With the launch of their new website BECTU now offer their members an enhanced user experience, with tools that improve communication and enliven branch activity. To support this, NetXtra have integrated the website with BECTU´s MTL Software Solutions' Sodalitas membership database to deliver more attractive and personalised functionality. This in turn is encouraging widespread participation across the website from the Union´s existing members, as well as leveraging the Union to potential new members. The site is also encouraging members to develop more regular contact with the Union and specifically with their branch representatives. Dedicated branch pages, available only to BECTU members, enables all members to have around-the-clock access to the latest branch news.

To further encourage interaction and engagement, a number of forums are available, allowing users to ask questions, offer opinions and share thoughts and ideas regarding things such as BECTU campaigns, divisional matters and other specific issues of the day. 

Authorised administrators at branch and divisional level can also add content to their own areas of the site, with information such as news, contact information, diary events, electronic resources and even their own blogs.

The website´s Content Management System (CMS) also enables designated administrators within each BECTU division or branch, to run their own member reports. This is useful when wanting to understand things such as overall site usage or membership renewals. New training pages showcase courses available to Union representatives and the Union´s career development programme is now more visible to the freelance workers for whom it was originally designed.

Similarly, an Events area lists BECTU and other industry events in an interactive calendar, with members getting the opportunity to book their places online to certain BECTU events. Crewbus, the Union´s established online freelance directory for employers seeking ´crew´ has been extensively remodelled. The service was relaunched as an integrated element of the site and delivers new facilities for users, including the option to upload member CV's and showreels.

The outcome

Fundamentally, the objective of the BECTU website is to engage, inform, recruit, and encourage members, non-members, prospective members and staff to interact with each other. It also offers those unfamiliar with BECTU a clearer and more positive view about the range of services provided by the Union.

This website actively promotes user-interaction and gives people the opportunity to add their own user-generated content, which, in turn, gives them a genuine reason to return regularly. Furthermore, opening up the website in this way has allowed BECTU to keep the site current and is providing visitors fresh content each time they return.

The integration of Sodalitas has proven to be popular with members who now enjoy the ability to view personalised information on the website, as well as update their own membership profile, saving BECTU time and money with administration.

As part of the project´s delivery, the website´s security was rigorously tested and subjected to extensive penetration testing by a third party supplier. Its ability to pass with flying colours was mainly due to the high standard of build quality by NetXtra and the use of MTL Solutions APIs (Application Programming Interface) that submits sensitive data securely using SOAP and XML.

Summary of features and benefits

• Attractive new search engine optimised (SEO) website that appeals to existing members and effectively leverages BECTU to potential new members.
• Integration of MTL Software Solutions' Sodalitas back-office database allows members to instantly view website information of interest to them, as well as update their own membership details, saving BECTU time and money in administration. Branch officials can also run member-related reports, as well as directly email their members. 
• Multi-level Administrator Content Management System (CMS) allows BECTU branches to maintain their own pages, allowing them to promote local news and events, and even offer a localised blog and document resource. Branches can also use the CMS to run localised member reports in order to understand usage and membership details.
• Website Forums enable Union members to engage and interact with each other and offer them a means to contribute, offer feedback and generally communicate with the Union and each other. It also ensures that members return regularly and keeps site content fresh and up-to-date. 
• Secure member login using MTL Solutions´ customised web service APIs that submits data to hosted web services through SOAP and XML.
• Interactive Events Calendar that allows Union members to view and book national and local BECTU conferences, meetings and seminars online as well as view other industry related events using the website´s easy-to-use calendar. The booking information is then relayed back into Sodalitas CRM, so simplifying the back-office administration for BECTU´s events team.