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News -> August, 2002 News
Martin J. Citardi, MD.
ARS Information Technology Officer
Cleveland Clinic Foundation
Cleveland, OH
At its last meeting (held at COSM 2002), the ARS Board of Directors approved a plan to develop an e-Commerce Module for the ARS website (www.american-rhinologic.org). This project represents a major expansion of the ARS Internet efforts. Once deployed, the e-Commerce module will permit members to pay dues, update their membership files and register for meetings via the Internet. The new module will greatly facilitate member services, and simultaneously reduce transaction costs.
After deployment, the e-Commerce Module will assign each member unique login name and password for access to the site. In addition, members will be able to select the means through which they receive dues notices, etc. In this way, the e-Commerce module will generate contact with members via E-mail, fax, or even regular mail. Of course, members will be encouraged to use the E-mail route. Members will be able to sign into the system at any time through any Internet connection. All financial transactions will be processed through a secure server system. The e-Commerce Module will process dues payments and meeting registration.
The e-Commerce module builds upon revisions to the ARS Administration Module, another web-based application through which member files are maintained. The ARS web site supports a virtually unlimited number of user profiles--which means that each user can be assigned a unique set of functions. Currently, these functions are mostly limited to administration tools, but the e-Commerce Module will expand this so that members can access their member profiles. Future functions can be added later.
The ARS Internet presence now includes:
- its public web site (which contains both patient and member information), E-mail services (for the receipt of E-mail, as well as the generation of bulk E-mail to members and other groups)
- Administration Module (for the maintenance of membership functions)
- e-Abstract Module (an Internet-based system for submission and review of abstracts)
- e-Survey Module (an internet-based system for survey site users)
The ARS web effort is closely coordinated with the ARS newsletter, whose articles serve as content for much of the public information posted on the web site. Periodic site updates include material originally written for the newsletter. Additional information is posted regularly.
The e-Commerce module depends upon the accuracy of the member info in the ARS database. The ARS Membership Committee has undertaken an effort to update this database. All members are asked to help with the work of the Membership Committee
In recognition of the growing web efforts, the ARS BOD approved a proposal to formally create the ARS Information Technology Committee, which will be lead by the ARS Information Technology Officer. Jay Dutton, MD recently joined this new committee and is coordinating the development of new material that will be based on data generated by the e-Survey module.
Wildfire Internet (www.wildfire.net) serves as the ARS web host and developer. Wildfire is currently building the e-Commerce module. After initial testing, deployment is anticipated with 6-9 months.
All members are encouraged to explore www.american-rhinologic.org. Questions and comments can be directed to arsinfo@american-rhinologic.org.
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