With the advancement of Technology, today the front desk of any company has become the homepage of their website. Most customer services, press communications and service inquiry is now provided online. Thus the creation of a complete web solution with attractive functionalities has become mandatory in taking the lead and shine bright in this competitive market. With the recent re-branding of the Airline Division of Island Aviation Service as Maldivian, need for an advance web solution arises. The IAS Management opens a bid in search of a potential web development candidate.

Semicolon yet an infant as a company, expressed interest into the project and our small but experienced team started research on what we could provide. We explored dozens of other airline websites. Focusing on whats common, keeping an eye on what was uncommon we took an interest on what was unique and started work on a mock (the very beginning of the product maldivian.aero). We consulted with the re-branding team of the Maldivian to get an insight in to their concept. Created half a dozen user interface explored and fixed what they lack resulted an output of two very fine user interface designs.

In the meantime we were also working to build Semicolon’s first Proposal for web Development. Our aim was to provide IAS with a proposal to develop a solution beyond their vision but as realistic and practical. A solution not only with an eye catching user interface but with functions, components and modules to provide a resourceful online services. A solution that will embark Maldivian into a journey towards the new generation of Web. A solution that will be enable easy interaction with customers, agents and staffs. We succeeded in impressing the bid evaluation team, and was awarded the contract on 13th August 2009.

We met with team Maldivian.aero very frequently first was to give indepth explanation of the product as described in the proposal and to gather detailed software requirement later was to give development updates. We built a software requirement specifications which was agreed by both parties kick starting the Development Project of Maldivian.aero. Then followed continuous phases of development and sleepless nights to meet delivery deadlines powered by lots and lots of REDbull (disclaimer: Too many redbull is not good). We had two delivery schedules one with dates defined as in the agreement. Another Delivery schedule of our own with couple of days ahead of the agreed date. Our aim was to meet all deadlines before it reaches and deliver the product on schedule.

Maldivian.aero is developed with PHP and JavaScript programing language, CSS to tailor the interface design and utilized MYSQL as a database. We focused on simple graphics and pleasant color schemes with the looks and feels of Maldivian as an airline career. We also provided functionalities to enable content management with ease and user friendliness and easily manage static pages and articles. Site also includes functions to manage splash images and offers, integration into Maldivian Internet Booking Engine, Routemap with Destination info, fleet configurations, customized newletter system and Content for Maldives section and destinations.

We had a great collaborative assistance from team Maldivian but stumbled upon some unexpected hurdles which delayed product finalization. Collaboratively we conducted an extensive testing phase. The website was launched to public on a small event held at IAS head-office by Managing Director of Maldives Airports Company, Mr. Mohamed Ibrahim on 20th December 2009.

At the end of this post we would like to thank the team Maldivian for the collaborative assistance provided. Our team is grateful to work with IAS and look forward for working together in a near future.

More commonly known as Maldives or Maldive Islands, the Republic of Maldives is an island country made up of 26 atolls covering a territory with 1,192 islets scattered across the equator in the Indian Ocean. Only 198 islands are inhabited by its 300,000 population. With an average ground level of 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) above sea level, it is the lowest lying country in the world. It is also the country with the lowest highest point, at 2 m (7ft), situated in an unnamed spot in the Addu Atoll of Villingili Island.

Here are handpicked 30 awesome aerial shots of Maldives from different sources.

1 . Alidhoo… by muha…

2 . pearls of the sea.. by m o d e

3 . No I do not work for the National Geographic… by Ahmed Zahid

4 . floating whitesand & bluelagoon omelette… by muha…

5 . Vote for Maldives as a new world wonder!… by nattu

6 . Tsunami 2004 (Remembering the Victims)… by alsay

7 . The pond island… by sharaff

8 . Truly Maldives… by sammmmmu

9. Maldives, a place you want to be… by nattu

10. The Floating Island… by © Ahmed Amir

11. Sandbank 2008… by maapu

12. Report from Souls Island. Part 3/4… by Ahmed Zahid

13. Hulhumalé… by sharaff

14. Turquoise Paradise… by panALsonic

15. An inhabited Island- Maldives… by S U J A

16. .. by Sh@mpoo

17. Insel im Nordatoll.. by Axel_

18. Flying away.. by Nöé

19. Island.. by shinax

20. 7th.. by maapu

21. flying over blues.. by muha…

22. Loneliness.. by Dhonfuthu

23. a bit from a natural puzzle.. by Sh@mpoo

24. Rainbow.. by shazwan

25. .. by mayooomy

26. Loafaru – Heart Island.. by thaakko

27. Maldives from Space .. Maldives image by NASA/ GSFC/METI/ERSDAC/JAROS, and U.S./ Japan ASTER Science Team

28. Photograph by James L. Stanfield, NGS Image Collection

29. An aerial photo of Male’, the capital of the Republic of Maldives… by Shahee Ilyas

30. One of 1190 Islands… by Mohamed Waheed