smartphone App Idea

Boom Boom

Hi Lads,

Hope you can help I know recently some of ye were discussing App development.

I have an idea for an app it is based on PC software currently available that does not have an app yet. this app would intergrate with this softwares databases etc.

would I have problems with the software company if i got this developed?

what might be the legal implications?

any advice greatly appreciated
regards,
boom boom

leahcim

It probably depends on the terms and conditions of the use of the software.

They may have a clause saying that users can only access the data using the original software otherwise it is a violation of the licence. People rarely own third party software they only have a licence to use it as long as they agree to the terms and conditions.

You could always get legal advice, I'd imagine software licensing and intellectual property legal specialists would be expensive.

You could always ask their permission although there is always the risk they will take your idea and run with it themselves.

If it was me and there is nothing in the end user licence agreement affecting what's propose I would go ahead.

micdug

What you are saying is that there is a desktop based application with a database and you want to create the equivilant mobile device (iPhone, Android etc) App with the same database?

Almost certainly not - the database will be copyright of the company making it (& the application). At the end of the day front end applications are easy to make, the hard work is in building up the database which in many cases take years and or considerable effort to build up. Read the licence agreement as this will make it clear your rights to use the database and information contained therein.

Boom Boom

Thanks guy's

@micdug - what if the database is my own information as the software in question is a crm software on my computer but would be handy if staff could log there time spent on clients while on the road through their iphones and that the system would be as up to date as possible. So the information in the database is of all my clients.


thanks for your help

micdug

Boom Boom wrote: »

Thanks guy's

@micdug - what if the database is my own information as the software in question is a crm software on my computer but would be handy if staff could log there time spent on clients while on the road through their iphones and that the system would be as up to date as possible. So the information in the database is of all my clients.


thanks for your help

OK that's a bit clearer.
- The data is your information and you are perfectly entitled to use it as you see fit within the constraints of the data protection act if personal details of individuals.
- If you want data input, you need to "talk" to the application and not the database or bad things will happen:eek:. If it is a CRM application I'd check out if it has an "API" which is a standard way of talking to other applications such as your App. If an API exists it should be simple to do. If not you'll need to dig into the innards of the CRM software, and will probably have to make changes to the App every time the CRM application is updated. Not good.
- there are licensing implications i.e. you may need a user licence for everyone who enters in data from the app.
- You'll probably need to move the database and CRM software to a server or your remote users won't be able to connect to it if you computer is powered down etc. You'll also need to open the application to the internet to allow remote access. There is a bit of work here and certain security issues.
- Finally most CRM applications have mobile interfaces already and some have iPhone apps as well. You might be better off looking at another CRM tool that has this capability rather then investing time and effort on developing (and maintaining) your own app. For example Act! which is a small business CRM tool has an iPhone app. Moving up in scale, Salesforce has a very impressive iPhone app. Finally if cost is an issue check out SugarCrm which also has multiple iPhone apps available.
Hope that helps.

micdug

Oh, and ifs just timesheets you are looking at, check out getharvest.com , very neat web 2 solution, and fairly cheap.

Boom Boom

micdug,

I tip my hat to you good sir

thank you very much looks like sugarcrm might be exactly what i am looking for