Software Development Business Idea

Patkerry

Hi there,

I have been developing a software program over the past twenty four months related to an industry that I work in. I have taken it to the stage where it is functional, tested and ready to market. My problem is that I need information / assistance in the sales / marketing environment. I'm working full time at present but would like to move over to the program development if it became successful. Are there companies or individuals out there that take on projects like this and develop it further and market products in IT. Should I be looking for a sales / marketing company only and ifso are there companies that specialise completely in IT sales? Also, are there any grants, assistance available? Thanks in advance. Pat.

What kind of software is it? Did you apply for a patent or anything on it? If it can be reproduced by a bigger competitor because its not protected, its unlikely you could license it and building a business around it would be pretty risky i'd imagine.

fl4pj4ck

No such thing as patents for software I'm afraid

fl4pj4ck

fl4pj4ck wrote: »

No such thing as patents for software I'm afraid

Hmm Im pretty sure you can get utility patents for software. How else do companies protect their software innovations?

Edit: http://eupat.ffii.org/

Patkerry

Thanks for the replies. I've been told previously that unless one has something unique like a new logarithm etc. then it is very difficult to patent it.
Basically, I'm stuck at the moment. There is a definite market for this software in both the public and private sector. I've done some market research and the interest has been confirmed. There is also the potential for further development in the future and additional 'spin-off' software.
So, with all that having been said; how do I proceed?
Is a business partner or software company the best option?
Thanks for the replies thus far.
Pat.

fl4pj4ck

You probably mean algorithm. See here for reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_patents_under_the_European_Patent_Convention
So sites like Facebook cannot be patented under European law, but special purpose algorithms can (like for example MP3 algorithm).

Patkerry

Yes, meant to write algorithm. It appears from the link that you provided that software is generally excluded from patenting unless it is absolutely unique. I'm still left wondering how I can move on from here.

Atomico

Patkerry wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. I've been told previously that unless one has something unique like a new logarithm etc. then it is very difficult to patent it.
Basically, I'm stuck at the moment. There is a definite market for this software in both the public and private sector. I've done some market research and the interest has been confirmed. There is also the potential for further development in the future and additional 'spin-off' software.
So, with all that having been said; how do I proceed?
Is a business partner or software company the best option?
Thanks for the replies thus far.
Pat.

Hi Pat,

Not getting it exactly. Why don't you just look to approach those interested directly? If there is confirmed interest and you can identify those potential customers, then why don't you just contact them or pitch the offering?

Or, you could simply market the offering using a variety of channels, in particular online (I have plenty of experience in that area).

Patkerry

Thanks Atomico,
I undertook a snap "survey" of people using the existing process and it is most probable that they won't be the individuals making the decision to purchase products (although they will have an input into the purchasing process).
My reason for not approaching the interested parties are two fold.
1. Whereas I am employed in a body that would use the product ( i am not working in the section of the corporate that would use it directly). From speaking with the employer I received permission to develop the product but not to become involved in sales or marketing to industry etc. Hence my predicament.
2. I believe that it takes a certain type of character to sell and market a product. As you only get one shot to make a good impression it is important to do it right.

Corkbah

Patkerry wrote: »

Thanks Atomico,
I undertook a snap "survey" of people using the existing process and it is most probable that they won't be the individuals making the decision to purchase products (although they will have an input into the purchasing process).
My reason for not approaching the interested parties are two fold.
1. Whereas I am employed in a body that would use the product ( i am not working in the section of the corporate that would use it directly). From speaking with the employer I received permission to develop the product but not to become involved in sales or marketing to industry etc. Hence my predicament.
2. I believe that it takes a certain type of character to sell and market a product. As you only get one shot to make a good impression it is important to do it right.

is it possible your employer wants a piece of the pie ?

Patkerry

No, they would not be interested in developing software of this size, nor would they have the capacity to develop it. As I may have said, they were satisfied to allow me to develop it.

Corkbah

you could always contact a marketing company and see if they can bring your product to the market (advertising/branding etc) ...contact distributers and see if there is one or two willing to distribute the product.

as others have said, create a website to sell it online would help gauge public opinion of the product.

Graham

Would it be worth considering a partnership with an IT consultancy/Managed Service Provider/VAR/Software house?

If you could find one with the necessary resources to continue development and provide support in return for a reasonable margin, you could find they already have an established market for it.

If the software is targeted at a specific sector are there any IT consultancies/Managed Service Providers/VARs/Software houses that already target that market?

Patkerry

Thanks for the replies everyone.

It appears that it is rather difficult for an individual or small company to take a product to market once it is developed. A lot of individuals have good ideas and the ability to develop a concept but there appears to be a divide / gap / missing link / difficulty in parterning up developers/ creators with people who can market products. I'm speaking here specifically about small companies and individuals, with limited resources and who would not have the capacity to hire marketing companies or sales people to sell the product. Is there a network out there that can match differing skills with demands in return for a partnership or share of potential future sales?
Just a thought.
Thanks again for all of the input thus far.
Pat.

I have a distribution company that specialises in what your looking for Pat, but I've learned when marketing a new product it needs to be protected in some way. If it can easily be copied and reproduced, and with little marketing money behind it, in my experience the process of distribution is very difficult.
If your product is really good it might get some initial traction but then a bigger company will just copy the software and use their economies of scale to make it very difficult for your company.

amen

It appears that it is rather difficult for an individual or small company to take a product to market once it is developed.

make it web based

If your product is really good it might get some initial traction but then a bigger company will just copy the software and use their economies of scale to make it very difficult for your company.

maybe but you have first moved advantage. I would be happy if a competitor copied my program like this. Good sign there is a decent market. Also allows you to differentiate your produce from the competitors.

