JKIDLA
JKid LA is an initiative under BJE (Builders of Jewish Education) that focuses on providing Jewish education and resources to children and families in the Los Angeles area. Its mission is to engage, educate, and empower the next generation through innovative programs, community events, and educational resources.
The primary objectives for the JKid LA website project were to integrate the existing Salesforce system with the new Drupal-based website and ensure seamless synchronization of data between Salesforce and the website. Another key goal was to enhance the user experience with an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface while providing dynamic content updates from Salesforce to the website without manual intervention. Additionally, the project aimed to create a visually appealing design that resonates with the target audience of children and families and to implement a dynamic map function to help users easily find programs and events based on their location.
To achieve these objectives, several strategies were employed. The team implemented an OAuth connection between Salesforce and Drupal to enable secure and seamless data synchronization. They developed a system to allow automatic updates of programs and events from Salesforce to the website, ensuring that content remained current without requiring manual intervention. A vibrant and engaging design was created to appeal to both children and parents, focusing on user-friendly navigation. This design also needed to align with the overall BJE brand guidelines, ensuring consistency and cohesion across all BJE-related digital platforms. Backend optimization was also a priority, ensuring efficient data management and retrieval processes to keep the website performance optimal and allow for easy management by JKid LA staff. An interactive map feature was integrated, allowing users to search for programs and events based on geographic location, enhancing user experience and accessibility. Throughout the process, close collaboration with JKid LA stakeholders was maintained to understand their needs and incorporate their feedback.
Several challenges were encountered during the project. Integrating Salesforce with Drupal posed technical challenges due to differences in data structures, requiring significant customization. Ensuring secure and continuous authentication between the systems was a persistent issue that required troubleshooting and adjustments. Managing and displaying dynamically updated content from Salesforce on the website required innovative solutions to avoid manual updates and ensure accuracy. Implementing an interactive map that pulls data dynamically from Salesforce and displays it accurately on the website was technically challenging. Additionally, coordinating efforts between different teams, including developers, designers, client representatives, and third-party Salesforce developers and consultants, was essential but posed logistical challenges.
The design of the JKid LA website focused on creating a vibrant, engaging, and user-friendly interface that aligns with the overall BJE brand guidelines. The visual aesthetics were tailored to appeal to both children and parents, featuring bright colors, playful graphics, and intuitive navigation elements. The design aimed to create an inviting online environment that encourages exploration and interaction, ensuring that users can easily find and access the educational resources and programs offered by JKid LA.
The project successfully met its objectives, resulting in seamless data synchronization, enhanced user experience, improved operational efficiency, and the successful implementation of the interactive map function. Stakeholders and users provided positive feedback on the new website’s functionality and design.
The JKid LA website project exemplifies how strategic planning, technical expertise, and collaborative effort can come together to create a dynamic and user-friendly platform. The successful integration with Salesforce and the implementation of the interactive map function ensure that JKid LA can efficiently manage and update their offerings, providing a valuable resource to the community.
