Lightweight Models & Cost-Effective Scalability – Week 10

The final pattern that O’Reilly discusses is the Lightweight Models & Cost-Effective Scalability. This pattern reiterates similar aspects of previous patterns and discusses the importance of adopting a scalable, cost-effective strategy that encompasses business models. By undertaking these important factors in any business will endeavour to ensure the products are delivered to the market faster and cheaper without sacrificing any potential future growth.

Most of the time, less is more can be applied in this situation. Regardless of the situation of your development group within your organisation, small teams can easily make a significant difference in the industry. Allocating money to particular divisions, such as the market and advertising will help in the success of your business. Being able to adapt and scale accordingly will reduce the traditional costs that may be incurred and decrease the possible risks. Outsourcing is also another option to reduce costs.

Dropbox is a file-hosting service that offers storage for personal usage within the ‘cloud’. Users can store and share documents, photos, files within the ‘cloud’ and have access to them with just the internet.

Founded in 2007, Dropbox has grown significantly and now offers its services on multiple platforms (Windows, Mac, Android, Linux, Blackberry). Targeting a much larger market with the implementation of ‘cloud synchronisation’ has been beneficial in Dropbox’s success. Although Dropbox only has a limited storage capability, the option to pay for more storage is available. 2GB of storage is free and the more people that sign up recommended by you, expands that limit – resulting in another incentive. This will in turn help create revenue for the company and appeal to a larger audience base. Although Dropbox has under 100 employees, the success rate and users are invaluable to the company.

With over 50 million users, Dropbox is obviously doing it right. With the implementation of a successful business model, adaptability to chane with the trends, offer users what they want/need at an affordable price; it becomes evident why Dropbox is influencing online storage capabilities today.

References

CrushBase. (2012) Dropbox Profile

O’Reilly, T. (2005). Design Patterns and Business Models for the Next Generation of Software

Leveraging The Long Tail – Week 9

Leveraging the Long Tail, originated by Chris Anderson in 2004 is a concept that discusses the shift from mainstream products and markets to particular niche products. With the significant impact technology and internet in particular is having in society today, it’s easy to understand the need for the correct audience to be reached and targeted. The constant focus on ‘mainstream products’ is slowly growing away and being replaced with niche products. Providing the users with specifically targeted goods and services can end up working in the businesses favour and becoming a feasible aspect of their business.

An excellent example of this particular pattern is,iTunes. Established in 2001, iTunes has grown exponentially over the years. It provides the users with an application to play music, download, save and organise digital music and video files with ease. iTunes main attraction is the ability to manage this data on numerous apple products; iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad.

Apple rolled out iTunes specifically on Mac products only when it first begun but has quickly realised the potential benefits from providing a windows version to the users. This in turn, created a larger target market and resulted in much greater revenue and return on investment. Apple has cleverly provided its services considering the ‘low costs of production and distribution’. Allowing such a wide market to access their application, with the introduction of the ‘cloud’, has made the ability to access iTunes virtually anywhere, possible. Another brilliant aspect Apple has implemented is the fact iTunes has an infinite amount of shelf space. Providing the users with the iTunes application across the globe, regardless of your location allows for once again, more users to access the application.

The progress Apple has made with regards to the iTunes application across the years is phenomenal. Users can not only listen to music, but also rent, buy or preview HD movies and television shows to watch in the comfort of their own home. Rolling out these particular features allows the users to expand their usage within iTunes and maximise growth. Apple has continued to think about the user and expand on the functionality of the iTunes Store and what it can potentially offer the users, resulting in iTunes becoming the world’s number one music store.

References

Kaw, P. (2009) 6 Ways To Leverage The Long Tail In Your Marketing

O’Reilly, T. (2005). Design Patterns and Business Models for the Next Generation of Software

Perpetual Beta – Week 8

In today’s society, software has become an important aspect of any technological product. Ensuring software is currently updated, providing the user with ongoing services is a feature that happens simultaneously and usually without the user noticing. This particular concept can be identified as Tim O’Reilly’s 7th Pattern, Perpetual Beta. Due to the extent of applications that are now classified as ‘online services’, these can now be updated seamlessly.

Perpetual Beta identifies the need for on-going integration and development of numerous versions of the online services you are offering the users. Providing free updates quite frequently in the development stage ensures the users are receiving the changes as they occur. By doing so, the developers are able to see the outcome of their updates and what works or doesn’t work within the application. Engaging your users to be real-time testers, and structuring the service to reveal how people use your product is vital to ensure maximum efficiency, outlines O’Reilly.

A brilliant example for this pattern is Pottermore. Although this is a majorly nerdy site, revolved around Harry Potter and Harry Potter alone – it does showcase an excellent use of beta testing.

