Engagement App in a Red Ocean: The Twists & Turns Behind the Scenes of Favorsense

This is the real-life story of my entrepreneurial journey.

Embarking on the journey to create our second IoT product, Favorsense, aimed at simplifying engagement between citizens and authorities, we learned quite a bit. The purpose of this app was to provide a platform for users, like students or residents, to report issues to relevant authorities, effectively acting as “sensors” in their communities.

We stumbled, we fell, we learned. Here’s a human recap of the tough spots we navigated through:

Copycat Alert!

In a world brimming with software applications, it’s easy for IT companies to mirror what we built with Favorsense, primarily since it doesn’t rely on bespoke IoT devices.

SaaS Transition Woes

Integrating our solution into the ingrained daily processes of local councils was no small feat. These councils often cling to their legacy systems, necessitating a flexible SaaS solution willing to bend and integrate without a fuss.

Navigating Red Oceans

With an array of similar, albeit not identical, solutions floating around, convincing customers to jump ship and embrace the new was an uphill battle.

Procurement Maze

.Venturing into smart city solutions introduces one to a tangled web of procurement processes, stakeholders, and budget constraints, making introducing a new product a complex dance.

Stand-Alone Dilemma

A solution solely focusing on citizen engagement doesn’t necessarily woo in tender or procurement processes; it often needs to be part of a larger project rollout to shine truly.

Floodgate Fears

Organizations often need to be more open to creating open channels for complaints and reports. No one wants to unleash a torrent of negativity, yet there’s a fine line between losing control and nipping potential PR disasters in the bud.

Legacy System Headaches

Old IT systems are notoriously stubborn and resistant to integration with newer, shinier solutions. The transition often demands substantial upgrades and a hefty financial investment.

Engagement Enthusiasm Ebb

Launching an app is one thing; maintaining user interest and engagement is another. Many similar apps have silently vanished after a short stint in the spotlight.

In essence, unlike our experience with Raqib, the first IoT solution, the challenges presented by Favorsense were different.

It was less about technical hiccups and more about tuning into user needs and smoothly integrating into existing workflows.

Favorsense was an easier sell when customers lacked a complaint or trouble ticket system. Each obstacle taught us something valuable: refining our approach and product with every step.

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You can also follow my Medium Publications Aspiring Writer’s Journey, Influencer’s Journey, Startup Survival Journey, and IoT World.

• I have also published several eBooks, such as IoT Notes, IoT: Beginner’s Guide, Startup Survival, Mastering IoT with Favoriot, Your IoT Journey, IoT Infographics — Your IoT Journey Guide
• Or, if you prefer, check my bookstore at Gumroad — https://mazlanabbas.gumroad.com

This article, "Engagement App in a Red Ocean: The Twists & Turns Behind the Scenes of Favorsense, " was originally published on Medium.