At the Oct. 26 City Advertising and Promotion Commission workshop, Chip Ford again presented his case for enticing the CAPC to partner with him on a Eureka Springs app he is developing. Ford is asking the CAPC for startup support of $25,000.
Commissioner Dustin Duling asked Ford if Android users could access the app, and Ford answered not at the outset. “Dealbreaker!” Duling responded, and commissioner Susan Harman agreed.
Ford replied the project would cost considerably less starting out supporting only Apple-based devices, but developers could build on the app anytime down the road.
Duling asked what it would take to get the first release to include Android users, and Ford said that waiting a year would save 20 percent of the cost. “We had to make a choice for one or the other,” he commented, and said adding Android capabilities would take only 30-60 days, but it would be less expensive later.
Ford gave commissioners a demonstration of the app on his laptop. “The home page is a map, the hub of the information. It can change at the drop of a hat, and there will be no need for any updates – a big deal,” he said.
Ford mentioned he found a way to add a small panel for advertising for local merchants or events for “only $200 per ad.”
Executive Director Mike Maloney asked if Ford planned to include all tax collectors, the retail environment, churches and attractions, and Ford said yes.
Commissioner Damon Henke pointed out the CAPC could expand its own app to include some of the capabilities, and there are already search apps like Yelp for finding specific spots in town. He asked Ford who would collect and maintain all the information, adding he thought the app was “way too pricey.”
Ford said search engines like Yelp are great “up to a point.” His app will provide historical photos and stories and “deep immersive content.”
“You don’t have the time to process all the information,” Henke insisted.
Ford admitted it will be a large undertaking, but can be done. He was steadfast he could get data from individual businesses.
Commissioner Charles Ragsdell remarked that if Ford intends to create a comprehensive database, the CAPC needs more time to ensure it will work across all platforms. He observed there are already several databases in town, and there need to be fewer. “We need not be triple-entering data points,” he said.
Ragsdell said what is needed is one database that can be sorted so that every tax collector has a chance to be listed first at some point, and said he would prefer a really complete website.
“What we really need is not what Chip is presenting,” Ragsdell stated.
Ford insisted his app would begin the consolidation of information.
Ragsdell commented he is Apple-centric but agreed with Duling the app must support Android from the beginning.
Ford stated to launch the app on both platforms at the outset, it would cost an extra $30,000.
Maloney, checking data from his own laptop, stated the CAPC at that moment had 1,400 Samsung users, and all the rest were iPhone or iPad users. He asked Ford again where he would get his data.
Ford answered his team was compiling it themselves or allowing businesses to provide it.
Henke observed that would mean incomplete data because of the difficulty getting business owners to hand over information.
Ford answered, “On Day One, will I have everything? No, but this app will become the one to pick. We can build on it.” He also explained if he were to become unavailable, his team has backup plans in place. All the information will be on jump drives so his partner can take over. He also mentioned he would own the database, but for a fee he could create a secondary access for CAPC.
“I am the funnel of all information before it goes to the database,” Ford commented. “It must go through a filter.”
Ford said he wanted to engage CAPC for the initial startup so the app can be free. Otherwise he would have to charge for downloading it.
Ragsdell asked commissioner Terry McClung, who frequently visits Kansas City for concerts, if he ever downloaded the Kansas City app. McClung responded in the negative, and Henke asked why anyone would pay to download the app.
Harman said her concerns were, since the CAPC was being asked to make a considerable investment, who would own the database and advertising, what future costs to CAPC would be and what would be the cost of adding Android capabilities?
Maloney added concerns for the difficulties in obtaining useful, up-to-date information for the calendar. He said, “It gets to the absurd point,” regarding what his staff must do to get current information.
Ford insisted he has plenty contacts around the area for retrieving information. “I can add it in five minutes,” he said.
There was discussion of what the CAPC would be expected to do to promote the app if it were to be successful, and Ford said he did not expect assistance other than upfront financial support.
He stated the project was not as complex as was being presented.
“Our experience is like pulling teeth,” McClung countered, and Duling added keeping the events calendar accurate and current almost requires a calendar czar.
There was more discussion about CAPC being a co-owner of the database, and Maloney asked Ford to return to the Nov. 9 CAPC meeting for further discussion. He asked Ragsdell to be the commission liaison with Ford.