Cardano-Enabled Document Generation and E-Signature in Salesforce

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Houssem BENMAHMOUD

[GENERAL] Email address of main applicant

houssem.benmahmoud01@gmail.com

Additional applicants

Oussama BENMAHMOUD

[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)

10

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language.

No

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

No

[GENERAL] If YES, please describe what the dependency is and why you believe it is essential for your project’s delivery. If NO, please write “No dependencies.” .

No dependencies.

[GENERAL] Will your project’s output/s be fully open source?

No

[GENERAL] If NO, please describe which outputs are not going to be open source. If YES, please write “Project will be fully open source.”

Our decision to keep certain aspects of our project proprietary is aimed at producing a commercially viable product. This not only funds our project's upkeep and progress but also demonstrates Cardano's capacity for supporting profitable ventures. Our aim is to build commercial success on Cardano, boosting its value, showcasing its potential for market growth, and encouraging corporate adoption. By doing so, we hope to inspire others to tap into this technology, balancing collaboration and commercialization for the long-term success of the Cardano ecosystem.

[METADATA] Category of Proposal

dApp

[IMPACT] Please describe your proposed solution.

Our approach stands out due to the innovative integration of blockchain technology into the Salesforce CRM ecosystem. While traditional solutions focus on addressing CRM functionalities, our project takes a bold step by incorporating the decentralized and transparent nature of the Cardano blockchain.

By leveraging Cardano's robust infrastructure and smart contract capabilities, we create a Cardano-integrated application within Salesforce. This integration allows us to provide a seamless experience for generating, signing, and storing sales documents securely. The blockchain aspect ensures the immutability and tamper-proof nature of the documents, bolstering data integrity and trust.

What sets us apart is the application of blockchain technology to enhance document management within a widely adopted CRM platform like Salesforce. Our solution goes beyond the conventional boundaries of CRM systems, enabling users to leverage the inherent benefits of blockchain for secure and transparent document workflows.

Through this unique approach, we empower Salesforce users to:

1. Generate Documents: Our application provides a user-friendly interface to easily generate sales documents within the familiar Salesforce environment. Users can create contracts, proposals, and other sales-related documents efficiently.
2. Sign Documents: Leveraging blockchain's cryptographic mechanisms, our solution enables seamless digital signatures for sales documents. This eliminates the need for manual signatures, reducing time delays and enhancing the overall signing process.
3. Store Documents: Instead of relying solely on centralized storage, our approach leverages the blockchain's distributed nature. While the complete sales documents are stored securely in Salesforce's storage infrastructure, we store a unique hash (digital fingerprint) of each document on the Cardano blockchain. This ensures the authenticity and integrity of the documents can be verified anytime by comparing the stored hash with the document's current hash.
4. Ensure Security and Transparency: By integrating blockchain technology, we provide an additional layer of security and transparency to the sales document management process. The decentralized nature of the blockchain safeguards against unauthorized alterations or tampering, enhancing trust and data integrity.

Our unique approach brings the power of blockchain to Salesforce users, enabling them to streamline their document workflows, enhance data security, and strengthen customer relationships. By integrating Cardano's decentralized technology into Salesforce, we pioneer the convergence of CRM and blockchain, demonstrating the immense potential and practical application of blockchain technology in the business realm.

 

Engagement and Impact:

 

Our project will directly benefit organizations and businesses that use Salesforce. By enabling a secure, transparent, and streamlined process for managing sales documents, our application can significantly improve operational efficiency and customer trust. Beyond individual businesses, our project also has the potential to influence the broader CRM industry by demonstrating the value of blockchain integration, setting a new benchmark for data security and transparency in CRM.

 

What Sets Us Apart:

 

Our unique selling point lies in the innovative integration of blockchain technology into a traditional CRM system. This combination is an avant-garde concept in the CRM and blockchain industries and opens up new horizons for the application of blockchain technology. By demonstrating the positive impact of blockchain technology in Salesforce's environment, our project paves the way for further exploration and adoption of blockchain in CRM systems and other business applications.

 

Significance to Cardano:

 

Our project aligns with Cardano's mission to 'provide a more balanced and sustainable ecosystem' by showcasing Cardano's applicability in business operations. By integrating Cardano's decentralized technology into Salesforce's CRM platform, we will introduce Salesforce's vast user base to the advantages of blockchain technology, fostering the understanding and adoption of Cardano.

 

Furthermore, as Salesforce is globally recognized and trusted, the successful implementation of our project can serve as a strong case study, demonstrating the practical value and versatility of Cardano to a global audience. As we track the success of our solution, measured by the adoption rate among Salesforce users, the volume of documents managed through our application, and user satisfaction levels, we will not only prove our project's impact but also strengthen Cardano's reputation in the wider business and tech community.

