As consumers research their purchases online, the question then becomes: “Who is controlling what they see about your product or service? ” If you don’t take action to provide the information they’re looking for, someone else will—essentially controlling the conversation with your potential customer. The First Step to Leading the Online Conversation How do you attract visitors and ensure they see your content instead of someone else’s? In User Experience (UX) workshops with our clients, it becomes clear that website visitors often prefer search to find what they want, rather than browsing or navigating a website. This makes sense. Given the sheer volume of websites, menu items, and possible ways to browse, navigating content can be overwhelming. Therefore, if you want to...

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> The content image you share is just as powerful as the words it heralds. Keep these tips in mind when choosing the art to capture your message

- Published: 2019-01-30
- Modified: 2025-05-22
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/ill-trade-you-a-thousand-words-choosing-the-perfect-content-image/
- Categories: Software

After redesigning its homepage with Atlantic BT, Martin Marietta achieved a 50% increase in new users and reduced its site bounce rate by 30%. In addition, our specially-designed features better prepared Martin Marietta to close big deals with potential customers. However, you don’t care about any of that, because you’re wondering about the featured image of Paul Ryan, the speaker of the House of Representatives, kissing a fish. The image you choose for your content writing matters. Pick something irrelevant (like Paul Ryan kissing a fish) or generic (like “moms shopping”), and you could lose your audience before they read your first sentence. To nail your users’ attention and motivate them to read your content, your accompanying images need to be relevant, arresting, and (ideally) unique. Choosing a Relevant Image This point might seem like low-hanging fruit. After all, how hard is it to find an image that matches the title of your content? This is when it’s important to remember that relevant does not equal generic. Otherwise you’ll end up using the same “business people at a meeting using tablets” image as every other B2B blog on the internet. So how do you choose a relevant image that isn’t generic? One tactic is to simply use Google Image search to verify that your image isn’t already in use on several sites—this will protect you from going with an overused image. However, this practice won’t help you choose an image that visually echoes the big idea of your post. Better answer? Go deeper with your definition of “relevant. ” If your content is focused on boosting the speed at which a business operates, focus on the word “speed” rather than “business. ” This more abstract thinking guided our choice of image in a blog comparing the speed of different Content Delivery Networks; rather than using a run-of-the-mill graph of the different networks, we depicted several space ships racing around a planet to symbolize the different CDNs. This image was relevant to the blog without being generic, making it more likely to catch a reader’s eye. Choosing an Arresting Image When...

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> Our very own Randy Earl, no stranger to the digital world of Higher Education, has been asked to present at WPCampus Online on Thursday, January 31st at

- Published: 2019-01-24
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/industry/higher-ed/atlantic-bts-randy-earl-to-present-on-higher-education-web-content-strategy/
- Categories: Higher Ed, Industry

Our very own Randy Earl, no stranger to the digital world of Higher Education, has been asked to present at WPCampus Online on Thursday, January 31st at 2:00PM. This is a free, virtual conference slated to offer a lot of insight into digital and content strategy in the world of Higher Education. As UX Research Manager at Atlantic BT, Randy has designed and built the digital and content strategy for private and public universities alike. In this session, Randy will touch on many subjects that hit close to home for those in Higher Education: Accessibility Usability Integrating Amazon's text-to-service Creating and using AWS accounts Use of lexicons SSML (Speed Synthesis Markup Language)

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> Crafting a strong web development plan is a crucial start to a complex web project. But it's not as easy as putting together a simple to-do list.

- Published: 2019-01-22
- Modified: 2025-05-22
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/website-management/iron-wrinkles-web-development-plan/
- Categories: Application Development, Software, Web Development, Website Management

The majority of all large-scale web development projects don't finish on schedule. You may be nodding your head knowingly or gasping in fear. Regardless, many studies and surveys show this unfortunate truth. Budgeting goals also fare poorly. A very high percentage of projects go over budget. These factors make the the already daunting task of completing a complex project, more harrowing. Scheduling and budgeting issues occur for a variety of reasons. Large-scale web development projects tend to become bigger as they're built. They also become more complex than planned as the design process evolves. New ideas pop up, inspired by the project as it takes shape. However, we can't lay these issues right at the feet of clients and executives who always want more. Our experiences have taught us otherwise. The biggest impediment to a finished, successful institutional website is poor planning. How does this happen? Everyone knows that planning is essential to a large task. The problem is its implementation. Some web development teams don't ask enough questions. As a result, they don't understand the projects they're working on in a detailed and intensive way. There are too many generalities in play. Even worse, they fail to piece together a tangible path forward. There are no flowcharts, timelines, or milestones established. These crucial elements that lead to productivity and efficiency are nonexistent. What they need is a strong and clear web development plan. There is one aspect of the planning process that we have found to be incredibly important. You may not have ever considered it. But, it can help you to iron out major wrinkles in the web development process and begin your project with a web development plan you can count on. Sequential vs. Parallel Planning Many web development clients and inexperienced design and programming teams share one commonality. They think of building a website as a series of actions to do,one at a time. The process of web development becomes one long 'to-do' list. This is technically true, in a very strict sense. But it doesn't maximize time or effort. There are two kinds of tasks...

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> A great idea can inspire a lot of excitement but it can be hard to know where to start. Here are some people that will have valuable web design advice.

- Published: 2019-01-18
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/custom-web-design-development/5-good-places-get-web-design-advice/
- Categories: Application Development, Custom Web Design & Development, Software, Strategy, User Experience, Web Design, Web Development

Where do you go for web design advice and development inspiration? This is a question new clients sometimes ask, particularly if they’re starting from a blank slate or want to completely change an existing website. Naturally, we're happy to work from scratch and narrow in on concepts as we go. However, it’s always helpful to understand what client preferences are like from the beginning. We are inspired by who they are and the big ideas they're embracing. But with any big idea, it's less about the 'what' and the 'why' and more about the 'how'. If you’re wondering where you could or should look for creative inspiration, or advice on features and functionality, here are five good places to turn. #1 Your Colleagues Your colleagues can tell you a lot about what has and hasn’t worked for them in the past. They can also share their sense of what customers respond to. That’s true even if they aren’t in the same field or industry. In this context, a colleague could be someone who has a similar role in a different type of organization. Their goals might not be exactly the same as yours, but a lot of the challenges probably overlap. #2 The Competition It’s unlikely that your top competitors are going to tell you what they really think you should do with your website. They're just as unlikely to be honest about how successful they are or aren’t with their own. However, by examining their websites and strategies (particularly over time) you can probably figure out which ideas and campaigns are paying off. This should go without saying but don't copy anything from another organization. A little bit of reconnaissance will give you a more complete picture of the market. #3 Vendors Who Serve Your Business It’s easy to overlook vendors when searching for advice and insights. However, they can be a valuable resource for information. Remember, they have a different perspective on your market than you do. Moreover, some of your vendors might work with the competition, or other businesses trying to do some of the same things...

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> Coming up with a great RFP should be simple but it acctually can be a challenege to sum up your company's goals and visions. Here's an easy path to follow.

- Published: 2019-01-16
- Modified: 2025-05-22
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/website-rfp-development/how-to-write-an-rfp/
- Categories: Application Development, Software, Technology Consulting, Website RFP Development

When it comes time to improve your website, you may find yourself without the resources to do so. To hire a team that will best help you achieve your goals, you'll need to write an RFP (Request for Proposals). This short document is an invitation to creative firms to bid for the project by sharing their process and how they would approach the job. A successful RFP gives both the client and their web design team a head start on the work at hand. A poorly written or arranged RFP can lead to confusion and miscommunication. Without the right information and details present, you might struggle to make connections. Qualified teams will be less likely to offer up proposals, leaving you empty handed. How can you write the perfect RFP for website design? Believe it or not, the beginning of this process focuses on the end. 1. Think in Terms of Outcomes First Before you write a single word of your RFP, one thing should be clear. You must understand what it is you're aiming to achieve with your website development project. What is your ultimate goal? The more clarity you can provide a potential vendor, the better. What do you imagine the finished website to look like? Consider the project in terms of size and scope. How should the website function? Most importantly, what kind of measurable goals do you need to reach? RFP writing essentially becomes part of your planning process.   Any creative team you hire will want to know what your biggest success indicators will be. They'll need to understand what they're helping you with before they can figure out how to act. This allows them to know what kind of assistance to provide or which resources to deploy. 2. Give Vendors Context For RFPs, 'context' refers to anything you would want a web design team to know about your organization. When you write an RFP for web design, remember that this project is about you. Your vision and who you are as a company is, of course, integral to the heart of the design process....

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> You're new website may look great, but it's not ready to launch until you've crossed these vital steps off of your to-do list.

- Published: 2019-01-14
- Modified: 2025-05-22
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/quality-assurance-testing/4-things-need-happen-website-goes-live/
- Categories: Application Development, Quality Assurance Testing, Software, Web Development, Website Management

When you're putting together a puzzle, there is no feeling more glorious than the triumph of adding the final piece. This bodes true for web development projects as well. The last bit of design, coding, and content all come together to make a complete whole. It's exciting to finally reach that moment. At the finish line, executives are often anxious to see their new pages go online as soon as possible. However, there are a few details to take care of first, even with a finished website. We let our clients know about these steps before we even start creating mockups or designs. That's partly because they're so important. And because they're so important, we want to set the right expectations from the outset. Executives need to know these extra steps are part of the plan. This helps to avoid a lot of understandable frustration. If they had to wait extra days or weeks to start seeing returns from their web design investments, without knowing why, that wouldn't be fun for anyone. What would be so important that we would hold up the launch of a new website we were proud of creating? Here are four vital steps to follow before your new website can go on to the Internet. #1 Final Review It doesn't matter if you've edited the visuals and content of your website 50 times over. It's always a good idea to look at everything one more time. You never know what you may have overlooked as multiple parts come rushing together. It's possible that certain elements combined won't fit as well as predicted. A piece of code may work fine in the beginning, but then fall apart after adding other components. It's painfully easy to forget important details. An extra glance will help you catch these potential errors. Even the savviest contributors can miss both hiccups and glaring issues. This is a classic "forest for the tress" situation. Stepping back for a final review can help stave off big mistakes. #2 Website Testing You should always test a new website extensively before going live. Projects are...

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> As Beyoncé’s website faces scrutiny (and a lawsuit) over accessibility, one of our experts breaks down exactly what went wrong.

- Published: 2019-01-09
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/web-accessibility/a-lack-of-accessibility-puts-beyonces-website-in-the-spotlight/
- Categories: Application Development, Software, Web Accessibility, Web Development

To be honest with you, I don’t spend a lot of time on Beyoncé. com. But, when I saw that Beyoncé’s entertainment company was getting hit with a lawsuit over the accessibility of her website, I thought I would check it out. What did I see wrong? Well, a lot of things, unfortunately. From an accessibility standpoint, this site needs improvement. For a cursory evaluation, I checked out the site with a code validator first. Next, I did some manual testing using keyboard navigation and a screenreader. There were too many issues to cover in a short blog post, but here are some of the biggest ones. No Visible Focus Using Keyboard One of the easiest ways to check for basic accessibility is to tab through your site using your keyboard. Hitting the tab key should take you through every interactive element on a page . This is important for users who only navigate through sites with a keyboard. Often, these users have difficulty using a mouse or are using a special assistive technology. Regardless, they must be able to operate everything on a site just as a mouse user would. It turns out you can tab through all of the links on Beyoncé’s site, but you wouldn’t know it from looking at the screen as you do. As you hit tab, there is no visible marker, such as a border, outline, or underline, to show you which element you’ve landed on. Worse, it isn’t possible for a keyboard navigator to focus on the hamburger menu icon that reveals the menu, which means the user can’t operate it. No 'Skip to Content' Link Users navigating with keyboards or screenreaders will thank you for including a “Skip to Content” link on your website. That also means they might leave your site if you forget one. These links allow users to avoid clicking through your navigation and header links each time they load a new page. Instead, they can jump immediately to the page’s body content. Allowing these users to skip the navigation reduces their workload and helps them have a good...

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> While technology advances, our data still suffers from vulnerability. Maintaining vigilance over your organization's systems is one of your best defenses.

- Published: 2019-01-07
- Modified: 2025-05-20
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/cloud/cloud-security-compliance/the-need-for-vulnerability-scanning/
- Categories: AWS, Cloud, Cloud Security & Compliance, Governance and Risk Consulting, Technology, Technology Consulting, Web Development, Website Management

One might think that IT system vulnerabilities are decreasing. With the spread of virtualization and cloud adoption, we assume that security is getting stronger. Configuration and hardening technologies continue to evolve, resulting in a lower surface vulnerability - right? Wrong! Not even close. Hackers are finding new ways to target and exploit your organization’s vulnerabilities. The National Vulnerability Database maintains over 110,000 common vulnerabilities entries. In fact, by January 4th 2019, and the NVB has already logged 39 new vulnerabilities entries for 2019. Why You Need Vulnerability Management Vulnerability Scanning is vital; it protects the hygiene of your systems by reducing attack surfaces. This protection can (and should) take a number of forms: External Protection An external attack is one done from the outside. A hacker tries to gain access to your organization's devices and systems via the Internet. Oftentimes, your environment will have unnecessary ports open. Since they're not in use, they are easy-to-miss open doors for a potential breach. When a breach occurs, you should disable these ports and any other insecure communications protocols. Internal Protection An internal attack is when a hacker tries to gain access through your organization's personal wired and wireless networks. Password credentials can be one of the main issues here. They often allow for more access to systems than is necessary for that user's role. Your organization should be leveraging identity management tools. These provide the appropriate level of access to systems needed, typically based on an employee's position. Phishing Protection No explanation needed here, right? Hackers today are taking advantage of multiple ways to socially engineer access to your organization, and they're doing it through your employees! Phishing's reputation precedes it, keeping everyone on high alert. Unfortunately, the majority of breaches still happen at the human level. Educating your employees on phishing remains critical, but you can take this a step farther. Increase awareness by gaining actual business insight with testing results. Application Pen Testing Whether your application is for your internal operations or customer-facing, pen testing is essential. Vulnerabilities are often present in all application code. Best practices for development involve...

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> Tis the season...to give a gift to your website? Sure it is. Don't leave your site off the Nice list. See what it's Holiday wish is and why.

- Published: 2018-12-19
- Modified: 2025-05-20
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/website-really-wants-holidays/
- Categories: Software

You’re not going to believe this, but the holiday season has arrived! Yes, it’s true: bells are jingling, lights are aglow, and the air carries a permanent whiff of snow and cookies. I’m sure you’re feeling festive, perhaps wearing an excessive amount of red or spinning a dreidel. You probably have a list of loved ones that you’re buying gifts for. I was just curious... did you include me? Me. Your website. I was wondering if I could get in on this. Don’t freak out if you haven’t gotten me anything yet. It’s OK! I put together a list for you. It’s just some ideas I had as I was reminiscing about all of the moments we’ve shared together and what the new year might bring. No, this isn’t some weird Black Mirror twist. I simply want to help you help me help you. Your Site’s Holiday Wish #1 – A Dependable Platform I’ve been doing a lot of internal searching lately and I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m not as grounded as I’d like to be. Sure, I’d be grateful for a copy of Eat, Pray, Love but what I’d really like is a new platform to work with. Remember that one time when we had a user trying to find content on a specific topic, but he couldn’t because we had buried it in a crevice of irrelevance and he was cursing and I was helpless and you cried a little? Or the time when I was hoping for a simple update but it was impossible to get the process going and you contemplated burning the whole place to the ground? OR that time when you wanted to design a page that didn’t fit in the template, and you had to call in three different IT guys, your cousin studying computer science, and a priest? All Our Troubles Will Be Miles Away As your website, I do the best that I can but I could be better if I was functioning on a platform like Wordpress. No, it’s not just because all of the cool sites are...

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> Atlantic BT share's their first-hand knowledge on marketing for your business during the holidays. Stay ahead of the curve with with Atlantic BT.

- Published: 2018-12-12
- Modified: 2025-05-20
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/google-analytics/marketing-around-the-holidays/
- Categories: Cloud, Cloud Monitoring & Maintenance, Google Analytics, Strategy

Holidays are always a great time for businesses to tap into seasonal spending spikes. There are endless amounts of benefits to be had from the holiday spending sprees. Customers are actively looking for your products and they’re on a deadline. Time is on your side, but you still need to use to wisely. In order to take full advantage of the heightened buyer environment, be sure to develop a smart digital marketing strategy. There is nothing quite like the rush of Holiday shopping. Avoid the distractions of twinkling lights and stay focused with these tips. Quick Tips for Holiday Marketing Start early: Start planning 1-2 months away. You want to make sure that you have everything prepared, so that you are not rushing to do something last minute. Promotion Schedule: Have a schedule of when you will be hosting certain promotions. Relate your products and/or services to that holiday: If you can customize your products/services they will be more likely to buy. Holiday message: Tailor your offer/promotion messaging to incorporate a holiday phase or slogan. Pre-packaged, bundled, or theme-based: By already packaging products together you do the work for the buyer. Promote gift cards: Gift cards are always great gifts and an easy way to make a sale. Time sensitive offers: Make your offer expire before the holiday to create a urgency to buy. Make your website festive: Use holiday specific images, photos, icons, buttons, etc to make your website inviting. Holiday event: If you have a local store, host a holiday event. Give a special discount for a specific date and time. Freebies: Everyone loves to get something for free. Have a chance to win sweepstakes or throw something in for free if they spend a certain amount. E-Mail marketing: Create a holiday reminder email to all of your current customers reminding them about the holiday. Add some recommended products to the email. PPC: Send traffic to targeted landing pages with the use of pay-per-click advertising. Use a consistent offer in your messaging. Make a List, Check it Twice Taking part in all of these seasonal shenanigans can be...

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> Atlantic BT CEO and Founder Jon Jordan shares his experience and advice on leadership, social responsibility, and how to be a great entrepreneur.

- Published: 2018-11-05
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/abt-culture/boldly-go-jon-jordan-entrepreneur/
- Categories: ABT Culture

The core values of The Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) are Boldly Go (bet on your own abilities), Thirst for Learning (be a student of opportunity), Make a Mark (leave a legacy), Trust and Respect (build a safe haven for learning and growth), and Cool (create, seek out and celebrate once-in-a-lifetime experiences).   Being thirsty for knowledge really resonates with me. From the day I started Atlantic BT to now, I didn’t want to be someone who waited to be told how to do something. The first time I went to an EO meeting, the other members were hungry for knowledge, eager to write down when a seminar was happening or what books they should read. Finding really successful people like these who shared this thirst opened a whole new chapter for me. I always try to share that knowledge and spirit here at ABT and inspire our management team to create that thirst for knowledge in our organization. I really believe high-achieving humans distinguish themselves from having a thirst for knowledge and desire to put different ideas together. That drives human innovation. Our ability to access knowledge has never been better than it is right now. I love being able to share experiences with people from different situations. When we share what we’re dealing with in the group, we can all learn from it. In our EO forum, we’re very open to this kind of direct feedback. Inspiration What I enjoy the most is building things and making them better. There is a special sense of accomplishment when you create something that leaves a lasting impression. With Comfort Monster, being able to purchase a company and help it grow really meant a lot to me. You can look at something, have a vision for it, and keep pushing it toward something exceptional. At CM we have a long way to go, but we can continue to build momentum. This creates an engine that can run whether or not you’re applying that pressure. The Comfort Monster team At ABT I love having such a great team. We have a culture, an engine...

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> We're going to say it: most Raleigh web design isn't very good. The good news is that most organizations don't need a very good website to be successful

- Published: 2018-11-02
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/web-design-services/raleigh-web-design-good/
- Categories: Application Development, Custom Web Design & Development, Software, Strategy, User Experience, Web Design, Web Development

We've written ad nauseum about the ins-and-outs of taxonomy. Which is important, but as dry as a talk on the Dewey Decimal System. Marketers are, by and large, focused on concerns that arise daily. They want to know how many visitors they can convert and how many dollars come from said conversions. The producible vs. theoretical is how they keep their careers in the black. Staying in the black is a base concern for any business owner. It's required for the business to be, well, a business. It's the same reason businesses are risk adverse toward having opinions. Or why they hesitate when they hear the price tag for a new website with rich design and functionality. Owners will often share how much they paid for their current website. Even if the site is several years old, they'll insist that it still continues to produce new customers. It's easy to understand. They are a concerned business owner trying to minimize their costs. Unfortunately, they're not seeing the value of design. When this happens, we have to wonder. Are people obstinate or can they not see how bad their websites are? Why Web Design Doesn't Always Translate to Profit This site, which hasn't been updated in almost a decade, still ranks in the top 10 for "Raleigh landscaping" Sometimes people enjoy stating their personal worldview as a generally accepted fact, as in, "Bob, everyone knows you can't skin a beaver with two shakes of a lamb's tail. " You should be skeptical of statements of "fact". In other words, take the following statement with a grain of salt: You don't have to have a pretty website to be successful. We have physically seen multiple websites and datasets that prove sites can compete and win business despite being ugly, dated, and not matching an aesthetic that anyone enjoys looking at. Sites that continue to win business despite seemingly ignoring what their customers want. Of course, the assumption is that good design is what people want. Winning Customers In Spite of Bad Web Design The problem with arguing that a site should be redesigned is, in...

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> A web development project can face issues like missed deadlines, budget overruns, and leadership changes. Anticipate risks so you can overcome challenges.

- Published: 2018-10-31
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/digital-project-management/imagining-web-development-worst-case-scenarios/
- Categories: Application Development, Digital Project Management, Software, Software Maintenance & Support, Technology Consulting, Web Development, Website Management

With a web development project, businesses like to think of the best-case scenarios. It's more fun to imagine what could be possible with a brand-new website. And it's often more productive. Fear can be a deterrent. Dwelling on potential mistakes or problems can steal your focus. You won't be able to see the opportunities that are right in front of you. You can't fix something that doesn't exist. Despite this, we still ask our clients to think ahead. What could go wrong during the discovery and project planning phases? Anything that requires a large investment of time or money should be well thought out. Risk management is essential for large website projects. We want to avoid loss as much as possible. What parts of the project are worth the effort? By figuring out what could go wrong, we can plan for the unknown. In some cases, we can even prevent it. What kind of risks should you watch out for with your web development project? Here are a few we try to be wary of. Missed Deadlines What will happen to your project if work takes longer than expected? Your creative firm could fall behind. Members of your team could be unable to provide content or feedback. These are two examples of scenarios that can cause major hold ups. Without necessary information, everything can sit at a stand still. If you're working on a tight deadline, such a halt can have long term consequences. Building a flexible schedule at the onset can help when time management issues arise. As much as we want to avoid mistakes, you can not work on the assumption that nothing will go wrong. When you run into a roadblock, what will be your plan? Will it be better for you to delay the launch of your website? Should you release a scaled-down version online instead? Being aware of your options, should your schedule derail. Leaving some wiggle room and having a Plan B will keep your project moving forward. Over Budget Do you have room in your web development project budget to accommodate any cost...

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> Cloud computing is the biggest trend in IT. But what is cloud computing? Is it right for your business? How do you get started? Let's take a look.

- Published: 2018-10-26
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/cloud/infrastructure-management/moving-to-the-cloud-what-why-and-how/
- Categories: Cloud, Cloud Hosting, Cloud Migration Services, Cloud Monitoring & Maintenance, Infrastructure Management, Project Type, Spreadsheet Modernization

The cloud. Wherever you go, you hear about “the cloud” and phrases like “cloud management” or “put it up on the cloud. ” But what is the cloud? And what does moving to the cloud actually mean for your business? Perhaps you work for (or maybe even run) a company which has an old website you’re looking to update. Or maybe your business depends on an application built five to ten years ago and it’s holding back growth. If so, the cloud could be a big help. In this post, we'll give you a brief summary of what the cloud is, and explain why moving your application to the cloud may save you money—or your entire business. The Cloud: What Is It, Exactly? Here's a secret—“the cloud” is really just “the Internet. ” It’s a bunch of connected computers communicating with each other on which web sites, web applications, and web storage can run. Think of it as all the computers you could connect to over the Internet that aren’t other people’s home machines. Why did someone invent this new term? Well, because of the sheer amount of computers that exist now, a huge percent of which are dedicated for Internet-based use. The name Internet came from a visual image of these countless connected computers hooked together like a fishing or basketball net. If you needed to, you could locate and count each place in such a net where two pieces of cord tied together. Now picture a small puffy cloud in the sky. Now try and consider how many drops of water are in there. That’s probably how many computers are now connected on the Internet. Now that you have a sense of what the cloud is, let’s discuss three benefits of moving your site or application to the cloud: scalability, disaster recovery, and SaaS applications. Scalability: Getting More (For Less) What This Is: When you hear someone say “scalability,” it means this: a web application which used to only run on one machine can now run on two, three, 27, etc. , all at the same time. Most...

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> Encryption is a crucial component of cybersecurity. If your data isn't encrypted, now is the time to do so. Here are your options.

- Published: 2018-10-25
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/cloud/cloud-security-compliance/is-your-data-encrypted-it-better-be/
- Categories: Application Development, Cloud, Cloud Monitoring & Maintenance, Cloud Security & Compliance, Governance and Risk Consulting, Software, Technology Consulting

October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Keeping data safe has always been critical. But as threats continue to increase, as well as the scope of the damage and the impact it has on consumers, knowledge and vigilance must become habitual to any organization online. This month we’ll be sharing our experiences, the stories that have our attention, and plenty of advice on how to navigate the current world of cybersecurity. There are unknown experts in cybersecurity running about and it’s time we took some notes out of their playbook. Who are these covert coders of data? Kids. Of course. Little budding encryption geniuses are everywhere, making up their own languages or creating codes to share secret messages right under their parents’ noses. It’s an obvious idea to them. So why isn’t it an obvious idea to us? Why do companies let their data go unencrypted? Cybersecurity has never been more vital than it is now. Facebook’s recent debacle shows us that no one is immune. Every security measure counts. As you build a security system for your company’s data, you must include encryption. But, it’s not a task to take on lightly. A thorough understanding of the data you’re aiming to protect will help you develop the strongest plan. Here’s how to do it best. Scramble it Up Data encryption is preventative security. It’s ready for a hacker to break through the walls. But, it ensures that they won’t be able to decipher the data, rendering it unreadable. How? By the magic of math. Encryption uses an algorithm to transform plain text into cipher text. The only way to revert it back to its original form is with an encryption key. Tokenization is a different form of encryption. It adds another layer of protection by randomly scrambling the data. Decoding it requires more direct access to the database. There is no easily shareable key. Instead, tokens are created as a reference point to the original data. However, they can not translate that data into readable information. The real data is stored in a vault, encrypted and safe. Discover Data Holistically...

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> Is your Magento eCommerce site secure? Without a code audit, you simply can’t know for sure. Here are 3 reasons why

- Published: 2018-10-17
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/ecommerce-services/magentositeisntsecureasyouthink/
- Categories: Cloud, Cloud Security & Compliance, eCommerce, Ecommerce, Project Type, Web Development

Is your Magento eCommerce site secure? How do you know? Without a code audit, you simply can’t be certain. All it takes is one unmaintained module, extension, or update, and your whole business is at risk. Making matters worse, anyone with an internet connection can find the weaknesses of your platform. Skeptical? Try typing your website into Magereport. Any of the red security warnings on the results page can allow a cyberattack into your code. Still not worried about Magento security? Here are 3 reasons your eCommerce platform is at risk. 1. Security Breaches Happen All the Time Security breaches aren’t rare. According to Experian and Identity Force, In January 2016, FACC, an Austrian-based aerospace parts manufacturer, had $54. 5 million stolen from them by hackers. Just 2 months later, 700 current and former Snapchat employees had their personal information stolen through a phishing scam. During an ongoing investigation of a data breach in June 2016, the fast food chain Wendy’s disabled some newly discovered malware while admitting “the number of franchise restaurants impacted by these cybersecurity attacks is now expected to be considerably higher than the 300 restaurants already implicated. ” Notice that those examples don't even include the troubles Target has faced, the Equifax madness, or the recent Facebook bomb. Cyber attacks happen every day, and often owners don’t even know they’re happening. It’s not just big enterprises and major businesses—everyone is at risk. 2. You Have What Hackers Want So what if you’re not a massive corporation? You’re not Wendy’s or Facebook—what are you really worried about? What do you have that any of these hackers could possibly want? Two words: online payments. Wherever there are online payments, that means there’s online account information. Think: why would someone hack a website? To make money. The easiest way to do that is to steal credit card information. If you have weaknesses in your code, hackers could gain access to all of the accounts on your site. Without the right patches, someone can run a script that will scrape credit cards of every user. That’s your customer base. What...

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> As you're planning a new web development project, what are your priorities? What does your website need more than anything?

- Published: 2018-10-16
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/web-design-services/web-design-priorities/
- Categories: Application Development, Custom Web Design & Development, Software, Strategy, User Experience, Web Design, Web Development

One of the things that separates us from many other digital agencies is that we don't only build websites. Our designs are specific and unique to the vision of our clients. We ask them the right questions so their answers can guide our work. The more we listen, the easier it is to help our clients find the perfect layout and strategy. One topic, in particular, allows us to reach this goal. We establish a "wish list" of items our clients would like to have. Then, we narrow in on the priorities the organization is actually focused on. This might seem like a small thing, but it's an important part of our philosophy. That's because no group has the time or budget to follow through on every idea or moment of inspiration. There are always too many possibilities and not enough resources to cover each one. We often advise readers and clients to consider constraints to any new project. How does your budget affect what you're able to build? What legal regulations and rules must you be in compliance with? The answers to those questions will help you map out the strongest path to your goal. They will allow you to answer another, vital question. What are your priorities in a web design project? Your answers won't be the same as anyone else's. But, here are a few we consistently hear from the executives we work with. Measurable Hard Benefits This is the most popular set of priorities. Of course everyone wants to see their website be successful in driving up traffic. That's often the biggest motivator to begin with. If traffic wasn't lagging, you might not have this project on your hands. The priorities you're looking for here are measurable ones. There is a clear "before and after" picture. You want to see growth in sales, lead generation, and new revenue, among others. If you're looking for a specific business result from your web design project, take note. Achieving it might be more important to you than anything else on this list. Keeping Web Design Costs Down Your organization...

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> As all of our devices become more interconnected, it's also becoming more and more important to secure the IoT for your company. Here's how.

- Published: 2018-10-12
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/cloud/cloud-security-compliance/secure-iot-organization/
- Categories: Cloud, Cloud Monitoring & Maintenance, Cloud Security & Compliance

By 2020, Gartner estimates there will be 20. 4 billion connected devices in the global Internet of Things. Augmenting the Internet of Things with sensors and actuators changes the game. The IoT becomes an example of the more general class of cyber-physical systems. This includes smart grids, homes and cities. It also connects virtual power plants and intelligent transportation. The potential of this technology is exciting. But we can't avoid asking one question. "What happens when these interconnected devices get hacked? " The scale of security risks in the IoT era is much greater than in the pre-IoT environment, and the "attack surface" is much larger. Therefore, there is a need to protect ALL IoT devices from unknown vulnerabilities. Consider how many of these devices collect and store sensitive user data such as email addresses and credit card numbers. If that isn’t problematic enough, read this nightmarish scenario.  Imagine how a coordinated cyberattack could bring New York City to its knees. It’s critical for any business who wishes to take advantage of IoT technology to have a detailed plan for how to secure these devices and systems. Choosing the right security solutions and/or vendors is an important part of any IoT plan. Here are some guidelines to help you make the right decisions about how to pick the best security systems and vendors for your IoT strategy. How to Choose an IoT Security Vendor First, the good news. Consulting services in the IoT security market can help everyone. Companies of all sizes can secure a variety of functions at the endpoint and in the cloud. But, there is also bad news. Most IoT security products from established IT security vendors are still developing. Some even remain in the proof-of-concept stage. That in mind, here is our advice on how to get the best value and fit from potential IoT security vendors. Lead with Security Assessments Vendors are hard at work, improving their security product and service offerings. In the meantime, you can still rely on experienced consultants to assess your IoT vulnerabilities. Hiring an outside company is worth it. They...

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> Keeping your consumer data safe from hackers should be a top priority. Network Security Monitoring can give you the vantage point you need.

- Published: 2018-10-11
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/cloud/cloud-security-compliance/network-security-monitoring-demands-your-attention-now/
- Categories: Cloud, Cloud Monitoring & Maintenance, Cloud Security & Compliance

October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Keeping data safe has always been critical. But as threats continue to increase, as well as the scope of the damage and the impact it has on consumers, knowledge and vigilance must become habitual to any organization online. This month we’ll be sharing our experiences, the stories that have our attention, and plenty of advice on how to navigate the current world of cybersecurity. Every Breath You Take by The Police is a disturbing song in every way but one. When applied to the context of cybersecurity, it makes a lot more sense. Your security systems should be watching everything within your network, around the clock. The best way to accomplish this is with a Security Operations Center (SOC). This program's sole purpose in life is to protect your business operations and data. With the right approach, it’s the strongest tool at your disposal when it comes to Network Security Monitoring. Throwing up a wall and hoping it will hold doesn’t cut it anymore in today’s world of cyberthreats. Far too often, we see cybersecurity dismissed as a “would be nice to have” bonus feature. But only if the budget allows for it. Or security measures appear at the end of a large project as an afterthought. The lack of concern and urgency surrounding data protection is flabbergasting. Tech titans, massive banks, and our own system of government fall victim to data breaches and hacking with alarming frequency. We must make the choice to be better and stronger. Network Security Monitoring At Atlantic BT, we partner with Arctic Wolf to provide our clients with a 24/7 fully managed SOC that we trust and believe in. The trust your consumers give you is tantamount to lasting brand success. An effective SOC establishes a dependable relationship between you and your clients. The respect you demonstrate for their personal information and intellectual property is evident. Clients can see that you value the safety of their data as much as you do your own. As we discuss the benefits of Network Security Monitoring and SOCs, don’t worry if...

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> If you want your tech project to succeed, finding the right web programming team is tantamount to your goal. Know what to look for in a trustworthy company.

- Published: 2018-10-08
- Modified: 2025-05-22
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/software-maintenance-support/choose-right-web-programming-team/
- Categories: Application Development, Software, Software Maintenance & Support, Web Development, Website Management

Choosing to launch a new website or update the one you have, is a bold move. It is not for the faint of heart. But you're ready for this challenge. Heck, you were BORN for this challenge. Right now, you're listening to 'Eye of the Tiger' while reading this and taking notes. (And if you weren't, it's definitely playing in your head now). Now, you have one big decision in front of you. You need to choose the right web programming team for your project. This can often be stressful for many business owners and executives. There's a lot at stake. For one thing, there might be a great deal of money involved. This includes the initial investment, as well as the potential success (or failure) of the new site. But, there is another factor at play, making the decision difficult. The average decision-maker, in this situation, isn't all that fluent in web programming. In other words, most know what they need, but not a lot about the process involved in getting it. That doesn't mean you can't find the right web programming team to work with, though. Doing some research and finding good advice can get you going in the right direction. Once you know what to focus on, you'll be able to avoid seduction by an unethical sales pitch. Here are some tips to keep in mind when choosing a web programming company to hire. Be Clear About What You Want You might not be able to explain, in programming terms, what you're hoping to get, but you don't have to. Work with your team to outline a set of features and capabilities you'd like to see in your finished app. The more details you can provide, the better. Be sure to include deadlines and cross-compatibility needs. Any concerns that come to mind are important to note. The programmers you meet with will be making similar outlines. Based on what they know about your project, and their own experience, they will have ideas and suggestions at the ready. A good programming team is never waiting around for instructions....

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> New cybersecurity threats pop up daily. How can you protect your business? Follow these 4 keys to stay ahead of the latest cybersecurity threats.

- Published: 2018-10-03
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/cloud/cloud-security-compliance/4-keys-to-staying-ahead-of-cybersecurity-threats/
- Categories: Cloud, Cloud Monitoring & Maintenance, Cloud Security & Compliance, Governance and Risk Consulting, Infrastructure Management, Technology Consulting

In today's business environment, much of what we do takes place online. Critical business applications operate within the cloud. The amount of data stored online is staggering. Every organization has customers and consumers interacting with them via the Web. It's become an integral part of how we interact and function. To not have access to the internet is to be at a significant disadvantage. This is an obvious and hard truth about the world we live in today. Here is another hard truth. While there are many benefits to the internet, it also brings with it an increased number of threats. Every system connected to the Web is prone to hacking. And these attacks have the potential to bring your business to a halt. Cybersecurity has continued to advance as new threats appear daily. It is no longer as simple as putting a firewall around a server. Today's cyber threats develop quickly. In some cases, there still isn't a solution available for many of these potential attacks. Additionally, there are other threats that unfold over the course of years. These usually result in the loss of millions of dollars. The Equifax breach is still deep into the recovery process, a year later. And now Facebook is scrambling to, well, save face, after a breach that affected more than 50 million users. If tech titans are still, clearly, vulnerable, what does that mean for the rest of us? As a familiar saying reminds us, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. 4 Keys to Staying Ahead of Cybersecurity Threats While you will never be able to create a completely safe, threat-free environment in your IT infrastructure, there are four steps you can take that will help you stay ahead of emerging cybersecurity threats. Know your network and monitor your activity One of the best ways to stem the tide of a cybersecurity threat is to regularly monitor your network. Sony certainly could have improved in this area when they were hacked in 2014 as it could have limited the damage and saved the company from a lot of...

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> A great web design team is there to serve your vision. But they can't do it alone. Don't risk the success of your project by not pulling your own weight.

- Published: 2018-10-01
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/custom-web-design-development/hidden-risk-complex-web-design-projects/
- Categories: Application Development, Custom Web Design & Development, Software, Web Design, Web Development, Website Management

Looking for the right firm to work with on your new web development project can be its own complex process. In fact, we assume that process might be what led you here, to our blog. You're evaluating your options. And, like most people doing their research, you're likely worried about making the wrong decision. That’s only natural. Complex web designs involve a lot of time and money. They can put your reputation and the future of your organization on the line. It’s definitely worth doing your homework and asking lots of questions. Finding the right partner can make or break your project. But responsibility for success is a joint effort. Experience has shown us the areas where a web project can be the most vulnerable. Missed deadlines, depleted budgets, and complete failure often comes from a common source. They usually rise from issues within a client's own organization. Competing personalities, misaligned goals, or a lack of enthusiasm can cause damage. Combined, they can all be deadly when you're trying to build a large website. Knowing exactly how another company works is very important. But, it's also important to pay attention to your own internal processes. Issues between executives and departments can sink your website before it goes live. Here are some ways you can prevent that from happening. Get Buy-in on Your Priorities The best way to avoid conflict down the line is to make sure everyone is on the same page to begin with. Stakeholder approval and investment can give your project much needed support. That support turns into momentum, moving the work forward in a positive way. As it is in any relationship, communication is key. As your new project is being planned for, include your stakeholders in that process. This should include anyone who has input on the web development project. From budget approval to department heads, each role matters. Everyone should be a part of the conversation. The entire team can better understand the ultimate goal if they know at the forefront why a new website would be beneficial. They can agree with you about the...

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> Whether you're moving your ecommerce platform to Magento or maintaining it further, here are 5 key questions to ask yourself

- Published: 2018-09-28
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/ecommerce-services/5-magento-ecommerce-questions/
- Categories: Application Development, eCommerce, Ecommerce, Project Type, Software, Technology Consulting, Training & Support, Web Development

Thinking about moving your eCommerce platform to Magento? Of course you are. It’s the perfect next step—the platform you need to integrate the real world with a virtual shopping experience. Magento has the organization you need for all your products, and the analytics to measure your marketing and sales strategy. All that said, transitioning to Magento is far from simple. Beyond making sure you can make sales on the platform, you have to think about getting the right integrations, setting objectives for your website infrastructure, developing a content strategy, and much more. If you don’t already have an in-house team or outside contractor working on this, you might be wondering: What exactly am I getting myself into? It’s easy to get overwhelmed. When moving from a different CMS, there are a million things to consider. You’ve been researching. You’ve gone through the checklists full of words you don’t quite understand. How are you going to use social shopping? What hosting system are you using? How are you integrating your CRP? Don’t get distracted by these specific questions. What you need to worry about is the big picture. To get to that understanding, here are some larger questions about your current CMS and the one you want to have which can help you not only set goals, but see what a switch to Magento could really look like. 1. What Do You Already Have? You’re probably thinking about Magento because you want to improve the customer experience, have better control of your inventory, do better social shopping, or just have a stronger CMS. All that said, you don’t need to re-invent the wheel. You have a growing business, so clearly some parts of your system are working well. It’s important to look at the system you’re using right now and ask yourself the following questions: How many daily and peak time page views or purchases do you have? (Use your site analytics if you need help finding this information. ) What hosting system are you using? What kind of environment? Who manages your site? How are various systems integrated into your...

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> Hiring a new developer for a project can oftentimes feel like a gamble. How can you be sure they're right for your team? Here is what to stay focused on.

- Published: 2018-09-26
- Modified: 2025-05-20
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/hire-the-right-developer/
- Categories: Software

Your deadline is coming up and your new app build is behind schedule. And as your blood pressure rises, you get an email from your boss. It's a request for a new feature to amaze all your users ”or there will be a problem. ” The good news? Your budget allows you to bring on a new developer to help with the overload. All you need to do is find, interview, and hire the right developer and your project will be back on track. Unfortunately, finding the right developer is never a simple task. There is an avalanche of things to consider before you can even begin looking for a candidate. What skills does the project require? Are there specific time constraints? What team dynamic do you want to build? After answering these questions, you need to have your recruiting and interview process prepared. Finally, you find the right candidate! But your job isn't finished yet. You need to have your onboarding plan in place to integrate this new developer into your team. Then, they can begin to contribute as fast as possible. If this sounds like a complex task, it’s because it is. But don’t panic. This post will walk you through some guidelines to identify your specific needs, find the right candidate, and integrate them into your team smoothly. How to Identify Your Developer Needs The first step to staffing up for a custom software project is determining what kind of developer help you actually need. To figure this out, you need to ask yourself two kinds of questions: questions of timing, and questions of ability. Questions of Timing How soon do you need this developer’s help? Immediately, within the month, or sometime next quarter? How well can you predict what this developer’s workload will be? This is especially important if you have an immediate coding need but aren’t as sure about next steps like deployment or support. Do you want this developer to help with one particular project, or a series of similar projects over a longer period? If you’re filling a specific need for one project,...

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> SecDevOps is more than a buzzword—it's a powerful way to integrate security into every aspect of development. Here's our introduction to SecDevOps Training.

- Published: 2018-09-24
- Modified: 2025-05-20
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/how-to-integrate-security-devops-secdevops-part-1/
- Categories: Software

Good DevOps practices ensure that the same code bundle can be deployed into multiple environments and environment-specific elements can be automatically injected from outside the code bundles themselves. ” -Bernard Golden, Author and CEO of Navica Golden describes just one example of how DevOps delivers significant improvements in development speed and agility. By increasing cooperation between IT engineers and developers, DevOps streamlines workflows across a software project. This has made DevOps a popular approach for many IT leaders. However, with all of this increased speed it is easy to view security concerns as inhibitors to DevOps agility. After all, if your developers are nailing their deadlines and your IT engineers are creating rock-solid environments for your software, why would you want worries about security to slow down your incredible progress? As the CommitStrip below amusingly points out, security doesn’t seem like a major concern until something goes wrong. And then, it may be too late to stop the issue from bringing down the entire application or system. SecDevOps means you don't make security an afterthought. Question: When Should You Integrate Security into DevOps? Answer: Yesterday. Information security architects must integrate security at multiple points into DevOps workflows in a collaborative way that is largely transparent to developers, and preserves the teamwork, agility and speed of DevOps and agile development environments, delivering ‘DevSecOps. ’” -Gartner 2016 report It is not enough to add on patchwork security protocols or systems just before deployment. Nor can you simply recruit a security expert to check your developers’ code as they work. To truly integrate security throughout your workflows, you need to ensure your developers are a transparent part of the security process. In short, stay true to the collaborative spirit of DevOps. This is not easy. Modern security infrastructure has lagged in its ability to become "software defined" and programmable, making it difficult to integrate security controls into DevOps-style workflows in an automated, transparent way. In addition, because developers often download and use open-source components and frameworks, modern applications are largely "assembled," rather than developed from scratch. This creates application security issues as many...

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> When you're working with a web design team, how often should you expect to hear from them? These are the moments they should be keeping you involved.

- Published: 2018-09-18
- Modified: 2025-05-22
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/digital-project-management/hear-web-design-team/
- Categories: Application Development, Digital Project Management, Software, Software Maintenance & Support, Technology Consulting, Web Development, Website Management

You've made it to this moment. Finally, you have decided on a direction to head in with your large web development project. As a result, you've found and chosen the best creative vendor for the job. You’ve also signed a contract, paid a deposit, and cleared them to begin working. So, now what? How often should you expect to hear from your web design team? There isn't a set answer to this question, of course, given that every project and client are different. Some of the executives we work with like to communicate with us regularly. Others only want updates when we have something new to show them. And some only want us to check in and get their input before making important decisions. Also, consider the web development process itself. There are some parts that call for more feedback than others. You should never feel left out of the loop when it comes to the progress made on new layouts, software, and features. In fact, there are a few communication moments you should always plan for and expect. Here are the most noteworthy occasions when you can count on hearing from your web design team. Project Discovery and Kick Off Meetings The first few weeks of a web development project require most of the client's time. There are going to be interviews and follow up questions about the organization itself. Also plan on information gathering about topics like users and future goals. Regular Updates and Check-ins Once the preliminary discovery phase is out of the way, you should still hear from your design and development team regularly. If nothing else, they’re going to want to fill you in on the progress they are making. You can be kept up to speed on how everything is coming together and know when to anticipate future updates. Milestone Achievement and Review Your website development plan should include a number of milestones, such as the creation of market pages or a wireframe that shows how your website and content will be organized. Expect to hear from your web design team during these times,...

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> When there are pages of website content to create, how can you get it all done in time? Your very own team is your best resource. Inspire them to write.

