In Conversation With Casey Chan, WizPatent and WizFolio

More than 3 years ago, we spoke with Casey Chan, Co-Founder and CEO of WizPatent. Since our last interview with him, the company has released a few other products, one of which we profiled last month. Here we had a chat with Casey again to find out more about the backstory behind WizFolio, his latest product.

It’s been 3.5 years since our first interview with you. Back then, I believe there was only WizPatent Manager (WPM). Since then, you have also launched a lite version of it in WizPatent Express (WPE) as well as ventured into the reference manager industry with WizFolio. How would you describe your journey over the past few years?

The technology particularly the Internet is evolving very rapidly. We have moved from desktop to web based applications. There are pros and cons but mostly pros for web based application. With the launch of iPad and JooJoo (aka CrunchPad) we think web based applications are going to be even more important in the future. We learned a lot about keeping up with technology in the last 2 years.

How are WPE and WPM doing?

WPE and WPM are being sold but because we do not have marketing the uptake has been slow particularly WPE.

Like how WizPatent Manager arose, WizFolio arose out of a personal need I believe? How is WizFolio different from other products out there?

WizFolio is more than a journal reference manager. Window Explorer manages your files on your local hard drive, whereas WizFolio is a “Web Explorer” that manages your information on the cloud. Although it is a desktop application, it has the look and feel of a desktop application.

Congrats on the Scholars Portal trial for WizFolio and also on having Raffles Institution adopt the product. Does this mean that we might be seeing more of WizFolio across the education system here in Singapore?

The sign up at Raffles Institution has been tremendous, students from Victoria Junior College are also signing up and I believe this is by word of mouth.

How did the Scholars Portal trial come about anyway?

Two weeks ago I was in the Toronto area and presented to the librarian of four universities. The reception was exceptionally good. The librarians were very knowledgeable and asked a lot of good questions.

Where do you think are the biggest markets for WizFolio?

US, Europe, Japan, Taiwan and China.

Where do you see WizFolio in one year?