Grubster

1
Grubster

• Redefining the Grub Run Paradigm for the 21st
  Century

Paul OKeefe COEN 485 November 8, 2007
2
Agenda

• What is a Grub Run?
• Current Methods
• Problems
• Grubster
• Overview
• Customers
• Features
• Benefits
• Business Strategy
• Technology
• Conclusion Questions

3
What is a Grub Run?

• Quick errand, get out, grab a snack
• Primary Objectives
• Temporarily escape from current environment
• Pick up some grub
• Get back ASAP (so as not to be missed)
• Socialize and have fun
• How it is currently done
• Bob wants to go on a Starbucks run
• Bob gathers other people to join him
• Walks up and down hallways asking people
• Calls people one by one
• Bob and the gang go to Starbucks
• Fun ensues

4
Grub Running Problems

• Slow
• Takes a long time to gather group
• Difficult to Schedule In Advance
• No reminder when its time to go
• People may change their minds
• Poor Organization
• Organizer may not be able to locate (or
• just forget to ask) potentially interested
  people
• No Privacy
• Uninvited people may overhear
• conversation and invite themselves
• Too Conspicuous
• Managers may take offense at a large
• group gathering and leaving
• No Local Marketing
• Local Businesses cant advertise effectively

5
Grubster

• Application to help users schedule and manage
  their grub runs
• Users schedule events
• Other users can view and accept/decline events
• Pop-up reminder when it is time to leave
• Everyone meets and proceeds to destination
• Potential Customers
• Office workers
• Students living in dorms
• Neighbors

6
Features

• Users schedule events
• Organizer specifies
• Meeting time
• Meeting location
• Destination
• Other users see pending events
• Search by event destination, attendees, etc.
• Accept or decline event
• Optional Can you pick me up something?
• Buddy Lists
• Control over who can/cant view events
• Instant messaging between buddies
• Mobile Features
• Text message reminders
• Web interface for Internet-enabled devices

7
Benefits

• Fast and easy
• Minimal effort required by users
• Less time wasted organizing,
• more time for fun
• Protect user privacy
• Events only viewable by buddies
• No hurt feelings about being forgotten or left
  out
• Promotes carpooling
• Environmentalism!

8
Business Strategy

• Display Ads on Grubster Client
• General advertising broadcast to all users
• Local Marketing
• Each Grubster client knows its location and only
  shows ads for that location
• Local businesses advertise to specific area codes
• Businesses can distribute location-specific
  coupons
• Local users see coupon, print it out, show up to
  that specific store!
• Cost-effective, targeted advertising!

9
Technology

• Grubster Server
• Server Core (C/Java)
• Database (MySQL)
• Web Interface (PHP/Python)
• Client Application
• Client Core (C/Java)
• GUI toolkit (TBD)

10
Conclusion

• Grubster is poised to revolutionize the way we go
  on grub runs
• Are you ready?
• Questions?