VisitScotland launched a new website and backend system in April 2012 to improve the online experience for visitors and partners. The new system included enhanced product listings with better images and mapping features, an improved extranet for partners, and new reporting tools. Leading up to the launch, VisitScotland communicated with partners, provided training webinars, and planned content migration. The new data system and website aimed to provide a better experience for visitors planning trips to Scotland.

1. Technology Solutions for Tourism Conference 2012
Part 4 - Robbie Parish, Visit Scotland
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2. VisitScotland Digital Project – Robbie Parish
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3. Contents
• 2010/ 11 Brief Summary
• The new site and Key Next Steps
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4. Recap on Mission
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5. Recap On Key Component Deliverables
1. Geo Mapping
2. Extranet System
3. Event Engine
4. Central Relational Database
(Database Categorization & Algorithms)
5. Property Management System
& Hotel Integration – April onwards
6. New Site Navigation, design
and CMS.
7. Shopping Basket
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6. Summary of Activity
Task Action (s) Date
1 Project Governance and Planning October- December 2010
2 Terminate with Tiscover December 2010
3 Tender preparations and Procurement process January – September 2011
4 User Testing Program January – April 2011
5 Design and Brand Guideline Creation January – May 2011
6 Site Integration and Content Migration Planning May 2011- March 2012 (Phase 1)
7 D&G Interim Site Design, Partnering and Build January – September 2011
8 Edinburgh & Lothians Interim Site Design, Partnering and June – November 2011
Build
9 D&G Site Launch September 2011
10 Edinburgh & Lothians Site Launch November 2011
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7. Summary of Activity
Task Action (s) Date
1
Data Integration and Main Site Build October 2011 – March/
April 2012
2
First Phase Content Migration (VS.com April 2012
& Regional Lites)
3
First Phase Launch of Main Site April 2012
4
Further Phasing of Main Site (Full April 2012- October
Regional Sections, International 2012
Requirements and UT, Golf and
Surprise Yourself)
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Internationalisation and further October 2012 – End of
phasing 2013
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8. VisitScotland.com
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9. VisitScotland.com
www.edinburgh.org
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10. Visitscotland.com – the
new site
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11. New .com Homepage
•Homepage - Current
•Homepage- New Visuals
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12. User Group Feedback
•OJEU advert placed on Public Contracts Portal
•February 2011
•53 submissions of interest received. 10 full responses received and assessed
•March 2011
•Invitation to Tender;
•April 2011
•ITT submissions received and assessed - Note - all Scratch build vendors pulled out at this stage
•June 2011
•1st Round Clarification F2F meetings
•specific questions to each Vendor ITT submission
•June 2011
•2nd Round Clarification F2F meetings
•Infrastructure capability/ scalability
•Scope for customization in each core component
•June 2011
•Final Clarification Questions Issued
•IP ownership and licensing
•Commission structures
•July 2011
•Scoring, Final Procurement Stages and Legal Preparation
•August 2011
•Board Approval
•August 2011
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13. User Group Feedback
Geo Mapping

14. Next Steps
Task Action (s) Date
1
Database Integration and Main Site October 2011 – April
Build 2012
2
1- Provider Communication and February – April 2012
Training
2- VIC/ QTA and CC training
3
First Phase Content Migration- main April 2012
Visitscotland.com website, regional
lites and some products.
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First Phase Launch of Main Site April 2012
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1- Full Regional Website Integration April 2012- Spring
2- Internationalisation 2013
3- Availability Search
4- Product Site Integrations (e.g.
Wildlife, EatScotland, Active,
Campaign)
5- Mobile Technologies 13

15. VS Data System

16. New Backend System – what it will
bring
• Improved product listings
• Better quality and larger images
• Various map options including OS
• User friendly Extranet
• Self catering Extranet
• Quick and easy availability/price editor
• Provider Reports

17. Product Listing Before…

18. Product Listing After…
•Product Page – latest visuals

19. Mapping Before….

20. Mapping After….

21. Extranet

22. Provider Reports
• Number of visits to
product listing
• Links to providers own
website
• Emails sent
• Location Map views
• Added to Shortlist
• Bookings

23. Provider Reports

24. Summary of Immediate Dates
• February 22nd to April – General Communication email detailing key
tasks and actions
• Early March through to April- Bespoke emails sent with Username,
Password and Webinar
• All correspondence will include inbound support number for Contact
Centre
• Priority Groups identified for outbound support calls from Contact
Centre from early March to April 2012
• Site launches end of April 2012
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25. Thank You
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26. Technology Solutions for Tourism Conference 2012
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