iPhone for Business Challenge - Can the iPhone be used to completely run a mobile or web based business?
Right now there is alot of intellectual and creative capital being invested into the iPhone as a new platform for delivering content and services. As of this moment, a million ideas are slowly brewing in the minds of futurists, technologists and developers all around the world.
Apple’s App Store is going to change everything…
With the iPhone version one, Apple created a platform, on Monday the 9th June, Apple delivered a platform.
People think that the big anouncement was the iPhone 3G. Sure, it will be alot easier to deliver content and services with a faster radio modem (HSPA), but the real announcement was tied to how applications are now delivered to the device.
The App Store and Universal Push Service will enable developers to deliver services to users on the go that had not even been thought of or contemplated before the first xCode SDK was released.
Here is a question I have been asking myself that could be solved using a collection of web services, On Demand Applcations, software mashups and iPhone interfaces to existing SaaS (Software-as-a-service) solutions.
- Is it possible to run an online business completely from an iPhone?
- What are the tools necessary to run a business without touching a desktop computer or other non-mobile device?
- Could this be done for all business types, or is it only possible for certain kinds of businesses and or job functions?
So my challenge is this:
- Develop the tools and interfaces to run a mobile business completely from an iPhone for a year
- A desktop computer can not be used or touched during this time
- All tasks must be completed completely and solely on the iPhone
Here are some requirements:
- Book Keeping (ERP)
eSuite, Force.com. soho.com etc - Lead Generation, Account Management and Opportunity Management, Quotes, Product Books and Case Management (CRM)
Salesforce, eSuite, soho.com etc - Website Content Management; Mobile Blogging, Knowledge Bases (CMS, Blogs & Wiki’s)
- Printing to network capable printers (CUPS)
This is a big question, and one I think will evolve and grow as I blog more about it.
