1999 News
December 1999
Web Based Claims Management System Deployed for Kernaghan Adjusters
OpenRoad has deployed a complete business system for Kernaghan Adjusters, a national insurance adjusting firm with offices across Canada. 128 bit web encryption allows Kernaghan offices across the country to securely store all their claims information in a common database, simplifying management reporting and reducing overall cost of system ownership. The Microsoft DNA architecture was used to build the application, with features including invoicing, time tracking, claims reporting, and financial reporting.
November 1999
Gordon Ross lectures at BCIT
Gordon Ross, OpenRoad's Director of Project Management, recently guest lectured for Integrated Management Information Systems students at BCIT. Gordon covered several topics during his lecture, including success factors in e-commerce, managing web-application projects, and the future of Internet applications.
October 1999
BC Hydro Power Smart Home
October is Power Smart month and BC Hydro has a new Power Smart Home site. With tips on how to conserve energy and save money, this site was designed and built by Karo and OpenRoad.
September 1999
OpenRoad President Speaks at VanJUG
Darren Gibbons, President of OpenRoad, recently spoke on Sun's Java Server Pages specification. A technology overview, the specification's status, and sample code demonstrations were all performed for Vancouver's Java User Group (VanJUG) at BCIT. The VanJUG was founded by OpenRoad in 1995.
Translink Area Planning
Translink's Area Transit Plans are intended to identify 1-6 year priorities for improving local transit service in GVRD municipalities. OpenRoad contributed to the web-based survey that collects feedback on community transit issues.
MacMillan Bloedel HR Upgrade
Originally deployed in November 1998, OpenRoad has recently upgraded the MacMillan Bloedel's HR benefits application. This Intranet application allows employees at MacMillan Bloedel to calculate their benefits packages, from medical and dental to holiday time allotments.
August 1999
BC Hydro PowerPartnerships
Improving industry relationships is the goal of BC Hydro's recently deployed PowerPartnerships site. This Power Smart initiative for business customers provides valuable information about energy management solutions, rates and billing services, and energy saving tips. Karo and OpenRoad designed and developed this site for BC Hydro.
FaxPC Fax-to-Email Gateway Launched
ImagePower launched FaxPC, the world's fastest Internet fax-to-email service. FaxPC, built by OpenRoad and Karo in conjunction with ImagePower, offers free unlimited inbound faxing and remote retreival, along with free fax storage.
July 1999
Buy & Sell Launches Auction Site
The number one source for buying and selling in BC, the Buy & Sell, has launched their Auction site. Built by OpenRoad and Karo, this site has full integration with the existing classified site, allowing users to see both ads and auctions.
Royal BC Museum: Out of the Mist
The latest Royal BC Museum exhibit, Out of the Mist -- Treasures of the Nuu-chah-nulth Chiefs, recently opened in Victoria. OpenRoad provided technical development for the Karo-designed web kiosk that is part of this traveling exhibit.
June 1999
OpenRoad Supports BigRide
From June 14, 1999 to July 31, 1999, Landon Kitagawa and 500 cyclists will bicycle more than 5,000 kilometers from Seattle, WA to Washington, DC in the American Lung Associations' BigRide Across America. Riding for the BC Lung Association, Landon's journey can be followed online at the OpenRoad website. OpenRoad donated web hosting and online diary software for Landon's ride.
May 1999
ImagePower Launches FaxPC Website
Image Power, Inc. (VSE: IPZ), a leading provider of next generation still image compression technology, recently launched its FaxPC website. The site allows subscribers to pre-register for the FaxPC free fax-to-email service. The site was designed and developed by OpenRoad Communications and Karo Design.
WCB Launches WorkSafe Online
The new WCB website, WorkSafe Online, was recently launched. Designed by Karo and OpenRoad, the new site provides the public with a more intuitive way of accessing important workplace safety information. It also provides a solid foundation for the next generation of Internet applications currently being developed at the WCB.
April 1999
OpenRoad Continues to Grow
With continued success in 1999, OpenRoad is growing again and is pleased to announce the arrival of several new employees. OpenRoad welcomes Mojgan Givi, a software developer formerly of MediaNova; Kaaren Schulz, an account manager from Information Retrievers; Winston Ng, a software developer who has worked for Motorola and GTE Enterprise Solutions; and Lawrence Chan, a software developer from Westel / RSL Com Canada.
March 1999
BC Government Receives Web Content Management Systems Anaylsis
Prepared for the Queen's Printer and the BC Internet Services initiative by OpenRoad Communications and Karo Design, this 75 page report provides an overview of ten Web content management systems. A content management system would allow provincial Ministries to automatically update, review and approve their Web pages without going through BC Internet Services.
OpenRoad Delivers WCB Strategic Intranet Plan
Following a three month analysis, OpenRoad Communications and Karo Design delivered a strategic Intranet business plan to the Workers Compensation Board of BC. The report summarizes the features, benefits, and cost savings Intranets offer and concludes with recommendations which will guide the WCB towards realizing these potentials.
OpenRoad Builds Real-Estate Portal
GTE Enterprise Solutions provides Multiple Listing Service (MLS) software to the real estate industry for over 60,000 realtors North America wide. OpenRoad Communications is providing an integrated web portal solution for GTE-ES's custom MLS software, System 4.
Febuary 1999
CREO Field Change Order application deployed
February saw the completion and delivery of a change order tracking application developed by OpenRoad Communications for CREO Products Inc. This application allows administrators to track the rollout of change orders and assign them to engineers as well as generate custom reports to track progress and completion. This application will prove to be an invaluable tool for customer service representatives providing accurate, up to date information to clients.
January 1999
WCB Launches MediConnect Beta
Developed by OpenRoad Communications and Karo Design, the Workers Compensation Board of BC has recently launched a beta version of MediConnect, an extranet application enabling physicians of BC to securely submit claim information to the WCB. This application is currently being used by a select group of physicians around BC and is scheduled for wider release in the following months.