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The Journey From Idea to iTunes. The Creation of the UMMS Medical Encyclopedia iPhone Application Marc Laytar – Manager, Web Production University of Maryland Medical Center. Step 1 – Find a Need. Studied existing Medical iPhone apps
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The Journey From Idea to iTunes The Creation of the UMMS Medical Encyclopedia iPhone ApplicationMarc Laytar – Manager, Web Production University of Maryland Medical Center
Step 1 – Find a Need • Studied existing Medical iPhone apps • Many were silly, rudimentary, limited in scope (i.e. Beauty Tips, Sex Facts, iweeducation, etc.) • Very few of genuine value, medical benefit
Step 2 – Identify Your StrengthsWhat can you provide that would be of value to iPhone users? • www.umm.edu website - Most visited academic medical site in country • Almost 3 million visitors/ month • 5,500,000 page views/ month
UMMS Medical Encyclopedia • About 50% of total web traffic comes from Medical Encyclopedia pages (2,500, 000 pageviews/month)
Step 3 – Dive In • Download and install Apple iPhone Developer Kit from developer.apple.com on a Mac computer, includes Interface Builder • Pre-made templates to help you get started, many online tutorials
First Submission to Apple • June 2009 - REJECTED • Consulted outside developers with experience to iron out problems • Re-submitted early July 2009 – Rejected again on technicality • Submitted 3rd time in mid July ...
SUCCESS !! • July 21, 2009 - Accepted, finally • Quickly rose in popularity on iTunes • Within first week, we were top 10 worldwide in Medical category (1300 downloads/day) • Settled around #3 for the first 6 months (1700-2000 downloads/day) • Track results on http://itunesconnect.apple.com
We’re #1 • Reached #1 from March 14-16, 2010 • Approaching 500,000 downloads from over 50 countries • Consistently ranking in the top 10 on iTunes in Medical category, (2000 downloads/day)
What We’ve Learned • Don’t be afraid to start – It’s not as tough as you think • Do your research – What can you bring of value to the iPhone user? • Use the available tools- iPhone SDK , Interface Builder- Youtube tutorials- Experienced programmers to iron out glitches • Name your app something people are searching for • Be patient – Almost everybody gets rejected the first couple of times
Contact Me • If you have any questions with the process, please email me : mlaytar@umm.edu Marc Laytar Manager, Web Production University of Maryland Medical System 410-328-7702