SMS Merchant Interaction System for Real-Time Customer Data Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for merchants to engage with frequent customers lack real-time interaction and are prone to data entry errors and privacy concerns, as they rely on manual processes and email communications that are not immediate or secure.
Innovation Solution
A system enabling two-way mobile interactions between merchants and customers using SMS, allowing merchants to send targeted messages and receive automated responses through a web browser-configured platform, with features for demand aggregation, loyalty, and referral programs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If merchants use manual processes to collect and enter customer data from visiting or business cards, then they can build lists of loyal customers, but this approach is prone to data entry errors and requires significant time and money resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical data entry processes with automated electronic data capture systems. Customers text their information to a short code, and the system automatically parses, stores, and manages the data without human intervention, eliminating data entry errors and reducing labor costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables customers to self-enter their own data by texting to the short code. This self-service approach eliminates the need for merchants to manually collect and enter customer information, significantly improving efficiency and accuracy.
2Speed
If merchants use email systems to communicate with customers, then they can share offers and promotions, but this approach is not real-time and requires customers to share their email addresses which raises privacy concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the email-based communication system with SMS text messaging. This substitution enables real-time communication since SMS is delivered immediately, while using a familiar and widely adopted technology that reduces implementation complexity compared to building custom email marketing infrastructure.
3Productivity
If merchants manually maintain customer lists and send promotions, then they can encourage existing customers to visit more often, but this approach lacks real-time interaction and requires significant time and money resources
Solution Approach 1:
The system automates customer list maintenance through self-service text messaging. Customers automatically update their information by texting to the short code, and the system automatically manages the customer database, eliminating the time merchants would spend on manual data management while improving engagement efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automated feedback loops where customers receive immediate responses to their texts, and merchants receive real-time notifications of customer interactions. This enables real-time engagement and automatic list maintenance without requiring merchant time for manual data management.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and a method are disclosed for enabling 2-way mobile interactions between merchants and consumers using text messaging (short message service (SMS) messaging). The system supports an SMS text keyword (or keywords) per merchant, which consumers can text to an SMS short code expressing a particular intent. The merchant's account on the system can then respond with specific information back to consumers depending on rules defined on the system for each word or sequence of words being sent in the SMS message. Consumers can be sent subscription text messages based on the intent of the consumer.