DigiPos launches Mcommerce app platform

Solutions provider for retailers, DigiPoS, has launched its MobileShopper mcommerce ecosystem, and claims it’s the first off-the-shelf package to combine, an app, mcommerece, mobile coupons and self-scanning technologies and more, in one solution.
The MobileShopper iPhone app combines online shopping with the in-store experience, and is aimed at propelling retailers into the future; with the tagline ‘it’s so easy you won’t want to leave home without it’.

The mcommerce application covers a full range of retail touch points, including: ecommerce, store locator, coupons, loyalty, advertising and promotions, price verification lists, in-store navigation functionality, and a facility which allows the shopper to use their mobile to shop at home using the integrated scanning tool.

For the first time, retailers are provided with a true multi-channel integration that brings together their bricks and mortar technology silos with their web/ecommerce platforms. The mobile Smartphone devices can act as touch points to reach out to customers in new ways. For example: the information they can provide relating to shopping habits will allow for targeted and timely promotions. They pose an increasingly attractive ROI, as other marketing channels begin to lose their appeal and consumer use, and they enable the retailer to differentiate themselves.

For the consumer, the phone turns into a handheld till or self-checkout device and information portal all at the same time, as well as providing queue-busting functionality. The data-driven customer will have the ability to research promotions and products, anytime, anywhere, and they will be provided with more personalised and targeted information.

Ian Patterson, managing director EMEA at DigiPoS Store Solutions, commented: “Up until now technology in retail has always been designed with the retailer in mind, making their jobs easier. Our MobileShopper app focuses on the emergence of the ‘new shopper’. I believe that the mobile phone will have the same impact on retail that the ATM once had on the banking sector. Mobile devices empower consumers to search, shop and checkout – the flexibility they offer will undoubtedly improve the overall shopping experience.”

DigiPoS is currently in talks with a number of major retailers, and plans to make a joint announcement on the launch of an mCommerce platform in Q1, 2011.

The app created by DigiPoS is currently available for the iPhone – an Android and BlackBerry version are in the pipeline – , and can be found at: http://www.digipos.co.uk/msaas.html. It will be free for consumers to download, and retailers will pay £1 per download, there will also be a monthly retainer fee for the middleware gateway server application. Additional functionality is available based on the specific needs of the individual retailer.