We have assembled this information for potential and new clients in order to help you understand how we work.  While not always conventional, and rarely traditional, that does not mean we are unprofessional, nor unpolished.  Hopefully you will find the information below helpful in understanding our processes, procedures, traditions, and methods.  Get acquainted with us...

Working with Fuze
Working with Fuze will be an enjoyable experience if you have dealt with the predictable run around typically associated with traditional agencies and consulting firms.  At Fuze you will be working directly with the folks that will be producing your work. This alleviates the need for account person translation of requirements. Here's the process:

Understand - Step 1 of the process, the Understanding phase is where we learn about the client, project, goals, and stakeholders. The single most important stage, here is where we extract all of the elements of the project from timelines, and expectations. Understanding can be conducted face-to-face, ear-to-ear, or screen-to-screen, all depending on the client's preference, logistics, and nature of project.

Architect - After Understandings, we move into Architecture, Step 2 of the process. Though it may seem like a fancy word for a design or interactive project, we look at all projects the same way you look at building a house. Architecture phases allow us to determine if the project is feasible, that we have the talent and teams available to meet the client timeline, and that we can complete the project on budget. Part of the Architecture phase includes designing the process, proposal & estimating, and client approval/sign-off. Our proposals outline to clients exactly what our understandings are, our proposed solution (if it won't work on paper, it won't work out when we move forward), steps, technologies and system architecture (if applicable), our budget, deployment strategy (if applicable), vendor list (if applicable), and our post project support (again, if applicable). After approval of our proposal/estimate, the project is scheduled and we move on to Step 3.

Design - In the design phase we put pencil to paper. These visual directions are traditional in nature, but we feel they are important to communicate our understandings and interpretations to our clients. Whether the project is a user interface for a website, brochure, logo, or presentation, we always start with the tissues and storyboards. Some clients aren't interested in seeing these so we may in fact keep these conceptual stage items behind the scenes, others want them presented. Once we arrive at a direction, we move to the computers. At the computers we will convert tissues to real concepts. These concepts are presented to our client for approval.

Develop - This stage could be called production work in the design/creative services side of the business, or it may be the actual development phases in an interactive project. Either way this is where approved designs become reality. On the traditional side, we res-up the pieces, load final copy and content, set up files for printing or output, etc. For the Interactive side, things are pretty intense at this stage. Project Managers are working between the design and development teams to keep the project moving along with its timeline. At certain stages, projects may be presented to client teams for review/approval before proceeding. All efforts are coordinated up to the prototype delivery where we begin formal testing based on the original scope of work and requirements. After an internal test is passed, the project is turned over to the client team for their approval. If needed, the project comes back into development for fine tuning and tweaking. Once approved and signed off, we move to Deployment.

Deploy - Project is launched. Whether it be a printed piece, an e-mail campaign, or a website, the Step 4 deployment is where Fuze "hands the keys" to the completed project over to the client. Final billing would occur at this stage, and maintenance/support contracts come into effect (if applicable).

Measure/Support/Market - Measure and support is every bit as critical as any step in the process. Here is where we see exactly how good our assumptions at the front end are. Ad's, websites, campaigns, designs, are all measured for their effectiveness, penetration, and acceptance in the marketplace. Fuze often continues our support relationship with clients long after the project completion because of our Website/Database Hosting services, as well as our Website Maintenance Plans. If a multiple phase project was planned in the Understanding and Architecture stage, a post launch meeting is scheduled with clients to discuss the next steps in executing their strategies. We don't really know if our work is ever done, but this final stage of the Project Methodology.

For additional information and frequently asked questions, please review our FAQ in the Support section, or even better, contact us to schedule your own consultation (we don't charge for consultations, so let us know what may have sparked an idea inside you).

Communications- Whether it be face-to-face (in person), ear-to-ear (phone), or screen-to-screen (fax or email), we are a very accessible organization. Every client is different, so whatever the methods of communication you prefer, we can accommodate your needs. For a list of our contact numbers and information, click here.

File formats & File Storage - We try to maintain a large software library in order to accept files in any format from clients and also so we can output our files in relatively any format possible. For storage, we maintain our client files securely here at Fuze.  Once complete, all files are backed up to our primary servers, where they are stored redundantly.  Weekly, the primary servers are backed up onto tape.  Tapes are stored offsite in fireproof storage.  Clients may request copies of their project work from us at any time. You can review our internal software and hardware applications here.