[IMPACT] How does your proposed solution address the challenge and what benefits will this bring to the Cardano ecosystem?

Our proposed solution directly addresses the challenge by developing a product that provides value to both the Cardano ecosystem and Salesforce users. It also integrates Cardano's blockchain technology with Salesforce, a widely used CRM platform, which improves end-user experience by offering secure and seamless document handling.

 

Benefits to Cardano Ecosystem:

 

·        Increased Adoption: By integrating Cardano with Salesforce, which serves millions of users, we can expose a broader audience to Cardano's blockchain technology. This exposure could drive new users to the Cardano ecosystem and encourage further exploration and adoption of its technology.

 

·        Ecosystem Strengthening: Our application showcases a practical, real-world use case for Cardano, demonstrating its potential outside the financial sector. The success of this project could encourage developers and businesses to consider Cardano for their own unique solutions, strengthening the diversity and resilience of the ecosystem.

 

·        Solution to a Key Problem: Our project addresses the lack of a secure, integrated solution for document generation, e-signature, and storage in Salesforce, providing a unique use case for Cardano's blockchain technology.

 

In terms of impact quantification, while exact figures will depend on adoption rates and market trends, our conservative estimates suggest that within a year post-launch, our application could engage at least 1% of Salesforce's user base. Given that Salesforce has 150,000+ customers, this could result in approximately 1,500 businesses utilizing our solution, generating a substantial number of transactions and interactions with the Cardano blockchain. This figure represents a significant increase in Cardano's user base and transaction volume, thereby boosting the overall strength and vitality of the Cardano ecosystem.

[IMPACT] How do you intend to measure the success of your project?

Measuring the success of our project involves both quantitative and qualitative metrics, focusing on adoption rates, user experience, and the value provided to the Cardano ecosystem.

 

• Adoption Rate: The most direct measure of our success will be the number of businesses that adopt our solution within Salesforce. A higher adoption rate indicates that our solution is providing value and solving a real problem for Salesforce users. We aim to engage at least 1% of Salesforce's customer base within the first year, which we believe is a realistic target given the compelling benefits of our solution.

• Volume of Transactions: Another quantitative measure is the volume of document-related transactions carried out on the Cardano blockchain as a result of our application. An increasing volume would indicate active usage and integration of our solution in daily business operations.

• User Feedback and Satisfaction: On the qualitative side, we'll actively solicit user feedback to understand how our application is impacting their business processes. We'll use surveys and direct user interviews to gauge user satisfaction and gather suggestions for improvements.

• Case Studies: We'll collaborate with businesses that have adopted our solution to create case studies demonstrating the efficiency gains and enhanced security they have achieved. This will provide concrete examples of the value our solution brings to its users.

 

In the short term, our innovation should increase Cardano's productivity by bringing a significant number of transactions to its blockchain via our application. It will also introduce Cardano to a wider audience, which could result in further adoption of its technology.

 

In the long term, the successful implementation of our project can showcase the practical, real-world application of Cardano's blockchain technology. This could stimulate innovation within the Cardano ecosystem, inspire similar integrations with other platforms, and enhance the overall strength and diversity of solutions built on Cardano.

[IMPACT] Please describe your plans to share the outputs and results of your project?

Our plans to share the outputs and results of our project are multi-faceted and aim to maximize visibility and impact.

 

·        Promotion via Salesforce and Cardano Channels: We will promote our application through Salesforce's AppExchange and Cardano's forums and social media platforms, reaching out to both existing users and potential new adopters. We will regularly share updates, progress reports, and case studies that highlight the application's benefits.

 

·        Engagement with Developer Communities: We will engage with Salesforce and Cardano developer communities to share our learnings and insights from the project. This could stimulate further integrations and innovations within these communities.

 

In terms of future research and development activities, the results generated from this project will guide the iterative development of our application. User feedback, adoption rates, and case studies will inform the features and improvements we focus on. In addition, we expect our work to inspire further research and development efforts within the Cardano community, contributing to the broader growth and innovation of the Cardano ecosystem.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability?

Our team is uniquely qualified to deliver this project with high levels of trust and accountability, combining extensive experience in Salesforce, Cardano's blockchain technology, and software quality assurance.

 

·        Salesforce Expertise: The main proposer is a Certified Salesforce Consultant with five years of experience as a Sales Engineer. His expertise in optimizing CRM solutions provides a deep understanding of Salesforce, its functionalities, and its user requirements.

