information technology...

Information Technology Simplified

FPA Case Study: Phase 1A unique MSP solution for associations

Delivering Results Exceeding Expectationsbrossgroup.com 303-945-2700

Practice Areas Utilized-SharePoint-Project Management/Dedicated Project Manager-Intranet-Infrastructure-Cloud Solutions--Member content management-AMS Integration-Website Redesign, UI, and Implementation-Web Portal Development-Microsite and WordPress Development-Custom work

Benefits Realized-Improved User Interface (UI)-Simplified navigation by organizing site content-Improved design for mobile device experience-Enhanced search features with SharePoint 2013-Increased site security by cloud migration with Ajubeo-Collaboration functionality with SharePoint 2013-Site content migration to myfpa.org-Centralized location of needed information based on member profiles such as education credit tracking, leads, chapter information, discounts, etc...


The Financial Planning Association® (FPA®) is the principal professional organization for CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) professionals, educators, financial services providers and students who seek advancement in a growing, dynamic profession.

FPA members adhere to the highest standards of professional competence, ethical conduct and clear, complete disclosure to those they serve and take part in FPA’s One Connection for professional education, business success, advocacy and community at the national and chapter levels. FPA is truly an indispensable force in the advancement of today’s CFP professionals.

FPA Profile:FPA Company Profile:


FPA by the numbers:Estimated revenue: $11,500,000Membership: 23,000Location: Headquarters in Denver Colorado, with 93 chapter locations across the United States

FPA Mission or Business Objectives:Our Business Objectives describe actions we will take to achieve our Primary Aim. We seek to accomplish this through strong and active leadership in partnership with FPA's community of chapters.

-Unify the voice, focus and resources of the financial planning community, bringing together those who champion the financial planning process.-Facilitate the success of our members and grow the organization.-Cultivate the body of knowledge of personal financial planning.-Advance awareness of the characteristics of professional financial planners and support the standards of the CFP® certification in order to serve the public.-Define and effectively communicate a common understanding of the discipline of personal financial planning and the benefits of its use.


Detailed Obstacles:


FPA required a major overhaul and revamp of their public facing web-site, as well as a stabilization of theirinfrastructure to include Intranet and collaboration sites. The old site was busy, outdated, not easy to use, not mobile optimized, and difficult to navigate.

Content management for the site needed more editing flexibility and process development. Content was difficult to find for both members and visitors looking for financial planners. The old site also required a full time developer to produce custom apps each time any edits were necessary. This method of website management was costly and restrictive to internal staff. A pivot to a more robust and simplified user interface was necessary to keep user satisfaction high and thus helping retain more members.

Website Shortcomings:

• Ineffective and outdated interface making navigation difficult for members and others. • Site layout of information was seemingly random. • Menu navigation was outdated and created difficulties in finding the right information as well as difficulties using the site on all types of devices. • Data security had gaps with internal servers being utilized instead of cloud solutions. • The search capabilities were not as robust as they needed to be. As a large organization with many types of documents a method and better way to search needed to be created. • Events were difficult to promote and register for and registration was not mobile optimized.


Website Shortcomings:


Navigation Shortcomings

Search Featurenot robust anddifficult to findSite layout

random anddifficult tofind information

Website hosted with internal serverscreating security and performance gaps


Solutions:For the first phase of FPA’s IT needs, Bross Group had to determine the needs of the website. These needs included infrastructure, design, cloud solutions, security, and web content management. Developing a plan to infuse all of these ideas led to the development of two websites. These sites are: plannersearch.org and oneFPA.org. Plannersearch is made for those looking to find a quality financial planner while oneFPA.org was created for planners/members to have a centralized location for all of their membership content.

Website and content management Plannersearch.org has simplified the ability for people searching for a planner to find exactly what they are looking for and in what geographic area. The site uses the robust document management features within SharePoint 2013 to provide this content and search quickly.

From a member or FPA professional perspective, the site did not have a central location for all of their individual membership content. This content needed to be better orgainzed and easier to use in order toeliminate member frustration and increase ease of use. These member specific areas included:

• CE Credits • Leads • Chapter Information • Available Discounts • Access to resources • Virtual Learning Centers • FPA Connect Access



Solutions:Plannersearch.org has simplified the ability for people searching for a planner to find exactly what they are looking for and in what geographic area. The site uses the robust document management features within SharePoint 2013 to provide this content and search quickly. FPA now has an easy to navigate the website with easy to use search features, which is now providing a much greater user experience (UX). A great user experience translates into greater use of the site. Greater use of the site means FPA will havea larger value propostion to show potential new members and current members.

Plannersearch.org homepage:



Solutions:For professional members oneFPA.org was created. This was a much needed update to site organization, mobile optimization, search, and FPA content. The site was divided into 4 areas tohelp members locate information more efficiently. These areas are Professional Education,Business Success, Advocacy, and Community.



Solutions:


Once a professional member logs into their FPA account a solution was created called“MyFPA.” This new content management tool was developed to make it easy for any profileinformation to be found, kept track of, and edited. This information includes education credits,profile information, leads, discounts, community, and other resources.

Education Credits

Lead Tracking

Chapter Resources

Member Discounts

Member Resources

Virtual Learning

Community


Solutions:


FPA had a need to market its national conference, The FPA Experience. The need was for a website and event specific mobile application for attendees.

Conference sites were previously built into the old FPA site.,fpanet.org This created long and lengthy URLs and muddied the tracking efforts of FPA. The old site made it difficult to update event specific information quickly and hindered SEO efforts. A solution was created as a microsite on wordpress to address these needs.

FPA also wanted a mobile app solution for their event, FPA Experience. This app was created for conference goers to have access to the website and valuable event information. This app created a way for attendees to view the event schedule, real time blogs, and social media feeds.


Success:The new FPA websites were launched at the end of February, 2014. It has been regarded as a huge success with all of the challenges and obstacles addressed to help FPA retain membership, promote their mission, and assist with non-dues revenue activities. The new web site design and infrastructure is just phase 1 of a 3 phase plan as part of the Bross Group Managed Service Provider (MSP) offering.

Bross Group also developed and produced event Microsites and mobile applications. These technologies have created a positive event experience and an easy way to market one of FPA’s non-dues revenue areas.

Bross Group’s Managed Services model, overseen by a dedicated Project Manager, ensured implementation of the new website as well as overseeing the entire SharePoint migration process. To facilitate this transition, Bross Group has taken over all elements of their IT infrastructure, HelpDesk and sundry projects as they arise. This uniquely robust Managed Services project can be turned up or down to meet client needs.

Would you like an IT assessment?Contact Bross Group

[email protected]


information technology...

Documents