Would Reliance Developer Programme be open to buying ready made applications from developers / ISVs?
Developers are encouraged to list the suite of ready-made applications available with them. Reliance Developer Programme is open to evaluating these applications. In the event Reliance Communications shortlists such applications, the engagement model for such applications would be decided on mutually acceptable terms.
Would Reliance be open to a phased rollout of an application i.e. few core features in the first phase, more features added in the subsequent phases. ?
Yes. Reliance Developers need to design the application, specify application features, rollout plan and time estimates as a part of the Commercial Proposal. A phased rollout would be acceptable only if the application is in a position to be offered as a stand-alone product and/or service to Reliance Communications subscribers at the end of the first phase of application development.
What is the approval process of SRS and how would change management be handled?
Reliance would discuss and finalise the call flow and User Interface with all selected developers. The applications would need to be developed based on the guidelines mentioned in the Reliance Developer Programme Developer Guides. Also, the application need to work consistently on 7 models of Reliance J2ME enabled CDMA handsets (LG RD2030, Samsung XBS, Samsung Rainbow, Samsung RCP, LG 7130, Nokia 280 and G Trans Cindy GCP 4020)
What will be the acceptance process for the applications?
The applications need to comply with the guidelines mentioned in the Reliance Developer Guides and the SRS finalized between the Developer and Reliance. Reliance would perform functional and performance testing of the applications to ensure that all the agreed conditions have been met and the application performs satisfactorily on all 7 handset models. Any bug fix would need to be done by the Reliance Developer at no additional cost to Reliance.
Are there any support requirements for the applications after the Reliance Developer has delivered the final application?
In the event there are minor enhancements required in the application, Reliance may ask for support from the Developer for making these enhancements. Changes in the applications and the enhancements required shall be agreed upon mutually between the Reliance Developer and Reliance.
What information and tools will be provided to the Reliance Developers to build applications?
The contracted Reliance Developers shall receive a Reliance Developer Programme Toolkit to help them build the applications. The Reliance Developer Programme Toolkit will include introduction to Reliance Application Platform (RAP); application development and user interface guidelines; processes for submission, testing, integration and deployment of applications on Reliance network and Reliance phones specific development tools.
Would the Reliance Developers be provided with handsets and network access free of cost for developing the application?
In the interest of a long-term relationship envisaged between the Reliance Developers and Reliance, it is strongly recommended that the Reliance Developers purchase Reliance India Mobile handsets. However, on a case-by-case basis, Reliance Developer Programme may loan handsets to Reliance Developers for a few days only for testing and integration of the applications. The Reliance Developers will need to return the handsets to Reliance Developer Programme at the end of testing and integration of the applications.
CONTENT SOURCING QUESTIONS
Does Reliance Developer Programme evaluate the Reliance Developer on his ability to deliver an end-to-end fully functional application (along with associated content) or is it to evaluate only the technical abilities of the Reliance Developer?
Reliance Developer Programme would look for end-to-end fully functional applications (along with associated content) that could be offered as a product and/or service to Reliance subscribers.
For the applications that require a content feed, is the Reliance Developer responsible for identifying and selecting the content provider? What is the source of content for the applications?
For applications that require static content and if such content has no IPR related issues, Reliance Communications expects the Reliance Developer to generate this content and provide it as a part of the application.
For the applications that use static and/or dynamic content from a third party and/or in the event such content is covered by an IPR, Reliance Communications expects the Reliance Developer to specify the content source required for developing a fully functional application. The Reliance Developer will need to demonstrate a fully functional application integrated with the specified content source. Also, Reliance Developer will need to provide the suggested cost of content and the contact details of the content provider. Reliance Communications may choose to directly negotiate the terms for sourcing content from the content provider. In addition, the Reliance Developer is also expected to provide other options (if any) for sourcing the content.
What if the Reliance Developer can build the application but cannot find a content source?
For the content dependant applications to be fully functional, the developer will need to recommend at least one content source for the application.
If Reliance Communications asks the developer to begin and complete the development even if the content source is not finalized (content source to be finalized by Reliance Communications) within the timeframe of application development, then the responsibility of the Reliance Developer is limited to ensuring that the application is developed and that it can work with the content of the recommended content provider.
However, the developer will need to source and/or create dummy content to replicate the content of the recommended content provider. This will then be used to demonstrate that the application can be fully functional once the content is procured from the third party content provider. For this reason, it is necessary for Reliance Developer to model the application on content sourced from a specific content provider.
For the applications awarded to a Reliance Developer, will Reliance directly enter into an agreement with the respective content providers for content management or does the Reliance Developer need to work out the content management mechanisms?
Wherever Reliance will own the applications (on a one-time fee paid to the Reliance Developer) and is likely to directly agree on the content sourcing terms with the content providers, the content management mechanisms will be the responsibility of Reliance
For applications that require interfaces to external third-party providers, would Reliance tie up with these providers to provide the necessary interfaces? Will these interfaces be based on standards such as SOAP, XML etc or will the application be required to handle a variety of proprietary interfaces?
Reliance Developer should identify alternate third party content sources for the applications. Reliance may choose to directly negotiate with these content providers. As some of these content providers may have proprietary interfaces, the application would need to handle these proprietary interfaces. It would be the responsibility of the Reliance Developer to demonstrate the application to work seamlessly with atleast one content provider. However XML would be the preferred interface for Reliance.