 

·        Cardano Knowledge: The co-proposer is an active Cardano community member and a Plutus Pioneer, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of the Cardano blockchain, its capabilities, and its community. This knowledge is vital for ensuring that our solution fully leverages Cardano's strengths and aligns with its ecosystem.

 

·        Software Quality Assurance: The co-proposer is also a Software Quality Assurance Expert and holds an ISTQB Advanced Level Certification, ensuring that our application meets the highest standards of functionality, performance, and user experience. This role is critical in ensuring that our solution is reliable, secure, and user-friendly.

 

·        Proven Track Record: Our team has a proven track record of successful project execution, having delivered multiple projects on time and to the satisfaction of stakeholders. We understand the importance of transparent communication, regular progress updates, and timely delivery.

 

·        Passion for Decentralization: Our team shares a deep passion for blockchain and the value of decentralization. This passion motivates us to deliver a solution that not only meets our users' needs but also contributes to the Cardano ecosystem and its vision.

 

As for financial management and ensuring proper usage of funds, we follow a rigorous process:

 

·        Budget Planning: We will prepare a detailed budget plan outlining all the necessary expenses related to the project. This includes development costs, testing, marketing, maintenance, and any other related costs. This budget will serve as our financial roadmap.

 

·        Financial Reporting: We will provide regular financial updates showing how the funds are being used. This includes detailed reports about the project's progress, ensuring complete transparency about where the funds are going and how they are helping move the project forward.

 

·        Milestone-Based Release: The funds will be released based on predefined project milestones. This ensures that the funds are being used for their intended purpose and that progress is being made before more funds are allocated.

 

·        Audit Trail: We will maintain a clear audit trail for all financial transactions related to the project, demonstrating our commitment to accountability and transparency.

 

With this combination of expertise, passion, and stringent financial management practices, we believe we are best suited to deliver this project successfully while maintaining high levels of trust and accountability.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] What are the main goals for the project and how will you validate if your approach is feasible?

Our project revolves around three primary goals:

 

Integration of Cardano with Salesforce: The primary goal of this project is to develop a secure, user-friendly application that facilitates document generation and e-signature within Salesforce, leveraging the Cardano blockchain. This application will bring the power of Cardano’s blockchain technology into Salesforce's extensive ecosystem, offering a unique value proposition.

 

Improve Business Processes: By streamlining the process of generating, sending, signing, and storing sales documents, we aim to enhance business efficiency and reduce the time and effort involved in these tasks. This leads to more time for customer engagement and value-creation activities.

 

Expand Cardano’s Ecosystem: Our project will provide a tangible use case for Cardano's blockchain technology in enterprise software. By showcasing the practical application of Cardano, we aspire to attract more users and developers to the Cardano ecosystem, further expanding its reach and impact.

 

Our approach's feasibility will be validated through the following measures:

 

Prototyping and Testing: The development process will start with creating a prototype of the application. This prototype will be tested extensively for its functionality, usability, and integration with Salesforce. The feedback and insights gained from this testing phase will validate the viability of our solution.

 

Engagement with the Community: Both the Salesforce and Cardano communities will be actively involved in the development process. By soliciting their feedback and incorporating their suggestions, we will ensure that our solution effectively addresses the users' needs and expectations. The positive reception of our solution within these communities will serve as validation of our approach.

 

Performance Tracking: Post-launch, we will monitor the application's performance closely, tracking key metrics such as user adoption rates, the number of documents generated, sent, signed, and stored using the application, and user satisfaction levels. Success in these metrics will confirm the effectiveness and feasibility of our solution.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] Please provide a detailed breakdown of your project’s milestones and each of the main tasks or activities to reach the milestone plus the expected timeline for the delivery.

Milestone 1: Project Initiation and Requirements Gathering (Month 1-2)

Key Activities:

• Conduct a kick-off meeting to align project objectives and deliverables.
• Review and finalize the project plan, including timelines and resource allocation.
• Conduct in-depth requirements gathering and analysis sessions, focusing on Salesforce and Cardano integration aspects.

Success Criteria:

• Project objectives, scope, and resource allocation have been documented and agreed upon by all stakeholders.

Milestone 2: Application Prototyping and Development (Month 3-6)

Key Activities:

• Design and develop a prototype of the Cardano-integrated application within Salesforce Sandbox.
• Develop smart contracts on Cardano to handle document generation, e-signatures, and secure storage.
• Gather user feedback on the prototype and incorporate it into the application development.
• Conduct rigorous testing and quality assurance to ensure application functionality and security in the sandbox environment.

Success Criteria:

• A functioning prototype of the Cardano-integrated application has been developed and validated in the Salesforce Sandbox environment.