- Published: 2018-09-17
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/audits/7-ways-inspire-team-create-website-content/
- Categories: Application Development, Audits, Information Architecture, Software, Strategy

Editing existing website content and creating new pages is a crucial part of the web development process. It’s also something most clients tend to put off until the last minute. That’s unfortunate, because a large website might have dozens or hundreds of pages to fill. If content isn’t prepared when the rest of the site is ready to go live, it can significantly delay the launch. If you’re an executive or business owner, the key to avoiding this problem is starting early and getting the help you need. In many cases, your managers and employees will be your top resource for writing new material. They know their departments, customers, and responsibilities better than anyone else. We know how difficult it can be to persuade others to write web content in a timely manner. Here are 7 ways you can inspire your team to hit their keyboards and complete your website content on schedule. #1 Ask for Their Expertise Let your team members know why they are so invaluable. Everyone likes to be appreciated. By appealing to their expertise, you are turning them into authorities in their field. They'll feel more confident, rather than bogged down with extra busywork. #2 Start With a Few Easy Wins You don’t have to ask your team to generate lots of website content all at once. Begin by giving them a few simple things to write. Once those “easy wins” are out-of-the-way, they’ll be more receptive to tackling larger content writing projects. Suddenly, writing doesn't feel so scary anymore. #3 Trade Away Other Tasks If your employees or managers are already overwhelmed with other tasks, it’s going to be hard for them to find the time to write. See if you can get some assistance from temps, other departments, or even outside vendors to help lessen the work load. That way, your team can concentrate on generating the pages you need. #4 Provide a Template Procrastination and writers block can be major obstacles to productivity (#truth). Help your employees avoid these harbingers of doom by giving them a template or example to follow. That way...

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> The workflow of a complex web project can descend into chaos if it isn't managed well. The RACI Method keeps the team focused and on the same page.

- Published: 2018-09-14
- Modified: 2025-05-22
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/digital-project-management/4-letters-make-web-design-go-smoother/
- Categories: Digital Project Management, Software

When it comes to creating a new website, planning, and assigning roles is a crucial task. This is even more critical for large web projects involving institutional web design. Without the proper guidelines in place, you can never be sure that everything is taken care of. There can be important details and considerations missed or overlooked. This would be true even if there was only one small team involved. But, that's not the way large-scale web development works. At Atlantic BT, we have our group of designers, programmers, and content specialists. On top of that, we work with a variety of executives, managers, and vendors on a regular basis. This significantly increases the need for an organizational system. We've followed a specific strategy for managing project flows over the years. There are the written project plans that keep everyone on track. But, we also assign different tasks and phases using a RACI model. That stands for: Responsible Accountable Consulted Informed Generally speaking, all the major contacts fall into this group. They may not have the same roles for each step, but it’s a handy way of keeping everyone involved and informed. The Benefits of RACI A structured workflow process is necessary if you want to keep everyone on the same page. Without one, it would be easy to see how things can quickly become convoluted. A lack of communication and clarity can lead to poor decision making. Choices happen without the proper input from the appropriate parties. Or, projects can stall while one team waits on another. They might need feedback or work from someone who didn't realize they were on the clock. RACI lets us manage big web development jobs more efficiently than we would be able to do otherwise. That's because it keeps us from duplicating tasks both within and outside of our offices. For example, we know who will be generating a given piece of content when it's due. And we know which parties will be responsible for approving it when it's finished. Another big advantage of the RACI system is the focus it provides. It frees...

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> Making dreams come true isn't as easy as bibbidi bobbidi boo. Focusing on what you have instead of what you want, is a website strategy that helps.

- Published: 2018-09-13
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/one-simple-way-make-website-strategy-actionable/
- Categories: Software

The wonderful thing about web design is that web design is a wonderful thing. Technology is always improving. Nowadays it feels as though anything is possible. If you can dream it, we can build it. Unfortunately, there is a second side to that coin. Just because we can create something, doesn't mean that we should. Its possibility does not make it feasible or affordable. In fact, when you consider the resources involved, it might not even make a lot of sense. Once we have discussed wish lists and concepts with clients, we want to blend dreams with reality. That's why we encourage them to start thinking in terms of constraints. It's a lot of fun considering the creative choices you can make with your new website. Putting names and numbers next to the things that hold you back? Not as much. But, it's every bit as important. Let's look at some common constraints our clients face. They may affect you too, as you plan your next website. Current and Ongoing Budgets When we talk about constraints, web design clients usually think in terms of budgets. Obviously, this will be the biggest limitation for most organizations regardless of size or industry. However, when considering your budget, you have to look beyond the initial investment for the project. You should also talk to your creative team about ongoing expenses for maintenance, marketing, content creation, and future website audits. Your website strategy should always be looking ahead. Deadlines and Schedules Next to costs, the biggest constraint most web design clients face has to do with time. They may want a website launched by a certain date, or have to work within a time frame that aligns with other marketing or reporting goals. As with budgets, though, schedules shouldn’t only focus on initial commitments. Ongoing hours could be needed for meetings, content marketing, and analytics review. It’s important to identify and express any post-launch constraints you have in these areas. Scope and Customer or User Targeting Every web design project has ideas that go unused. Sometimes they are tabled for a future date. There...

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> Many people believe that the most important aspects of web design are creating and building. However, those things can't happen well without soild research.

- Published: 2018-09-12
- Modified: 2025-05-20
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/not-web-design-time-equal/
- Categories: Software

What do you believe you're getting when you hire a web designer? Many clients think they're paying for artistic skill and technical expertise. That is true... in a sense. A finished website is usually the "deliverable" at the end of the project. But, in our experience, the real value comes at a different point in the process; the research and Discovery Phase. At Atlantic BT, our belief is that not all web design time is equal. In fact, what you think you're paying for might not be the most important piece or step. Let's elaborate. Discovery Time Offers the Biggest Payoff The Discovery process is an essential kick-off point at the beginning of a web design project. This research stage includes interviewing clients and asking about their organization, needs, and challenges. But, many web development companies will treat Discovery as a formality. It's an unfortunate step to not appreciate. We know that the Discovery phase is where the magic really happens. Once a creative team knows what a client truly needs, they can move forward with confidence. The layouts, flowcharts, and content are custom made. They fit a specific situation, marketing personality, and audience. The creative team is aware of past work, current processes, and future goals. They can see the big picture and understand their client's character, inside and out. Knowing what their client needs and the parameters of the project allows for focus. The team can develop the right solutions for the right problems. An experienced, professional web designer can make new layouts and color schemes easily. Figuring out what will help a client meet their needs is much more challenging and vital. This leads us to another important observation. Don’t Rush Through the Interview and Data Collection Process A thorough Discovery meeting can provide buckets of inspiration and information. It makes everything else that comes later in the web design process, easier. On the flip side of that, rushing through Discovery interviews will come back to hurt you. A lack of understanding leads to a product with no real purpose. If your web development team doesn't understand...

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> Notable metrics that can help guide the planning process of a complex web project are Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Use them from start to finish.

- Published: 2018-09-11
- Modified: 2025-05-22
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/business-analysis/two-sides-kpis-web-development/
- Categories: Application Development, Business Analysis, Software, Technology Consulting

At Atlantic BT, we always talk to our clients about their Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). These are the metrics used to determine what is and isn't working within their business. They provide the basis for an analysis much like a report card. Executives can see whether various projects and campaigns are on track. Our goal is to help our client build and develop a website that leads to real-world improvement. We want to raise the numbers for sales, revenues, memberships, etc,. To do so, we look beyond simple goal identification. We see KPIs from two different sides. One side affects the planning process for a new website. The other side helps us anticipate the work ahead, post launch. Let's take a look at the way you can use KPIs to influence your web development strategy. Before Your Website is Built While you're planning your next website, you can use KPIs as a guide. They can help you outline your project and prioritize the use of your resources. In other words, you can use expected results to decide where to spend your time and money. The KPIs act like a Magic 8 ball, but with more numbers and clarity. This sounds like a simple concept. Alas, it's harder to put into action than some business owners and executives realize. It's easy to become distracted by all the possibilities of your project. Once you start looking into things like web designs and app creation, the rabbit hole only grows. By focusing on KPIs that show up on a balance sheet, you can keep everyone involved in the project on track. Even softer benefits that are harder to measure but make a big difference to the company, matter. And they are often included in KPIs. But, as with so many good things, moderation is key. Be sure to not overwhelm yourself with too many KPIs. It can give your team too much to juggle when they need to be focusing on the end goal. After Your Website Has Launched Congratulations! Your website has gone live. Now you can use the KPIs you identified,...

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> Breaking down large projects into smaller, more managable tasks, is the creation of milestones. Reaching each one inspires focus and morale.

- Published: 2018-09-10
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/setting-milestones-web-design-project/
- Categories: Software

A large web design and development project requires a great deal of planning. In fact, the more complex the project is, the more important it is to have that plan of action worked out fast. The plan needs to be clear with a distinct goal. It must be able to move all parties involved from the initial concept to a successful launch. This plan shouldn't be a simple checklist of activities. Instead, it should detail responsibilities and timelines, as well.   At Atlantic BT, we see the various phases of web design projects as milestones. These represent natural points in the process where it makes sense to step back and see what we have. We can combine materials and evaluate the work in front of us. After agreements and adjustments offered from all team members, we can move forward.   Milestones makes it easier for everyone involved to see the ongoing progress made. That can be an important factor to communicate. It reminds everyone that their work and time isn't vanishing into nothing. It also helps keep everyone and everything on the same page. Especially when there are hundreds of minor details to look after.   We'd like to introduce you to a few ideas about milestones in web design projects. You can put them to work as you oversee the development of your organization's website. By breaking down the process into steps, the project becomes easier to access. You can build your team's confidence as they see their accomplishments in action. The Importance of Milestones There are many values in establishing a set of planned milestones. The biggest one, though, is that they let you track your progress from the beginning. The initial discovery and brainstorming phase can be milestone 1. Each level of design for the program will be its own milestone. You can apply this tracking process throughout the entirety of the project.   With regularly-spaced milestones in place, you'll be able to plan ahead more efficiently. The next point where you'll need to give feedback to your creative team, will be clear. You'll also develop a...

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> Time management is the be all/end all for every kind of project. When it comes to web developement, there are specific time traps you should avoid.

- Published: 2018-09-07
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/digital-project-management/web-development-time-management-3-problems-solutions/
- Categories: Application Development, Digital Project Management, Software, Software Maintenance & Support, Technology Consulting, Web Development, Website Management

In a perfect world, web developers and their clients would live happily ever after, from the get go. They'd gather together, agree on a concept, make a plan, and then execute it, with no issues. Time management would be effortless. Unfortunately, things rarely happen that way. Almost half of all large web design projects take longer than planned. One of the best ways to ensure your next website launches on time is to know why so many others don't. Arming yourself with information about the common causes of delays is a solid move. You'll be better equipped. Here are 3 time-management problems that hold up web development projects, along with some simple solutions you can put to use immediately. #1 Unrealistic Schedules Some web development projects are bound to take longer than expected. These are the ones that begin under a banner of unrealistic expectations. Perhaps the web design team gave a highly-optimistic estimate to win new business. Or maybe the client insisted on pushing for a fast launch date. Regardless, everyone was bringing a large platter of Impossible to the planning table. You can get better estimates from your creative team by asking more questions. How many of their projects reached their deadline on time and for the fee quoted? Can you verify this through case studies or references? You should also do your part to encourage realistic timelines. Trust those you're working with to use their time, and your own, efficiently. Web development is a huge undertaking. Your web developers' requests for time to test, revise, and be ready for any potential issues, are valid. Don't press them to remove these expectations from their proposal. Then you can avoid disappointment down the road, when reality sets in. #2 Client-Side Delays Clients tend to worry about web developers taking longer on a project than intended. Alas, it's even more common for client-side delays to hold up projects. Don't worry. We understand. It's easy for executives to over-deliver when they're excited about a project. The energy of the idea can mask the amount of work and communication involved. We've seen...

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> The vital components of website design can be easy to overlook when you're focused only on the here and now (as many executives are). See the big picture.

- Published: 2018-09-06
- Modified: 2025-05-22
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/executives-forget-institutional-web-design/
- Categories: Software

Institutional website design is a specialty all on its own. Small businesses have a variety of options to choose from, when they decide to go online. There are hundreds of creative firms, template services, and freelancers available. They all do great work and can make a solid layout for a business at the beginning of their online journey. But, consider institutions like universities, governments, and major corporations. When it comes to updating the websites of these beasts, you'll need to do a lot more work. Every detail matters. At Atlantic BT, we've been working on large-scale web development projects for 20 years now. We've learned a lot along the way and we know how to best make these web projects successful. The foundation of our role is the website itself. We create sites that work for a wide range of customers, users, and decision-makers. But, another facet of our job is to ensure that our clients stay focused on what matters. That can sometimes be a challenge. Why? Let’s look at a few things executives tend to forget about institutional website design. Functionality is Just as Important as Aesthetics As humans, we naturally gravitate towards the visual. We rely on our sight to identify threats and opportunities on a subconscious level. We can process pictures thousands of times faster than text or words. Psychologists have even shown that what we see impacts us in a more emotional way, than what we read. Knowing that, can we blame anyone for placing their priorities on aesthetics? It isn't hard to understand why executives tend to focus more on the visual aspects of web design. The look is important. Striking an emotional chord with an audience has immense value. But you don't want to be all surface and no substance. Consider the ultimate goal. You are building a tool to be of service to large groups of people inside and outside of an organization. Of course, this means that website functionality is also as important as aesthetics. Programming and plug-ins provide the body your site actually lives within. So, you need it to...

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> The beginning of a web development project can be nothing short of chaotic. But, by using a Project Charter, your team can start off on the right foot.

- Published: 2018-09-05
- Modified: 2025-05-22
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/web-development-begin-project-charter/
- Categories: Software

We can see them coming a mile away. Executives and project decision-makers, laden with heavy regret. By the time they reach us, they're feeling grim. When it comes to their web development project, things took a turn. It had been obvious to their team that changes and improvements were necessary. We know what they'll say before they even raise their weary heads. Revenue is declining, search visits are trending downward. The most heartbroken among them will deliver the blow. The website has stopped being fully-functional. "What do we do? The project should survive, yes? Can it? Survive? "   Under those circumstances, it’s only natural that our clients want to move as quickly as possible. They are eager to get beyond talking and thinking and into actual designing. But, no matter how pressed they feel to get something done, we can't let them run amuck. We always encourage them to put together a project charter before any work begins. In fact, they should do it before they even start budgeting.   A project charter is an outline of what the goals are, how to reach them, and what the anticipated outcome will be. It doesn't have to be a complicated puzzle, with long pieces of yarn attaching each part to the next. But, this kind of document and outline can help clarify things in three specific areas. #1 Web Design Needs If you don't know why you are doing something, then how can you do it? Every new web development project needs a purpose. It's important to not begin your project, without understanding your ultimate goals. This is particularly true of development projects at the institutional level.   As you consider what your project needs the most, separate items into categories. Which ones are absolute must haves? Which ones are pie-in-the-sky hopes? And which ones are insane and impossible? This organizational tip will help you stay focused on what matters the most. In turn, knowing exactly what you need keeps you on the path to your goal.   We build our success on the premise that we won't begin a...

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> Managing complex projects can be terrifying, especially with so many people counting on you to lead the way. Stay focused on these 5 essential traits.

- Published: 2018-09-04
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/website-management/5-essential-skills-to-managing-complex-projects/
- Categories: Application Development, Digital Project Management, Software, Software Maintenance & Support, Technology Consulting, Training & Support, Web Development, Website Management

Complex projects don't beat around the bush. They are exactly what they sound like; a large undertaking, layered with a variety of tasks, different people to manage and communicate with, and multiple goals to achieve. How can you make it to the finish line in tact, with so much to juggle? One savvy project manager shows how she stayed cool and found success. Once upon a time, I was given an assignment I thought would kill me. It was the mother of all complex projects. I was 25 and working as a Senior Project Manager for a small gaming company in NYC. Suddenly, I was to oversee the full development of a $2 million contract. The video game was being designed to enhance over 400 classrooms throughout the US. It would educate high school students on the subjects of business and accounting. The process was mammoth. We planned for 100 unique characters and needed to write a six-week course curriculum. On top of that, we would provide players with custom-build avatars. This was the most complex project we had ever tried to tackle, and we realized we had bitten off more than we could chew. As the Project Manager (PM) I began to ask myself, “Why me? ” In an instant I had the answer to that question: I thrive off of complexity. I enjoy untangling the most complicated, multi-layered project and making it tangible. What Makes a Project Complex? It's important to understand that there is a difference between a complex project and a difficult project. A complex project isn’t necessarily a difficult one. Projects can be difficult due to cost or performance, but this doesn’t automatically mean that it's complex. Complexity refers to projects that include ambiguity or uncertainty. They are surrounded by unpredictability. Other indicators of a complex project include: Involvement of many teams & stakeholders Numerous moving parts Project timeline Budget & restraints After identifying the complexity level of your project, it’s time to use your skills to tackle the beast, one bite at a time. The Essential Skills You Need to Manage Complex Projects Managing...

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> What can you disclose about a Nondisclosure agreement (NDA)? If your team works within the parameters of an NDA, be sure to know how the rules work.

- Published: 2018-09-03
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/website-rfp-development/what-to-disclose-nondisclosure-agreements-ndas/
- Categories: ABT Culture, Cloud, Cloud Monitoring & Maintenance, Digital Project Management, Strategy, Technology Consulting, Website RFP Development

Earlier this summer, I remember sitting in a meeting with a potential client. They asked about solutions we provided for other companies. Immediately, our team lead jumped in to answer. He referred to some clients by name, but used generic descriptions for others. For example: one client bore the name “a major health insurance provider. ” Though this seemed to confuse a few in the room, the team lead knew exactly what he was doing. He knew our nondisclosure agreement (NDA) limited how much detail we could share. It even restricted how we publicly referred to some clients. That’s when I realized a crucial truth. It is important to know the basics of your company’s NDAs. What is a Nondisclosure Agreement, and why does it matter? NDAs are legally-binding agreements between a client and the company they have hired. It keeps secret information about the client, that the client shared, as a part of doing business. They are often used by companies to protect proprietary or sensitive information. It may also come into play to protect an organization's brand or trademark. In addition, a nondisclosure agreement can exist between individuals. For example, an NDA may exist between a contract programmer and a company. This would protect information the contractor learns about the company's inner workings. Regardless of whether an NDA is between companies or individuals, all parties involved should be aware of the terms. Here are the questions I ask to protect my team when their work involves a nondisclosure agreement: What information is confidential? Is there private information that cannot come up in discussions? This might include financials, pending patents, new branding, or a patient diagnosis or test results. Even the company name can find protection under an NDA. What information can you share? Protected information in a nondisclosure agreement doesn't mean that everything is a secret. There may be other parts of the project that would be appropriate to share with the public. For example, a company may be able to post a client logo on their website. But, they cannot expose specifics about what they did for...

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> You've got a bold marketing idea. How do you convince a risk-averse client it will work? These 5 tactics can get clients to give your big ideas a chance.

- Published: 2018-08-31
- Modified: 2025-05-20
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/abt-culture/how-to-get-clients-to-like-your-ideas/
- Categories: ABT Culture

Would I rather be feared or loved? Easy, both. I want people to be afraid of how much they love me. -Michael Scott Creativity in the tech world is an interesting beast. Everyone wants to use it and claims to love it. But it also causes a great deal of fear, leaving creative employees struggling to be heard. If you are that person, this post, by an experienced marketing writer, will speak to you. When I first decided I wanted to be a writer, I imagined the hardest part would be coming up with good ideas. Back then, creating a new idea meant summoning elegant words, phrases, and story out of nothing more than my daydreams and boredom. Where did the really great creative writers get their ideas? It all seemed like an impossible mystery—which didn’t stop me from wanting to try. Times are different now. For one, I’m a marketing writer by profession, so I mostly write for hire. Two, finding ideas worth writing about is easy. There is a tsunami of shared information on social media to mine from. Plus, I'm lucky enough to have knowledgeable colleagues and clients. They always have something interesting to discuss. Then there is the remarkable surplus of quality marketing websites available. And three, I no longer imagine great ideas simply appear out of nowhere. They show up from making connections between people's wants, fears, and every sticking point between. Then there’s the fourth thing that I know now. The hardest thing about being a successful writer for hire is not coming up with a good idea. It’s not even executing on that good idea to make a quality product (though that does take time, effort, and practice). No, if I had to name the hardest thing about writing for hire, it’s getting your client to like your idea and pay you to produce it. The Trouble with Good Ideas: Risk You know how the pitch process goes. You enter the room with the perfect concept for a client’s new project or campaign—it’s inventive, compelling, and will drive lots of sales. All you...

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> Choosing an eCommerce platform is difficult. Atlantic BT's how-to guide will help you make the right choice for your business.

- Published: 2018-08-30
- Modified: 2025-05-20
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/ecommerce-services/how-to-choose-best-ecommerce-platform/
- Categories: eCommerce, Ecommerce, Integrations, Magento, Project Type, Technology, Technology Consulting, Web Development

Choosing an eCommerce platform can be difficult. There are many options available, each with different benefits designed to best help you. While some businesses prefer a SaaS solution (like Shopify), others prefer custom eCommerce options. How do you make sense of it all? How do you pick the best eCommerce platform for your business? There are two directions you can take when selecting a platform. Do you want hosted or open software? Let's go ahead and assume no one wants a proprietary system that you couldn't change on a whim. Although, there are sure to be some out there. Technology loves to evolve in mere seconds. Hosted eCommerce Platforms (SaaS) A hosted solution is an eCommerce service that you sign up for. You then build your store within an online system. This is like other web-based software, such as Salesforce or Google Docs. The benefit of a hosted eCommerce solution is its ease of use. Setting up and getting started is a breeze. You still have to put effort into learning how to use the system and customize it as you'd like. But, the technical hurdles are much lower than installing and designing software. There are some downsides to this solution. At some point, you will hit a roadblock in the system. It won't be able to handle something specific. Since the source code isn't accessible, changing the system is costly. Then you're stuck with a difficult choice. Do you learn to live without the specific feature you wanted? Or do you switch platforms all together? Switching platforms is very complicated. For starters, it requires a time investment. You've also already established search positioning. You have become familiar with your customers and how to best serve them by using this system. Moving your store to a new platform becomes a very, very disruptive process. In extreme cases, the results can be catastrophic. We often see this happen when the move is not planned the way it should be, or a good consultant/developer isn't used. Some of the most popular hosted eCommerce solutions include: BigCommerce Shopify Magento PinnacleCart eCommerce Software Software...

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> Most "storytelling" in content marketing is just lazy, shallow plotting. Proposed here are 3 writing techniques to make your content stories stronger.

- Published: 2018-08-29
- Modified: 2025-05-22
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/3-storytelling-methods-content/
- Categories: Software

Why Storytelling Is More Than Plot In the beginning, there was a business. The business made a profit, and saw that it was good. But there was a problem, and the business did not like it. And lo, our agency descended from on high to face the problem. Together with the business, we solved it. And then everything was fine and that’s why you should hire our agency too. #storytelling We've read-and written (guilty as charged)-way too many case studies and content pieces like this. And while we know how shallow this content sounds, it's understandable why it so often gets written this way. It's simple, easy to follow, and has a clear Call to Action at the end. So, even if we don't love this style, we don't hate it either. But, if someone uses this style as an example of great storytelling in content marketing? To that we say NO NO NO, THIS SHALL NOT STAND. Great stories are more than a basic plot. It's not only about what happened first, what happened next, and what happened last. But, most (bad) case studies are like this. They're simple plots where one special fix appears and everything becomes magically awesome. Of course, the miracle fix is being sold by the relevant company publishing the case study. Shocking. That is a story, but it is not a good story. Let's take a closer look at three strong storytelling methods. Then we can explore how you can weave these elements into your content. You'll be able to create narratives that actually resonate with your audience. Your content shouldn't inspire users to close the browser and forget what they read. You are capable of crafting a meaningful connection with your readers that inspires them to stay and learn more. (And thus, the hero's journey began). Characters: Include Actual Humans in Your Case Studies It's remarkable how many case studies try to use Joseph Conrad's Hero's Journey to tell their tale. The intrepid multi-national corporation, bold and brave, boosted its profit margins! A generous description would call this "efficient" storytelling. Sure, a business-owner...

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> Is something amiss with your website? Have you noticed any of these traits on your site but are still unsure if you should redesign? You might be in denial.

- Published: 2018-08-28
- Modified: 2025-05-20
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/4-clues-redesign-site/
- Categories: Software

When cleaning my house, I tend to apply the “good enough” method. Sure, there is a pile of junk crammed into the closet, but the floor is cleared. True, the drawers are stuffed with balls of clothing, but at least I can say that the laundry is done. OK, something clearly smells amiss in the bathroom, but that’s why we have Febreze. The house is still presentable. However, if the house isn’t clean, I’m reluctant to invite guests to my home. It can be hard to even relax in my own environment. If I can see the problems, I know that others can see them as well. I'm aware that I am not presenting my best self. It’s good enough, but nowhere close to what it should be—and too many websites are the same way. The website for your company is its home. Customers come and visit when they want to know more about what you have to offer. It is the best presentation of who you are as a company and as a service provider. Is your website in need of more attention and care? Have you realized that you’ve been settling for ‘good enough’? If the answer is a grimaced ‘maybe’ while your eyes dart nervously around the room, odds are your site would benefit from a deep clean or redesign. There are many clues to look for when deciding if a redesigned site is right for you. The ‘good enough’ mentality can easily sweep these clues under the rug, delaying the change necessary for your site to truly thrive. Let’s take a deep breath and look under that rug, shall we? Clue #1 - Your visitor traffic is plateauing or declining. Growth rarely comes from routine. As consumers receive information from an ever-widening variety of platforms, it can be harder to grab and/or maintain their attention. If the numbers show that users are indifferent to your site or not passing the word around about their experience, odds are your site has become old news. “How can that be? ” you may ask. “We add new content regularly...

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> Discover a comprehensive guide for developing Controlled Substance Ordering Systems (CSOS), consolidating all the necessary information in one document.

- Published: 2018-08-27
- Modified: 2025-06-02
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology/dotnet/definitive-guide-to-csos-development/
- Categories: .NET

Are you currently developing or planning to develop a Controlled Substance Ordering System, or CSOS? Then you’ve come to the right place. This guide was developed to provide all the information to create such an application in one friendly document. To learn more about how this process took shape, read about Atlantic BT’s web development work for NC Mutual Drug. This work was the inspiration for our writing this guide. Background for This CSOS Guide The DEA created the CSOS audit process when client-server architecture was the only viable solution. Audit cases exist for both the “sender” machine and the “receiver” machine (i. e. Audit Cases 1 & 2). Atlantic BT’s implementation is a web application, which performs both the client and server actions. Therefore, the documentation in this guide organizes these cases together. In a true client-server environment, the cases are applied appropriately. Atlantic BT’s implementation involves Windows servers and a . Net solution using C#. Information and examples providing guidance on accomplishing validation will use technology-specific references only when necessary. It should be stated that when signing an order with controlled substances, a single digital file must be utilized for signing. This is similar to the real-life scenario in which you would sign a physical document. In Atlantic BT’s application, an EDI 850 file is constructed for signing, and will be referenced throughout as the “order file. ” Source Documentation CSOS Many documents exist and are publicly available for CSOS developers: CSOS Final Rule, 67 Pages (PDF) Public Key Infrastructure Analysis, 30 Pages (PDF) CSOS Certificate Policy, 87 Pages (PDF) CSOS Certification Practices Statement, 109 Pages (PDF) NIST FIPS Homepage Validated FIPS Cryptographic Modules CSOS Certificate Management Note: The CSOS Certificate Management documentation is for owners of the digital certificates. If you note the "Manage CSOS Certificates" section, this documentation was created prior to Windows 8 existing and before Google Chrome was a standard web browser. Why Does this Guide Use "Audit Cases"? AtlanticBT used the Drummond Group to perform the CSOS audit. The Drummond Group uses 13 “Audit Cases” to test all requirements for a CSOS application. This...

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> Even tech-savvy companies can fall vicitm to phishing scams. The best way to learn how to avoid these attacks? Lay a phishing trap for your coworkers.

- Published: 2018-08-27
- Modified: 2025-05-20
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/cloud/cloud-security-compliance/phishing-coworkers-save-company/
- Categories: ABT Culture, Cloud, Cloud Monitoring & Maintenance, Cloud Security & Compliance

It's easy to think that an email phishing attack wouldn't fool us. Or that our friends and coworkers know how to identify a suspicious email. But like a lot of our work at Atlantic BT, we don’t really know how well we’re prepared until we run some tests. So, how do you test the human side of IT security? You run your own phishing scam on your coworkers and record the results. How I Ran My Phishing Test Before you call the police, no, this blog post is not a confession that I’ve turned to a life of crime. I used a free tool from PhishMe. Then, I was able to conduct a convincing phishing test. My targets? Every one of my coworkers at ABT, including the CEO and President. PhishMe Free allows you to send a fake phishing email to as many as 500 users by importing a list of emails. You can design your phishing email using 18 different templates. Afterwards, you can then schedule when you want to send it. The app will measure how many recipients open the mail and how many click the phishing link inside it. For my test, I sent two different emails more than a month apart. The results were very different. The first test sent an email in the middle of the workday. It notified the recipient that their inbox was "over the limit". The phishing link inside the email was threatening. "Click here to increase your mailbox size or you will lose your account within 24 hours. " Results of this test were encouraging. 65% of my colleagues opened the email, but no one clicked the phishing link. This particular phishing attack wasn't fooling anyone. The second test delivered less positive results. This email arrived at the start of the workday. It referenced a suspicious credit card charge. The email also offered to let the recipient trace the progress of a package, as it made its way to its destination. 67% of my coworkers opened this email, and 21% actually clicked the phishing link. Had this been a real attack,...

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> Ready to get started with building a mobile app for your business? Check out these 4 critical questions you need to ask before you begin.

- Published: 2018-08-24
- Modified: 2025-05-22
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/user-experience-services/4-questions-ask-mobile-app-development/
- Categories: Application Development, Cloud, Cloud Monitoring & Maintenance, Software, Strategy, User Experience

Mobile apps are all the rage in the digital marketing world. At this moment, you are most likely rolling your eyes at such an obvious statement. But there's a good reason apps have only increased in popularity. They help businesses make direct connections with their audience. There are mobile apps that help you do everything. You can manage your social media presence, book a hotel room, or even place an order at a restaurant. But how much do you actually know about mobile apps? Have you been pondering creating an app for your business? Is that the right call? What Do We Know About Mobile Users? Smartphones and tablets are seemingly everywhere. Since 2011, smartphone ownership has risen 35%. Now, 77% of the American population uses a smartphone. When it comes to apps, the numbers are intense. The average smartphone user has 80 apps downloaded on their phone and accesses at least 40 of them a month. It is not too much of a stretch to say that Americans are tightly connected to their smartphones, as users spend about 3. 5 hours a day on them. So, it looks like you have a ready-made audience for your mobile app idea. But hold on. There are a few questions you need to ask before you begin building your mobile app. 4 Critical Questions to Ask Before Building Your First Mobile App At Atlantic BT, we’ve had the good fortune of working with clients in a wide variety of fields, helping solve both marketing and IT challenges. Lately, many of our conversations with clients have been focused on the creation of mobile apps. We've noticed several recurring questions needed to define the scope of the project. To help you develop the best app possible, and do it quickly and efficiently, we’ve gathered these insights for you. 1. Should You Build a Mobile App or a Mobile Friendly/Responsive Web Site? Sometimes, you don’t need a mobile app. Instead, a mobile friendly version of your site (or a responsive website) will do just fine. Mobile friendly and responsive sites are great options if you...

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> If you want your eCommerce site to succeed, you must secure all payment processing on your site. Here are 3 best practices to do so.

- Published: 2018-08-23
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/technical-governance-and-risk-management-consulting/3-payment-processing-best-practices-ecommerce/
- Categories: Audits, Cloud, Cloud Security & Compliance, eCommerce, Governance and Risk Consulting, Project Type, Software, Software Maintenance & Support, Strategy, Technology Consulting

Attacks on our sensitive business and personal information are becoming increasingly common. It seems as though everything is now available online or managed through an app. It is important we do not become complacent, no matter how often these major data breaches happen. We should all be taking every precaution to secure data. This is especially true if our business relies on eCommerce payment processing. eCommerce security is complex. Security standards should undergo testing on a regular basis. On top of that, you should also be monitoring user activity and customer behavior. That said, your website could be the online equivalent of Fort Knox. All your vulnerability scans consistently reporting green. But, payment processing best practices for credit card validation (CCV) must be active. Without them, your company is at risk of supporting credit card fraud. This could halt your revenue for months and months. At the same time, you're trying to recover your losses with credit card companies. It's a terrifying beast to manage.   Paying attention? Let me explain a few of these payment processing best practices you should consider. 1. Credit Card Validation You might think this is a common sense approach, but validation means more than checking the number, expiration date, and CVV of potential customers. In addition to those 3 aspects of validation, incorporating Address Verification System (AVS) is another method of credit card validation. Configuring these validation fields can change based on which payment gateway (PayPal, Authorize. net, Stripe, etc. ) and eCommerce platform (Magento, WooCommerce, etc. ) you use. Despite these differences, it should be easy to incorporate these validation fields into your payment processing. 2. Behavior Monitoring For a crook, credit card testing isn’t a one shot and done approach—it takes multiple attempts to verify a card number. To spot these suspicious users, look at the transaction and visitor history for your site. Pay close attention to these red flags: The same IP address has multiple failed transactions. Again, the same IP address has multiple purchases from different credit card numbers. If you see a spike in sales for low price items....

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> How can you design research studies and tests to get the answers you need? Here are 5 key questions to ask better research questions.

- Published: 2018-08-22
- Modified: 2025-05-20
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/abt-culture/how-to-ask-better-research-questions/
- Categories: ABT Culture

Research is an invaluable tool in any area. It can give you insights and unexpected inspirations, identify problems and potential solutions, and guide you through your development and design process. However, when research isn’t focused, it can also lead you astray. This is because research by itself doesn’t solve problems—it provides more information about a problem. This in mind, the key aspect of any research you conduct is the question you ask. If the question your research tries to answer is precise, clear, and something that can be tested, perfect! You have a solid foundation for a great research study. But if your question is broad and vague, you’ll get a broad and vague answer. This is not useful when trying to solve a problem or design a product. Since the underlying question is such an important aspect of research, how do you make sure you ask the right one? What things do you need to keep in mind when designing a study to make sure you get the answer you need? In the spirit of asking good questions, here are five pivotal ones you should consider when developing your main research question. 1. Why are you doing research? Deciding what you want to know is the first step to designing any study. Why are you doing this research in the first place? What information do you need to move forward with your project? Write this research goal down, phrasing it as a question if possible. For example, say you’re starting a research project to evaluate the navigation of a new website. You want to make sure the navigation makes sense to your users and they can find what they need on your site. In this case, your starting question could be as simple as, “Does my website navigation work? ” 2. Can you make your research question more specific? You have your original idea written down. Now, see if you can make it more specific. Take our example question: “Does my website navigation work? ” What do you really want to know about your website’s navigation? What does the...

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> Ready to launch your eCommerce site? Here are four keys to determining if your eCommerce site is safe and ready for online transactions.

- Published: 2018-08-21
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/ecommerce-services/4-ways-to-determine-if-your-site-is-safe-for-ecommerce/
- Categories: Cloud, Cloud Hosting, Cloud Monitoring & Maintenance, Cloud Security & Compliance, Cloud Strategy & Consulting, Ecommerce, eCommerce, Project Type, Web Development

Congratulations! You’re ready to take a big step forward by jumping into eCommerce. You’ve evaluated the market to see how you stack up against the competition. You’ve developed your pricing strategies. You understand how you’re going to handle order fulfillment. And, most importantly, you’ve built out your website to handle all the online transactions. But is your site really ready for eCommerce? Four Questions to Ask Before You Begin eCommerce Transactions 1) Do you trust the work of your development partner? Most eCommerce websites require significant custom development, so you can connect the site to your Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software or integrate it with your marketing tools. This makes it essential that you can trust the company (or individual) that completed your development work. That means asking tough questions: Does your developer have the experience necessary to build sites that meet current standards? How reliable is the code? Has it been tested? Because eCommerce asks a lot of your website, you need to feel confident your development partner is trustworthy and knowledgeable about security best practices. The long-term success of your business depends on it. 2) How secure is your hosting infrastructure? Your eCommerce website needs to be in a stable, secure hosting environment. If you’re using a shared hosting environment, you may be at risk. If any website on that shared server gets hacked, your website and all your customer data (including credit cards and personal information) could be compromised. We recommend creating a customized hosting configuration in the Cloud. As an Amazon Web Services (AWS) partner, we’ve seen first-hand the scalability and reliability that comes with hosting your website within the Cloud. And since eCommerce requires 24/7/365 operation, you need to minimize downtime as much as possible. 3) Are you using encryption to protect your data and transactions? Today’s eCommerce websites handle more data and larger volumes of transactions than ever. Customers depend on you to keep their data safe and secure. Once you violate that trust, you may never get it back. This makes encryption essential. Installing Transport Layer Security (TLS) encryption is a good starting...

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> Managing a web project is like sailing the high seas. Teamwork, skill, and a strong vessel will complete the journey . But only if you avoid these mistakes.

- Published: 2018-08-20
- Modified: 2025-05-22
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/7-common-web-development-mistakes/
- Categories: Software

Most institutional web development projects are unsuccessful. This is an unfortunate reality that many people are loath to talk about. Surveys show that many teams choose to abandon their web project outright. Even those completed often go over budget or aren't launched on time. Many executives report displeasure with the websites and apps they end up with. Sad.   We've been in this industry for 20 years. Plenty of experience has taught us that there are a handful of predictable reasons at play here. These all gather together to throw a web programming project off the rails. Here are 7 all-too-common mistakes you can avoid with careful planning. #1 Not Getting All Stakeholders on Board When you're setting out to sail across the open sea, you want to know that everyone on board the ship is on the same page. Do all crew members understand their responsibilities? Is everyone following the same map? If you asked each person why they got on the ship in the first place, would they have the same answer? If it's all systems go, then you're in good shape. The team is ready to conquer any storms that may come their way, and celebrate with rum at your destination.   You can see how this is a metaphor for web development projects, yes? Imagine if only some of your crew mates supported the ship's journey. That could leave you at a stand still in the middle of the ocean. In the same regard, if only a few managers or departments are on board with your web development plan? Well, you're asking for trouble. You'll have difficulty gathering all the pieces you need to get from Point A to Point B, with success. Consider the content, input, and budget resources your site requires to make it to the finish line. Those who don't see the value in the project will be unlikely to offer up those necessities. A ship without sails goes nowhere. #2 Pursuing Goals That Aren’t Clearly Defined As you embark on your seafaring web adventure, you need to know what the planned outcome...

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> Wouldn't it be great to know exactly what your buyer is thinking and then give them the content they need? Of course it would. Good news! It's possible.

- Published: 2018-08-17
- Modified: 2025-05-22
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/every-buyers-path-leads-to-the-stronger-content-you-need/
- Categories: Software

Imagine for a moment that you could step into a meeting with a potential customer or client and know exactly what they were thinking. Wouldn’t that make it a lot easier to close the deal? Can't you imagine how magical it would be? Oh, the content you could throw their way. Every word tailored to their specific needs. The look of shock and joy on their faces. What divine bliss is this? Alas, we haven't invented a telepathic helmet here at Atlantic BT. We did try but in the end, we don't know what we were thinking. We did hope to be the first to make a pair of glasses that gives you ESP. But, Mark Zuckerburg already has those and is now using them to great aplomb. We digress. Despite the lack of these fantastical tools, there is a way to predict what your users need and want. Customers follow a predictable thought pattern called The Buyer's Journey. This happens every time they visit your website. Once you understand it, you can create content that leads them from one step to the next. Guiding their path can result in sales or an appointment. Naturally, different buyers are going to move at their own pace, with their own unique quirks. However, they will almost always follow a three-step process that begins with awareness, moves to research, and ends with a decision. To show you how this works in the real world, let’s give an example. We have an adult who is searching for a dental solution. Here is where The Buyer’s Journey might take them. Awareness The first thing that happens on The Buyer’s Journey is a realization. The buyer discovers they have a need. This could be for themselves, their friends and family, or even an entire organization. One way or another, they suddenly find themselves on the search for information, and possibly a product or service. In our example, we have an adult who has noticed pain in their mouth. So, they might start searching for things like: “symptoms of sensitive gums” or “why does sugar irritate my...

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> Website metrics can be difficult to decipher but even harder to prioritize. Which ones give you the most accurate assesment of your website's performance?

- Published: 2018-08-16
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/website-metrics-focus-reasons/
- Categories: Software

Digging into a web analytics package can be, for the average business owner, a bit like drinking from a fire hose. It doesn't take much for the statistics and ideas to become overwhelming. With brutal force, you're getting smashed in the face with numbers and charts and lines that go up and down. It looks like chaos. No, it feels like chaos. This is more daunting if you aren't sure what you should be looking for in the first place. How can you know which set of website metrics matter the most?   However, you can find real insights within your analytics package. They're easy to spot if you know what to focus on. You can zero in on the important trends and results that matter. The kind that make or break your online marketing campaigns.   With that in mind, we want to show you which website metrics you should focus on and why. Generally speaking, they fall into two different groups. We'll break down each one. Measuring Traffic The first set of web analytics that matter have to do with bringing traffic to your website. After all, what can you do if people can't find your company online? You can't sell products or services over the web, or create conversions of any kind. You have designed your website to do all those things and then some. But users have to find you, first. Most business owners peek at their overall visit statistics from time to time. But, we encourage you to go a little deeper and look at things like: Unique Sessions – How many real visitors are you getting to your website each month? Organic Traffic Sources – What keywords are users searching for that helps them to find your website? What websites are generating links to yours? Paid Traffic – How many visits are you getting from your internet advertising campaigns? What is your cost-per-visit? Mobile Traffic – What percentage of your website visits originate from smart phones and tablets? Are there certain devices that are more popular with your customers than others? These statistics will...

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> If you're ready to invest in a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, how do you know which one is the best fit for your budget and goals?

- Published: 2018-08-15
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/spend-big-advanced-crm/
- Categories: Software

Recently, we came out as pro website and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) integration. There are a few reasons why. But, when you boil it all down, one clear advantage stands out. The ability to both manage data effectively, and take advantage of sales opportunities.   But, what if you're in the middle of planning your web development project and haven't decided on a CRM? In fact, you're not even sure you want to spend the money on a CRM platform (like Salesforce) yet. Is it worth the extra bite out of your budget?   It goes without saying that no answer will suffice for every company and situation. What works for one of our clients wouldn't be a smart move for another. And, the bigger your business is, the more you can expect to spend on an advanced CRM.   We've worked with hundreds of clients, including many corporations and large institutions. You don't know what we've seen... but we'd like to tell you. Here we offer some guidance for you as you consider whether a CRM is a sound investment or not. These are a few things we would encourage you to think about. Evaluate the Real Advantages Slick presentations can be distracting when you're evaluating advanced CRM systems. We don't mean there's too much hype around the products. But the focus should be on what works best for you. Do the features and benefits offered line up with your existing business plans? In other words, don't consider everything the CRM could do. Instead, look at the different ways your team is likely to put it to good use. Then you can figure out whether those advantages are worth the cost. Having it for the sake of having it, doesn't benefit anyone. Ignore Some Features To piggy-back on our first piece of advice, keep in mind that CRMs are not one size fits all. Any fully-functional CRM is going to have some features your business won't need or use any time soon. If those features make a significant impact on the cost, and you won't take advantage of them,...

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> Of the many decisions made when starting on a new website project, the most important one is your choice of web hosting options. Know what's out there.

- Published: 2018-08-14
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/how-to-know-which-web-hosting-option-is-best-for-you/
- Categories: Software

When you begin planning for your new website project, you'll be making plenty of choices. You'll decide what you want your new site to look like and which creative team you'll hire to build it. But, even after all that, your decision making isn't over. Where will your website actually live? Deciding which web hosting option is best for you, is the biggest choice you'll make. Most business owners and executives are aware they need web hosting. But, they tend to think of it as a technical service or a line item on an invoice. In reality, it's a valuable piece of your web design and online marketing puzzle. It can affect your website's speed, performance, and even security. Here we have a very brief overview of your web hosting options. Each one will include a couple of the advantages or disadvantages they may have. Let's start with the choice you've most likely seen advertised the most. Shared Web Hosting Shared web hosting is self-explanatory. It's the loading of many websites (sometimes dozens or even hundreds) onto the same server. Because sharing is caring. The advantage of this type of setup is its simplicity and cost effectiveness. When you see web hosting advertised for only a few dollars a month, it's a shared hosting plan they are promoting. The disadvantage is the potential issues you can run into. There can be problems with malware. Page loading times can be slow if it's too crowded on the server. "Neighbors", whom you're sharing with, running questionable websites, can also slow things down. Dedicated Web Hosting With a dedicated web hosting plan, your business rents server space by itself. That means you don’t have any other websites stored on the same drives. This speeds up your website and eliminates security concerns brought on by others. Unfortunately, dedicated web hosting packages can be very expensive. On top of that, if you end up needing more space than you're getting, you'll run into bottlenecks and outages. Then, you’ll have to move your website elsewhere, which can be costly and time-consuming. That's not fun. Cloud Web...

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> If you've been doing your web design research, and we're sure you have, you've heard this before. Responsive web design is very important for your

- Published: 2018-08-10
- Modified: 2025-05-22
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/why-you-need-a-responsive-web-design-now/
- Categories: Software

If you've been doing your web design research, and we're sure you have, you've heard this before. Responsive web design is very important for your business or organization. The question now is do you need to follow this advice or should you consider it only if you have the time and money? Before we get to the answer, let's make sure we're speaking the same language. Responsive web design adapts its appearance and functionality based on a user's device. It will match a visitor's screen size and operating system. In other words, someone using a laptop computer would use one version of your website. Another user on a phone sees an optimized layout developed for them. Now that we're on the same page, let's go back to the question at hand. Do you need a responsive, mobile-friendly website? The answer is a resounding "Yes! ". Let's look at a few of the most important reasons why. Your Users and Customers are on Mobile Devices Many surveys and audits have confirmed one undeniable fact. More than half of all web traffic now originates from phones and tablets. That trend will only increase over the next few years. By 2020, two-thirds of your users will most likely be on smaller screens. In case this isn't clear, the majority of your customers or visitors are on mobile devices. Without a responsive website, how can you reach them with a positive experience? You will risk having them take their time, attention, and money elsewhere. Mobile Functionality Affects Your Online Marketing Hey, guess who's well aware of the trend towards mobile usage? Google. Shocked? We didn't think so. As a result, they've programmed their search engine to adapt accordingly. Google now prioritizes websites that have full mobile functionality. Of course, anytime you find a reward, you'll also find a punishment. Marketers with mobile-friendly websites are seeing a boost in their search traffic. But, those without responsive websites are losing ground in the search engine listings. You may not have any concerns about giving customers a great user experience. (Oh, come on, now, of course you...

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> Large web projects can fall apart quickly, leaving everyone in despair. But successful clients achieve happiness with their work by making these choices.

