IEEE Enterprise Browser Strategy - IEEE Brand Experience

IEEE Enterprise Browser Strategy

IEEE Enterprise Browser Strategy

IEEE site managers and contributors should refer to the following browser-related guidelines and processes when creating or maintaining IEEE sites. Email the IEEE Browser Team

Guiding Principle

In keeping with IEEE’s aspiration of delivering a best-in-class user experience by aggressively leveraging technologies, IEEE will utilize a progressive enhancement strategy to support web browsers. The core of this strategy is:

  1. to ensure IEEE websites can support a basic level of content and functionality when viewed on most available browsers, while;
  2. taking specific actions to optimize IEEE websites to take advantage of the latest browser capabilities and technologies as they become available and are adopted by users.

IEEE.org Browser Policy And Update Process

The IEEE.org Browser Policy is reviewed and updated (as needed) by IEEE IT, Pub Tech, and the Experience Design on a semi-annual basis to coincide with the enterprise release schedule. Updates to the policy are based on the following data:

  • Available browser versions
  • Browser usage data for IEEE websites as shown by enterprise web analytics systems
  • Browser usage that is approaching or has reached a critical mass of users (e.g., >10%)
  • Emerging trends (e.g., a particular browser usage quadrupling over a few months)
  • Available industry data on browser adoption
  • Browser-related user and customer calls, complaints, and requests
  • Vendor support (IEEE will not optimize for browsers after the vendor stops supporting them)

Browser Compliance Requirements For IEEE Websites

New sites or releases: Site managers should certify compatibility with all browser versions outlined in the IEEE.org Browser Policy. Sites should also be tested against all other high-use browser versions, and issues should be addressed where feasible. Prior to the launch of the new site or site release, known discrepancies should be brought to the attention of the IEEE Browser Team, who will evaluate whether immediate remediation or policy disclaimers are needed. Discrepancies may also include issues related to dependencies on JavaScript, Flash, or other rich media, non-standard screen resolution, or pop-up windows. Existing sites: IEEE flagship sites (sites in the IEEE meta-navigation) should do the following at least three times a year:

  • Review site-specific browser usage data and trends.
  • Re-certify the site for compliance with pending policy updates (as applicable).
  • Update site-specific browser requirements/statements based on data review (as applicable).

All other IEEE-branded site managers should re-certify their sites annually to ensure adherence to the policy.

Site-Specific Browser Information

All IEEE sites should include a link to site-specific browser requirements and/or statements. These should be equal to or more inclusive than the IEEE Browser Policy and should note any approved discrepancies or optimization instructions. The requirements/statement serves as an indicator to both IEEE and users that the site has been tested and certified in accordance with the IEEE Browser policy. The site-specific browser information should be reviewed and updated annually, based on updates to the IEEE Browser Policy (except flagship sites, which may require more frequent updates as noted above).

Browser Defects

In rare instances, browser defects may prevent site managers from being able to optimize site performance for a particular browser version. Such situations should be reviewed with the IEEE Browser Team.