Introduction
As part of this module I have been tasked with writing a report and creating a presentation which details a collaborative software/tool which businesses use successfully in the running and management of their company. The tool I have chosen is IF THIS THEN THAT. IFTTT allows you to create commands and customized controls between apps and website you use. In the report below a number of topics will be discussed which include, background, main features, strong points, limitations, usability, accessibility, price, market share and the main competitors.
Background
IFTTT was created in 2010 by brothers Alexander and Linden Tibbets, Scott Tong and Jesse Tane but wasn’t launched until September 2011 (Crunchbase, 2016). The company’s headquarters is based in San Francisco, California. IFTTT is a web automation service that enables users to create ‘recipes’ from their favourite apps and services. There are two types of recipes, ‘Do recipes’ and ‘If recipes’. IFTTT was created on a concept thought up of by Linden Tibbets. He started a blog in order to hash out some ideas and gain knowledge ‘The project is called ifttt, shorthand for “if this then that”. With this blog I hope to begin fleshing out some of the initial inspirations that led to the inception of ifttt and provide you with a taste of how ifttt can help put the internet to work for you’. (Linden Tibbets, 2010) He expressed a desire to be able to create software that links up programmes and make them interesting. He referred to it as a ‘digital duct tape’. He enlisted the help of his friend Jesse Tane and brother Andrew to help grow and develop the concept.
Main Features
Essentially you can configure two apps to suit your own preferences. This tool allows many connections between a number of apps and websites which include, Facebook, Twitter, Gmail, Dropbox and so on.
‘IF Recipes run automatically in the background. Create powerful connections with one simple statement — if this then that’ (IFTTT, 2016). ‘IF Recipes’ are a great feature because it allows for everyday tasks to be carried out so simply, quickly and easily. It does tasks that we don’t even have to think about once they are created.
For example, you can create a Recipe where if you receive a document on Gmail it automatically saves to your Dropbox account. This is where the ‘IF’ comes in, ‘IF’ I receive a Gmail ‘Then’ save new document attachments to Dropbox. The amount of ‘IF Recipes’ you can create are countless. The IFTTT website already has a lot of premade Recipes that users will find extremely helpful. However, if you are not satisfied with how one is running for you the Recipes are all customisable. Another example of its effectiveness is where you can control your smart devices Wi-Fi connections which saves your data and in turn saves you money, so you could say it is effective economically also. This Recipe is pre made already on the app and website so all you have to do is type in your location to the map, i.e. if I enter work, then turn on Wi-Fi, or if I enter my home, then turn on Wi-Fi etc. These are only a small amount of its features and I will discuss in more detail below. Your location settings are determined by ‘Triggers’ which determine when and where to use the Recipes you have created. i.e. if your workplace is on North Circular Road, Tralee, Co. Kerry, then this location is the Trigger for your Wi-Fi Recipe.
‘DO Recipes run with just a tap and enable you to create your own personalized Button, Camera, and Notepad. The DO apps are available for iOS and Android’ (IFTTT, 2016). This function allows users to create simple functions whether it be turning on the lights, making coffee or sending a quick automated email this feature makes life simple with one click of a button. You can also connect to things like your garage door or front gates by creating a simple button on the ‘DO’ app.
‘DO Camera’: allows us to ‘Post photos to the Facebook album you want. No need to select destinations for every upload. Quickly share on Twitter, Tumblr, WordPress, and more’ (IFTTT, 2016)
‘DO Note’: ‘DO Note empowers you to create your own personalized notepad with just a tap. Save and share notes with Recipes that connect your notepad to Evernote, Twitter, Google Calendar, and hundreds of Channels you use every day’. (IFTTT, 2016)
Strong Points
IFTTT is a very effective tool that can be used for business promotion. There are a number of ways in which it can be key for your business. One aspect of it which I find particularly effective is how it can help social media accounts management and advertising.
For example, on Facebook if you were posting a competition on your businesses page then you can create a Recipe on the If Function which will allow you to post to your Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr and so on. This is very useful as it saves time and the hassle of doing each post one by one. It also allows you to sync your profile pictures and cover photos every time you change them on one account it will change it on any other one of your accounts. This allows you to keep all your profiles in date in sync and it prevents you from leaving your accounts out dated/keeps them current and up to date.
Another strong feature is the background functions which IFTTT carry out. You can link it up with your phone so that when you enter the workplace it sets your phone to mute or when you leave it will do the opposite. All you have to do is simply set the ‘Trigger’ which is your location.
Businesses can use this app to keep them up to date with latest worldwide news. For example, a Technology company such as Samsung or Apple would be able to create a Recipe which sends them an Email every time there is breaking technology news from the New York Times.