- Published: 2018-08-09
- Modified: 2025-05-22
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/website-management/happiest-web-design-clients-common/
- Categories: Custom Web Design & Development, Digital Project Management, eCommerce, Government, Healthcare, Higher Ed, Industry, Project Type, Technology Consulting, Web Development, Website Management

Institutional web projects are a beast. Revamping a website for Higher Education or Government is no easy feat. But, there are many business owners, CEOs, and executives who will say it was the best decision they ever made. Alas, there are just as many, if not more, who will report that their projects failed. It took too long, cost too much, and left them feeling disappointed or underwhelmed.   There are a lot of reasons why a new website might not succeed or the process will drag on longer than expected. But, the happiest web development clients always have a few traits in common. If you want to avoid the major pitfalls associated with putting a large website together, read on. Here are a few examples you should follow. Begin With a Firm Set of Goals All successful web development projects begin with a firm set of goals. These goals are measurable. There is another plan in place to assess if the website has met or exceeded expectations. Knowing the specifics of what you want your website to do, puts everyone in a good starting position. A strong development team can generate a plan that moves you in the right direction.   Without concrete goals, there is nowhere for your project to go. If there is a great deal of ambiguity about what would constitute success, then real results will be hard to see. Also crucial to your projects goals are the stakeholders. If they disagree on what the priorities should be, then no one will be able to move forward and be productive. It's likely that the project outcome will be disappointing.   Get Participation From Many Levels of the Organization You can't handle complex web development in a completely top-down fashion. Senior executives might be responsible for approving the project. But, don't forget to allow middle managers, employees, and users to have some input. They all have different perspectives that can be valuable. Creating your website based on the needs of those who access it, is the whole point. As a result, these insights may end up having...

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> Companies often keep their website and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platforms apart. Combing the two into one, however, leads to great benefits.

- Published: 2018-08-08
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/project-type/integrations/3-reasons-integrate-website-crm-system/
- Categories: ERP Services, Integrations

Does your organization use a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system? One like Salesforce, for example? If so, you may be wondering whether it's worth it to integrate that platform with your new website. Doing so does add to the technical complexity of your web development project. It also ties you to the software you're already using. But, let's assume you don't have any immediate plans to change to a different CRM. If that's the case, it's a good idea to use as many tools as you can on your new website. They can be as intricate as a custom app that integrates contact data with website forms. Or they could be as simple as a plug-in. Whatever elevates your website, you should use. You can do some of the same things without coding your website to connect to the CRM. But, it's smarter to make them work together. Here are three of the biggest reasons why. #1 Easily Maintain a Single Contact Management Solution Your website can help you gather new customers and contacts. It can also help you to further relationships you already have with those in your network. You could keep them organized in separate lists or databases. Or, you could maintain a single CRM solution.   If you're going to war, one versus many isn't an ideal situation (unless you're Jon Snow). In this case, one solution is all you need and far less work. It's easier and more cost-effective to maintain. Sure, it's possible to translate contacts from one platform to another. But, there are better ways to spend your time. Connecting your CRM to your website allows data to move from Point A to Point B with ease. No extra, unnecessary steps involved. #2 Better Data Accuracy for Contacts and Customers Moving customer contact data between different platforms opens the door to many problems. Beyond draining time and resources, it also invites errors into the process. Phone numbers and email addresses are being typed or converted from one kind of entry to another. Issues can and will arise, no matter how careful you are.  ...

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> All software development projects go through a process. Each step is integral and depends on the success of the one before. Be sure to value all 5.

- Published: 2018-08-07
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/understanding-5-phases-software-development/
- Categories: Software

Most clients think that web software development projects go through three phases. It begins with an idea, the work takes place, and then it's complete. That's it, all done, winner winner chicken dinner. Those of us in the industry, though, know that isn't even close. There are a few distinct steps involved in taking an idea for an app or a website and turning it into a reality.   If you're considering working with a team of programmers, this blog is for you. You should be aware of how these different parts of the project follow one another. Then you'll know what to expect after you've signed on the dotted line. Being on the same page as your team can lead to productive collaboration and confidence.   Here they are. The five phases of web software development, in order. #1 Discovery The discovery phase is an in-depth, crucial first step towards the success of your project. During this phase, your programming team will learn about your vision, inside and out. They'll gather all the details involved with the app or software you aim to create. Every piece of the puzzle matters while they prepare to put it all together.   At the end of the discovery phase, the team will look into the past. They'll want to know what you've been doing, who you are, and what inspires you. They will ask questions about your organization and its members and customers. Other questions will cover your long-term goals and who your competitors are. (They'll be sure to take a look at what those guys are doing, too. ) Learning about these details takes time and attention. But it's worth it. It will pave the way to an actionable software development strategy. #2 Design During the design phase, the visual components of your software will begin to take shape. Your development partner will start putting together mock-ups, flowcharts, and other tools. These will all help you to start to see and understand the interface of your software. They'll also get to work outlining the specific features and functions of your app....

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> At first glance, a deep look at the user experience (UX) for collegiate websites may look like a drag. Surprise! Higher Education UX is actually a blast.

- Published: 2018-08-06
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/industry/higher-ed/ux-projects-in-higher-ed/
- Categories: Higher Ed

Here you are. You've worked through every step. Established funds? Check. Gathered a team of dedicated superstars? Double check. Written your overarching goals? Mic drop. You've packed your metaphorical bags like a pro. Now, you're eager for an excellent digital product at the end of this journey. Vital to your cause will be your ability to stay focused on the user experience (UX). Ah, yes. You know what the future holds before you reach your end goal. Complicated strategy sessions will be plentiful. And mind numbing conversations about data feeds will be impossible to avoid. But, these less than glamorous tasks are important. Your user focus will make or break your efforts. Every decision you make should aim to better the experience for your users. Especially in the field of Higher Education. By prioritizing your users' needs and experience, you will know your project is worth every drop of sweat you put into it. I love user-centric projects in Higher Education. I hope that I can inspire you to stay excited about your project from start to finish. Think of this as a homemade meal you have before heading out on the long road trip that is your project. Get Excited about Higher Education UX! At Atlantic BT, we often start our Higher Education projects by evaluating everything. We look into the scope of research, content, design, governance, and marketing efforts. And we love it! Deep research is the best entry point for setting up a solid user centered process. Here are some of the very best reasons for you to share our excitement about your project. Higher Education Has Dynamic Users If you have been working in the Higher Education community for a year or more, you are going to have a solid foundation of user understanding. So, congratulations! You are your own subject matter expert. You probably also know you are working for a HIGHLY diverse set of users. Students, faculty, and administration staff have unique motivations and objectives. In addition, technology norms are being redefined as quickly as digital progress itself. In any other space, this would...

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> The power of a website is more than the speed of its bandwith. The real page loadtime star is the right Content Delivery Network (CDN). Which is best?

- Published: 2018-08-03
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/software-architecture-consulting/which-cdn-delivers-the-fastest-performance/
- Categories: Software Architecture Consulting

The Internet has more than its share of misconceptions and half-truths. However, one of the most significant mistakes is the belief that bandwidth speed alone determines how fast a webpage will load. The truth is more complicated—your website’s load time depends on user bandwidth and the latency of your server. You can’t control the quality of your user’s Internet connection. However, there is a proven way to improve the latency of your server by using a Content Delivery Network (CDN). CDNs support your site by storing and caching your content (such as images, CSS, videos, and the like) and serving this content from an EDGE location. The result? Your webpage and all its content loads faster and more reliably. This leads to the natural question: which CDN delivers the right combination of value, reliability and performance? To learn the answer, I designed and conducted a series of tests measuring the speed and performance of four CDNs: S3, CloudFront, Fastly, and section. io. How I Tested These CDNs I created my test to simulate a typical loading task for a website facing low to modest traffic. Using an S3 server, I pushed a 100kb file and tested how many transactions the CDN could handle over a period of 90 seconds with 100 concurrent connections on a single 300mb/second link; I also measured the CDN’s transfer rate and response time. The table below reveals my test results, but first, a few qualifications: I chose S3 as the test server because of my experience with S3 as well as S3’s support from Amazon Web Services. I chose these four CDNs because of their similar price point and my familiarity with them. There was no “warming” of the cache by throwing a preliminary file at it to scale the cache upward. This allowed the test to better simulate a site with modest traffic experiencing a sudden rush of visitors. My test did not include comparisons between the different CDNs’ features, such as the ability to invalidate a CSS file or security capabilities. CDN Performance Results and Observations S3 CloudFront Fastly section. io Transactions 7533...

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> When embarking on new digital projects, it's easy to think that a big dream requires a big plan. Not so. The most effective web development thinks small.

- Published: 2018-08-02
- Modified: 2025-05-22
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/considered-taking-lean-approach-web-development/
- Categories: Software

In the world of complex web development, many new digital projects are born of big dreams. When it seems like the sky is the limit, it's hard to remember the ground. As organizations begin to develop their objectives, grand ideas are front and center. Anything is possible to build on the Internet, right? Clients will come to us brimming with creativity, hope, and drive. They have concepts for new apps, fresh content, and sites with hundreds, or even thousands, of pages.   This enthusiasm is healthy and can lead to wonderful things. But, at the beginning of a project, we often invite executives to take a deep breath. Then we ask them to consider taking a lean approach to their conceived digital solution. That means taking their big ideas and slimming them down to size, at least for an initial website release.   There are tools available now that allow us to do more than we ever could before online. If bigger web design projects mean more business for our company, why do we encourage our clients to think smaller? We've known this is the secret to success for a while. There are significant advantages to building a big project by thinking small. Working Lean Frees Up Resources We'll start with the most obvious and straightforward advantage. When you work on a leaner version of your website, you're using fewer resources. Smaller budgets and less time needed to complete tasks all help you save in the long run. And it's all you need to get things moving.   If you work in a stretched thin organization or department, this is a significant benefit. You're already making the most of every hour and dollar. Starting a big web project that, at first glance, looks like a total drain? Terrifying. Starting a big web project that keeps all resources in check? Relief. This approach allows you to spread out the cost of your project over several time periods. This is very beneficial from a financial planning point of view. Smaller Projects are Easier to Manage Let's be honest. Stress is a factor...

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> Even the best mobile apps need to be refreshed every 6-12 months. Here are 4 critical rules for maintaining your mobile apps.

- Published: 2018-08-01
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/application-development/4-critical-rules-maintaining-mobile-apps/
- Categories: Application Development, Software, Software Maintenance & Support, Strategy, User Experience

Communication technology continues to change and grow at a faster and faster rate. It has been 11 years since the original iPhone made its entrance, ushering in the age of the smartphone. Today, between smartphones, tablets, and smart watches, these tiny computers are everywhere. When it comes to maintaining mobile apps as they age, there are 4 critical rules you need to follow. Are Your Mobile Apps Up-To-Date? TIP: Developers get early access to new features, and can give you a heads up on what changes are on the way. When your mobile app was first built, it was on a platform that most likely doesn't work like the ones used today. The capabilities and features of the mobile platform were very different than now. The most dominant players in the mobile market are Google and Apple. They release software updates like clockwork. Apple releases major updates each year. Google releases updates roughly every six months. In other words, if you haven't updated your mobile app in the past year, it's likely that users can see its age. We, as consumers, look forward to the features these new platforms will offer. When those changes take place, it's a good time to review what your mobile app needs to stay up to date. Four Rules for Maintaining Your Mobile Apps as They Age 1. Make Sure it Doesn’t Break The world of mobile apps is very different from the real world we live and work in. In the real world, the laws of the universe have been around since the beginning of time. We expect them to continue unchanged. In the world of mobile apps, laws are changing at the whim of the company that develops the platform. Imagine if there were a law of physics that determined that all doors must open a certain way. One day, you learn that if you don't change your doors to open a different way, they might stop working. Sure enough, a week later all unchanged doors are stuck, closed, and unusable. TIP: Update your apps frequently to ensure they continue to work on...

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> Discover how nature inspires digital design: From biomimicry to organic shapes, explore how the natural world influences effective digital design.

- Published: 2018-07-31
- Modified: 2025-05-13
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/biomimicry-digital-design/
- Categories: Software

Nature has a lot to teach us about well-adapted and responsive web designs. The solutions produced by the natural world have survived every test they've faced. Millennia of evolutionary trial and error has bested the most powerful of forces. That would be nature itself. We can glean inspiration and education from the designs nature has developed. Biomimicry is the use of these natural designs in our own digital design work. It can make our designs more effective and beautiful. It also provides services that users intuitively connect to. Bio-What? Definitions and Origins of Biomimicry Biomimicry is a big word for a basic concept. It's the application of nature's forms, processes, and ecosystems to our design work. As a result, we can design elegant, natural solutions to problems we face every day. The idea of using nature as inspiration for design is not new. Leonardo da Vinci applied it to his Fibonacci Series and Golden Ratio. It revolutionized how innovators create aesthetically appealing designs through the mathematics of nature. Consider the art and design we've seen throughout the years. The spiraling shapes of nautilus shells, budding flowers, and more, have inspired design. It's an integral part to our history. This anatomy sketch by Leonardo Da Vinci shows a clear inspiration from nature. (Credit: JanakaMaharageDharmasena) Biomimicry in Modern Times In recent years, biomimicry has become more and more crucial to the design world. It's continued to play a large role in the development of the next wave of sustainable solutions. This is being seen in nearly every field of design. In Japan, the Shinkansen Bullet Train took inspiration from a unique source. The train's design mimicked the narrow profile of a kingfisher's beak. This resulted in a quieter and more energy efficient train. The engineering firm Arup built an entire shopping center in Zimbabwe based on a... deep idea. The center emulates the natural convection ventilation system of termite mounds. The building has no conventional air-conditioning or heating. Yet, it stays regulated year-round. On top of that, it produces 90% less energy consumption than a conventional building its size. Speedo made a...

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> Being the only writer managing a blog for your company, can easily get overwhelming. Your not alone. In fact, help is all around you. Here's how to find it.

- Published: 2018-07-30
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/abt-culture/democratize-blog-teach-techs-write/
- Categories: ABT Culture

When you have a small team working to do big things, individual goals can become overwhelming. One writer, trying to keep the company blog current and consistent, found a way. He brought non-writers into the fold. Here's how he managed it. For two years, I was the only writer at my company. If you want a web app developed, a homepage designed, or any kind of user data analyzed, we have a team for that. If you wanted to actually write about any of these things, my company came to me. On my best days, this was the greatest of power trips. I decided how we described every part of our organization. Our philosophy and ideal way of working, all worded by me. I'd craft content about the kinds of customers we looked for. Or, I'd wax on about how we bend the internet to the will of all sorts of forward-thinking companies. I was able to create a voice for the company. On my worst days, I felt like an alien. Here I was, trying to make my way around this planet where the dominant language was javascript. And storytelling? It only mattered if it convinced someone to give us more money. Like when I arrived at the office one day and found an 87-page sales proposal in my inbox. It came with only one comment: "Use your writer magic to edit this! " Is Good Writing Magic? After you get done screaming about editing a huge proposal, you realize your sales guys have a point about writing. And after I got done screaming on the inside, I realized they have a point. Writing is magic. If I put together the right combination of words on a blog post or sales doc, I can convince someone to do something. For example, hire us. Writing, that is compelling, is not something that anyone can measure or quantify. Good writing is more art than science. I usually feel my way through my writing rather than calculating each word or phrase. But how can you teach magic? I'm not Dumbledore, in that...

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> In order for your web development project to work, every stakeholder needs to be on board. Here's how you can make that happen and cruise to success.

- Published: 2018-07-27
- Modified: 2025-05-22
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/web-development-project-get-stakeholders-buy/
- Categories: Software

For a web development product to make it to a successful launch, all the right stakeholders need to be on board. This means two things. Executives and/or decision-makers involved must share a clear vision of what the goal is. Also, there should be excitement among customers and users that inspires the project. Bringing these different groups together under the same banner is no easy feat. Sometimes, it can be harder than building and programming the website itself. One thing is certain. It's not something your development team can do on their own. You'll have to take part in the process. In fact, it's best to jump in at the beginning. You'll want to get on board before the team lands on their main concepts or begins drawing samples. Let's look at what you can do to get stakeholders at every level to buy in to your web development process. Before you know it, they'll be offering their full support and participation. Communicate the Need for Change What is your project's purpose? Why does this new product need to exist? These core questions should have answers from the get go. Make sure everyone on your team knows why you're making this investment of time and resources. Show them how the company can't move forward as it should with your existing web presence. Or present what could be possible to achieve with a new design, fresh apps, or other improvements. Your stakeholders need to understand the necessity and urgency of the situation. Then it becomes easier for them to make the project a priority. Have a Defined Goal to Meet Every web development project should have an ultimate goal it is being designed for. This goal should, of course, be specific to your business or organization. What are you actually trying to gain? These targets should be measurable. Then, you'll be able to point to them later when evaluating your success. Giving these kinds of specifics reinforces the need for the project to move forward. But, it also gives the stakeholders a chance to mention their own, individual goals. These goals can...

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> Web Programming is no simple feat. For software success, you'll want an outstanding team on your side. Their work will be inspired by you. Find your people.

- Published: 2018-07-26
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/great-web-programming-team/
- Categories: Software

Have you been thinking about developing a custom web app? Are you pondering the pros and cons of building new software to run within your website? If so, you most likely already have a basic idea of the way programming teams work. At Atlantic BT, we've been in the industry long enough to know a thing or two about strong programming teams. We understand that our biggest value isn't what many would assume. If we provide great design and tech for a project, that should be enough, right? Nope. There are things a great web programming team will do for you that aren't easy to see or measure. You deserve a team you can count on and trust with your vision. Let's look at a few things the very best vendors in this field will do for you. Help You Refine Your Idea Most of our clients come to us with a vague idea of what they want to achieve. But, they often fail to provide firm details about specific functions, platforms, and so on. Part of our role is to help them understand what's possible and affordable. We also consult with our clients so they end up with a finished application that meets their needs. One of our core values is transparency. Our process is an open book. The more we keep our clients in the loop, the more likely it is they will end up with exactly what they needed. This gives them an advantage over other competitors with similar apps. Our client's app will be tailor made for them. Develop Web Apps That Work for You An organization that turns to us for web programming, is not pining for a team of programmers. They have real objectives for their business to meet and they need help. A great programming team will keep those parameters front and center throughout the process. Especially when they begin to detail different ideas and concepts. Each part must strengthen the path to the end goal. A web app is only successful if it helps your company accomplish something real. So, a great...

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> Many software development projects fall apart before they reach the finish line. This can be avoided if you know what ruins a project before it starts.

- Published: 2018-07-25
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/web-software-development-projects-go-wrong/
- Categories: Software

Web development and custom programming can be valuable beyond measure. You can gain organizational resources and a competitive edge that can last for years. But, a programming project can also become a budgetary black hole. It can stretch out into the abyss with no end in sight. At the end, you can find yourself with nothing. No resolution, no usable website, no app. Of course, no executive or programmer begins a new project foreseeing doom at the finish line. So, why do so many web development jobs - as many as 60% by some estimates - turn out to be unsuccessful? More often than not, red flags start flying from the start. Let's look at a few places where web software development projects tend to go wrong. They Begin Without a Clear or Actionable Vision It's very difficult, often impossible, to create custom software if it isn't well-defined. A client comes to the team wanting "something". But there must be a clear vision for that "something". If the programming team doesn't know what that is or why they need to build it, there are going to be issues. Unfortunately, this happens more often than you might think. Even more so when managers and stakeholders disagree with one another. On other occasions, clients try to re-create something else that already exists. They may want to borrow proprietary features. Or they only want to reinvent the wheel but under their own branding. That's not always impossible. But it does introduce legal and creative challenges that get in the way. It's best to think of something new or improve upon an existing concept. After that, then you can concentrate on hitting a firm set of goals. The Initial Project Plan Grows into Something Unrecognizable or Impossible  It's only natural that new ideas and inspirations are going to arise during a project. The web development process wouldn't be complete without it. But, if these cause a client or programming team to keep veering off course, that's not helpful. Deadlines will go by and budgets will falter. As you run out of time and money,...

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> Learn how to keep your business' data secure while maintaining seamless accessibility with this informative how-to guide.

- Published: 2018-07-24
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/web-accessibility/balance-data-security-accessibility/
- Categories: Cloud, Cloud Security & Compliance, Information Architecture, Strategy, Web Accessibility, Web Development

In a fast-evolving world, data is essential to good decision making. This makes accessibility paramount AND the utmost security is the universal expectation. What a paradox we've created. Data is valuable because of the insights we can derive from it. But, we must also make sure data stays secure to protect privacy. A flexible governance approach maximizes data across an organization. What does this approach look like? It's the incorporation of proper user access control and/or role-based access to data. Vital to this data access is its classification. Being an agency, ABT employees have access to many sources of data. We work with all types of clients and industries. Once we have access, we are usually held accountable for what happens to this data while it’s in our possession. In our case, data is only accessible by the relevant department. For instance, the passwords for client Wordpress sites are only given to developers and marketers. This isn't the case for all data in our organization. Data with a high risk potential is more strictly guarded. Our data governance process is one that is reliable and effective. Defining Data Governance Data governance is not a 'one size fits all' system. Your organization will need its own unique strategy. Small organizations can afford to grant data access to users faster, due to size. Bigger organizations should follow a more rigid process. The Data Governance Framework laid out by the Data Governance Institute is a good place to start. They describe this framework as a "logical structure" for data organization and activities. This is especially true with regards to "making decisions and taking action on... data. " Applying this framework assigns rigorous accountability. It also provides a clear process for making decisions. But, it does have a drawback. This kind of strict governance leaves little room for flexibility. Unfortunately, rigidity slows down decision making. Strict processes can have a monetary impact on an organization in the short term. Better Governance through Data Classification To strike the right balance, consider the classification of your data. Not all data is equal, so not all data...

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> Over 40% of web development projects fail to meet expectations. Learn why, including unclear goals, scope creep, and unreliable estimates.

- Published: 2018-07-23
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/grim-statistics-institutional-web-development/
- Categories: Software

Fun fact. 40% of all web development projects meet budget, quality, and delivery expectations. Flip that fact on its head and it tells another story. Almost two-thirds of institutional and programming initiatives are unsuccessful. Some of them never make it to completion at all. Fun, right?   At Atlantic BT, we are glad to report that our success rate is much, much higher than these reported averages. In fact, we often jump into projects that have already begun. We take over the reins of institutional web development projects that have derailed.   We're concerned about the issues that plague our industry. What are the root causes of failing web development projects? The issues outlined below don't come out of thin air. They have support in surveys and studies, as well as our own experiences over the years.   Here are a few things to look out for as you start planning and executing your next web development project. A Lack of Definable Outcomes Some web development projects face doom right from the start. That's because major stakeholders can't lay out a clear path to success. They either don't have a firm idea of what their goals are, or they can't seem to agree on a shared outcome.   Imagine if your creative team went to work on a project with no specific guidelines or clear end goal. Would it be a surprise then, when they fail to deliver the right or expected result? A lack of strong planning and communication always spells disaster. Executives or departments butting heads over the direction of their website, doesn't help. Of course there is bound to be some disappointment with the final result.   It can be difficult to balance a variety of personalities and individual agendas. Maintaining a constant flow of productive communication is a valuable asset. Every stakeholder has something they bring to the table. Their insights contribute to the website's success. But everyone has to be on the same page and stay focused on the goal they all share. Project Creep If we want to solve the problems that lead to...

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> EU GDPR is no random collection of letters. They are the rules every business must abide by when working with anyone in the EU. Staying up to date is vital.

- Published: 2018-07-19
- Modified: 2025-05-20
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/cloud/cloud-security-compliance/roadmap-eu-gdpr-compliance/
- Categories: Cloud, Cloud Monitoring & Maintenance, Cloud Security & Compliance

On April 8, 2016, the EU adopted its General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). These new rules went into effect on May 25, 2018. They are applicable in all EU member states and do not call for national legislation to make them valid.  What does this mean for you and why is it important? The GDPR rules will have a strong impact on how other companies interact with EU members. The key component of these regulations is that they apply to companies outside of the EU. Anyone who is advertising or selling goods and services to an EU member must comply. Companies that accept currency from an EU member must comply. And anyone who asks for any kind of personal information, to gain consumer insights or use as a lead, must comply. A company outside the EU that is targeting customers within the EU is subject to GDPR. That's intense. 92% of United States organizations see GDPR compliance as their top data-protection priority. And no wonder. Again, any company that interacts with EU citizens or businesses fall under GDPR. Failure to meet the requirements will result in serious fines. How serious? Over $23 million serious. And don't forget the damage it could inflict on a company's reputation. So, the big question is this: are you currently following the rules? What Does GDPR Require? Any organization which processes data has direct and significant obligations under GDPR. These data processor rules include (but are not limited to) the following requirements: Keep a written record of processing activities carried out. There must be one record maintained on behalf of each controller of data collected. Name a data protection officer where required. Appoint a representative (when not established in the EU) in certain circumstances. Notify the data controller immediately when becoming aware of a personal data breach. Data processors now have a new status. This will impact the handling of data protection matters in other commercial agreements. Data controllers must continue to provide transparent information to data subjects. For example, if the information gathered is going to be used for marketing purposes, the subject should...

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> Institutional Web Design encompasses many areas, like higher education and government, that require a very different skill set. Here's what makes it unique.

- Published: 2018-07-18
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/web-design-services/institutional-web-design-different/
- Categories: Application Development, Custom Web Design & Development, Software, Web Design, Web Development

At Atlantic BT, we are leaders in the field of Institutional Web Design. New clients sometimes ask about this phrase; Institutional Web Design. They are curious. What does it mean and how is it different from other forms of web development? The short answer is this. Institutional Web Design involves building websites for large organizations. These could be corporations, universities, or even governmental departments. The budgets and proposals are large and complicated. So are the technical and creative requirements. This sets the web design process apart from that of a small business site. There are more considerations to juggle and organize. In the case of Institutional Web Design, "bigger" doesn't mean adding more pages and content. It's about managing a complex development process from the very beginning. The initial concept will lead to a web presence that is functional and secure. It will also align with the group's ultimate goals. We'll be there every step of the way. It's always helpful to look at the big picture. Here are a few reasons Institutional Web Design is a unique specialty. There are Many Different Stakeholders A website built for any large company is going to have many different user groups. To make things even more interesting, few will overlap. There are customers, students, citizens, and shareholders to consider. Additionally, the website might need special features for members, faculty, or even management. Each of these user groups is going to have different needs and priorities. Generating a finished project that works for everyone is a big challenge. On top of that, there is the organizing of content. Every piece of content must be accessible and straightforward. It's a lot to take on. Especially if you aren't accustomed to working with large-scale web development. More Than One Outcome Matters Most small business owners have one goal in mind when they hire someone to design a website. They want to get more leads or sell more products and services. Their website is an extension of their existing sales and marketing efforts. But, at the institutional level, web design takes on other dimensions. Less tangible...

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> A thorough penetration test or code review of the Equifax website could have found the security risk early on.

- Published: 2018-07-17
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/cloud/cloud-security-compliance/what-could-have-prevented-equifax-breach/
- Categories: Cloud, Cloud Monitoring & Maintenance, Cloud Security & Compliance

On September 7, 2017, credit agency Equifax made a stunning announcement. They had suffered a massive data breach aimed to affect 143 million consumers. Equifax is one of the three largest credit agencies in the United States. Their databases contained full names, Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, mailing addresses, birth dates, and credit card numbers. All manner of personal information was now available to the hackers. And then, things became worse. The Fallout The loss of their consumer's sensitive information was bad enough for Equifax's reputation. But, the details showed a situation that was far more infuriating. Equifax had learned of the breach on July 29th. It took the company more than five weeks to disclose the data loss to the public. In those five weeks, three Equifax managers sold close to $1. 8 million worth of stock in the company. Sure, Equifax was working with the FBI and Mandiant to identify the attackers. But it wasn't enough. Their poor security and misleading secrecy had done severe damage. The only ones Equifax could blame was themselves. Bonus: on September 13th, Equifax faced accusations of more poor security practices. Their Argentina branch suffered exposure due to a terrible password.   Equifax launched a WordPress-powered website to help those consumers affected by the breach. This site asked their visitors to share six digits of their social security numbers. This was not the best idea on a stock installation WordPress site. It's not news that WordPress has also fallen victim to many serious security exploits. This new site did not offer the kind of enterprise-level security needed. Equifax also failed to get proper consent for gathering and sharing sensitive information. This act was not compliant with GDPR regulations in the EU. Had no one learned their lesson? How the Attack Happened Equifax continued to hide critical details from the public. The number of those affected would only continue to grow as time went on. New information came out, stating that even more personal customer data had been loss. This was unbelievable. Why have this information in the first place? And how could...

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> A thriving company can be decimated by one savvy hacker. The right security team is worth the hire on multiple levels and will keep you and your users safe.

- Published: 2018-07-16
- Modified: 2025-06-02
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/cloud/cloud-security-compliance/why-you-should-invest-in-outsourced-security/
- Categories: Cloud Security & Compliance, Software

Cyber security, in the business world, is a lot like life insurance. Everyone acknowledges that they need it, but most people hate to think about it. The topic brings up a lot of uncomfortable feelings. It forces business owners or executives to think about painful 'what-if' scenarios. No one enjoys spending time dwelling on the worst thing that could happen to their company. These thoughts might also involve digging into (or hearing about) technical details. Complicated, hard to understand technical details. Add in the fact that it takes time and money to close up cyber security issues and ta da! You have all the makings of a situation where it's easier to procrastinate than it is to take action. But, cyber security isn’t a topic to ignore. It needs to be a primary focus for your website maintenance. For the why and the how, let's start at the top. The Importance of Strong Cyber Security The need for good cyber security has never been more necessary. Hardly a week goes by when we don't hear about major hacks, data breaches, and leaks. Many Fortune 500 companies have fallen victim to hackers. So have an untold number of small and medium-sized businesses. No one is safe. It isn’t only the prevalence of cyber crimes that are the problem. The costs associated with recovering from them can add up and faster than you think. The clean up after a hack can be expensive. You have to buy new hardware and software. There are emergency IT hours and extensive patching that will all affect your budget. On top of that, your brand will take a hit. Data breaches breed mistrust. Your business was unable to defend itself and protect user information. This hurts your credibility in the market. Your company could suffer long term problems in every area of your brand. If you don’t have good cyber security procedures in place, you’re playing with fire. Why You Should Look to an Outsourced Vendor So, you accept that cyber security is a good investment. This is smart. What next? Where should you invest your...

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> A great web design is more than its exterior. Digital problem solvers design strong sites from top to bottom, that look and act great.

- Published: 2018-07-13
- Modified: 2025-05-20
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/need-digital-problem-solver/
- Categories: Software

At Atlantic BT, we don’t actually consider ourselves to be “web designers” in the traditional sense. Of course, we do create layouts and upload pages to the internet. But, that’s not the most valuable service we offer. So, what do we do for our clients that’s more important? Well, we do it all. We're digital problem solvers. This isn’t only about semantics; it represents our philosophy as an organization. And, it has led to great results for the clients who hire us. Digital problem solving encompasses more than web design. It brings every component a strong website needs to thrive, together. We provide equal thought and care to every part your site requires. Here are two reasons why we approach digital design the way that we do. The Value of a Creative Team Isn’t in Web Design Let's be clear: we do believe in the power and importance of a great web design. Your pages have to capture your brand's essence. They need to have the right look to impress customers and to share your unique products and services. But, the look of a website is only the first step towards building an actual online presence. And not only a presence, but one that brings profitability. Strong web development requires artistry in many different design areas. The programming of your pages must be able to incorporate your business's web needs. eCommerce purchasing systems, online registrations, database management; these all depend on great design. We recognize that these site elements can be vital to your bottom line, as much, if not more than, aesthetic. When we teamed up with Propper to strengthen their eCommerce platform, we knew that the way the site processed orders was just as important as the way products were displayed. Every part matters. The more you invest in a website, the more business growth you expect to see. Time and money spent on your site equates to steps towards your most important goals. A website that looks fantastic doesn't exactly mean success. It also needs to generate sales, cut costs, or meet other important targets. No matter...

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> Digital Marketing is an ever changing game. New technology, rules, and audiences demand more. These core tactics will help you stay ahead and stand out.

- Published: 2018-07-12
- Modified: 2025-05-20
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/what-should-go-into-a-well-rounded-digital-marketing-strategy/
- Categories: Software

Is your organization covering the basics of digital marketing? Are you nailing the MUST DO tasks online that bring in customers month after month?   A surprising number of new clients we meet with don’t actually know. Sure, they may be aware that they're spending lots of time and money on Internet strategies. But, they aren't 100% sure that they're doing the right things or following a well-rounded plan. That’s understandable. Digital marketing is always changing. It can be difficult to know if you're on the right track. Especially if you don't plan and execute digital marketing campaigns every day, like we do. Let's take a look at a handful of core ideas that should definitely be part of any ongoing strategy. An Organic Search Engine Optimization Plan Google processes more than 5 billion search queries per day. Mind boggling, right? The good news for you is that Google can provide a reliable stream of new buyers to your website. To get those customers coming to you over your competitors, there are some useful things you need. Keyword research and optimized pages will make your site easier to find. A strategy for turning visitors into leads or customers will help to make the most of the new wave of consumers. To achieve this, you'll need to know how search algorithms work. You'll also need to configure your website to be more visible. And let’s not forget about backlinks. In fact, a top ranking factor is the quality of websites linking back to you. If your website isn’t naturally getting attention, you will have to come up with an outreach plan to request links from quality websites Targeted Internet Advertising There are Google searchers out there who are looking for you. Yes, you! You and your product or service. There are many ways to make a direct connection to your potential customers. Paid ads are effective, whether you invest in Google AdWords, Bing Ads, Facebook, or Twitter - to name a few. You can also take your digital strategy a step further with retargeting. Even if someone organically lands on your...

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> Government web design is a daunting undertaking. High stakes, hard work, and a whole citizenry depending on it. What do we say to all of that? Bring it on.

- Published: 2018-07-11
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/industry/government-industry/why-choose-atlantic-bt-for-your-government-web-design-project/
- Categories: Government

Every web design project is different. But, building a functional web presence for a Government agency? That is a unique challenge that is hard to match, no matter what the size of the municipality. Government web design is no small feat.   We've already talked about how important it is for a Government website to have a strategy in place. We've also covered how Government agencies can engage their stakeholders online. None of these tips will be helpful to you, though, if you don't have the right design and development team on your side. After all, you need a vendor who can turn your vision into a stable and useful finished project. You also need a team who can help you avoid common pitfalls along the way. At Atlantic BT, we love the challenge that Government web design presents. With years of experience and plenty of know how, we're well suited to collaborate and create. Here are a few reasons Governments at every level turn to us again and again. Drupal and Why It’s Great for Government Websites A good content management system is to a website what a foundation is to a home. So, you need one that’s functional and sturdy. For Governmental agencies, Drupal is the ideal choice. Not only is it free and open source, it’s security is also strong and versatile. Personal information is safe as hackers have a hard time breaking in. It can also work for almost any type of website or purpose. Even better, Drupal works on a regular release schedule. This means that you can plan future changes without any unexpected downtime. AWS GovCloud and Public Partnership Certification All businesses and organizations want to take advantage of cloud computing technologies. But, Governmental agencies have to be careful when doing so. They have unique needs when it comes to budgeting, privacy, and security. Atlantic BT is a proud partner in the Amazon Web Services GovCloud. We can help you take advantage of special pricing and custom plans. You can rely on real-time information sharing, data backups, and much more. Your website stays fast...

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> A strong digital strategy for Higher Education can be hard to ace. Paying attention to current trends will give your institution the advantage it needs.

- Published: 2018-07-09
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/digital-transformation-services/5-higher-education-digital-trends-to-keep-an-eye-on/
- Categories: Digital Transformation Services, Higher Ed, Industry, Strategy, Technology Consulting, User Experience, Web Development

Strong web design and online marketing plans are not only pertinent to businesses. Colleges and Universities are turning to us more often for help. They're looking for ways to stand out on the web and provide efficient digital service to their users. This requires a digital strategy that allows for strong communication between an institution and its users.   Overhauling the digital strategy for an institution of higher learning? Yeah, that's a big undertaking. But, it also means increased benefits for everyone involved. A functional website can do more for your faculty and students. As a result, it becomes easier to manage ongoing operations. That includes applications, enrollments, scheduling, events, and so on. Being aware of how consumers are choosing to use technology will help you save time and money. These are five digital trends everyone in Higher Education should be keeping an eye on. #1 Mobile-Friendly Websites and Applications More than half of all internet traffic now comes from mobile phones and tablets. On college campuses, those percentages are much higher. Students and faculty need to be able to access web pages and applications from anywhere. A site that is compatible with all popular mobile devices will better serve your users. It was also encourage them to visit your site more often and affect how they perceive your brand. If your university doesn't use mobile-friendly tools, it's time to make some upgrades. Campbell University saw great success from such a choice. During Atlantic BT's re-design of Campbell's site, mobile capabilities were a top priority. The update increased the number of visitors and users. Even better, this allowed for other collegiate processes to run with more efficiency. #2 Clear Navigational Paths There are many challenges involved with designing websites for Higher Education. The most interesting one is being aware of the many different user groups involved. Each one has their own specific needs and voice. But, they also have to be a clear part of the University community and brand. WordPress is a platform that allows for individuality. It also helps each department stay connected. This provides clear, central hubs...

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> Digital Marketers don't often know how to best measure the success of their website or what statistics deserve top priority. It's time to change that.

- Published: 2018-07-05
- Modified: 2025-05-20
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/measuring-website-performance-real-world/
- Categories: Software

Is your website a valuable part of your organization? Is it helping you meet your business goals? When you hired a web designer, you must have had expectations in mind for the site. Is it even reaching the lowest bar? Do you have the website statistics you really need? Unfortunately, most business owners and executives can't answer these questions. We see this often in interviews with new clients. They might know what their websites look like. Or, they may even point to a few statistics. But many can't go into much detail about their online marketing performance. Nor can they do it in real-world terms. That's easy to understand. It can be hard to know which metrics to pay attention to, or to find the time to review them at all. Yet, we believe that every decision-maker should know how their website is doing. It's such an important part of their organization. They should be aware of what they are and aren't getting from it. You need actionable information to get the most from online marketing. We're going to give you a handful of questions. Use them to figure out if your website performance is as strong as it should be. What Are You Trying to Accomplish? Website metrics and analytics are meaningless if you don't have business goals to tie them to. You must know what direction your business is going in. Otherwise, how can you feel good about the time and money spent on online marketing? No amount of planning or design can make up for that. Surprisingly, eCommerce sites can struggle with this often. Those starting from scratch can lack a business plan. As John Proctor, Atlantic BT's Senior Solutions Account Executive, states, "It's always vital to begin with a business focus rather than a technical one... The technology is designed to accommodate the business, not the other way around. " Also, having firm goals in place makes everything easier. You can narrow in on the strategies and tactics needed to reach them. This can also keep your entire team on the same page. When everyone shares...

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> An Amazon Web Services partner values transparency, while keeping sensitive information safe. Follow these steps to grant read only access to your partners.

- Published: 2018-07-02
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/project-type/cloud-hosting/grant-read-access-amazon-web-services/
- Categories: Cloud Hosting

When you start working with an Amazon Web Services partner, transparency is important. On the one hand, these cloud experts need to have a good deal of information to do their best work on your AWS environment. On the other hand, you need to know you can trust these AWS engineers with your sensitive information and processes. This kind of trust and transparency is tough while you and your potential partner are negotiating the business relationship. And before a contract has been signed. That’s why it’s important to know how to grant read-only access on AWS. Why Read-Only AWS Access Is Important Read-only access in an AWS environment is useful for when someone needs to look into your cloud environment WITHOUT being able to change anything. This way an AWS vendor can view a potential client’s setup and existing AWS applications before signing a contract and committing to helping them with AWS environments. In addition, often the business users who negotiate a new AWS partner relationship aren’t as well-versed in the specific needs of their own system (unlike their IT team). By granting read-only access for a potential new vendor, business users can get a better sense of what their AWS needs are and what kind of environment will work best for their business. If you want to handle technical debt (things that your system is doing/running that you aren’t aware of), providing this kind of visibility is helpful for your vendor relationship to begin with the right kind of understanding and transparency. While AWS has extensive documentation about sharing views of an AWS environment, these descriptions can be intimidating to less technical users. What follows is a step-by-step guide for how to grant read-only access to your AWS account. GUIDE: How to Create Read-Only Access on AWS  From the main console screen, type in IAM. And select the suggested link. From the IAM dashboard select the Users section and then Add user button. Enter the new username for your read-only user (ABT_ReadOnly in this example), select the Programmatic access and AWS Management Console Access. Then select Next: Permissions. Select...

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> Your website is one of your most important business assets. But can you tell if it has been hacked? Here are 8 signs to look for.

- Published: 2018-06-18
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/cloud/cloud-monitoring-maintenance/how-to-tell-if-your-website-has-been-hacked/
- Categories: Cloud, Cloud Monitoring & Maintenance, Cloud Security & Compliance

Like most businesses, you depend heavily on your website. It handles everything from marketing to eCommerce transactions and all the stuff in between. Without it, your business would face quite a setback. And yet, everyday, many businesses leave their website vulnerable to attack. And this puts their business at risk. But hey, your website is OK. You have a firewall around the web server and that should take care of your site, right? Actually, it’s not enough. Not even close. Suspect your website was hacked? Atlantic BT can help you handle the issue and prevent future breaches. Request Help How You Can Tell if Your Website Has Been Hacked Every website, regardless of where it is hosted, is vulnerable to being hacked. While no system can be 100% safe, there are steps you can take to secure your site. And it begins with knowing what signs to look for that let you know you may have already been hacked. Strange Content. You and your team have put a lot of effort into creating great content on your site. It closely follows your content strategy and everything looks great. Except on some pages, there is some strange content that you didn’t write. Upon closer inspection, you see links to other websites that sell Viagra, knock-off designer purses, watches and more. This is a tell-tale sign that your site has been hacked and it has been co-opted into the hacker’s network. Website Performance. Do you keep a close eye on the technical performance of your website and servers? By regularly monitoring the performance, you will quickly pick up on unusually slow or broken processes. For example, we recently noticed that a checkout page on a client’s website was taking about 30 seconds to load. The normal load time is less than four seconds. This is unusual and was an indicator that we needed to dig further into the situation. Broken Code. Are you noticing an increase in the number of errors related to form submissions? Do pages load but are missing most of their content? When hackers get inside a website, they...

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> There are many ways to establish strong Information Architecture but these are the methods we rely on the most, from content inventory to tree testing.

- Published: 2018-06-14
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/information-architecture-services/win-proven-path-successful-information-architecture/
- Categories: Information Architecture, Strategy, User Experience

In my last post, I wrote about common information architecture problems we see on government websites. Government sites have special challenges, but I’m happy to tell you that there are ways to work out the kinks. These are some of the approaches we use to clear up information architecture problems. With that said, any problem will have its own specificities that make it hard to present one-size-fits-all solutions. Techniques: Content Inventory and Content Audit These two techniques are all about getting a handle on the content on your current site. Information Architect Abby Covert calls this “Identify the mess. ” Content inventories help you understand where your content stands from a high level perspective. You can grasp how much content you have, what kind of content it is, and where that content exists. Content audits are much more detailed. They require you to go into the weeds. During a content audit, you have to make decisions about which content you want to keep on a new site and which content can hit the recycle bin. This brings me to something I can’t stress enough: this will be easier if you’re prepared to let go of old things. Bloated content is causing information overload for your users. Leaner content makes it easier to create effective information architecture. But here's a warning: you don't want to go into a content audit without more specific goals. You want to have some ideas about the future of your site so you can make decisions based on those. Techniques: Card Sorting and Tree Testing One of the most visible parts of your information architecture is your navigation. Unfortunately, good navigation requires a lot of work. Card sorting and tree testing are important tools for planning navigation. They also help you see how users understand the topics and information on your site. Card sorting is an exercise to find out the topic groupings that you can create from your content. These groupings are very valuable when you’re setting up your navigation. Tree testing is the reverse. You won't ask people to create groupings. Instead, you'll see...

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> What you're reading right now is an essential tool to achieving great Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Snippets and Quick answers to the rescue!

- Published: 2018-06-13
- Modified: 2025-05-20
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/google-analytics/missing-ultimate-seo-tool/
- Categories: Application Development, Google Analytics, Software, Strategy

Business owners and executives often come to us for Search Engine Optimization (SEO). What they almost always want is a number one position in Google's rankings. But what if you could do better than that? Strange as it may seem, you can move in front of the first listing on Google for a given search party. Not only that, you can do it quickly. You only have to be familiar with search engine snippets and quick answers. You have seen and used these already. When Google is trying to help you answer a question, they give you the best match answers. Try searching for something like 'chocolate cake recipe. ' Like magic, you're presented with what you were looking for and ahead of the normal search results. As a marketer, you can see how having your own snippets showing up in Google's search listings could help. It could generate lots of traffic to your website. But, how can you draw those visits to your pages? We want to give you some tips you can use to improve your visibility through snippets and quick answers. Keep Working on Your Organic SEO Campaigns Most snippet and quick answer traffic flows towards websites already at the top. In fact, these sites are usually in the top three of Google's search listings. Are search spiders crawling your site often? Then there's a good change your quick answer content is at a high ranking. Dig Deep into Your Frequently Asked Questions and Customer Conversations Knowing what your customers are thinking about and searching for is essential. It's the key to generating snippets on your website. Then you can develop content with the right subheadings and brief answers. Paragraphs are popular, but there are other types of content you can use. Tables and mathematical formulas, for example, are great. Especially if they are useful to the user. Emphasize Natural-Language Text on Your Website You won't get snippet or quick answer traffic by following SEO rules from a decade ago. Repeating generic keywords again and again won't cut it. Answer questions with natural-language text. You'll be far...

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> Digital marketers need to focus on the rise of mobile use for website visits, when considering their marketing strategy. Here is what that might look like.

