Project Proposal Updated

Executive Summary
Carolina International Trade is a textile and used clothing exporter located in Duncan, SC. The company was founded in 2006 and has grown exponentially since. In order to keep up with the needs of a fast paced business world and enhance the company’s image, the owner would like a website that highlights the growing business and its accomplishments. However, the company does not currently have the funds to hire an additional employee to update and maintain the website. Thus, I propose to create a website and a technical document that will enable a current employee to update and maintain the website.

Introduction
Carolina International Trade would like to have a website that is professional, informative, and interactive. They would also like to have a current employee update this website. Unfortunately, at this time, they do not have a website or an employee with the knowledge to update it. I will make the situation more ideal by creating a website and an accompanying manual that will instruct employees on basic web design. This manual will allow an in-house employee to perform maintenance and updates.
The company is currently in great need of a maintainable website because of recent changes within the company. In 1986, the company was founded under the name ATC International in Edison, NJ and specialized in textile exportation, predominately to Africa and South America. At this time, there were only 15 employees in the office and 15 employees in the warehouse. Over two decades later, in 2006, the company has changed ownership and expanded from textile exportation to used clothing distribution. It has also moved to Duncan, SC and operates under the name Carolina International Trade. Today, the company requires 5 office workers and over 150 warehouse workers.
The addition of used clothing exportation has greatly increased operations. At any given point, there is 500,000 pounds of used clothing in the warehouse. Non-profit organizations like Goodwill and Salvation Army receive so much used clothing coming into their organizations that they can’t handle the amount of material, so they sell their clothing by unsorted container loads to financially support their operations. The clothing then enters the warehouse in Duncan, SC where it is sorted into categories and then graded by quality. Finally, it is put into 100 pounds bails and shipped in containers to South America and Africa. An average container holds 650 bails. At any given point, there is 500,000 pounds of used clothing in the warehouse.
Due to this relocation, expansion, and rapid growth, the company owner feels that a website would be beneficial. The website could provide increased visibility and a contact method for both current and future clients. It could serve as an informational tool for anyone interested in the company or used clothing and textile exportation. This website would also allow the company to keep up with competition, which is already online.

Current Situation
Currently, Carolina International Trade does not have a website. They do, however, have hosting and a domain name at www.citcarolina.com, hosted by BellSouth. This hosting also provides corporate email accounts to allow interchanges within the workplace. The company is currently utilizing this service. However, their monthly payment is being wasted as there is no website available online. In the past, the company has tried to hire an employee to create a website, but there have never been any results. There was also the dilemma of who would be able to update the website when necessary.

Project Plan
In order to complete this project, I will assess the company’s needs, research the competition and relevant web standards, create a website, and write a technical document that will allow an employee with little or no web background to update and maintain the website.
First, I will assess the company’s needs through several meetings with the owner. During these informal meetings, I hope to learn more about the company, its history, and the needs of both the owner and the company as a whole so that I can better fulfill their website requirements. I will also need to gather information to put on the website during this phase.
Then, I will research the competition and view their websites individually in order to learn the standards of the industry and the most relevant web features. I will also research web standards, such as those for the visually impaired.
Finally, I will create a website and technical manual that will allow an employee to do future maintenance and updates. The first step to making the website will be to find a design that fits the needs of the company. I will do this by looking at similar company websites and through discussion with the owner. Then, I will need to create the website, most likely using a web editor and the program Dreamweaver. The home page will have a navigational bar, offering links to pages such as Home, About Us, History, Used Clothing, Textiles, Exports, and Contact Us. Each of the pages should have a similar navigation bar and design element. I would also like to feature a photograph on each page as well as all relevant information. The Contact Us page will probably require a simple form that will allow clients or other interested parties to fill in information in a form that will automatically be emailed to the relevant personnel.
Finally, I will create the technical document in Microsoft Word. This document will begin with a title page and be followed by a table of contents. The table of contents will list section headings and page numbers to increase accessibility. My first heading will be “Logging In.” Under this header, I will detail how to login and access the control panel. I will include the web address of the hosting site as well as the account username and password. I intend to show a screen shot of the login page. My second heading will be “Understanding C-Panel.” Here I plan to explain the many functions of the control panel. I will show a screen shot of the panel and briefly summarize each graphic icon’s purpose. Next, I will have “Loading a New Page,” where I will demonstrate how to upload a simple html page to the hosting site. I also intend to include a simple html tutorial and a Microsoft Front Page tutorial to help employees edit existing pages. I will most likely give each of these a general heading, such as “Using Microsoft Front Page” and follow up with specific subheadings, such as “How to Color a Background.” When the document is complete, I will most likely turn it into a .pdf for easy readability and professionalism.
Qualifications
I am qualified to create this website because I have created several personal websites in the past. I am proficient in html and javascript and am familiar with web editing program, such as Front Page, Dreamweaver, NVU, etc. I have also taken Computer Science 120 at Clemson University which has given me a background in the history of computer technology as well as information about the present and future of such technology. I am also interested in gaining some professional experience in web design to diversify my resume, making this a great project for me.
As for the technical manual, I am an English major at Clemson University and am studying to receive a business and technical writing minor as well. I have also spent many summers in a business office and completed an internship at a community center. These opportunities have given me the chance to experience corporate culture and write professionally. I have created both informational documents and promotional materials for these companies. Thus, I have had a plethora of experience in both academic and professional writing.


Project Schedule

Date Due Object Due
09/17/2008 Proposal Draft
09/25/2008 Proposal
10/16/2008 Web Site Draft
12/2/2008 Web Site
11/13/2008 Manual Draft
12/02/2008 Manual



Conclusion
In conclusion, Carolina International Trade is a rapidly growing company in need of a website that is attractive and functional. The site should allow clients and other interested parties to learn about the company and its trade as well as have the ability to contact the company. The company also needs a method to update and maintain this website without hiring an external employee. I feel that the best way to fulfill these needs is to create a website and a manual with easy instructions for an in-house updates and maintenance. This would enable the company to continue its current growth and expansion while not overspending their current budget.