Strategic Social Networking - Archive

Will Google’s Drive dropkick Dropbox?

Google is about to launch “Drive” a cloud-storage offering that will compete with Dropbox – a web-based file hosting service. Dropbox uses cloud storage to enable users to store and share files and folders with others across the Internet using file synchronization. Google’s offering is responding to the popular growth of mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. Also, Google’s product will be free, up to a certain size, for most users and businesses. Google Near Launch of Cloud Storage Service

According to The Wall Street Journal -

”If a person wants to email a video shot from a smartphone, for instance, he can upload it to the Web through the Drive mobile app and email people a link to the video rather than a bulky file,” the newspaper said. Google’s GDrive Reportedly To Launch As Dropbox-rival ‘Drive’

Google, the leader in Internet-based products and services is sure to be a leader with their cloud-computing product. Google Drive adds nicely to Google’s suite of web products and just might give Dropbox a swift kick to the curb.

Sandy McIntosh, February 22, 2012

The Hazy Future of Facebook

February 15th, 2012 | Posted by admin in Facebook | mobility | News | social media - (0 Comments)

Details of the Facebook announcement concerning its IPO continue to be discussed in a myriad of circles. Amidst the disbelief, rampant speculation and even a growing sense of outrage over standards and practices, a careful observer can find vague indicators of the direction the company seems intent on taking. In addition to publishing the S-1 Registration Statement, Mashable.com provides a cursory breakdown in the post “Facebook IPO: The Complete Guide“.

One of the more intriguing elements of the release draws attention to advertising, the social media site’s current form of revenue production. The two hundred and thirteen page document is said to mention the word advertising, along with mobile, approximately one hundred and twenty three times a piece. Perhaps unsurprisingly, there is little indication of how the latter will factor into the years ahead. The post continues:

“Facebook announced it generates a “substantial majority” of its revenue from advertising, more specifically from its partnership with Zynga. The gaming company contributed 12% of Facebook’s $3.71 billion — that’s almost $500 million.”

It will be interesting to see exactly how the relationship betwixt social media and the gaming industry develops, and if it will benefit shareholders. Many groups are already profiting from the coupling of mobile devices and various games and related software.

Still chief among the concerns for a portion of users and potential stockholders is privacy rights. Facebook continues to be a potentially destructive force in this area. It was recently named in connection with policy changes at Google, changes are being viewed as violating user’s rights.

Despite the size of the form, and the scheduled release of more information in the Spring, interested parties are left in large part to wonder what the future holds.

Micheal Cory February 15, 2012

Real Estate Sales Take Another Step Into the Twenty First Century

Among the many facets of the greater economic emergency still threatening much of the country, real estate remains one of the more volatile. In addition to the thousands left homeless or struggling with inflated mortgages, those who earn their living within the industry are searching for more effective ways to connect with what remains of the market. A recent article in Oregon’s The Register Guard, “Bringing Real Estate Into A Mobile World“, showcases a local enterprise attempting to increase communication twixt customer and agent.

RealLead is the Eugene based firm which describes itself as a company offering a variety of “mobile marketing tools” designed to link involved parties to pertinent information and each other with an emphasis on speed. Less than one year old, the small outfit hopes to capitalize on the widespread use of mobile devices and what they see as the growing desire for immediate access to information.

The firm has initiated testing of software which should aide in the expediting of the initial stages of real estate transactions. In an environment so prone to fluctuation, timing has proven to be a worthy concern. This is hardly the only hurdle in the path to success for realtors wandering a decimated marketplace, namely: convincing both agents and potential buyers to embrace the service, managing the technology beyond the beta stage, and perhaps most important, traversing the developing legal landscape associated with technology and privacy rights. The article continues on this topic and quotes RealLead CEO Caroline Cummings on the issue:

“As mobile devices become more and more ubiquitous, federal lawmakers continue to grapple with the question of how to balance businesses’ need to recruit new customers with consumers’ right to protect their personal information.

‘Of course we’re going to abide by the law,’ Cummings said. ‘We’re following the news, and we’ll adjust our data collection and delivery based on what is found in the legislation.’

‘That’s the great part of being an agile start-up. We track the trends, and we’ll adjust based on what the market demands,’ she said.”

If successful, RealLead and companies like them could play a major role in easing some small measure of the frustration associated with the industry and possibly help fan the embers of a smoldering market.

Micheal Cory February 14, 2012

The Influence of Small Business on App Development

February 9th, 2012 | Posted by admin in business process | mobility | News | security - (0 Comments)

It is difficult to deny the effect the proliferation of mobile technological advancements, especially in the rapidly expanding field of application development, are having on the commercial sector. As the slow economic recovery continues, businesses of all makes and models search for innovative and immediate methods to remain viable. In spite of the downturn, app development houses continue to enjoy successes and are increasingly turning their attention to existing and emerging small and medium sized businesses, or SMBs. Seizing upon the popularity of both mobile devices and social media, these companies are taking chances which could arguably strengthen the core of a flagging commercial infrastructure. This trend is lightly investigated in a recent post on ZDNet.com titled, “Mobility is Central to Hottest Small-business Technology Trends.”

