Stirling McBride, Sales Manager, NamITech Mobile Solutions
These days you cannot leave your front door without bumping into someone speaking on his or her cellphone. Calls come in thick and fast, and sometimes you wonder if you will ever have peace from the ringtone.
There can be no doubt that as a communication tool and a means of staying in touch with loved ones, cellphone technology has surpassed expectations. Prepaid vouchers have opened up the market even further by making airtime accessible to those people who may not be able to qualify for a contract. Affordable rates and sponsored numbers are making it even easier for families to relax, knowing contact is possible at all times.
But technology is always advancing and the time is coming when your cellphone could become more than a communications tool, and become a retail facilitator.
There has already been some talk in the market about the retail opportunities presented by cellphone applications that will allow customers to conveniently and securely complete transactions using their mobile handsets. But what does all this mean for the average consumer?
* It`s Saturday night, your daughter wishes to go out with her friends but she has no airtime left and you are worried about her not being able to contact you in an emergency. Currently, you have to jump in the car and speed off to the nearest airtime outlet to purchase a recharge voucher. However, with Virtual Electronic Reload, you could remain in the comfort of your lounge and achieve the same result. On registering for this service, your network operator will download an application that will is stored on your cellphone. You will then be able to use this application, accessible via the standard menu on your cellphone, to order airtime to be credited to your daughter`s number by simply following the easy instructions on the screen. The value of the recharge vouchers ordered would then be securely debited from your selected bank account, credit card or specified retail account facility, where such facilities exist.
* Electronic gift vouchers may sound futuristic, but the technology is there. Once registered for the service, you can use the menu structure on your cellphone to access the application. On a special day such as a birthday or anniversary, you could use this facility to order a virtual gift voucher to be sent to the cellphone number of the recipient of the gift anywhere in SA. The recipient will receive a SMS message containing a secure bar code, which can then be presented in-store for scanning and redemption. The value of the gift voucher will be securely debited either directly from your bank account or to your account with the relevant retailer.
In addition to the ordering of virtual airtime and gift vouchers, there are a number of other possibilities such as the ability to pay credit card instalments and retail and utility accounts via a payment application. You could also register with retailers to receive information regarding the latest special offers via your cellphone. On the leisure front, you will in time be able to purchase tickets for sporting events and the movies using your cellphone.
Think about it, convenient retail transacting at the touch of a button, anywhere, anytime. Now we`re talking!
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