The Swedish Coast Guard – a most accessible authority

Accessibility can mean many things depending on the context and who you're talking to. Two aspects of accessibility were conclusive for The Swedish Coast Guard when they produced their new Web site. The Web site had to be accessible to as many vistors as possible, regardless of their computer environment and any personal limitations. It was also a requirement that Web editors could easily work with a content management system that was readily-available and easy-to-use.

The solution for The Swedish Coast Guard was a new external Web site developed by Meridium on the EPiServer platform. The external Web site was launched in June 2006 and has lived up to all expectations. A well-designed and easy-to-use Web site, where coworkers can contribute with information and content from their part of the organization.

The next step was to build a new intranet on the same platform. The Swedish Coast Guard's special prerequisites were examined - one of these was how to make the intranet accessible to all vessels out at sea.

The Swedish Coast Guard is an authority and must as such follow WAI and W3C standards. But they don't do it just because they have to. "A correctly built Web site is, in my opinion, also a Web site that works well and is easy to maintain and update", says Anki Bäckman, Infomaster at The Swedish Coast Guard.

When The Swedish Coast Guard were looking for a new content management system, they fell for EPiServer partly because several other authorities that already used EPiServer were very satisfied. Meridium were entrusted to build the Web site due to a combination of price and competence.

"The difference was already apparent at the quotation stage. Meridium had taken the time to learn our requirements and came with constructive ideas for solution, as well as pointed out the possible problem areas", says Anki Bäckman. "During the project, we have noticed that Meridium also values building a solution according to the correct standards."

The Swedish Coast Guard's Web site is essentially an information Web for the public, and is especially important for staff recruitment. Another important function is that Officers On Duty can directly publish photos that are taken onboard the coastguard planes and boats. When something happens out at sea, for example an oil discharge, photos are very important to the media.

We initially mentioned that accessibility can mean several different things. Another thing that Anki mentions is their contact with the developers at Meridium. "I'm not at all interested in the technology behind the solutions and switch off as soon as anything technical is brought up. But the developers at Meridium always talk clearly and explain things in "untechnical" terms. We infomasters greatly appreciate that and that's what you call accessibility", adds Anki Bäckman with a smile.