Pottermore was made available for registered beta release in July 2011, only to the first one million users that found the required ‘magical quill’ (treasure hunt). From this time, until its beta period ended in April 2012 – the site was constructed and improved on with constant feedback and input from the selective users. Due to the extend of information and extra activities that users can partake in, it was vital that the developers perfected the experience the users would have whilst on the Pottermore site.

For the nerds reading this post, you are able to experience additional information from chapters of J.K Rowling’s Series as well as enjoy potion classes, earn house points, learn spells and duel other users. Quite fun actually!

Opening the site the a select amount of users allowed Pottermore to construct and develop its website in order to cater to the users needs. These users were allowed to experience all facets and functionality of the website that are now available to the public. Being able to voice their opinion regarding their experiences allowed for the developers to once again, improve the quality of the site before it become open to the public. Having constant feedback forms, surveys and forums is another successful way in which they received the necessary comments to improve Pottermore. Learning what works within a new website, especially one of such calibre is crucial to maintaining its success in such a competitive industry.

What are people’s thoughts regarding beta sites? Has anyone experienced Pottermore?

References

O’Reilly, T. (2005). Design Patterns and Business Models for the Next Generation of Software

Pottermore Editor. (2011) Pottermore Beta & Beyond

Software Above The Level Of A Single Device – Week 7

The transition that has recently occurred, is that Web 2.0 can now be accessed from multiple platforms, not just a PC. Therefore, it becomes easy for software and applications to be easily accessed on numerous devices, e.g. – smart phones, tablets. With society evolving at such a rapid pace and with the impact technology has, it is inevitable that businesses or companies will strive if they offer their services to a larger audience, aka – allowing users to access their content virtually anywhere. No longer are people required to wait until they get home, kick their brother of the phone and dial up to their internet and then proceed to find the information… they can now access what they want, where they want and possibly through whatever platform they want as well.

However in saying this, simply creating a program that runs on both PC and smartphone can be difficult. It becomes obvious that certain applications cannot suit all devices or platforms due to the differences in the features that the device include.

Tim O’Reilly has defined this opportunity as “Software above the level of a single device”. A brilliant example of this pattern is Skype.

Skype is a free software that enables the user to communicate over the internet, through instant messages, voice calls and video chat. The ability to also transfer files and part take in videoconferencing is also available. These functions are all free regarding both users are using the software. Landline telephones and mobiles can also be contacted, incurring a small fee. Skype has been established since 2003, and has over 633 million users.

Skype now runs on multiple web browsers and mobile applications which support platforms such as iOS, Android, Blackberry and Windows 7.5. Facebook chat has also incorporated video calls, integrating the Skype platform. The great thing about Skype offering all these different platforms allows for the users to communicate from virtually anywhere. The features are similar via PC to smartphone and the experience that is offered is the same regarding the functionality. In saying this, the mobile versions of Skype have been altered in order to accommodate with smaller screen size and the users experience.

Skype has incorporated the use of multiple devices in order to maximise their target market and increase their business growth. Ensuring businesses are adapting to the technological trends will help to cement their future in the industry.

References

O’Reilly, T. (2005). Design Patterns and Business Models for the Next Generation of Software

Skype. (2012) Skype

Telecompaper. (2011). Skype grows fy revenues

Rich User Experiences – Week 5

O’Reilly’s Fourth Pattern “Rich User Experiences” discusses how applications are constantly transitioning from basic desktop programs into applications and platforms that are solely web based. With the continuation of such expansions as this – is poses the question . . . What will happen to desktop computers in the future? Will they appear obsolete?

Web 2.0 applications allow for the user to contribute and collaborate with others in real-time without the hassles of desktop programs. Moving to an online application will allow for people in today’s society function and communication with ease. Providing the users with a space to work, share and collaborate, multi-task and participate is imperative in becoming a successful “Rich User Experience” application.

Google Documents is a brilliant example of a Web 2.0 application that provides users with a unique and rich user experience, all online. Google Documents is much similar to Microsoft Word, however it is available all online. The ability to do this is what makes it more appealing in many retrospects. Being able to store the files online, (no back up needed) it allows for people on-the-go to utilise these options. Using Google Documents reduces the need for carrying around numerous different copies of documents on a USB, or even constantly emailing them to yourself. Another major advantage that Google Document has is the ability to share and collaborate with others. You can easily share the document you are working on with follow colleges or class members and the ability to edit, talk and collaborate can be performed with ease. This feature is widely used in corporations and businesses because a group of people can edit the document simultaneously. Therefore reducing any overlapping, over-saving, deleting information that may accidentally occur.

