It happened some months ago, that a business partner introduced me to an enthusiastic Italian startup team. First I was a bit surprised to hear their idea to move wine-lists from the printed form to iPad. After a short conversation I saw the cultural and gastronomical differences. They told me that in an average restaurant they can have a hundred kinds of wines, and their top partner has 1400, having problems to keep the printed lists up-to-date.

We finalized the UI design in three days in our office at Budapest, getting a wireframe plan with detailed comments. We decided that all the backend functions will be handled through the web and the data will be synchronized to the devices from time to time. The administrator updates the restaurant, wine and producer information on the backend. Owners of the restaurants start the update process on the devices when they are online.

On the iPad side we had challenges to construct the complex interfaces which were – of course - changing during the project. The vast part of the complexity is hidden in the web backend seen only by administrators. Developing feature-rich and user-friendly applications on the web is still time-consuming, way slower then in the days of thick clients.

As a startup owner I loved the sales-driven thinking of these Italians, and I wish we learn something from them. Sergio, Stefano and their partners had started to sell the product much earlier than they started the development. They got feedback from the market before they spent time and money on the project. I hope this enthusiasm and the well-made product together will be enough for the success.

Bueno fortuna Wineamore!