One of the surest ways to annoy a customer, and potentially lose one as well, is to make a service extremely complicated and difficult to use. Few things get people running for a door faster than a service that can't be used without a lot of hardship, and that's likely something that New Concept Technology had in mind when it brought out a new version of its ATEL softswitch and billing software, particularly with calling card clients in mind.
The new software allows for an extra note of versatility when it comes to what calling card clients can get from providers. With the new service, calling card softswitch owners can allow customers to log into accounts with either a personal identification number (PIN) or a PINLESS entry system using authorized phone numbers. From there, users can view balances online, recharge accounts from a client interface with a few simple mouse clicks, or even check call detail records. Clients can create username and password combinations as well using the aforementioned client interface, and the calling card solution owners are no longer limited to third party payment gateways when it comes to recharging; voucher PINs can also be used, meaning that providers can save money not paying commissions to third parties and merchant payment systems.
Perhaps the best part here is that all of this can be built directly from a client's interface, and that means other products can be accessed from there. That includes things like private branch exchange (PBX (News - Alert)) systems, bulk SMS message marketing systems, predictive dialer and even mobile top up systems as offered by the softswitch owner, or the Internet telephony service provider (ITSP) in question. Those interested in the services, meanwhile, can contact New Concept directly for both demonstrations and pricing information.
This accomplishes two main purposes, according to New Concept, in that it both allows calling card users to quickly browse a website for other services available and it also provides a kind of “sense of belonging” by making the organization a one-stop shop for several different communications needs all at once. It's also, of course, likely to drive sales for New Concept here as well, as people who previously might not have purchased some communications services with New Concept previously now have a reason to do so, because it's not only available in the first place, but it's also available from a trusted brand. Making it easier for customers to buy more is generally a good idea, because even if only a few actually do, it's still sales that would not have been made otherwise. This in turn means revenue that wouldn't otherwise have been had, and from there, the potential for not only greater profit but potentially reversed losses as well.
While it remains to be seen just how well New Concept Technology's plan will work, overall, one thing is quite clear: this is a plan that should work to at least some degree. Customers are more likely to buy when there are more choices immediately available, and New Concept might well have made the offer at just the right time.
Edited by Alisen Downey