Innovation Software Solutions - ThoughtOffice Suite Offers "Creativity To Productivity" Gains

USA (SANEPR.com) June 26, 2008 -- Innovation software. The concept is to help solve problems, create innovations, generate new ideas. The challenge has been to drive both vertical processes or systematic "drill-down" on a concept, while also seeing the breadth of the idea (known as Lateral Thinking). A newly updated 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 an organizer http://www.thoughtoffice.com/?page_id=35) in which to collect images, ideas, concepts, 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. Modules available include Advertising, Marketing, Conflict-Resolution and Evaluation of Ideas. Examples can be seen at http://www.thoughtoffice.com/?page_id=4.

* The IdeaBrowser - a palette that provides access to over 7.6 million images, lyrics, definitions, synonyms, quotes, associations, rhyming words, etc... These elements are placed into a Queue, then added into the main ThoughtOffice interface. Information 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" according to Chipp Walters, lead developer of 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:

Key in an entry in ThoughtOffice to describe the situation (problem, opportunity, idea, process).

From this starting point, two options emerge:

* Launch the Topics Browser and explore the topic in sequential detail using clarifying questions (there are 16 available topics and 13,700 total questions). Click some related questions to add them to the Session, or

* Select a keyword from your initial description and launch the IdeaBrowser. Then explore related images, quotes, definitions, synonyms, lyrics, word associations... 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 iteratively on your Brainstorming Session, moving back & forth between Topics (vertical thinking) and Ideas (lateral thinking), an individual can explore and develop dozens of fresh innovations every hour.

ThoughtOffice owes its origins to the work of Marsh Fisher, founder of IdeaFisher, and interviews conducted with over 800 business and creative leaders worldwide. The program is infinitely extensible, allowing the incorporation of new Topic Modules and IdeaBrowser Search Tabs at any time.

ThoughtOffice programs start at $97, 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 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 result, ThoughtOffice, takes brainstorming and innovation out of the lab and makes it practical for daily use by advertising creatives, authors, inventors, business process developers, CEOs and life coaches. ThoughtOffice Corporation is headquartered at 815 East 20th Street, Vancouver, Washington 98663. They can be reached at 360-609-9272 or http://www.ThoughtOffice.com.
Press Release Distribution byPressReleasePoint


Contact:
Mark Alan Effinger
ThoughtOffice
Portland, OR
360-609-9272
dlock@richcontent.tv
http://www.ThoughtOffice.com