Of course one of IFTTTs’ strongest points is the Recipes which allow you to save docs with one touch to different storage systems. This is ideal for business as they can constantly have a back-up sent to another location, e.g. Gmail attachments to drop box or Google docs. This greatly reduces the risk of losing important documents or email attachments and it keeps them stored in your preferred locations automatically.
Here are some other strong points ….
• You can post your uploaded YouTube videos to your WordPress blog
• You can send an automatic email to thank somebody that has followed you on Twitter
• Let somebody know you are in a meeting with one touch of your DO button
• Automatically save new contacts from your phone the Google docs
The amount of IF recipes and DO Recipes you can create is unlimited. This app essentially makes life for businesses so simple, whether its keeping your files organised, sending automated emails, reducing your workload, or simply turning your phone on silent when entering the office/boardroom, IFTTT has got it all covered.
Limitations
Obviously like every software tool this service has got some limitations. Although it carries out more functions then you can think of it doesn’t allow you to do every single command on all devices. Certain recipes can only be used on Android devices and some can only be used on IOS. Most are compatible but there are a few that can’t be used.
If you choose to receive some of your alerts from your Recipes via SMS, then you could run in to difficulty as there is a 10 SMS per month allowance. You may think that 10 text alerts are quite a lot but if you have a Recipe which keeps you regularly updated with weather reports then it’s not a good idea to receive the texts, after you exceed the limit your Recipe is useless to you until a new month begins. However, there is ways around this if you link your SMS to your Gmail account but for some people that may require too much effort.
The IFTTT app isn’t available to download on the Windows phone App store which may be viewed as a downfall but according to Google Trends the Windows phone peak search popularity was in 13th April 2014 whereas now on the 9th October 2015 the popularity is only 35% as popular is it was at its peak (Google, 2016). Meanwhile Nokia who made the Windows phone have ended production due to very poor sales and popularity among consumers ‘Despite spending around $7.2 billion to acquire Nokia’s phone business, Microsoft isn’t making any money out of Windows Phones and has decided to write off most of its Nokia deal to the tune of $7.6 billion today’ (Tom Warren, 2015). Therefore, the decision not to make the App available for download on the Windows Platform may displease some people but from a business point of view it is a smart decision.
Usability & Accessibility
Using IFTTT is a very straight forward process and everything you require is clearly explained. Signing up for the service is a straight forward process. Initially you are asked for your email address and then you are asked to create a password and that’s basically it, the process takes less than two minutes.
All the different features are divided up into individual apps which make the service very user friendly and easy to access. If all you want to use is the IF function you only need the specific app, likewise with DO note or Do camera they all have their own designated app.
All your Recipes can be created on the Apps which gives you a step by step guide when you are setting up, however if you dislike using your smartphone/tablet for doing tasks such as this you can sign in to your account online and create the recipes or DO functions from there. After this all that you need to do is activate the Recipe on your smart device and you are set up. Setting up is a very easy process but if you ever run into any difficulty with any of the services IFTTT offer they offer some very helpful support systems. The website has a video tutorials section which gives users guidance on all of its services. Also if you require further assistance they have a Twitter support page where they will solve any issue you may have. I have personally reached out to them on the IFTTT Twitter handle @IFTTT with regards to some information and they replied to me within an hour to solve my issue. I found my experience dealing with them very pleasant and quick.
Price
IFTTT has four apps and their website, these include IF app, DO Note, DO Camera and DO Button. All their products are completely free to sign up to and free to download from both IOS App Store and Google Play App Store.
Currently there are no premium packages on offer but apparently there is some plans in the pipeline for some premium services to be introduced.
Market Share & Main Competitors
IFTTT customer market share is mainly based in the United States with 56% of their users, which shows their popularity in the U.S. however its hasn’t become a major force as such in Europe yet with only 5.6% users in both Italy and Portugal. The Irish market hasn’t really picked up on it yet but I wouldn’t be surprised if it becomes big in the next couple of years.
IFTTT has a few competitors that carry out a similar service to them. One service which I will compare with them is called Workflow. ‘Workflows connect apps and actions together to automate things you do on your device. To build a workflow, just drag and drop together a series of actions’ (Workflow, 2016).Workflow allows you to create different automated actions that carry out tasks on your smart device. Workflow is a great App but it does have some flaws. The App is only available on Apple devices which gives IFTTT a massive advantage.
IFTTT vs Workflow
Automatically runs Recipes in background You have to manually select command every time you want it to run
Offers more integration: can be run with many third party apps and all social media sites. Has got some integration but it is geared more towards localized actions on your device
Free to use Cost $5
Very easy to create commands and recipes Requires a bit more programming, more advanced.
