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Covered Bridge Software has developed professional websites and applications that span from simple to complex depending
on client needs. Always emphasized are attention to detail, usability, ease of navigation, short download times,
and a commitment to customer service.
Covered Bridge Software has worked with clients in many different industries to develop websites & applications,
provide support and maintenance on existing websites, and assist with internet marketing and technical guidance. Our goal
is to deliver solutions for the use of electronic information to enhance the effectiveness, value, marketability and usability
of client websites and applications.
Here are some
Frequently Asked Questions
about website design, development, and the services of Covered Bridge Software.
Some of the websites, applications, and projects we have worked on include:
University Websites
StatsTracker Application - for the National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute 
This application serves as a central repository and report tracking system for the department at the National Cancer
Institute that supports the massive Cancer.gov website (all the government information on Cancer). There are numerous
statistical reports produced dealing with the Cancer.gov website traffic, usage and visitor habits.
The StatsTracker application allows NCI staff to upload reports and documents from their local machines; to the central repository (a SQL Server database and Windows 2000 Server file system). The application has its own security system, and supports multiple levels of user permissions to only allow users to access the areas and see the information that they are entitled to (all the web pages are dynamically generated depending of various parameters and security levels). There is substantial searching and reporting functionality, classifications, indexing, and refinement of data available. The system has built-in administrative, maintenance, and support capability. The StatsTracker application can handle any type of file type, but the primary document types are MS Word, MS Excel, Adobe PDF, and scanned documents (GIF, JPEG) file formats. 
The other major component of the StatsTracker application is of task scheduling, electronic notification, and tracking
system. Requests for upcoming reports are scheduled in the system by entering information via web forms (much of the data
is pre-populated with data pulled from the database). A Requirements Document and sample Report Template can be uploaded
to the server and linked the request, along with other parameters and options required when producing the report. At the
appropriate time, the StatsTracker task scheduler will generate and send out detailed emails to the required technical
people and administrative staff, and act as a trigger to begin work on producing the report. Re-occurring requests are
automatically generated in the system, and all requests maintain an ongoing log of all activities, updated information, and
links to the Requirements Document, Report Template, and Reports that are produced.
The StatsTracker application uses the following technologies: SQL Server database, Windows 2000 Server file & directory structure, Active Server Pages (ASP), Visual Basic, VBscript, JavaScript, dynamic HTML, Windows Internet Information Server, VPN, FTP, Windows Terminal Services, database design and administration, server administration, Windows Scripting Language, Windows Task Scheduler, and I did all the graphical design and layout work. ChangeTracker Application- for the National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute 
ChangeTracker is a tracking, notification, and work-flow application developed for the department at NCI that supports the
massive Cancer.gov website (all the government information on Cancer). It was designed and implemented to streamline the
process by which new documents are produced and posted to the Cancer.gov website, and to track when existing web documents
are modified. This system also tracks accountability and responsibility for Cancer.gov documents and pages, and provides a
way for NCI employees to track production, both past and present, through a comprehensive, cumulative log.
ChangeTracker delivers, to all parties involved (via emails generated by the system and sent to the appropriate people), up to date information necessary to monitor and track changes as well as each step of each change made to Cancer.gov. ChangeTracker uses web forms to help standardize user input, and provides a sophisticated search tool that can search on any data field, and generate search results and on-line reports of Requests and work done to Cancer.gov. Designated staff can track requested projects in progress as well as view a cumulative log of completed production tasks. Users are provided with feedback at each step in the production process via automatically generated e-mail. 
ChangeTracker supports and enforces a step-by-step signoff process for each request. The screen options and screen layout
are tailored and customized for the appropriate user privilege and step level of the request signoff process. Options that
are out of sequence for a request and ChangeTracker functions for which the user does not have privileges are not shown.
Any changes made to a ChangeTracker request are stored in the database. The database stores a running list of all actions
made, the user who made each change, and any additional comments that the user may supply. This allows a user to see the
status of a request quickly. ChangeTracker has built-in functionality for administrators that allow them to perform
maintenance and upkeep on the application without having to use technical staff.
