nSphere Inc. Blog

Site Operations Manager @ nSphere

nSphere is now hiring a Site Operations Manager. You will be responsible for all infrastructure for several 24/7/365 web applications. This position combines significant hands-on work with design and managerial challenges. The Site Operations Manager will report to the CTO.

Software Architect @ nSphere

Software Applications Engineer @ nSphere

DirectoryM Re-Launches as nSphere; the New Leader in Aggregating Local Information

BOSTON - (BUSINESS WIRE) - DirectoryM today announced that the company has re-launched under its new name, nSphere. This re-launch represents the company’s expanded mission: combining media brands, data sources and local experts to satisfy the local online information needs of the average user and help organize their life locally.

nSphere has partnered with more than 1,700 media brands, 10,000 data sources and 2,000 local experts to create the most comprehensive local online information available on the Web. nSphere allows users to view search results for local services, events, relevant articles and more-all aggregated on a single, easy-to-navigate page. As evidenced by its significant growth in monthly visitors, aggregating data in this way allows nSphere to provide the most relevant local information to consumers.

nSphere is able to provide the Web’s most timely and relevant local listings by combining the constant collection and organization of existing information with proprietary data sources from reputable organizations such as Citysearch, USLegal, UCompareHealthCare and many more. The company matches this information with relevant contextual ads, opinions and advice from credible, local experts and adds the ability for the community to engage and interact with the information.

Combining these data sources into one destination allows nSphere to be a one-stop resource for local online search. This information is also syndicated to the company’s impressive list of media brand partners including Car and Driver, HealthVideo.com, BobVila.com, Kiplinger and many more, making the information easy to find on sites consumers already frequent across the Web.

There is a clear need for aggregated local information as the vast majority of purchase-oriented research in North America is now locally driven-but results are fragmented at best. These fragmented results make it difficult for consumers to find what they are looking for and ultimately lead to frustration. To solve this problem, nSphere has created a dynamic repository of all locally relevant data inputs, built on a technology platform that creates data spheres to better satisfy user intent.

“nSphere helps users connect with the local services and information they seek,” said Panos Bethanis, CEO of nSphere. “Whether the information you’re looking for is publicly available or not, we intend to be the leader in delivering all relevant local information online. The new name more accurately represents the infinite amount of data we are organizing-the mathematical integer n—and the way in which it is collected and aggregated-a data sphere with many different points of entry.”

nSphere Organizes Information Locally Online

People use the internet to search for information related to nearly every aspect of their daily lives. For this reason, nSphere organizes its information into a wide variety of categories. For example, a recently engaged couple may be looking to plan their wedding in San Diego. nSphere would present the couple with a list of vendors provided by the Association of Bridal Consultants, relevant articles from Brides.com and expert advice from Sharon Cole, a local wedding planner and owner of A Dream Wedding by Sharon Cole. The couple may also find a list of potential local venues, bridal expos in the area and other relevant local information.

In another example, an expectant mother is looking for local information and resources on pregnancy, at which point nSphere would provide a list of local doctors from FindaDoc.com, articles from recent mothers on ObGyn.com and Pregnancy.org as well as advice from Dr. Jenifer Moore, a local pregnancy and breastfeeding expert in her area. In addition, she may also be presented with a list of birthing classes, support groups and other locally-focused information she would not be able to easily find elsewhere.

In a third situation, a family looking to remodel their home in Lancaster County, Penn. is presented with a list of local licensed contractors provided by Contractors.com, articles on remodeling from Bob Vila’s website and advice from Matt Blank, a local licensed contractor. Other relevant data presented may include sales information for local home improvement stores, lists of home shows in the area and do-it-yourself remodeling classes.

Local Experts

In order to ensure that nSphere has the best local information available, the company is actively seeking additional local experts like Sharon Cole, Dr. Moore and Matt Blank to write articles, blog posts and reviews for businesses, industries and topics relevant to their geographical location. This is a great opportunity for subject matter experts to have their work syndicated to top-tier media brands-and includes a direct link back to their website of choice. Those interested in becoming a local expert and having their work distributed for free across a network of relevant name-brand media outlets can visit the website.

