Author: Rebecca

EnStream teams with RIM to make mobile commerce more secure

| October 25, 2012

 EnStream works to make mobile commerce in Canada secure

EnStream, a mobile solutions provider based in Canada, has reached a deal with Research In Motion (RIM), creators of the BlackBerry platform, concerning a new system that could make mobile commerce in Canada more secure. In 2009, EnStream, which is comprised of Canada’s three largest telecommunications companies, introduced the Zoompass mobile payment platform. The platform enables consumers to use their smart phones to pay for goods and services. As mobile commerce becomes more popular, security concerns are threatening to derail mobile payments in Canada, thus RIM has been tapped for its acclaimed security technologies.

RIM technology will help EnStream create new services

Through this new deal, EnStream will be able to make use of RIM’s Secure Element Manager, a system that will allow the company to manage the credentials of NFC-enabled smart phones in Canada. This move comes after EnStream finalized the sale of Zoompass to Paymobile, thus opening up the companies resources for the development of a new mobile commerce platform that may be better suited for the latest generation of NFC-enabled mobile technology. BackedMobile Commerce by RIM’s technology, the company may be able to help bring more security to mobile commerce in Canada.

Security continues to be serious concern for consumers

Security is one of the most significant problems facing mobile commerce today. Consumers have shown interest in the concept of their mobile devices doubling as payment platforms, but have also expressed extreme concern regarding the safety of their financial information. Security faults with NFC technology and the fact that many mobile commerce platforms can be easily exploited by hackers has caused some turmoil in the burgeoning industry. EnStream believes that bringing more security to the industry may also provide it will more stability.

EnStream to bring mobile payment services to MTS customers

EnStream has also signed an agreement with Manitoba Telecom Services (MTS) to bring its mobile payment technology to MTS customers by 2013. Once these services have successfully been incorporated into the MTS network, customers will be able to make purchases for goods and services using EnStream’s technology, as long as they have NFC-enabled mobile devices.

Sonic uses QR codes to help schools and teachers

| October 24, 2012

 Sonic launches QR code campaign

Fast food giant Sonic has teamed with DonorsChoose.org to launch a new campaign to encourage consumers to donate to local schools. The campaign, called Limeades for Learning, leverages QR codes as a way to engage consumers. QR codes have become a formidable marketing tool and have shown that they can be quite effective in mobile commerce, thus Sonic has chosen the codes as the flagship for the new campaign. The codes may be able to entice consumers to donate to schools in their area.

Scanbuy develops new codes for Sonic campaign

The QR codes used for the campaign were developed by Scanbuy, a mobile marketing agency. These codes can be scanned using the ScanLife application, which is available for free for smart phones. When the codes are scanned, consumers will be taken to a mobile commerce site where they can search for the name of schools and education projects in their area. Donations will be used to purchase educational materials for schools associated with the campaign, such as books and writing utensils.Sonic QR Codes

QR codes allow consumers to donate to local schools

Sonic notes that more than 6,500 teachers throughout the U.S. have signed up for the Limeades for Learning campaign. DonorsChoose.org claims that the country’s teachers spend a cumulative $1 billion each year out-of-pocket for school materials. Consumers will also be able to vote for educational projects they find interesting through the campaign. At the end of October, Sonic will choose the project with the winning vote and donate up to $100,000 to the project.

Codes considered ideal way to reach out to consumers

This is the fourth consecutive year that Sonic has been behind the Limeades for Learning campaign. The company believes that QR codes are the best way to reach out to consumers in an efficient manner and get them engaged in the campaign. Indeed, many consumers have proven this to be true in the past, as those with smart phones have regularly engaged in mobile marketing campaigns that make use of QR codes in some way.