ACTIVITIES :: eTen :: Projects :: Projects of the Month :: m-Mag

February 2007 Project of the Month: m-Mag

Issues being addressed

The Zinadoo service is an online tool for creating mobile websites - SMEs can create their website with a minimum of effort that is then accessible from any mobile device. This is possible in three easy steps after logging onto www.zinadoo.com. The mMag project is carrying out a European market validation of the Zinadoo service.

Until recently, it was difficult to use mobile technologies to access the Internet in an efficient and effective manner due to poor end-user experiences such as limited mobile devices, incompatible technologies (e.g.: WAP; WML v HTML), slow response times and high connection / download costs.

Thankfully many of the problems listed here have been solved by emerging technologies such as GPRS and UMTS which provide faster and cheaper connections to the mobile internet.

mMag explores in detail how Small & Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) can use mobile technology in an easy and efficient way to promote their business or communities. The Zinadoo service will be validated in a number of different sectors in Germany, Greece, Ireland, Spain and in the United Kingdom.

The service allows SMEs to build their own mobile website in 3 easy steps simply by logging onto www.zinadoo.com. SMEs are provided with a fully compliant, free zinadoo.mobi domain name. In this way, it brings mobile technology to non-technical users. Thus, the Zinadoo service provides SMEs with a marketing and advertising service attracting potential customers through mobile technology.

Services

SMEs who visit www.zinadoo.com can enter text, load pictures and create new pages on their mobile site in a matter of minutes. Zinadoo offers them the opportunity to advertise their mobile site via text message. A number of text based services have been incorporated to achieve this. Individual and group text messages can be sent. A service has been created where a consumer can text-in to request the information in a return text message. A voting service created for personal and marketing purposes is also available.

Objectives of the project

The mMag project objectives are as follows:

Validate the Zinadoo service with SME's and end-users.
Gain experience in operating a trans-European service.
Provide a localized version of the service to support local languages and cultural preferences.
Acquire a number of SMEs and end-users to pilot the service.
Develop a strategic plan for mMag service deployment.
Disseminate the project results to all parties in the value chain - particularly SME's and Mobile Operators.

Over 1,000 users will take part in the second round of service trials in partner sites in Greece, Germany, Ireland, Spain and the United Kingdom.

Trial users come from a variety of SME backgrounds, such as tourism, education, sport and leisure and other social communities.

In all cases, trial users are from non technical backgrounds and receive the minimum of training on the Zinadoo service to test usability. As with any project, as it evolves, so too do the project goals as they learn and gain experience. The eTEN programme is ideal for gaining market experience which allows them to do this.

Achievements

January 2006: Start of mMag European Trial 1;
February 2006: 3GSM - demonstration of service to a number of mobile operators;
April 2006: Evaluation of usability trials resulting in redesign of service;
September 2006: Successful completion of 9 month European Commission project review. Launch of the service as a commercial enterprise in Ireland. Invitation to demonstrate Zinadoo at .mobi domain name launches in London and New York. Invited to present Zinadoo at the Irish Informatics Technology Commercialisation Showcase. CTIA demonstrations;
October 2006: Partnership with dotmobi top level domain name;
November 2006: Zinadoo reaches InterTrade Ireland, Irish Regional Seedcorn Competition finals. Demonstration of the service at the Fraunhofer, Fokus 2nd IMS workshop;
December 2006: Version 2.0 released commercially in Ireland;
January 2007: European ICT prize nominee;
February 2007: Participation and demonstration of the service at 3GSM.

Expected benefits by the end of the project

The key benefits expected include an easy-to-use service for SMEs allowing them to publish information and content for mobile devices. The service enables users to gain access to the operator's networks to integrate value added mobile services into their content. Operators also have the opportunity to incorporate these mobile sites and services into their network.

Ultimately, the mMag project aims to further integrate two industries that were previously unable to.

It is expected that significant value will be created for all participants in the value chain and for Europe as the originator of this technology.

Partners

partners_mmag

Reference Data

Project's website: http://www.mmag.org
Contract Type: Market Validation
Start Date: October 2005
End Date: March 2007
Duration: 18 Months
Contact: hhaughney@tssg.org (Hélène Haughney)