Need a software idea?

[TigerSoftware]

Start reading ebooks or books in markets you want to enter. It is that simple. I am starting to develop some copy writing skills. After reading a ebook, I got a idea for a fantastic piece of software.

It does help you brainstorm even if you have a idea already. Research always helps define your product making it even better.


Thomas

[DominicW]

Here is an exercise that works well for me. Pick up 5 or more business cards from local businesses that you visit regularly. When you have your mind mapping and brain storming session, make a list of the different data that that business collects to run efficiently.

An example, a local vet clinic needs to track customers, pet visits, billing, marketing, stock of both retail and prescription inventory etc. TSB can not only do this, but can offer many great features above and beyond that are not 'bloat' and in fact can make life easier. Until a network enabled TSB comes out, I would focus on small operations.

Research others in those industries, find out what level of competition exists. I found that in certain industries there are not many competitors for one of two reasons: low demand/low value or established software holding a monopoly.

TSB gives you a phenomenal advantage to be quick in releasing updates and value added editions. Most companies, even ones that use the 'agile development' model can not compete in speed with you as a TSB developer. The second advantage, and maybe even more profitable, is the ability to customize a version of your software for a particular business. Maybe one such vet clinic wants an employees module that has specific content that other like businesses may find not useful. Instead of bloating a single release, you can charge a fair fee to customize your main release specifically for that business.

Use the 'agile development' model to your advantage when marketing. Here are some of the main keys to this style of development:

1. Customer interaction helps decide the path of the future of the software
2. Collaboration with peers or developers in design
3. Simple software that is easy to use over software that requires too much documentation
4. Strategy instead of planning - simply put, react to changes in the vertical instead of sticking to a long term plan (most important point to any business' success)
5. A focus on individual interaction instead of drawn out processes.

While TSB is a Rapid Application Development program in most respects, the agile development model can quickly be adapted in most areas and then those areas can be marketed. For example, marketing a 'simple-anyone-can-use software package that is constantly evolving with only necessary features for their business' growth' is an easy sale over a company that is forcing annual contracts and high pressured sales teams to sell their software.

Another long winded post by your's truly, hopefully it is helpful in some way! :D

[StewartAlexander]

This helps a lot Dominic. I'm going through some of your past posts. You have some really useful ones. Where are you? Your expertise is needed in here :-)

Stewart