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Weve trials Appflare Beacons
[February 17, 2014]

Weve trials Appflare Beacons


(M2 PressWIRE Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) The first Beacons have been enabled in the UK today through appflare - a global leader in Beacon technology, security and deployment. Beacons are Bluetooth-enabled indoor positioning systems. The iBeacon compatible Bluetooth beacons inform enabled apps as soon as a customer walks into a store, or a specific area. The retailer can then give these customers a push notification, such as a timely and relevant offer.



Weve, an m-commerce joint venture between the three largest MNOs, has led today's beacon deployment by integrating it into Pouch, its Alpha loyalty trial with EAT. Weve wanted to enable Pouch in partnership with EAT to test and learn with new location technology to drive loyalty engagement at a retail level. The rollout has gone live in two EAT stores in London Appflare was selected because of its experience and advanced technology that goes beyond simple Beacons with a secure solution and a managed service. The fact that Appflare can deploy beacons today, at scale, and across both Android and iOS was also an important factor.

Beacons are set to revolutionise retail. For consumers, they have the scope to hugely enhance their shopping experience. They will be sent relevant information, at the right time, by the retailers whose store they are already in, and whose app they have already have installed. Their privacy is also protected, as they will only receive messages if they have consented to receive push notifications.


Sean O'Connell, Director of Product at Weve, said: "We are in the very early stages of what consumers and retailers want from loyalty schemes and how to mobilise them. At Weve, we believe that interactions between consumers and retailers will be increasingly be mediated through mobile devices. That means you have to ensure the right experience, which are where Beacons come in. We can create engagement outside the store and then give real detail via Pouch inside. " Owen Geddes, Founder and CEO of appflare comments: "Beacons are in an entirely different league to other location solutions. They enable mobile apps to engage users more accurately than any other technology has allowed before - enhancing the shopping experience by only giving customers information that will benefit them in that exact moment.

"We are delighted to support the UK's first beacon deployment. Weve is renowned as being a key innovator in the mobile sector. As the first organisation in the UK market to beacon enable an app it is leading a retail revolution." About appflare Appflare specialises in the installation and management of secure Bluetooth beacons in public locations. The beacons are used by retailers and app developers to give consumers location relevant engagement. Appflare provides a fully managed service for retailers and a range of tools for developers, including API's and an SDK.

The business, formed in 2013, was founded by Owen Geddes and the team behind The Cloud and Freerunner. The team has expertise not just in consumer propositions, but also in the radio, platform and app technologies required to build a compelling mobile experience.

Appflare also offers an advisory service to organisations looking to build and execute a successful mobile engagement strategy.

Media contact Claire Jones [email protected] 07826 528900 .

(c) 2014 M2 COMMUNICATIONS

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