Launching WCU Drinks
The project will be launched as an app for users to post information and access the information that is uploaded by other users. WCU Drinks is a free app available in the app store on any iPhone or Android. Although having the Uber app is not a requirement, users with an Uber account are privy to rewards that Uber will offer in addition to other rewards WCU Drinks offers.
After downloading WCU Drinks for the first time, each user will create a simple profile, share their location, and link their WCU Drinks account to their Uber account if they have one.
Tools
WCU Drinks functions partially from a mapping feature for users to view. The project’s mapping feature uses Google Maps to display the mapping platform . Google Maps will allow for the app to pin the locations of the bars in West Chester. This mapping platform will also allow for users to see the amount of other users that have checked into each bar.
Aside from the mapping tool, WCU Drinks uses the database functionality, MYSQL, to successfully collect data in real time and properly store the data. MYSQL is a commonly used database system that operates based off of a “client-server model”.
WCU Drinks was formed using MYSQL for the purpose of storing all the information we wish to gather from users. This tool allows the information that users post regarding crowd size and drink specials to be stored and used in the future.
Features
The design of WCU Drinks will be very simple for users to view and upload information. There will be a simply display menu visible to users on the side of the homepage. The menu will show the users profile have the following tabs: Bar Selection, News Feed, and Rewards.
The homepage on the app will be the mapping platform from Google Maps. This will allow users to view all the bars and how many users have checked in at each bar, at a glance. Uber drivers will also have access to the map with the users locations in order to give the drivers a better idea of how many “riders” are out.
When the user clicks on the Bar Selection tab, a list of all the bars in the downtown West Chester area will appear. Once a specific bar is selected, a zoomed in version of the Homepage map will be visible. This is where users can “Check In”, with a simple click, when they first get in line and once they have entered the bar. This feature of WCU Drinks is where specific bar’s wait time is measured. Any user has access to this part of the map, tailored to each individual bar, to see the more recent wait time posted.
The News Feed tab will be the selection for users to get other live updates regarding each bar. These updates will include details such as: estimated crowd size inside, live music vs a DJ, and any drink specials are are available. There will be a search option at the top of the News Feed that will narrow down the feed to a specific bar or users can view the full feed to browse about all of the bars.
Once a user has made a post or checked in, they will receive points linked to their Uber account. These points and rewards can be viewed under the Rewards tab. The Rewards tab will have a link directly to the users Uber account. Any time a user “Checks In” they will earn 20 points. When a user posts information onto their News Feed, they will receive 10 points per post.
In order to persuade users to actively post on WCU Drinks, one of our main rewards will be a free drink every 500 points. The bar and drink will be of the users choice. This reward can only be redeemed during the hours that each bar offers their drink specials.
The incentive here with WCU Drinks Uber sponsorship is that every 500 points will result in a $5 Uber reward. Uber also generously will offer $2 off every ride, up to 48 hours, for every 200 points. The purpose of these points are to promote both WCU Drinks and Uber.
