Innovation Software - "From Creativity To Productivity" Realized by ThoughtOffice Innovation Software Solutions

Portland, OR (PRWEB) March 15, 2007 -- Innovation software. The concept is to help solve problems, generate new ideas, create innovations. The challenge has been driving both vertical processes or systematic "drill-down" on a concept, while also gaining breadth of the idea (aka Lateral Thinking). A new product from a Portland, Oregon firm called ThoughtOffice Corporation combines both elements in a fast, simple to use program that promises accelerated innovation.

"We believe the innovation process should go from the very germ of an idea through the point at which the idea is proven in the market -- at least in terms of a business innovation" says Mark Alan Effinger, CEO of ThoughtOffice Corporation (www.ThoughtOffice.com), a Portland, Oregon based innovation software firm. "We call it 'Creativity to Productivity' or 'Concept to Cashflow' when it comes to the product innovation process. Good ideas should solve problems and create real revenue opportunities."

The ThoughtOffice Innovation Software works by providing a primary palette (http://www.thoughtoffice.com/?page_id=35) in which to organize ideas, concepts, images and questions. Content can be added directly on the page, or pulled in from one of two additional palettes:
* The Topics Browser - a set of 16 Topic Modules containing from 250-2,500 questions each. These modules provide series of questions and topical "setups" along with accompanying images to help systematically drill down on any given subject. Advertising, Marketing, Conflict-Resolution and Evaluation of Ideas are some of the modules available to ThoughtOffice users. Examples can be seen at http://www.thoughtoffice.com/?page_id=4.
* The IdeaBrowser - a palette that provides access to over 7 million images, lyrics, definitions, synonyms, quotes, associations, rhyming words, etc... These elements are dragged into a Queue, then clicked into the main ThoughtOffice interface. These can be found at http://www.thoughtoffice.com/?page_id=7.
"Brainstorming software should get out of the way, so the user can explore ideas quickly and effortlessly. We believe the way ThoughtOffice works helps accomplish that goal, while still delivering significant creative input" says Chipp Walters, lead developer behind the ThoughtOffice architecture. "By separating the lateral thinking engine from the systematic engine as palettes, we've reduced the noise and improved the user experience. Clients such as Homeland Security, NASA, Apple and Novartis have responded well to the way the program works. And we're continuing to develop the process. Innovation Software is a moving target as we constantly learn more about how the mind works."

The program is simple to use:
Create an entry in ThoughtOffice to describe the situation (problem, opportunity, idea, process).

From this starting place, two options emerge:
1) Launch the Topics Browser and explore the topic in sequential detail using clarifying questions (there are 16 topics and 13,700 total questions). Click some related questions into the Session, or
2) Select a keyword from your initial description and launch the IdeaBrowser. Then explore related images, definitions, lyrics, quotes, synonyms, word associations, etc... The IdeaBrowser tracks each of the words and phrases you've clicked on during your exploration. Build a short response in the Queuing area of the IdeaBrowser, and add it to your Session in ThoughtOffice.

By working on your Brainstorming Session back between Topics (vertical thinking) and Ideas (lateral thinking), and individual can explore and develop dozens of fresh innovations every hour.

ThoughtOffice was developed based on the work of Marsh Fisher, founder of IdeaFisher, along with interviews with over 800 business and creative leaders worldwide. The program is infinitely extensible, allowing the addition of new Topic Modules and IdeaBrowser Search Tabs at any time.

ThoughtOffice programs start at $99, with plug-in Topic Modules beginning at $25. The program comes complete with 9 IdeaTabs and the Evaluator Topic Module, as well as the complete ThoughtOffice Brainstorming Session System.

The company can be reached at ThoughtOffice Corporation www.ThoughtOffice.com, info (at) thoughtoffice.com or 360-609-9272.

About ThoughtOffice
ThoughtOffice Corporation is a Portland, Oregon based technology firm focused on innovation and business process development. Since 1986 the company founders have successfully founded and sold nearly a dozen companies, from advertising to laser display technology, software to internet e-commerce. The development team interviewed over 800 business and innovation leaders, and apprenticed with Marsh Fisher, co-founder of Century 21 Real Estate and founder of IdeaFisher, one of the first and most popular brainstorming software programs. The final solution, ThoughtOffice, takes brainstorming and innovation out of the lab and makes it practical for daily use for business process development, advertising creatives, coaches and CEOs. ThoughtOffice Corporation can be reached at 815 East 20th Street, Vancouver, Washington 98663. 360-609-9272 or www.ThoughtOffice.com.

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