Sparkle, the virtual concierge uses AI to understand CapitaLand's customers

Sample conversations with Sparklet on the CapitaStar app. The chatbot on the CAPITASTAR app will assist CapitaLand Mall shoppers on frequently asked questions, and even help book a taxi ride to their preferred mall

Powerupcloud Technologies has partnered Microsoft to develop Sparkle, CapitaLand’s virtual concierge, on IRA.AI, its artificial intelligence (AI) platform.

Through Sparkle, a chatbot aimed at transforming the shopper’s journey, CapitaLand customers can hail rides, book restaurants, and browse retailer offerings by simply chatting to Sparkle on the app for CapitaStar, CapitaLand’s rewards programme for its customers.

“In our journey to innovate with new, cutting-edge technologies that help our customers better engage with their stakeholders, we are happy to develop CapitaLand’s Sparkle which is powered by our IRA.AI engine. Sparkle is a milestone for the team as the bot had to pick up over 2,500 nouns unique to CapitaLand, while ensuring its responses to end-users made sense,” said Siva S, Founder and CEO, Powerupcloud Technologies. “We were able to deliver this highly intuitive solution within three months, and we are certain that Sparkle will help CapitaLand in achieving its goal of transforming the retail journey through conversational commerce.”

Sparkle is able to understand shoppers’ queries and respond accordingly via short message exchanges within the CapitaStar app. In addition, Sparkle is designed to decipher localised linguistic cues while understanding and remembering context. The engine also learns automatically through intelligent feedback scoring algorithms, making conversations smarter along the way.

Unlike most scripted chatbots, Sparkle is able to respond accordingly to shoppers’ queries by gaining context even without their inputs within the app. For example, if a shopper was originally looking for fast food outlets in Bedok Mall and later asked a similar question for another CapitaLand mall, Sparkle is able to recognise this switch and respond accordingly without an additional question prompt. This makes the conversation between the shopper and Sparkle closer to interacting with a human.

“CapitaLand was among the first in the retail industry to embrace online-to-offline and offline-to-online (O2O). With the launch of Sparkle, we are leading the way into the next era of consumerism, defined by convergent offline-and-online (O&O) experiences,” said Lim Ming Yan, President & Group CEO, CapitaLand. “This is a first for an Asian real estate developer, and we invite our customers to join us to co-create Sparkle by interacting with it and making it smarter. This way, Sparkle will be a chatbot trained by customers, for customers.”

Today, Sparkle is able to deliver the following information and services to CapitaLand mall shoppers via CapitaStar app through a chat-like service:

• Listing of all CapitaLand malls in Singapore
• Directions to CapitaLand malls
• Queries on stores within the malls
• Book Grab rides to users’ preferred CapitaLand malls
• Make reservations via Chope for any restaurant located in a CapitaLand mall
• View the latest products of retailers such as Charles & Keith and Capitol Optical

“As everything around us becomes more digitised, we are seeing our customers and partners tap on Microsoft’s intelligent cloud platform to deliver innovative solutions that drive digital transformation in every industry. Particularly, we are seeing forward-looking enterprises apply conversations-as-a-platform, a new shift that applies the understanding of human language to computer and computing, to transform the way they are engaging with their customers,” said Jessica Tan, MD, Microsoft Singapore.

“We are very pleased to have the IRA.AI team of Powerupcloud Technologies and CapitaLand choose Azure as the platform for Sparkle, a showcase piece for how the retail industry can leverage intelligent technologies to reimagine engagement with customers, and in turn create new business models and generate revenue.”

Interested?

The refreshed CapitaStar app is now available for download for iOS and Android users

Meet moringa, the superfood

Green Virgin Products, a provider of responsibly harvested and ecofriendly moringa products, has released a new guide about the benefits of moringa.

