The Use of Bar Code SMS in Mobile Marketing, Advertising, CRM
Anybody that frequents shopping malls are familiar with the bar coding systems used by retailers to ease the line at the pay points. No more long lines at the till as the operator just pulls the product past the scanner and voila ? the buyer pays and are on their way.
What most people do not realize is that the bar coding systems entails more than just the code being scanned with the scanner. The systems normally plugs straight into a database, which is also hooked up with the accounting system and the moment the item is scanned, it deducts the item from the warehouse's inventory. Each product in the database has a minimum stock level ? the moment it reaches that stock level, it sends out an alert that x amount of a product needs to be ordered. Automated, convenient, easy.
The above sample system serves to explain how and why bar codes are used in the offline or sales / Warehousing side of business. Nowadays the same principles apply to mobile technology.
With the ability of bar coding systems to be incorporated with Office functionality, convergence of technology opened a new automation arena in the business world. I am sure all of us at one point or another queued at the movie theatre to watch our favourite movie.
Just imagine no more long lines - you arrive at the movie theatre with your mobile phone, walk past a scanner where a bar code on your mobile phone is scanned and you take your seat to enjoy the movie!!! That is how easy it could be with mobile ticketing (mobile bar coding).
The process is simple ? let's use e-ticketing as an example: A customer visits the venue's web site where they book and pay online. Confirmation of their booking or ticket is received on their mobile phone via bar code SMS. The client saves the bar code SMS and present their mobile phone upon arrival at the venue, where it is scanned and access allowed.
Now that is service!!!! E-ticketing will apply to many events ? for example the upcoming 2010 World cup soccer in South Africa, the rugby and soccer matches which takes place weekly, conferences and events that are organized also requiring access ? just to name a few.
Mobile bar coding also plays an important role in customer services (CRM). Retail stores that send out discount vouchers with snail mail could now replace the paper work with bar code SMS ? on condition of course that customers give their permission. Instead of posting vouchers, retailers could SMS a bar code discount voucher to their clients. The client saves the barcode on their phone. Upon arrival at the store they present their mobile phone with the saved bar code at the pay point. The bar code is scanned in, discount allocated to the purchase total and new balance due calculated.
Besides the convenience factor the marketing department also obtains a method of measuring response on promotions. With the bar code scanner hooked up to the till, which is hooked up to the office back end and accounting system, tracking of clients making use of discount vouchers is easy to obtain. A marketing executive's dream, as reports are produced with the push of a button.
Convergence of mobile and web combined with offline/online technologies are inevitable. We believe it is the companies that join the wireless revolution that will benefit most. They will retain more clients as they show that they carry the best interest of their customers at heart through eliminating any situation that could lead to customer dissatisfaction.
Marinda Stuiver has been involved in mobile, web convergence for the past 4 years with 8 years experience in online marketing and web development. Recently convergence of technologies with the partnership formed with FirefoxIE lead to FirefoxIE SMS ? a browser tool. She joined the European Mobile & Business Tech based in Europe alliance to bring more advanced mobile solutions to the market place.
Please email hq@smswarehouse.com if you require more information about applications or convergence of web and mobile technologies.
Ref: SMS warehouse
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... One of the greatest challenges to effectively marketing a business... Read More Your marketing materials must grab your prospect's attention long enough... Read More Little Kids Ask Until They Get What They Want.Mom, Mom,... Read More Niches are like bathrooms; you never notice them until you... Read More Preparing a Marketing Plan for your product or service is... Read More As we study the demographic regional variations for small service... Read More Are you planning an event or participating in a trade... Read More Ever sit with a single puzzle piece of clouds and... Read More With the Internet opening up the doorway to the global... Read More Business Systems that work for anyone, are a fundamental necessity... Read More Each of these 11 marketing tips is based on a... Read More Dumb Excuse #1"I'm not sure I want to invest any... Read More Yes, you can fill a workshop when spending is down... Read More Do you know what Howard Stern... Oprah Winfrey... and Paul... Read More A database is more than a simple list of names... Read More You probably already have in your possession one of the... Read More Most business people want to see improvements in sales and... Read More How Much Is Your Popcorn Worth?: Powerful Lessons In Marketing... Read More You are an expert. You have lots of content -... Read More I have always enjoyed talking to a Realtor friend of... Read More What is the single most important thing you can do... Read More Have you ever been among a group of people exchanging... Read More Wake up women (and you men too). I think we... Read More Why give freebies?We have all seen freebies at trade shows... Read More In addition to direct marketing strategies you want to be... Read More
Adsense
websites
Are You a Marketing Octopus, or a Marketing Worm?
