[John F]

yeah but get your sales staff trained not to abuse the potential customers and tell them they are stupid etc. also it may be a good idea to get them to stay sober or stop posting after 7 pm 

[GDwindowcleaning]

I think I would look after the sales and marketing myself lol I think there is a market there but would need pre orders and would want to find out exactly what window cleaners wanted and more importantly needed...

[deeege]

I think I would look after the sales and marketing myself lol I think there is a market there but would need pre orders and would want to find out exactly what window cleaners wanted and more importantly needed...

I disagree.

See Sean Dyers post above. I'd guess that:-

90% of window cleaners are happy with pen / paper.

8% of window cleaners use some type of computer based round management.

2%* of window cleaners want / need a cloud based management programme.

* 2% is probably way overestimating it. Could be as low as 0.1%

[concept]

I would only commit to the project if enough people came on board and preordered the app. There is a world wide market for apps and people clean windows all over the world so I am sure its feasable. It probably woundnt make millions but would make a good addition to my business....

As for people using pen and paper its what I did but if the right product was there I would have bought it....

So you'd only do it if people committed up front?

Dont you have confidence in your ability to make a product that will do everything that is required by users?

If you build it they will come.

[GDwindowcleaning]

Do other companies not test the market before they launch a product concept? And as for the percentages, it would only need a small percentage of all the window cleaners in the world to be a success...

[John F]

good point

[concept]

Do other companies not test the market before they launch a product concept? And as for the percentages, it would only need a small percentage of all the window cleaners in the world to be a success...

Havent had to pay Gardiners, Brodex, WCP, WCW, or anyone of the other numerous suppliers we use, an up front fee to develop the products we buy from them, so why would we need to pay you?

I don't get it?

Yes, research the product demand and requirements, but charge up front?! Dont see why you would require it if you can do what you say.

[GDwindowcleaning]

Concept I know you have an issue with me and thats fair enough, but where did I say prepay? I said preorder....

[Steve CM]

How would an app work? Wouldn't that just be for an individual to work from? How could that be centralized so that multiple users have it? Still would want to be able to invoice off of a main computer etc?

Anyone have ideas?

[concept]

Concept I know you have an issue with me and thats fair enough, but where did I say prepay? I said preorder....

What makes you say I have an issue with you? I'm merely saying, do it, if you can.

My mistake then, but when I preorder something, I generally have to pay for it, or a percentage of it.

[deeege]

Concept I know you have an issue with me and thats fair enough, but where did I say prepay? I said preorder....

Different words, same meaning.

[concept]

How would an app work? Wouldn't that just be for an individual to work from? How could that be centralized so that multiple users have it? Still would want to be able to invoice off of a main computer etc?

Anyone have ideas?

You will find out soon enough I'm sure!

Get that new machine working hard quick time.

[GDwindowcleaning]

Not getting into it on here but you seem to be taking great issue with what I am proposing.

I would ask for preorders so I could judge the market and then work with the people who preordered to build and test the product. I would offer a free trial so wouldnt ask for any money up front.

Clear enough?

[Steve CM]

Be a while off yet I'm sure

I'm just wondering how it could work as I'm intrigued to know as it sounds like it still would need to have a central system for invoicing, accounts etc.

[concept]

Great issue?

Hardly a great issue. Simply stating if you have the tools to make it, make it.

See..build it and they will come.

Preorder means prepay in my book, maybe not in yours, simply a misunderstanding George. Nothing personal, but take it how you will.

[GDwindowcleaning]

The app would simply be the interface between the user and the server. There would be a central database that could be accessed from any internet abled device as well as the app.

[deeege]

Not getting into it on here but you seem to be taking great issue with what I am proposing.

I would ask for preorders so I could judge the market and then work with the people who preordered to build and test the product. I would offer a free trial so wouldnt ask for any money up front.

Clear enough?

Sorry gd but this doesn't make sense.

If you ask people to preorder but not make any financial commitment then how is that in any way testing the market?

Every member on this site could preorder, with no interest of buying your new app that cost you £10k to bring to Market, then go and buy another similar product.

[concept]

Be a while off yet I'm sure

I'm just wondering how it could work as I'm intrigued to know as it sounds like it still would need to have a central system for invoicing, accounts etc.

At a guess...and it would be a guess, you would have different devices that could be synced instantly, end of day or week or whatever, uploading all info to the cloud, that the master user could see at any time?

No idea, but I know hat I mean, and I'm sure it would be possible.

[GDwindowcleaning]

Yes but it would give me some indication of what the interest would be, also the preorders would have chance to input in how the product works and also test the product. If they are involved and like what they have helped to develop then they will buy it.

It would be worse if I just sat down with my developer and built the product without asking any other window cleaners what they want and need.

Its market research...

[paul middleton]

I’d looked in to doing a app but to get a professional to build me one i got quoted about 5k and when i posted on her people just laughed at me so i did one for my self using filemaker and filemaker go and using dropbox to back it up. This still cost me £300 and a lot of time.