Post Archive
› November 15, 2004
EDS Redesigns Using Web Standards
Tech giant EDS redesigned its site using web standards. It even validates.
Since I work for said tech giant, I was able to discover some additional information concerning the improvements over the old site. For starters, pages are fifty percent lighter and fifty percent faster to load. Additionally, browser support increased, as did accessibility. We all knew that would happen, didn't we W-G readers?
Coupled with this standards-based redesign was a thorough overhaul of the User Interface and Information Architecture of the site. According to studies, most visitors to the old site reported difficulty in finding what they were looking for. EDS took this to heart and re-worked the site to contain more meaningful navigation and, dig this: sixty percent fewer pages. Upgrades search technology aims to complete the upgrade.
So, w-g readers, was EDS successful? I haven't lived and breathed the site too much, yet, but I have to say, over the table-based, image-sliced predecessor, I already declare this a huge improvement.
I work for EDS, but I won't take it personally if you decide to trash this site in the comments, as I had absolutely nothing to do with it and feel that criticism is part of learning and improving.
Comments
1. November 15, 2004 11:26 AM
2. November 15, 2004 12:44 PM
Simon Jessey Posted…
An excellent effort from EDS. It is worth noting that they have a page on the site that explains their approach.
3. November 16, 2004 03:51 AM
len Posted…
I worked for EDS in Belgium and left a few months ago. I tried to convince people from the knowledge base team at EDS to use xhtml-css based lay-outs. They didn't go for it, the cost to change was to high, so they said. Now they are still working with tag-soup. The longer they wait the longer it will take to redesign, implement and train everybody.
4. November 16, 2004 10:41 AM
Andrew Posted…
Well I must say I'm flattered to see our work being highlighted here at WG. Our committment to XHTML/CSS was the foundation of all of our re-launch efforts. Ironically (especially in light of len's comment), we felt like we simply couldn't afford any other approach. The value of Web standards is simply far too compelling to ignore.
Unlike Scotty, I did have quite a bit to do with this project, particularly in the IA, interface design and template development. But like Scotty, I'd also love to hear what everyone thinks about the design. Pointing out the good, the bad and the ugly are all helpful as we move forward.
5. November 16, 2004 10:45 AM
Andrew Posted…
Oh, and you might be interested to learn that IBM launched their new design on the same day. What are the chances that two Fortune 100 competitors re-launch on the same day?
6. November 16, 2004 11:19 AM
Scott Partee Posted…
One may also note that IBM's design uses nested tables for layout. While EDS may have just reported some crappy results financially, at least our design and coding whip IBM's butts!
note: this is supposed to be a joke.
7. November 16, 2004 11:27 AM
8. November 18, 2004 07:06 AM
Phil Baines Posted…
EDS: First off, Good Job! It's good to see these companies taking on web standards, and not just ignoring them.
The only downside is that these companies are not at the forefront of web development, but really tagging along behind. Now if these companies were right at the forefront of new developments in the industry they would have started implementing web standards over a year ago. But still, good job! Better late than never!
Advice to improve; Right, you've managed to separate your style and your content (XHTML/CSS), how about working on another separation? Behaviour! JavaScript! Note:
onclick="updateCookie('comms');"
There is a lot of inline JavaScript going on. How about using more modern techniques such as DOM based JavaScript? This can be compared to using inline style, where CSS in a separate file is much better.
Keep all your JavaScript in separate files, using the DOM to manipulate and add such onclick events to elements. It's not that hard, and it would prove that a company of your standard is REALLY on the cutting edge of technology!
Again, However, I would like to say to EDS, and everyone involved, "Good Job, and welcome to the Club"! :)
9. November 19, 2004 10:31 AM
10. November 19, 2004 04:01 PM
Lennart Fylling Posted…
Hopefully, webstandards and its benefits, will become a part of the norwegian "culture" in the nearest future.
EDS is one of many examples who shows that webstandards, xhtml and css is the way to go.
Craig Posted…
Coincidentally, another IT company, Softchoice, redesigned with standards and a CSS layout this weekend, and it, too, validates. (I had no part in it, but a colleague played a key role in the in-house redesign.)
The site is done in two languages, for two countries, and covers more than 300,000 products.