Comments on: The Idea – Talk About It http://www.harbott.com/2009/03/08/the-idea-talk-about-it/ Behind the scenes, following the code, business, design, marketing and inspiration of a CTO in a software company. Sat, 12 Nov 2011 19:51:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jonathan Phillips http://www.harbott.com/2009/03/08/the-idea-talk-about-it/comment-page-1/#comment-14 Jonathan Phillips Tue, 10 Mar 2009 11:25:24 +0000 http://www.harbott.com/?p=41#comment-14 It's a great idea...if built correctly could be 'revolutionary'. I do have concerns though about the variety of requirements for small businesses. Some need complex accounting, eCommerce requirements for their sector, operations/logistics function particular for their sector etc. If this was started in one market and then migrated to others (similar to the way SAP started - after all this would be effectively a small business ERP) then it may work. A 'general' release which is not sector specific may leave it falling between all the cracks. Good luck!! It’s a great idea…if built correctly could be ‘revolutionary’.

I do have concerns though about the variety of requirements for small businesses. Some need complex accounting, eCommerce requirements for their sector, operations/logistics function particular for their sector etc.

If this was started in one market and then migrated to others (similar to the way SAP started – after all this would be effectively a small business ERP) then it may work. A ‘general’ release which is not sector specific may leave it falling between all the cracks.

Good luck!!

]]> By: Arif http://www.harbott.com/2009/03/08/the-idea-talk-about-it/comment-page-1/#comment-13 Arif Tue, 10 Mar 2009 10:45:42 +0000 http://www.harbott.com/?p=41#comment-13 Yes definitely modular, some of the modules we have thought about are: finance/ bookkeeping, operations, CRM, reporting, marketing. All the tools to run a small business in one place, simple tools these are not for enterprises with complicated operations. When you start a business there is a lot to think about, and having all your tools in one place is one less thing to think about. Yes definitely modular, some of the modules we have thought about are: finance/ bookkeeping, operations, CRM, reporting, marketing. All the tools to run a small business in one place, simple tools these are not for enterprises with complicated operations. When you start a business there is a lot to think about, and having all your tools in one place is one less thing to think about.

]]> By: Jonathan Phillips http://www.harbott.com/2009/03/08/the-idea-talk-about-it/comment-page-1/#comment-12 Jonathan Phillips Tue, 10 Mar 2009 10:24:13 +0000 http://www.harbott.com/?p=41#comment-12 What would you consider to be the essential functions for the suite? Would it be modular so small businesses could choose the features they required? What would you consider to be the essential functions for the suite? Would it be modular so small businesses could choose the features they required?

]]> By: Arif http://www.harbott.com/2009/03/08/the-idea-talk-about-it/comment-page-1/#comment-11 Arif Tue, 10 Mar 2009 10:07:18 +0000 http://www.harbott.com/?p=41#comment-11 That is something we looked at but could not find a suite of solutions that solved our needs. However that is something we will consider for some parts of the app. That is something we looked at but could not find a suite of solutions that solved our needs. However that is something we will consider for some parts of the app.

]]> By: Jonathan Phillips http://www.harbott.com/2009/03/08/the-idea-talk-about-it/comment-page-1/#comment-10 Jonathan Phillips Tue, 10 Mar 2009 09:58:59 +0000 http://www.harbott.com/?p=41#comment-10 Would it be better to build clever communication links to these already competent applications...or to start from scratch and rebuild? Many companies have built very successful businesses by creating middleware that is never seen. The clever middleware acts as messenger between applications allow you to feed data from one to the other with ease in real-time... Would it be better to build clever communication links to these already competent applications…or to start from scratch and rebuild? Many companies have built very successful businesses by creating middleware that is never seen. The clever middleware acts as messenger between applications allow you to feed data from one to the other with ease in real-time…

]]> By: Arif http://www.harbott.com/2009/03/08/the-idea-talk-about-it/comment-page-1/#comment-9 Arif Mon, 09 Mar 2009 15:28:06 +0000 http://www.harbott.com/?p=41#comment-9 What I was trying to say that the idea my is not revolutionary, it is simply an amalgamation of lots of ideas that are already out there. I think if you wait for the revolutionary ideas, most times you will be waiting forever! What I was trying to say that the idea my is not revolutionary, it is simply an amalgamation of lots of ideas that are already out there.
I think if you wait for the revolutionary ideas, most times you will be waiting forever!

]]> By: Jonathan Phillips http://www.harbott.com/2009/03/08/the-idea-talk-about-it/comment-page-1/#comment-8 Jonathan Phillips Mon, 09 Mar 2009 15:23:41 +0000 http://www.harbott.com/?p=41#comment-8 "...Nothing revolutionary but it will be a one stop shop for small business owners..." What would be the revolutionary part...or is that secret squirrel? “…Nothing revolutionary but it will be a one stop shop for small business owners…”

What would be the revolutionary part…or is that secret squirrel?

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