- Published: 2018-06-11
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/time-mobile-first-online-marketing-strategy/
- Categories: Software

A few years ago, we were able to see which way the wind was blowing. Mobile use was on the rise. In response, we started advising our web design clients to take notice. Mobile/web compatibility needed to be a priority. It wasn't a tough recommendation to understand. Website visits from phones and tablets have surpassed visits from desktops since 2014. But, having a mobile-friendly website isn’t enough. Now is the time to start thinking about a mobile-first strategy for your online marketing. Why should you use this marketing philosophy? And how? Let's look at what you need to know. Why Mobile-First Makes Sense Mobile devices are now the primary means of connection to the internet for most of us.  The majority of us, including your customers, prefer to use an iPad or Galaxy. Even if we have a laptop ready at hand, we often don't choose it. The numbers bear this out. Smartphones are flying off the shelves. Studies show that 57% of all searches originate from a smart device.  It’s likely we’ll reach a point where mobile queries make up two-thirds of Google’s search traffic in a few years. This leads to an interesting conclusion: mobile visits to your website are the norm. It isn’t that some of your customers are coming to you on a small screen, it’s that most of them are. Why not prioritize that traffic if it makes up the majority? When Campbell University partnered with Atlantic BT for a website overhaul, modernization was a priority. Mobile traffic to Campbell. edu was skyrocketing, with an increase of 1277% since 2011. You read that right. 1277%. ABT designed Campbell's new site to accommodate this influx. The result was a significant upgrade for the Campbell site and brand. What Does Mobile-First Web Development Look Like? Embracing a mobile-first mindset doesn’t mean turning your internet strategy upside down. It simply means you assume a potential customer will be visiting your pages from a phone or tablet. As a result, you should structure your content appropriately. Here are a few details that make your website more usable to mobile visitors:...

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> 2017 presented many challenges to the digital marketing world. Manipulative advertising, fake news, black-hat marketing, and bot traffic have littered the

- Published: 2018-06-07
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/google-ad-regulations-2018/
- Categories: Software

2017 presented many challenges to the digital marketing world. Manipulative advertising, fake news, black-hat marketing, and bot traffic have littered the web. The good news is that Google responded swiftly. They implemented quite a few regulation changes. Both the pay-per-click and organic search platforms fell under this umbrella. But, it's not only Google that reinforced their policies. Most major search engines and social media platforms have updated their regulations. The hope was that this would prevent manipulative content and obstructive advertisements. As marketers, it's our job to adapt to these challenges. We must identify strategies that will maintain effectiveness in an ever-changing digital landscape. Google's 2018 changes will affect marketing as we know it. Be ready and know how to avoid any negative impact on your ad campaigns. Google Introduces Stricter Ad Regulations in 2018 In September of 2017, Google joined forces with the Coalition for Better Ads. Not long after, the search engine behemoth was ready for action. In February 2018, Google's Chrome web browser had a new feature. A native ad blocker. It's goal is simple. It will stop the display of any advertisement that features a non-compliant ad.  Google has joined forces with many social media platforms to support this initiative. As a result, the impact could be drastic and far-reaching. Google wants to change Chrome ads to make them better serve the user. Google's strategy is to rid the internet of low-quality advertisements. This achievement would create a user-friendly browsing environment. While this is a noble cause, there is a great deal of risk involved. Online businesses and advertisers dread the regulatory change. This should come as no surprise. They stand to lose millions of dollars on wasted ad spend. It's estimated that ad blockers contribute to a loss of billion dollars Google Chrome is the clear front runner as the world's most used web browser. So, their introduction of a native ad blocker will cause that dollar amount to skyrocket. Here's the added twist. Your advertisement could be compliant with Google's standards. Yet, it will not show up on a website if there are any...

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> You want online visitors to like your website. But what if they don't? Here is how you can ensure that users will really, really enjoy your site.

- Published: 2018-06-06
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/branding-strategy/online-visitors-like-using-website/
- Categories: Branding Strategy

Do Online Visitors Like Using Your Website? Usability is a big topic in web design, but it often feels like an abstract concept to business owners. They want their sites to be more usable and engaging, but what does that really mean? And what are online visitors looking for? When your website is as usable as possible, customers stay longer and interact with your content more. It’s not hard to understand why. Think of all the things in your life that you have chosen – like appliances, apps, or automobiles – because you like using them. There are many other products you could have purchased that would do the same things, but you chose the ones you did (at least partially) because you liked their usability. More usability means increased marketing power and higher revenue. But how do you make customers love your website? Make Your Website Faster You may not realize it, but there are several things you can do to speed up your website and have it load more quickly for visitors. You can: Upgrade your web hosting for a few dollars a month Take away over-sized images Remove unnecessary plug-ins. These might not seem like major improvements to your website, but they all give customers a better user experience. No one likes waiting for a website to load, so don’t frustrate them with slow pages. Maximize the Readability of Your Content The readability of your website has two distinct parts. The first is the organization of your writing. Small paragraphs are easier to scan and organize than long blocks of unbroken text. They feel less overwhelming to visitors who may skim before reading your messages from beginning to end. The second component has to do with word choice. For maximum readability, avoid using unnecessarily large words or jargon that might not be familiar to your readers. Engage With Visitors Your customers might not be concerned with the same topics or details as you. As a rule of thumb, it’s better to cater to their interests over your own. In other words, know that you have a marketing...

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> Create the right ecommerce strategy with these 3 tips to successfully identify all of your ecommerce requirements.

- Published: 2018-06-04
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/ecommerce-services/a-primer-on-ecommerce-requirements-gathering-plus-free-downloads/
- Categories: Ecommerce, Integrations, Magento, Project Type, Technology, Web Development

Ready to start down the eCommerce path? If you're starting from scratch, you've more than likely looked into how much an eCommerce website costs. Or, maybe you're overhauling an existing or low-performing eCommerce website. You've researched your eCommerce platform options and are heading into the next step of formulating your ecommerce strategy. We often see a pattern with clients as they begin their eCommerce journey. They struggle with prioritizations during the strategic planning phase. Unfortunately, they fail to develop a structural approach to finding all site requirements, leading to inaccurate project scope. Even worse, poor planning makes the development process more stressful. Here are three keys to successful eCommerce requirements gathering to help you develop the best ecommerce strategy for your business. In addition, access a free worksheet to help you in the process. Understand the difference between business, functional, and technical Requirements. Gather business requirements for your team. Begin to formulate your ecommerce strategy by identifying your business requirements. These are the needs of the site from a business perspective. For example, business requirements might include: Pricing rules - B2B accounts have negotiated discounts and terms. Shipping rules - Some products have exclusions or special requirements. Order fulfillment workflow - Some products are drop-shipped while other orders may be fulfilled in your warehouse. Legal / regulatory requirements - Some industries adhere to strict legal and privacy policies. Gather functional requirements for users. These requirements should reflect performance goals based on the customer's experience. Here are examples of functional requirements with follow up questions: Product reviews are needed to increase conversion rates and stand out from the competition. Will moderated reviews be a part of the process? Are anonymous/guest reviews acceptable? Product tours (photos/videos/etc. ) will increase user engagement. A shipping calculator is needed to set expectations and decrease cart abandonment. Saved carts or printable quotes helped users stay on track. Shoppers often need a manager’s permission or a purchase order before checkout. How long can a customer save carts and quotes? Is a created account necessary to receive a quote? Do customers have to provide a phone number and email...

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> Unicorn developers: myth or reality? Explore the concept, challenges in hiring, and strategies for building effective teams.

- Published: 2018-05-31
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/project-type/cloud-hosting/myth-full-stack-unicorn-developer/
- Categories: Cloud Hosting

Recently, one of our long-term clients asked me to review a job posting they were struggling to fill. The client wanted a senior software application engineer. But not just any senior software application engineer. A “true full-stack developer” experienced in back-end development, front-end development, and architecting cloud environments and web infrastructure. Before the client asked my thoughts on this potential hire’s compensation package or how to find them, he led with the most important question: “Are we looking for a unicorn? ” Unfortunately for our client, I answered yes. The Problem with Unicorns For developers, the word “unicorn” refers to someone with such a diverse range of skills that they’re incredibly rare. For example, an expert programmer who is also an ace visual designer. While such a person may be out there somewhere, they will be so hard to hire that they might as well be imaginary. Full-Stack Application Solutions Learn more about our client success stories. View Our Work Here’s how a successful unicorn hunt would go. First, you have to find them and make sure that the skills they mentioned on their LinkedIn profile are more than just words. Second, you’d need to hire them away from wherever they were currently working. Unicorns are rare, so companies will work hard to keep them. Third, you need to be willing to pay the high salaries these experts can demand. The result is a long time spent on a hiring process to acquire one person at a very high price. This is assuming he or she is exactly what you need, will fit in with your team, and won’t be headhunted away at a critical time in your project. In our client’s case, it’s not that it’s impossible to hire someone who knows back-end development, front-end development, and cloud environments. It’s just practically impossible to hire someone who is good at all these things. The challenge is that historically in our industry, these roles have been very segmented. A Short History of Web Development How did this segmentation happen? The answer requires a little walk through web development history. The...

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> ABT discusses server response codes, including 300s, 400s, 500s & more in this informational blog post. Learn what they mean and how to address them.

- Published: 2018-05-30
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/website-management/301-403-500-server-response-codes-and-what-they-mean/
- Categories: Application Development, Custom Web Design & Development, Software, Web Development, Website Management, Website Speed Optimization

If you’ve spent much time hanging around a web developer, search marketer, or a sysadmin at a web development firm, you’ve most likely heard the terms 404 and 301 thrown around. If you’ve been hanging around programmers you can add 500 to that list. So what do these mysterious codes mean to the average web user or business person? It isn’t too important to the average web user or business person to be knowledgeable about these codes. But, you’ve likely come across them in your travels on the Net so you might still want to know what they are. May I have the Results, Please? Most web servers adhere to a standardized set of result codes that every request/response falls under. Each series has a general meaning and within the series there are very specific result codes. 200 – Success - Everything is working! (These are generally silent or not sent to the browser. Why? If everything is working ok, why would you send a message saying so? You would see the web page you needed. ) 300 – Redirection - You are being sent from one page or URL to another. (These are also often silent. You are generally sent to a new location, which should respond successfully) 400 – Incomplete - Something happened and the request didn’t complete successfully. (These are generally sent to the browser in some way) 500 – Error - There was an internal server error either related to the server or the software running on it. (These are almost always sent to the browser) Responding to Response Codes Here are a few of the more popular response codes you might have seen, with some info about them. There are far more, but the details can get pretty gory. 301 – The page you were trying to get to has moved to a new location. The server should automatically redirect you to the new page and you shouldn’t have to do anything further. Search engine marketers use 301s a lot when a page is removed or a new website is created. Then visitors and search...

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> Propper, the leading, industry dominating manufacturer of tactical gear, had a website that couldn't keep up with company growth. See how ABT changed that.

- Published: 2018-05-29
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/abt-culture/abt-brings-military-precision-battle-weary-ecommerce-site/
- Categories: ABT Culture, eCommerce

Propper is a company used to leading. In the last 50 years, Propper had perfected their product. As a result, they were now a worldwide leader of tactical gear. The high quality of their work spoke for itself. They had earned impressive government contracts. Also, a robust civilian market had grown as a result of Propper's dedication to their vision. They didn't need any help with what they were selling. Yet, their eCommerce site hadn’t kept up with their business. It felt outdated. Its interface confused shoppers, making it hard to navigate. Also its infrastructure frustrated its back-end managers. If Propper’s website was a soldier in the field, it was facing heavy fire. Something had to change. Propper needed backup. That’s when they called Atlantic BT. “Helmuth Karl Bernhard Graf von Moltke was a Prussian tactician who adapted war theory for bigger armies and better firepower. In many ways, the work our user experience departments did for Propper’s customer workflow and server load balancing, is what Moltke did for the battlefields of the Victorian age. ” —Stewart Arthur Pelto, Atlantic BT Senior Business Development Manager Any military aim requires two things: strategy and tactics. The Strategy - The Plan Before we could give Propper’s website an overhaul, we needed to gather some intel. We engaged in our reliable discovery process and we learned a lot. We figured out their long-term goals and the nature of their site traffic. Especially relevant was discovering customer habits and buying patterns. We needed to know why so many customers were abandoning their shopping carts. Rather than completing their sale, users were leaving their desired products behind. They wanted to buy from Propper but they weren't making it to the finish line. Propper’s store wasn’t connecting with its customers the way it could. The UX was difficult. The B2B and B2C websites were not communicating, and there were too many top-level domains. Also, there was little room for growth. This wouldn't work for a company that was, without a doubt, on the up and up. We weaponized this information and developed a multi-phased plan of...

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> Memorial Day is a time to remember the service of others and the ultimate sacrifice they made. In their honor, how can we serve in our everyday lives?

- Published: 2018-05-28
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/abt-culture/service-means-veteran-abt/
- Categories: ABT Culture

Service. Think about that word, what it means. There is a reason we use the word “service” so often in connection with the armed forces. In honor of Memorial Day, I wanted to take some time to unpack the idea of service and what it means to me as a veteran and as a person. The Meaning of Service “Service”, by definition, means doing something for others. People thank us for that. Military service is so honored because it can extract such a high price from those who serve. However, outside the armed forces are many people currently serving others in many, many ways. These people also make sacrifices, large and small. The military taught me much about this. Thinking about it can help us all to have a better understanding of the service mentality – what it means to serve others. When people thank me for my service, I say “I’m grateful to have served. ” I learned and gained a lot from my time in the military. But, as I’ve gotten older, the one lesson that has stayed with me is a deeper understanding of service to others. For this lesson, I am most grateful. I serve now in other ways, as a manager for ABT’s User Research team, as a Zen chaplain at NCSU, and as a dad. The roles are vastly different, from protection to nurturing. However, the principles that go along with service—focus on needs of others, teamwork, dedication, and even some sacrifice—remain the same. Find Your Path to Service In all cases where I have served, then and now, I’m honored and grateful to have spent my time doing something important for others. Service to others brings additional depth and meaning to life. Therefore, a life without service is a diminished one. That in mind, I urge you and everyone else to meditate on this idea: as you grow and find your path, find some way to serve others. Finding your path to service doesn’t necessarily mean enlisting. In my career at ABT, I’ve been gratified to work alongside our partners in government and...

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> Voice Search is on the rise as more users access websites via smart devices. Stay ahead of the curve and be sure that your website is listening.

- Published: 2018-05-24
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/optimizing-website-voice-search/
- Categories: Software

Google currently estimates that voice search traffic accounts for more than 20% of its queries. This amounts to at least one billion voice searches per day. Some experts think that number will double or even triple in the next two years. Either way, it's clear that voice-assisted search is not only a big part of online marketing now. It is also a growing trend for the future. Consider the increasing technological options we have. We have voice search functionality through home devices and on our smart phones. And as Google recently demonstrated, this is nothing but the beginning. Unfortunately, many organizations are not taking voice search into consideration. They are still approaching search engine optimization (SEO) the way they were 5 or 10 years ago. Now is the time to start thinking about ways to stay ahead of the search visibility curve. Let's look at a few things you can do to optimize your website for voice search. Learn to Think and Speak Like Your Best Customers When optimizing your site for voice search, it isn’t enough to know what your best customers want to learn or find. You actually have to think like them, so you can use the same words and terminology as they would. A lot of business and industry insiders use jargon or brand names that the public hasn’t quite latched on to. That can be problematic if you want to attract buyers who are using voice search, looking for answers. Emphasize Spoken Phrases Over Traditional Search Keywords This goes hand-in-hand with our first point, but it's worth mentioning. You'll still want to have text on your website optimized for traditional queries. And yes, by traditional we mean typed. But you'll also want conversational content that matches voice search strings. In reality, it's not usually difficult to find a balance. Also, using natural language content is a solid strategy for any marketer now. Google has made significant advancements with artificial intelligence. It can now understand things, like context and meaning, through a website. Keeping this in mind is a win for marketing. Use Lots of Content...

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> Organizing the information that a Higher Education website needs to communicate can seem overwhelming. Smart Information Architecture solves that problem.

- Published: 2018-05-23
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/industry/higher-ed/tackle-information-architecture-higher-education-websites/
- Categories: Higher Ed

Information Architecture (IA) is the cardiovascular system of any large website. It pumps the lifeblood of content through intricate and specific paths. Information ends up exactly where it needs to be. It’s a system that gives life to a website, helping it to thrive. Every website can benefit from well designed IA, especially sites for Higher Education.   When prospective students begin their college search, they usually start on the internet. In fact, their first experience with any university is often through its website. The visit is rarely casual. The user has specific questions that need exact answers. If those answers are not provided, then the user will leave the site. A confusing website can also reflect poorly on the university's brand. Implementing reliable IA can feel daunting. Worry not! Gather a great team, keep these tips in mind, and remember that it’s all worth it. Higher Education Web Design. It's What We Do. See What Atlantic BT Accomplished For One Prominent University Let's See Know Your Audience The first step you'll want to take, as you establish your new IA, is into research. You'll need to discover what users look for the most on your website. This knowledge is crucial to knowing how to organize your site's information. There are many different ways you can approach the research process. Interact with users who fall on all sides of the site spectrum. Talk with users who: Access the site frequently Have a passing knowledge of your site Have never encountered the site but know what they would be looking for should they ever do What you discover from the research will inform your IA design choices. The result will be a cleaner, efficient user experience (UX). Even better, users will feel positive about what they've learned on your website. Good will for a website usually translates to good will for the site's owner. Your prospective students will be in a good spot to make such an important personal decision. User led IA makes life easier for everyone using and maintaining the website. Many previous communication problems become non-existent. A productive...

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> Discover how vulnerability and courage can make a significant impact on standing out and connecting with customers in today's competitive business landscape.

- Published: 2018-05-21
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/abt-culture/the-courage-to-be-imperfect-brene-brown/
- Categories: ABT Culture

Brene Brown explains becoming a great Internet marketer means giving up the tyranny of perfection and embracing an ever escalating social vulnerability.

Any business can only thrive if there are clients who have a need for them. So, no matter what level of success a business achieves, it is still in a constant state of vulnerability. This isn’t something most companies would want to admit. Strong corporations are exactly that: always confident and daring without fear. But as our culture shifts, is this lack of honesty still the right tactic? The Connection Economy is a term and theory posited by entrepreneur Seth Godin. The mass market, as he sees it, is phasing out. Consumers are looking for sincerity and authenticity. To achieve that, companies must be comfortable with vulnerability. What is True Vulnerability? Research has shown that those who believe themselves worthy of acceptance achieve this by embracing their imperfections. They do not hide who they are, flaws and all. They are honest about areas in their lives they need to work on to grow. These acknowledgements place them in a vulnerable position. However, they are comfortable with that. Can companies do the same? Yes. They can and they should. The Need to Connect Marketing researchers have been speaking about the benefits of the Connection Economy for years. As the economic baton passes from the Boomers to Millennials, companies need to change how they approach their public persona. Consumers want brands and businesses that are authentic. They respond positively to companies that are honest and transparent. Also, they appreciate a business that can admit to mistakes, as well as those who take political stances, staying true to their social values. These company choices are risky but well worth it, as they foster customer loyalty and organic growth. Let's look at how a variety of companies chose to be bold with their sincerity. Honesty is the Best Policy Telling the truth can oftentimes be terrifying. What will the response be? What if others don't like who you truly are? Even worse, what if they decide to abandon you as a result? This kind of exposure demands heaps of vulnerability. But, many companies value transparency and how it affects their consumers and brand. Not...

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> Trying to move a complex web design project forward can be overwhelming. Learn how to get started through MVP development.

- Published: 2018-05-17
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/strategy/branding-strategy/want-move-complex-web-design-project-forward/
- Categories: Application Development, Branding Strategy, Software, Strategy

Modern web development is a wonderful thing. Almost anything you can envision about a website can now come to life. Custom programming provides a wealth of opportunities. With the right development team, you can create exactly what you need. Amazing layouts, new features and apps, and interactive tools make for a great website. The bad news about having this many opportunities is that it comes with a cost. Projects can become so large and complex that they are difficult to explain and outline. There are concerns about schedules and financial resources. And that actual first step? Knowing when to begin and how can be overwhelming. Business owners and executives can feel paralyzed. These realities can leave them feeling unsure on how to move forward. This blog provides a concept that can help you overcome these worries. You'll be ready to take the first steps with your large web development project in no time. Introducing the MVP Development In the world of web development, MVP refers to Minimum Viable Product. What does that mean? It's a scaled-down version of your finished website. It includes all the basics and essentials. The MVP version of your website might include basic content and core features. It may not include custom plug-ins or videos added in later. Your MVP site could incorporate some automation and data-collection features. But it might not integrate real-time inventory or shipping logistics. These are only examples, of course. But they help to illustrate how you can launch a new website without worrying so much. You don't have to stress about including each different feature or idea at once. That doesn't mean they won't be a part of the final product. The concept of beginning with MVP development allows you to prioritize each piece. Why MVP Development First Pays Off in a Big Way Why bother having your web development team create a scaled-down version of your website? What you really want is more features and functionality, right? There are a lot of practical reasons to do things one step at a time. First of all, your MVP website is going...

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> Information Architecture is vital to an effective and usable Government website. But, its importance often is overlooked. Zero in on what needs your focus.

- Published: 2018-05-16
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/industry/government-industry/government-websites-need-better-ia/
- Categories: Government

Government agencies have a special obligation to create usable websites. Usability is the digital extension of good public service. There is one significant usability problem that we encounter most often. Government sites can struggle with poor information architecture (IA). What is IA? It's an underlying system of organization. Sites rely on IA to help make their content easy to find and use. IA also encompasses other parts of the site structure. The layout of the site, how the navigation works, and the pages and labels seen, are all examples. It's also the metadata and taxonomies that you may not notice at first glance. So, what are government websites getting wrong? Problem #1: Information Overload It can be tempting to put as much information as possible on your website. This is partially driven by the desire to inform the public. Unfortunately, putting too much information on a site or a page is detrimental. It will actually hurt your site's ability to impart information to users. Your website is an opportunity to answer common questions before the user has to pick up a phone or send an email. By not providing important content, everyone's jobs can become more difficult. You're either burdening your own staff or missing an opportunity to serve the public. But, if you're putting that content online in a way that makes it too difficult to find? Well, you're probably going to wind up getting calls anyway. Problem #2: Silo Mentality Government sites should not need users to know anything about the structure of an agency. Organizing information into little fiefdoms on your website will hurt findability. Instead, organize content based on users' needs. This strategy is at the heart of effective information architecture. One of the biggest silo mentality problems we see are forms, reports, and other documents buried on program or department pages. Usually, they are simple file attachments. When you do that, you are making it harder for people to find your documents. Their only option is to navigate through your content to find what they need. This leaves out the part of your audience Googling...

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> Technical disasters can strike at any moment. Website protection is crucial to keeping your site information safe. These are our safety tips.

- Published: 2018-05-14
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/prepare-disaster-recovery-government-websites/
- Categories: Software

Did you know that your website can vanish or suffer irreparable damage in just a few seconds? Many business owners and executives don't. This can lead to nasty surprises. Especially if the site's layouts, data, and content have no protection. Terrifying, no? Website protection is a vital part of your business's internet success. Your stored files and information can disappear at a moment's notice. Every single one. It's true. There are many events that can cause this to happen. Power surges and outages, hardware failures and simple employee mistakes. Even attacks made by Artificial Intelligence! These things can make retrieving different parts of your website impossible. Of course, it goes without saying that hackers love breaking into websites. They aren't particularly concerned about what they leave behind.   For these reasons and more, website protection makes good sense. It prepares your pages to stand strong against the unknown. Building an effective website presence takes an investment of time and money. That can be hard to recoup after the fact. Here are some quick tips you can use to safeguard against a variety of circumstances that lead to data loss. The best thing an organization can keep in mind is how long can they afford to be down after a disaster. Atlantic BT leverages Amazon for precisely this consideration. It allows us to plan for potential disasters and keep our client's sites and applications up and running, while recovering as fast as they need to based on their objectives. Being prepared for the unknown can feel impossible, but with the right strategy, it's far from it. -Eric Lloyd, Security Solutions Consultant  Update Your Website and CMS Content Management Systems (CMS), such as WordPress, thrive on frequent updates. New, available features keep the systems on par with evolving technology. But consistent updates are also important for security and stability.   If you let yours get out of date for too long, it could become a prime target for hackers. It's also possible that an outdated CMS will stop working with certain plug-ins. Also frustrating, it could fail to connect with servers as...

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> A good content strategy is hard to develop. Find the balance between lasting and time-sensitive content to keep the conversation with your users going.

- Published: 2018-05-10
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/building-time-sensitive-content-strategy/
- Categories: Software

Does Your Website Need Time-Sensitive Content? The web design and online marketing communities have been debating an interesting issue. Is time-sensitive content necessary for websites? Some developers and experts will argue that it's more important than ever. Addressing hot topics can lead to immediate search and social visibility. It takes advantage of the fact that current events are already on the minds of users. Yet, there are others who will tell you that you should strive to generate "evergreen" content. These kinds of articles and videos can keep drawing traffic, views, and leads for years to come. They will always be relevant. It only makes sense to get as much mileage from them as you can. Especially given the time and expense involved in fleshing out your new ideas. How does your choice of content affect your brand as well? Many brand prognosticators believe that companies must make statements on current issues in order to stay relevant. They also believe that brands choosing to stay out of cultural conversations reduces the amount of trust consumers have in them. If a company will not state what their thoughts are, consumers will create those thoughts for them. Then they will associate that with the brand, most likely causing damage. Equally damaging? The odds of isolating potential consumers who disagree with what you have to say. Is it worth the risk? So, which viewpoint is the correct one? Does your website or blog actually need time-sensitive content? In our experience, there isn't a single answer to these questions. Instead, there are a set of simple guidelines you might want to follow. Find a Blend of Hot and Lasting Topics You must establish your website as a source of information on new topics and evergreen tips. For example, our blog will feature articles about voice-assisted search technology one week. The next week, we will feature a piece about general design and development ideas. We jumped right into events as they were happening, posting about the Equifax Data Breach within the week of it occurring. We also anticipated events that would potentially influence our users....

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> The Taxonomy Trilogy comes to its epic conclusion. We examine how to know when a website taxonomy is working and when it needs to be burned to the ground.

- Published: 2018-05-09
- Modified: 2025-05-22
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/project-type/ecommerce/how-to-evaluate-a-website-taxonomy/
- Categories: eCommerce

This blog is part 3 of a 3-part series on Taxonomies. Read part 1 on an Introduction to Taxonomies or part 2 on Common Taxonomy Mistakes if you want to catch up. The development or revising of a website taxonomy requires constant check ins. Aren't you curious to know the results of all your love and labor? Then these check ins should be common sense. In this, the thrilling conclusion to the Taxonomy Trilogy, we will focus on evaluation. I will review basic taxonomy guidelines and techniques. Designing an efficient categorical system can be daunting. These techniques will be sure to help build your team's confidence as they do so. Signs Your Taxonomy Needs Improvement First, let’s see what kind of shape your taxonomy is in. Review these warning signs that your taxonomy still needs work: Your content publishers struggle to apply your site’s taxonomies in a uniform manner. Agreement is clarity. If your content team disagrees over which terms to use in which section, your users will end up confused. Users are struggling to find the right content. It can be difficult to tell when users struggle. This is especially true of sites that aren't tied to marketing success metrics. But, if you have user data that points to findability issues, use it. Data from customer service or social media feedback can help. You can zero in on the areas of the site that need improvement. Multiple classifications in a taxonomy overlap. Similar terms in more than one classification option can cause confusion. Content publishers will struggle to identify which one to use. Perceived hierarchy or mixed usage within a category. Is this an issue? Meet with the content strategist and talk about the needs of the website. Discuss the development of the terms. Try to get rid of the subcategories of your terms. If need be, create new categories. Ineffective website taxonomies can cause confusion throughout a team of content creators. How to Test Taxonomy at Any Stage in Web Design You may identify problems early on or while the taxonomy is live. Here is a brief guideline...

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> Uncover the impact of the Internet of Things (IoT) on security, privacy, and business practices. Learn about IoT’s potential and challenges.

- Published: 2018-05-07
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/technical-governance-and-risk-management-consulting/3-threats-and-3-benefits-of-the-internet-of-things/
- Categories: Cloud, Cloud Security & Compliance, Governance and Risk Consulting, Technology Consulting

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a new interconnection of technology. It is being heralded as the next industrial revolution. What does this imply? Only radical change, disruption, and a brand new paradigm for the planet. Nothing too intense, right? The Internet of Things is an extension of existing connections. These connections are between people and computers to include digitally-connected "things". These things measure and report data. This data can be simple numbers from a stationary or mobile sensor (such as a temperature sensor). It could also be more complex findings from devices that measure and report many data streams at a time. These advanced devices can even actuate or effect data they're measuring. A good example of this would be a connected thermostat. Application Development & Security Solutions Learn more about our client success stories. View Our Work The IoT is advancing exponentially. Some even say we're in the "knee of the curve". This describes the point where advancement happens very fast. Such speed means that its potential uses are beyond the reach of speculation. Even so, many organizations hesitate to experiment and invest in IoT technology. Here are the three parts of the IoT we'll discuss. IoT threats IoT benefits The path to realizing the potential IoT brings Internet of Things Threats Threat 1: Security and Privacy If you've paid attention to major technology news stories, you've heard a lot of scary things. The hacking of companies Stolen Identities The hijacking of app-connected cars These events are all enough to cause some serious anxiety. You can understand how digitally-connected things have definite security risks. Often, default device settings equate to "wide open". Many organizations don't have strong security protocols in place. This is even when access controls are present. This is the IoT equivalent of having a username/password combo of "admin" and "password". Even if you're savvy enough to configure the connected device the right way, other gaps exist. Connected device manufacturers are often slow to update firmware or release patches. These companies may not provide support at all. Instead, they prefer to resolve security issues with the...

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> A government website requires expert development. That goal requires smart strategy. Here's how you can plan ahead for a website that can help everyone.

- Published: 2018-05-03
- Modified: 2025-06-02
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/industry/government-industry/plan-execute-web-strategy-government-websites/
- Categories: Government

Many years ago, in a very different time and place, a vital government website called Healthcare. gov launched. The reception to the site was fraught and not for political reasons. The site development and structure wasn’t built to handle the influx of traffic it received. The project was a huge undertaking. Unfortunately, perhaps due to lack of time or lack of strategy, the initial roll-out fell flat. The issues were quickly rectified and users on Healthcare. gov continue to rise. Yet, the initial damage was done. The beginning of a new and helpful program for citizens, earned an unfair reputation due to faulty software design. Sure, new websites launch with issues all the time. Government websites, however, adhere to a completely different standard. They require even more strategy and planning from the beginning before development can start. These are some of the best ways to stay focused and create a winning strategy for a government website. Define the Project Starting a project without a clear concept of what you aim to accomplish can lead to cost and timeline overruns. It can also run the risk of failing to deliver on expectations. To develop a clear strategy, you need to know the foundation you are building on. Your government website is crucial to the needs of many constituents. You’ll want to know the ultimate reasoning behind your site. Ask yourself three questions: What are we trying to accomplish? Who will the project benefit? What is the actual, core problem? The answers to these questions will help you establish the main goal you wish to meet. It will also help your government site to best meet the needs of those maintaining it, as well as the users. Ask Why and What Once you have identified your main objective, it’s time to outline the details. You can do this by asking two important questions: why and what. It seems simple enough but the outcomes are anything but. The answers will provide details crucial to the understanding and development of the site. Start with ‘why’. Asking ‘why’ in response to many goal statements can...

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> In Part 2 of our Taxonomy Trilogy, we discuss potential mistakes that many make when constructing the right taxonomy for their site and how to survive them.

- Published: 2018-05-02
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/project-type/ecommerce/common-taxonomy-mistakes-fix/
- Categories: eCommerce

This blog is part 2 of a 3-part series on Taxonomies. To read part 1 on an Introduction to Taxonomies, click here.  To read part 3 on How to Evaluate and Test Taxonomies, click here. As you have already learned, the word taxonomy can have different connotations. Ernesto's post pointed out that taxonomy has its roots in scientific classification. But, web designers and marketers now use the concept to structure websites. This evolution has led to the improvement of the user experience. With such a range of meanings, it's easy to understand why the term taxonomy can create confusion. Especially for anyone trying to understand how to apply it. To add to this confusion, many of us learn about taxonomy concepts in bits and pieces. Me? I first learned about taxonomies in a library science class. We discussed the topic in a very conceptual way. What were the best ways to use taxonomies in the academic setting? How could they be best used to organize huge amounts of academic information? Then I entered the web development world. I learned here that we aren't always trying to classify everything on a site. Instead, we use smaller, flat taxonomies to support specific site functions. Using taxonomy shouldn't be scary or overwhelming. But, it's easy to see how one might get confused about how to classify content on a site. We'll now discuss come common confusions about taxonomies. Most importantly, we'll make sure you don't fall into any traps. Common Taxonomy Confusions and Clarifications 1. Taxonomies Are Keywords When you add keywords to a piece of content using free text, you associate metadata with that content. This can be a very useful tool. Keywords can describe a document with a lot of precision. They also mean you don't have to choose a best fit for your taxonomy. Taxonomy is effectively a series of keywords—carefully organized with users in mind. Yet, this free-form approach cannot provide the structure that taxonomies can. Developers can design systems that rely on taxonomic terms to dynamically generate pages. Imagine trying to do this with a system based on...

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> Website maintenance is like caring for any engine that keeps things moving. Know the best ways to keep your Website Engine healthy and productive.

- Published: 2018-04-30
- Modified: 2025-05-22
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/build-tune-website-engine/
- Categories: Software

A company’s website is one of the most pertinent ways a consumer can connect to a brand. It propels the client relationship forward. An effective site, like a strong engine, brings all parts together to keep business activity running smoothly. And, like all engines, it requires thoughtful design, regular maintenance, and necessary replacements. Consistent website maintenance is imperative to your company's digital success. But you can’t just poof an amazing website into existence. You have to plan obsessively and then execute on that plan. This takes time and talent. It also takes trial and error. Don’t forget good judgement and a strong understanding of what you want your site to do. Suppose you’ve spent a healthy amount of time and money bringing a large website to life. How do you make the most of your investment by maintaining it? Or just as importantly, how can you keep from having to pay for another large web development project in the near future? Here are a few ideas about what you can do to keep a complex website in like-new condition for years to come and your website engine running smoothly. Have A Plan Knowing exactly what you want your site to do is imperative to making a site that works effectively. A site that just exists is in constant crisis. It’s also taking up valuable space and that’s just selfish. Users don’t have time to wander through a site that promises a specific service and then doesn’t follow through. They will be angry, leave, and complain to others who will then avoid your site like the plague. What actions justify your website’s existence? If it’s not to help potential consumers then what direction is your website engine taking you in? Have a map and know where you want to go. Monitor Traffic and Web Analytics After your website goes live, a lot of the future growth and improvement should be user-driven. How can you know if it’s running at its best capacity? Great news! There are tools available that can measure the results. You should use them! By studying visitor traffic...

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> Digital Marketing can seem overwhelming. The ABCs of Digital Marketing, with examples that totally make sense, can help you speak in expert DM language.

- Published: 2018-04-26
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/abcs-digital-marketing/
- Categories: Software

The ABCs of Digital Marketing Your Handy Guide to Important Digital Marketing Terms, Alphabetized Welcome to the world of Digital Marketing! Like all communities, digital marketers have their own language when they talk about their work. We’ve compiled every acronym and term that digital marketers use most to help you keep your vocabulary up to date. Don’t get lost in the jargon. We’ve got you covered and in alphabetical order. A is for... Application: There are two main types of applications. A Mobile Application, commonly called an app, is any program designed to run on smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices. A Web Application, or web app, is a client-server software application where the user interface runs in a web browser. Tools like Blaze, wikis, or platforms that support eCommerce sites, are all examples.   Fun Fact: There is no correlation between number of apps maintained and having one’s life together. B is for... Banner Ad: A form of online advertisement found on desktop and mobile, usually in image format. Largely seen as annoying and ironically slated for banishment if they can’t behave. Do Not Confuse With: Banner years, Banners that wave, Bruce Banner Blog: Content written for a website, usually in a conversational style, and updated regularly with keywords to drive traffic. These posts typically focus on a particular subject matter or service. Often timely, blogs are usually written, published, and read relatively quickly (as opposed to site content like product pages, which remain live for months or years). Movie Quote: ‘You best start believing in blogs, Ms. Turner. You’re in one. ’ Browser: The digital tool you use to navigate the internet, both on mobile and desktop. Examples include Google Chrome, Firefox, and Safari. National Holiday: AOL Remembrance Day remains on hold because Linda won’t get off of the phone. C is for... Click Through Rate (CTR): The number of times users click on an item of interest, like an advertisement, in comparison to the number of impressions (foreshadowing! ) For Example: While playing Racquetball, the number of times the ball hits you in the face would be the...

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> Adding proper taxonomies to your site provides users with digital signposts to find what they are looking for. Here are examples of how taxonomies work.

- Published: 2018-04-25
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/project-type/ecommerce/introduction-taxonomies-signposts-web-site/
- Categories: eCommerce

This blog is part 1 of a trilogy on Taxonomies. Read part 2 on Common Taxonomy Mistakes or part 3 on How to Evaluate and Test Taxonomies if you want to skip ahead. What the hell are taxonomies? How do taxonomies work? Why are taxonomies important to effective web design? This post will tackle these questions and more as an introduction to taxonomies. In two follow up posts, we will cover: Common misconceptions about taxonomies as well as best practices. Techniques to test taxonomies to ensure they’re working and how to fix them if they are not. Let’s begin with where the word “taxonomy” came from. Origins of the Term Taxonomy The first use of the word taxonomy dates back to ancient Greece, by none other than Aristotle. He developed the concept as a way to classify organisms. This later evolved and became known as scientific classification. In taxonomy's scientific classification system, each species has a set of specific categorizations. Each category is unique to only one specie. In other words, each organism has a unique combination of many things that identify it. These include: Domain Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus Modern taxonomy definitions apply the same concept of classification to different fields. For example, the Drupal definition explains taxonomy as a way of classifying content. This is the most common in the marketing space, as marketers generally don't deal with species. But, this definition can be too broad at times as there are many ways of classifying content. The process can encompass everything, from hierarchical relationships to faceted classifications. We'll be focusing on how marketers and web designers use taxonomies. This will allow us to better understand their nature and purpose. How to Properly Use a Taxonomy One of the main purposes of a taxonomy is to dictate a website's navigation. While the taxonomy is not the only tool for laying out the navigation, it is an essential aspect. Think of navigation as a map. A taxonomy serves as the instructions and signs that guide you to your destination. As with routes on a map, there can be...

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> Radio Buttons have been around for a while. Yet, they're still a valuablen, unique tool for web designers. Have you ever considered these radio button uses?

- Published: 2018-04-23
- Modified: 2025-05-13
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/3-user-experience-tips-when-using-radio-buttons/
- Categories: Software

For those in the know, the difference between check boxes and radio buttons seem obvious. Check boxes are for a variety of selections. Radio buttons are for agreed upon exclusive options. It is usually easy to select the proper web form element, but it can get tricky in some situations. Car radio buttons used to have depressible buttons for presets. History of the Radio Button Let's review how radio buttons came to be. Once upon a time, graphical user interface elements were being developed. During this time of innovation, metaphors were often used for icons and actions. For example, an icon with scissors was for the Cut action and a home icon was for a Homepage. Tim Berners-Lee and Dan Connolly were the first to define radio buttons, as well as checkboxes. At the time, car radios most often had buttons for presets, where a person could only press one button down at a time. Young web designers may not recognize the metaphor. Most modern car radios have preset buttons that do not depress. Some people think that the term came from "radius" or "radial". Ah, youth. The good news is that most end users do not need to be familiar with the term "radio button". Yet, there are plenty of endangered metaphors. Remember the floppy disk icon for Save? 3 User Experience Tips Designing web forms here at Atlantic BT is our jam. Most of the time, it's pretty easy for us to determine which form element to use. But, here are some situations that have made us think. Radio Buttons or Drop-Down For a list of reciprocal and exclusive items, should you use radio buttons or a drop-down? Answer: It depends. Use radio buttons when the options underneath are not obvious. This allows users to see every option at the same time. If users understand the options underneath a drop-down, then they work very well. For example, selecting a country requires a long list to choose from. A drop-down used in this example makes sense because the user can navigate through it with ease. The user will have...

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> Atlantic BT's Discovery phase involves comprehensive research, requirements matrices, and initial strategy, to ensure a unique and effective approach.

- Published: 2018-04-19
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/abt-culture/website-discovery-strategy-setting-success/
- Categories: ABT Culture

  You're working with a web design partner, developing a corporate website or application. The research phase has been completed. Cheers! Both teams understand: Your company goals. The features you’re interested in. Your application's users. What’s next? It’s tempting to want to jump in and start working on homepage designs. Web design is exciting and sexy—I’m always blown away by the creativity of our designers. But both visual and technical design needs a foundation. The strategy is key. It ensures that your design is functioning at its best. Would you ask an interior designer to plan their work without seeing concept drawings of a house? That should only be the basis of a terrible reality show. These specific design ideas and plans are what we talk about with strategy. Let’s keep going with the corporate website example mentioned above. It will likely need a Content Management System (CMS) to edit or add new web pages. Wordpress is a popular and powerful CMS. Yet, if you have complicated and unique needs, Wordpress may not be the right platform. Writing the content is another concern. Have you only written content for print marketing or articles? If you haven't written content for the web before, get ready. Web content writing may be different than what you’re used to. A content strategist can help provide guidelines (or write it for you! ). Are you planning to have a single page to list and describe all your services? Your users (and your SEO) may be better served if each service has its own page. All these concerns show why this strategy phase is so important to the success of your project. Rounding Out Website Discovery The strategy phase is part of Discovery, the first “D” of our 5D process for projects. The discovery team has worked with you to verify what, why and for whom. With strategy, we focus on the how. There are three notable aspects of strategy in this last half of the phase: Technical (the development process) Content (how to word your message) Information architecture (how is the content organized) Visual designers...

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> Explore the risks of AI cyber attacks in an IoT-driven world and discover how AI can be used to fortify security measures.

- Published: 2018-04-18
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/malicious-ai-learn-to-hack-humans/
- Categories: Software

It’s no secret that big data and the Internet of Things have led to massive connections in our lives and work. We have smart thermostats. Many people use FitBits. Google's Alexa continues to move into plenty of homes. Our world depends on machines talking to each other. Their language is data. The amount of data is growing beyond the ability of human management. As this continues, we’ll rely more on artificial intelligence to coordinate how the IoT works. In this context, the risk of AI cyber attacks becomes a significant concern, necessitating robust security measures to protect the vast amounts of data being processed and shared. Time for an uncomfortable question: With compromised AI, what do we do? I'm not talking about some science-fiction 2001: A Space Odyssey scenario. This is about the kind of large-scale cyberattacks that have become commonplace. Think about what we already know about technology: Any technology can do good or bad things for and by its user. If someone stands to profit from it, the chance of technological use for ill skyrockets We have serious cyber security problems at both the consumer and enterprise levels. What will be the impact of our increased reliance on AI? Could a Malicious AI Trick a Human? Human users need to be ready to resist AI cyberattacks. One of the hardest cyber threats to protect against is the use of “social engineering”. This can gain entry into a targeted system. In other words, a hacker can trick a user into giving code access to a protected network. It's easy to do. A hacker pretends to be an IT support engineer online, asking users to share their passwords. As AI gets better at social interactions, it will help hackers to automate their attacks. Imagine an AI handling customer support calls and other interactions with humans. That means that its programming can trick humans into damaging their own data. Users would download malicious code or share security credentials. They would be unaware that an AI had misled them. These AI cyber attacks would raise the number of attack attempts significantly. The...

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> Magento has earned its respected place in the eCommerce platform field. But other platforms, like Miva, are on the attack. Which platform comes out on top?

- Published: 2018-04-16
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/ecommerce-services/3-reasons-miva-merchant-shouldnt-compare-itself-to-magento/
- Categories: ABT Culture, Cloud, Cloud Security & Compliance, eCommerce, Ecommerce, Project Type, Technology Consulting, Web Development, Website Management

Miva Merchant often takes the time to attack their eCommerce competitors directly. Maybe you've seen the following ad: This ad, sent via email campaign, continues to say, “Updating crucial security patches is infamously slow on Magento, commonly breaking the functionality of mods and plugins. The tortured development history of Magento means that every back-end integration requires an expensive custom build and painstaking IT maintenance... ” All “fresh” software releases hold inherent bugs and glitches that need to be worked out. So Miva’s attacks aren’t invalid, but it’s hard not to wonder why they’re attacking at all. Miva’s smear campaign doesn’t stop there. In the company’s own article, they claim that running a Magento Enterprise site is roughly twice the cost of a Miva platform, and not worth it. In another email they claim: "Upgrading Magento software is expensive and dangerous. The transition from Magento 1. 92 to 2. 0 was a nightmare for store owners, with even the simple transfer of customer data requiring expensive 3rd-party tools. Magento updates are famous for breaking stores, with custom mods and plug-ins requiring expensive deployment to adapt. " Miva Merchant shouldn’t be criticizing Magento. The cloud-based platform has great customer service and is easy to update, but isn’t actually in Magento's league. Atlantic BT is currently preparing to launch a new client site supported by Magento 2. We've seen first hand the quality of services it provides for us and our partners and would recommend it to any client looking to rebuild their site.   The SaaS-based software shows that Miva shares more with Shopify than Magento. It limits your ability to do custom features and setup. Like Shopify, it’s a solid platform. However, it’s not likely to attract larger businesses that would use Magento. The businesses that Miva is targeting in their email campaign are likely wanting a custom set up with a unique look and feel. Unfortunately, you’re not going to find these options with Miva. Additionally, think about the last time you heard about Miva. Probably never, right? Miva has been around for 18 years. It was actually one of the first...

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> Research is integral to building the best website for your company. Learn more about the Atlantic BT Discovery process and how it elevates our designs.

- Published: 2018-04-12
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/business-analysis/discovery-research-not-just-youre-building/
- Categories: ABT Culture, Business Analysis, Strategy, Technology Consulting, User Experience

Let’s imagine you have a business website or application you need built. In this case, we’ll say it’s a corporate marketing site to inform services you provide, generate customer leads, and promote job openings for prospective employees. Your staff isn’t technical, so you go to a vendor to have this site built. Some agencies may dive right in, saying, “Sure, got it. We’ll go build it now. ” No questions, no research, just build the site and deliver it as soon as possible. What could go wrong? A good digital partner understands a website is more than just features. Features may be what is being built, but it doesn’t answer why. (“Why” may sound like a superfluous question, but see Randy Earl’s article Are You Looking at the Trees or the Landscape? on the power of this question. ) Take promoting job openings from our example of the corporate marketing site. Is your company trying to attract the top talent in the area? In the country? Or, have you had an influx of funding in order to grow extremely quickly? Knowing your company’s goals can heavily influence both the features and the visual design. Maybe you need a classy screening tool to get only top talent, or maybe you need a pay-per-click campaign to heavily promote a warm and welcoming job listing page. Who is browsing the site also has a large impact. When trying to portray your brand and acquire leads, are you targeting millennials or CEOs? Maybe they’re millennial CEOs? In our example, we’ve already identified new customers and employee prospects as two different user groups. Shouldn’t the vendor building your site understand these groups in order to try and appeal to both? Great Projects Begins with Research At Atlantic BT, the first “D” in our 5D Process for projects is Discovery. (The other four phases are Design, Development, Deployment, and Delight; stay tuned for more posts on each. ) This phase starts with research, and a primary goal is to answer these questions of what, why and for whom. Armed with an understanding of company goals, requested...

