If you've been using DNN for even a short time, you've probably heard of EasyDNNsolutions and are likely using one of their modules, but did you know that EasyDNNsolutions had originally started developing their own CMS? Keep reading as Damir Kapustic of EasyDNNsolutions, developer of highly-rated and top-selling modules like EasyDNNgallery, EasyDNNnews, and EasyDNNrotator, answers questions about EasyDNNsolutions’ experience with DNN, the products they develop, advice for DNN users, and more.
- Describe your professional (and/or personal) experience relating to DNN. How long have you been using/developing for DNN?
About the same time the first version of DNN was released, we started developing our own CMS solution for our web design clients' needs. Although we were very successful with projects where our own CMS solution was implemented, we realized it was not the right way to go, as it wasn't cost effective to develop all the functionalities our clients needed. In early 2007 we literally learned about the existence of DNN, and our first DNN project was to develop a cargo exchange service. Ever since then, we've used DNN for all our projects. - What first brought you to DNN, and what has kept you actively developing products for the community?
When we were deciding on the proper CMS solution for our web design company, the same reasons were crucial that made thousands of other web design companies around the world choose DNN. It's a brilliant product whose functionalities can very easily be enhanced, thanks to a multitude of modules and skins. When there is no ready-made solution for a specific purpose, such solution can be developed in the form of a module. An additional attraction for us was the fact that the product has been developed based on Microsoft's technology.
As we've had ample experience in developing web solutions, gained over numerous projects, we are intimately familiar with the needs of both companies and individuals in industry, so it was our great desire to develop our own solutions we could then provide for the global market to use. We recognized the areas where the offer was inadequate as well as an area that was familiar to us, as we had already developed similar solutions. After a year and a half of development, in July 2010, we released the first version of our EasyDNNgallery module. The module immediately became very popular with users, so it opened a path to the rest of our modules, which were also warmly received by users and are currently among the most popular modules out there. - Tell us a little about the products you develop. Have you seen any particularly cool or unique implementations of them?
We are lucky in the fact that new DNN sites using our products are appearing daily. It is not rare for our customers to surprise us with their brilliant implementations. We are proud of every web site using our products and grateful to users for each module they have purchased from us, allowing us to continue developing our products.
Our products are used for a large scope of web sites, from simple presentational sites, over blogs, all the way to complex news portals, which are our specialty. - If you were to tell a potential customer why they should purchase your products, what would you say?
We would tell a potential customer that behind our products there is an experienced company with a team that continuously works on product development and user support. We are constantly enhancing our products, quickly fixing reported bugs, keeping them compatible with current versions of DNN and other technologies in use. We will gladly provide answers to all your questions or help you with the actual implementation. It is our wish to be a reliable partner to all our customers. - Your products are some of the most sold and highest rated on the DNN Store. One customer recently commented in a review: “I have been using EasyDNNgallery and EasyDNNnews for several years, and am very happy with these products. They have improved with each new release, adding functionality and settings flexibility.” Can you tell us a little about your development process and how you decide what to include in new releases. Do you have any plans for new features or products you can tell us about?
When developing our products we follow our own ideas, but nevertheless we acknowledge all the remarks, suggestions and desires from the part of our customers. Many functionalities we have implemented were a direct result of the feedback from our customers. Naturally, we cannot make every single wish come true, since there are so many of them. As our team is continuously developing our products, our customers in near and not-so-near future can count on plenty of new options in all our products.
Our goal is to enable our users to implement great solutions while spending as little time and effort as possible. Our focus over the next period will be on the ease of implementing both simple and complex solutions. - What advice would you offer someone who is creating a DNN site?
I would encourage them to be curious, to explore and experiment with DNN and modules, as their acquired knowledge will pay off abundantly. Whoever masters DNN can carry out first-class projects, such as can hardly be carried out in many other systems, or such as require a lot more effort to be invested. - What advice would you offer someone who is interested in developing modules/skins for DNN?
I would advise them that it is only possible to succeed if you are focused on quality and innovative solutions, accompanied by good customer support and a serious relationship with clients. There is still a lot of space for new products. The diversity and abundance of available solutions contribute to the well-being of the entire eco system. - What do you think are the most important trends in website design/development? Are there any blogs or resources you read on a regular basis to keep up with current trends and technology?
As can be expected, most trends in web design depend on the device which is used to access the web. As there are daily more and more devices with various screen sizes, Responsive web design has obviously become a standard. This has in turn set in motion other trends aimed at enhancing user experience at responsive pages. This refers to design, menus, typography, font size, content presentation… We take these trends into consideration in our product development.
We gather information on new technologies and trends from everywhere around and through different channels. As our team is multidisciplinary, with individuals pursuing different interests, we share the most interesting subjects from each field with each other. - Is there anything else you want to tell us?
I recommend to everyone still searching for the suitable CMS for their web design business, or looking for a solution for their own site, to go for DNN. By its potentials and its quality DNN definitely belongs to the very top of CMS solutions, yet DNN is more than just CMS, it has correctly been called a platform. There are very few other systems (if any at all) providing such diverse possibilities of use, followed by easy implementation and a relatively easy learning curve.
DNN can help businesses and organizations of all sizes to enhance their business operation at low cost. If you are the person in charge of IT in your company or organization, by all means consider DNN as the solution for your intranet. If you are a company or an individual looking for a business opportunity, you must be aware that around the world there are dozens of millions of companies which are potential DNN users.
Damir, thank you for your thoughtful answers to these questions, and thank you to everyone at EasyDNNsolutions for what you add to the DNN Community! Store Users, please use the comments below if you have any additional questions for EasyDNNsolutions.
