Internet cafe management software

Chen Yu casually mentioned it, but it made Wang Chang pause for a moment.

Policy risks.

Yes.

Although the internet cafe industry had been developing rapidly, the chaotic state of the industry had caught the attention of higher authorities. The most significant concern was students using the internet.

Basically, most internet cafes now relied on students to stay in business.

If there were no students, most internet cafes would have to shut down.

However, precisely because it was students, higher authorities were paying even more attention.

Can students access the internet?

Certainly.

Is there a significant probability that students will become addicted to it?

Yes.

Since students were prone to internet addiction, internet cafes became the focus of regulation.

It was similar to how they used to regulate game arcades when internet cafes weren't so popular.

Back then, game arcades were just as popular.

But now, in just a few years, game arcades and the like were struggling.

"Chen Yu, what's your phone number?"

"Uh, Sister, I don't have a phone."

"What's your QQ number? I'll add you when I get back."

"Mine is 23####."

"Alright, we'll chat another day."

After finishing their late-night meal, the group dispersed.

Although Chen Yu wanted to have a private chat with Wang Chang, he thought that today was not the right time.

However, Chen Yu wasn't in a hurry; he believed that Wang Chang would contact him in a few days.

...

As expected, Chen Yu's guess was correct.

The next evening, Wang Chang sent a message to Chen Yu on QQ.

"Are you there? I need to talk to you."

"I'm here, what's up? It's late, and I'm a student. I have early classes tomorrow."

"Hehe, kid, do you really think I'll believe that? Same place as before."

"Well, okay."

With a slight smile on his lips, Chen Yu left his house.

Luckily.

His parents had been coming home late these days due to the store, so he still had some freedom to go out at night.

"Sister, we just had late-night snacks yesterday, and now you want to eat again today."

"If you don't want to eat, then just watch."

"That's not acceptable."

Without asking why Wang Chang wanted to see him, Chen Yu picked up a snail, took a sip, and then frowned. "This snail tastes average. If you want good snails, you should go to Snail Beauty."

"Oh, Snail Beauty?"

"Yes, they specialize in snails, and the taste is exceptional."

"Alright, I'll try it someday."

Wang Chang set down her chopsticks. "Aren't you going to ask why I wanted to meet you?"

"Why?"

Chen Yu took off his gloves. "Sister, can't you see how handsome I am? You want to pursue me, right?"

"Pursue you... Hahaha..."

Wang Chang burst into laughter, amused by Chen Yu's jest. "You're funny. But I have to admit, finding a younger boyfriend wouldn't be a bad idea. How about it? I'll sponsor you."

"Forget it; I won't let an old cow eat tender grass."

"Okay, let's get serious."

Stopping the playful banter, Wang Chang said, "I get it now. You were messing with me yesterday."

"Messing with you? Did it seem that way?"

"Didn't it?"

Wang Chang raised an eyebrow. "I almost believed you and was about to change my research topic."

Thinking back, from last night until now, Wang Chang had been in turmoil. She had nearly torn apart her nearly finished thesis because of Chen Yu's antics.

Fortunately, in the afternoon, Wang Chang had communicated with her advisor, which made her come to her senses.

However, even so, Wang Chang still had some admiration for Chen Yu. This young guy was just a high school student, and yet he managed to fool her so effectively. He was quite the talent.

"It's not my fault; it's just that your understanding of the internet cafe industry was insufficient."

"Okay, I've learned my lesson."

Wang Chang didn't object and continued, "Do you think there's a market for Internet cafe management software?"

"Huh?"

Chen Yu was taken aback. "You want to develop internet cafe management software?"

"I have the idea."

"Well, this..."

Chen Yu was in a bit of a dilemma. He had been planning to develop internet cafe management software himself, but he hadn't expected someone like Wang Chang to have the same idea.

But it made sense.

There were so many talented people in this world.

It wasn't possible that he alone had spotted the market for internet cafe management software. In fact, in 2001, there were already some such systems available, though they were relatively expensive.

Some large internet cafes might use them, but smaller ones hadn't adopted them yet.

"Internet cafe management systems have already appeared in first-tier cities, but not in third- and fourth-tier cities. If you believe there's potential in the internet cafe market, then there's also a market for internet cafe management systems."

"In that case, we can target the market in third- and fourth-tier cities."

"Not necessarily."

Chen Yu shook his head. "Internet cafe management software doesn't require much technical expertise; it's mainly about functions like time-based billing and computer lock, among others. What you can do, other software companies can do too. Even if you manage to create one, I think there could be dozens of competitors. So, how will you compete against them?"

"Well..."

"What's more, in the end, it's not about software competition, but market competition. I don't know how you are at marketing, but as a computer science student, you might struggle against those who excel in marketing."

This was also why Chen Yu had considered developing internet cafe management software but hadn't rushed into it. He didn't have the experience or resources required for such a venture. Moreover, promoting it would require approaching internet cafes one by one.

To be honest, in Chen Yu's view, internet cafe management systems were not highly complex software.

In the early stages of internet development, what would determine the future was not hardcore technical skills but rather soft skills.

Hard skills referred to software development, something that many could do, but soft skills, or operations, were not something everyone possessed.

Of course, when Chen Yu spoke this way, it didn't mean he was giving up on Internet cafe management software entirely. He planned to enter this field in the future, just not at this moment, and certainly not in the traditional way.

"You're right," Wang Chang nodded, as if she had a revelation. "A word from a wise person is worth ten years of study. Thank you for today."

"You're welcome."

"I'll be heading back to school tomorrow, and if you ever visit the Wu Province, I'll show you that we have even more street food there."

"I'll look forward to it."

As their conversation neared its end, Chen Yu added, "By the way, Sister, I heard that you don't have many classes in your final year, so you have a lot of free time."

"That's right. In the final year, we don't have many classes, but we still have to complete our thesis."

"You can write your thesis casually."

"Haha, with your talent for persuasion, I might just be able to do that."

"No way. Sister, there's something I'd like to ask for your help with."

"Go ahead."

"I want to create a website, but I'm not skilled in web design. Do you have any talent in that area?"

"Web design is relatively simple; I can handle it."

"That's great."

"What kind of website do you want to create?"

"It's a gaming-related one, essentially an online trading platform."

"E-commerce?"

"Sort of, but not as extensive. I'll be dealing with virtual item trading, not physical goods—items like equipment, in-game currency, skill books, and so on."

"I see."

"I'd like to make a deposit first."

"No need for a deposit. However, creating a website alone can be quite challenging, and I'm not a graphic designer. I'll need to find a few classmates to help. I'll discuss it with them when I'm back at school and get back to you."

"Okay."

With Wang Chang's agreement, Chen Yu felt relieved.