Green Virgin calls moringa a 'superfood', quoting studies finding that a single serving of the powder (in capsule form) contains over 40 antioxidants, 70 nutrients, 8 amino acids and a long list of vitamins, minerals and anti-inflammatories. The company uses a far-infrared drying system to dry the moringa within hours of harvest, then package it within eight hours of harvest in triple-layer, resealable packages that contain a specially designed oxygen absorber in the pouch to help prevent sun damage and oxidation.

Moringa (M. oleifera) trees are also called drumstick or horseradish trees. The leaves, roots, flowers, bark, sap and fruit have been used traditionally, some for food and some for folk medicine. Pubmed research dating as far back as 2007 have outlined moringa's pharmacological properties. As recently as 2015, a Phytotherapy Research abstract noted: "A rapidly growing number of published studies have shown that aqueous, hydroalcohol, or alcohol extracts of M. oleifera leaves possess a wide range of additional biological activities including antioxidant, tissue protective (liver, kidneys, heart, testes, and lungs), analgesic, antiulcer, antihypertensive, radioprotective, and immunomodulatory actions."

A 2012 meta-study of moringa in past studies showed indications that it can help people with diabetes or fatty livers, with better glucose tolerance if used over time. Another 2012 study also noted that it seems to be beneficial for diabetes. A 2014 experiment on moringa leaf extracts in cold water separately showed that it could damage lung cancer cells with much less damage to normal cells.

It has not been established however which formulations of moringa extracts are the most effective for various outcomes, and the results not strictly apples-to-apples as the moringa was prepared differently in different research reports. Researchers have also pointed out that research subjects might unconsciously act to fulfil a certain outcome if they know that they are taking moringa.

Interested?

Read the guide online

Use the coupon code 10OFF to save 10% off an online order. Green Virgin ships internationally

Dabur Herb'l Sensitive Toothpaste to address tooth demineralisation in Middle East

Source: Dabur International.

Dabur International has launched the Dabur Herb’l Sensitive Toothpaste in the Middle East. The new ‘sensitive’ variant is fortified with natural ingredients such as cinnamon, mint and licorice root along with potassium ions to provide instant and long-lasting relief from tooth sensitivity. 

According to the company, brushing twice a day with Dabur Herb’l Sensitive Toothpaste not only provides instant relief from sensitivity, but also strengthens gums and prevents the formation of plaque, gum inflammation, and tooth decay, ensuring fresh breath.

Abhinav Kumar, Group Product Manager, Dabur International, said: “A study has revealed that tooth sensitivity has emerged as a common oral problem in the Middle East. However, many people are not aware that it is a dental problem and therefore do not undertake measures to treat it. Realising the need for a highly effective ‘sensitive’ toothpaste that can provide relief from the first use, Dabur International has introduced Dabur Herb’l Sensitive Toothpaste in the Middle East. Its natural formula is proven to provide sensitivity protection from the first use by acting against demineralisation."

Viva La Fleur starts selling its long-lasting natural floral arrangements online

Since it was set up in October 2013, Viva La Fleur Floral Boutique has been captivating businesses with long-lasting 100% natural floral arrangements and bouquets. The company is the sole distributor for LavieFlo, a technology that enables flowers look freshly plucked for months, without the need to water them or place them in sunlight.

Fresh flowers from Japan, China and other parts of the world undergo an intricate preservation process that replaces the plant sap while maintaining the quality and integrity of petals and foliage. 

"This innovative technique was first developed by a company in France in the late 1980's. Over the years, the technology has been perfected by botanists from Japan and China," said Kayson Wong, Director, Viva La Fleur. "Only non-toxic and cosmetic-grade chemicals are used in the process."

As the first company in Singapore to offer such flowers, Viva La Fleur has been organising roadshows to educate the market. "People thought these were artificial flowers and are amazed that these real flowers can last so long. Most of our customers buy one and when they see the longevity of the flowers for themselves, they buy more and spread the word for us," Wong said.