Milestone 3: User Interface Design and Enhancement (Month 4-6)

Key Activities:

• Design an intuitive and user-friendly interface for the application.
• Incorporate user feedback to enhance the user experience.
• Optimize the application's performance and responsiveness.
• Conduct usability testing to ensure a seamless user interface in the sandbox environment.

Success Criteria:

• A user-friendly and intuitive application interface has been designed and validated.

Milestone 4: Integration and Deployment (Month 6-7)

Key Activities:

• Develop necessary integrations and connections to enable seamless communication between the application and Salesforce's infrastructure.
• Conduct rigorous testing in the sandbox environment to ensure the application functions properly and interactions with Cardano's blockchain are successful.
• Transition the application from the sandbox to the production environment.
• Conduct validation checks in the production environment to ensure application functionality and security.

Success Criteria:

• The cardano-enabled application is fully integrated and validated in the production environment.

Milestone 5: AppExchange Submission and Review (Month 7-8)

Key Activities:

• Prepare documentation, including user guides and installation instructions.
• Complete the necessary steps for AppExchange submission, adhering to guidelines.
• Submit the application for review and certification on the Salesforce AppExchange.
• Address any feedback or concerns raised during the review process.
• Obtain final approval to list the application on the AppExchange.
• Optimize the AppExchange listing with keywords, compelling product descriptions, and high-quality screenshots.

Success Criteria:

• The application has been successfully reviewed, certified, and approved for listing on Salesforce's AppExchange.

Milestone 6: Post-Deployment Enhancements and Maintenance (Month 9-10)

Key Activities:

• Monitor and gather user feedback for continuous improvement.
• Implement enhancements based on user feedback and evolving needs.
• Provide ongoing maintenance and support for the application, resolving any integration issues between Salesforce and Cardano in the production environment.
• Continue post-launch marketing efforts with regular updates about product enhancements, user stories, and case studies.
• Engage with users through webinars, user forums, and social media.

Success Criteria:

• Continuous improvement and maintenance of the application have been successfully implemented based on user feedback and evolving needs.

Overall Project Management Approach:

The project will follow an Agile project management approach, employing iterative development and regular communication with stakeholders. Weekly progress meetings, task tracking, and collaborative tools will be used to ensure effective coordination and timely completion of project milestones. Regular feedback loops and continuous improvement will be emphasized throughout the project lifecycle.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] Please describe the deliverables, outputs and intended outcomes of each milestone.

Milestone 1: Project Initiation and Requirements Gathering

Deliverables:

• Documented project plan, including objectives, timelines, and resource allocation.
• Requirements gathering report, outlining the document generation, e-signature, and storage aspects within Salesforce.

Intended Outcomes:

• Clear alignment among stakeholders on project objectives and deliverables.
• Comprehensive understanding of the project requirements and integration aspects within Salesforce.

Measures of Progress:

• Approval and agreement on the project plan by all stakeholders.
• Completion and acceptance of the requirements gathering report.

Milestone 2: Application Prototyping and Development

Deliverables:

• Functioning prototype of the Cardano-Enabled Document Generation and E-Signature Application in Salesforce.
• Implementation of document generation, e-signature capabilities, and secure storage mechanisms within the application.

Intended Outcomes:

• Validation and testing of the application prototype.
• Demonstration of the feasibility and functionality of the document generation, e-signature, and storage functionalities.

Measures of Progress:

• Successful development and validation of the application prototype.
• Verification of the functionality and security of the implemented document generation, e-signature, and storage mechanisms.

Milestone 3: User Interface Design and Enhancement

Deliverables:

• User-friendly and intuitive interface design for the application.
• Enhanced application based on user feedback and usability testing results.

Intended Outcomes:

• Improved user experience and interface design for seamless document workflows.
• Positive user feedback on the usability and intuitiveness of the application.

Measures of Progress:

• Completion and acceptance of the user interface design.
• Incorporation of user feedback to enhance the application's usability.

Milestone 4: Integration and Deployment

Deliverables:

• Successfully integrated Cardano-Enabled Document Generation and E-Signature Application with Salesforce.
• Thoroughly tested and functional application deployed in the production environment.

Intended Outcomes:

• Seamless integration between the application and Salesforce, ensuring data integrity and security.
• Successful deployment of the application in a production environment.

Measures of Progress:

• Successful integration and interaction between the application and Salesforce.
• Validation of the application's functionality and security in the production environment.

Milestone 5: AppExchange Submission and Review

Deliverables:

• Comprehensive documentation, including user guides and installation instructions.
• Approved listing of the Cardano-Enabled Document Generation and E-Signature Application on the Salesforce AppExchange.