The web based ChangeTracker application was build using the following technology: Microsoft NT server platform using the Internet Information Server (IIS) as the web server. The database used by ChangeTracker is a Microsoft SQL Server version 7.0. The programming language used was Active Server Pages (ASP). Other technologies used are dynamic HTML, Cascading Style Sheets, and JavaScript. SMTP is used to generate e-mails that are sent out after each ChangeTracker step is completed. A custom security login-in process is used to ensure that only authorized users enter the system. A SQL Server database is used to maintain user data and privilege level, and all web pages check to make sure the user is validated before displaying information, and a timeout session is enforced for idle sessions. Committee Document Review System (CDRS) - National Heart Lung & Blood Institute 
The Committee Document Review System (CDRS) is a web based application designed to assist committees and expert panel members and
other groups in the preparation of large medical documents requiring collaboration among the members.
The system is web-based and allows people from different locations to work together on large complex documents. It provides the tools and functionality to: 
Each committee or expert panel will have a customized web interface. The web page will include the name of the group, the
document, and the individual chapters or sections.
Next to each chapter or section are "Upload" and "Download" buttons. Committee members simply go to the web page and select the "Download" button for the section they want to review. When they complete their review, they simply return to the web page and click the "Upload" to return the file with their review comments. Committee staff merges the comments and work with the committee or section chair to accept, reject, or defer the changes. Covered Bridge Software was the architect and developer on this Collaborative Authoring, Document Management system for the National Institutes of Health, Heart Lung and Blood Institute. This project utilizes a SQL Server database, Active Server Pages, Java Applets, JavaScript, dynamic HTML, and customized/tailored version of MS Word. White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Policy Meetings (WHCCAMP) 
The commission was established to make recommendations to the President on the appropriate administrative and legislative
initiatives to improve the health care and wellness of the United States population.
This high traffic site contained an on-line registration system
for upcoming events, meeting transcripts from past events, information about the Commission, and the Final Report.
The online registration system used for upcoming meetings and town hall gatherings stores the information in an Oracle database. The application used HTML, JavaScript, Cascading Style Sheets, and Cold Fusion for the programming language. The Administration for Children and Families, The Department of Health and Human Services 
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is a federal agency funding state, territory, local, and tribal
organizations to provide family assistance (welfare), child support, child care, Head Start, child welfare, and
other programs relating to children and families.
We were involved in the development and implementation of the new ACF headings, and sub-headings, used on the hundreds of websites within the Administration for Children and Families domain. This was an effort to standardize the look of the various websites and create uniformity. The technologies used were various graphics software programs, HTML, and Cascading Style Sheets. Work Management System (WMS) - National Cancer Institute, International Cancer Information Center 
We were the architect and project leader on this large multi-year project called the Work Management System (WMS).
The WMS system is a web based Collaborative Authoring, Work Flow, and Document Management system built for the
International Cancer Information Center (ICIC), to improve efficiency in dealing with Cancer related documents.
ICIC is part of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), which is under the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Background Summary
ICIC Cancer Information Summaries - and the role of the editorial boards.
This revision process is done by peer review boards composed of health care
professionals who assess the information and related articles and findings and prepare
recommended editorial changes to established Summaries, and also provide recommendations
regarding the creation of new Summary text. In addition to the ICIC staff, Summaries may
also be prepared by contract writers or by Core Editorial Board Members. In addition to the
creation of the various versions, (Health Care professional Cancer Summaries and Trial
Abstracts, Patient Summaries and Trial Abstracts, and English and Spanish versions), the ICIC
must also maintain these documents, reviewing them on a regular basis for new information and
references that should be added.
The Summaries review process involves ICIC staff members, contractor support, and the support of a wide network of Health Care professionals and health care professionals from around the country. The Core Editorial Boards (peer review boards) meet at the invitation of the ICIC Board Managers. These staff members are responsible for overseeing the entire process of Summary content creation and editorial change. The Work Management Software (WMS) - Document Management Capabilities 
The WMS Document Management capabilities were designed to manage and control the ownership, authoring,
release, and multiple versions of all of the documents in the system. This software
enables the ICIC to manage numerous documents concurrently, to identify where documents exist at
any time, and to be assured of the integrity of the documents in the collection.
The Work Management Software is a critical element in the transition the production
process into a real-time transactional system, because the document management database can
restrict the release of a new record until the moment it is finally approved.
The Document management software will maintain all document tracking information to include who is presently editing the information, data and userid of each person who has edited the material. It will record version information for the various components of all products, such as multi-media information that may be used in multiple products and other file information relating to the information itself. This data is currently maintained manually with individual desktop software (lists, spreadsheets, memos, etc.). This function will be totally automated by the use of document management software. The Work Management Software - Workflow Capabilities
It allows for the automation of the movement of documents between individuals, track tasks, project status, and work history. It permits the distribution of work tasks simultaneously to Board Members, Managers, and contractors. Work Management Software - Extranet Application (Board Member Interface)
The WMS Extranet Application extends the ICIC internal information systems out to external
participants (board members, advisors, and physicians) through the use of an extranet
application. An extranet is a controlled intranet environment (security protected) that
provides limited access to non-staff members.