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> Automated QA testing can save you time and trouble on your technology projects. But how do you get started? Follow these 7 tips for a smooth transition.

- Published: 2018-04-11
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/7-automated-qa-testing-tips-manual-qa-tester/
- Categories: Software

While creating a quality product doesn’t begin with the QA team, quality assurance is essential to a successful project. However, the numerous tests in the QA process take time to run, and prioritizing the right tests is not easy. To maximize the efficiency of the QA process, many technology companies rely on test automation. Test automation is the use of software to execute tests and report the results. This involves automating manual tests to reduce the execution time and manual effort of regression testing. Done right, automated testing can save you a lot of time during a project. Done wrong, automated testing can waste as much time as it saves. For example, it can take a lot of time to find the right automation tool, and once you pick one it takes more time to plan, create, and maintain the tests. As a manual tester, I have a love/hate relationship with automated testing. It’s sometimes simpler for me to test a feature myself rather than taking the time to set up an automated test. However, a well-executed automation plan can free up my time to focus on new features and functionality for a project instead of worrying about regression of existing ones. Below are the seven tips I recommend to anyone considering getting started with automated testing in the QA process. 1. Determine What to Automate in Your QA Testing Process When choosing tests to automate, prioritize tests that will run many times during the project. Some common candidates for automation are: Smoke and Regression tests: These tests verify the general functionality of the software. They may include performing simple actions such as adding, modifying, and deleting data. New Features/Functionality tests: When possible, automate new features/functionality once they have passed initial testing. Add these tests to the regression set so they can run after each project build or when there is a release to QA. By letting automation handle these basic functionality tests, you’ll save the most time and effort. 2. Generate a Standard for your Automated QA Tests There should be a standard test structure for creating automation scripts....

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> Request for Proposals (RFP) are like Bat-Signals in the sky, calling the best potential web development vendors your project needs. Make yours perfect.

- Published: 2018-04-05
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/technology-consulting/website-rfp-development/creating-perfect-web-development-rfp/
- Categories: Application Development, Government, Industry, Software, Technology Consulting, Website RFP Development

When you're ready to launch a new website or improve your existing web presence, finding the right vendor is a crucial first step. You're looking for a team that can deliver exactly what you need for the right price and on your deadline. In order to do so, you'll want to reach out to several qualified vendors. That requires a document called a RFP (Request for Proposal). However, putting an effective web development RFP together isn’t quite as simple as listing a few project requirements and waiting for proposals to arrive. If you want to get the right information, you’ll have to put some thought into the process. If you do it well, you'll ultimately end up with the website and online tools you need. Let’s look at what you can do to create the perfect RFP and get your web development project off on the right foot. Kicking off a web development project is no small feat. To get the best results, you need to find the right partner. The best RFPs have clearly defined goals. You want to weed out the businesses that are not up to the challenge. Clear information from you allows them to share related case studies and prove, most importantly, why they are the best fit for you and your project. -Eileen Allen, ABT VP Strategy Define Your Project by the Result First Too many executives bog down their RFPs with technical or creative details that amount to window dressing. It's better to begin by thinking about the actual goals you want your project to achieve, working backward from that point. The look and features of a website can always change. However, you should know what you’re trying to accomplish in the real world before collecting proposals. Describe Your Organization and its Challenges Thoroughly In order for a web development company to accurately anticipate your needs, it has to understand the environment your organization works in. The more details you can share, the better. Describe your business, its customers, users, and any competitors you might need to worry about. It will be easier for...

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> Many large scale web projects require multiple teams to come together for the common good. Learn how to work together effectively to achieve the same goal.

- Published: 2018-04-04
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/web-design-raleigh/website-management/work-with-web-development-company/
- Categories: Application Development, Digital Project Management, Software, Technology Consulting, Web Development, Website Management

For large, complex web development projects – such as those for universities and government institutions – establishing a new online presence is an intense undertaking. It's not as simple as hiring a single provider and letting them get to work. You might need the assistance of multiple development teams, particularly if one has expertise with a particular software package or programming methodology. Bringing two or more web development companies in to work together can be vital to achieving the right outcome. Here at Atlantic BT, we regularly partner with colleagues in our field to develop complex websites and platforms. We've proudly maintained working relationships with the good folks at Red Hat and Constellation, to name a few. Here are a few tips you can use to keep multiple vendors moving forward in sync. Make Your Needs and Expectations Clear All of your web development vendors should participate in the discovery process together. Collectively, you can agree on necessary benchmarks for success. You’ll want everyone involved to know what you’re trying to achieve and which priorities carry the most weight. It’s a good idea to have key goals and deadlines written and signed into agreement. This provides clarity. The clearer the expectations, the more likely you and your vendors are to achieve your goals. Keep the Lines of Communication Open Each of your web development teams will likely be handling different aspects of the project. Therefore, they need to be “in the loop” with one another during the design, revision, and testing phase. Any design changes can necessitate adjustments for other teams to make in related areas of the website. If you don’t have an open line of communication between both of your web development partners, you could find yourself facing duplicated work and unnecessary costs or delays. Figure Out Where Skills Overlap Even if your web development partners have different specialties, it's likely that there will be some overlap between their skills and roles. For example, both may be proficient with developing user interfaces, or setting up data entry automation. To avoid conflict, or duplicated roles, it’s best to map...

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> Every website has a life cycle made up of three distinct stages. Is your site launched, matured, or dated? Know the best choices to make at each level.

- Published: 2018-04-02
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/understanding-three-major-points-website-life-cycle/
- Categories: Software

In many ways, a website is like any other tool you invest in. When purchasing a new truck or building for your organization, you would understand that it would require upkeep. There is maintenance involved and repairs to take care of. Eventually, your purchase will have run its course and need to be replaced. When it comes to websites, this is easily overlooked. Unfortunately, business owners, executives, and institutional directors often lose sight of this fact. That’s because websites don’t show their age the same way a physical asset would. Nonetheless, they do go through distinct lifecycles you can’t ignore. This process should affect your business planning. Let’s look briefly at the three major points in a website’s life cycle... 1. Website Development and Launch A new website should obviously have all the latest features and tools. It should be designed to be fast, clean, and outlined for a flawless user experience. However, despite being new, it can still use monitoring and improvement. It’s crucial that you and your web development team keep a close eye on the analytics to ensure performance is as strong as expected. This will also help you see whether real-life users are able to find or take advantage of key features. 2. Website Maturity and Revision Once a website has gone live and is stable and effective, you may think all the hard work is done. That’s rarely the case for very long. It’s important to keep adding new content and updating pages to ensure a mature website doesn’t get stale. Additionly, web developers and executives alike need to keep a close eye on competitors, platform providers (like Google, Facebook, Magento, etc. ) and even online marketing best practices to ensure the organization doesn’t fall behind. For example, Atlantic BT worked with Propper to re-design their eCommerce platform using Magento 1. While monitoring the results of the re-design, our developers realized that the growth of the site required another upgrade to Magento 2. A website can remain in the mature, productive stage for at least several years, but only through small improvements and additions. 3....

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> Being an Amazon Web Services (AWS) Public Partner allows Atlantic BT to ensure government clients have the best technology. See why this is unique.

- Published: 2018-03-29
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/abt-culture/means-aws-public-partner/
- Categories: ABT Culture, Cloud Hosting, Government

At Atlantic BT, we are dedicated to delighting our clients. It's one of my favorite things about working here. This is more than just playing with a turnkey tool or service. We want every website, application, and hosting solution to make our clients’ lives easier. ABT is proud to be an Amazon Web Services (AWS) Public Sector Partner. This distinction fits perfectly into our philosophy of delight for our government clients. AWS GovCloud and Public Partnership AWS provides cloud-based hosting and infrastructure for all kinds of organizations. GovCloud is their AWS region designed specifically for US government agencies on the local, state, and federal level. Because these government agencies have unique compliance and security requirements, GovCloud makes it easier to tailor cloud environments to meet these rules. In addition, AWS GovCloud was the first FedRAMP cloud. This means that Amazon has been leading in this space as long as the space has existed. There is no cloud provider safer and better than Amazon Web Services. As cities and states prepare to become “smart” and already smart cities/states become smarter, consuming services in cloud environments like AWS is inevitable. AWS Public Sector Partners are Amazon’s certified vendors to set up and customize their cloud environments for government agencies and organizations. Earning this certification takes AWS experience and expertise. ABT is proud to be a part of this group of vendors. This recognition shows our commitment to helping all government entities make safe, sound decisions. GovCloud adds flexibility for government agencies to engage with AWS terms of service. This is extremely important. While private companies are not allowed to deviate from any AWS terms, GovCloud permits public agencies to adjust pricing to best fit their budgets. It also has essential compliance and security rules built into its system. This ensures that public agencies keep sensitive information safe. Enter Atlantic BT, AWS Public Partner Being an AWS Public Partner gives ABT that same flexibility. We can work with the pricing and architecture needs of any public agency. Then we can deliver the best possible cloud environment for their needs. We also have five...

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> Google will soon steer users away from non-secure HTTP websites. For many web owners and designers, this could be a game changer...and not a good one.

- Published: 2018-03-28
- Modified: 2025-05-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/software-development/google-chrome-warn-users-non-secure-websites/
- Categories: Software

In July of this year, Google will take another step forward in their crusade to secure the internet. They will introduce a new feature on the 68th version of their Chrome browser. Its purpose? To warn users whenever they visit an HTTP website. A large “not secure” icon within the browser’s navigation bar will display. Google hopes to steer their users away from websites that don’t use a proper Transport Layer Security (TLS). This could create many challenges for web owners and designers. Traffic and revenue losses, as well as drops in organic search rankings, could all be consequences.   Google's Quest For Security Previously, Google only had non-secure warnings on pages that featured password input elements and credit card fields. This standard has now been dramatically modified with Google's new warning system. By July, Google will require ALL websites to have their entire domain set up as HTTPS. This comes after several years of successful browser updates. Google was able to vastly increase the percentage of secure websites. In the last year alone, the number of protected websites on Chrome’s browser grew from 67% to 75%. Even more, 71 of the top 100 sites on the internet now use HTTPS by default. This is an increase from 37% one year ago. Google has surpassed all other browsers as the most used browsing platform. This means that Google's policy update will have major implications on your site’s web performance. HTTPS sites guarantee a secure platform  What makes HTTPS different? Before stressing over the potential impact of this update, it’s important to recognize the countless benefits of establishing a secure connection via TLS. If your website is HTTP, as opposed to HTTPS, it means there is no active TLS. A TLS Certificate is a data file that binds a cryptographic key to all of a website’s details. In other words, this certificate creates an encrypted connection between a web server and your browser. This means that the connection between both points is unsusceptible of being hijacked or intercepted. When you load an HTTP website, someone else on the network can look at or...

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## Case Studies

> This pharma copay enrollment forms design and development project involved transforming cumbersome PDF forms into an accessible online portal.

- Published: 2025-07-10
- Modified: 2025-07-10
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/valeris-pharma-copay-enrollment-forms-design/
- Categories: API Development, Application, AWS, Custom Websites, Healthcare, User Experience

Pharma Copay Enrollment Forms Design & Development Valeris View Site Overview A long-standing partner of Atlantic BT, Valeris, called on us to collaborate and address Valeris's workload overflow. ABT stepped in to enhance the patient experience for individuals seeking specific medications and health services by streamlining application processes. This pharma copay enrollment forms design and development project involved transforming cumbersome PDF forms into an accessible online portal, with forms receiving updated designs and others undergoing complete redevelopment to modernize and simplify the application journey for patients. Project Type Applications Technology AWS Industry Healthcare Our Process Discovery Form Flow Audit, Technical Architecture Planning, Requirements Matrix, Domain Strategy Design UI Kit, User Flow, Data Design, High-Fidelity Mockups, Architecture Diagram Development HTML, CSS, Quality Assurance Delight Digital Project Management Company Overview Valeris is a comprehensive life sciences commercialization partner offering a wide array of solutions across the healthcare value chain, from strategic insights and patient support services to healthcare provider engagement. With a focus on streamlining market access and enhancing patient journeys, Valeris collaborates with life science companies to accelerate the value of their products. Their technology-driven services encompass patient affordability and adherence programs, alongside expert guidance in navigating the complexities of the healthcare marketplace. The Ask Valeris needed a strategic partner to address the significant challenges posed by their complex, paper-based patient enrollment forms, which frequently led to patient frustration and administrative inefficiencies. Their core objective was to transition to a modern, digital solution that would not only simplify these intricate patient enrollment form flows and significantly enhance the overall user experience, but also establish a robust, secure, and scalable digital platform. This platform had to be fully capable of handling sensitive Protected Health Information (PHI) in strict compliance with HIPAA and other relevant healthcare regulations, all while maintaining high cost-efficiency in its operation. In essence, Valeris sought a partner with proven capabilities in medical enrollment forms development to build a system that would transform patient interaction, guarantee data security, and optimize operational costs, ultimately improving patient access to critical medications and services. Our Pharma Copay Enrollment Design Process Discovery As part...

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> Higher Ed Website Rebrand for Member Benefit Management Edvance View Site Overview To address Edvance's need for a significant higher ed website rebrand,

- Published: 2025-07-10
- Modified: 2025-07-10
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/edvance-higher-ed-website-rebrand/
- Categories: Audits, Branding, Branding Strategy, Custom Websites, Higher Ed, Integrations, User Experience

Higher Ed Website Rebrand for Member Benefit Management Edvance View Site Overview To address Edvance's need for a significant higher ed website rebrand, as they transitioned from the Student Resource Center to Edvance, Atlantic BT became a crucial partner in this transformation. Recognizing the need for a more cohesive online presence, we tackled the challenge of managing over 50 disparate websites and landing pages created for various member organizations. We implemented a multisite experience, providing Edvance with a centralized platform to consolidate and efficiently manage their digital assets, while also streamlining the application process to effectively support multiple member organizations. Project Type Branding, Custom Website Technology Wordpress Industry Higher Ed Our Process Discovery Stakeholder Interviews, Accessibility Audit Design Design Inspiration & Analysis, Concept Board, Wireframes,High Fidelity Mockups Development PHP, Wordpress, Integrations, Application Architecture, HTML, CSS, AWS, Quality Assurance Delight Digital Project Management Company Overview Edvance focuses exclusively on higher education, delivering member benefits. They collaborate with member-based organizations to engage and inspire members and their families to utilize these benefits. Additionally, Edvance offers a scalable and cost-effective student acquisition model, providing high-intent student prospects ready for admissions. They also guide students through the program selection, application, and enrollment process, and provide ongoing support throughout each student's education and career journey.   The Ask Edvance approached Atlantic BT with a multifaceted request centered on their critical transition from the "Student Resource Center" to "Edvance. " Their primary ask was for a complete higher ed website rebrand of their online presence, requiring not just a new logo and color palette, but a unified brand identity across all digital touchpoints. Crucially, Edvance needed Atlantic BT to consolidate and manage over 50 disparate websites and landing pages created for their various member organizations, seeking a centralized, multisite platform as part of this rebrand. This consolidation aimed to streamline the application process and efficiently manage member benefits for numerous organizations. Ultimately, Edvance sought a solution that would not only provide a cohesive digital experience through the higher ed website rebrand but also support their goal of developing a scalable and cost-effective student acquisition model, enhancing...

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> Drupal Web Development for Major Airport Raleigh-Durham Airport View Site Overview Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) sought to modernize its

- Published: 2025-06-23
- Modified: 2025-07-02
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/raleigh-durham-airport/

Drupal Web Development for Major Airport Raleigh-Durham Airport View Site Overview Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) sought to modernize its digital presence by creating a more accessible and user-friendly website. To achieve this, RDU partnered with Atlantic BT for a comprehensive Drupal web development project, emphasizing mobile responsiveness and accessibility for diverse user groups. The goal was to deliver an enhanced user experience for travelers, businesses, and job seekers alike, while aligning the new design with RDU’s Vision 2040. Atlantic BT employed a structured approach, including stakeholder interviews, usability testing, and accessibility audits, to ensure that the final website would meet the needs of all users and showcase a fresh, modern look through its Drupal web development framework. Project Type Custom Website Technology Drupal Industry B2C Our Process Discovery Stakeholder Interviews, Usability testing, User Personas, Accessibility Audit, Information Architecture, Requirements Matrix, Content Inventory, Data Design Design Design Inspiration & Analysis, Concept Board, Wireframes,High Fidelity Mockups, Site Structure & Mapping Development HTML, CSS, Quality Assurance, Integrations, Content Migration, Accessibility, JavaScript, PHP, HTML, CSS, Code Reviews, Quality Assurance, Application Architecture Delight Digital Project Management, Training, Feature Development, Performance Monitoring, Retainer Company Overview Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU is North Carolina's second-largest airport, following Charlotte Douglas International Airport, and serves as an operating base for Avelo Airlines and a key hub for Delta Air Lines. As of 2024, RDU provides nonstop passenger flights to 59 domestic locations and 10 international destinations, with an average of over 500 aircraft movements each day. The RDU Airport Authority manages the airport's facilities and operations, under the governance of a board composed of representatives from Wake and Durham counties, as well as the cities of Raleigh and Durham. The Ask RDU aimed to create a website that is accessible to a diverse range of users, including individuals with disabilities, women and minorities, non-English speaking travelers, and businesses interested in procurement opportunities. To do this, improving mobile experience was a top priority since 70% of users access the website via mobile devices. They wanted a clear separation of Airport Authority Information from passenger information and a revamped career page to...

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> EnrollmentFUEL turned to Atlantic BT for a new website design and development, boosting brand image and improving higher education lead generation.

- Published: 2025-04-24
- Modified: 2025-07-02
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/enrollmentfuel/
- Categories: Custom Websites, Higher Ed, User Experience, WordPress

EnrollmentFUEL turned to Atlantic BT for a new website design and development, boosting brand image and improving higher education lead generation.

Enrollment Marketing Website Design EnrollmentFUEL View Site Overview EnrollmentFUEL partnered with us to redesign their website with the goal of presenting a more professional, results-driven digital presence that speaks directly to their higher education audience. They wanted the site to clearly communicate who they are, showcase their full range of strategic enrollment management services, and make it easier for users to understand and engage with their offerings. Our team began with a Discovery phase that included in-depth stakeholder interviews, an information architecture workshop, and a peer and competitor analysis to shape the direction of both content and design. Using these insights, we created a streamlined site structure and user experience. Key improvements included a redesigned Courses page with a clearer hierarchy, a robust Resource Center with filtering by content type, and a mega menu that clearly organized services for quick navigation. Throughout the enrollment marketing website design process, we focused on elevating content clarity, usability, and visual impact; ensuring the final site positions EnrollmentFUEL as a trusted and strategic partner. Project Type Custom Website Technology HTML/CSS Industry B2B Our Process Discovery Stakeholder Interviews, Usability testing, Accessibility Audit, Information Architecture Design Design Inspiration & Analysis, Concept Board, Wireframes,High Fidelity Mockups Development HTML, CSS, Quality Assurance Delight Digital Project Management Company Overview EnrollmentFUEL is a student search and enrollment marketing firm that partners with colleges and universities to optimize their recruitment strategies. Known for its data-informed approach and personalized service, EnrollmentFUEL helps institutions connect with the right students through advanced analytics, targeted communications, and innovative digital campaigns. The company combines strategic insight with cutting-edge technology to increase yield and deliver measurable results, all while staying attuned to the evolving landscape of higher education. With a mission to fuel enrollment success, EnrollmentFUEL acts as an extension of campus teams; bringing expertise, creativity, and a passion for student engagement to every project. The Ask EnrollmentFUEL engaged us for their enrollment marketing website design with the goal of elevating its professionalism and better aligning it with the expectations of their target audience. They wanted the new site to clearly communicate who they are and the...

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> Coastal AgroBusiness partnered with ABT to build a custom web application, streamlining sales, inventory, and invoicing for greater efficiency.

- Published: 2025-04-24
- Modified: 2025-07-02
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/coastal-agrobusiness/
- Categories: B2B, Custom Websites, Information Architecture, WordPress

Coastal AgroBusiness partnered with ABT to build a custom web application, streamlining sales, inventory, and invoicing for greater efficiency.

Custom . NET Website for Agriculture Company Coastal AgroBusiness View Site Overview CoastalAgro Business partnered with us to redesign their website with a focus on lead generation, product discoverability, and showcasing their full-service capabilities. Through stakeholder interviews and user persona development, we uncovered insights that guided a new site structure and a user-friendly mega menu for navigating their diverse product inventory. Our design approach emphasized a clean, modern aesthetic and strategically highlighted CoastalAgro’s proprietary offerings and advanced agronomy solutions. Key features like a robust product filtering system and a regional locations page helped elevate the user experience while reinforcing CoastalAgro’s values of integrity, innovation, and strong customer relationships all delivered through a high-performance custom . NET website. Project Type Custom Website Technology Umbraco, . NET Industry B2B Our Process Discovery Stakeholder Interviews, User Personas, Information Architecture Design Design Inspiration & Analysis, Concept Board, Wireframes,High Fidelity Mockups Development Umbraco, HTML, CSS, . NET, Quality Assurance Delight Digital Project Management Company Overview Coastal AgroBusiness is a trusted agricultural solutions provider with over 70 years of experience serving growers in North Carolina, Virginia, and South Carolina. Dedicated to feeding and clothing the world, they offer a comprehensive range of products and services, including crop protection, proprietary Coastal Brands, seed treatments, fertilizers, and precision agronomy services. Their commitment to agriculture is demonstrated through their core values: passion, vision, knowledge, experience, integrity, and dedication to customer success. The Ask CoastalAgro Business approached us with the goal of transforming their website into a powerful lead generation tool that also reflected the full scope of their services and values. They needed a modern, clean, and visually striking site that could effectively showcase their proprietary products and cutting-edge Precision technology. With a diverse inventory of agricultural products, it was also essential to implement an intuitive categorization system to help users navigate offerings with ease. Just as importantly, the custom . NET website needed to communicate CoastalAgro’s core values—supportive personal relationships and integrity—while positioning them as a trusted, forward-thinking partner in the agri-business space. Our Custom . NET Website Process Discovery Our Discovery process began with in-depth stakeholder interviews...

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> Civic Federal Credit Union partnered with ABT to develop Civic 3.0, their next-gen digital banking platform for an enhanced member experience.

- Published: 2025-04-24
- Modified: 2025-07-02
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/civic-federal-credit-union-3-0/
- Categories: B2C, Custom Websites, Partnership/Ongoing Support

Civic Federal Credit Union partnered with ABT to develop Civic 3.0, their next-gen digital banking platform for an enhanced member experience.

Drupal Credit Union Website Civic Federal Credit Union View Site Overview We partnered with Civic Federal Credit Union to design a Drupal credit union website that supports the merger with LGFCU by unifying two member bases under a single, digital-first platform. Through stakeholder interviews, user persona development, and in-depth analysis of both existing sites, we created a strategy that balances community values with modern functionality. The result is a user-friendly site that reflects the new brand, streamlines navigation, and provides tools and resources tailored to both longtime LGFCU members and Civic’s growing audience. From a backend editing experience for staff to dedicated pages for business owners and in-person banking users, the site is built to support a smooth and inclusive transition. Project Type Custom Website Technology Drupal, HTML/CSS Industry B2B Our Process Discovery Stakeholder Interviews, Usability testing, Accessibility Audit, Information Architecture, Requirements Matrix, Technical Audit Design Design Inspiration & Analysis, Concept Board, Wireframes,High Fidelity Mockups, Migration Planning, Data Design, Site Structure & Mapping Development Drupal, HTML, CSS, Quality Assurance, JavaScript, Data Migration, Integrations, Application Architecture, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Accessibility, Code Reviews Delight Digital Project Management, Training, Feature Development, Retainer Company Overview Civic Federal Credit Union is a digital-first credit union dedicated to serving the financial needs of North Carolina’s local government employees and their families. With a mission rooted in accessibility, innovation, and community, Civic offers modern banking solutions designed to empower members with tools for financial wellness, no matter where they live or work. By prioritizing digital services without losing the personal touch, Civic bridges the gap between traditional banking values and forward-thinking technology. The Ask The client engaged us to support the digital transition following the merger of two credit unions into one unified, digital-first institution. They asked us to develop a Drupal credit union website that would retain the strong sense of community valued by LGFCU members while introducing a seamless, intuitive online experience under the Civic brand. With many LGFCU members accustomed to in-person banking and living in areas with limited internet access, accessibility and ease of use were critical. In addition to front-end user...

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> Atlantic BT crafted a Wordpress custom template to meet Sumitomo Electric Europe’s robust, user-centered digital platform.

- Published: 2024-11-06
- Modified: 2025-07-02
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/sumitomo-electric-europe/
- Categories: Custom Websites, PHP, Technology, WordPress

Atlantic BT crafted a Wordpress custom template to meet Sumitomo Electric Europe’s robust, user-centered digital platform.

Wordpress Custom Template for Technology Company Sumitomo Electric Europe View Site Overview We worked with Sumitomo Electric Lightwave on a successful website redesign. With the success of that project, stakeholders at Sumitomo Electric Europe approached us to redesign their website. They needed a site that could leverage elements from the previous WordPress design while incorporating adjustments to better serve a unique European market. Sumitomo Electric Europe sought a website that would align with its brand identity and product offerings, support multilingual access, and provide a seamless experience for its diverse customer base. Atlantic BT crafted a Wordpress custom template to meet Sumitomo Electric Europe’s goals, from discovery through deployment, resulting in a robust, user-centered digital platform. Project Type Custom Website Technology Wordpress Industry B2B Our Process Discovery Analytics Review, Information Architecture, Content Inventory, Requirements Matrix, Taxonomy Workshop Design Page Description Diagrams, High Fidelity Mockups Development Wordpress, HTML, CSS, Quality Assurance, Content Migration, Accessibility, Code Reviews, Integration Delight Digital Project Management, Training Company Overview Sumitomo Electric Europe Ltd. , part of the Sumitomo Electric Group—a Fortune Global 500 company with over 280,000 employees across 40+ countries—provides advanced solutions in telecommunications, automotive, electronics, and energy sectors. Contributing to a global annual revenue of approximately ¥3 trillion (around $20 billion USD), Sumitomo Electric Europe delivers high-tech products like Celmet™ metal foam and Poreflon™ water treatment filters, which enhance efficiency in water and energy industries. Guided by the "Sumitomo Spirit" emphasizing integrity and sustainability, the company aligns its goals with broader societal benefit The Ask Having previously redesigned the Sumitomo Electric Lightwave website, the USA division of Sumitomo Corporation, Atlantic BT was approached by Sumitomo Electric Europe to leverage part of that WordPress design to refresh their own site. Sumitomo Europe aimed to reuse key design elements but needed adjustments to reflect the unique content and expanding needs of their regional operations. This included adapting the website to support a diverse European customer base with varying industry requirements. Atlantic BT's task was to align the Wordpress custom template’s structure and functionality with Sumitomo Electric Europe’s branding, specific products and to enhance user experience for...

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> Tactical gear specialists Lionheart Alliance engaged ABT to update their BigCommerce theme, ensuring custom features remained fully functional.

- Published: 2024-11-06
- Modified: 2025-07-02
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/lionheart-alliance/
- Categories: B2B, eCommerce

Tactical gear specialists Lionheart Alliance engaged ABT to update their BigCommerce theme, ensuring custom features remained fully functional.

BigCommerce Theme Update Lionheart Alliance View Site At a Glance Lionheart Alliance (LHA), a company specializing in providing tactical gear and training for law enforcement and military professionals, has been a long-term client of Atlantic BT, relying on ABT’s expertise to support and enhance their eCommerce presence through their Magento site. Recently, Lionheart Alliance encountered limitations with their ability to update their current BigCommerce theme and maintain the custom work they added to it. Wanting help with their BigCommerce theme update, Lionheart Alliance asked Atlantic BT to help and ensure their site remained reliable and functional. Project Type Custom Website Technology BigCommerce Industry B2B Our Process Development BigCommerce, Integration, Accessibility, Stencil CLI, Stencil, JavaScript, Handlebars. js. HTML, CSS, Code Reviews, Quality Assurance Deploy Continuous Integration, Continuous Deployment, Custom Bash Scripts for Bitbucket Delight Digital Project Management, Training, Feature Development, Ongoing Support Company Overview Lionheart Alliance is a business that specializes in providing tactical gear, training, and consulting services for law enforcement, military personnel, and security professionals. Their product offerings typically include a wide range of high-quality equipment such as body armor, firearms accessories, medical kits, and apparel designed for durability and performance in demanding environments. In addition to their product line, Lionheart Alliance is known for its focus on training and professional development, offering courses and resources to help clients enhance their skills in areas like tactical operations, self-defense, and emergency response. By combining expertise in both products and training, Lionheart Alliance serves as a comprehensive resource for organizations seeking to improve operational readiness and safety. The Ask Lionheart Alliance approached Atlantic BT with a complex issue regarding their new BigCommerce theme. While the updated theme offered significant improvements in aesthetics and accessibility—making it a more attractive option for the future—it also required substantial rework to align the templates and color schemes with their original site. Additionally, the new theme introduced the challenge of preserving custom code, as any customizations implemented were at risk of being overwritten during routine theme updates. This required careful documentation and consistent backups to ensure that the site remained functional and customized to Lionheart Alliance’s...

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> Premier Research's redesigned WordPress site embodies innovation, featuring responsive forms and a modern appeal to leading biotech companies.

- Published: 2024-10-14
- Modified: 2025-07-02
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/premier-research/
- Categories: Cloud Hosting, Custom Websites, Healthcare, PHP, WordPress

Premier Research's redesigned WordPress site embodies innovation, featuring responsive forms and a modern appeal to leading biotech companies.

Medical Web Design for Contract Research Organization Premier Research View Site Overview Premier Research engaged Atlantic BT for a complete redesign of their WordPress website to better embody their commitment to scientific innovation. As a CRO conducting advanced clinical research, Premier Research wanted a modern, forward-thinking website that would appeal to cutting-edge biotech companies. In addition to a sleek, cutting-edge design, they needed the site’s forms to be fully responsive to ensure a seamless experience for users across all devices. They needed a technology partner with a proven track record in delivering high-quality websites and the flexibility to supplement their team where they needed the most help. Premier Research turned to Atlantic BT to bring their medical web design vision to life and position them as the go-to choice for biotech companies seeking research excellence. Project Type Custom Website Technology Wordpress Industry Medical Our Process Discovery Stakeholder Interviews, UX Evaluation, Technical Audit, Accessibility Audit, Information Architecture, Content Inventory, Design Site Structure & MappingHigh Fidelity Mockups Development Wordpress, Integration, Content Migration, Accessibility, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, Quality Assurance Delight Digital Project Management, Training, Feature Development Company Overview Premier Research is a global contract research organization (CRO) that provides comprehensive clinical development services to the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and medical device industries. Operating in more than 20 countries and employing over 2,000 employees, the company specializes in conducting complex clinical trials, particularly in areas like rare diseases, oncology, neuroscience, pediatrics, and gene therapy. Premier Research has a strong focus on rare and orphan diseases, which account for about 30% of its clinical trials, making it a leader in this highly specialized area of drug development. The Ask Premier Research, while working with a contracted designer, sought Atlantic BT to supplement their development team and provide design assistance as needed. Their vision was to completely revamp their website with engaging visuals, including animated SVGs, videos, dynamic hover states, and other interactive elements to create a highly immersive experience. This medical web design also required a significant content migration to ensure a smooth transition. Additionally, Premier Research wanted their Premier Perspectives blog to have simpler filtering...

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> NCDOL's OSH portal for workplace safety standards was modernized with a Drupal upgrade, improving content organization and resource accessibility.

- Published: 2024-10-11
- Modified: 2025-07-02
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/nc-department-of-labor-osh/
- Categories: Drupal, Government, Member Portal, Partnership/Ongoing Support, PHP

NCDOL's OSH portal for workplace safety standards was modernized with a Drupal upgrade, improving content organization and resource accessibility.

Drupal 10 Upgrade for Government Portal NC Department of Labor View Site Overview The N. C. Department of Labor’s (NDCOL) “One Stop Shop” portal serves as the central hub for all Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) standards, providing employees with crucial information and resources to ensure workplace safety and compliance. NCDOL partnered with Atlantic BT to transition an outdated Cold Fusion system to a more flexible and powerful Drupal 9 platform, subsequently maintaining it through a Drupal 10 upgrade for its advanced capabilities and security features. Project Type Custom Website Technology Drupal Industry Government Our Process Discovery Stakeholder Interviews, Contextual Inquiry, Card Sorting, Technical Audit, Requirements Matrix, Data Design, Information Architecture, Content Inventory Design Design Inspiration & Analysis, Concept Board, Wireframes,High Fidelity Mockups Development Drupal, HTML, CSS, Quality Assurance, Accessibility, Application Architecture, Code Reviews, Quality Assurance Delight Digital Project Management, Training, Feature Development Company Overview The North Carolina Department of Labor (NCDOL) is a government agency responsible for promoting the health, safety, and general well-being of the state's workforce. It enforces various labor laws, including those related to workplace safety, wage and hour standards, and employment practices. The NCDOL also provides education, training, and consultation services to ensure businesses comply with state and federal regulations. Its mission is to foster a safe and healthy working environment across North Carolina, supporting both employers and employees. The Ask NCDOL requested to move away from their outdated ColdFusion-based technology for their OSH portal, which required administrators to use coding and Dreamweaver to edit and add new pages. This made content management cumbersome and inefficient. Additionally, employees found it difficult to locate documents and information due to the current disorganized structure and limited search functionality, which hindered productivity and access to important resources. In addition, NCDOL wanted to update their internal intranet from Drupal 7 to Drupal 9. Our Drupal 10 Upgrade Process Discovery During the discovery phase, we conducted a series of stakeholder interviews to gain a deep understanding of the organizational needs of the North Carolina Department of Labor. To further explore the workflow and specific tasks performed, we carried out contextual...

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> Atlantic BT was entrusted with the government web design process to better suit members' needs while drawing awareness to the many benefits NCLM offers.

- Published: 2024-07-31
- Modified: 2025-07-02
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/nclm-government-web-design/
- Categories: Cloud Hosting, Custom Websites, Government, Umbraco

Atlantic BT was entrusted with the government web design process to better suit members' needs while drawing awareness to the many benefits NCLM offers.

Umbraco local government web design North Carolina League of Municipalities View Site Overview The North Carolina League of Municipalities (NCLM) is a member-driven organization whose members consist of cities and towns of all sizes throughout North Carolina. While NCLM wanted to engage current users more and gain new ones, over the years of content changes, the navigation became cumbersome. NCLM partnered with Atlantic BT for their government web design project in order to completely overhaul the user experience. Project Type Custom Website Technology Umbraco Industry Government Our Process Discovery Stakeholder Interviews, Usability testing, User Personas, Information Architecture, Technical Audit Design Design Inspiration & Analysis, Concept Board, Wireframes,High Fidelity Mockups Development Content MigrationHTML, CSS, Quality Assurance, Data Migrations, Quality Assurance Testing, Content Migrations Delight Digital Project Management, Training, Performance monitoring, Retainer Company Overview For more than 100 years, NCLM has been dedicated to representing the interests of cities and towns throughout the State. Their mission is to bolster local leadership by collaborating centrally to promote best practices and impart knowledge and expertise. NCLM has accomplished many efforts over the years including; spearheading clean water bond issues, as well as establishing self-funded pools for workers comp, employee benefits and property and liability insurance. The Ask NCLM leaders strived to increase awareness of the benefits of becoming a member to all municipalities. However, members complained that the organization of the web content was not intuitive, and the resource library search didn’t work well. So navigating the website for relevant resources was quite difficult. Behind the scenes, users needed a seamless way to log in to their account based in Microsoft Dynamics and access the information they need. Atlantic BT was entrusted with the government web design process to better suit their members' needs while drawing awareness to the many benefits NCLM has to offer. Our Government Web Design Process Discovery Atlantic BT starts every Discovery phase with stakeholder interviews, laying a solid groundwork based on business requirements. We ran a Technical audit on the website and determined that the redesign would be an Umbraco based . NET Core MVC application. We conducted user...

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> Toshiba Global Commerce collaborated with ABT to redesign their custom b2b website, resulting in a Silver Stevie® Award.

- Published: 2024-05-09
- Modified: 2025-07-02
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/b2b-custom-website-toshiba-commerce/
- Categories: B2B, Partnership/Ongoing Support

Toshiba Global Commerce collaborated with ABT to redesign their custom b2b website, resulting in a Silver Stevie® Award.

Custom B2B website and partnership with technology company Toshiba Global Commerce View Site Overview Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions, a division of Toshiba Business Solutions, stands at the forefront of retail store technology, delivering innovative point-of-sale (POS) systems, digital signage, and self-service kiosks to over 120 countries worldwide. In their pursuit of enhancing customer experience and streamlining operations, Toshiba Global Commerce partnered with Atlantic BT to revamp their website, commerce. toshiba. com. The collaboration aimed to create an intuitive, solution-focused digital platform that simplifies the user journey and reduces the mental load on customers. By incorporating cutting-edge design and development strategies, the new custom b2b website not only improved navigation and usability but also earned a prestigious Silver Stevie® Award for "Achievement in Web Design" at the 2024 American Business Awards®. Project Type Custom Website Technology HTML/CSS Industry B2B Our Process Discovery Stakeholder Interviews, Usability testing, Accessibility Audit, Information Architecture Design Design Inspiration & Analysis, Concept Board, Wireframes,High Fidelity Mockups Development HTML, CSS, Quality Assurance Delight Digital Project Management Company Overview Toshiba Commerce is a division of Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions, which specializes in retail store technology solutions. The division focuses on providing advanced point-of-sale (POS) systems, digital signage, and self-service kiosks designed to enhance customer experiences and improve operational efficiency in the retail sector. Toshiba Commerce leverages cutting-edge technology to deliver innovative and reliable solutions that help retailers manage and grow their businesses effectively. The Ask Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions engaged with Atlantic BT to provide discovery, design, and front-end development for their website commerce. toshiba. com. On top of an updated design and a stellar mobile experience, they wanted their customers and representatives to be able to find information on the website quickly. They believed that having a solution-focus to the website would relieve the mental load of customers having to piece together the hardware and software solutions themselves. Our Custom B2B Website Process Discovery During the Discovery phase, we conducted usability tests with customers of the current website to uncover ways of improving the user experience. We discovered challenges related to navigating the menu and determining the appropriate...

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> Comfort Monster turned to Atlantic BT for HVAC AI consulting to find out how AI could best be integrated into their existing processes.

- Published: 2024-04-17
- Modified: 2025-07-02
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/comfort-monster-ai/
- Categories: Application, B2C, Integrations, Partnership/Ongoing Support

Comfort Monster turned to Atlantic BT for HVAC AI consulting to find out how AI could best be integrated into their existing processes.

AI Consulting for HVAC Company Comfort Monster, Heating & Air View Site Overview Comfort Monster Heating & Air, a leading HVAC service provider in the Raleigh-Durham area, is known for its excellent service and affordability. The company aims to enhance its internal processes for better efficiency for both staff and customers, eyeing Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a pivotal tool for achieving this goal. To navigate the complexities of AI integration, Comfort Monster partnered with Atlantic BT for specialized AI consulting. Project Type AI Consulting Technology Artificial Intelligence Industry B2C/B2B Our Process Discovery Stakeholder Interviews, Contextual Inquiries, AI Consulting Development Integrations Delight Digital Project Management Company Overview Comfort Monster Heating & Air, the leading HVAC service company in the Raleigh-Durham metropolitan area, serves both residential and commercial clients. Comfort Monster is most well known for their great service & affordable pricing. Comfort Monster believes that great customer experience comes from “smart technology, great people, and great culture. ” The Ask Comfort Monster strives to improve their internal processes to reduce time on certain tasks and improve efficiencies for staff and customers alike. Intrigued by the potential of Artificial Intelligence to streamline their operations. However, they noticed a gap in practical advice for businesses interested in AI tools. To bridge this gap, Comfort Monster turned to Atlantic BT, leveraging our expertise in AI consulting, to explore how AI could best be integrated into their existing processes effectively and efficiently. Our HVAC AI Consulting Process Discovery Our AI Discovery began with individual consultations with each department head. We asked them about the specific workflows of each department, their duration, and the number of personnel involved. Leveraging the information gathered from these interviews, we identified the workflows with the most potential for AI integration. Following this, we conducted contextual inquiries for each of the workflows and mapped them out into detailed experience maps. The maps were instrumental in highlighting areas for improvement, enabling us to formulate customized AI recommendations tailored to enhance efficiency and effectiveness across the board.   The End Result We recommended several AI strategies and tools that would help improve Comfort...

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> ABT initiated a Next.js software upgrade allowing LaMarche more efficiently management of their claims and accounting.

- Published: 2024-04-04
- Modified: 2025-07-02
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/lamarche-next-js-software-upgrade/
- Categories: Application, AWS, Cloud Hosting, Finance, JavaScript, Partnership/Ongoing Support, PHP

ABT initiated a Next.js software upgrade allowing LaMarche more efficiently management of their claims and accounting.

Insurance agency Next. js React-based software upgrade LaMarche Associates Overview In a strategic move to enhance their digital infrastructure, LaMarche Associates, an independent insurance adjusting firm, embarked on an ambitious Next. js software upgrade for their proprietary Claims Management System. LaMarche partnered once again with Atlantic BT to transition their internal portal to a modern, React-based framework using Next. js. This upgrade was necessitated by the obsolescence of their previous AngularJS and Zend Framework 2 platforms, which posed risks of security vulnerabilities and operational inefficiencies. The collaboration aimed to leverage cutting-edge technology to ensure faster loading times, improved scalability, and a seamless user experience for LaMarche's robust client base. Project Type Application Technology React Industry Finance Our Process Discovery Stakeholder Interviews Design Design Inspiration & Analysis, Concept Board, Wireframes,High Fidelity Mockups Development React, Integrations Delight Digital Project Management, Retainer, Feature Development, Training, Performance Monitoring Company Overview LaMarche Associates is an independent insurance adjusting firm handling first and third party property and casualty claims. Since 1989 they have been serving the New England states of Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island, and now also have offices in New York City, Upstate New York, and New Jersey. “For us, it's about dependability and reliability. The relationship with Atlantic BT started with the redevelopment of our proprietary Claims Management System. That relationship turned out exceptionally well and we knew we found a partner we’d be able to trust for the foreseeable future. We enjoy our relationship with Atlantic BT because they are knowledgeable and genuinely care about the well being of our company. ” -Greg LaMarche, Owner The Ask In 2014, Atlantic BT custom-built an internal web portal allowing LaMarche to more efficiently manage their claims and accounting processes. After the launch, LaMarche executed an annual retainer contract, securing ABT as their maintenance and technical support partner. In 2022 they requested our assistance with moving their internal portal to a new web development framework. It was originally built with AngularJS and Zend Framework 2, which are now both obsolete platforms. If not modified, this “technical debt” can lead to security issues, slower loading interactions,...

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> Facing the need for manufacturing web design to accommodate escalating enterprise demands, Shapeways collaborated with Atlantic BT.

- Published: 2024-03-26
- Modified: 2025-07-02
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/manufacturing-web-design/
- Categories: B2B, B2C, Custom Websites

Facing the need for manufacturing web design to accommodate escalating enterprise demands, Shapeways collaborated with Atlantic BT.

Digital manufacturing web design Shapeways View Site Overview Shapeways’ digital manufacturing services have enabled over one million customers globally to create more than 21 million parts, leveraging 11 different technologies and 90 different materials and finishes. Facing the need for a website redesign to accommodate the influx of enterprise clients, Shapeways collaborated with Atlantic BT for a manufacturing web design solution tailored to their specific requirements. Through Atlantic BT’s comprehensive Discovery and Design Process, they successfully overhauled Shapeways’ website, ensuring it was optimally structured to support their expanding business needs and enhance user engagement. Project Type Custom Website Technology Wordpress Industry B2B Our Process Discovery Stakeholder Interviews, User Interviews, User Flows, Information Architecture Design Design Inspiration & Analysis, Concept Board, Wireframes,High Fidelity Mockups Delight Digital Project Management Company Overview Shapeways is revolutionizing the multi-trillion dollar manufacturing industry by digitizing the end-to-end manufacturing process. Offering top-tier digital manufacturing solutions, Shapeways serves over 1 million customers in more than 180 countries, catering to both enterprise and consumer segments. Their manufacturing processes include 3D printing alongside traditional manufacturing methods such as injection molding, urethane casting, CNC machining among others, ensuring high-quality production for a wide array of needs. The Ask As the company has grown from a consumer, self-service, 3D printing brand to more mid-size and enterprise customers, it became difficult to balance the two customers on the website. Additionally, Shapeways acquired a few manufacturing companies to expand their verticals and needed a way to integrate them into the brand. Shapeways’ main goal was to grow their enterprise clients and their current design was too consumer-focused. To tackle their growing pains, they partnered with Atlantic BT manufacturing web design that would tailor experiences for both consumer and enterprise customer groups. Our Manufacturing Web Design Process Discovery Atlantic BT assisted with both the Discovery phase and Design phase of the website redesign. As part of our discovery process we first talked to stakeholders to gain a deeper understanding of their business needs. The majority of their profit comes from medium to enterprise clients for traditional manufacturing while a small profit comes from consumer one-off,...

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> TrackRecord Health found an ideal partner for the Discovery and Design phases of their custom web application for prescription discounts.

- Published: 2024-03-04
- Modified: 2025-07-02
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/custom-web-application-trackrecord-health/
- Categories: Application

LifeSafer helped launch the ignition interlock industry and needed their website’s user experience to match the same ease of use as their product.

