Everywhere Commerce in the Digital World

Published on Monday, 5 August 2019

Challenge Expiration Date: October 1, 2019

Reward:

$20,000

Abstract

Enel is interested in finding solutions to combine digital communication and sales for electricity and gas market customers.

This Theoretical Challenge requires only a written proposal.

OVERVIEW

With the development of the internet, an abundance of information can be found quickly and easily. This is especially useful when researching several options before deciding what to buy. Gone are the days where marketing consisted solely of commercials on the radio/television, flyers in the newspaper/magazines, and telemarketing calls. New digital marketing options are available, yet people who are bombarded by messaging may simply ignore these advertisements when using an app, checking their email, or surfing the web.

Enel is a multinational energy company that is a global leader in sustainability and one of the world’s leading integrated electricity and gas operators. Specifically in support of their commitment to provide affordable and clean energy, Enel is searching for digital solutions that allow existing and potential customers the ability to seamlessly browse and purchase products and services, anytime and anywhere.

This Challenge provides contribution to the following SDG:

SDG 9

– Register now to start solving this Challenge! The full description challenge will be available to logged in users only. –

For questions about the challenge and your proposal you can contact EnelOpenInnovabilityChallenges@innocentive.com

Description

BACKGROUND

Online or electronic commerce (e-commerce) is defined as trading in products or services conducted via the internet. In-store commerce is any transaction that takes place at physical stores. Everywhere commerce combines them into a seamless user experience. Mobile phones and tablets allow users to tap and click their way to finding the lowest price and making a purchase whenever and wherever they wish. The needs of shoppers remain, in many ways, largely unchanged. They are looking for good prices, reliable customer service, and brand recognition. What has dramatically changed is their expectation of how businesses will fulfill those needs.

The market is now accessible 24/7 and customers now demand access to the entire catalog, not just the range of goods in a particular location, and they also expect this listing to be available when they need it. People can shop potentially every minute of the day. How can we satisfy existing customers and also influence and entice new customers to consider our products and services?

THE CHALLENGE

Enel is searching for ready to be developed or turn-key solutions that leverage digital technology to boost sales by communicating more effectively to existing and potential customers. The approach must allow customers to access and acquire services and products from essentially anywhere and everywhere.

Submissions must have the following qualities:

Define new digital tools and processes to attract and establish a dialogue with a substantial number of new and existing customers with paying attention to any form of diversity (e.g. gender, age, disability, nationality and other types of personal, social, and cultural differences)
Digitally direct customers to Enel’s services and products portfolio
Streamline the process for customers to make and complete an electronic commerce transaction as compared to current methods
Support Enel’s commitment on SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) with specific emphasis on 9

In addition, the following qualities are highly desired but not required:

Is applicable worldwide
Proven results when implemented in another context

PROJECT DELIVERABLES

The submitted proposal should be a maximum of 10 pages and include the following:

Rationale for the proposed concept and a detailed explanation of its novelty and feasibility highlighting the value for inclusion and forms of diversity covered
Key steps for commercializing the solution (e.g. resources, time frame, metrics, and insights) with respect to any known limitations
If available, additional documents containing supporting information (file formats such as .doc, .jpg, .pdf, .ppt) may be uploaded as attachments

The proposal should not include any personal identifying information (name, username, company, address, phone, email, personal website, resume, etc.) or any information the Solvers may consider as their Intellectual Property they do not want to share.

Challenge rules

This is a Theoretical Challenge, which requires only a written proposal to be submitted. The Challenge award will be contingent upon theoretical evaluation of the submission by the Seeker.

To receive an award, the Solvers will not have to transfer the exclusive IP rights to the Seeker. Instead, Solver will grant to the Seeker a non-exclusive license to practice their solutions.

Submissions to this Challenge must be received by 11:59 PM (Central European Time) on October 1, 2019.

Late submissions will not be considered.

Specific regulation in the CSA attached at the bottom of this page.

What happens next?

Enel will evaluate the proposal using the following criteria:

Overall scientific and technical feasibility of the proposed solution;
Economic potential of concept (e.g. Total Cost of Ownership);
Business potential for Enel;
Novelty and creativity;
Potential for proprietary position (i.e., is the technology novel or protectable);
User’s capabilities and related experience;
Realism of the proposed solution;
Maturity level of the proposal.

In case the reward includes “Collaboration with Enel”, once suitable solution/s have been identified, Enel will reserve the opportunity to start a collaboration, by way of example, all or part of the following activities:

Test execution;
Supply of prototypes (if an equipment);
Installation and site tests;
Follow up and monitoring of the proposed idea behavior.

Upon completion of the evaluation, you will receive feedback.

In case of success, an Enel contact person will get in touch with you to discuss the next steps.

The final award for this Challenge is contingent upon satisfactory completion of the verification process, including acceptance of the Challenge-Specific Agreement (CSA) that is the regulation for this Challenge.

The verification process includes obtaining the following from the Solver: signed affidavit (based on the CSA), employee waiver (if applicable), and proof of identify.

After the Challenge deadline, the Seeker will complete the review process and make a decision with regards to the Winning Solution(s). All Solvers that submit a proposal will be notified on the status of their submissions.

ABOUT INNOCENTIVE

InnoCentive collaborates with Enel to manage this challenge.

InnoCentive is the global innovation marketplace where creative minds solve some of the world's most important problems for cash awards up to $1 million. Commercial, governmental and humanitarian organizations engage with InnoCentive to solve problems that can impact humankind in areas ranging from the environment to medical advancements.