Javalon

from the AvalonBay Communities Annual Report:

"... key technology initiative involving the development of an Internet-based solution to optimize internal growth. Known informally as Javalon, it is a Web-based transactional system that provides us with more accurate and timely management information and helps us maximize occupancy and rental rates. In addition, this technology reduces the administrative workload and allows us to automate the leasing process by conducting resident business transactions over the Internet.

"Javalon is also the core of the Company's e-commerce strategy. It enhances our Internet marketing programs through a virtual leasing office that enables us to expand from 40 'store front' hours per week to round-the-clock interaction with current and prospective residents."

I was hands-on Project Lead for the kiosk/web side of this project. The engagement lasted seven months, and delivery was completed on time and on budget.

The Client:

A consortium of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), with over 800 apartment and townhome rental units across North America.

The Objectives:

• Develop on-site kiosks and internet-accessible web sites to support the leasing process:

(walk-in -> prospect -> applicant -> qualified -> resident).
• Integrate resident services ("on site web sites") including virtual concierge and neighborhood partner management.
• Include ExtraNet features: leasing agent and property management web sites, report generation, etc.

The Challenges:

• Include visitor registration, lease application, and online rapid credit verification.
• Accommodate low-tech users through maximum task support with minimum geekiness.
• Deliver the marketing message "This is your new home, with friendly neighbors and top quality services" consistently and constantly.
• Follow FHA equal-rights guidelines.
• Minimize the effort and resources necessary to deploy the system in hundreds of properties in dozens of communities.

To meet that last challenge (easy deployment), we developed a three-tier template based architecture. Kiosk and internet user web pages were generated on demand by back end Java servlet code, from an Oracle database. Each REIT partner had its own "look" (color scheme, logos, button shapes, page layouts). Data for each property (images, text, floor plans, maps) was collected by the Property Manager and entered using a web based tool. To generate each page, the servlets combined a page skeleton template (generic functionality) with REIT data and individual property data.

My activities:

• "Owned" the user experience: designed and helped develop (hands-on) the site information architecture, look and feel, hardware ergonomics, and deployment plan.
• Coordinated the engagement team with client business and developer teams.
• Participated in many aspects of client relationship management.
• Interviewed users, identified and documented requirements, wrote usability plans.
• Produced project plans, budgets, schedules, training materials, rollout plans.
• Assembled and coordinated a team of graphic artists, web developers, eCommerce specialists, and kiosk hardware designers.
• Selected and managed hardware component vendors and enclosure manufacturers.
• Designed and built web pages using Dreamweaver, Photoshop and other tools.
• Wrote some Java code.
• Helped to build, finish, install, and test the pilot kiosk enclosures.
• Trained client personnel on-site.

Each kiosk has a flat panel display with touch screen, unobtrusive keyboard, color printer, and high speed internet connection.

Screen shots, photos, demonstrations, and other information are available on request.

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