Custom web application startup in the drug discount card market TrackRecord Health Overview TrackRecord Health is an innovative startup emerging in the Drug Discount Card Market, an industry expected to reach $28. 88 Billion by 2031. Accessible and affordable access to prescription drugs provides a critical means of survival, particularly for individuals facing financial constraint. In a landscape filled with numerous services offering discounts globally, TrackRecord Health has crafted a unique value proposition for their startup. Leveraging Atlantic BT’s proven expertise in developing customized web applications, TrackRecord Health found an ideal partner for the Discovery and Design phases of their custom web application, ensuring a tailored solution that aligns seamlessly with their unique needs. Project Type Application, Branding Technology HTML/CSS Industry Healthcare Our Process Discovery User Interviews, Usability testing, User Workflows, Information Architecture Design Design Inspiration & Analysis, Concept Board, Wireframes,High Fidelity Mockups Delight Digital Project Management Client Testimonial “ABT was a fantastic partner to work with. They were curious, meticulous, and agile throughout our entire product discovery process. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the ABT team to anyone looking for support on UX research, design, and application architecture. ” Andy Chan, CEO TrackRecord Health The Ask Track Record Health noticed that people were overpaying for their crucial medications. Although prescription discount services were available, getting the best prices required time-consuming searching on six or seven different websites to find the best prices. In response to this challenge, Track Record Health planned on creating an innovative solution – the ScriptScouts app. This app aimed to streamline the process by efficiently searching various prescription discount services, providing users with the best overall prices for multiple medications simultaneously. Our Custom Web Application Process Discovery Atlantic BT began a full Discovery and Design process to flesh out the features and functionality of the ScriptScouts custom web application. We started with user research, personas and user flows to guarantee an optimal user experience. Next, we delved into researching data gathering approaches, API specs, crafting business logic pseudo code, and planning the application’s architecture and hosting. We proposed a technical architecture for a Python Serverless...

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> Conduent, a Fortune 500 company, partnered with Atlantic BT to accelerate development, adapting to changing campaigns and goals.

- Published: 2023-06-22
- Modified: 2025-07-02
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/conduent-2023/
- Categories: Custom Websites, Partnership/Ongoing Support, PHP, WordPress

Conduent, a Fortune 500 company, partnered with Atlantic BT to accelerate development, adapting to changing campaigns and goals.

Enterprise Technology Partnership Conduent View Site Overview With 93,000 employees in more than 40 countries, Conduent is an enterprise-size company ranking annually on the Fortune 500 list. But being the biggest doesn’t necessarily mean being able to move the fastest. “We were developing so slowly that by the time we had a landing page ready, the campaigns and goals had already changed. ” Enter Atlantic BT. We’ve been a trusted Conduent partner since their inception, modernizing and adding capabilities to their developing strategy through our enterprise technology partnership.   Project Type Partnership/ On-going Support, Cloud Hosting Technology WordPress Industry B2B Our Process Discovery Technical Audit, Accessibility Audit Design High Fidelity Mockups Development Cloud Hosting, WordPress, Integrations Delight Digital Project Management, Retainer, Feature Development, Training, Performance Monitoring Company Overview Conduent provides Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) software for business operations, government, and the transportation industry. The company was formed in 2017 as a divestiture from Xerox. Conduent’s headquarters are located in Florham Park, New Jersey, though their solutions and 93,000+ employees span across 40 countries. The Ask When Conduent branched off from Xerox, they subsequently lost their in-house development team. With each of Conduent’s products having its own website, that created a major maintenance and security gap. Understandably, Conduent’s priorities were focused on building a company separate from Xerox. They knew establishing an enterprise technology partnership would be necessary to ensure their sites continued to deliver the same great user experience. Our Enterprise Technology Partnership Website Process Discovery Atlantic BT has run technical and accessibility audits as part of Conduent's continued improvement and enterprise technology partnership Development Our relationship with Conduent began with the Atlantic BT team taking over the monitoring and maintenance of 20+ websites. We immediately implemented a DevOps process to span across our developers, Conduent team members, and any other external technology partners. We manage their version upgrades for WordPress, PHP, and all other plug-ins. Design We’ve helped to fill in any gaps along the way with design, UI, front-end development, and site architecture. Delight Through the enterprise technology partnership with Atlantic BT, Conduent ensures robust website maintenance, security,...

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> LifeSafer helped launch the ignition interlock industry and needed their B2C Wordpress web design to match the same ease of use.

- Published: 2023-05-08
- Modified: 2025-07-02
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/lifesafer-ignition-interlock/
- Categories: B2C, Custom Websites, Partnership/Ongoing Support, WordPress

LifeSafer helped launch the ignition interlock industry and needed their B2C Wordpress web design to match the same ease of use.

B2C Wordpress web design improvement Lifesafer View Site Overview LifeSafer helped launch the ignition interlock technology industry in 1991 and a year later was the first ignition interlock company to meet the National Highway Traffic Safety Association standards. They’ve helped over 1. 5 million drivers get back on the road safely and quickly, and needed their website’s user experience to match the same ease of use as their product. To achieve this, a comprehensive B2C Wordpress web design strategy with Atlantic BT was essential. Project Type Custom Website Technology Wordpress Industry B2C Our Process Discovery Stakeholder Interviews, Usability testing, Accessibility Audit, Information Architecture Design Design Inspiration & Analysis, Concept Board, Wireframes,High Fidelity Mockups Development HTML, Integration, CSS, Wordpress, Delight Digital Project Management Company Overview LifeSafer Ignition Interlock is the nation’s leading provider of ignition interlock devices (IIDs). An IID prevents a vehicle from starting if the operator has an unacceptable amount of alcohol in their system. In 2021, LifeSafer merged with SCRAM Systems, whose founders have been researching and working in the field of transdermal alcohol testing since 1989. Together they offer the most complete set of alcohol monitoring technologies on the market. The Ask LifeSafer’s website is vital to the company’s bottom line. It is how customers find LifeSafer installation locations and schedule appointments to purchase their products / services. When users were having trouble locating their nearest LifeSafer location, they knew they had to simplify the website’s user experience or risk losing vital revenue. Improvements to the mobile experience were prioritized as 80% of their users are visiting the site from their cell phones. Atlantic BT implemented an overarching B2C Wordpress web design discovery and design process to deliver an optimized site for the users. Our Custom B2B Website Process Discovery As with most of our projects, Atlantic BT began an extensive Discovery Process to uncover LifeSafer’s needs and develop the best strategy. We conducted stakeholder interviews to understand business requirements and mobile usability testing to reveal customer pain points. Some users had difficulty finding the Lifesafer closest to them, a crucial step in the enrollment process. Design...

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> GAMI partnered with Atlantic BT for a top-of-the-line user experience for a seamless application process on a new custom client portal.

- Published: 2023-05-02
- Modified: 2025-07-02
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/gami/
- Categories: Application, B2C, Branding, Cloud Hosting, eCommerce, JavaScript, Partnership/Ongoing Support, PHP

A seamless application process with GAMI's custom ecommerce platform. Partnered with Atlantic BT for a top-of-the-line user experience.

Custom Client Portal Development for Aviation Company General Aviation Modification Inc. View Site Overview Companies like Shopify, WooCommerce, and Squarespace have made it easy and cost-effective for even the smallest of organizations to have their own client portal for sign up and checkout. But when you’re an aviation manufacturer operating in a highly regulated industry, there aren't any ecommerce options that fit. Our prior experience developing custom client portals to fit our clients' needs, as well as the numerous successful projects we’ve launched with other highly regulated industries similar to the FAA, made Atlantic BT the perfect partner for General Aviation Modification, Inc. (GAMI).   Project Type eCommerce, Cloud hosting Technology AWS Industry B2B Our Process Discovery Stakeholder Interviews, Usability testing, User Workflows Design Concept Board, Wireframes,High Fidelity Mockups, Clickable Prototype, Branding Development AWS, Integrations, code reviews, automated UI tests, Quality Assurance Delight Digital Project Management, Training, Retainer Company Overview General Aviation Modification, Inc. is an aviation fuel injector manufacturer and service provider. Since 1993 GAMI developed and certified specifications for precision fuel injectors for over 300 different engine models. With GAMIjectors, pilots and mechanics of internal combustion engines saw their cylinders return to optimal performance. The Ask Throughout most of the US, leaded gas has become a thing of the past. Except in the aviation industry. Until now that is, thanks to GAMI. They developed the first ever high-octane unleaded AvGas approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)! For pilots to use GAMI’s unleaded AvGas, the FAA requires them to display fuel permission placards and maintain STC documentation. GAMI wanted the process for obtaining this regulatory documentation to be as easy as possible for their customers. Current market ecommerce solutions would not work for GAMI’s product. They needed a custom client portal for pilots to register, purchase and collect the required documentation.   Our Custom Client Portal Process Discovery Through stakeholder interviews, we began by identifying the application requirements and regulatory constraints. We created user workflows to visualize each step of the user journey from sign up to checkout for the custom client portal. Development We integrated Laravel APIs...

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> Mutual Drug relied on Atlantic BT as their technology partner to ensure secure digital operations for their billion-dollar pharmacy business.

- Published: 2023-04-22
- Modified: 2025-07-02
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/mutual-drug-2023/
- Categories: .NET, Application, AWS, Cloud Hosting, eCommerce, Healthcare, Member Portal, Partnership/Ongoing Support

Mutual Drug relied on Atlantic BT as their technology partner to ensure secure digital operations for their billion-dollar pharmacy business.

. NET pharmacy network portal redesign Mutual Drug At a Glance Mutual Drug runs a billion-dollar business by supplying more than 500 pharmacies with over 25,000 drugs and other items. With a business model completely dependent on online transactions, Mutual Drug recognizes that technology is one of their most vital resources. By engaging Atlantic BT for their . NET portal redesign, they could remain confident that their digital presence was secure and would continue to flourish for many more decades to come. Project Type Member PortalCloud Hosting Technology . NET Industry Healthcare Our Process Discovery Technical Audit, Stakeholder Interviews Design Mockups Development Cloud Hosting, Integration, . NET Deploy AWS, Infrastructure as Code, Continuous Deployment, Security Monitoring, Quality Assurance Testing Delight Digital Project Management, Training, Feature Development, Performance Monitoring Company Overview Mutual Drug was founded in 1952 as a member owned network of independent pharmacies. The founders dreamed of a customer-owned service corporation where they could obtain merchandise at a reduced wholesale cost and pass on the savings to their customers. Today, Mutual Drug is a billion-dollar business that supplies more than 500 pharmacies with over 25,000 drugs and other items. The Ask With 500 member pharmacies using Mutual Drug’s online member portal, MDMembers, Mutual Drug’s IT team knew the importance of superior network reliability. To ensure accurate delivery and supply of many potentially life-saving items, they needed a stable custom ordering platform. In order to deliver a more reliable solution, they knew they also needed a better hosting solution for the MDMembers web portal. Atlantic BT led a comprehensive . NET portal redesign.   Our . NET Portal Redesign Process Discovery Through an analysis of Mutual Drug’s existing application, hosting, and endpoints, Atlantic BT suggested improvements to MDMembers portal application that would better engage customers and improve the level of service the organization could deliver. Development We introduced new development strategies to ensure the . NET portal redesign met certain security compliance and improved functionality. A new cloud-based . NET application was proposed which included asynchronous data transfer with the ERP, a DEA approved library for allowing controlled substance orders,...

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> Sumitomo's WordPress website design enhances UX, supporting their growth as a leading provider of data center and communication network solutions.

- Published: 2023-01-12
- Modified: 2025-07-02
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/sumitomo-wordpress-website-design/
- Categories: AWS, B2B, Custom Websites, PHP, WordPress

As their company grew to a $1 billion dollar company, Sumitomo’s website failed to keep up. The website redesign for this data center, enterprise, and communication network solutions company improved user experience for their clients and technicians.

Wordpress website design technology company Sumitomo Electric Lightwave View Site Overview As a website design + development company, Atlantic BT knows that user experience (UX) is just as important as a website’s functionality. Research firm Forrester confirms this in a 2016 study where they found that every $1 invested in UX results in a return of $100. Sumitomo Electric Lightwave didn’t need convincing. They knew they had a problem with their Wordpress website design when even their own installation technicians had trouble finding the product information they needed. Project Type Custom Website Technology Wordpress Industry B2B Our Process Discovery Stakeholder Interviews, Usability interviews, Taxonomy, Information Architecture Design Design Inspiration & Analysis, Concept Board, Wireframes,High Fidelity Mockups Development HTML, CSS, Quality Assurance, Wordpress, Content Migration Delight Digital Project Management Company Overview Sumitomo Electric Lightwave (SEL) is an industry leader in next generation optical fiber. From the very day they opened their doors in 1983, they knew that an all optical fiber network was the wave of the future. SEL is a wholly owned privately-held company of Sumitomo Electric Industries (SEI) – the only optical fiber and cable manufacturer on the global Fortune 500 Company list. The Ask Rapidly growing from a $200 million to a $1 billion company, SEL’s website wasn’t keeping up. Their technicians could not easily access vital data needed while on job sites and the company’s product information was not searchable within the site’s search engine. The overall design was dated and not mobile-friendly. Most troubling was the complexity of their product catalog as users were unable to locate the products they were interested in purchasing. Sumitomo Electric Lightwave needed to improve their website with a new WordPress website design. Our Wordpress Website Design Process Discovery Major usability issues also meant major opportunities for improving the user experience. To understand the issues, we conducted stakeholder and user interviews. Then we reorganized the products and site navigation through taxonomy and information architecture workshops. Design We revamped the look and feel of the website to reflect the cutting edge technology that Sumitomo Electric Lightwave sells. We designed a new mega...

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> Explore how Sea Cliff Consulting achieved business transformation with Atlantic BT's b2b Wordpress web design, driving growth and user experience.

- Published: 2023-01-12
- Modified: 2025-07-02
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/sea-cliff-consulting/
- Categories: AWS, B2B, Custom Websites, PHP, WordPress

SeaCliff Consulting’s WordPress website redesign project revolved around a content strategy that would better represent their competency. Atlantic BT planned workshops focused on SeaCliff’s messaging, expertise and user experience needs.

Consulting firm Wordpress redesign Sea Cliff Consulting View Site Overview “If you build it, he will come” wasn’t quite working out for Sea Cliff Consulting as it did for Kevin Costner in "Field of Dreams”. They had a website, yet the sales leads they desired were not rolling in. They needed the right content that their target audience was searching for and an aesthetically pleasing website to reflect their deep-level of competency. Working with Atlantic BT, they found one partner who could deliver strategy and execution for all of their B2b Wordpress web design needs: engagement. Project Type Custom Website Technology Wordpress Industry B2B Our Process Discovery Stakeholder Interviews, Content Workshop, Accessibility Audit, Information Architecture Design Design Inspiration & Analysis, Concept Board, Wireframes,High Fidelity Mockups Development HTML, CSS, Quality Assurance Delight Digital Project Management Company Overview Sea Cliff Consulting is a Raleigh, North Carolina based management consultant firm. They solve strategic business problems within corporate finance, operations, and sales and marketing using analytics and big data technologies. Sea Cliff has a track record of effective advisory services with clients coast to coast from Global 10 to the Fortune 500. The Ask Sea Cliff’s target audience are business leaders looking for high-level solutions to big business challenges – process improvements, growth strategies, post-merger integrations, and more. They wanted innovative web solutions to improve their website and better convey their capabilities. The site failed to reflect their true competency, which is required to garner trust from potential new clients. It lacked the creditable content required to drive new prospective leads to their site. Additionally, the backend of the website lacked the structure required for Sea Cliff to manage that content. Our B2B Wordpress Web Design Process Discovery With content being such an important factor for Sea Cliff’s website redesign, they selected the right partner in Atlantic BT. Our team facilitated a content strategy workshop offering a myriad of ways to help them gather and develop content using SEO best practices. We then revamped their menu systems, creating improved user journeys. Design Our design team built a beautiful, updated design to mirror the...

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> With ABT's help Civic FCU has access to an entire team of Drupal developers who are focused daily on their banking website maintenance.

- Published: 2023-01-12
- Modified: 2025-07-02
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/civic-fcu/
- Categories: Custom Websites, Drupal, Finance, Partnership/Ongoing Support, PHP

Atlantic BT has continued to deliver site improvements and website maintenance for Civic Federal Credit Union's website over the years. ABT has become a trusted partner in Civic’s ongoing growth.

Credit Union Drupal Banking Website Maintenance Civic Federal Credit Union At a Glance Civic Federal Credit Union is innovation in a traditional industry. Early on their leaders recognized that the financial services industry was not prioritizing the digital experiences users desired. As they moved to fill that gap in North Carolina they needed a strong technology partner to stand beside them. With Atlantic BT on retainer, they have access to an entire team of Drupal developers who are focused daily on the leading edge of technology best practices and their banking website maintenance. Project Type Website Redesign Technology Drupal Industry Finance Our Process Discovery Technical Audit, Accessibility Audit, Heuristic Evaluation Design Mockups Development Cloud Hosting, Integration, . NET Deploy AWS, Infrastructure as Code, Continuous Deployment, Security Monitoring, Quality Assurance Testing Delight Digital Project Management, Training, Feature Development, Performance Monitoring Company Overview Civic Federal Credit Union is a digital-first financial services firm serving North Carolina’s local government employees and their families. It was the first newly chartered all digital comprehensive credit union in the United States. The Ask Civic Federal Credit Union recognizes the importance of consistent banking website maintenance and improvements. As one of Atlantic BT’s retainer clients, our Drupal developers work with Civic FCU to determine specific goals for their website for the year. Such as, improving the user experience for their application process, simplifying content, and reorganizing the site’s navigation. Most inspiring is their eagerness for client empowerment, which requires a website infrastructure that provides a secure and agile environment for the Civic FCU team. Banking Website Maintenance Process Discovery Atlantic BT’s Drupal developers began with a discovery process, including several website audits to evaluate performance and find areas for improvements. We created custom loan calculators for auto, personal and debt consolidation.   Development We developed a Salesforce integration between their webforms and customer data. We ensured compliance with accessibility standards, implemented WebP to improve site speed Design We undertook a full site redesign, improving everything from the homepage to the annual meeting information pages. As part of this large-scale project, we revamped the loan application process, enhanced...

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> The North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association sought Atlantic BT as their government technology partner to help them with their .NET portal.

- Published: 2023-01-12
- Modified: 2025-07-02
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/nc-sheriffs-association/
- Categories: .NET, Application, AWS, Government, Integrations, JavaScript, Partnership/Ongoing Support

Atlantic BT helped NC Sheriffs’ Association redevelop a .NET portal and improved the initial processes for jail space management. What started as a consulting project, turned into a long term website maintenance partnership.

Government technology partner . NET portal development NC Sheriffs' Association At a Glance The North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association (NCSA) is one of the oldest, most important and most respected offices in our nation’s system of law and justice. Their main mission is to safeguard the lives of the people they serve. Inefficient processes and databases can become barriers towards achieving that mission. The North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association sought Atlantic BT as their government technology partner to help them with their . NET portal development. Project Type Application Integration Partnership/ Ongoing Support Technology . NETAWSJavascript Industry Government Our Process Discovery Technical Audit, Accessibility Audit, Heuristic Evaluation Design Mockups Development Cloud Hosting, Integration, . NET Deploy AWS, Infrastructure as Code, Continuous Deployment, Security Monitoring, Quality Assurance Testing Delight Digital Project Management, Training, Feature Development, Performance Monitoring Company Overview The North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association (NCSA) is a non-profit organization whose members work together to strengthen the professional law enforcement services their offices provide to the people of North Carolina. In the State of North Carolina, there are 100 sheriffs who serve as Constitutional Officers elected by the people of their counties. The NCSA provides a number of services and programs to assist these sheriffs and their personnel in carrying out their duties. The Ask With multiple technology solutions having been cobbled together over the years, the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association was losing efficiency, reliability, and control over key business processes. NCSA sought out a technology partner to make recommendations for the strategic management of hardware, software, and web services going forward. . NET Portal Redesign Process Discovery Atlantic BT’s partnership with NCSA began in a consulting capacity. We provided a technology assessment of the NCSA’s current computer and electronic hardware and software environment. Through surveys and service blueprints, we identified 28 distinct recommendations for process improvement, ranging from technology to organizational structure to vendor management. Together with the NCSA we developed a strategy to improve one major area of NCSA’s systems, the management of jail space. Development We used a . NET API and Angular to build a modernized and redesigned web portal...

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> ABT partnered with Training Industry to revamp their website and develop a partnership for Wordpress maintenance and support.

- Published: 2023-01-12
- Modified: 2025-07-02
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/training-industry/
- Categories: AWS, B2B, B2C, Custom Websites, Integrations, Member Portal, Partnership/Ongoing Support, PHP, WordPress

The Atlantic BT and Training Industry partnership began with our team overhauling an early version of their website. They later sought our help again to develop an integration strategy between their website, and their Learning Management System.

Training company Wordpress maintenance and support Training Industry View Site Overview Training Industry’s business model is based on publishing large volumes of training resources and data. Their website isn’t just a marketing tool, it’s a huge data portal and the lifeline of their business. Having the best technology partner for Wordpress maintenance and support is vital for the continued success of their business. Project Type Custom Website Technology Wordpress Industry B2B Our Process Discovery Stakeholder Interviews, User Experience Evaluation, Information Architecture, Analytics Review Design Design Inspiration & Analysis, Concept Board, Wireframes,High Fidelity Mockups Development Wordpress, AWS, Quality Assurance, Integrations, SEO Delight Digital Project Management Company Overview Training Industry is the most trusted source of information on the business of learning. Since 2004 their headquarters have been in Raleigh, North Carolina, but their website serves as a resource for corporate learning and development professionals worldwide. These resources include original research, market analysis, articles, reference materials, and webinars on best practices, innovative approaches, and training products and services. The Ask Training Industry has been a long-term client of Atlantic BT. The partnership began with our team overhauling an early version of their website. . They later sought our help again to develop an integration strategy between their website, their Learning Management System (Docebo), and their ecommerce store (Shopify). They also felt their training courses lacked a unified presence from one system to the next and users had trouble finding the content they needed. Our Wordpress Maintenance & Support Process Discovery We have performed several evaluations on the website, stakeholder interviews, and workshops to revamp the information architecture from its original hamburger menu design to a mega menu design. Development Early on we moved Training Industry’s website from Umbraco to WordPress. We developed a custom-built internal dashboard, allowing them to move away from using a third-party course directory. We also created a user-friendly backend model, making it easy for their employees to organize and share content. The addition of an API from Docebo to WordPress provided the integration they needed to access their data from any of their systems. Design We have designed...

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> Atlantic BT- technology partner for healthcare industry, providing healthcare portal development of a member portal and API data integration.

- Published: 2023-01-12
- Modified: 2025-07-02
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/american-board-of-dermatology/
- Categories: .NET, Application, Cloud Hosting, Custom Websites, Integrations, Member Portal, Partnership/Ongoing Support, Umbraco

Atlantic BT began their partnership with the American Board of Dermatology by rebuilding a legacy application using .NET Framework, setting the application up with the perfect foundation for many years of seamless platform upgrades.

Healthcare Portal Development with . NET & Umbraco American Board of Dermatology View Site Overview Since its inception in 1932, the American Board of Dermatology (ABD) has certified over 15,000 physicians in dermatology, dermatopathology, and pediatric dermatology. It is no surprise that a lot has changed for the ABD in nearly 100 years of existence, especially technology. In order to keep up with their members’ growing needs, ABD sought a long-term technology partner for all of their healthcare portal development needs. Project Type Member Portal, Cloud Hosting Technology Umbraco, . NET Industry Healthcare Our Process Discovery User Personas, Information Architecture, Page Description Diagrams, User Flows Design Concept Board, High Fidelity Mockups Development Integrations, CSS, Quality Assurance, Umbraco, . NET, CSS, JQuery, Data Migration, Quality Assurance Testing, Search Engine Optimization, MySQL Delight Digital Project Management, Training, Retainer, Feature Development, Performance Monitoring Company Overview The American Board of Dermatology (ABD) is an independent, non-profit organization that serves as one of 24 medical specialties encompassing the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). Each board was founded by its respective specialty to protect the public by assessing and certifying doctors who meet specific professional requirements. Through the ABMS, the 24 boards all work together to establish common standards for physicians to achieve and maintain board certification.   The Ask In 2013, the American Board of Dermatology sought out a partner to overhaul their website and healthcare portal development. They wanted to revamp the overall look and experience of the website, but also wanted to increase the functionality. Since they serve as a major resource for practicing dermatologists, they have a lot of digital data that needs to be easy to find, easy to update, and kept extremely secure. Knowing this wasn’t a “fix it and forget it” project, ABD was also searching for a firm that would make the perfect long-term technology partner. Our Healthcare Portal Development Process Discovery Atlantic BT gathered requirements around program information, exam screens and documents, candidate screenings and system chores for ABD’s healthcare portal development. We developed user personas for the admins, residents, and diplomats who use the portal....

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> Learn how Atlantic BT has collaborated with Red Hat on Drupal development since 2014, boosting efficiency, performance, and user experience.

- Published: 2023-01-12
- Modified: 2025-07-02
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/red-hat-open-source/
- Categories: Custom Websites, Drupal, Partnership/Ongoing Support, PHP

Atlantic BT's partnership with Red Hat has led to multiple Drupal website development projects starting in 2014. We have supplemented their team in order to increase efficiency, drive performance and improve user experience throughout their websites.

Drupal Development for Software Titan Red Hat Software View Site Overview In 2014, Red Hat, the world’s leading provider of enterprise open source software solutions, was on the lookout for a Drupal technology partner to support their public, partner, and employee-facing applications. Red Hat needed a team of expert developers experienced in Drupal to handle upgrades and migration projects for their four Drupal 7 websites. They found their ideal partner in Atlantic BT, initiating a robust and collaborative relationship that has spanned nearly a decade. Through this partnership, Atlantic BT has provided comprehensive digital project management, from design to development significantly enhancing Red Hat's web presence and operational efficiency. Project Type Custom Website Technology Drupal, HTML/CSS Industry B2B Our Process Design High Fidelity Mockups Development Drupal, Integration, HTML, CSS, Quality Assurance Delight Digital Project Management, Training, Performance Monitoring, Retainer, Feature Development Company Overview Red Hat is the world’s leading provider of enterprise open source software solutions. Their products make it easier for enterprise businesses to deliver IT services on any infrastructure quickly and cost effectively. Red Hat was founded in 1993 and has more than 100 locations in more than 40 countries. In 2019, they were acquired by IBM for $34 billion dollars, making it the largest software acquisition in history. The Ask Red Hat has many initiatives to support their public, partner and employee-facing applications. In 2014 they were searching for a Drupal technology partner with well-rounded expertise and top development talent to handle overflow needs that they could not support themselves. They were maintaining four websites all built on the Drupal 7 platform and needed a team of expert developers, experienced in working with Drupal, to help them with upgrades and migration projects over the years. Our Drupal Development Process Design We provided a design update (Lift and Shift) for two of Red Hat’s sites: Opensource and the Enterprisers project.   Development Our Drupal technology partnership with Red Hat has led to many different types of development projects over the years. With Opensource. com we helped to rewrite custom rules modules that were not maintained well within the...

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> GT Distributors customizations and continued support through ABT's Magento maintenance partnership produced increases in online sales.

- Published: 2023-01-12
- Modified: 2025-07-02
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/gt-distributors/
- Categories: AWS, B2C, Custom Websites, eCommerce, Integrations, Magento, Member Portal, Partnership/Ongoing Support, PHP

Atlantic BT began working with GT Distributors ten years ago on a technology upgrade project of Magento 1 to Magento 2, while also customizing the application to fit GT’s needs. Each year we continue to tackle any maintenance or upgrades that arise.

Ecommerce Magento maintenance partnership GT Distributors View Site Overview Magento is a popular eCommerce software platform owned by Adobe. GT Distributors used the Magento platform to begin selling their popular law enforcement supplies and equipment online. Once they engaged with Atlantic BT’s team of Magento experts, they were able to build customizations to the technology. The new customizations and continued support through ABT's Magento website maintenance partnership produced a significant increase in online sales. Project Type Ecommerce, Cloud Hosting Technology Magento Industry B2C Our Process Discovery Accessibility Audit Design Concept Board, Wireframes,High Fidelity Mockups Development AWS, Magento, Integrations Delight Digital Project Management, Retainer, Feature Development, Training, Performance Monitoring Company Overview  GT Distributors is a nationally recognized supplier of law enforcement, first responder, and fire department equipment and supplies. They have been in business since 1972 and operate five stores across the southeastern region of the United States. The Ask In addition to their brick-and-mortar storefronts, GT Distributors also generates B2B revenue through an eCommerce store developed using Adobe Commerce / Magento. As the company grew, the Magento platform became a hindrance to creating new content and running product promotions. They knew the required modifications would be too complex for their internal team to handle. And they would need a trusted team of PHP Developers for their Magento website maintenance, like Atlantic BT. Our Magento Website Maintenance Process Discovery While the Atlantic BT/GT Distributors partnership is mainly Magento website maintenance focused, we perform Mobile UX Audit and Accessibility Evaluations to ensure that the website remains user friendly. Development We began working with GT Distributors 10 years ago on a technology upgrade project of Magento 1 to Magento 2, while also customizing the ecommerce application to fit GT’s needs. We also built an integration with their backend ERP to facilitate data sharing between their brick-and-mortar stores and their eCommerce store. With eCommerce sales accounting for a significant portion of overall revenues, GT Distributors recognized the importance of always having a team of Magento website maintenance team on hand. Design We have updated their home page design on two occasions and improved the...

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> Atlantic BT automated the process for the generation of course syllabi at NC State with a custom higher ed portal..

- Published: 2023-01-12
- Modified: 2025-06-27
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/north-carolina-state-university/
- Categories: Application, Higher Ed, Integrations, JavaScript, Member Portal, PHP

By creating an automated process for the generation of course syllabi, the university could ensure each student across each of its hundreds of course offerings would receive the same level of quality information desired regarding a specific course.

Higher Ed custom syllabus portal North Carolina State University Overview Digital transformation is changing how businesses operate. Business processes once executed manually can now be accomplished using digital methods. The most recognized strategy is to save time and thus money. But North Carolina State University wanted to create an automated process for the generation of course syllabi. This way the university could ensure each student across each of its hundreds of course offerings would receive the same level of quality information desired regarding a specific course. Project Type Custom Portal Technology React & Angular Industry Higher Ed Our Process Design Clickable Prototype, Wireframes,High Fidelity Mockups Development AWS, React & Angular, Integrations, HTML, CSS, Quality Assurance Deploy DNS Management, Continuous Deployment, Security Monitoring, Continuous Integration Delight Digital Project Management, Retainer, Feature Development, Training, Performance Monitoring Company Overview North Carolina State University (NC State) is a prominent public research university located in Raleigh, North Carolina. Founded in 1887, it is part of the University of North Carolina system and is known for its commitment to education, research, and community service. With a diverse student body of over 36,000, NC State offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, particularly excelling in engineering, agriculture, and life sciences. The university emphasizes STEM education and innovative research initiatives in areas such as biotechnology and data analytics, while fostering a vibrant campus culture that encourages student engagement and community involvement. The Ask NC State has a large quantity of diverse course offerings, which are summarized to students via a syllabus. However, a legacy of flexible policy caused an inconsistency in syllabi quality. NC State leaders wanted to create a new electronic process to centralize and standardize syllabus entry for faculty. The custom higher ed portal needed to be built with flexibility for changing configurations and easily adopted by users. Our Custom Higher Ed Portal Process Design Knowing that user adoption would be challenging, Atlantic BT began design of the custom higher ed portal by performing paper prototype testing in the design phase. This allowed us to better identify user issues and craft improvement opportunities. Our...

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> WordPress website redesign for Campbell University with SwiftType, Amazon CloudFront, Web Application Firewall

- Published: 2023-01-12
- Modified: 2025-07-02
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/campbell-university/
- Categories: AWS, Cloud Hosting, Custom Websites, Higher Ed, Partnership/Ongoing Support, PHP, WordPress

As part of a multi-site Wordpress redesign for Campbell.edu, Atlantic BT developed a new user-centric content strategy and navigation. With our help, Campbell.edu became a cohesive digital ecosystem that engages students and staff across all devices.

University Wordpress Website Redesign Campbell University View Site Overview Campbell University enrolls more North Carolinians than any private college or university in the state. Generations of state leaders in business, medicine and law have graduated from Campbell University. However, their website was failing to deliver on the University’s promise. Through their partnership with Atlantic BT for their custom University website, Campbell built a cohesive digital ecosystem that engages students and staff across all devices and university-wide departments.   Project Type Custom Website, Cloud Hosting Technology WordPress Industry Higher Ed Our Process Discovery Stakeholder Interviews, Information Architecture, Surveys Design Concept Board, Wireframes,High Fidelity Mockups Development AWS, WordPress, Integrations Delight Digital Project Management, Retainer, Feature Development, Training, Performance Monitoring Company Overview Campbell University is an established presence in North Carolina’s higher education landscape. They have over 150 degree programs across 10 academic divisions, five doctorate professional degrees, and are one of only three private universities in North Carolina to achieve the highest level of accreditation.   The Ask Campbell University is the private university of choice in North Carolina, but their online presence was failing to live up to their high standards. 75% of Campbell University’s students and staff reported difficulty finding information on the university’s website. The domain consisted of over 8,000 unique web pages that lacked a unified digital experience. The homepage failed to engage aspiring students and the website was not mobile-friendly. Our Custom University Website Process Discovery We facilitated stakeholder workshops to understand pain points and identify elements common to each school. Based on our research, we developed a new user-centric content strategy and navigation. We analyzed which pages, images and videos would best engage their audience.   Development We moved the site search to SwiftType to provide more robust search capabilities. We built a new device agnostic sitemap and set up a powerful content delivery network using Amazon CloudFront. Design Since most users accessed the website through a mobile device, we streamlined the interface for Campbell’s new custom university website to make it more mobile-friendly. This made it easier to access essential information on all breakpoints. The...

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> In order to improve the user experience and add more functionality, NCDOR trusted Atlantic BT for a complete government website redesign.

- Published: 2023-01-10
- Modified: 2025-07-02
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/ncdor/
- Categories: Custom Websites, Drupal, Government, PHP

Atlantic BT improved search and navigation, increased electronic tax filing and reduced call volume as a result of the NC Department of Revenue website redesign. A simplified user journey improved findability and ease of use.

Government agency website redesign North Carolina Department of Revenue View Site Overview A significant challenge for the North Carolina Department of Revenue (NCDOR) many people don’t understand how their taxes are determined. This leads to unnecessary frustration and poor perception. To mitigate that, the NCDOR publishes over 13,000 pdf’s of documentation to assist the citizens of North Carolina. The problem is that without a good information architecture, navigation, and search, the average citizen couldn’t find the information they are looking for. The NCDOR needed a partner for their government website redesign that could update the website with a simplified user journey so information could be delivered more quickly and effectively. Project Type Custom Website Technology HTML/CSS Industry Government Our Process Discovery Stakeholder Interviews, Usability testing, Information Architecture Design Design Inspiration & Analysis, Concept Board, Wireframes,High Fidelity Mockups Development HTML, CSS, Quality Assurance Delight Digital Project Management Company Overview The North Carolina Department of Revenue (NCDOR) is a cabinet-level executive agency charged with administering tax laws to fund public services benefiting the citizens of North Carolina. They administer the tax-laws on behalf of the people of North Carolina and collect taxes in an impartial, consistent, secure, and efficient manner. The Ask NCDOR was flooded with calls from residents asking for information that they couldn’t find online. The information was there, so it was clear the agency had some major website issues – it was not user-friendly. During this same time, the agency was trying to encourage electronic tax filing. They knew driving behavioral change wouldn’t be easy, but with an online process that was already so difficult to use, they were fighting an uphill battle. In order to improve the user experience and add more functionality, they needed a complete government website redesign. Our Government Website Redesign Process Discovery Our team developed task-based personas to represent the various user types and their diverse needs. We conducted in-depth user research to help us determine and then design a clearer and quicker pathway for users to find the information they were searching for. During usability testing, subjects navigated through the menu to desired...

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> SJC was so wowed by the ABT team that they left a 5-year relationship with their previous vendor when awarding us with their Drupal website redesign.

- Published: 2023-01-09
- Modified: 2025-07-02
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/stan-johnson/
- Categories: AWS, B2B, Custom Websites, Drupal, Integrations, PHP

Atlantic BT helps commercial real estate company, Stan Johnson Co., overhaul their outdated website. The new website expanded to reflect Stan Johnson’s growing expertise and supported their drive for talent acquisition and retention.

Drupal website redesign and development for real estate agency Stan Johnson Overview The Stan Johnson Company knows commercial real estate and gets results. The company boasts a 97. 1% return on average asking price achieved for their clients. They demand the same from their business partners. When faced with complex Drupal website redesign challenges, they created a full RFP process to solicit ideas from the best of the best and when all the dust settled they chose the team at Atlantic BT. “The work is transformative for our organization and has led to a website end-product we feel represents both the core of who we are and who we want to be in the years to come as we continue to grow and diversify our services”  -Amy Ward Director of Organizational Effectiveness, Stan Johnson Project Type Custom Website Technology Drupal Industry B2C Our Process Discovery Stakeholder Interviews, User Interviews, User Flows, User personas, Information Architecture Design Design Inspiration & Analysis, Concept Board, Wireframes,High Fidelity Mockups, Prototyping Development HTML, CSS, Quality Assurance, Drupal, Integrations, Content Migration, Search Engine Optimization, Code Reviews Delight Digital Project Management, Training, Retainer, Performance Monitoring, Feature Development Company Overview Stan Johnson is one of the nation’s largest leading real estate brokerage and advisory firms. Now in its fourth decade of operation, Stan Johnson Company has completed more than $45 billion in transactions nationwide and has expanded its online presence to better serve their valued clients. The company prides itself in being a collaborative and supportive network of real estate professionals. The Ask As Stan Johnson was expanding their services beyond net-lease, their website would require additional functionality in order to meet the demands of this target audience. They also knew their site’s design was aging and was built with a dated content management system. With such a complex project planned, they embarked on an RFP process. They were so wowed by the ABT team that they left a 5-year relationship with their previous website vendor when awarding us with this Drupal website redesign project. Our Drupal Website Redesign Process Discovery By beginning with an extensive discovery process,...

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> A React and .NET web solution on AWS was delivered by ABT, enhancing efficiency and scalability for HaulMi’s logistics operations.

- Published: 2021-01-01
- Modified: 2025-07-02
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/haulmi-2/
- Categories: Application, AWS, B2C, Cloud Hosting, JavaScript

A React and .NET web solution on AWS was delivered by ABT, enhancing efficiency and scalability for HaulMi’s logistics operations.

Streamlining logistics with innovative web solutions HaulMi Company Overview HaulMi, an entrepreneurial logistics company, aimed to bring innovation to the hauling industry by adopting a ride-sharing approach for furniture and other large, one-time moving services. Their vision was to connect customers with reliable haulers through a user-friendly platform, simplifying the process of moving bulky items and providing a more efficient, flexible alternative to traditional hauling methods. Project Type Application Technology JavaScript, AWS Industry B2C How We Helped For HaulMi, we developed a compact React website paired with a . NET-based quoting system to address their initial requirements. Hosting it entirely serverlessly on AWS, we ensured exceptionally low hosting costs, providing a scalable and efficient solution that met their logistics needs.

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> A customized Umbraco site was crafted by ABT for Kryosphere, enhancing their biorepository services with a user-centric platform.

- Published: 2021-01-01
- Modified: 2025-07-02
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/kryosphere/
- Categories: .NET, Cloud Hosting, Custom Websites, Healthcare, Umbraco

A customized Umbraco site was crafted by ABT for Kryosphere, enhancing their biorepository services with a user-centric platform.

Advancing life sciences with tailored Umbraco solution Kryosphere View Site Company Overview Kryosphere is a specialized company that provides comprehensive biorepository and cold chain logistics services. They focus on the management, transportation, and storage of biological samples at controlled temperatures for the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and academic research sectors. Kryosphere emphasizes maintaining the integrity and quality of samples, offering solutions that include cryogenic storage and real-time monitoring to ensure samples are kept at optimal conditions throughout their lifecycle. This support is crucial for the advancement of medical research and development, making Kryosphere a key partner in the life sciences industry. Project Type Custom Website, Cloud Hosting Technology Umbraco, . NET Industry Healthcare How We Helped Kryosphere's project was a textbook example of website development. We collaborated with them through every phase of our process to create a new Umbraco website, tailored to their specific needs and providing a platform that met both user and admin needs.

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> MyComputerCareer's website received UX consulting, design updates, and feature development from ABT for an enhanced learning experience.

- Published: 2021-01-01
- Modified: 2025-07-02
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/mycomputercareer/
- Categories: Custom Websites, Higher Ed, Partnership/Ongoing Support, PHP, WordPress

MyComputerCareer's website received UX consulting, design updates, and feature development from ABT for an enhanced learning experience.

Boosting IT careers with enhanced digital tools MyComputerCareer View Site Company Overview MyComputerCareer is an educational institution that provides technical training for individuals seeking to start or advance their careers in the Information Technology (IT) industry. Offering both on-campus and online learning options, the institution specializes in certifications for various IT roles, including computer systems technician and network administrator. MyComputerCareer is designed for rapid learning and career transition, providing hands-on experience, career services, and preparation for IT certifications such as Microsoft, Cisco, and CompTIA. This focused approach helps students quickly gain the skills needed to secure positions in the fast-growing tech sector. Project Type Ongoing Support Technology WordPress, PHP Industry Higher Ed How We Helped For MyComputerCareer we provided comprehensive services, including user experience consulting and workflow recommendations, design updates, and ongoing support. Our assistance also encompassed feature development and hosting support, ensuring a seamless, user-friendly digital presence.

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> Enhanced image management for Ramona Optics was delivered by ABT with a React site featuring OpenSeadragon and AWS scripts.

- Published: 2021-01-01
- Modified: 2025-07-02
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/ramona-optics/
- Categories: Application, AWS, Cloud Hosting, JavaScript, Technology

Enhanced image management for Ramona Optics was delivered by ABT with a React site featuring OpenSeadragon and AWS scripts.

Enhancing imaging tech with React and AWS solutions Ramona Optics View Site Company Overview Ramona Optics specializes in the development of advanced microscopes that enhance imaging capabilities for research and development across various fields. Their technology is designed to offer high-throughput imaging solutions, which are pivotal in accelerating scientific discovery and innovation. The company’s products aim to provide comprehensive, scalable, and cost-effective imaging options that support a broad range of applications, from biological research to material science. Project Type Application Technology JavaScript, AWS Industry Technology How We Helped For Ramona Optics, we handled discovery, design, and development for a React site that incorporated an OpenSeadragon application. To streamline their scientific image management, we also created AWS-based scripts for automated processing and user provisioning, ensuring efficient and reliable workflows. We harnessed AWS services to build an image viewer application using OpenSeadragon, providing a robust platform for seamless image exploration. This solution combined the scalability of AWS with OpenSeadragon's advanced zooming capabilities, delivering a powerful and efficient viewing experience.

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> Dedicated WordPress maintenance by ABT enhances ROI Revolution's digital presence, ensuring stability and continuous performance.

- Published: 2021-01-01
- Modified: 2025-07-02
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/roi-revolution/
- Categories: B2B, Partnership/Ongoing Support, PHP, WordPress

Dedicated WordPress maintenance by ABT enhances ROI Revolution's digital presence, ensuring stability and continuous performance.

Boosting marketing growth with advanced WordPress support ROI Revolution View Site Company Overview ROI Revolution is a digital marketing agency that specializes in providing data-driven solutions to accelerate e-commerce growth. The agency offers services in paid search, social media advertising, Amazon and marketplace advertising, as well as SEO. ROI Revolution is focused on leveraging technology and advanced analytics to maximize return on investment for retail and consumer brands, aiming to optimize their online presence and drive sales. Project Type Partnership/Ongoing Support Technology WordPress, PHP Industry B2B How We Helped ROI Revolution entrusted us with WordPress maintenance and development after recognizing the risks of relying on a single internal developer. By partnering with our agency, they ensured stability and continuity through our comprehensive support and expertise.

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> User engagement and site modernization were boosted by ABT with a WordPress redesign for Strategic Security Solutions.

- Published: 2021-01-01
- Modified: 2025-07-02
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/strategic-security-solutions/
- Categories: B2B, Custom Websites, PHP, WordPress

User engagement and site modernization were boosted by ABT with a WordPress redesign for Strategic Security Solutions.

Elevating security solutions with a WordPress redesign Strategic Security Solutions View Site Company Overview Strategic Security Solutions is a security systems integrator specializing in comprehensive electronic security services and solutions. They focus on installing and maintaining high-grade security systems tailored for financial institutions and commercial enterprises. The company emphasizes innovative technology and meticulous planning to ensure robust security coverage and system integrity, enhancing safety and operational continuity for its clients. Project Type Custom Website Technology WordPress, PHP Industry B2B How We Helped Atlantic BT applied its full process of discovery, design, development, and deployment to create a new WordPress website for Strategic Security Solutions. The end result was a website that effectively communicates their brand and engages their target audience with an intuitive, modern design.

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> Tailored WordPress support, including design updates and platform enhancements, was offered by ABT for ScottMadden.

- Published: 2021-01-01
- Modified: 2025-07-02
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/scottmadden-2/
- Categories: B2B, Cloud Hosting, Custom Websites, PHP, WordPress

Tailored WordPress support, including design updates and platform enhancements, was offered by ABT for ScottMadden.

Optimizing consulting firm's web presence ScottMadden View Site Company Overview ScottMadden is a management consulting firm that specializes in energy, clean tech, and corporate and shared services. The firm provides strategic and operational insights and services to help clients handle complex business challenges, optimize performance, and navigate market transitions. ScottMadden is known for its deep industry expertise and collaborative approach to consulting, making it a trusted advisor in its specialized fields. Project Type Custom Website, Cloud Hosting Technology WordPress, PHP Industry B2B How We Helped For ScottMadden, we assumed management of their WordPress site, offering continuous support and feature development tailored to their custom requirements. Our services included design updates, form development, platform enhancements, and accommodating new needs as part of our comprehensive support.

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> ChannelAdvisor's visual story was transformed by ABT, using captivating graphics to effectively engage their audience.

- Published: 2021-01-01
- Modified: 2025-07-02
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/channeladvisor/
- Categories: B2B, Custom Websites, WordPress

ChannelAdvisor's visual story was transformed by ABT, using captivating graphics to effectively engage their audience.

Crafting visual stories for eCommerce growth ChannelAdvisor View Site Company Overview ChannelAdvisor is a leading cloud-based eCommerce software company that helps retailers and brands optimize their online selling operations. The platform provides solutions for managing sales channels, scaling inventory, improving fulfillment processes, and accessing actionable analytics. ChannelAdvisor supports integration with major marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, and Walmart, among others, making it a crucial tool for businesses aiming to enhance their online presence and drive sales growth efficiently. Project Type Custom Website Technology HTML/CSS Industry B2B How We Helped ChannelAdvisor envisioned a compelling visual story but struggled to implement it internally and through external video production. When they turned to us, we transformed their idea into a captivating narrative using graphics that brought their concept to life and resonated with their audience.

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> ABT designed a WordPress site for Comfort Monster, blending professionalism with a playful brand for a unique experience.

