Internet and Intranet Implementation

Scope of Project: Duncan-Williams (DW) engaged Vanick Group to accomplish the following objectives through utilization of technology and web‐based solutions:

• Dramatically improve firm’s online corporate image
• Help shift firm to “state of the art” tech‐savvy philosophy for internal as well as external objectives
• Improve efficiencies through technology across the board
• Improve communications internally as well as externally throughout the organization
• Use technology to help attract and retain top talent
• Sales tool that will drive revenue to the firm

Components of Engagement (solutions)

1. Website overhaul (www.duncanwilliams.com)
2. Intranet development and Launch

Website Overhaul: DW needed an overhaul and rebuild of their corporate website to include protected content, ECM (Equity Capital Markets) research and published material as well as represent the progressive, growing image of DW both to its traders, sales team and outside world. Designed with a flexible, scalable architecture the site needed to have the following features: easy to use content management features, industry accepted framework and low cost expandability for future needs.

“One major goal for development of both the website and Intranet in 2010 has been to partner with the DW team to create functional elements for both sites in the ECM research, Bloomberg Inventory, and Sale Inquiries modules, that will provide tangible benefits in helping to drive sales growth for Duncan‐Williams”‐ Brian Higgins, Vanick Group

“Our new website, www.duncanwilliams.com literally changed our image overnight. Our website was developed to provide our customers and potential customers with any information they need to conduct business with our firm. It is a reflection of our firms culture in that it is easy to interact with and makes access to our management very transparent. The site is also one of our top sources for recruiting. Interested employees can fill out an application form on‐line and submit it to our corporate strategies group." — Gary Lendermon, Vice‐ President of Marketing & Communications, Duncan-Williams

Intranet Development and Launch: DW also needed a web‐based tool they could use to drive revenue to the firm and provide a way to connect sales to traders and more. Utilizing the same framework and consistency of architecture as the website, Vanick’s solutions included providing a functionality to make DW 's Bloomberg’s inventory available in real time, manage internal sales inquiries and promote accessibility and timeliness of all other corporate communications including human resources and employee driven information. Another key attribute of the intranet was to literally make all employees jobs easier by housing benefits, recruiting information, policies, 401‐K information, etc that employees need to know. As information changes often, DW wanted a more effective way to communicate sales information as well as information that helps employees to their work.

“This tool is totally secure, accessible only to employees and a great way to share important data across the board to those that need it. You can imagine some of the challenges and restrictions firms like ours have and this solution gives us a secure portal for information flow,” –Brad Ziemba, Chief Compliance Officer, Duncan-Williams