Identify+Gap+in+the+Market

This page will house our thoughts and concept development for the app. It will include mind mapping and identification of market opportunity.


 * Identified Market Need:**

At the conclusion of the focus group it was identified that students were lacking a simple and accessible format to maintain and manage social events. During the focus groups, students identified that they regularly use social networking, calendar, maps and similar organisational applications to manage their social, academic and general schedule. These apps were used for similar functions, however students recognised that they need to utilse many different apps to organise the one piece of information eg birthday party - calendar, facebook, email correspondence, white pages for venue information and google maps of venue. This caused confusion about the event and among the guest, often leading to incorrect information being distributed and duplicate data.Through exploration of similar apps on the market, we are able to observe functions available across many apps that would facilitate the social needs of our demographic.

Through initial research findings, we have identified our target market as the young, school leaver with social focus. Through the development of a social management app, the needs of this target market will be fulfilled. To be innovative, the app needs to present a young, contemporary vibe that will be appeal to this market. This will be communicated through visual appeal and entertaining, informative phrases.
 * Link to Demographic**


 * Possible App Functions:**
 * Uploads social event information (time, place, date, guest lists, ticket prices etc) through the app via barcode scanning of posters and related advertisements.
 * Many apps use a calendar function - this would be a key consideration of a social calendar app. This app could potentially work with the smart device calendar app to identify clashes in the schedule and allow students to select their preferred option eg work or play
 * The university campus maps and information - this function would allow students to see venues and facilities that are available for social use. This would also alert students to the correct area to collect information and tickets from eg the SCSA office.
 * Facebook check-in feature - a similar system to this would allow students to RSVP and check-in at events. This would allow students to identify if their peers were attending the events they were interested in. In the focus groups students identified that they would be more likely to attend an event if they knew that their friends were also attending.
 * Push alerts - this function would remind students and prompt them to purchase, RSVP or check in to an event. Push alerts could be linked to a geo tagging feature that reminds students when they are near the ticket collection point or have just arrived at the venue.
 * Links to social networking - instant updates to social networking websites allow students to share information with their wider social networks.
 * Purchasing tickets through the app - students could purchase tickets directly through the app and use the app to present at the venue.