Objectives
- ICT provider to become reseller of mobile services
- Removal of voucher system for mobile top-up
- 24 hour service access
Why Macalla
- Proven expertise in finance, mobile operator and technology markets
- Reference customers
- Responsiveness to Illuminat's needs
Results
- First Citizens Bank and bmobile customers can top up from their own
mobile phones
- Top-up of "buddies"
- Platform for additional services including remittances and bill payment
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“U-TU has added a new level of simplicity, efficiency and
safety to the process of topping up your prepaid phone. It embodies the spirit of what communications technology is all about. That is, to make lives easier for everyone.” |
- Bernard Mitchell, Chief Operations Officer, TSTT |
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“The mobile channel is not only a valuable channel for
consumers, but is particularly ideal for First Citizens because it makes the transaction so much more than a simple payment. Mobile devices offer consumers more flexibility and convenience in their financial lives. They enable customers to make purchases on the spot.” |
- Warren Sookdar, Chief Information Officer, First Citizens Bank |
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Background
A member of one of the largest conglomerates in the Caribbean, the Neal and Massy Group of Companies, ILLUMINAT has 450 employees operating mainly out of Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Antigua. It is an ICT provider that designs, implements and maintains systems that allow customers to exploit technology to achieve quantifiable improvement in business efficiency.
Strategy
In 2006 Illuminat decided to become a reseller of mobile services in Trinidad & Tobago. To do this, the company needed an experienced partner that enabled them to provide these financial mobile solutions. After a comprehensive supplier review, the company choose Macalla for its proven expertise and customers.
The service launched with the TTST/bmobile network and First Citizens bank (which has won awards for excellence in innovation, communications technology and e-commerce). Customers subscribe via any of the bank's ATMs and then simply send a free text to recharge their mobiles.
Results
Called U-TU, the system went live in 2006 and was backed with a major TV and press advertising campaign.
Once registered, users can top-up from their mobile phones whenever and wherever they wish. Call credit is applied automatically within a matter of seconds. There is a help system on the users' mobile handsets and on the U-TU website. The service has a full suite of web-based call centre, customer care and administration applications.
Enabling technology
At the heart of U-TU are the Macalla Platform and a full package of Macalla's consulting, integration and on-going support services. U-TU is delivered by Illuminat and hosted in their secure data centre in Port of Spain.
Future solutions
Contracted and penned service extensions include IVR and POS channels, more financial institutions and operators, Caribbean geographies and propositions including bill pay and remittances.
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