First mover advantage is good if you have the funds to back up your product with marketing and advertising so it can get enough market share in the first place to sustain itself despite competition. Otherwise when the bigger company comes in they will just beat you on price and service and you simply wont be able to compete on any level.
But you may be able to sustain a small business with it, Im just thinking of growing it into a major product

Peterdalkey

Interesting thread and not an area of any expertise on my part, I would however, on rereading the OP's first post suggest as follows.
The OP has identified that he is not in a position or suitably skilled to bring the product to market alone. It would therefore be a good idea to talk to people who have knowledge of the software market, the players and who can help assemble the team, investment etc.
Number 1 piece of advice, Get an industry experienced mentor..... http://www.enterpriseboards.ie/Business_supports/MENTORING.aspx
The Dublin BIC and Enterprise Ireland are the two most obvious along with the various tech incubator units.
If the product is ”ready for market” as stated, then it should make for a very nice addition/bolt on for an existing player, in this regard the angel investing community may be well placed to identify/broker a linkup. See http://www.irishinvestmentnetwork.ie/home

Corkbah

Peterdalkey wrote: »

Interesting thread and not an area of any expertise on my part, I would however, on rereading the OP's first post suggest as follows.
The OP has identified that he is not in a position or suitably skilled to bring the product to market alone. It would therefore be a good idea to talk to people who have knowledge of the software market, the players and who can help assemble the team, investment etc.
Number 1 piece of advice, Get an industry experienced mentor..... http://www.enterpriseboards.ie/Business_supports/MENTORING.aspx
The Dublin BIC and Enterprise Ireland are the two most obvious along with the various tech incubator units.
If the product is ”ready for market” as stated, then it should make for a very nice addition/bolt on for an existing player, in this regard the angel investing community may be well placed to identify/broker a linkup. See http://www.irishinvestmentnetwork.ie/home

have you ever dealt with the various enterprise boards in this country ... most of them want you to have the business up and running before they invest (when you are looking for investment capital) .... my opinion is that if the OP wants to bring the product to the market - he/she needs to invest some money in a marketing firm, get them on board, pay them whatever they want/need to market/pitch your product to the right people....main problem is which marketing firm specialises in this area ? and of course getting the money to pay them.

Peterdalkey

Corkbah wrote: »

have you ever dealt with the various enterprise boards in this country ... most of them want you to have the business up and running before they invest (when you are looking for investment capital) .... my opinion is that if the OP wants to bring the product to the market - he/she needs to invest some money in a marketing firm, get them on board, pay them whatever they want/need to market/pitch your product to the right people....main problem is which marketing firm specialises in this area ? and of course getting the money to pay them.

I was very specific in suggesting contacting the enterprise board to get an industry expert mentor. This mentor will need to have the kind of contacts needed to bring the project forward.
From my reading of it, at present there is a developed product but no business structure or model in place at all. All of these issues together with finding a marketing channel need to be addressed. There appears to be a significant expertise and probably operational deficit here, none of which are insurmountable barriers with the right partners/structure, I have simply suggested ways he might meet such people.

EIREHotspur

I am in a somewhat similar position as the Original Poster I will give you my straight up opinions.

First off the translation of sayings to plain english (forgive me I am from the midlands and don't do the Celtic Tiger Speak).

Getting The Product To Market = Selling It
Marketing It = A Website and Advertising

I have a software program that I have been working on and when it is finished I will be doing everything myself.

Marketing Companies are people with experience, Nice Office space and Computer equipment.

If your software is very good than it will sell.
Hire a Web Developer who can test the waters with a website + Paypal.....it will be a cheap opening solution.

This is the route I will go and as I am a Web Designer it won't cost me much.

Good luck and don't be blinded by bull****.

PS: this is not a dig at anyones advice....previous posters are very helpfull and usefull with their advice.

Peterdalkey

I am not for a moment going to criticise your plan but it is just that, a plan, not a proven strategy which may or may not work. You and the OP my well have completely different skill sets and thus can expect different outcomes.
Marketing and selling are the hand and glove combination to help make sales happen, labels/language make no difference but if you want tech money/support, you are better to speak de lingo!

No matter how you approach, the one that works and gets the business doing the business is the right one! I wish you the very best with you own project.

Cheers

Peter

Corkbah

EIREHotspur wrote: »

I am in a somewhat similar position as the Original Poster I will give you my straight up opinions.

First off the translation of sayings to plain english (forgive me I am from the midlands and don't do the Celtic Tiger Speak).

Getting The Product To Market = Selling It
Marketing It = A Website and Advertising

I have a software program that I have been working on and when it is finished I will be doing everything myself.

Marketing Companies are people with experience, Nice Office space and Computer equipment.

If your software is very good than it will sell.
Hire a Web Developer who can test the waters with a website + Paypal.....it will be a cheap opening solution.

This is the route I will go and as I am a Web Designer it won't cost me much.

Good luck and don't be blinded by bull****.

PS: this is not a dig at anyones advice....previous posters are very helpfull and usefull with their advice.

Marketing companies also have business connections and distribution networks and links/contacts in the media - something which is almost essential when bringing a product to the market.

I dont work in marketing but can appreciate the value of proper advertising .... this isn't the field of dreams "if you build it they will come...." in todays world its more about convincing the customer they NEED your product (even if they don't)