Google Documents is an ideal application that replaces the need to always be connected to a desktop. Having the ability to edit/share/collaborate on a document whilst on your iPad, tablet, etc is incredible. It provides the users with a Rich User Experience online and gives them an alternative option that suits their needs.

With the advances of technology ever increasing, it will be interesting to see whether online applications and programs will dominate the market and over power the desktop?

References

Google. (2012). Google Docs. Retrieved from http://www.google.com/google-d-s/documents/

O’Reilly, T. (2005). Design Patterns and Business Models for the Next Generation of Software. Retrieved from http://oreilly.com/pub/a/web2/archive/what-is-web-20.html?page=1

Innovation In Assembly – Week 4

O’Reilly discusses the third pattern “Innovation In Assembly” as outlining the importance of platforms replacing operating systems with the technology advancements that have occurred. Replacing desktop operating systems, web sites are utilising their skills and developing a web site that acts as a platform in itself for the users. In other words, this pattern involves a combination of functions from other applications that improve or enhance the service.

Through the use of API’s (Application Programming Interface), developers can access data from websites in which they can alter or manipulate for their own needs or requirements. A brilliant platform that showcases this is Twitter.

Twitter is a social networking site that allows users to update their ‘status’ and tell the world what they are doing in 140 characters or less. It uses a messaging system, otherwise known as ‘Tweets’ to do this. Twitter Developers have been integrating and embedding this functionality into numerous other websites, which results in the ability to ‘Tweet’ not only from the Twitter website, possible. Although their are guidelines and terms that need to be followed, both parties benefit. Twitter implements these guidelines to ensure that a similar interface is used throughout the brand image and that people become familiar with the ‘Brand’.

Twitter makes it extremely easy to embed their application into a website. If you visit this Twitter Page, you can see that just one line of code can implement the Twitter functionality into your website.

Due to the ease of use and access people can now have, developers have actually implemented the ability to Tweet in a variety of unexpected places. They are thinking outside the box and are using the platform in more ways that expected. Household appliances now have the ability to send status alerts over Twitter and it is now possible to send a Tweet to turn off the lights in your own home. Amazing or what? What other ways do you think Twitter could be implemented into everyday activities?

References

Calore, M. (2009). Twitter Fast Growing Beyond Its Messaging Roots | Epicenter | Wired.com. Retrieved from http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2009/02/twitters-hackab/

O’Reilly, T. (2005). Design Patterns and Business Models for the Next Generation of Software. Retrieved from http://oreilly.com/pub/a/web2/archive/what-is-web-20.html?page=1

Twitter. (2012). API FAQ | Twitter Developers. Retrieved from https://dev.twitter.com/docs/api-faq

Data Is The Next ‘Intel Inside’ – Week 3

The importance of data in applications is imperative and is becoming more valuable than the functionality. Being able to cater to the users needs on a personal level is an aspect that will differentiate your business from another. A brilliant application that showcases the second pattern from O’Reilly, “Data is The Next Intel Inside” is Youtube. Youtube is a website that relies heavily on the data that is uploaded on a daily basis. People have the opportunity to not only upload video but view and share videos online. With over 60 hours of video being uploaded every minute, Youtube relies significantly on the contribution from its users.

The information that YouTube obtains from the users is phenomenal. From simply liking a video, YouTube is able to suggest similar videos that may interest you. You can also favourite a video, comment or share the video with friends. Basically, the more information the user provides, the more YouTube can cater to their needs.

With the influence Youtube has on the world, it becomes evident that videos that are posted can and will be virally spread. By doing so, this can result in ‘overnight stardom’. For example, two young girls from America posted a video singing a Nicki Minaj song, which not only made them an overnight success but also gave them the opportunity to appear on the famous Ellen show and attend the MTV Music Awards. This still astonishes me!

An interesting Youtube video that went viral extremely fast was the Kony 2012 video released in March. Being only released just under a month ago its outstanding that it has over 86 million views. This video was promoted and marketed successfully through an extensive use of social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter.

Another video that has received an enormous amount of views on Youtube is the cover of “Look at me Now” song by Karmin Music.

With videos that receive such exposure with views of over 50 million it becomes evident that Youtube utilises this information to create a profit. By advertising with Banners and adverts that must be watched before the video can play allows Youtube to control the usage of the data and consumers provide. By doing so, they as a company can create income whilst still providing the users with a free platform in which they can share, view and upload videos.

References

O’Reilly, T. (2005). Design Patterns and Business Models for the Next Generation of Software. Retrieved from http://oreilly.com/pub/a/web2/archive/what-is-web-20.html?page=1

YouTube. (2011). YouTube – Broadcast Yourself. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/t/press_statistics