Client
MJM International Ltd is a lingerie manufacturer with a multi-million pound annual turnover, run by well-known businesswoman Michelle Mone. MJM were the innovators behind the curve enhancing and uplifting bra, under the brand name Ultimo.
This bra proved to be an instant hit with ladies worldwide and was made famous by Julia Roberts in the major blockbuster film, Erin Brockovich. Successive high profile marketing campaigns and the added attraction of celebrity endorsements from Penny Lancaster, Rachel Hunter, Helena Christensen, Sarah Harding and now Mel B as the face of Ultimo, has made the Ultimo brand a recognisable name in the UK and worldwide.
Solution
In order to deliver to timescales and to allow for the high level of anticipated demand – the site handles a multi-million pound annual turnover – Etellect developed the site using Microsoft’s .NET platform.
The .NET platform is Microsoft’s entirely new application development platform and delivers much greater stability, speed of development, integration possibilities and higher levels of performance than the ASP system it replaces. However, the initial learning curve of the object-oriented technology means that many companies are still utilizing the now old ASP technology, which greatly limits the future-proofing of their applications, their use of new communication methods like XML Web Services, and the ability to integrate 3rd party functionality like HTML editors.
By developing using this radical new solution, Etellect delivered the MJM ecommerce site within the required timescales.
The online trading functionality was integrated with the payment service provider, SECPay, to deliver real-time credit card transaction processing for both the website and call centre.
Functional Summary
- Customer Account Handling
- Real-time Credit card clearing
- Real-time stock control with links to Sage
- Full Order Processing Capability
- eCMS Content management
- Call centre functionality
- Address Management with ePostcode
Technology
Ultimodirect.com represents state of the art technology developed in the new generation of web application technologies from Microsoft, the world leader in software application development. The list below details the technologies used to supply the eCommerce functionality for MJM International.
- Server Technology : Windows 2000 Server with .NET Framework version 1.1
- Database Technology: MSSQL
- Application Technology: C#, HTML, XML, Javascript.
- Communications: HTTP / SOAP
- Security: SSL certificate encryption, password verification and encrypted keys.
- Browser Technology: Microsoft IE 5.5. or above
- Benefits
Ultimodirect.com is a major online retailer with a multi-million pound turnover. The technology supplied and supported by Etellect has been able to deliver a powerful and reliable online trading platform for MJM International, who has recognised the abilities of Etellect to deliver technologies to specification within limited timescales. Our commitment to MJM International as a supplier ensures that we work with them to develop their website and supporting technologies, ensuring that they can benefit from new developments and streamline their in-house operations to make them more efficient and profitable. MJM trust Etellect with the management of their online retail business and are happy in the knowledge that their thriving business is being well managed and supported.
Future
Coinciding with the exciting announcement that international supermodel, Helena Christensen, has been revealed as the new face and body of Ultimo, Etellect Ltd, has implemented the third redesign of the Ultimo eCommerce website on behalf of MJM International.
Continuing this successful relationship with MJM International, Etellect has enabled the introduction the new season’s product range online, incorporating new colours and new navigation options, in a quick, easy and efficient manner.
MJM have recently gone global and the ultimodirect.com website has been linked to the international shipping company Fedex utilizing XML Web Services technology. This recent addition to the website has meant that MJM can now supply global markets in the knowledge that their existing website can readily cope with the new traffic, order streams, and the complexities of shipping and taxation across all target markets. Etellect have also delivered a new, more powerful dedicated hosting platform in order to meet the increase in website traffic.
Confident in its capabilities as an eBusiness technology provider, MJM International also contracted Etellect to launch two additional websites, www.mjm-international.com and www.michellemone.com.