This system will provide administrative capabilities for board management. This application will also extend the electronic reach to non-staff members with information for review and the collection of comments and recommendations. This extranet application uses the unique capabilities of the Internet to distribute and collect information quickly and cheaply. As the use of the electronic media increases, it will decrease the manual process (hard copy distribution) workload, and ICIC efficiency and effectiveness will increases. Work Management Software - Imaging Software 
The Work Management System incorporates custom imaging software that scans and
transforms documents into electronic documents that you can view, edit, and distribute.
The following features are used in the Work Management System: Work Management Software - Desktop Software
The WMS uses a customized Word template that is used when editing the summaries. The
board manager will use this template when reviewing changes to the summaries.
The template includes new Word functionality, options, and views. There is a revision toolbar that allows the board manager to "step thru" the document one change at a time, and providing the option to either Accept or Reject the proposed change. The toolbar can also be used to enter in comments that are associated with the document, but do not clutter up the actual content. Tracking Board Member Changes
In addition, when the mouse pointer is placed over a suggested change, a pop-up window will appear, displaying who made the change, what type of change it is (insert, delete), and the date and time the change was made. There is also the capability to include comments. Work Management System - Literature Review Process 
During the literature review cycle, medical journal articles are evaluated and decisions are made on
whether they warrant review by the Editorial Boards.
Once a journal article is deemed appropriate for board review, it is scanned in by CIAT (Aspen). At the same time, Meta data is entered in that describes the journal article. The WMS system indexes and stores this Meta data and links to the scanned document in its internal database (SQL Server). Work Management System - Technologies Used
Correspondence Tracking System - Food and Drug Administration, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) 
Developed a PC based computerized tracking system in dBase III+, allowing Food and Drug Administration technicians to log &
help keep track of mail correspondence from the public to the Food and Drug Administration, Center for Drug Evaluation and
Research department.
This database driven system replaced their existing manual paper-based method and was in production use for more than six years. This system included reporting functions, administrative and maintenance functions, and search capability. Student Class Rosters - University of Maryland 
This project involved taking the output of old Legacy/Mainframe programs (DEC VAX mainframe environment, COBOL programs), and
converting it into HTML. The output in this case was the Student Class Roster reports, which were usually hundreds of pages long.
Anchor tags were put inside the HTML report file, and used in conjunction with a navigation bar that is displayed in the top frame of the window, allowing users to quickly move around in the report. The navigation bar allows users to search by Department, Instructor, or Course, or browse through the very large report in increments by Department, Instructor, or Course. The technologies used for this project were COBOL program modifications, extensive JavaScript functions and logic, and HTML. Online Job Documentation System - University of Maryland, Service Center 
The Online Documentation System was a project to convert the manual paper based documentation associated with the computer
programs used by the University of Maryland System for administrative operation.
This documentation consisted of thousands of documents supporting millions of lines of computer coding. The documentation was converted into HTML format, indexed and cross-referenced. A powerful search and retrieve function was built, along with the capability to browse through the documents in a logical and easy way. Using this web interface, the various University of Maryland Institutions across the state running this software could easily find and view the required documentation. The technologies used were HTML, Unix, Searching and Indexing software, and utilities to convert the documentation into HTML format. Service Center website - University of Maryland, Service Center 
Responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of the website for the University of Maryland Service Center.
The University System of Maryland Service Center is a support organization composed of expert consultants, developers, technicians and trainers. The Center provides responsive, service-oriented hardware and software support, consulting, and specialized training to its Charter Members, which include: Bowie State University, Coppin State College, Frostburg State University, Salisbury University, Towson University, and the University of Baltimore. Support services also extend to other member institutions of the University System of Maryland when extended collaborative efforts warrant. 
Board Advisory Committee - University of Maryland, Service Center
Responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of the Board Advisory Committee website for the University of Maryland Service Center. The University System of Maryland Service Center is a support organization composed of expert consultants, developers, technicians and trainers. The Center provides responsive, service-oriented hardware and software support, consulting, and specialized training to its Charter Members, which include: Bowie State University, Coppin State College, Frostburg State University, Salisbury University, Towson University, and the University of Baltimore. Support services also extend to other member institutions of the University System of Maryland when extended collaborative efforts warrant.
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