Headline News
Redesigned LifeCare Web Site To Launch April 1

Enhanced functionality, easier navigation and greater personalization are the benefits of LifeCare's newly redesigned web site, which will be rolled out free to clients in phases over the next several weeks. The phased roll out begins April 1.

	The redesigned LifeCare web site features life event “portlets”—virtual doorways into specific work/life categories such as Child Care & Parenting, Adult Care & Aging, etc.

To ensure maximum convenience, the cutover to the new site will be seamless and transparent to clients and their employees, and the site itself will remain accessible to clients at their current URLs.

“The redesigned site definitely has a new look and feel,” says Jeffrey A. Burki, LifeCare's chief strategy officer, who also heads up the company's product development efforts.

“Basically, we wanted people to have the ultimate user experience in terms of ease of use and convenience. Our new design really takes huge steps forward in both of these areas. Plus, we've added some new features that take the personalized aspects of our site to another level.”

“Portlet” Power
One of the most noticeable changes to the site is the addition of life event “portlets” or doorways into specific work/life categories such as Child Care & Parenting; Adult Care & Aging; and Health & Wellness, to name a few. Every major work/life category has its own dedicated portlet, and each portlet contains convenient links to key features or featured content. “We've even created an HR portlet for the exclusive use of our clients' HR staffers,” Burki notes. The HR portlet contains various tools that clients can use to update exclusive content, change company-related news items, post benefits information, and the like.

Natural Language Search
Another reason it's easier to find specific information on the LifeCare site is because a new search engine has been positioned front and center on the site. It bears the header, “How can we make your life a little easier?” and it's powered by “natural language” search technology. This means users don't have to know technical or precise terms for what they need. They simply type in a word or a phrase that's natural to them and the search engine offers them a host of multimedia items to choose from. (Example: Someone looking for information on “assisted living” for an aging parent could simply enter the words “elder care assistance” into the new search engine. She would then be given a comprehensive list of related items which would include articles, web sites, audio tips, seminars, PDF publications, and discounts—all related to assisted living.)

Member Center Replaces Resource Center
The LifeCare Resource Center has been replaced by a new, more powerful Member Center, which enables users to:

	Retrieve personalized messages posted by LifeCare specialists
	Confidentially access their account activity, including educational materials and referrals
	Conveniently access a history of all their requests and transactions
	Confidentially save information, referrals, educational materials, etc. for longer periods of time
	Learn about benefits offered by their company
	Request that a specialist contact them by telephone

Other helpful features of the redesigned web site include:

	Navigation Trails and Cues—enable users to easily navigate back to sections they’ve visited and enjoyed.
	Recently Viewed Articles—enables members to save or revisit any articles they found particularly useful.
	Fast Access to Help—from every page of LifeCare.com, users can click the “Help” tab to e-mail the help desk or access a toll-free telephone number to speak with a help desk representative.
	Tool Tips—new messages that explain features of the site, reinforce that information is always kept private, and explain why we collect certain information.
	Rotating Promotions—key features of the site will be promoted regularly and on a rotating basis. (Examples: promotions may include offers for free educational materials, links to interactive calculators or worksheets, or reminders about other LifeCare products and programs you might offer.)
	Spotlights—monthly “spotlights” will continue to highlight seasonal themes, current issues and promotions, and their new prominent placement will make them even more visible.