Supported on Web, Google Play & IOS Only supported by IOS
(George Tinari, 2015)
As you can see IFTTT is the clear winner as it has far more options and customizations available. Also its availability is a major factor with it being supported on three platforms versus Workflows one platform.
User Testing
I created a google form to gather some feedback on my topic. I sent this form out to my fellow classmates. The form had a range of questions, asking whether they have heard of the service, would they use it etc. I gathered 15 responses from my questionnaire, here are the results.
• 73% haven’t heard of it
I wasn’t surprised to learn that 73% of the people who took the questionnaire hadn’t heard of it as it hasn’t grown into the Irish market yet
However, after giving them some brief information on the topic, I asked them would they personally find this tool useful.
• 14/15 said yes they would find it useful to them
I then gave them four Recipes and asked them which one they liked the most.
1. Automatically save your contacts
2. Unmute your phone when you leave the office etc.
3. Save docs with ease to Google Docs with a text
4. Log your hours via your location
• The majority 46% chose option 1 which I expected but I personally found option 3 the best as it enables you to save documents from any location to google docs with a simple text command, it came in third with 20% of the vote behind option 2 26%
I also added in a list of other popular recipes and asked if they found any of them appealing. The options were as follows.
1. Add songs from YouTube videos you like to a Spotify playlist
2. Automatically share the tracks you upload to SoundCloud on Facebook
3. Automatically keep your Facebook and Twitter profile pictures in sync
4. Share your Instagram’s to Facebook
5. Automatically Tweet your Facebook status updates
6. Save Facebook photos you are tagged in to your phone
7. Save Snapchat screenshots to Dropbox
The Response was good to as the first choice was the clear winner with 14/15 yes votes. The least favourite option was no. 5 with 10/15 saying no they wouldn’t like to share Facebook and twitter status updates together.
The DO Recipes received some very good feedback after I posted a video with some brief information on the topics and a good portion of the people said they found it a great idea as it makes life simple.
53.3% said they would probably download it at some point, 26.7 % said they would definitely download it while, while 20 % decided that they probably wouldn’t download it.
I calculated the average rating which worked out at 3.8 stars / 5 stars. I was pleased with this result as only four out of the fifteen people who took the questionnaire had heard of IFTTT before they answered the questions. I found Google Forms a great way to gain some feedback on my topic, it gives a great insight into what people think of your products/services. The detailed graphs and pie charts on the response page along with the percentage of votes etc. was very helpful to me while doing my project. I will definitely continue to use this feature in the future.
Conclusion
In Conclusion IFTTT is a brilliant Collaboration/Software tool that can be used with great effectiveness by businesses. It is clear that it is a great tool to use when managing your social media accounts, whether you just want to sync your Twitter and Facebook, or Instagram and Tumblr, or run promotional campaigns automatically without having to worry about changing them one by one IFTTT can do it all. It is also very clear that IFTTT is a great management system for your important documents, by linking your files to storage servers such as Drop Box or Google Docs your Recipes ensure those important documents will never be misplaced or lost. I believe IFTTT is ahead of its competitors as it offers far more integration and in terms of usability it is second to none. The service requires no advanced programming unlike some of their competitors and setting up your Recipes is a quick and easy process. I was happy enough with the feedback I received from the Google Form. I believe the information shows that IFTTT is a very important tool that businesses can use to their advantage in numerous ways.
References
Crunchbase, 2016. Crunchbase/IFTTT. [Online]
Available at: https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/if-this-then-that#/entity
[Accessed 5th October 2016].
George Tinari, 2015. Guiding Tech. [Online]
Available at: http://www.guidingtech.com/46311/ifttt-vs-workflow-automation/
[Accessed 13th October 2016].
Google, 2016. Google Trends. [Online]
Available at: https://www.google.ie/trends/explore?q=windows%20phone
[Accessed 11th October 2016].
IFTTT, 2016. ifttt/do. [Online]
Available at: https://ifttt.com/products/do/button
[Accessed 8th October 2016].
IFTTT, 2016. ifttt/docamera. [Online]
Available at: https://ifttt.com/products/do/camera
[Accessed 8th October 2016].
IFTTT, 2016. ifttt/donote. [Online]
Available at: https://ifttt.com/products/do/note
[Accessed 8th October 2016].
Linden Tibbets, 2010. IFTTT blog/ifttt the beginning. [Online]
Available at: https://ifttt.com/blog/2010/12/ifttt-the-beginning
[Accessed 10th October 2016].
Tom Warren, 2015. The Verge. [Online]
Available at: http://www.theverge.com/2015/7/8/8913365/microsoft-lumia-windows-phones-strategy-2015
[Accessed 13th October 2016].
Workflow, 2016. Workflow. [Online]
Available at: https://workflow.is/
[Accessed 14th October 2016].