uva interactive media initiative

The search for a vendor to provide the core technology for an expanded HoosOnline is nearly complete. After more than a dozen vendor demos and conference calls, six written proposals, and two site visits, the vendor selection committee yesterday chose Kintera, Inc., and has begun the process of negotiating a contract.

Kintera is a software development company based in San Diego and Washington, D.C. that helps nonprofit organizations build community and raise funds using online tools such as Web sites and email. Kintera was chosen over the other finalists because of their innovative and robust toolset that the committee felt would help U.Va. become a leader in using interactive media for alumni engagement. Learn more about Kintera at www.Kintera.com.

During the next few weeks, the Interactive Media Initiative core team will further define the scope of services we expect to deploy with Kintera, and finalize an implementation schedule. Preliminary plans call for duplicating existing HoosOnline functionality -- directory, email forwarding and career mentoring (UCAN) -- before the current contract expires in June. Additional features such as broadcast email, event registration, online giving, and group Web sites will roll out shortly thereafter.