The Program will provide various functions utilizing a Google Voice account. It is VERY similar to Google Voice Auto responder HERE:

http://www.daveamenta.com/2010-03/google-voice-sms-automatic-responder/

These functions will be to support Keywords/Responses and the Scrolling Business Format (used in silent auctions, merchandise sales, etc).

The Program will monitor a Google Voice account for incoming SMS/Text messages and will make a decision on what to do with said messages. This will be described by function in more detail below. The Program will also create a database (MySQL?) to store all of the incoming data (Phone number, message, etc.). The Program will also have the ability to update a website in real time. The Administrator will have a username and password to access protected areas and to manage the various functions of the Program. Also, the Administrator will have the ability from within the administration area to create an unlimited amount of member accounts assigned to keywords. Each member account will have as little as one keyword or as many as the Administrator will assign the member. Each member's keyword can have an auction function (if turned on by Administrator) assigned to that specific keyword.

Keyword/Response function: The Program will be logged in and monitor a Google Voice account for incoming SMS/Text messages containing keywords, with auto-response messages associated with the different keywords created. Administrators should be able to log into some type of back end admin area and assign customizable keywords for either individuals, items, or businesses with customizable response messages to be auto-responded to each of the keywords. Individuals can then text this keyword to a Google Voice account phone number, and a response message will be returned.

Two Levels of User Access: There should be two types of user access, one with Administrative privileges, the other with member access to ONLY their designed keyword(s) and auto-response messages. All of these accesses should be in username and password protected areas in the program, and in a web based area.

The Administrator will have full access to everything. The Administrator will have the ability to monitor each member's access and can turn on/off certain features. The Administrator can create membership access for anyone that he/she chooses. The Administrator can assign one or an unlimited number of keywords to each member. The Administrator will have access to all the databases of every member. The Administrator can turn on/off an SMS auction functionality for the members.

The members can create their own auto-response messages that are assigned to the keyword(s), assigned only by the Administrator, within their own account. The auto-response messages are STRICTLY limited to 140 characters. The members can change their password at any time of their choosing. The Administrator should have the ability to reset a member's password. When turned on by the Administrator, each member can have the ability to configure its own SMS auction.

Auction Function: The Program will monitor a Google Voice account for SMS/Text messages containing special keywords which will be used for bids. The keywords will have a numeric value at the end of the message (example: pizzaxgreytshirt55) Once received, the bidder will receive a response message saying one of two things. If the format was not understood or was different in any way, they will receive "Your bid was not received. Please try again." These messages should be easily customized through the member's or Administrator's access. If the text format was correct, they will receive "Thank you for your bid!" If the text format was correct, the software should have the ability to query the current auction data record in the database and compare the bid. If they have the highest bid, or if the numerical value shows the highest, they will receive "Thank you for your bid. You are the highest bidder!" If not, then "You've been outbid!". Since the keywords will be managed by the account member, they will have the ability to assign an unlimited amount of sub-keywords to be used for their auctions (example: pizzaxgreytshirt – pizzax is the member, and greytshirt is the member's sub-keyword).

After receiving bids, the software will do three things:

1. Update the Auction in the Auction record in the database.
2. It will update the Auction Website and post the results (this would happen on a continuous basis until the auction is over).
3. An SMS message “Congratulations, you are the winner! Please go to ((WEB ADDRESS)) for info to obtain your prize.” which should be customized by the member or Administrator, will be auto-responded to all the winners in a customizable repeating manner also set by the member or Administrator.

Configuration:

KEYWORDS: The member can NOT create a new keyword, however if the auction option is activated by the Administrator for the member, then the member can assign an unlimited amount of sub-keywords (Menu? File\Auction\New\SubKeyword) to any item, service, or thing. This will bring up a screen where the customer's information is entered, along with their auction keyword and the auction response messages. This will be stored in the member's keyword database. The member can set a starting bid price, or also simply have a “Buy It Now” feature that does not follow the standard rules for the auction, but simply sends a auto-response text “Thank You for purchasing ((item)), please go to ((URL)) to complete the purchase.” – this message can be customized by the member. The auction website should update indicating that the item has been purchased and is no longer available.

AUCTIONS: If activated by the Administrator, the member can create a new auction. (Menu? File\Auction\New\New Auction) When a new auction is created by the member, some initial data will need to be entered. The Auction Number, this is the actual number of auctions in the database and will be assigned automatically from the database. Auction Name, this will create a new record in the database. The Auction Name is the first part of the item's text message (See below). The member will then enter the amount of items in the auction, the item description and price. At this point, a webpage should be created with all of this information on it. Auction Keywords will be unique. For example, pizzax1Guitar, for the keyword if this is auction 1 and there's a guitar being auctioned.

PROGRAM DATA: There will need to be a place where the data paths are defined. Where the database is, where the webpage to publish is, general admin things, etc.

RULES: In the Administrator's area, there should be a place to define what the program should do based on the message text. Rules should be kept in the database.

REPORTS: The Program can have reporting capabilities in the Administrator's area for each member's activities. Also, in each member's back end area, they can view their keyword's response data, and also their auction data. Since this is a common DB format, there can be several selections that can be used to view the reports.

SOURCE CODE: Will be released to us after completion. If anyone has any questions regarding this project, please don't hesitate to contact me through the PMB (project message board). My partners and I are very serious about the development of this project and request serious bidders only. Also, please be very aware that once this has been developed, we will be looking towards you, in 'contract' on the on-going expansion, and any upgrades that will be in the horizon.

Again, we are committed on the development, so please any questions, we will gladly answer.