Intended Outcomes:

• Certification and listing of the application on the Salesforce AppExchange.
• Increased visibility and accessibility for potential users and adopters.

Measures of Progress:

• Completion of documentation, user guides, and installation instructions.
• Successful review and approval of the application for listing on the Salesforce AppExchange.

Milestone 6: Post-Deployment Enhancements and Maintenance

Deliverables:

• Ongoing product enhancements based on user feedback and evolving needs.
• Continuous maintenance and support for the Cardano-Enabled Document Generation and E-Signature Application.

Intended Outcomes:

• Continuous improvement and optimization of the application based on user feedback.
• Sustained functionality and performance of the application in the production environment.

Measures of Progress:

• Implementation of user feedback-driven enhancements and improvements.
• Successful resolution of reported issues or concerns.
• Positive feedback from users and stakeholders regarding the application's performance and support.

[RESOURCES & VALUE FOR MONEY] Please provide a detailed budget breakdown of the proposed work and resources.

Milestone 1: Project Initiation and Requirements Gathering: 20,000 ADA

• Project Management

Milestone 2: Application Prototyping and Development: 40,000 ADA

• Prototype development: 15,000 ADA
• Functionality development: 15,000 ADA
• User interface design: 5,000 ADA
• Testing and quality assurance: 5,000 ADA

Milestone 3: User Interface Design and Enhancement: 20,000 ADA

• User interface design improvements: 10,000 ADA
• User experience testing: 5,000 ADA
• Usability enhancements: 5,000 ADA

Milestone 4: Integration and Deployment: 30,000 ADA

• Integration development: 15,000 ADA
• Deployment and configuration: 10,000 ADA
• Testing and verification: 5,000 ADA

Milestone 5: AppExchange Submission and Review: 25,000 ADA

• Documentation preparation: 5,000 ADA
• Submission and review process: 10,000 ADA
• Feedback addressing and enhancements: 5,000 ADA
• AppExchange listing optimization: 5,000 ADA

Milestone 6: Post-Deployment Enhancements and Maintenance: 25,000 ADA

• Community Engagement Activities: 5,000 ADA
• Ongoing maintenance and support: 5,000 ADA
• Reporting and documentation: 5,000 ADA
• Marketing and Promotion Expenses: 10,000 ADA

[RESOURCES & VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

The cost of the project represents value for money for the Cardano ecosystem due to the following factors:

1. Expertise and Experience: Houssem, a Certified Salesforce Consultant serving as the Project Manager and Salesforce Technical Lead, brings 5 years of experience optimizing CRM solutions. With a solid understanding of Salesforce's platform, He possesses the knowledge to ensure seamless integration with Cardano. Oussama, contributes with his extensive experience in software quality assurance and blockchain development. His role as a Plutus Pioneer and involvement in Connected Car Projects add value to the team. These experienced team members ensure that the project is in capable hands, justifying the costs associated with their expertise.
2. Project Management and Coordination: Houssem, acting as the Project Manager, will oversee resource allocation, coordination, and project execution. This ensures that the project progresses efficiently and stays on track. The costs associated with project management contribute to effective planning, organization, and communication, resulting in a streamlined development process and timely deliverables.
3. Skill Diversity and Recruitment: The project team acknowledges the need to recruit additional team members in key areas such as marketing and front-end development. The recruitment of a marketing specialist and front-end developer reflects the commitment to assembling a well-rounded team capable of addressing the project's requirements. By bringing in professionals with expertise in blockchain-specific marketing and user-friendly interface development, the project aims to maximize its impact and reach. The associated costs for team expansion align with the intention of delivering a comprehensive and high-quality product.
4. Active Engagement in the Cardano Community: Both the main applicant and co-proposer are actively engaged in the Cardano community through participation in Discord discussions and technical-group channels. Their understanding of the resources required for the project, combined with their involvement in the Cardano ecosystem, demonstrates their commitment and dedication. The costs incurred in the project reflect the investment in leveraging the expertise and community connections to deliver a valuable solution to the Cardano ecosystem.

The costs associated with the project have been determined by considering the expertise, experience, and skill diversity of the team, as well as market rates in Europe and industry standards for similar projects. The team's qualifications and active engagement in the Cardano community further support the value for money, as they bring a combination of technical knowledge, industry experience, and a passion for advancing the Cardano ecosystem.

[IMPORTANT NOTE] The Applicant agreed to Fund10 rules and also that data in the Submission Form and other data provided by the project team during the course of the project will be publicly available.

I Accept