“Becoming a local expert for nSphere has been a great opportunity to share my knowledge and grow my business,” said Matt Blank, from MBC Building & Remodeling, LLC in Lancaster County, PA. “My work has been distributed across sites such as BobVila.com, Fixr.com and other media outlets. I’ve not only been able to share my expertise, but I’ve also received a great number of new business opportunities from people who have read my articles.”

About nSphere Inc.

nSphere satisfies the local online information needs of the average user by combining trusted media brands, data sources and local correspondents to better aggregate local search. With more than 1,700 media brands, 10,000 data sources and 2,000 local correspondents, nSphere has the most comprehensive local information available on the Web as evidenced by its more than 20 million unique monthly visitors. nSphere allows users to view search results for local services, events, relevant articles and more, aggregated on a single, easy-to-navigate page.

Founded in 1999, the company was purchased by its employees in 2007 and re-launched under the nSphere name in July 2010. nSphere is headquartered in Boston, with development offices in China and India and a presence in 12 international markets. More information can be found at www.nsphereinc.com.

fama PR
Nicole Cornwell, 617-758-4191
nsphere@famapr.com

IT Manager Position @ DirectoryM

IT Manager

DirectoryM (BET Information Systems, Inc) is now hiring an IT Manager. You will be responsible for servers at DirectoryM that power global 24/7/365 web applications. This position combines significant hands-on work with design and technical challenges. The IT Manager will report to the Director of Site Operations.

Job Responsibilities:

• Consult with business unit and IT management, vendors to determine system requirement (software, hardware, and integration)
• Manage/Lead software projects development and integrate team effort along the entire business process. Build detailed project plans, document specification, manage scope, rely on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goal
• Handle technical design and implementation of high volume data driven web applications
• Prepare project specifications; negotiate with management regarding scope and resources
• Prepare budget and resource plans. Provide detailed analysis of technology trends, industry direction, and application portfolio demands.
• Communicate with stakeholders (managers, vendors, team members, etc).
• Provide innovative ideas and solutions

• B.A. or B.Sc in Computer Science or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience.
• Experience with MySql (running on Windows Server 2003)
• Experience with MSSQL Server (running on Windows Server 2003)
• Database tuning
• Query analysis & optimization
• Backup and restore planning
• IIS & Windows Server 2003
• Strong communication skills.
• Proven ability for independent work.
• Located in the greater Boston area.

A Twitter stream is now available for system status updates

In an effort to increase transparency and support for our partners & clients, the DirectoryM engineering team is pleased to announce a new Twitter account for system status / maintenance notifications. We will announce system upgrades and maintenance notices here. In the event of issues or downtime, we will post notices and ETAs for fixes here.

The Twitter feed is protected, so you must follow the feed and be approved to see the updates.

http://twitter.com/dm_status

@dm_status

Quality Engineer (QE / QA) @ DirectoryM

Job Summary:

DirectoryM is now hiring a Lead QA Engineer in our Boston, MA office. Help develop real-world, highly scalable Web services, used by millions of people every month. Reporting to the QA Manager, this position encompasses all aspects of Software Quality Engineering, from test creation and deployment, to automation, to process improvement. It requires a technical understanding of ASP.NET, C# and MS-SQL & MySQL databases. DirectoryM uses a fast-paced, feature-oriented development methodology with short development cycles and quick release cycles.

Responsibilities:

• Test planning/documentation/execution
• Test web applications, web sites, web services
• Test Automation (up to 25% of testing)
• QE process and tool improvement
• Design, specification, and test review
• Assist in Usability Testing

• B.A. or B.Sc. in Computer Science or equivalent
  - 4 to 10 years of software quality engineering experience
  - 4+ years of Web QE experience
  - 2+ years Test Automation experience
• Experience with grey- and white-box testing methods
• Demonstrable knowledge of Microsoft ASP.NET architecture and coding, C#, Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL Server, XHTML, CSS, JavaScript
• Strong communication and English language skills.
• Proven ability for independent work.
• Located in the greater Boston area.

