open invitation for innovative project ideas

What exactly is the requirement, Jay? Do you need to develop an application yourself? If so, how long do you have? Do you work by yourself or as part of a team? Or is this more a business project for which you're looking for ideas right now?

Hi Jay,

Here's an idea... sorry, I relish any chance at self promotion - but really - it could certainly help to make any software project "innovative" ;-)

Maybe you could consider using some kind of mobile technology. My website, Txtlocal.com provides anyone with a 100% free "SMS text keyword" on a number (e.g text "JAY" to 07786200350). We store the messages in an online mailbox where you can download them to excel. Txtlocal will also immediately forward a copy of the message to any email address of your choice or any webserver (receive the SMS texts in seconds using 2 simple HTTP POST variables).

All for free.

You could wrap a project around this - there are thousands of uses - e.g texting a code into a system to look up a stock query (e.g text "JKJS6726 10" to 07786200350 to check stock level and or order 20 Widgets), appointment reminders, emergency bulk sms text alerts for your university, a promotions system for the Students Union (using texts from just 3p each to customers who have opted in - effective lead generation. You could double the SUB turnover in a few months!!), an alerts system for the Housing Association, a text system for University Societies - for meeting reminders, change of venue etc, you can receive email addresses via text and auto-forward pdf brochures to them, email to sms (send an email to [email protected] and it is delivered to handset), sms to email, receive picture, audio or video messages to any email address, send the same out into the world... there are unlimited possibilities of where you can improve existing products and invent whole new exciting products of your own. Instant interaction with people using normal mobile text messages - where ever the recipient may be.

Every day I work with many 1000's of businesses (and University projects, experiments, county councils) and am now delivering several million text messages each month - and increasing at a staggering rate. As you can imagine, it's quite an exciting time here at Txtlocal and it is getting more so every day!

Mass adotion of SMS text as a mainstream business communications medium in the UK is happening **right now*** - & it's a great time to join the party

The inbound part of the system is totally free - and can alone add a lot of value to any project, but as I mentioned in this post http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=83202 - sign up with promo code UKBF and you can also get 30 free texts for sending messages back to the world.

Cheers,

Alastair
Txtlocal.com

jaymcgarry said:

Hi Steve,

Thanks for your interest. I'm in a group of five doing a masters in business information systems and we have to develop a software prototype and business plan for 'an innovative software product'.

I am hoping that maybe someone on these forums has a specific need that is not currently addressed by available IS solutions and would not mind sharing that need here.

We have until next June to complete the project and need to start identifying and specifying the product asap. We are looking for a relatively small and specific need to meet. It can be in any industry but cannot currently exist i.e. we wont get the geen light unless it is innovative.

Any idea that might save you time and money, or otherwie increase your profits or make your life easier would be very welcome.

Thanks,

J

Click to expand...

Before suggesting something, I do have more questions!

1) How does this work for a company with a need? Would you work with them to produce a specification of some type that could be the basis for your prototype? Would they receive a copy of the final application as payment for working with you? You'd benefit from working directly with a company, but they won't do that without some type of return on their invested time.

2) You have until next June and there are five of you. That's 40 person-months. Assuming you can each devote one weekend day and 2 hours on average per evening, that's about one person-year of effort. You should be able to produce a meaningful application with such a commitment. Have you thought of any ideas already consistent with this effort estimate?

A week or so ago, someone locally asked whether I knew of a company that could make a particular type of information available online for a quasi-government group. Apparently, this group is not well-funded, they operate reasonably independently of local government, and right now it's a right pain for them to store and retrieve information related to their work. The interesting thing is that their need, while seemingly minor, must be replicated all over the country. While this is in the US and wouldn't help you, it presents the seed of an idea.

What semi-official bodies are there in Britain that aren't well-funded? For example, what about the territorials or the special police? How do they make assignment and availability information available? What about local charities working on local relief work of some type? How do they coordinate their work? I'll bet you groups like this face challenges when it comes to storing, integrating, organising, and retrieving data. A few quick phone calls to local representatives and you could have found your need.

A few months ago an associate asked if I knew of a programme to handle personal trainer information. He needed something that could record client's personal details, regular check up information, training programme information, diet plans, etc. The information on check ups, training and diet must include client history over a six month period so changes could be monitored. If this is of interest contact me direct ([email protected]) and I will put you in touch with him.