According to Wong, the average lifespan of each arrangement is three to six months due to wear and tear as well as environmental conditions. "They will not wilt like fresh flowers," he said. "Just use a hairdryer on the cool setting from a moderate distance if they get dusty."

Viva La Fleur has received orders from hotels, hospitality-related companies, retailers, restaurants and country clubs. "Businesses such as hotels like bespoke flower arrangements that resonate with their colour and design philosophy and image," said Wong. "Depending on the occasion, some buy bigger ones for their offices and smaller ones for their desks."

Those interested to view the floral arrangements in person can visit the Floral Boutique at 30 East Coast Road, #02-23, Katong V mall in the Village Katong Hotel, which is open from 11am to 9pm daily. They can also email info@vivalafleur.com.sg or call +65 6440 0642. 

The company has also launched an e-commerce portal as of November 1 with themed collections such as 'Commercial', 'Gifts' and 'Special Events'. A new range of floral arrangements incorporating several new species like roses, hydrangeas, eustomas, gerberas, and carnations can be viewed online. 

"More floral species such as calla lilies, tube roses, pompom mums, spray mums and the all-time favourite dendrobiums will be available," Wong added. "We have an anniversary sale on at up to 50% off for selected floral arrangements now."

Serena Cheu, a business customer who is a Senior Marketing Director, said: "I initially could not believe that these flowers are for real, as I had not seen them around in Singapore. The truth is, they are all 100% natural, do not need water or sunlight and yet, have such prolonged shelf life. The presence of these flowers has brightened up my mood and spirit tremendously. Whenever I need a break from my hectic work, one look and I am instantly rejuvenated with vigour and positive energy. They just always make me smile."

*Images from Viva La Fleur.

Cachet Hotel Group reveals URBN Shanghai's new look

The Cachet Hotel Group (CHG) has completed renovations to the edgy URBN Hotel in Shanghai, which is a converted warehouse space. Under the creative direction of CHG's celebrity fashion designer, Jay Godfrey, the new interiors provide a modernist zen experience for hotel guests. The neutral colour palette also enhances the natural beauty of the recycled and reclaimed wood materials used. 

Source: CHG. The Jay Godfrey Courtyard Suite.

Photo - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20140911/0861406560

The URBN Shanghai hosts a signature Jay Godfrey designer suite. This 40 square meter suite features black lacquer finishes throughout, modern artwork, Tom Dixon pendant lights and an indoor-outdoor lounge 26 sq m terrace that overlooks the hotel's courtyard.

Business travellers will find URBN Hotel's new guestrooms more convenient for work, sleep and relaxation. All the guest rooms have been upgraded with new Mayair Technology air purification systems. Guests can also enjoy in-room Nespresso coffee machines, smart phone docking stations and wall-mounted 46" Samsung HD TV Performance Line televisions featuring international and local channels.

Each redesigned guest room features light fixtures with eco-friendly origins. A customisable lighting installation allows guests to create their own mood setting via remote control. URBN's signature Renewal Bed is also eco-friendly, being made from 100% natural materials, including cactus fibre, seaweed and coconut fibre. The Renewal Bed features a four-layer bed system and 600-thread count Egyptian cotton sheet for a better sleep experience. 

The eco-boutique hotel also features a brand new fitness center called URBNfit. URBN has also partnered with Shanghai art gallery Art+ to display their contemporary artworks throughout the hotel and penthouses. 

"The redesigned and renovated URBN hotel reflects our passion in providing enriching and healthy experiences for today's discerning travellers pivoted by design, sustainability and comfort," said Aaron Griffiths, President of Hospitality Development. "Our guests will find not just a refreshed style but serious substance – that will make their stay at URBN hotel an even more restful and inspiring experience."

This October, URBN will introduce the BeerGRDN restaurant and bar, designed to be a casual dining and social venue, perfect for groups, sharing and celebrations. The bistro-style menu focuses on Italian and American flavours with a contemporary twist.