Principal Software Developer Position @ DirectoryM

Job Summary:

We are currently hiring a full-time Principal Software Engineer. This position will deliver significant new functionality to DirectoryM’s customer facing application suite. You will be responsible for the entire development life cycle, including requirements, architecture, design, coding, test and debug, and deployment.

Responsibilities:

Ideal candidate will have experience in building high volume web applications using C#, ASP.NET, MySQL and SQL Server. Your primary responsibilities will be the development of new web-based applications and upgrading existing production applications. Strong database experience is also necessary, so you must have a thorough understanding of SQL. This is a 100% hands-on position responsible for both front-end and back-end development in a team environment.

Preferred Languages & systems:

· Web Standards (HTML, XML, XHTML, CSS)
· C# & ASP.NET
· IIS 6.0, Windows 2003
· SQL Server 2000 / 2005
· MySQL

Minimum job requirements:

· B.A. or B.Sc. or equivalent
· 7+ years of professional software engineering experience
o 2+ years of production .NET experience
o 2+ years of Web development experience
· Deep experience with MS development tools, including MS SQL Server, ASP, ASP.NET and MS Visual Studio
· Strong software engineering process skills
· Strong verbal and written presentation skills
· Proven capacity to work independently and manage multiple, competing demands
· Located in the greater Boston area


DirectoryM is a fast-growing, exciting company with over 30 employees in Boston MA and offices in London, Paris, China & Central America. We offer highly competitive compensation packages and a full range of benefits. DirectoryM is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are privately held and financially sound. You can learn more about us at DirectoryM.com.

Please send your resume directly to Jobs@DirectoryM.com.

Junior Software Developer Position @ DirectoryM

This position will deliver significant new functionality to DirectoryM’s customer facing application suite. You will be responsible for the entire development life cycle, including requirements, architecture, design, coding, test and debug, and deployment.

Responsibilities:

Ideal candidate will have experience in building web applications using C#, ASP.NET, MySQL and SQL Server. Your primary responsibilities will be the development of new web-based applications and upgrading existing production applications. Strong database experience is also necessary, so you must have a thorough understanding of SQL. This is a 100% hands-on position responsible for both front-end and back-end development in a team environment.

Preferred Languages & systems:

· Web Standards (HTML, XML, XHTML, CSS)
· C# & ASP.NET
· IIS 6.0, Windows 2003
· SQL Server 2000 / 2005
· MySQL

Minimum job requirements:

· B.A. or B.Sc. or equivalent
· 2+ years of professional software engineering experience
· Strong verbal and written presentation skills
· Proven capacity to work independently and manage multiple, competing demands
· Located in the greater Boston area


DirectoryM is a fast-growing, exciting company with over 30 employees in Boston MA and offices in London, Paris, China & Central America. We offer highly competitive compensation packages and a full range of benefits. DirectoryM is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are privately held and financially sound. You can learn more about us at www.DirectoryM.com.

Please send your resume directly to Jobs@DirectoryM.com.

Journal of New England Technology DM Article

DirectoryM has made headlines once again, but this time in the Journal of New England Technology. Although the article discusses DirectoryM finances and earnings, it focuses primarily on the effort to increase localized content, which recently included investing $2 million into expanding DirectoryM’s online database centralization. Content centralization focuses on supplying consumers with relevant business services and information, and DirectoryM, according to cofounder and CEO, Panos Beathanis, is striving for global recognition: “Our goal is to become the central database in…countries well before anybody even thinks of database centralization.”

If you’d like to read the Journal of New England Technology article on DirectoryM, please click the following link: http://www.masshightech.com/stories/2009/07/13/daily22-DirectoryM-invests-2M-in-its-online-database.html