Social media and cloud computing in particular have changed the way commercial entities of all sizes interact with customers. From publishing firms to local bakeries, the virtues of innumerable products are marketed and judged in real time. SMBs looking to employ the newest tech trends are poised to reap the most tangible benefits from the explosion of applications allowing customers to engage with companies, their products and each other.

The post poses a few questions as well as potential answers that the author feels reflect the reasoning behind this shift in attention, notably:

“A primary benefit of cloud-delivered software applications or services? Their ability to secure information and data centrally, while enabling SMBs to free up their employees to work from remote and branch locations while allowing collaboration within teams.”

The coming years will no doubt see the abandonment of certain trends and the embracing of others. Technology it seems remains poised to be the most exciting and profitable piece of tomorrow’s commercial puzzle.

Micheal Cory February 9, 2012

Grocery Stores Using Pushpins to Create Apps

February 8th, 2012 | Posted by admin in app | business process | mobility | News - (0 Comments)

It appears that grocery store chains are attempting to create their own iPhone device apps, and Pushpins, a company in the app building business exclusively, is vying for this business. This discussion, plus its pros and cons are discussed in great length in an article – Pushpins Founder Explains Why Grocery Stores Should Avoid Building Their Own Apps.

The article also features a question and answer platform between Appolicious, a mobile device app directory, and Pushpins CEO Jason Gurwin – Gurwin has this to say:

“Would you continue to stock a product if no-one purchased it? I use the same example with mobile apps. Everyone feels the need to have apps, but they build something no one wants. If you are a large chain, you will without a doubt get downloads, but they are vanity metrics. Before you invest in building one yourself, ask are your shoppers really going to USE your app?

Most retailers have decided to invest in “cookie cutter” apps that quickly give them a mobile presence. They include a basic shopping list, information about nearby stores, and a way to view the store circular.”

Pushpins argues some strong points in their favor and feels that retailers should stick to the task at hand and leave the app building to the experts. In fact, Pushpins offers a much broader product that will benefit both the grocery store chain and the consumer. Also, today’s busy consumers will embrace a more in-depth product that saves time and money, more readily.

Sandy McIntosh, February 08, 2012

Airline Passengers Getting Mobile Technology

Mobile device technology is fast and furious implementing check-in capabilities for air travel. According to an article, Airlines Move Closer to NFC Tech for Passengers – this new technology will enable passengers to create their own boarding passes, and open boarding gates and secure lounges, via their mobile devices.

Jim Peters, a SITA (Specialists in air transport communications and IT solutions) chief technology officer, said:

“Mobile NFC is still a maturing technology with multiple implementation models. We chose to implement a solution that takes full advantage of the secure element on the SIM card and over-the-air deployment from a trusted service manager (TSM) to the device.”

The airlines are spending lots of money to get this technology right, so it is definitely a sure thing we can look forward to. Passengers will soon be enjoying shorter waiting times that will enhance their traveling enjoyment! And, anything that will shorten our time at the airport will be a welcome perk for not just the weekly business travelers, but also the occasional vacationers as well.

Sandy McIntosh, February 07, 2012

Constant Contact gets loyal

January 31st, 2012 | Posted by admin in business process | marketing | mobility | smartphone - (0 Comments)

Constant Contact ® Inc. a marketing advisor to a half million small businesses worldwide has acquired CardStar Inc. a privately held software company that develops mobile applications that perpetuate the use of loyalty cards on smartphones, enabling merchants to tailor mobile deals and information to their customers. Details of the acquisition are explained in an article – Constant Contact Acquires CardStar, Inc.; Adds Mobile Loyalty Technology to its Suite of Online Marketing Tools to Help Small Businesses Grow

Gail Goodman, CEO of Constant Contact states:

“For small businesses, it’s all about finding and connecting with their next customer, whether that customer is returning or brand new,” said Goodman. “Today’s consumers don’t just want — but expect — to access information and make decisions on the go, and they want to be rewarded for their support and loyalty. The CardStar mobile loyalty application lives at the intersection of these needs, letting consumers engage with businesses on the go and providing businesses with expanded opportunities for the kind of customer engagement that drives business results.”

How cool is this – hearing about discounts and rewards from your favorite shop while on the go? I know when I hear a beep, my curiosity gets the best of me, and I just have to check it out. Most people are loyal to specific stores and getting this information instantly will most certainly enhance sales.

Sandy McIntosh

January 31, 2012