Automated Referral Tracking via Intermediary SMS Parsing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for tracking consumer recommendations are inefficient due to reliance on human memory and identification, leading to inconsistent reward distribution for recommenders.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a mobile phone, a merchant system, and an intermediary system to automate the tracking of recommendations through SMS or MMS messages, creating referral records and crediting recommenders, which ensures accurate and timely reward distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If human memory and identification methods are used to track recommendations, then the system is simple to implement, but the reliability of reward distribution deteriorates due to human error
Solution Approach 1:
An intermediary system is introduced between the recommender and the merchant system to automatically track and verify recommendations. This intermediary system uses automated message parsing, referral record creation, and success verification to eliminate human error in tracking recommendations, thereby improving reliability without requiring complex manual processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service tracking where the recommender initiates the process by sending a recommendation message, and the system automatically processes the entire workflow including creating referral records, verifying success, and distributing rewards. This eliminates the need for manual intervention in tracking and verification processes.
2Productivity
If manual tracking methods are used, then the system requires minimal infrastructure, but the productivity of reward distribution deteriorates due to delays
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring referral records with reward information before the actual recommendation occurs. When a recommendation is made, the system already has the necessary infrastructure and pre-prepared reward data to immediately process and distribute rewards, eliminating delays associated with manual tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical processes of tracking and verifying recommendations are replaced with automated electronic systems that use message parsing, database operations, and electronic communication. This substitution enables rapid, real-time processing of recommendations and reward distribution without the delays inherent in manual procedures.
3Ease of operation
If the sales agent asks the customer about recommendations, then the system requires no additional technology, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to reliance on human memory
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediary system acts as a mediator that automatically handles the tracking process without requiring sales agents or customers to manually remember or identify recommendations. The system receives recommendation messages, creates referral records, and verifies success automatically, making the process effortless for users while eliminating human memory dependencies.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automated feedback mechanisms where the intermediary system receives recommendation messages, processes them through referral records, and provides automatic verification and reward distribution. This closed-loop feedback system eliminates the need for manual tracking and ensures accurate, timely reward distribution without relying on human memory or identification.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for tracking the successful recommendation of a good/service comprising a mobile phone possessed by a receiver, a second mobile phone possessed by a recommender, the mobile phones send and receive communication messages; at least one database; and an intermediary system. The recommender composes a first communication message to the intermediary system including the mobile phone number of the mobile phone, a unique identifier of the recommender and a reference code for a good/service associated with the selected good/service. The intermediary system receives the first communication message; parses the message to identify separate information included therein; creates a new referral record including the unique identifier of the recommender, the mobile phone number of the mobile phone and the reference code for the recommended good/service; composes a recommendation message recommending the recommended good/service and sends the recommendation message to the mobile phone using a phone number having a unique identification.