Is my idea sound?
Discussion
I've created a little online tool for an idea that I think has legs, but would be interested in the feedback of the masses (or at least, you lot).
Essentially the whole thing surrounds the idea of document sign off, regardless of the industry.
Things are kind of limited at the moment, I've built it on my own time, and have zero budget and marketing, but before I move forward setting up payment gateways and the like and inducing costs, I'd be grateful for some honest feedback good or bad.
The app is here: http://www.boxfileapp.com
Don't be kind
Essentially the whole thing surrounds the idea of document sign off, regardless of the industry.
Things are kind of limited at the moment, I've built it on my own time, and have zero budget and marketing, but before I move forward setting up payment gateways and the like and inducing costs, I'd be grateful for some honest feedback good or bad.
The app is here: http://www.boxfileapp.com
Don't be kind
Like it.
Can see this have a use in the creative industry where - despite policies and procedures - sign-offs generally mean an email or phone call to say "yeah, fine, good to print".
Things we'd be interested in are:
1) Legality. Can we enforce the law to such an extent that if a client clicks "sign-off" they can't then later wriggle out of should they decide they shouldn't have signed it off?
2) Branding. Can we re-skin it so it looks like us rather than an third-party plug in?
3) Cost. It's not an essential tool for us. Nice but not a critical "must have" and I suspect, the same for others so the price really has to reflect this.
HTH
Can see this have a use in the creative industry where - despite policies and procedures - sign-offs generally mean an email or phone call to say "yeah, fine, good to print".
Things we'd be interested in are:
1) Legality. Can we enforce the law to such an extent that if a client clicks "sign-off" they can't then later wriggle out of should they decide they shouldn't have signed it off?
2) Branding. Can we re-skin it so it looks like us rather than an third-party plug in?
3) Cost. It's not an essential tool for us. Nice but not a critical "must have" and I suspect, the same for others so the price really has to reflect this.
HTH
I like the idea and the usability and layout shown on the tour look good.
Are you aware of GetSignOff
Don't think it's really direct competition as it's focused on helping web designers to get sign off. Made by Paul Boag's firm.
Also, I recently came accross this videowhich is basically an experts opinion on what makes a web app succesful. May be some use.
Good luck with it, keep us updated!
Are you aware of GetSignOff
Don't think it's really direct competition as it's focused on helping web designers to get sign off. Made by Paul Boag's firm.
Also, I recently came accross this videowhich is basically an experts opinion on what makes a web app succesful. May be some use.
Good luck with it, keep us updated!
I think it is a nice idea, and maybe I am missing an important issue, but I am not sure that such a business actually solves a problem which couldn't be done in a more simple way, and secondly opens up a number of other issues.
Again, maybe I am missing the USP here, but taking the idea down to its base, what you want is an irrefutable way to confirm a job is complete and to cover your behind should their subsequently be issues.
At the moment when we contractualise things and get confirmations we simply get someone to fax or post something to us with a signature. Alternatively, we actually prefer correspondence by email, as this provides a permanent record. Also, from a legal standpoint, an acceptance or confirmation by email is just as binding.
Therefore at the moment, I fail to see where this would add value, and may even make the process more complex if a client needs to sign up or log into something instead of just email us.
There is also the matter of 'when things go wrong' - which I am guessing is half of the selling point of this, to ass cover. Except, for a user of this system, that becomes hugely more difficult. Playing a scenario out, should a client say "No I didn't confirm" or "I didn't confirm this." or "Their system has a mistake." then to follow that up legally is a lot more complex.
To give an example, in litigation recently, their solicitors backed down completely because I was able to state an exact date, time, email address, and server we received a confirmation from. Those words could not magic themselves. However, in this kind of system, to have legal backing, you might actually have to be called as a witness to how robust the system is should it be called into question.
Secondly, on that matter, should that end sour and a client not pay, you may very well be on the receiving end of litigation should there be an error alleged...
Again, maybe I am missing the USP here, but taking the idea down to its base, what you want is an irrefutable way to confirm a job is complete and to cover your behind should their subsequently be issues.
At the moment when we contractualise things and get confirmations we simply get someone to fax or post something to us with a signature. Alternatively, we actually prefer correspondence by email, as this provides a permanent record. Also, from a legal standpoint, an acceptance or confirmation by email is just as binding.
Therefore at the moment, I fail to see where this would add value, and may even make the process more complex if a client needs to sign up or log into something instead of just email us.
There is also the matter of 'when things go wrong' - which I am guessing is half of the selling point of this, to ass cover. Except, for a user of this system, that becomes hugely more difficult. Playing a scenario out, should a client say "No I didn't confirm" or "I didn't confirm this." or "Their system has a mistake." then to follow that up legally is a lot more complex.
To give an example, in litigation recently, their solicitors backed down completely because I was able to state an exact date, time, email address, and server we received a confirmation from. Those words could not magic themselves. However, in this kind of system, to have legal backing, you might actually have to be called as a witness to how robust the system is should it be called into question.
Secondly, on that matter, should that end sour and a client not pay, you may very well be on the receiving end of litigation should there be an error alleged...
JustinP1 said:
I think it is a nice idea, and maybe I am missing an important issue, but I am not sure that such a business actually solves a problem which couldn't be done in a more simple way, and secondly opens up a number of other issues.
Indeed, but for some reasons, lots of companies still do this badly. For instance, you could manage a project with a set of post-it notes, but many resort to complex PM'ing software to make things easier.At the end of the day, it's designed to make things a little easier, and cheaply remove a common pain point. It alleviates the sign off issue, but also provides a simple way to store and manage project documents and communicate updates and the like with other project members, while keeping it secure.
beakr said:
skeeterm5 said:
Unfortunately there are a number of commercial packages which do this and more besides.
S
Such as? And why can't there be another that does it differently?S
Most of these products are expensive and bloated. So as you say I'm sure there's room for another far cheaper solution that doesn't require you to hire consultants to install and run it.
beakr said:
JustinP1 said:
I think it is a nice idea, and maybe I am missing an important issue, but I am not sure that such a business actually solves a problem which couldn't be done in a more simple way, and secondly opens up a number of other issues.
Indeed, but for some reasons, lots of companies still do this badly. For instance, you could manage a project with a set of post-it notes, but many resort to complex PM'ing software to make things easier.At the end of the day, it's designed to make things a little easier, and cheaply remove a common pain point. It alleviates the sign off issue, but also provides a simple way to store and manage project documents and communicate updates and the like with other project members, while keeping it secure.
Gassing Station | Business | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff