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I'm woking on a AI/NLP interface to connect enterprises to customers through whatsapp and other messaging apps. I'm using Python/Django and Yowsup (a python li

I'm woking on a AI/NLP interface to connect enterprises to customers through whatsapp and other messaging apps. I'm using Python/Django and Yowsup (a python lib that reverse engineered whatsapp's protocol) with PostgreSQL/Redis. I wonder what you guys think about building a company around this idea. I have a prototype and a couple of customers, so the market is there, but I don't know if whatsapp could sue me or something.

BjoernKW 12y ago
I wouldn't worry so much about WhatsApp suing you. If they don't like what you're doing (or others for that matter) they can more just change their protocol. The problem with building a company around such a solution rather is this: Is there a market? Sure, having a machine automatically answer customer requests is a nice parlour trick but what's the benefit for the customer? Just saving money on call centre agents? Or does the software actually solve a real problem in a novel way that can't be tackled using existing solutions?
- ericmarcos 12y ago
  I don't think whatsapp will change their protocol too much, as they'll break millions of clients installed in old phones. The benefit for the company looks obvious to me: save money on call centre / community management. Deliver a service to millions of mobile users without requiring them to download your app (just adding a phone number to the agenda). The benefit for the end-user: having a conversational interface with a system is probably the lowest barrier entry to that system for a human. Everybody knows how to chat using whatsapp, but not everybody knows (nor is willing to learn) how to use your "user-friendly" GUI.
hpagey 12y ago
This is very interesting idea. I met two realtors last week who use whatsapp to answer questions from current and potential clients. My gut instinct is there is definitely a market for it. How do I contact you ?
- ericmarcos 12y ago
  ericmarcos.p at gmail

BjoernKW 12y ago

I wouldn't worry so much about WhatsApp suing you. If they don't like what you're doing (or others for that matter) they can more just change their protocol. The problem with building a company around such a solution rather is this: Is there a market? Sure, having a machine automatically answer customer requests is a nice parlour trick but what's the benefit for the customer? Just saving money on call centre agents? Or does the software actually solve a real problem in a novel way that can't be tackled using existing solutions?

ericmarcos 12y ago
I don't think whatsapp will change their protocol too much, as they'll break millions of clients installed in old phones. The benefit for the company looks obvious to me: save money on call centre / community management. Deliver a service to millions of mobile users without requiring them to download your app (just adding a phone number to the agenda). The benefit for the end-user: having a conversational interface with a system is probably the lowest barrier entry to that system for a human. Everybody knows how to chat using whatsapp, but not everybody knows (nor is willing to learn) how to use your "user-friendly" GUI.

hpagey 12y ago

This is very interesting idea. I met two realtors last week who use whatsapp to answer questions from current and potential clients. My gut instinct is there is definitely a market for it. How do I contact you ?

ericmarcos 12y ago
ericmarcos.p at gmail