With the release of the Google Maps API (followed by Yahoo), I started thinking how online services will be used in future products and specifically a CRM app.
Lets take the Account screen for example. Apart from the expected things, which consist of static data (like the address, employees, todo lists etc), here are some things that could be offered (probably not yet, but soon):
- Map displaying the location of the company.
- If I am within driving distance, directions to get there (suppose the app knows my position, e.g. I carry a GPS) or public transportation methods available (with timetables). Real time traffic data and nearby parking lots.
- Nearby hotels and restaurants.
- The map should also display other nearby clients (with info windows showing contact info), in case I want to drop by.
- Latest news regarding the company. Information should come from “official” news sites, the company’s web site or blog, other blogs.
- Stock information
- Popularity stats (think g-metrics.com)
Taking this a step further, here is a more advanced scenario:
- A salesman plans to make a trip to another city, in order to visit a specific client.
- He starts the appropriate wizard and enters some data. The wizard based on previous similar trips, recommends a few more clients and does an initial schedule (including flight, visiting times and durations, accommodation, eating etc).
- The salesman calls these clients and makes arrangements.
- Back to the wizard he enters the final data.
- The wizard does the rest: flight tickets booking, hotel reservation, car rental etc. Then it prints a nice report containing all info about the trip and about the clients (as in the previous scenario)
We are not there yet, but especially the first example is not that far away.
To tell the truth, the salesman scenario keeps reminding me of clippy ;-).
The bottom line is that available information and online services will start being embedded in software more and more. And that will certainly lead to much cooler products!
