In 1998 IOS designed a developed a database application to manage a variety of conferences sponsored by various organizations (our client's clients). The application is capable of accommodating various complex itineraries that might include any one or more of the following: breakout sessions, exhibits, speakers, special meals, extracurricular activities for attendee guests, etc. It also permits tremendous flexibility in establishing fee schedules and payment options and is fully user maintainable.

   In 2000, we upgraded the application to accommodate Internet access and e-commerce. In order to minimize expense while continuing to maximize flexibility we designed a separate Data Replicator service to ensure that data posted to an online Access database is automatically synchronized in real-time with the one on their office local area network (LAN). This innovative approach allowed us to maintain a light version of their conference database on a secure website. Setup and administration of new conferences are managed on the LAN based application, e.g., basic conference info and fees. Online registrations are achieved with conference specific web pages based on standard templates we designed. As a result, our client has a low cost tool that allows them to present themselves as a full service Conference Planner.

• Attendees may register via the internet.
• Credit card payments are processed on line securely, using SSL.
• All registration and payment data is automatically and immediately downloaded to the local database. Optionally, the conference manager can activate automatic email notification of new registrations.
• Registration pages can be easily tailored to match the corresponding sponsor's primary website.
• Facility and equipment requirements are minimal - client is able to maintain unlimited conferences in a single website rented from a public ISP.

Eventually, what started as a simple MS Access data tracking application has evolved into a suite of interrelated databases, applications, and utilities that allows our client to quickly but professionally set up new conferences. For approximately the first year they had been on line, we developed registration web pages on their behalf. As these procedures became routine and predictable we provided the client with a hands-on training session and a How-to guide so they are now able to set up conference registration websites themselves.