Hill & Smith | Xtratech – Changing the way we access data

Matt Lambert Posted On August 13, 2015

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Hill & Smith is a manufacturer and supply specialist of safety barrier systems throughout the world. They have launched a new Xtratech web based portal, which will completely change the way their industry can access the data they need. The Xtratech is a website that you log into, which then allows the reader to receive all of the required technical information about the Hill & Smith products offered to their customers. This will give their clients the opportunity to provide themselves with a better knowledge of their products, as well as a clearer understanding of how they work.

An unparalleled level of access

So many companies currently believe that by keeping their knowledge secret they will retain their place in the market, right?

Wrong. Hill & Smith have decided that as they are one of the leading developers and manufacturers of permanent Vehicle Restraint Systems (VRS), one way in which they will help their client base is to offer an unparalleled level of access to their 30+ years of industry knowledge.

With their principal focus on delivering a ‘safety critical’ product into the UK and wider global markets, they believe that their duty of care to their client and ultimately the end user ‘the public’ is paramount. If knowledge really is power then Hill & Smith believe this should lie in the hands of the infrastructure designers, consultants, contractors and local authorities and not behind the closed doors of manufacturers.

Radically changing the way Hill & Smith data is accessed

Hill & Smith will radically change the way our industry will access the data they need with the launch of their new Xtratech web based portal. This will be a single entry point for their registered clients to draw on the many years of experience – designing, testing and manufacturing compliant VRS systems.

One of the many challenges they had to face was how to condense the process of accessing all this data, whilst they are still making the interface user friendly. Due to Hill & Smith having spent a considerable amount of time discussing their web portal idea, it became apparent that if all this knowledge was to be hidden in a drop down after drop down menu system, it just wouldn’t be used – hence their ‘3 click’ challenge was born.

Search parameters that reflect exactly what you want

The primary consideration that Hill & Smith had was how to engage with new users. As a well-known and reputable company with an established product and client base, they needed to ensure visitors could easily navigate the site and knew exactly what to search for.

So, how did Hill & Smith support the Market and enhance their visitor experience? Simply by designing search parameters with identifiable icons that reflect their sites content – within a few clicks you find exactly what you want on their site.

If a consultant or designer wants to find a system to achieve a specific working width or containment level, the search facility will offer a relevant and compliant product line. In addition their site will suggest other items that have a commonality or synergy with the users initial search criteria.

The whole portal concept allows users, with varying levels of computer ability easy access to the Hill & Smith extensive database of technical information.

To sign up for Xtratech juts click this link