Case Study:
BVDW Certificate Database

Customer

The Association of the Digital Economy (BVDW) e.V. has been the voice and representative of the digital economy in Germany for over two decades. The BVDW supports its members – companies and professionals from various sectors of the digital economy – with a broad range of services. This includes promoting professionalism and quality standards through certificates and codes of conduct, which play an important role in quality assurance and transparency. The association actively contributes to sustainable and reputable market design and supports its members in professionally mastering the continuous challenges of the industry.

Project

The Association of the Digital Economy (BVDW) e.V. faces the challenge of effectively showcasing and verifying the quality and competence of its members amid rapid technological developments and diversification of digital services. As the central representative of the Digital Economy, BVDW relies on the implementation and management of differentiated certificates and self-regulatory codes to guarantee the seriousness, professionalism, and expertise of its members. Given the large number of specialized services, from affiliate marketing to social media, and constant innovations in technology, BVDW requires a robust, user-friendly, and multifunctional certificate database.

The main goals of the project include creating a transparent, easy-to-navigate, and secure platform that not only reduces administrative effort but also provides an intuitive user experience for agencies, service providers, and submitters. The database should support efficient registration, multilayered data management, and automated processing and evaluation of certificate applications, ultimately contributing to strengthening credibility and trust in the digital economy.

Implementation

For the redevelopment of the certificate database, CosmoCode developed a comprehensive and technically sophisticated solution based on TYPO3. This content management system was chosen for its high flexibility in implementing complex data structures and ensuring high security.

The solution included the implementation of a registration and login process, application management, uploading and downloading of certificates, and points allocation, which can be both manual and automatic. Key to this was the development of a dashboard that facilitates the BVDW's efficient processing of incoming applications and provides an overview of customer satisfaction surveys.

To simplify operation, mechanisms were developed that allow users to duplicate the same data from previous years or transfer submissions to current years.

The design of the certificate database was developed by CosmoCode in strict adherence to the corporate identity guidelines of the client. This ensures that the visual design is not only functional and user-friendly but also accurately reflects the brand values of the client. Our targeted approach in the design phase resulted in a harmonious and consistent user interface that enhances the user experience while underscoring the client's professional appearance.