A scalable mobile platform for accessing services of experts in local and global markets

移动设备的快速发展改变了我们交流、学习和工作的方式。它使我们有可能与家人、朋友和同事保持联系，无论他们在哪里。然而，通过使用移动设备开展业务就不那么容易了，特别是对于中小型企业(SMB)，因为获取先进技术的机会有限。因此，这对中小企业通过高效和先进的移动应用程序扩大业务既是挑战，也是机遇。行业合作伙伴阿尔法全球专家公司(AGE)就面临着这样的挑战。AGE的目标是为公司提供端到端的咨询服务，以实现国际市场的战略扩张和可持续运营。AGE通过在文化适应、商业习俗、培训、商业谈判和语言服务领域提供定制的当地专业知识、文化洞察力和全球战略支持来实现这一目标。阿尔法全球专家公司的目标是成为为国际市场上的公司提供国内支持的市场领先者。为了扩大服务，AGE打算建立一款移动应用程序，提供一个中央平台/门户，将客户与国内当地专家联系起来，帮助导航国外市场。该项目的目标是在艾伯塔大学研究人员和AGE之间建立互惠互利的合作关系，为潜在客户开发一个移动应用平台，以获得AGE在不同国家提供的专家服务。该项目还为高素质人才(HQP)提供了独特的培训环境。培训将使HQP具备在工商业背景下进行软件开发的必要技能。因此，从长远来看，该项目将使加拿大经济受益。

The rapid development of mobile devices has changed the way how we communicate, learn and work. It has made it possible for us to stay in touch with family, friends and colleagues wherever they might be. However, it is less easy to conduct business through the use of mobile devices, especially for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) due to limited access to advanced technologies. Hence, it presents a challenge, as well as an opportunity, for the SMBs to expand their businesses through efficient and advanced mobile applications. The industrial partner, Alpha Global Experts Inc. (AGE), is faced with such a challenge. AGE aims to provide end-to-end consulting services to companies to enable strategic expansion and sustainable operations in international markets. AGE achieves this by providing customized local expertise, cultural insights and global strategic support in the areas of cultural adaptation, business customs, training, business negotiation and language services. The goal of Alpha Global Experts Inc. is to become a market leader for providing in-country support for companies in international markets. To expand its services, AGE intends to build a mobile app, which provides a central platform/portal connecting clients to in-country local experts to help navigate foreign markets. The objective of this project is to create a mutually beneficial collaboration between the University of Alberta researchers and AGE to develop a mobile application platform for potential customers to access the services of experts provided by AGE in various countries. This project also provides a unique training environment for highly qualified personnel (HQP). The training will equip the HQP necessary skills in software development within an industrial and commercial context. Hence, the project will benefit the Canadian economy in the long term.