- Published: 2021-01-01
- Modified: 2025-07-02
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/comfort-monster-website/
- Categories: B2C, Cloud Hosting, Custom Websites, Partnership/Ongoing Support, PHP, WordPress

ABT designed a WordPress site for Comfort Monster, blending professionalism with a playful brand for a unique experience.

Elevating HVAC services with a playful professional site Comfort Monster View Site Company Overview Comfort Monster is a heating and air conditioning service provider based in Raleigh, North Carolina, known for its customer-centric approach to HVAC solutions. The company offers a wide range of services including installation, maintenance, and repair of heating and cooling systems. Comfort Monster emphasizes transparency, reliability, and rapid response times, ensuring that customers experience maximum comfort in their homes and workplaces with minimal disruption. Project Type Custom Website, Cloud Hosting Technology WordPress, PHP Industry B2C How We Helped As a trusted partner for Comfort Monster HVAC, we used our comprehensive discovery, design, and development process to craft a marketing site that seamlessly blends professionalism with their playful, family-friendly vibe. Incorporating Comfy, their mascot, the WordPress site perfectly embodies their unique brand spirit, engaging visitors while maintaining a polished look.

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> Website migration, UX design, and ongoing maintenance were supported by ABT for Hwy 55, ensuring an engaging online presence.

- Published: 2021-01-01
- Modified: 2025-07-02
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/hwy-55/
- Categories: B2C, Branding, Custom Websites

Website migration, UX design, and ongoing maintenance were supported by ABT for Hwy 55, ensuring an engaging online presence.

Enhancing Hwy 55's retro diner web experience Hwy 55 Company Overview Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries is a retro-themed diner chain that specializes in American classics such as burgers, cheesesteaks, frozen custard, and other diner fare. Founded in 1991 in Eastern North Carolina, Hwy 55 has grown significantly, both domestically and internationally, emphasizing a family-friendly atmosphere combined with a commitment to quality food and personalized service. The brand evokes a nostalgic feel with its 1950s diner style, aiming to deliver a unique dining experience. Project Type Custom Website, Branding Technology WordPress, PHP Industry B2C How We Helped For HWY 55, we handled the website migration, hosting, and continuous site support. We also provided UX and design services as needed, ensuring their digital presence remained optimized and user-friendly throughout our collaboration.

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> The NCCDA project shows how a government Wordpress web design agency can leverage user-centric development to meet the needs their user base.

- Published: 2021-01-01
- Modified: 2025-07-02
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/government-wordpress-web-design-agency-nccda/
- Categories: AWS, Cloud Hosting, Custom Websites, Government, Partnership/Ongoing Support, PHP, WordPress

The NCCDA project shows how a government Wordpress web design agency can leverage user-centric development to meet the needs their user base.

Local government Wordpress web design agency project North Carolina League of District Attorneys View Site Overview The North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys (The Conference) provides valuable resources and support to prosecutors and their law enforcement partners. In 2023, their website required a visual update and enhanced functionality to support its users’ growing needs. The primary objective was to establish unified branding across their main site and all District Attorney subsites. In addition, they needed their website to be user friendly for both attorneys, staff and victims of crimes to find resources and the DA information they need. The Conference collaborated with Atlantic BT, a Wordpress web design agency, to reimagine their local government website. Project Type Custom Website Technology Wordpress Industry Government Our Process Discovery Stakeholder Interviews, User Interviews, Information Architecture, Card Sorting Design Design Inspiration & Analysis, Concept Board, Wireframes,High Fidelity Mockups Development Wordpress, Integrations, AWS, Quality Assurance Delight Digital Project Management, Training, Performance monitoring, retainer Company Overview The North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys (The Conference) was established by the General Assembly with the primary objective of providing support to prosecutors throughout North Carolina. The Conference provides resources, guidance, Professional Development, Publications and Research Assistance.   The Ask The Conference leaders aimed to simplify the website navigation to help attorneys, staff and victims of crimes find the needed resources quickly. They faced issues with “catch-all” pages that were not intuitive and disparate designs across various DA websites. Given their extensive Wordpress web design agency experience, The Conference entrusted Atlantic BT with the redesign process of their local government website. The end goal - to better suit their members' needs while uniting the District Attorneys of North Carolina under one brand. Our Government Wordpress Web Design Agency Process Discovery Atlantic BT began Discovery with a combination of user interviews and card sorting with various user types. This helped uncover usability issues on the website as well as intuitive ways to organize the site’s architecture. We then reorganized the site structure based on the information gathered during those interviews. Development We created user roles so that District Attorneys could...

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> ABT provided tailored Drupal solutions for state web properties, enhancing front-end development and UX consulting.

- Published: 2021-01-01
- Modified: 2025-07-02
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/nc-dit-2/
- Categories: Government, Partnership/Ongoing Support

ABT provided tailored Drupal solutions for state web properties, enhancing front-end development and UX consulting.

Boosting NC's tech infrastructure with expert UX/UI support NC DIT View Site Company Overview NC Department of Technology is a government agency responsible for overseeing and implementing information technology policies, services, and infrastructure within the state of North Carolina. The department aims to enhance service delivery to residents and improve operational efficiency through technology. It provides support and guidance to other state agencies, managing a broad spectrum of IT projects—from cybersecurity and network services to data management and digital transformation initiatives. The NC Department of Technology plays a pivotal role in ensuring that North Carolina's governmental operations are secure, effective, and able to meet the evolving needs of its citizens. Project Type Partnership / Ongoing Support Technology PHP, JavaScript Industry Government How We Helped Atlantic BT assisted the NC DIT team with services that supported the web properties under their management. Our support included front-end development using HTML, JavaScript, and CSS, alongside PHP programming specifically tailored to Drupal 7 and 8. Additionally, we offered UX consulting through usability reviews, accessibility evaluations, and A/B testing, while providing QA services covering automated, regression, and mobile compatibility testing.

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> ABT upgraded the Enterprisers Project for Red Hat to Drupal 10, adding new features and boosting security through hosting migration.

- Published: 2021-01-01
- Modified: 2025-07-02
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/red-hat-enterprisers-project/
- Categories: Custom Websites, Drupal, PHP, Technology

ABT upgraded the Enterprisers Project for Red Hat to Drupal 10, adding new features and boosting security through hosting migration.

Elevating IT leadership with Drupal 10 enhancements Red Hat Enterprisers Project View Site Company Overview The Enterprisers Project is an online community and publication geared towards CIOs and IT leaders, aiming to address their unique challenges. This platform offers a range of resources including articles on topics like digital transformation, IT strategy, and enterprise technology. The content is designed to support IT leaders by providing insights and strategies to enhance organizational agility and resilience. Project Type Custom Website Technology Drupal, PHP Industry B2B How We Helped For the Red Hat enterpriser's project, we upgraded their platform to Drupal 10, ensuring they benefited from the latest features and security improvements. We introduced new functionality to enhance user engagement and meet evolving business needs. Additionally, we managed a comprehensive hosting migration, providing improved scalability, security, and performance, allowing Red Hat to deliver a seamless user experience.

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> .NET websites were developed by ABT for WBAL, featuring security upgrades and managed services spanning a decade.

- Published: 2021-01-01
- Modified: 2025-07-02
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/wbal-hearst/
- Categories: .NET, Application, AWS, B2C, Custom Websites, Partnership/Ongoing Support

.NET websites were developed by ABT for WBAL, featuring security upgrades and managed services spanning a decade.

Enhancing broadcast management with . NET solutions WBAL Company Overview WBAL is a regional broadcast television and radio station based in Baltimore, Maryland. It operates as WBAL-TV, an NBC affiliate, providing comprehensive news coverage, weather forecasts, and sports updates for the Baltimore area. The station is known for its strong emphasis on local news and community issues. WBAL also includes WBAL Radio, which offers news talk programming and serves as a reliable source for live coverage of local and national events. Project Type Custom Website, Cloud Hosting Technology . NET, AWS Industry B2C How We Helped We developed custom . NET user and admin websites to manage all aspects of news and programs for the radio station. Our decade-long relationship included ongoing support, feature development, security upgrades, and managed services, ensuring their digital platform remained secure, efficient, and focused on the listeners' needs.

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> Expert WordPress design and training were provided by ABT, enhancing Bulldog Steel Structures' website for easier management and improved UX.

- Published: 2021-01-01
- Modified: 2025-07-17
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-work/bulldog-steel-structures/
- Categories: B2B, Custom Websites, WordPress

Expert WordPress design and training were provided by ABT, enhancing Bulldog Steel Structures' website for easier management and improved UX.

Streamlining Steel Structure Solutions with Wordpress Bulldog Steel Solutions View Site Overview Bulldog Steel Structures partnered with Atlantic BT to improve the performance, usability, and scalability of their website. Although the site had a strong visual design, it lacked the functionality and flexibility needed to support Bulldog’s growing business needs. With ambitions to expand their customer base beyond the Southeast and improve lead generation, Bulldog sought a strategic partner who could help transform their digital presence into a more effective marketing and sales tool. Atlantic BT was brought in to assess the existing site, identify opportunities for improvement, and propose a roadmap for enhancing the platform to better serve both internal teams and prospective customers. Project Type Custom Website Technology Wordpress, HTML/CSS Industry B2B Our Process Discovery UX Workshop Design High Fidelity Mockups Development HTML, CSS, Quality Assurance, Wordpress Delight Digital Project Management, Training & Support Company Overview Bulldog Steel Structures specializes in providing high-quality, American-made metal buildings for residential and commercial use, offering a range of customizable options including carports, garages, barns, and RV covers. They pride themselves on durable construction, versatile designs, and a commitment to customer satisfaction, providing an easy online ordering process with delivery and installation included for most of the U. S. Their mission is to deliver reliable and long-lasting storage and building solutions by combining years of industry experience with high-quality workmanship. The Ask Bulldog Steel Structures asked Atlantic BT to enhance their website to better support lead generation and customer engagement. Although the site, originally developed offshore, had a visually appealing design, it fell short in terms of functionality, particularly in allowing the team to easily manage content. Bulldog wanted to improve the online browsing experience and make it easier for customers to explore product options and financing, while avoiding full e-commerce capabilities due to pricing variability by state. Instead, they preferred a product catalog approach that encouraged direct calls. They also sought to expand their service reach from the Southeast to a nationwide audience and requested support for future updates like implementing a new Estimator tool and improving customer inquiry features such...

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## FAQs

> Time and cost are closely related. You might first read, how much is a professionally designed website to learn more about the effort that goes into

- Published: 2024-07-06
- Modified: 2024-07-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/how-long-does-it-take-to-design-a-website/

Time and cost are closely related. You might first read, how much is a professionally designed website to learn more about the effort that goes into different types of web design projects. Once you have a good understanding of the costs, you can explore the length of time it takes to design in this article.

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> The costs for the development from a professional web design company, more specifically web design in Raleigh, are dependent on a variety of factors,

- Published: 2024-07-05
- Modified: 2024-07-05
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/how-much-is-a-professionally-designed-website/
- Categories: Custom Websites

The costs for the development from a professional web design company, more specifically web design in Raleigh, are dependent on a variety of factors, primarily size and scope which translate into the development hours required and thereby cost. For general ranges and more details, continue reading.

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> The answer to this question really depends on what the purpose of your website is and what functionality is required. There are two primary approaches to

- Published: 2024-07-05
- Modified: 2024-07-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/should-you-build-your-own-website-or-hire-someone/

The answer to this question really depends on what the purpose of your website is and what functionality is required. There are two primary approaches to web development and web design Raleigh: Using a website builder and developing a custom Raleigh web design. Continue reading for a breakdown between the two approaches and what might work best for you.

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> Learn about the many benefits to working with a DevOps partner, such as faster development, increased collaboration, and more stability.

- Published: 2021-05-18
- Modified: 2024-04-01
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/what-are-the-benefits-of-devops/

DevOps is a combination of cultural philosophies, practices, and tools. This methodology increases an organization’s ability to deliver applications and services at high velocity.

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> Variable factors include the amount of custom features, the complexity of design, setup investments, training, and maintenance.

- Published: 2020-09-21
- Modified: 2024-04-01
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/how-much-does-custom-ecommerce-cost/
- Categories: Software

A custom eCommerce store could cost anywhere from $12,000/year to millions. Variable factors include the amount of custom features, the complexity of design, setup investments, training, and maintenance. Check out how to determine the cost of a custom eCommerce store.

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> Nearly every time, good execution outperforms good ideas. For the most effective execution, it's essential to have a strong underlying strategy. Try

- Published: 2020-01-02
- Modified: 2023-07-03
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/how-to-make-a-digital-strategy/
- Categories: Software

Nearly every time, good execution outperforms good ideas. For the most effective execution, it's essential to have a strong underlying strategy. Try organizing an offsite multi-day retreat with a facilitator.

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> The first step to improving your digital strategy is understanding what’s not working with your current digital strategy. Are you not hitting your new

- Published: 2020-01-02
- Modified: 2024-04-01
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/how-to-improve-digital-strategy/
- Categories: Software

The first step to improving your digital strategy is understanding what’s not working with your current digital strategy. Are you not hitting your new customer acquisition goals? Revenue by customer?

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> Here is a short answer: Digital strategy can be created internally or externally (with the help of outside partners). Internally, depending on how big

- Published: 2020-01-02
- Modified: 2020-01-03
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/how-much-does-digital-strategy-cost/
- Categories: Software

Here is a short answer: Digital strategy can be created internally or externally (with the help of outside partners). Internally, depending on how big your organization is and how transformative your strategy is, the costs could vary greatly.

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> Because people like to define these terms to suit their purposes, there are many different definitions of eBusiness and eCommerce. We define eBusiness as

- Published: 2020-01-02
- Modified: 2023-07-03
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/ecommerce-vs-ebusiness/
- Categories: Software

Because people like to define these terms to suit their purposes, there are many different definitions of eBusiness and eCommerce. We define eBusiness as completing primary business functions online.

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> An eCommerce platform is software that online businesses use to build functions needed to conduct business. The platform may be as simple as a catalog and

- Published: 2020-01-02
- Modified: 2020-01-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/what-is-an-ecommerce-platform/
- Categories: Software

An eCommerce platform is software that online businesses use to build functions needed to conduct business. The platform may be as simple as a catalog and shopping cart, but traditionally "platform" refers to a more robust set of tools and services.

---

> The most important thing to consider is your competitive advantage over others that may compete for the same type of eCommerce store. Low barriers to

- Published: 2020-01-02
- Modified: 2020-01-03
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/how-to-start-ecommerce-business/
- Categories: Software

The most important thing to consider is your competitive advantage over others that may compete for the same type of eCommerce store. Low barriers to entry is both a pro and con to eCommerce.

---

> There are several different ways to determine how a site is built. The most effective way would be to use the tool BuiltWith.

- Published: 2020-01-02
- Modified: 2024-11-19
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/what-ecommerce-platform-is-site-using/
- Categories: Software

There are a couple different ways to determine the technologies a site is using. Firstly, if you are technically savvy, you can right click on an eCommerce page (either catalog, checkout page, etc) and look at the source code. Many platforms will have hints in the source code that will give you an idea what the site is running.

---

> Magento is an increasingly popular eCommerce platform. It is written in PHP on the ZEND framework and is distributed under the Open Source Initiative.

- Published: 2020-01-02
- Modified: 2020-01-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/what-is-magento-ecommerce/
- Categories: Software

Magento is an increasingly popular eCommerce platform. It is written in PHP on the ZEND framework and is distributed under the Open Source Initiative.

---

> There are two strategies to build eCommerce into your existing Wordpress site. First, you need to figure out if you need a complete eCommerce platform

- Published: 2020-01-02
- Modified: 2023-07-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/build-wordpress-ecommerce/
- Categories: Software

There are two strategies to build eCommerce into your existing Wordpress site. First, you need to figure out if you need a complete eCommerce platform (ie. you need to sell many products, complex products, integration into other systems, etc. ). The reason this matters is there are many eCommerce plugins for Wordpress with limited functionalities.

---

> Full stack web development as a term evolved due to the separation of roles between front end and back end developers. A “full stack” developer is a

- Published: 2020-01-02
- Modified: 2023-07-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/what-is-full-stack/
- Categories: Software

Full stack web development as a term evolved due to the separation of roles between front end and back end developers. A “full stack” developer is a developer that can work in both front end and back end technologies.

---

> As web development evolved, it separated into logical specialization: front end web development and back end development. While back end development

- Published: 2020-01-02
- Modified: 2020-01-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/front-end-vs-back-end-development/
- Categories: Software

As web development evolved, it separated into logical specialization: front end web development and back end development. While back end development involves the server-side development, front end is the final rendering.

---

> We get lots of questions from university students working on projects -- How do I get into web development? How long does it take to learn? How much do

- Published: 2020-01-02
- Modified: 2020-01-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/how-to-become-a-web-developer/
- Categories: Software

We get lots of questions from university students working on projects -- How do I get into web development? How long does it take to learn? How much do web developers make?

---

> Bootstrap is a framework used in front-end development to save time, specifically for mobile-first development. It combines CSS and JavaScript templates

- Published: 2020-01-02
- Modified: 2023-07-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/what-is-bootstrap/
- Categories: Software

Bootstrap is a framework used in front-end development to save time, specifically for mobile-first development. It combines CSS and JavaScript templates and libraries to speed up the development process.

---

> PHP is a back end language primarily used for custom applications, content management systems (such as Wordpress), eCommerce engines (such as Magento), or

- Published: 2020-01-02
- Modified: 2023-07-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/what-is-php-development/
- Categories: Software

PHP is a back end language primarily used for custom applications, content management systems (such as Wordpress), eCommerce engines (such as Magento), or even massive sites like Facebook.

---

> React is a popular JavaScript library. It is primarily used for building interactive user interfaces (UI).

- Published: 2020-01-02
- Modified: 2020-01-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/what-is-react-development/
- Categories: Software

React is a popular JavaScript library. It is primarily used for building interactive user interfaces (UI).

---

> Historically speaking, JavaScript was only commonly but sparingly used in web development. The multiple browsers in use at the time each supported

- Published: 2020-01-02
- Modified: 2023-07-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/how-is-javascript-used/
- Categories: Software

Historically speaking, JavaScript was only commonly but sparingly used in web development. The multiple browsers in use at the time each supported different versions of JavaScript and were slow to render more complex Javascript.

---

> People often lump web design and development together, so what's the difference? As the Internet has evolved, the skills required to produce a high

- Published: 2020-01-02
- Modified: 2020-01-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/web-design-and-development/
- Categories: Software

People often lump web design and development together, so what's the difference? As the Internet has evolved, the skills required to produce a high quality website or web application have changed.

---

> Web development can vary from a few hundred to millions of dollars depending on what is needed. You may simply need some changes to something that already

- Published: 2020-01-02
- Modified: 2020-01-03
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/web-development-cost/
- Categories: Software

Web development can vary from a few hundred to millions of dollars depending on what is needed. You may simply need some changes to something that already exists, or you'd like to build a large or complex application.

---

> If there was one “best” programming language, then everything else would be obsolete. The reality is that there are so many different programming

- Published: 2020-01-02
- Modified: 2024-11-19
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/best-web-development-language/
- Categories: Software

If there was one “best” programming language, then everything else would be obsolete. The reality is that there are so many different programming languages because there is no “best” language for any situation.

---

> Many people commonly ask “what is a framework in web development?” Web development frameworks can easily be confused with web development tools,

- Published: 2020-01-02
- Modified: 2023-07-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/best-web-development-framework/
- Categories: Software

Many people commonly ask “what is a framework in web development? ” Web development frameworks can easily be confused with web development tools, languages, or parts of the web development stack (like . NET, PHP, JavaScript, or Ruby).

---

> Ask yourself a few simple questions. Do you know how to hire and manage a team of developers? Do you know how to setup development environments? Do you

- Published: 2019-12-30
- Modified: 2023-07-03
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/should-i-outsource-software-development/
- Categories: Software

Ask yourself a few simple questions. Do you know how to hire and manage a team of developers? Do you know how to setup development environments? Do you want to become a software development manager?

---

> There are many different options for hosting, but most applications would do well with one of the cloud providers -- Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud

- Published: 2019-12-30
- Modified: 2024-04-01
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/where-should-i-host-my-application/
- Categories: Software

There are many different options for hosting, but most applications would do well with one of the cloud providers -- Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud Platform, Microsoft Azure.

---

> We recommend sticking to .NET, JavaScript, PHP, Python, and Go. These languages have strong support communities and widely-used libraries.

- Published: 2019-12-30
- Modified: 2025-05-13
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/what-language-for-custom-application-development/
- Categories: Software

We recommend sticking to . NET, JavaScript, PHP, Python, and Go. These languages have strong support communities and widely-used libraries.

---

> No matter how well-written your application is, you will need to refactor and clean up the technical debt over time, especially when the proper

- Published: 2019-12-30
- Modified: 2023-07-03
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/when-to-upgrade-application/
- Categories: Software

No matter how well-written your application is, you will need to refactor and clean up the technical debt over time, especially when the proper maintenance and updates have been lacking.

---

> This can’t be definitively answered in a short Q&A but it’s absolutely possible with the right migration plan.

- Published: 2019-12-30
- Modified: 2024-11-19
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/migrate-custom-application-to-saas/
- Categories: Software

This can’t be definitively answered in a short Q&A but it’s absolutely possible with the right migration plan.

---

> The first step in evaluation is to figure out what you need. Do you just need someone to manage the cloud or hosting environment, or do you need them to

- Published: 2019-12-30
- Modified: 2023-07-03
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/evaluating-managed-application-provider/
- Categories: Software

The first step in evaluation is to figure out what you need. Do you just need someone to manage the cloud or hosting environment, or do you need them to manage and support the application code and the hosting environment?

---

> The answer is ‘probably yes’. There aren’t many reasons for an application to be hosted elsewhere, aside from occasional compliance standards, or

- Published: 2019-12-30
- Modified: 2020-01-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/should-i-move-my-application-to-the-cloud/
- Categories: Software

The answer is ‘probably yes’. There aren’t many reasons for an application to be hosted elsewhere, aside from occasional compliance standards, or requirements to integrate with local services that would require large amounts of data to move from on-premise to cloud.

---

> There are several primary reasons that applications perform poorly, and in some cases it’s a combination of several. 1) Data latency: If your application

- Published: 2019-12-30
- Modified: 2023-07-03
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/improving-application-performance/
- Categories: Software

There are several primary reasons that applications perform poorly, and in some cases it’s a combination of several. 1) Data latency: If your application is making calls to a data source (whether it’s an API or a direct call) and there is latency at the data provider, your application performance will suffer.

---

> Reasons not to host in the cloud are few and far between. If you don't host in the cloud, you will spend more in both CapEx and OpEx to manage your

- Published: 2019-12-30
- Modified: 2025-05-13
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/benefits-to-cloud-hosting/
- Categories: Software

Reasons not to host in the cloud are few and far between. If you don't host in the cloud, you will spend more in both CapEx and OpEx to manage your applications or websites in a traditional environment.

---

> Yes, there will always be some risks associated with any hosting option. You are relying on the resiliency and engineering of infrastructure that has

- Published: 2019-12-30
- Modified: 2020-01-03
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/cons-cloud-hosting/
- Categories: Software

Yes, there will always be some risks associated with any hosting option. You are relying on the resiliency and engineering of infrastructure that has scaled at an astounding rate.

---

> It is important to build applications and workloads specifically for the cloud. You will want to carefully consider what services the cloud provider of

- Published: 2019-12-30
- Modified: 2023-07-03
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/cloud-application-architecture/
- Categories: Software

It is important to build applications and workloads specifically for the cloud. You will want to carefully consider what services the cloud provider of your choice has to offer and how your application leverages those services.

---

> Digital strategy, digital marketing strategy, and digital transformation strategy are separate things that often overlap with each other. They are often

- Published: 2019-12-30
- Modified: 2020-01-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/what-is-digital-strategy/
- Categories: Software

Digital strategy, digital marketing strategy, and digital transformation strategy are separate things that often overlap with each other. They are often confused for being the same.

---

> One of the interesting things about Digital Transformation is everyone seems to define it a little differently. The reality is that consultants sometimes

- Published: 2019-12-30
- Modified: 2020-01-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/what-is-digital-transformation/
- Categories: Software

One of the interesting things about Digital Transformation is everyone seems to define it a little differently. The reality is that consultants sometimes label a new marketing plan a digital transformation strategy -- it’s not.

---

> Digital strategy is important because there are few sectors technology won’t ultimately touch or transform. If your organization isn’t paying attention to

- Published: 2019-12-30
- Modified: 2020-01-06
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/why-is-digital-strategy-important/
- Categories: Software

Digital strategy is important because there are few sectors technology won’t ultimately touch or transform. If your organization isn’t paying attention to digital strategy, you will fall behind and potentially reach a point where you are obsolete relative to competitors.

---

> If both blue ocean strategy and digital transformation strategy exist; the blue ocean strategy would be the top level strategy, while digital

- Published: 2019-12-30
- Modified: 2023-07-03
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/digital-transformation-blue-ocean-strategy/
- Categories: Software

If both blue ocean strategy and digital transformation strategy exist; the blue ocean strategy would be the top level strategy, while digital transformation would be a necessary component of achieving the blue ocean strategy. To fully answer this question, let's first define Blue Ocean Strategy.

---

> Like any strategy, there are more ways to find pitfalls than success. The first step in planning is to clearly articulate the overall strategy in a way

- Published: 2019-12-30
- Modified: 2020-01-03
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/avoid-digital-strategy-pitfalls/
- Categories: Software

Like any strategy, there are more ways to find pitfalls than success. The first step in planning is to clearly articulate the overall strategy in a way that is easy to understand at all levels of the organization.

---

> The first step to calculating the ROI is determining what the investment will be. Atlantic BT's custom application guide can walk you through this

- Published: 2019-12-20
- Modified: 2023-07-03
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/calculate-roi-custom-application/
- Categories: Software

The first step to calculating the ROI is determining what the investment will be. Atlantic BT's custom application guide can walk you through this process. Also consider that you will likely need managed services after the application is completed to ensure its availability and security.

---

> This can be a difficult decision. In your mind you want to build something that is exactly what you want, but you need to consider what the total cost of

- Published: 2019-12-20
- Modified: 2023-07-03
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/evaluating-existing-application/
- Categories: Software

This can be a difficult decision. In your mind you want to build something that is exactly what you want, but you need to consider what the total cost of ownership will be for your application. We suggest evaluating whether or not an existing SaaS application has robust API support or if on-premise software has an open database.

---

> There are lots of things to avoid when building a web application; but from our experience, #1 on the list is to avoid a bad application developer. The

- Published: 2019-12-20
- Modified: 2023-07-03
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/what-are-some-things-to-avoid-when-building-a-new-web-application/
- Categories: Software

There are lots of things to avoid when building a web application; but from our experience, #1 on the list is to avoid a bad application developer. The biggest problem when you engage with a bad application developer is that you won’t know until it’s too late.

---

> While developing custom applications is expensive, the payback can be huge when the application solves problems for your organization or creates a

- Published: 2019-12-19
- Modified: 2023-07-03
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/faqs/do-i-need-custom-application-development/
- Categories: Software

While developing custom applications is expensive, the payback can be huge when the application solves problems for your organization or creates a competitive advantage.

---


---


## Processes

> Business Process Mapping is a tool used to visualize, analyze, and improve the efficiency of various processes within an organization.

- Published: 2023-11-14
- Modified: 2024-11-19
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/discovery/business-process-mapping/

Business Process Mapping is a tool used to visualize, analyze, and improve the efficiency of various processes within an organization.

Business Process Mapping is a tool used to visualize, analyze, and improve the efficiency of various processes within an organization. It involves the documentation of each step in a particular business process, capturing the inputs, outputs, tasks, decisions, and interactions involved. The mapping process aims to provide a clear and comprehensive representation of how a process functions, highlighting potential bottlenecks, redundancies, and areas for optimization. Atlantic BT creates the business process map by first conducting stakeholder interviews and contextual inquiries with key members of the business. The journey that each user type takes is displayed step by step. Different lanes demonstrate the interaction between different departments and software. It serves as a foundation for process improvement initiatives, enabling businesses to streamline operations, reduce costs, enhance productivity, and deliver higher-quality products or services. Business Process Mapping is an essential tool for businesses seeking to achieve greater operational efficiency and maintain a competitive edge in today's dynamic markets.

---

> Service Blueprints are visual representations that allows us to illustrate and understand the front and back end aspects of an application.

- Published: 2023-11-14
- Modified: 2024-11-19
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/discovery/service-blueprint/

Service Blueprints are visual representations that allows us to illustrate and understand the front and back end aspects of an application.

Service Blueprints are a visual representation that allows us to illustrate and understand both the front-end and back-end aspects of the website or application. Service Blueprints differ from business process maps because the focus is on the customer, their touchpoints and back end interactions involved. These blueprints serve as a powerful communication tool, enabling us to align our team and our clients on the project's scope, objectives, and key touchpoints. We begin by collaborating closely with our clients to gain deep insights into their business goals, user needs, and technical requirements. We use the Service Blueprint diagrams to map out the end-to-end user journey, showcasing the various touchpoints, interactions, and system integrations. This approach helps us identify potential pain points, usability issues, or bottlenecks in the user experience early on, allowing us to iterate and fine-tune the design before the actual development phase. By leveraging Service Blueprints, Atlantic BT ensures that our clients receive a seamless and intuitive end product that aligns precisely with their vision, while also optimizing the efficiency of internal processes.

---

> User workflows are step-by-step journeys that users take when interacting with websites or software applications.

- Published: 2023-11-14
- Modified: 2024-11-19
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/discovery/user-workflows/

User workflows are step-by-step journeys that users take when interacting with websites or software applications.

User workflows are a crucial aspect of our design process at Atlantic BT, where we carefully map out the step-by-step journeys that users take when interacting with websites or software applications. By understanding these user workflows, we gain invaluable insights into the user experience, identifying pain points and opportunities for improvement. This method allows us to optimize the efficiency and usability of our products, ensuring that users can accomplish their tasks seamlessly and with minimal friction. To inform user workflows, we conduct user interviews, usability testing, or contextual inquiries to better understand how different user segments navigate through the digital interface. We then create well-defined and intuitive paths that guide users towards achieving their goals within the application. Our iterative approach to user workflows ensures that the final designs are aligned with user expectations and that the end products deliver a seamless and delightful user experience.

---

> Our accessibility audit includes a two step process of automated scanning and manual evaluation to report on adherence of standards.

- Published: 2023-11-14
- Modified: 2024-11-19
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/discovery/accessibility-audit/

Our accessibility audit includes a two step process of automated scanning and manual evaluation to report on adherence of standards.

At Atlantic BT, we place a strong emphasis on adhering to accessibility standards in all our web and software development projects. Accessibility standards not only ensure that digital products are designed and built to be inclusive and usable by those with disabilities, but also benefit everyone. These standards are based on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which provide specific criteria for creating accessible content and interfaces. We follow a two step process in our audits in order to report on adherence to accessibility standards. Our developers use scanners such as Rocket Validator to help provide a baseline for HTML accessibility errors on the site. Additionally, we conduct manual accessibility evaluation using keyboard-only navigation and screen readers to catch errors that the scanners routinely miss. We aim to create digital solutions that are compliant with legal requirements, promote inclusivity, improve user experiences, and demonstrate our commitment to creating a more accessible online environment for everyone.

---

> React is an excellent JavaScript library for building modern, dynamic websites that are easy to update and maintain.

- Published: 2023-11-14
- Modified: 2024-11-19
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/development/react/

React is an excellent JavaScript library for building modern, dynamic websites that are easy to update and maintain.

React is a popular JavaScript library that web developers use to create the parts of a website that you interact with, often referred to as the front end. Think of it like a set of building blocks that developers can use to put together websites and applications more easily. These blocks are reusable and can be mixed and matched to build different sections of a website, much like using the same type of Lego bricks to build different models. React helps ensure that the website looks good and works well, whether you're clicking a button, filling out a form, or just navigating from page to page. It's a bit like a director behind the scenes, making sure that what you see on your screen plays out smoothly. How is React best used? Well, it's particularly handy when a website needs to talk to the Internet to fetch, display, or send information — this is where APIs come into play, which are like special messengers that allow different parts of the Internet to communicate. React works well with these APIs, helping to connect your clicks and interactions with the vast amount of information on the web. Plus, it’s decoupled, which means that the people working on the look and feel of the website (using things like HTML and CSS) can work somewhat independently from those working on the behind-the-scenes logic. This separation helps teams work faster and more efficiently, making React an excellent tool for building modern, dynamic websites that are easy to update and maintain.

---

> Angular is a JavaScript-based platform that is a bit like a Swiss Army knife for building websites and web applications.

- Published: 2023-11-14
- Modified: 2024-11-19
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/development/angular/

Angular is a JavaScript-based platform that is a bit like a Swiss Army knife for building websites and web applications.

Angular is a JavaScript-based platform that is a bit like a Swiss Army knife for building websites and web applications—it's an all-inclusive toolkit that developers use to create the interactive parts of websites, which is what we often refer to as the front end. Imagine you’re putting together a complex model ship; Angular would be the comprehensive set of tools and instructions that help you fit everything together just right. It’s known for having everything you need in one place, making it easier to get started on building something complex. With Angular, developers can make sure that the website not only looks good and is easy to use but also is well-organized under the hood, which means it runs smoothly for you as the user. Best used for more sizable or complex projects, Angular is like the captain of a ship for a big development crew—it provides a strong structure and set of guidelines that help keep everyone and everything in sync. It excels when the website needs to handle lots of tasks at once, like updating information on the page without needing to refresh, interacting with external services and systems, and keeping everything secure and running quickly. The built-in tools and consistent rules make it easier for teams to work together and for new developers to hop on board without getting lost. So, when there's a digital 'village' involved in building a website, Angular is often the go-to for keeping the village well-coordinated and the construction on track.

---

> Laravel is a PHP-based application framework with elegant syntax that aims to make development pleasing without sacrificing functionality.

- Published: 2023-11-14
- Modified: 2024-11-19
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/development/laravel/

Laravel is a PHP-based application framework with elegant syntax that aims to make development pleasing without sacrificing functionality.

Laravel is a PHP-based web application framework with expressive, elegant syntax that aims to make the development process a pleasing one for the developer without sacrificing application functionality. It's a server-side framework that handles the behind-the-scenes operations of web apps, such as routing, handling sessions, and communicating with databases. Laravel is designed with a focus on simplicity and readability, which means it allows developers to write fewer lines of code to achieve the same tasks as other frameworks. This simplicity makes it a favored choice for developers who want to build applications quickly without getting mired in technical minutiae. Choosing Laravel over other frameworks might come down to its ecosystem and the tools it provides for tasks like authentication, queue management, and templating. Laravel has a rich set of features that help with common web project tasks, such as a user-friendly interface for sending emails and a robust system for managing user accounts and permissions. Additionally, Laravel includes a powerful tool called Eloquent, an object-relational mapper (ORM), which provides a simple ActiveRecord implementation for working with your database. Each database table has a corresponding "Model" which allows developers to interact with that table in an intuitive way. Because of these tools and its ease of use, Laravel is often chosen for projects where rapid development and clear, readable code are priorities.

---

> WordPress is a CMS that's one of the most user-friendly and flexible systems out there, a favorite for individuals and businesses alike.

- Published: 2023-11-14
- Modified: 2025-05-13
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/development/wordpress/

WordPress is a CMS that's one of the most user-friendly and flexible systems out there, a favorite for individuals and businesses alike.

WordPress is a content management system (CMS) that's used to build and manage websites. It’s one of the most user-friendly and flexible systems out there, which has made it a favorite for individuals and businesses alike. With its intuitive dashboard, users can add pages, blog posts, images, and customize their site's design, but it can also be fully customized for advanced or custom themes. It's a bit like using a pre-made mix to bake a cake; you can add your own ingredients to make it unique, but the basic structure is provided for you. WordPress is often chosen over other frameworks because of its simplicity and the vast community that supports it. There’s a large library of plugins, which are like add-ons, that can give your website additional features such as contact forms, SEO tools, and social media integrations without the need for specialized technical knowledge. WordPress also excels in its ability to scale; whether you’re running a small blog or a large e-commerce site, WordPress can handle it.

---

> Drupal is a robust CMS known for its scalability, security, and customization. Learn more about Atlantic BT's Drupal development process.

- Published: 2023-11-14
- Modified: 2024-11-19
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/development/drupal/

Drupal is a robust CMS known for its scalability, security, and customization. Learn more about Atlantic BT's Drupal development process.

Drupal is an open-source content management framework that’s well-suited for creating and managing a wide array of websites, from personal blogs to complex corporate platforms. It offers a robust set of tools for organizing, structuring, and displaying content flexibly, and managing users with various levels of access and permissions. With Drupal, users can create and manage many types of content like text, blogs, videos, polls, or any custom type desired. It’s designed with a strong architecture that can accommodate content-rich websites and complex data integration. Why might one opt for Drupal over other content management systems or frameworks? Drupal is renowned for its security and scalability, which makes it a trusted platform for large-scale enterprises and government institutions. It offers extensive API support, meaning it can integrate smoothly with various third-party applications and services, enhancing functionality. Moreover, it's modular approach allows for extensive customization — through a multitude of available modules, users can tailor their site to fit their specific needs. For organizations in need of a secure, scalable, and customizable web presence, Drupal stands out as a sophisticated option that balances user-friendliness with powerful capabilities. Learn more about The Drupal Association, the community that supports and maintains the technology by visiting drupal. org. The association releases new versions of the popular content management system regularly, providing new features, functionality, designs and security enhancements. Atlantic BT stays abreast of new releases and shares our knowledge through articles and descriptions of past case studies, which can all be found on our blog.

---

> Umbraco is a Microsoft .NET CMS that streamlines the process of building and managing websites with a focus on flexibility and user control.

- Published: 2023-11-14
- Modified: 2024-11-19
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/development/umbraco/

Umbraco is a Microsoft .NET CMS that streamlines the process of building and managing websites with a focus on flexibility and user control.

Umbraco is a content management system (CMS) that streamlines the process of building and managing websites with a focus on flexibility and user control. It's known for its user-friendly interface, making it easier for people who aren't tech experts to organize, edit, and publish content on their websites. Umbraco provides a clean and intuitive dashboard that lets users manage their web pages, blog posts, and media files with a few simple clicks. It's flexible and adaptable, which means it can be used for anything from a small blog to a large corporate website. What sets Umbraco apart from other CMS options is its strong focus on customization and its use of Microsoft's . NET framework, which is a big plus for those already working within the Microsoft ecosystem. The platform allows for deep customization to tailor the website to specific needs, which makes it particularly appealing for businesses looking to maintain a professional and polished online presence. Additionally, Umbraco has a community of developers who continuously contribute to its pool of resources and functionality. For businesses looking for a CMS that combines ease of use with the capability for complex, bespoke web solutions, Umbraco presents itself as an appealing choice.

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> Magento is a comprehensive e-commerce platform that offers businesses the tools and capabilities to create and operate online stores

- Published: 2023-11-14
- Modified: 2024-11-19
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/development/magento/

Magento is a comprehensive e-commerce platform that offers businesses the tools and capabilities to create and operate online stores

Magento, now rebranded as Adobe Commerce, is a comprehensive e-commerce platform that offers businesses the tools and capabilities to create and operate online stores. It's a robust system that provides a wide range of features out of the box, including product management, order processing, and marketing tools. Known for its adaptability, Magento allows for extensive customization to meet the unique needs of businesses as they grow and evolve. This means that whether a company is selling handmade crafts or a full line of consumer electronics, Magento can be shaped to provide a seamless shopping experience. The platform stands out in the market for its strong scalability and performance, which makes it ideal for businesses that anticipate rapid growth or those that already experience high traffic volumes. Magento also boasts a vast community of developers and partners, offering a rich array of themes and plugins that extend its functionality further. Companies often choose Magento over other e-commerce frameworks for its ability to handle complex product catalogs and its sophisticated integration capabilities with other systems like inventory management and customer relationship management (CRM) or Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) tools. For businesses seeking an e-commerce solution that combines depth of functionality with scalability, Magento is a proven contender.

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> Web-based integrations refer to the process of linking online systems and applications, allowing them to exchange data efficiently.

- Published: 2023-11-14
- Modified: 2024-11-19
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/development/integrations/

Web-based integrations refer to the process of linking online systems and applications, allowing them to exchange data efficiently.

Web-based integrations refer to the process of linking different online systems and applications together, allowing them to exchange data and functionalities efficiently. This means that one web service can utilize the capabilities or information of another, automating processes that otherwise would require manual input. For instance, an online store can integrate with a payment processing system to handle transactions, or a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system can integrate with an email platform to streamline communication with customers. These integrations are vital because they enhance the functionality of web services and improve user experience by minimizing the need to switch between different applications. In a practical sense, web-based integrations help businesses operate more smoothly by ensuring that all their systems are working in concert.   An API, or Application Programming Interface, is a set of rules and protocols for building and interacting with software applications. APIs act as a bridge that allows different software programs to communicate with each other, enabling the integration of and access to features or data of one application by another. Architecture of ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system with connections between business intelligence (BI), production, CRM modules and HR diagram. businessman hand working with modern digital tablet computer.

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> AWS is a subsidiary of Amazon providing on-demand cloud computing platforms and APIs on a pay-as-you-go basis.

- Published: 2023-11-14
- Modified: 2025-06-09
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/deploy/amazon-web-services-aws/

AWS is a subsidiary of Amazon providing on-demand cloud computing platforms and APIs on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Amazon Web Services, commonly known as AWS, is a subsidiary of Amazon providing on-demand cloud computing platforms and APIs to individuals, companies, and governments, on a metered pay-as-you-go basis. In simpler terms, it's like a big virtual space that provides a variety of services such as storage, networking, and remote computing to help businesses scale and grow. Imagine having a huge array of powerful computers and services at your fingertips without actually having to own or maintain them; that's what AWS offers. According to AWS themselves, they aim to "empower builders to build", a testament to their mission of providing the building blocks that developers can use to create applications of all types. This approach has made AWS a leader in the cloud industry because it gives customers a highly reliable, scalable, and low-cost infrastructure platform in the cloud. Image reference

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> A retainer contract with a web development agency is a bit like having a part-time, yet highly specialized, web team.

- Published: 2023-11-14
- Modified: 2024-11-18
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/delight/retainer/

A retainer contract with a web development agency is a bit like having a part-time, yet highly specialized, web team.

A retainer contract with a web development agency is a bit like having a part-time, yet highly specialized, web team. Essentially, you reserve a set number of hours of the agency's time each month, during which they tackle a variety of tasks for you—this could be regular website maintenance to ensure everything's running without a hitch, rolling out updates to keep your site modern and secure, or developing new features that enhance user experience. It's a flexible setup, allowing for routine check-ins and adjustments as well as more significant overhauls and improvements. Under this arrangement, you don't just get reactive support for when things go awry, such as unexpected bug fixes; you also gain proactive partners in maintaining and improving your digital presence. This agreement ensures that your website doesn't just stay afloat but continues to evolve and improve, mirroring the growth and dynamism of your business. It's an economical alternative to having a full-time web development staff, giving you access to professional expertise and peace of mind without the full-time investment.

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> Through the Business Model Canvas framework we can understand your business quickly and effectively and align the project to your needs.

- Published: 2023-11-12
- Modified: 2024-11-18
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/discovery/business-model-canvas/

Through the Business Model Canvas framework we can understand your business quickly and effectively and align the project to your needs.

At Atlantic BT, we believe that a successful digital project involves prioritizing business needs and understanding business challenges. Through the Business Model Canvas framework we can understand your business quickly and effectively. The Business Model Canvas allows us to map out key components such as value proposition, customer segments, channels, revenue streams. During this process, we facilitate workshops with our experts and our clients’ key stakeholders to thoroughly refine the business model canvas.   The business model canvas helps us identify growth opportunities, pinpoint challenges, and align the project to our clients’ business needs. Our experts take those insights and transform them into an actionable strategy for the design and development of our clients’ software or website. With the Business Model Canvas, Atlantic Bt provides a dynamic framework that not only clarifies business strategy but also serves as a robust foundation for sustainable growth and success.

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> Usability testing is aimed at evaluating the effectiveness, efficiency, and overall user-friendliness of a web site or application.

- Published: 2023-11-12
- Modified: 2024-11-18
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/discovery/usability-testing/

Usability testing is aimed at evaluating the effectiveness, efficiency, and overall user-friendliness of a web site or application.

Usability testing is a cornerstone of user experience and a crucial step in Atlantic BT's web and software development process. Usability testing is aimed at evaluating the effectiveness, efficiency, and overall user-friendliness of a web site or application. Through this method, we gather valuable feedback directly from real users, allowing us to identify potential issues and areas for improvement. During usability testing, we carefully design scenarios and tasks that represent typical user interactions, observing how participants navigate through the application. By analyzing the test results, we gain actionable insights that drive iterative design enhancements, ensuring that our final products offer an exceptional user experience. Many people believe that Usability Testing is expensive and time consuming, but it actually only requires 5 users from each user type to uncover the vast majority of errors that users encounter. We recommend usability testing in any stage of the software development cycle, to uncover usability problems and improve your website or application.

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> With continuous deployment, developers can push out new features and bug fixes without having to go through tedious, manual processes.

- Published: 2023-11-12
- Modified: 2024-11-12
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/deploy/continuous-deployment/

With continuous deployment, developers can push out new features and bug fixes without having to go through tedious, manual processes.

Continuous Deployment (CD) is a powerful technique in the DevOps world. It is the practice of automatically pushing new code to production servers as soon as it is ready. This is the ultimate goal of DevOps — to move fast without sacrificing quality or security. With continuous deployment, developers can quickly push out new features and bug fixes, without having to go through tedious, manual processes.   Atlassian's Bitbucket Pipelines is Atlantic BT's preferred CI/CD solution. It works with multiple development tools, but many other options also exist. Teams can stay up-to-date with the latest code changes and deploy them quickly and efficiently. With the right tools and processes in place, teams can get their code into production faster and with fewer hiccups. Deployments to multiple environments are easy and automatic using a CI/CD tool such as Atlassian's Bitbucket Pipelines

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> CSS is a style sheet language that defines the appearance of web pages, allowing developers to create consistent UI/UX and unique designs with animations.

- Published: 2022-12-22
- Modified: 2024-11-12
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/development/css-languages-frameworks/

CSS is a style sheet language that defines the appearance of web pages, allowing developers to create consistent UI/UX and unique designs with animations.

