West Monroe Partners Launches New Interactive Map for Taste of Chicago

Consultant Partners with Microsoft to Create an Innovative Solution Utilizing New Technologies to Enhance Event Visitors' Online Experience.

CHICAGO, June 16 /PRNewswire/ -- West Monroe Partners, a full-service business and technology consultancy, today announced that it has created and launched an innovative, interactive map utilizing Microsoft's new cloud platform, Windows Azure, to support the City of Chicago's annual Taste of Chicago event. From start to finish, the project took less than two weeks, culminating in launch of the map on June 5 to support the city's intensive preparations for Taste of Chicago, which begins on June 26, 2009.

To develop the interactive map appearing on the official Taste of Chicago website (http://tasteofchicago09.cloudapp.net), West Monroe Partners utilized Microsoft Silverlight, which delivers next-generation .NET-based media experiences and rich interactive applications for the Web. Additionally, the team selected Windows Azure to host the application, which is Microsoft's cloud platform that is currently in the community technology preview stage.

Working closely with Microsoft to address the City of Chicago's needs for enhanced planning features, West Monroe Partners used Silverlight and its Deep Zoom technology to create the interactive map, which helps Taste of Chicago guests to plan their visit in advance. Employing a user-friendly interface that accommodates all levels of Internet experience, the map's interactive features enable visitors to zoom in and out of the event layout, search by date and time of their visit, sort by vendor and venue, and print customized maps to take with them to the event.

In addition to developing the interactive Taste of Chicago map, West Monroe Partners and Microsoft also partnered to create a hosting solution that could handle the web site's user load-including half a million views. The hosted Microsoft Windows Azure solution provides the equivalent capacity of 25 purchased servers, with no infrastructure investment required by the City of Chicago.

"We are pleased to have this opportunity to support the City of Chicago and one of its flagship events," said Cory Chaplin, Technology Solutions Practice Lead for West Monroe Partners in Chicago. "Our strong partnership with Microsoft, in combination with our expertise in user-experience design, enabled us to respond quickly with a solution that not only addresses the city's needs, but also provides a useful resource for the many visitors to Taste of Chicago."

West Monroe Partners is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner. The two organizations regularly work together to develop creative, custom solutions for specific client needs.

"Microsoft is delighted to be involved with this effort and to be able showcase our new Windows Azure platform as part of the official Taste of Chicago website," said Geoff Nyheim, Vice President, Central Region Enterprise Sector. "The short time frame for developing and launching the interactive map is an excellent example of the potential for cloud computing, which can help organizations reduce the need for up-front technology purchases and help developers get new applications up and running quickly."

"West Monroe Partners demonstrated resolve, creativity, and real commitment in delivering this new interactive application in just nine days," said Megan McDonald, Executive Director for the City of Chicago. "Their professionalism and ability to understand and respond to expectations has enabled us to meet our goals. We are excited about this new resource that we are able to provide to Taste of Chicago visitors and are confident it will enhance their experience even further."

Launched in July 1980, the Taste of Chicago has changed the way Chicago celebrates the Fourth of July. Now in its 29th year, the multi-day, free-admission event features more than 50 restaurants from around the city and attracts more than 3 million visitors.

About West Monroe Partners

West Monroe Partners is a full-service provider of business and technology solutions with offices in Chicago, Columbus, Dallas, Montreal, New York, Seattle, and Toronto. Our nearly 200 consulting professionals partner with clients across a range of industries, harnessing our collective experience to produce better business results. Named one of Consulting Magazine's "Small Jewels," West Monroe Partners offers a refreshing, flexible approach tailored to our clients' priorities, budgets, capabilities, and environment. Visit our website at www.westmonroepartners.com.

    West Monroe Partners, LLC
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