It's possible that the success of a company can be measured by the amount of work it actually has to put on hold in order to make room for more pressing client projects. Such is the case with Sideways, a Cleveland-based producer of multimedia, multi-touch digital productions for the iPad, iPhone and other mobile devices.

Sideways had recently launched an experimental magazine, called Sideways, which is authored specifically for the iPad. The idea was to create a monthly magazine app that incorporates mobile features, social media and in-app transactions that allow readers to purchase items mentioned in "print."

The company's work with major publishers, however, has recently grown at such a rapid pace that it has decided to put the iPad magazine on hold.

Many publishers are preparing "for the massive shift that the industry is in the midst of experiencing," says Eliza Wing, president and COO of Sideways. While some are waiting until 2012 to jump into the mobile device-publishing waters, Wing says, "others see this as an interesting sea change. The latter are the ones we are targeting and working with."

Sideways' offerings for publishers include Author App, a mobile branding and promotional tool; User-Navigable Maps, which can call up highly detailed location-based information by homing in on where a reader is located; and Multi-Dimensional Object Builder, which makes it possible for readers to carefully examine and explore any object in 3D.

"We grew by thirty percent last year and are up to 20 people," adds Wing. "[We're] always looking for strong mobile developers and a technology manager, and are currently fielding great content producers -- video, writing, images, etc. -- who want to use our technology to build compelling apps."


SOURCE: Eliza Wing
WRITER: Diane DiPiero