4ni named 'Best International Web Site'

Flagship E-commerce, a subsidiary of Flagship Media Group have been honoured at the first-ever ntl: business and 'BusinessEye' magazine Goldeneye Awards.

The company's Internet design division picked up the award for 'Best International Web Site Developed By A NI Company' for their in-house developed portal website www.4ni.co.uk.

4ni.co.uk was recognised by the Judges of The Goldeneye Web Awards as a first class website, which not only presented an excellent front for Northern Ireland, but also was crammed full of useful information on the province for anyone wishing to visit. Also noted was 4ni.co.uk’s searchability, standard of content and the ease of which people can navigate through the website.

The awards were presented on Thursday February 28 in the Waterfront Hall and over 300 people were present at the prestigious ceremony and gala dinner. Broadcaster Wendy Austin and Brenda Buckley of 'BusinessEye' announced the winners of the seven internet-based awards.

Jonathan Stewart, Flagship E-Commerce's Internet Technical Manager, said: "I am genuinely surprised that we have received this award for our Northern Ireland Internet site. This award is recognition for all the months of hard work that our Technical team have put into developing and maintaining the website's huge database that not only promotes Northern Ireland companies but also provides daily local and business news coverage for the province.

"I feel that this award is not really for me alone but for all those who are involved in this innovative and successful project."

This inaugural awards initiative for 'Internet Excellence' was based on the Website Of The Month competition, which was launched by 'BusinessEye' and the 'Internet Business' in February 2001. With over 200 websites entering the competition, the organisers felt that the standard was so high that the nominated entries were shortlisted into seven categories.

Richard Buckley, Editor of 'BusinessEye' magazine said: “The standard of entries was so high that judging was by no means an easy task. This standard and the level of backing we gained from local companies shows that there was a real need for a quality website awards scheme in Northern Ireland. Hopefully this is just the beginning of an annual 'BusinessEye' awards initiative and we will achieve this success on a continued basis.”

A number of top local companies offered endorsement to the awards including Dimex Digital Media Experience, who produced an impressive multi-media presentation. The winners were awarded with Waterford Crystal Trophies and business class travel from bmi british midland.

The evening's top award – the 'ntl Goldeneye Award' – was won by studentalive.com designed by Biz-Net Solutions.

The six other category winners were: voodooshoes.com designed by Web Design Solutions for 'Best E Commerce Web Site', sponsored PricewaterhouseCoopers; Strangfordlough.org designed by Biz-Net Solutions for 'Best Public Sector Web Site', sponsored by Sx3; bluechiptechnologies.com designed by Biz-Net Solutions for 'Best E Business Web Site', sponsored by Sysco Software Solutions; studentalive.com designed by Biz-Net Solutions for 'Best Use Of Internet By An SME', sponsored by Open & Direct; and Rural Development Council site designed by Silverink for 'Best E Learning Web Site' sponsored by Edge.

(GMcG/SP/CP)