Thank you… for what, you may ask? Well you just admited that you used state funding to generate a database that you are using for personal gain, which may I remind you is illegal!! You just admitted that the MILLIONS of dollars that the state of Florida spends to operate VisitFlorida.com & .org is benefiting Miles Media outside of the contract to the State of Florida, thus giving Miles Media an unfair advantage to everyone else bidding again you on any other web related project.

And I quote, “4) Tied to the point above, PCB does not pay for the use of that business listing database or the associated extensive data collection service – it was an added value service piggybacking on the statewide database that helped control costs on the project when we initially bid (albeit, it is a business model that made more sense in 2002 that it does today).”

Someone should as for an investigation into Miles Media and see how much money they are making off the State of Florida and how much advantage this has given them.

Only in the South!!!

For the Canadians, the one largest expense they have
is the health insurance they must pay when they
leave the country due to thier madatory socialized
medical system. They must find a private insurance
pays the cost of care until they can be transported
back to Canada.

Perhaps a TDC group could be formned
to look into the issue this winter and
make some recommendations to give us an edge
here. I would be happy to help.

John Kittler

But I’m trying to look at this and come up with a reason as to why Miles Media isn’t willing to hand over the data. I’m wondering, when the people who’s names are in that database signed up, what did they agree to? Did they agree to allow their information to be passed to the TDC? If not, then I have to say that I agree with Miles Media on this. The user’s wishes must be respected.

I would really like to see some clarification in this area.

I found your report troubling, in that I have always taken pride in operating my business transparently with the goal of providing real solutions to our clients. With that spirit in mind, there is some confusion and factual inaccuracy in your report which I would like to clear up.

1) PCB owns all of the data (marketing leads, business listing information and otherwise) associated with http://www.VisitPanamaCityBeach.com and associated marketing efforts.

2) The current site is running on a business agreement and infrastructure that is nearly seven years old – both need to be updated which is why we have been excited about this bid opportunity.

3) The VISIT FLORIDA data sharing that is referred to in your post relates to business listing information that displays on the site, not consumer marketing leads (they are stored separately for each of our clients).

4) Tied to the point above, PCB does not pay for the use of that business listing database or the associated extensive data collection service – it was an added value service piggybacking on the statewide database that helped control costs on the project when we initially bid (albeit, it is a business model that made more sense in 2002 that it does today).

5) Concerning access to change the business listings, because the data is shared between multiple tourism marketing sites, our solution has been to go direct to tourism businesses to update their information across multiple sites.

6) Regarding email marketing leads, while there were initially some technological issues with automating the process of providing these leads to Ypartnership, this issue has been solved. Ypartnership is currently receiving the leads on a regular basis.

7) We currently have a solution which allows for PCB to have its own database (again, PCB has always owned the data under our current contract and will own it in the future) – that is what we are proposing.

We have made multiple recommendations/proposals to accommodate PCB’s changing needs in recent years which have not been acted upon due to budget constraints.

My perspective is that we are operating under a business agreement and using infrastructure that has outlived its years and that has created frustration on all sides. We are excited at the opportunity to get a fair shake at presenting a custom solution to PCB and to develop a relationship predicated on clear communication with the new leadership in place at the TDC.

Thank you for the opportunity to clarify.

Roger Miles
President & C.E.O.
Miles Media

All that would remain after purchase of a template is customized programming and data feeds which could easily be accomplished for less then $50,000.00.

In regards to the database: Any data as well as the underlying structure to support the data always belongs to the client who paid for it’s development as well as the client who “feeds” the database.

Proper database design is a basic and fundamental principle that allows segregation of data across enterprise data structures. For a company to say the data belongs to a domain and can not be distinguished from other data, is quite an interesting tactic.

Any development company submitting an excuse in that vain should be steered clear of. And I don’t mean walk away, I mean RUN and run very fast! It is unheard of to offer such an explanation.

The only explanation that can be gleaned from that excuse is poor design and improper data collection methods. In my opinion this is an amatuer concept at best and very poor design.

As far as CYSY: I have to agree, they are not ready. Graphical awards mean nothing except “pretty looking” pages. That is not what makes a good website. A website may contain the prettiest graphics and pictures, but if no one finds the site, it is useless. The meat and potatoes of any website is the underlying programming that allows a website to be displayed and data driven. Using that technology, CYSY has a very long way to go. One needs to simply examine several of their customers websites in depth to identify their technology and design methodologies. I don’t mean from a users perspective, but from a technical perspective by someone who knows the difference between a pretty picture and a well made, fully optimized website.

Another question that needs to be addressed: “What is included for that $100,000.00″? Does it include any Search Engine Optimization or marketing campaign, content creation and distribution and so many more processes that are used in promoting websites in todays internet structure across the World Wide Web? Again, without proper techniques being employed to help visitors find the site through the search engines you might as well distribute that $100k to the residents as it would provide about the same ROI, which is $0.00!

While testimonials are a way to judge a companies past performance, it should not be the only one used. While a few of the companies selected may have won “Bronze” awards, I would think the company you really want is the one that won the “Gold” award. Then again, what do I know.

IMO, this is but another mis-informed decision made without acquiring facts and performing due diligence.

I’ve often found it interesting how people making technical decisions make them without having the background to do so. A standard of practice, specially in regards to technical practices and decisions should be made by qualified individuals who have the expertise to do so.

If you don’t have the expertise, you hire a consultant to make recommendations based on your criteria, needs and growth requirements.

Best of luck.

How lame can you get ?
I love it when I see words
coming out of both sides of
someone’s mouth.

I have read in the paper that
CyberSytes has done a lot of
local work and has won national awards.

If they are not “ready”,
which I challenge,
and if they are the only local company
submitting an RFQ,
then the CVB should consider giving
the taxpayer double the bang for the buck
and by allowing them to “incubate”
(as in “business incubator”) to whatever
they conmsider “ready” and thus support
business development in Bay County
so that Cyber Sytes may compete more
readily in this type of market and
thus expand our business base.

That would seem to be more in line
with the overall goals of the county,
and the taxpayer…