Corus Adds Steel to Online Offering with Content Management Innovation
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Corus, the international metals group, will implement Vignette(R) Content Management to revamp its Web presence, providing customers and other stakeholders with a more targeted and consistent online experience. The initiative will be achieved by consolidating more than 80 client-facing Web sites into approximately 12, which will be focused on user needs and based on a single, easy-to-manage Vignette platform.
Since Corus was formed in 1999 through the merger of British Steel and Koninklijke Hoogovens, its client-focused Web sites have been managed by business units using a range of technologies. This approach led to a range of sites, making it difficult for customers to easily access the entire Corus offering and creating an environment where Web operations were costly and inefficient to maintain. Corus is now working with Web applications specialist Aspect Group and Vignette to develop a scalable, best-of-breed content management solution.
This initiative will save on IT infrastructure costs and enable Corus to maximize the Web as an effective customer and corporate communications channel. Corus will create and deploy content geared to vertical markets, including key sectors such as construction, automotive, packaging, rail, shipbuilding, aerospace and engineering. Using the new Vignette-powered sites, Corus' customers will be able to easily access personalized information directly relevant to their sector, which helps them meet immediate needs.
"Serving customers worldwide across diverse sectors, Corus is many things to many people, depending on their industry," said Maria Harris, new media manager at Corus. "An effective and efficient Web channel is vital to our commitment to clients, as it gives them 24x7 access to the latest product and market information."
The adaptable content management solution from Vignette will empower corporate and marketing personnel to act on industry trends and immediately create, reuse and deploy content across multiple Web sites in various languages. The rapidity of delivering and refreshing customer information via the Web is enabled through removing the need for a webmaster to be involved in content creation and deployment.
"Vignette has a wealth of experience in delivering robust composite Web applications to large manufacturing and construction companies," said Gonzalo Usandizaga, vice president and general manager, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Vignette. "Corus will exploit the true value of the content by harnessing the power of the Web, because up-to-date information in a consistent format across multiple Web sites will improve customer service and interaction. By delivering the right information to the right people at the right time, Corus stands to gain competitive advantage and improve dialogue with its customers and stakeholders."
Vignette Content Management, part of the Vignette V7 family, will be implemented at Corus by Aspect Group throughout summer 2004, with the rapid deployment expected to be completed in September. In addition to content management capabilities, the Vignette solution encompasses advanced reporting functionality to allow Corus to analyze content consumption on each of its Web sites. This will indicate how and when it should develop and refine the content and presentation of each site.
"Ultimately, the Vignette solution will allow us to spend less time and effort creating and deploying content, and more time on tailoring it to our customers' needs," Harris said.
About Corus
Corus is a multinational, market-driven, metals group which provides innovative steel and aluminium solutions to customers worldwide. Corus focuses on the construction, transportation, general engineering and packaging markets. It employs just under 50,000 people and has operating facilities in many countries with major plants located in the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Norway and Belgium. Corus also has sales offices and service centres worldwide.
15.07.2004, Vignette
