NEC’s Online-to-Offline Cloud lifts off
By Gabey Goh March 14, 2013
- New O2O service targeted at servicing demands of mobile device usage
- Service to be launched this year in Asia Pacific
NEC Corporation has launched its Online-to-Offline (O2O) Cloud Services, to promote cloud-based O2O services utilizing smart devices such as smartphones and tablets.
In recent years, consumers are increasingly likely to search for information about products online and to compare prices prior to making a purchase. As a result, new focus is being placed on marketing techniques based on the analysis of online behavior and how to connect this behavior with real purchasing activity.
According to NEC, there is greater demand to capitalize on the rapid expansion of smart devices, such as smartphones and tablets, as well as the use of location information and sensor technologies.
In response to these changing online behaviors, the O2O Cloud Service is touted to enable retailers to utilize valuable information gathered from smart devices, such as pre-registered preferences and point of use, in order to provide consumers with coupons, loyalty points and store information that encourages online users to make offline purchases.
When asked what the roll-out plan was for this service in Asia Pacific, an NEC spokesman said the company’s initial business plan begins with the domestic market in Japan, but added that the service would expand globally.
Asia Pacific customers can expect the service to be available later this year, with the primary target industry verticals being telecom carriers, service providers, retailers and distributors.
Over the next three years, the company aims to provide this service for approximately 100 customers, concentrating on promotions with telecom operators and service providers across the globe.
Moving forward, in order to drive the expansion of O2O services, NEC will continue to leverage its existing and established cloud business footprint.
In Asia, the company already has partnerships in place with ST Electronics in Singapore, Amata Corporation PCL in Thailand, telecoms operator PLDT in the Philippines and NICE Information Service Co. Ltd. in South Korea.
The O2O Cloud Service menu includes the following:
- Customer management services: User authentication, user information management
- Point management services: Point provision, point management
- Push services: Push delivery of coupons and to store information
- Data analysis services: Analysis of customer records, such as visits, purchases and point use; marketing proposals
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