CSS, or Cascading Style Sheets, is a style sheet language used to define the look and feel of web pages. It is used by web developers to create consistent user interfaces (UI) and user experiences (UX), as well as to give web pages a distinctive design and animation. It can be used to control the layout of text, images, colors, fonts, and other visual elements.   CSS also makes it possible to create responsive web designs, meaning the page will look great on any device. CSS is also used to create brand identities, as it allows developers to use custom fonts, colors, and images. All of these features make CSS an essential tool for any web developer. With CSS, you can create a well-designed, responsive, and branded web page that is easy to use and looks great. It takes plenty of CSS to craft a button just the right way for visual appeal, animation, and accessibility.

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> Leverage the power of .NET languages and frameworks with AtlanticBT's development expertise. Build robust and scalable solutions for your business needs.

- Published: 2022-12-22
- Modified: 2024-11-12
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/development/net-languages-frameworks/

Leverage the power of .NET languages and frameworks with AtlanticBT's development expertise. Build robust and scalable solutions for your business needs.

. NET Web Development refers to the development of websites and web applications using the . NET platform. . NET is a popular development platform from Microsoft that enables developers to create dynamic, interactive websites and applications. It is based on the C# programming language and is used by millions of developers around the world.   With . NET, developers can create powerful, scalable applications that can run on Windows and many other other platforms. . NET also provides a wide range of tools and libraries to help developers create applications quickly and easily. With its broad range of features, . NET can be used to create almost any type of web application, from ecommerce sites to social media websites. Regardless of the type of application, . NET provides a comprehensive platform for developing powerful and engaging web applications. A small . NET API endpoint, written with C#, inside Microsoft's Visual Studio 2022.

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> PHP Development is a programming language used to create dynamic web applications. It is used to create custom websites, content management systems, web APIs, and more.

- Published: 2022-12-22
- Modified: 2024-11-12
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/development/php-languages-frameworks/

PHP Development is a programming language used to create dynamic web applications. It is used to create custom websites, content management systems, web APIs, and more.

PHP Development is a programming language used to create dynamic web applications. It is used to create custom websites, content management systems, web APIs, and more. PHP is an open-source language, meaning it is free to use and modify. This makes it an attractive platform for developers due to its cost-effectiveness and longevity.   PHP is very versatile and can be used to create a wide variety of applications. It has been used for everything from creating a simple blog to powering complex web applications. It can be used to create powerful CMSs (Content Management Systems) like WordPress and Drupal. It can also be used to create custom APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) to integrate with existing applications or data sources. For any type of web development project, the PHP platform is a great choice. It is powerful and versatile, and can be used to create applications that are secure, reliable, and cost-effective. A few example endpoints of an API built using PHP.

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> Javascript is an incredibly powerful programming language that allows developers to create amazing websites and applications with ease.

- Published: 2022-12-22
- Modified: 2024-11-12
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/development/javascript-languages-frameworks/

Javascript is an incredibly powerful programming language that allows developers to create amazing websites and applications with ease.

Javascript is an incredibly powerful programming language that is used all over the web. It is growing in popularity at an impressive speed and there are a variety of frameworks like React, Angular, and Vue that allow developers to create amazing websites and applications with ease.   Javascript was first developed in the mid-1990s as a way to add interactivity to web pages. What makes JavaScript so special is that it can be used for both front-end and back-end development, meaning you can use it to create beautiful, interactive user interfaces as well as handle complex server-side logic. It also has a wide range of libraries and frameworks, so you can always find the right tool for the job.   From creating simple web pages to creating entire web applications, you can do it all with JavaScript. It's no wonder why it's one of the most popular languages in the world! Example JavaScript code in an Angular application, using Microsoft's Visual Studio Code IDE.

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> Application Architecture involves planning, managing, and reviewing web development projects to design and construct the systems for building applications.

- Published: 2022-12-22
- Modified: 2024-11-12
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/development/application-architecture/

Application Architecture involves planning, managing, and reviewing web development projects to design and construct the systems for building applications.

Application Architecture is a term used to describe the planning, lead management, and technical review of web development projects. It is the process of designing and constructing the systems that will be used to build the application. This includes the selection of the technologies, the design of the structure, and the development of the architecture. It is also responsible for ensuring that the technical requirements of the application are met, as well as for testing the application before it is made available to users.   Application Architecture is a complex and multi-faceted process. It requires extensive research and planning to ensure that the application will be able to meet the needs of the organization and its users. The process also involves the review and approval of technical components and coding, as well as the review and approval of the application’s user interface. Application Architecture is essential to the success of the project. A great graphic and more in depth read on the Cloud Architect role can be found at TechTarget's cloud architect definition.

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> Code reviews are an important part of the software development life cycle (SDLC) and are essential for ensuring quality and best practices in web development.

- Published: 2022-12-22
- Modified: 2024-11-12
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/development/code-reviews/

Code reviews are an important part of the software development life cycle (SDLC) and are essential for ensuring quality and best practices in web development.

Code reviews are an important part of the software development life cycle (SDLC) and are essential for ensuring quality and best practices in web development. Essentially, code reviews involve one or more peers of the programmer reviewing the code they've written, to ensure it meets the desired standards. During a code review, the peers will look for errors, omissions, and inconsistencies, and provide feedback on the code. This feedback is then used by the programmer to make necessary improvements and corrections.   Code reviews are an invaluable tool for ensuring quality in software development, as they allow for a second set of eyes to spot any mistakes that may have been overlooked by the programmer. They also provide an opportunity for programmers to learn from their peers and to become better developers by learning from their mistakes. Code reviews are an important part of any web development project and should not be overlooked. Atlantic BT regularly uses pull requests inside Atlassian's Bitbucket to facilitate peer code reviews.

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> Quality Assurance (QA) is an important process used to ensure that web and software products meet the highest of standards.

- Published: 2022-12-22
- Modified: 2024-11-12
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/development/quality-assurance/

Quality Assurance (QA) is an important process used to ensure that web and software products meet the highest of standards.

Quality Assurance (QA) is an important process used to ensure that web and software products meet the highest of standards. It involves testing web code and applications to make sure they are of the highest quality and functionality before they are released to the public. QA usually follows code reviews; where code reviews validate the coding approach and best practices, QA validates all functionality is working as required. QA is typically part of the software development life cycle (SDLC) and involves testing for usability, accessibility, reliability, and performance. QA can be done manually, or automated tests can be used to test code and software. Automated tests require additional development, but for business critical features they can help ensure consistent product quality.   Quality Assurance is an important process, as it helps ensure that the product you are releasing is of the highest quality and functionality. Not only does it help the development process, but it also helps ensure the customer receives a high-quality product. An example test execution performed by QA using Xray inside Atlassian's Jira.

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> Microsoft SQL is a secure and powerful database system by Microsoft, enabling fast and easy storage and access of data through structured query language.

- Published: 2022-12-22
- Modified: 2024-11-12
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/development/microsoft-sql-mssql/

Microsoft SQL is a secure and powerful database system by Microsoft, enabling fast and easy storage and access of data through structured query language.

Microsoft SQL (Structured Query Language) is a powerful database management system created by Microsoft. It is a secure, relational database system that allows users to store and access data quickly and easily.   Microsoft SQL is highly flexible, allowing users to store and manage data in almost any format. It also offers a highly secure environment, with built-in user authentication and encryption. It is often used in conjunction with Amazon Web Services (AWS) for cloud-based database management. AWS Relational Database Service (RDS) is a managed database-as-a-service that is optimized for Microsoft SQL. With RDS, users can leverage the full power of Microsoft SQL in the cloud, without the need for complex setup and maintenance.   Whether you're looking for a secure and reliable database solution for your business or are just getting started with databases, Microsoft SQL is a great option. A portion of a Microsoft SQL database diagram generated in Microsoft's SQL Server Management Studio.

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> MySQL is an incredibly popular open source SQL database, used by developers and businesses around the world.

- Published: 2022-12-22
- Modified: 2024-11-12
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/development/mysql/

MySQL is an incredibly popular open source SQL database, used by developers and businesses around the world.

MySQL is an incredibly popular open source SQL database, used by developers and businesses around the world. And it’s popular for a good reason - it's incredibly powerful and incredibly versatile.   MySQL is used for everything from modern web applications and mobile apps to traditional relational databases and more. It's also highly scalable, so it can grow with your business as your needs change. Plus, it's compatible with most of the major web hosting solutions, including Amazon Web Services (AWS) and AWS Relational Database Service (RDS).   With MySQL, you get all of the features of a modern SQL database, plus the flexibility and scalability to grow with your business. Whether you're just getting started or you're an experienced user, MySQL is an excellent choice for your business. A relational database built in MySQL, in a diagram generated in MySQL Workbench.

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> Data migration is the transfer of data between systems, involving moving and upgrading data for improved content management and system capabilities.

- Published: 2022-12-22
- Modified: 2024-11-12
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/development/data-migration/

Data migration is the transfer of data between systems, involving moving and upgrading data for improved content management and system capabilities.

Data migration is the process of moving data from one system or environment to another. It is a complex process that can involve transferring data from a web database to a new system or upgrading a system's content management capabilities. This can often be a difficult and time-consuming experience, as it requires careful planning and execution. It's important to understand the different types of data that need to be transferred, the processes involved in moving the data, and the implications of the migration. An experienced data migration team is essential to ensure that the data is moved successfully and securely between systems.   Once the data is in the new system, it will need to be tested to ensure that it is accessible and up-to-date. Data migration can be a complex and challenging process, so it's important to have an experienced team on board to ensure it is done correctly. A Google Sheets migration plan is just one of many tools Atlantic BT may use while transferring data from an existing website to a new one.

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> Ensure code quality and reliability with Atlantic BT's unit testing approach. Build robust software solutions with confidence and minimize potential issues.

- Published: 2022-12-22
- Modified: 2024-11-12
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/development/unit-tests/

Ensure code quality and reliability with Atlantic BT's unit testing approach. Build robust software solutions with confidence and minimize potential issues.

Unit tests are a crucial part of software development and every web developer should be familiar with them. They are tests written to check the consistency, security, and quality of your code. Unit tests are written to ensure that a particular piece of code behaves as expected when tested, even if other parts of the code are modified. This process helps maintain the integrity of the code and makes the developers more confident about releasing the software into production.   Unit tests can be written in any language, including PHP and . NET. They allow developers to identify and fix issues quickly, which helps increase the overall quality of their code. Unit tests are an essential part of any web project, and they should be taken seriously if you want to create a successful product. Text output from running a suite of unit tests on a project, where each test covers a specific feature with numerous iterations of inputs.

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> Automated UI tests are vital for QA teams, allowing automatic validation of the user interface (UI) in web pages or applications.

- Published: 2022-12-22
- Modified: 2024-11-12
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/development/automated-ui-tests/

Automated UI tests are vital for QA teams, allowing automatic validation of the user interface (UI) in web pages or applications.

Automated UI Tests are a powerful tool for Quality Assurance (QA) teams. They are tests that automatically validate the user interface (UI) of a web page or application. These tests can simulate user actions like clicks, keystrokes, and scrolling, and they can interact with HTML elements to check if the page is loading correctly. This is a huge time-saver for QA teams, as it allows them to quickly and easily test a web page for UI issues.   Automated UI Tests can also be run with tools like Cypress and Selenium, which makes them even more powerful and versatile. It's a great way to ensure a smooth user experience and maintain website quality! A simple run of automated UI tests using the Cypress framework.

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> Web accessibility is the practice of making websites and web applications more accessible for people with disabilities.

- Published: 2022-12-22
- Modified: 2024-11-12
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/development/accessibility/

Web accessibility is the practice of making websites and web applications more accessible for people with disabilities.

Web accessibility is the practice of making websites and web applications more accessible for people with disabilities. This includes creating content and interfaces accessible to users with a wide range of disabilities, from physical limitations to cognitive impairments.   In particular, web accessibility standards focus on making sure that disabled users can access the same content and interact with the same interface as everyone else. It involves creating text alternatives for visual elements, making sure that color and contrast are properly adjusted for visually impaired users, and providing subtitles for audio content. It can also involve creating keyboard-accessible interfaces and making sure that screen readers are able to read content properly. This is also known by the acronym A11y, which stands for Accessibility 1-to-1.   Web accessibility is an important part of creating an inclusive, accessible web for all. The accessibility section of a RocketValidator scan summary. Identifying accessibility issues can be automated for some issues, but must be manual for others.

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> Boost your online visibility with Atlantic BT's expert search engine optimization (SEO) strategies. Drive traffic and reach your target audience effectively.

- Published: 2022-12-22
- Modified: 2024-11-12
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/development/search-engine-optimization/

Boost your online visibility with Atlantic BT's expert search engine optimization (SEO) strategies. Drive traffic and reach your target audience effectively.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the process of optimizing a website and its content to rank higher in search engine results. SEO involves a number of technical code changes, as well as applying best practices to the layout and design of a website. SEO is an important part of any digital marketing strategy, as it helps ensure that a website is seen by the right audience. SEO can also help increase the visibility of a website in Google and other search engines.   To create efficient SEO, webmasters need to know the basics of SEO, such as keyword research, content optimization, link building, and more. By following the best practices for SEO, webmasters can ensure that their website is seen by the right people and help them reach their business goals. Part of a Google Chrome Lighthouse report, informing of passed and failed SEO best practices.

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> Content migration is a strategic process used to move content from one content management system to another.

- Published: 2022-12-22
- Modified: 2024-11-12
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/development/content-migration/

Content migration is a strategic process used to move content from one content management system to another.

Content migration is a strategic process used to move content from one content management system to another. Whether you're upgrading your current content management system or transferring your data to WordPress or Drupal, content migration can help you do it quickly and efficiently.   The first step for content migration is to define a clear strategy that outlines exactly what type of data needs to be moved and where it should be moved to. This is important because you'll need to ensure the data is stored correctly in the new system.   Once you have the strategy in place, the next step is to write the code that will transfer the data. With the right team and the right strategy in place, content migration can be a smooth and successful process. Migration content can include hundreds, if not thousands of pages, which may need to be manipulated in order to be added in a new site.

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> Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Deployment (CD) are popular development practices that are essential for successful DevOps teams.

- Published: 2022-12-22
- Modified: 2024-11-19
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/deploy/continuous-integration/

Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Deployment (CD) are popular development practices that are essential for successful DevOps teams.

Continuous Integration (CI) is a popular development practice that is essential for successful DevOps teams. It enables developers to continuously merge code changes into a shared repository. This helps to ensure that the code is up-to-date and free from errors. Additionally, CI allows developers to easily test and deploy code to production environments. This helps to reduce the time it takes to get changes into production and reduces the risk of bugs and other problems.   Atlassian's Bitbucket is Atlantic BT's preferred CI/CD solution. It offers robust continuous integration features, seamlessly integrating with tools like Jira and Trello for enhanced project tracking and collaboration. Its built-in CI/CD capabilities streamline the development process, ensuring efficient and reliable code deployment.

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> DNS (Domain Name System) Management is the process of ensuring that your website's hostname is associated with the correct IP address.

- Published: 2022-12-22
- Modified: 2024-11-12
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/deploy/dns-management/

DNS (Domain Name System) Management is the process of ensuring that your website's hostname is associated with the correct IP address.

DNS (Domain Name System) Management is the process of ensuring that your website's hostname (e. g. www. yourdomain. com) is associated with the correct IP address (e. g. 104. 236. 157. 10). Under the hood, the internet communicates through IP addresses, so domain names provide the user friendly way to visit websites. This process also allows your website to be located correctly by search engines and other web resources.   In today's cloud-based world, DNS Management is handled by providers like Amazon Web Services (AWS). AWS DNS Management provides an intuitive user interface for setting up and managing domains, subdomains, and hosting accounts. It also allows for failover and load balancing, so that if one server goes down, another can take its place. What's more, DNS Management provides a secure connection to your website and ensures that any data or transactions are secure. AWS Route 53 is one of many applications and services in which Atlantic BT's cloud support team performs DNS Management

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> Scalable infrastructure adapts to business needs, providing flexibility and efficiency without downtime or slow speeds.

- Published: 2022-12-22
- Modified: 2024-11-12
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/deploy/scalable-infrastructure/

Scalable infrastructure adapts to business needs, providing flexibility and efficiency without downtime or slow speeds.

Scalable infrastructure is a type of IT infrastructure that can grow and change according to your business's needs. It's designed to be flexible and efficient, so you don't have to worry about downtime or slow speeds.   Cloud services, such as those provided by Amazon Web Services (AWS), are an example of scalable infrastructure. With AWS, you can customize your infrastructure to be as dynamic as your website needs it to be. This means that if you suddenly experience a surge in traffic, you don't need to worry about your site crashing or slowing down. You can simply scale up your infrastructure to meet the demand.   Scalable infrastructure is also great for businesses that need to incorporate new technologies quickly or adjust to changing markets. With a scalable infrastructure, you can ensure that your business has the resources it needs, when it needs it. An architecture diagram for a multi-environment website in AWS. The web servers can be easily scaled manually or automatically.

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> Secure infrastructure includes tools, technologies, and processes to safeguard data and systems from external threats.

- Published: 2022-12-22
- Modified: 2024-11-12
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/deploy/secure-infrastructure/

Secure infrastructure includes tools, technologies, and processes to safeguard data and systems from external threats.

Secure infrastructure is a set of tools, technologies, and processes used to protect data and systems from external threats. It encompasses cloud support and hosting, data security and encryption, secure authentication, and identity management.   Secure infrastructure also includes tools like Terraform, which can be used to automate the deployment of cloud resources, and Amazon VPC, which provides an isolated and secure environment for your data and applications. In addition, secure infrastructure also includes mechanisms for protecting data in transit and at rest, such as firewalls and intrusion prevention systems. Finally, secure infrastructure also includes processes and guidelines for assessing and responding to security incidents.   By utilizing these tools, technologies, and processes, businesses can ensure their data and systems are protected and their customers' identities are secure. AWS' VPC subnets is just one of many infrastructure security tools to tightly control communications in and out of environments.

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> Infrastructure as code is a way of managing your cloud architecture and hosting it in a reliable and repeatable way.

- Published: 2022-12-22
- Modified: 2024-11-12
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/deploy/infrastructure-as-code/

Infrastructure as code is a way of managing your cloud architecture and hosting it in a reliable and repeatable way.

Infrastructure as code is a way of managing your cloud architecture and hosting it in a reliable and repeatable way. It enables you to write code to automate and manage your cloud infrastructure, which can help reduce the number of manual steps and mistakes when deploying and managing resources. This can be especially helpful for companies that have complex cloud infrastructures and need to ensure consistency and reliability across all their environments.   Infrastructure as code is often used in conjunction with cloud hosting providers such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure. It allows you to reduce the amount of manual labor required, as well as reduce the time it takes to spin up new resources. Infrastructure as code is an essential tool for any organization that wants to simplify and streamline its cloud architecture. Terraform is one way to reliably and consistently build secure AWS infrastructure via code.

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> Migrate your website or application to a cloud provider like AWS through infrastructure migration, transferring it from current hosting.

- Published: 2022-12-22
- Modified: 2024-11-12
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/deploy/infrastructure-migration/

Migrate your website or application to a cloud provider like AWS through infrastructure migration, transferring it from current hosting.

Infrastructure migration is the process of moving an existing website, application, or system from its current hosting to an external cloud provider like Amazon Web Services (AWS). The goal of infrastructure migration is to improve performance, scalability, and cost savings while ensuring the security of data and applications. Infrastructure migration could be considered a hardware or systems migration equivalent to the software-related content and data migrations. The process of infrastructure migration involves assessing the existing infrastructure, mapping to the new environment, and testing and deploying the migrated solution. Additionally, the process includes setting up security policies, configuring access control, and optimizing performance for the cloud platform.   Once the migration is complete, the organization can benefit from the flexibility and scalability of the cloud platform, as well as the cost savings that come with it. Infrastructure migration can be a complex process, but it can also be one of the best investments an organization can make. Migrating infrastructure from one platform to another includes knowing the entire existing architecture and planning the new one accordingly.

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> Safeguard your digital assets with Atlantic BT's robust security monitoring. Stay protected against threats and ensure the integrity of your online presence.

- Published: 2022-12-22
- Modified: 2024-11-12
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/deploy/security-monitoring/

Safeguard your digital assets with Atlantic BT's robust security monitoring. Stay protected against threats and ensure the integrity of your online presence.

Web security monitoring is an important aspect of any website security plan. It involves keeping an eye on the web for threats and anomalies that could put your website and your data at risk. With web security monitoring, you can get automated alerts when something suspicious is detected and take action to respond. This might include using AWS application security standards to fix any vulnerabilities or implementing stronger security protocols.   Web security monitoring also provides visibility into your web traffic, allowing you to determine if any user activity is suspicious or out of the ordinary. With the right monitoring tools and protocols in place, you can protect your website and its data from potential threats. Ultimately, web security monitoring is the best way to proactively ensure that your website and data remain safe and secure. AWS Security Hub provides active monitoring of security standards and can initiate alerts on critical changes.

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> Digital project management fosters collaboration, progress, and success in achieving project goals, ensuring teams achieve desired outcomes.

- Published: 2022-12-22
- Modified: 2024-11-12
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/delight/digital-project-management/

Digital project management fosters collaboration, progress, and success in achieving project goals, ensuring teams achieve desired outcomes.

Digital project management is all about helping teams achieve success. It's a process that's designed to foster collaboration, progress, and success in any digital project. Digital project managers are responsible for leading teams, setting goals and expectations, and tracking progress. They must have a good handle on the technical aspects of the project and understand how to use the right tools to get the job done.   But it's not all about technical skills — digital project managers must also have a great deal of empathy and understanding of the team dynamics. They need to be able to motivate and encourage team members, while also providing the necessary guidance and support. Digital project management is all about helping teams reach their full potential.   With the right tools and support, any team can take their project from concept to completion. A good digital project management plan is a great way to ensure that a project runs smoothly and that it achieves its desired outcome. Atlantic BT uses Atlassian's Jira as our primary tool for digital project management.

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> Feature development is a crucial part of software development, involving coding for specific website or application features.

- Published: 2022-12-22
- Modified: 2024-11-12
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/delight/feature-development/

Feature development is a crucial part of software development, involving coding for specific website or application features.

Feature development is an iterative process that is an integral part of the software development lifecycle. It involves creating code for a specific feature or set of features that are required for a website or application. The process begins with an idea or request for a feature and is then broken down into smaller tasks that need to be completed. These tasks are then coded and tested to make sure they are working as expected. Finally, the code is released as a new version.   Feature development is a critical part of the software development process, allowing developers to create and refine features in order to make the application more user-friendly and intuitive. Feature development as part of the software development life cycle is much more than just "to do, doing, done. "

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> Web performance monitoring ensures businesses track and optimize website speed, best practices, and accessibility for a positive user experience.

- Published: 2022-12-22
- Modified: 2024-11-12
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/delight/performance-monitoring/

Web performance monitoring ensures businesses track and optimize website speed, best practices, and accessibility for a positive user experience.

Web performance monitoring is an essential tool for businesses to keep track of their website performance. It's used to measure and evaluate website speed, best practices, and accessibility standards to ensure a good user experience.   Web performance monitoring can help you identify weak points in your website infrastructure, so you can proactively address them and improve the overall performance of your website. It can also provide you with valuable insights into how visitors are engaging with your website, so you can make strategic decisions and optimize your site. Additionally, it can be used to track changes in load times, page sizes, and other key performance indicators to ensure your website is running smoothly and efficiently. Atlantic BT regularly uses GTmetrix to track and monitor website performance.

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> Content management system (CMS) training is designed to help website admins and clients get the most out of their websites.

- Published: 2022-12-22
- Modified: 2024-11-12
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/delight/training/

Content management system (CMS) training is designed to help website admins and clients get the most out of their websites.

Content management system (CMS) training is designed to help website admins and clients get the most out of their websites. Through this training, admins can learn how to create and manage website content, customize the look and feel of their sites, and leverage the latest technologies to make their sites more user-friendly. CMS training is also helpful for those who are new to modern website management, as it can provide an introduction to the basics and help them understand the inner workings of their website. In addition, CMS training can help admins create and manage custom content, from blogs to videos to images and more.   With the right CMS training, admins are empowered to make sure their websites are up to date and are providing the best possible experience for their users. Training for a new website or application typically involves meetings and screen sharing, but commonly includes corresponding documentation.

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> The discovery phase of software engineering explained - learn what research and analysis is needed to best analyze customer needs.

- Published: 2022-12-22
- Modified: 2024-07-31
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/discovery/

The discovery phase of software engineering explained - learn what research and analysis is needed to best analyze customer needs.

Discovering the value https://youtu. be/YkEWjb9YgNA

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> This is the phase where we enter the “solution space,” where we look at how we can meet the organizational objectives and user needs that are defined in the discovery phase.

- Published: 2022-12-22
- Modified: 2024-02-19
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/design/

This is the phase where we enter the “solution space,” where we look at how we can meet the organizational objectives and user needs that are defined in the discovery phase.

Designing the future. https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=KDckXG_uUcU&t=4s&pp=ygUTYXRsYW50aWMgYnQgcHJvY2Vzcw%3D%3D

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> This is the phase where the developers take over and start building the underlying infrastructure, the platform on which all else rests.

- Published: 2022-12-22
- Modified: 2024-02-19
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/development/

This is the phase where the developers take over and start building the underlying infrastructure, the platform on which all else rests.

Developing unlimited possibilities.

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> Seamlessly launch your digital projects with AtlanticBT's comprehensive deployment process. Drive success and achieve your business goals with confidence.

- Published: 2022-12-22
- Modified: 2024-02-19
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/deploy/

Seamlessly launch your digital projects with AtlanticBT's comprehensive deployment process. Drive success and achieve your business goals with confidence.

Deploying peace of mind.

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> Delight your users with exceptional digital experiences. AtlanticBT's process ensures intuitive design, engaging content, and memorable interactions.

- Published: 2022-12-22
- Modified: 2024-02-19
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/delight/

Delight your users with exceptional digital experiences. AtlanticBT's process ensures intuitive design, engaging content, and memorable interactions.

Delighting in the process.

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> Interviewing stakeholders helps define the need for a website overhaul & gets stakeholders onboard with your web redesign project

- Published: 2022-12-22
- Modified: 2024-11-18
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/discovery/stakeholder-interviews/

Interviewing stakeholders helps define the need for a website overhaul & gets stakeholders onboard with your web redesign project

Stakeholder Interviews are simple, semi-structured interviews with key members in the client organization. We consider “key members” as those who are responsible for funding, selling, or driving the development of the product or service in question -- members of the executive team and any closely related functional management. These interviews are intended to focus on high-level requirements. They generally avoid any technical specifics related to the features, functionality, content, or any other detailed aspects of a solution. The objective at this level is to focus on defining the need for the digital project, not the solution. Plus, interviewing each of your stakeholders at the start of your project gets them involved in the early and creates a more productive environment for your design project. Check out this article from the world renown research firm, Nielsen Norman Group, for a sample list of questions to ask a stakeholder during the interview process. ABT uses Miro for taking stakeholder interview notes to be used in further steps. v

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> Learn how user interviews are an easy and popular way to know how users perceive your design and can help increase website conversion.

- Published: 2022-12-22
- Modified: 2024-11-18
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/discovery/user-interviews/

Learn how user interviews are an easy and popular way to know how users perceive your design and can help increase website conversion.

User interviews can provide great insight into what users think about a website, software, or other application. They will highlight what content is memorable, what sections are most important to users, and can provide valuable insight into areas that need improvement. Typically conducted in a one-on-one setting, the process follows a structured methodology. The interviewer prepares a number of topics to cover and then analyzes the conversation after the interview. UX researchers use the results to gather qualitative information on users’ feelings, motivations, behaviors and how they use a particular website or software. Atlantic BT interviewed several of our website users before our own website overhaul project. Learn more about our process in this article, Why We Included User Interviews In Our Website Improvement And So Should You. ABT uses Miro to organize our interview insights, providing great organization for use in further design and development steps.

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> Learn how affinity diagrams help Atlantic BT web designers analyze user research and improve user experience and web performance

- Published: 2022-12-22
- Modified: 2024-11-18
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/discovery/affinity-map/

Learn how affinity diagrams help Atlantic BT web designers analyze user research and improve user experience and web performance

In the world of software engineering, creating a seamless and enjoyable user experience is paramount. To achieve this, designers often find themselves grappling with large volumes of mixed information and data. Affinity Mapping is a method of compiling and organizing data obtained from various research methods. Affinity diagrams offer a valuable method to make sense of diverse information and organize it in a meaningful way. Affinity mapping can be used after User Interviews, Usability Testing and Stakeholder interviews, once information about your users has been gathered. This data is then organized into topics in order to visually identify data sets that have agreement. From this, recommendations are made to improve alignment in technical planning and UI design. Additionally, affinity maps can be leveraged to improve website user experience and web performance. ABT uses Miro for taking the notes gathered in stakeholder and user interviews to uncover affinity and alignments.

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> Develop user personas to create a customer-centric website & boost online conversions. Learn how with Atlantic BT, 25 years of web experience

- Published: 2022-12-22
- Modified: 2024-11-19
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/discovery/user-personas/

Develop user personas to create a customer-centric website & boost online conversions. Learn how with Atlantic BT, 25 years of web experience

User personas, or buying personas, are fictional characters created to represent the types of users who would interact with a website or product. Creating personas for each common website visitors is a powerful technique to help increase the usability of a website. Thus, it is a vital part of our UX design process. UX Personas are based on data from user interviews and surveys, and help designers and developers plan for a range of user needs and preferences. They are also used to understand user behavior and develop empathy for their target audience. By understanding who the user is, what their motivations are, and what their goals are, developers can tailor their design and UI decisions to best meet their user's needs. Personas can also help teams decide what features to prioritize when developing a product or website. With a clear understanding of their users, teams can focus on creating an experience that maximizes user engagement and satisfaction. Ultimately, UX personas are a crucial part of any development and design process, helping to ensure that the end result is both useful and enjoyable. First proposed in 1983 by pioneer software developer, Alan Cooper, well crafted user personas provide fictional but tangible people for discussions with clients and/or development teams.

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> Manage website clutter and simplify content with a website inventory to understand your site better and make changes like adding new keywords

- Published: 2022-12-22
- Modified: 2024-11-18
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/discovery/content-inventory/

Manage website clutter and simplify content with a website inventory to understand your site better and make changes like adding new keywords

A content inventory is both the process and result of cataloging and organizing the entire contents of a website, including html pages, metadata, images, video files, document files, etc. It functions as a quantitative analysis of the site, answering the question of “what is there? ”  Often in spreadsheet format, this full inventory of content will help us to better understand the breadth, depth and general volume of information on the site. The website inventory is also useful for addressing existing technical issues, configurations and functionality. This inventory can be the basis of an associated content audit and will be utilized for information architecture, content migration and general digital strategy of a new site. Atlantic BT uses Screaming Frog as the initial step in crawling and identifying content on an existing web site or application.

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> Is your website underperforming? Here's how a technical audit can improve website performance. Atlantic BT- experienced in website redesign.

- Published: 2022-12-22
- Modified: 2024-11-19
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/discovery/technical-audit/

Is your website underperforming? Here's how a technical audit can improve website performance. Atlantic BT- experienced in website redesign.

A technical audit is an important first step before embarking on a website redesign. It provides an evaluation of the current website, or other digital application, in order to gain an understanding of its health and performance. During the audit, the team will review the website's existing code, architecture, and platform looking for performance issues, security risks, and design problems. The results will help the design team to discover, document, and plan any customized web development needs for the website rebuild project. Understanding the current state of the site will allow the design team to create the best strategy for a delivering a refreshed website. Technical audits tend to focus on things that aren't always obvious to the user, but can still have a big impact on overall website performance. Examples include - webpage loading speed, URL structure, broken links, website accessibility. Similarly, a technical SEO audit is an analysis of the technical aspects of a website, specifically as it relates to search engine optimization. It ensures Google, as well as other search engines, can crawl, index and rank pages from your website. To learn more about the different types of website audits and their benefits, check out Alantic BT's article - What Should I Expect From a Website Audit? A technical audit can take many forms, but when reviewing a WordPress site (as shown in the example above) it's always important to review what plugins are installed and active.

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> Contextual Inquiry is a research method that observes & interviews users in their setting to uncover hidden insights about your customers.

- Published: 2022-12-22
- Modified: 2024-11-19
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/discovery/contextual-inquiry/

Contextual Inquiry is a research method that observes & interviews users in their setting to uncover hidden insights about your customers.

Contextual Inquiry is a deeper form of ethnographic interview and observation. In this research method, users are asked a set of standard questions and are then observed and questioned while they are at work in their own setting or "context". The purpose is to gain a better understanding of work practices and behaviors. This technique is particularly useful for developing accurate scenarios – the stories of how users might interact with potential features. It is also a great way to identify aspects of the user’s environment that will affect how someone might use a particular product. We often apply this technique by asking a user to perform a typical task or series of tasks in a website or application they currently use. If the application is still under development, we’ll ask a user to perform a scripted task for a mockup of the future application, with particular focus on key features or workflows. A contextual inquiry interview can be conducted through a virtual meeting using screen sharing on common tools like Zoom or Google Meet.

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> Gain insights from user data and optimze your website. Learn how Atlantic BT uses web analytics to help you meet your business objectives.

- Published: 2022-12-22
- Modified: 2024-11-18
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/discovery/analytics-review/

Gain insights from user data and optimze your website. Learn how Atlantic BT uses web analytics to help you meet your business objectives.

Web analytics is the collection and analysis of data generated from users who visit and interact with a website or other digital application. An analytics review will help designers and developers to understand your users so they can gain insights to best meet your website and business objectives. The review provides other departments critical data points to better understand the existing architecture, traffic patterns, trends, outliers and usage points of the website. Prior to beginning the analytics review, the discovery team will identify any specific areas of interest, topics to explore within the data analysis, and capture any questions. The output of this activity is typically a written document that discusses the architecture and implementation of their current analytics account, as well as highlighting trends and outliers in the data over a period of time. It may also uncover trends or outliers which can be valuable when making digital marketing decisions. Google Analytics is a common tool for identifying trends or outliers, which can inform user experience and hosting strategies.

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> It is critical to develop a domain name strategy to protect your brand and business and is used with every phase of a web development project

- Published: 2022-12-22
- Modified: 2024-11-19
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/discovery/domain-strategy/

It is critical to develop a domain name strategy to protect your brand and business and is used with every phase of a web development project

A domain strategy is the process of identifying and cataloging all of the domains, subdomains, and major subdirectories that contain content and functionality within your digital application. It is a vital tool to help proactively protect your brand online. The output of this process will be used as the core foundation for the entire development project. It is the first step in the information architecture (IA) process, as well as a first step towards building the overall content strategy for your website. Data architecture requires this domain information.  And the domain strategy may also impact the hosting architecture, as it may be adjusted given which functionality lives on what domains.   With new top level domain extensions being introduced every year, it is critical to develop and implement a domain name strategy to protect your brand and business. A disjointed set of websites and new company goals may yield a complex domain strategy.

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> Learn why information architecture is vital for building a user-friendly website or intranet & how an experienced web design firm ensures its done right.

- Published: 2022-12-22
- Modified: 2024-11-18
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/discovery/information-architecture/

Learn why information architecture is vital for building a user-friendly website or intranet & how an experienced web design firm ensures its done right.

Information Architecture (IA) is the art and science of organizing and labeling shared information environments -- websites, intranets, web applications, software, etc. To put it simply, IA is deciding how to arrange the parts of something to be most understandable. Users expect digital products to be structured and easy to use. But this doesn't happen unintentionally. Designers and developers are responsible for structing the content and navigation of a system to support usability and findability. The better your information architecture is, the better experience your users will have and the better your search engine optimization will be. The organization (or lack thereof) of your information can make or break your digital project. Thus, working with an experienced web development company to help design your IA is key to your project's success. Example of how navigation menus, mega menus, and taxonomies come together in an IA visualization.

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> Ensure digital project success with a requirements matrix - a clear understanding of features & priorities for seamless web development.

- Published: 2022-12-22
- Modified: 2024-11-19
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/discovery/requirements-matrix/

Ensure digital project success with a requirements matrix - a clear understanding of features & priorities for seamless web development.

A requirements matrix is an important tool used in the development of websites, software, and other technical projects. It's a way to assess the level of effort, priority, and scope during the initial planning of a project. It also helps to ensure that all stakeholders are in agreement about the project requirements and approvals.   The matrix outlines all the features of the project and the priority in regards to the client's definition of success. It can be used in fixed-budget projects to determine features which fall in the current scope and others that can be added to the backlog for future feature development. It can also be used as a basis to estimate projects and determine a necessary budget.   Either way it is used, a requirements matrix is the technical foundation for the design and development of a web project. As an example, check out Alantic BT's free tool for how to develop a requirements worksheet for an eCommerce business. Atlantic BT frequently uses Google Sheets during requirements gathering and brainstorming to indicate level of effort, importance, and scope.

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> Design inspiration and analysis kickstart the official design process, gathering client input on website vision, encompassing design elements and functionality.

- Published: 2022-12-22
- Modified: 2024-11-18
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/design/design-inspiration-analysis/

Design inspiration and analysis kickstart the official design process, gathering client input on website vision, encompassing design elements and functionality.

Design inspiration and analysis is the beginning of the official design process. In this time we get client's input on what they envision their website to be, from design elements to functionality. We then take this input and extensively research the different avenues to achieve this. We look at competitor, peer, and other websites to look for different elements that would work, or not work for the client. In addition to this, we run tests in Lighthouse to determine how those websites are functioning.   After the research phase we compile all the information into a document where we compare and contrast which methods will work best for the client. Going through this phase is critical and helps indicate what will happen in all subsequent phases of design. Design analysis blends technical and professional reviews with user feedback. Design inspiration captures existing UI elements from various websites to create a direction for overall website or specific component design.

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> A wireframe is a visual plan of a website, allowing stakeholders to see its design and functionality before the full development process.

- Published: 2022-12-22
- Modified: 2024-11-19
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/design/wireframe/

A wireframe is a visual plan of a website, allowing stakeholders to see its design and functionality before the full development process.

A wireframe is a critical part of the UX/UI design process. It's a plan of a website, created to help stakeholders visualize how their website will look and function before it's fully designed. The wireframe will include all the elements of the website, such as menus, navigation, content areas, and more. It's also a great way to get approval from the stakeholders on the structure of the website before the final look and feel is determined.   Wireframes are usually created using specialized wireframing software, but they can also be done by hand. Once the wireframe is approved, it's used as a guideline for the actual website build. A wireframe can elicit approval on website structure before a more time-intensive high fidelity mockup.

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> High fidelity mockups in UI design and UX branding offer a digital representation of website layouts, aiding in visualizing and refining designs.

- Published: 2022-12-22
- Modified: 2024-11-19
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/design/mockup/

High fidelity mockups in UI design and UX branding offer a digital representation of website layouts, aiding in visualizing and refining designs.

High fidelity mockups are a powerful tool for UI design and UX branding. A high fidelity mockup is a digital rendition of a website layout, created in a program like Figma. It's a great way to visualize the look and feel of your website before it actually exists.   The level of detail in a high fidelity mockup is much higher than that of a wireframe. This means that you can include features such as colors, fonts, buttons, images, and other user interface elements. Mockups are an important part of any website design project, as they are a great way to get feedback before development, so you can make sure you're creating something that people will actually love. Atlantic BT uses Figma to create high fidelity mockups of responsive web pages to plan multiple browser widths.

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> Clickable prototypes simulate user interactions, gathering feedback on UX wireframes. They aid in testing and refining the design and development process.

- Published: 2022-12-22
- Modified: 2024-11-19
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/design/clickable-prototype/

Clickable prototypes simulate user interactions, gathering feedback on UX wireframes. They aid in testing and refining the design and development process.

A clickable prototype is an interactive version of a UX wireframe. It's used to simulate what a user would experience when using a product or service. It's an important tool in the design and development process, as it helps to test and gather feedback on how users interact with the website or application. It's also a great way for stakeholders to get an understanding of how a product works and what it looks like without having to write any code.   Clickable prototypes are essential for visualizing user journeys and identifying any issues before the product is developed. They can also be used to collect user feedback, helping to ensure that the final product meets the user's needs. In short, clickable prototypes are a powerful tool for testing and refining the user experience of a product. A clickable prototype may or may not look similar to a complete website, and usually functions just enough to gauge usability of the plan.

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> Site structure and redirect mapping are two key components of website development. Site structure is the way the content and pages of a website are organized.

- Published: 2022-12-22
- Modified: 2024-11-19
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/design/site-structure-mapping/

Site structure and redirect mapping are two key components of website development. Site structure is the way the content and pages of a website are organized.

Site structure and redirect mapping are two key components of website development. Site structure is the way the content and pages of a website are organized. Redirect mapping is the process of mapping old URLs to new URLs so users will be redirected to the new page even if/when they type in the old URL.   Site structure is important for a number of reasons. It helps with content planning, technical hosting, and URLs migration. It also helps maximize the user experience and create a website that is easy to navigate and use.   Redirect mapping is also important for website development. It ensures that users who type in an old URL are redirected to the correct page, thus minimizing the risk of users getting lost or frustrated. With careful planning and implementation, both site structure and redirect mapping can make a website easier to use, better optimized for search engines, and overall, more successful. Google Sheets allows for page by page planning of urls, layouts, and redirect planning.

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> A concept board is a way to visually curate creative information in order to prepare for a new project.

- Published: 2022-12-22
- Modified: 2024-11-19
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/design/concept-board/

A concept board is a way to visually curate creative information in order to prepare for a new project.

A concept board is a visual tool that bridges initial ideas and the first draft of a project. It curates creative elements—such as color schemes, imagery, typography, and style—to establish a cohesive direction. At Atlantic BT, we utilize concept boards to align our team's vision with client expectations, ensuring a unified approach before developing full mockups. By incorporating various visual components, concept boards serve as a reference point throughout the design process. They facilitate clear communication among stakeholders, streamline decision-making, and maintain consistency in the project's aesthetic and functional aspects. This methodical approach allows us to deliver solutions that are both innovative and tailored to our clients' unique needs. For a deeper understanding of our design methodology and the role of concept boards, explore our services or contact us directly. We're committed to guiding your project from initial concept to successful completion with clarity and precision. Atlantic BT uses Figma to create a full concept board in order to introduce visual elements for alignment before full mockups A closer look at a portion a concept board

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> Data design is the process of creating and managing a web schema, or structure, for a website's content and databases.

- Published: 2022-12-22
- Modified: 2024-11-12
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/design/data-design/

Data design is the process of creating and managing a web schema, or structure, for a website's content and databases.

Data design is the process of creating and managing a web schema, or structure, for a website's content and databases. It involves identifying the content types and fields, and then creating a taxonomy, or hierarchy, to organize this content in a logical way. This ensures that the data is stored in a consistent and organized manner and can be easily accessed.   Data design is a vital part of the web development process, as it helps users and search engines alike to find and understand the content on a website. Data design can also involve the use of databases, which allow complex queries to be performed on the data. By properly designing the databases, developers can ensure that the data is stored efficiently and retrieved quickly. Ultimately, data design is an essential tool for creating effective and efficient websites and web applications. The Drupal Spec Tool (in Google Sheets) is just one of many ways to document or visualize a data design.

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> Migration planning involves the process of identifying, designing, and testing a plan for transitioning from one system to another.

- Published: 2022-12-22
- Modified: 2024-11-12
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/design/migration-planning/

Migration planning involves the process of identifying, designing, and testing a plan for transitioning from one system to another.

Migration planning involves the process of identifying, designing, and testing a plan for transitioning from one system to another. It's important to take a proactive approach to migration planning, as it can help one to avoid costly and time-consuming mistakes. Migration plans can range from simple to complex, depending on the size and scope of the migration.   The main goal of migration planning is to make sure that the transition from the old system to the new one is as seamless as possible. This includes considering the impact of the migration on existing users, as well as assessing the potential risks and opportunities presented by the change. The plan should also consider the timeline for the migration, the resources needed, and any measures required to ensure a successful transition.   Migration planning can be a daunting task, but with the right plan in place, it can ensure that your website development or upgrade is as smooth and successful as possible. Google Sheets is just one of many tools Atlantic BT may use for planning the migration between web applications.

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> An architecture diagram is a visual representation of a system's components and their relationships.

- Published: 2022-12-22
- Modified: 2024-11-19
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/design/architecture-diagram/

An architecture diagram is a visual representation of a system's components and their relationships.

An architecture diagram is a visual representation of a system's components and their relationships. It's used to communicate the design and structure of a system to stakeholders, such as developers, designers, and clients. Architecture diagrams can be used to document existing systems, as well as plan and design new ones. They can also be used to explain complex systems to non-technical audiences. By clearly outlining the components and their relationships, it makes it easier to explain a system and make sure everyone is on the same page. Atlantic BT At Atlantic BT, we recognize the importance of architecture diagrams in the design process. Our team utilizes these diagrams to ensure a clear understanding of system structures, facilitating effective communication among all stakeholders. This approach not only aids in documenting existing systems but also plays a crucial role in planning and designing new ones. By presenting complex systems in an accessible visual format, we bridge the gap between technical and non-technical audiences, ensuring alignment and clarity throughout the project lifecycle. Incorporating architecture diagrams into your project can lead to more efficient development processes, as they provide a clear roadmap of the system's structure and interactions. This clarity helps in identifying potential issues early, allowing for proactive solutions and smoother project execution. Whether you're looking to document an existing system or design a new one, our expertise in creating detailed architecture diagrams can guide your project to success. For more insights into our design process and how we utilize architecture diagrams, feel free to explore our services or contact us directly. We're here to help you navigate the complexities of system design with clarity and precision. An architecture diagram created in draw. io serves as a visual representation of website infrastructure in AWS

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> HTML is the foundation of web pages, defining their structure and appearance. It's a standard developed by W3C for creating web content.

- Published: 2022-12-22
- Modified: 2024-11-19
- URL: https://www.atlanticbt.com/our-process/development/html-languages-frameworks/

HTML is the foundation of web pages, defining their structure and appearance. It's a standard developed by W3C for creating web content.

HTML (HyperText Markup Language) is the foundational language used to structure and present content on the web. Developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), HTML employs tags to define elements such as headings, paragraphs, links, and images, establishing the framework of web pages. At Atlantic BT, we leverage HTML's versatility across various platforms, including WordPress, Drupal, Magento, Umbraco, . NET Core, React, and Angular. This ensures that every website we build is robust, responsive, and tailored to meet our clients' unique needs. Incorporating HTML into our development process allows us to create user-friendly interfaces and seamless navigation, enhancing the overall user experience. By adhering to web standards and best practices, we deliver websites that are not only visually appealing but also optimized for performance and accessibility. For more insights into our development process and how we utilize HTML and other technologies, feel free to explore our services or contact us directly. We're here to help you navigate the complexities of web development with clarity and precision.

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