Interviewed on 16 Sep 09
Mike Ellsworth, Product Manager
Younicycle is a flexible, integrated Knowledge Management Suite, but more importantly it is the realization of a set of Core objectives, those being:
1) A Knowledge Divide now exists that unnecessarily separates Experts and Novices, impeding productivity, stifling growth.
Objective: Encourage Novice-Expert Collaboration. Make it easy to do and to monitor.
2) Too many applications, too little productivity. There are many 'specialist' Applications, most are bloated with obscure, infrequently used and redundant features. Different vendors & incompatible platforms compound the problem; impose additional management burdens, increase training costs and further reduce productivity.
Objective: Develop an integrated Suite that includes the most frequently used features. Simplify without diminishing power.
3) Expensive = Lost Productivity. The expenses associated with multiple licenses or seats, often lead companies to designate a 'chosen few' to have and use the application. These Experts then get buried in simple work that could have been done by others.
Objective: Make the Suite multiuser & affordable for anyone, not just the Fortunate 500.
4) Same time, same place. Productivity suffers when each Team member's work is isolated within their own 'expert space', with each person waiting on the next.
Objective: Create an integrated application where everyone can work together within a common file system. Watch and work.
What unique selling points do you offer?
In order to provide maximum flexibility, Younicycle started with the database design at the hub so that the various tools within the Suite would be automatically integrated. This approach has allowed us to build true database functionality into the Suite. Thus Tables, Queries, Expressions, Views, Functions and Composite Types are all automatically available within the workspace, along with all other Knowledge Management Tools. In addition, the development complexities of creating and maintaining User Roles & Access Control lists have been resolved and are built into the platform.
This approach allows us to:
1. Have a multi-tenant SaaS at Younicycle.com
2. Provide a White-labeled Server Package for those that prefer using their own equipment.
3. Allows either type of customer to create packaged, Vertical Solutions which can then be sold or shared with any other Younicycle Account, be it Server or SaaS.
4. Allows updates directly from the web.
None of this would be possible without our unusual focus on the DB.
In addition, Younicycle provides a diverse set of content presentation Tools, many of which are WYSIWYG, allowing Novices to create without needing to understand the complexities of the underlying code. A Novice designer can create a variable data, fully styled pdf in moments. A different Novice designer can concurrently be 'drawing' a user application or web page, while using the same datasource. Yet another Novice can be uploading images, swfs & other files that can instantly be utilized by the two Novice designers. Meanwhile, a developer can be writing a complex financial Function that will later be added to the underlying query that in turn feeds the specific datasource being used by the two Novices.
This seamless, collaborative integration, combined with ease of use for Novices without denigrating power for Experts makes Younicycle stand apart as a Knowledge Management platform.
Describe the services you offer?
• SaaS at younicycle.com
• Fully integrated CMS Web site hosting at younicycle.com
• White-labeled Server package variant for those that prefer their local system
• Vertical SaaS Solutions shop, where developers can sell their Younicycle, Packaged Solutions to other Younicycle accounts.
• Hourly rate consulting for custom development on the platform
• Two-week, free trial
Describe your target market?
• Developers and/or Resellers
• Small business or departments of larger organizations
• Web hosts seeking a premium, White-labeled product for their customers
• Any person, team or group that requires a collaborative Knowledge Management Suite
How is your company planning for the future?
The current vsn is V3 and has been in constant development since 2003. Our future plans are simple; maintain our Core beliefs and continue to improve the Product.
What benefits can you offer your customers?
High value and a powerful, flexible user-friendly collaborative Knowledge Management Suite at a pittance.
How do you support your customers?
• Weekly server and version updates.
• Bug reporting and resolution
• Email support
• Hourly consulting and/or design services.
