Point, shoot, sell

Santa Barbara born and Santa Ynez bred Tyler Gildred has launched ZUUJIT, a mobile web application for Apple’s iPhone.

Gildred, who started selling on eBay a few years ago began to think “There’s got to be a better way to do this.”

Under Gildred’s company, HalfPrice.net, a desktop listing tool was developed to simplify the eBay selling process. This system was utilized by his early partners — UC Santa Barbara, Habitat for Humanity, and Gildred’s own Gildred Racing.

One day while searching for a misplaced digital camera in his warehouse, an idea came to him: “Why not use a web enabled camera phone to list an item? The phone is always with you, and it’s easy to pull out of your pocket or purse and snap a photo. All we need to do is create an application for smartphones that will automate the selling process.”

 

Although Gildred and his team came up with an early Windows Mobile version in 2008 to run on the Palm Treo, it’s on the iPhone that Zuujit will launch this next generation app, which Gildred says will revolutionize how we sell products.

After four years in development, the user-friendly application known as Zuujit will be available in the Apple App Store this October. The application will be a free download with a $1.99 transaction fee for each completed sale.

Gildred said that the new release will “simplify the selling process so that all you have to do is photograph the item using your iPhone and let the app guide you through the next few clicks. In moments, your product will be up for sale out on the web without ever having to touch a computer.”

A selling assistant will guide you through the listing process, recommending a price, category, and shipping options for your item. By using historical sales data, Zuujit is able to maximize the sales potential of your product.

Other companies have addressed some of eBay’s user challenges in the past, but according to Gildred, “no one has effectively simplified the process.” zuujit.com

 

IT firm donates expertise

Lanspeed, a local IT consulting firm is donating its time and technology to the Santa Ynez Valley Christian Academy to enhance the school’s existing IT environment. Some of the improvements include strengthening the school’s network security, installing new software and hardware, and providing advanced computer training to teachers and students.

“SYVCA is a wonderful school and provides students with a first class education in many areas, including computers and technology,” said Chris Chirgwin, CEO of Lanspeed. “I am excited to assist in offering students access to cutting edge computer technology and training.”

Lanspeed has been recognized by the Pacific Coast Business Times as one of the fastest growing IT professional services firms in Central and Southern California. Lanspeed has specialized in helping small and medium businesses utilize technology to maximize productivity for more than 25 years.

 

Attorney sentenced to 4 years

Edward Duff Hume, 60, of Santa Ynez, has been sentenced to four years in state prison for stealing more than $824,000 from a client after the elderly man died, a prosecutor said today.

Hume, an attorney, pleaded no contest Monday in San Mateo County Superior Court to felony embezzlement and an enhancement alleging excessive theft, said Steve Wagstaffe, chief deputy district attorney. Judge Susan Etezadi will determine the amount of restitution Nov. 19.

Hume had represented a client, Frederick Helversen, in the Helversen Trust. After Helversen died in 2002 at the age of 87, Hume became a trustee. Then he transferred $824,361 from the trust into his personal account.

In 2006, Hume asked two elderly clients to lend him $100,000 for home improvements, and they agreed so long as he repaid them by the end of the year. Hume failed to do so, Wagstaffe said.

In August 2006, he presented a forged document to one of the victim’s banks in Menlo Park in hopes of getting $6,000 from her account. Bank officials became suspicious and contacted the woman, who told them that she had not approved any transfer, Wagstaffe said.

Hume resigned from the State Bar in April 2008, records show.