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

移动的设备的快速发展改变了我们交流、学习和工作的方式。它使我们能够与家人、朋友和同事保持联系，无论他们身在何处。然而，通过使用移动的设备开展业务并不容易，特别是对于中小型企业（SMB）而言，这是由于获得先进技术的途径有限。因此，它为中小企业提供了一个挑战，也是一个机会，通过高效和先进的移动的应用程序来扩展其业务。工业合作伙伴Alpha Global Experts Inc. (AGE)，正面临着这样的挑战。AGE旨在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等领域提供定制的本地专业知识、文化见解和全球战略支持来实现这一目标。Alpha Global Experts Inc.成为市场领导者，为国际市场上的公司提供国内支持。为了扩大服务，AGE打算建立一个移动的应用程序，提供一个中央平台/门户，将客户与国内的当地专家联系起来，以帮助浏览国外市场。该项目的目标是在阿尔伯塔大学的研究人员和老龄问题研究中心之间建立互利合作关系，开发一个移动的应用平台，供潜在客户使用老龄问题研究中心在各国提供的专家服务。该项目还为高素质人员（HQP）提供了独特的培训环境。该培训将使HQP具备在工业和商业环境中进行软件开发的必要技能。因此，该项目将有利于加拿大经济的长期发展。

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.