Raayek gives bonus points for providing telecommunications feedback in the UAE

Source: TRA.

HE Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, the General Authority for Regulating the Telecommunications Sector (TRA) Director General of the UAE, has launched the Raayek app. The application enables users to submit improvement ideas concerning the mobile government and TRA services, in addition to commenting about the services provided by Etisalat and Du.

The application uses gamification to involve customers in the decision making process. This feature was designed to increase user engagement. Users are granted points for registration and more points for active participation. The user with the largest number of points will be ranked as first in a Leader Board can receive awards that will be provided by TRA on a regular basis.

HE Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, UAE TRA Director General stated, “TRA believes that engagement and customers’ involvement in decision making play a vital role in enhancing customer satisfaction. Driven by this belief, we launched this app which comes in the framework of the restless effort we exert to contribute in achieving our 2021 vision. This application also reflects our commitment to the directives of Sheikh Mohamed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum who stated that smart employees are the building blocks of smart services.

"We encourage our customers to interact with us through the app and share their suggestions and remarks regarding the proposed topics. We also promise them that we will treat their concerns with optimum care and strive to resolve their issues whether they are related to TRA, mGovernment, or Etisalat and Du services.

“I am calling all concerned parties to voice their opinions through the app, as this will contribute significantly to our development process and will serve our aim of achieving customer happiness. We are really keen and eager to explore our customers’ perception regarding telecom and smart services provided by various governmental entities."

Saif bin Ghalaita, TRA Director of Technology Development Department, stated, "This application represents an interactive platform that will enable us to interact more effectively with our customers and learn more about their opinions regarding several topics through the quick discussions that we will have with them. We developed this app based on an innovative concept and many constructive internal discussions. The application provides a separate mechanism that evaluates customers’ behaviour and assesses the benefits they gain from the various features provided by the app. According to this mechanism, we calculate the points that are going to be granted to users for each action they perform.”

Pocari SWEAT introduces keep-fit running app with incentives from 7-Eleven

Pocari SWEAT, a well-known isotonic beverage brand, has made its free Pocari Cross Run mobile app available for download in Singapore at the iOS App and Android Play stores respectively.

The app is designed to encourage Singaporeans to continue to live a healthy and active lifestyle, says the company. The application includes an element of gamification which is backed by the latest Beacon* technology. The Beacon technology, to be set up at all 7-Eleven stores in Singapore, will send area-specific content to the app depending on the distance a runner has completed.

The app can also make a run more interesting through generating customised running courses. 7-Eleven stores along the route will be represented as hydration points.

Additional bonus points, called participation points, can be accumulated when users tap on the Beacon devices at 7-Eleven cashier counters if they are on a run, complete a running course, or make a Pocari SWEAT purchase. The longer the running distance, the more points a user will receive. Users can also earn tokens and play games that involve visits to 7-Eleven stores as well.

"We chose 7-Eleven to roll out the BEACON technology as it is a recognised international brand which constantly emphasizes on excellent customer service delivery. We hope to leverage its extensive network of more than 500 stores and create the next level of customer interaction experience both in-store and on-street. There will be plans in the pipeline for BEACON to be extensively utilised for other promotions and campaigns by other companies after the launch of the Pocari SWEAT campaign," said Takamasa Tokumo, Executive Director of Asatsu-DK Singapore, an advertising agency that co-developed the app with digital production company AID-DCC and which also developed Beacon.

He added, "With consumers becoming more tech-savvy, this new technology will help create a revolutionary consumer experience - one that is fun and interactive, yet meaningful and adds value to the consumer, such as supporting them in achieving their healthy lifestyle goals in this case."

Pocari SWEAT's Singapore Country Manager Puspita Winawati commented, "We are extremely excited to be incorporating the latest technology in the way we interact with our customers and with the extensive network of the 7-Eleven stores here in Singapore, which serve as water points, runners will have the flexibility of enjoying the Pocari Cross Run app wherever they want. It is also our hope that through the launch of the Pocari Cross Run app, we can encourage more people to take up running as part of a healthy lifestyle."

*Beacon is the latest low-powered, cost efficient transmitter that is able to notify and connect to customised applications on mobile devices. The technology recognises devices running on the iOS7 and Android 4.3 operating system that are within close proximity. Specific messages or actions can be delivered when the devices are detected.