Since mediocre solutions built with leading edge technologies are still mediocre, Pier wanted to take an innovative approach to an important internet phenomenon. In celebration of its 5th anniversary, Pier reinvented its own web presence with a dynamic Flash blog powered by a custom publishing and syndication engine deployed within Reach.

PierInc.com takes advantage of the very best of Flash's rich media and programming capabilities in order to redefine both the power and intent of the blog. As an interface technology, Flash provides the advantage of a single platform for deploying almost every type of web content. Text, images, audio, video, animation, printable assets, as well as robust client/server functionality all fit natively into a Flash platform.

For all of its potential however, the issues with Flash have always been in the practical necessities of a website external to the actual pages it contains. Things like browser functions (back, forward), dynamic linking to specific content, content management of Flash websites, plugin control, and the Holy Grail of search engine optimization have plagued the technology's bid for mainstream corporate deployment. (There is also a stigma due to the designers abuse of Flash in the form of "Skip Intro" and distracting atmospherics, but that problem is isolated from the merits of the platform itself.)

PierInc.com attempts to finally resolve these issues in a single system aimed at creating a new definition for Flash deployment moving forward. The site uses a backend application built with Adobe's new development flagship, Flex, allowing for dynamic content managment, RSS syndication, and search engine optimization. PierInc.com also incorporates the immense analytic power of 1984 and Google Analytics, as well as the viral marketing application, ShareMedia.

To find out more about how Pier can help you think better about your technology, drop us a line.