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Frans Maas
http://www.fransmaas.com

For Frans Maas NV Datacon developed a corporate website and all national websites from designing the interface to full technical implementation. The websites are managed via a role based management system and are linked to the Frans Maas Track and Trace system with real-time Euronext stock information.

Introduction

Frans Maas is a specialist in worldwide expedition and logistic solutions. The Dutch organisation is part of the European network. With over 214 locations in 32 countries, in the last few years it has expanded to one of the most sophisticated independent logistic networks in Europe. The infrastructure of Frans Maas Nederland consists of a network of depots managed by experienced professionals with a heart for providing service to the customer.

The Frans Maas corporate website consists of a central portal (fransmaas.com) and many localised country sites. These country sites contain specific content but the Frans Maas look and feel is consistent.

Proposal

Based on the briefing by Frans Maas' manager Datacon had given three design proposals, each one having a different layout grid and look & feel.

Functional prototype

Frans Maas had a rigid preference for the second proposal because of the professional looks and relatively large visuals. Based on the second proposal Datacon made a final layout grid and colour scheme.

With aid of the grid and colour scheme the functional prototype was constructed. By discussing this prototype with Frans Maas early in development, any inconvenience was deleted and a good feedback was heard.

On the left you will find the final design of the portal and content pages.

Usability and functionality

The menu is the central point for navigation of the whole website and therefore crucial for the finding the needed information easily. By using the right consistent colour schemes and the clear display of sub options and selected options a user gets to know the structure of the site.

De option News update is a Media and is currently active.

Rate request

To request a quotation many questions must be answered. Potential users could be scared off when this is all shown on one page. To prevent this the questions are subdivided in tabs.

Validation was added to make sure the information introduced is in the right format.

Before data is sent to the server, the user gets one more glance of the input to check whether the information is all correct.

The world of Frans Maas

The World of Frans Maas page has a lot of content, meaning we had to find a way to display this content grouped. To create this subdivision foldable tabs were used enabling the user to choose what information he wants to see next to each other. The difference in content is enlarged by using colours.

Services

Frans Maas' services can be divided into four categories and the pie chart clearly shows that freight Forwarding is their main activity. To make this diagram visually attractive Datacon used Macromedia Flash Technology. The interactive diagram triggers people to explore its possibilities.

The original version of the diagram (left) and the 3D interactive online version (below)

By using the animated European map in combination with a drop-down menu it gets clear to the user that it is possible to get linked through to a country specific website.