Take The Test: Does Your Marketing Copy Sell?
The Marketing Secret Every Child Knows
15 Commandments Of Creating A Wealth Pulling Niche
Four Essential Marketing Plan Components
Data Map Charting for Mobile Businesses
10 Beer Budget Event Marketing Tips
Looking for Sky In All The Wrong Places
Global Market in the Cyber world?Go and Get It !
Systems - Marketing Your Business Successfully
11 Powerful Marketing Tips
Free Marketing Tips
8 Ways to Fill a Workshop in a Bum Economy
How To Sell To Howard Stern... Oprah Winfrey... And Paul McCartney!
Benefits of Developing & Maintaining a Database
Utilizing Your Best Hidden Asset To Increase Sales
Marketing Strategies: What Choices Do You Have?
How Much Is Your Popcorn Worth? Powerful Lessons In Marketing & The Psychology Of Selling ? Part 6
Behold the Power of the Tip
Testing Your Way To Prosperity
Why Surveying Matters
Promotional Pen - A Pen by any other Name?
Package Your Products for Thunder Thigh Women - Big Butts Too
FREE Means MORE Business
5 Ways to Upgrade Your Existing Marketing Materials for Practically Nothing!
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Build a Dynamic Business - 10 Steps to Start You Off
It's where your employees are in a 'special place' when... Read More
11 Powerful Marketing Tips
Each of these 11 marketing tips is based on a... Read More
Five New 5 Ps!
NO! When I say "5 P's", I'm not talking about... Read More
Ten Effective Ways to Capture Market
1.Evaluation of Existing Products / Therapies2.Assessment of New Products3.Market assessment... Read More
The Bare-Bones Basics Of Multi-Level Marketing
Multi-level marketing is the biggest growth industry in the 1980's.... Read More
Key Marketing Questions - Planning Your Marketing Campaign
So you started a business. How's it going? Did you... Read More
Generational Marketing
Having run a multi-state franchise company with multiple brands it... Read More
Looking for Sky In All The Wrong Places
Ever sit with a single puzzle piece of clouds and... Read More
Marketing Strategy - Whats Your System?
Where Do Most of Your Clients Come From?Is it from... Read More
Where to Find New Customers Using B2B Direct Mail
The challenge in business-to-business direct mail is knowing where to... Read More
Create a Blueprint for Your Success
Having a strong foundation enables you to build a thriving,... Read More
Trigger Button Marketing
Sometimes, experiencing bleak sales is a matter of failing to... Read More
The Six-Step Process That Grows Your Business
1. Examine your clientele and define your ideal client. Of... Read More
Metaphysical Marketing
The foundation of success is in your mind. You do... Read More
Six Ways to Boost Response on Your Surveys and Gain More Useful Information
So... you spend time and effort putting together a survey,... Read More
Online Advertising Versus Traditional Media Advertising
Before I compare today's online advertising with traditional media advertising... Read More
Have You Captured Me Today?
There are many Web sites I visit every day and... Read More
Why Direct Mail Advertising Works And How To Lower Your Costs
I met a lady who said she received a notice... Read More
Making Networking Work
Several years ago, "networking" was the hot buzzword. Everyone was... Read More
Measuring the Return on Your Direct Mail Investment
In direct mail lore, there's a rule stating that you... Read More
Write Effective Fundraising Letters By Being Conversational (Includes Examples & Samples)
I am doing what you do, sitting at my computer,... Read More
Sleigh Bells Ring...And Cash Registers, Too
During the holidays, folks everywhere shop many long hours to... Read More
Bridging the Chasm from Lead to Loyal Customer
Bridging the Chasm from Lead to Loyal Customer: A Step... Read More
Selling To Your Affiliates
While success with any internet marketing program falls on the... Read More
Marking Your Territory
We all know the familiar adage "if it walks like... Read More
Marketing |