Seamless Distribution Systems

Electronic Topup

Electronic topup (eTopup) is the cost-effective and digital means of recharging one’s mobile account as compared to using physical scratch cards. This technology saves operators and distributors the cost of printing, distributing, transporting, warehousing and securing physical scratch cards and saves the airtime revenue from being spent on their production and sale.^[3]

This method of virtual recharge saves subscribers time and makes it convenient for them to get airtime, without the need to scratch cards. For example, a subscriber can get his mobile account topped up by approaching his nearest reseller and requesting for recharge. The reseller, using his phone or point of sales terminal or similar channel requests for the airtime to be sent to the subscriber’s phone number against specified amount paid. As a result, the subscriber account gets the required amount of airtime.

The proprietary Electronic Recharge System (ERS 360) of Seamless creates an entire ecosystem for electronic distribution for a service provider. It allows resellers to request for the required amount of airtime using channels like USSD, Web, Web Services and mobile application, in addition to the point of sales terminal.^[4]

Electronic Voucher

Electronic voucher (eVoucher) distribution is supply of ePINs, printed on paper in real time and delivered to an end user electronically. In addition to being cost efficient, this method proves to be more convenient and secure as it saves distributors the cost of handling a physical product. It’s also a greener and an environment friendly technology.^[5] The SDS' eVoucher product fall in this category and for operators and service providers, their electronic voucher distribution enables cost reductions associated to physical cards. The operator or service provider cuts down the entire cost of printing, warehousing, distribution and stocking of scratch cards since all of that is done electronically for this product. eVouchers are commonly used in many developed and developing countries for services like mobile or data recharge, gift vouchers, utility payments etc.^[6]

Voucher on Demand (VOD)

SDS' Voucher On Demand (VoD) allows operators and distributors to move from push based method of value distribution to pull based method. With VoD, end users can request for vouchers having denomination of flexible value, depending completely on the individual's choice. This frees the end user from the restriction of buying vouchers of pre-defined value.^[7]

VoD can be used for bill payments of utilities like mobile airtime, electricity, water, or gas. The ability to generate any amount of voucher and receive it either through SMS or in a printed receipt via a sales terminal makes a voucher more secure to carry than cash for payments.^[8] End users can also get vouchers to pay for prepaid internet or their TV subscriptions, in addition to getting airtime recharge.

Campaign Management System

SDS' campaign management system is a platform through which operators manage their promotions and incentive campaigns, mostly for their retailers. The SDS campaign system can design campaigns to provide incentives to the retailers and resellers of a service provider to promote a certain product or service. This platform allows the service provider to create and manage campaigns based on time, value, place, target and other parameters. Sales and Marketing teams of service providers are the common users of this system to incentivize the retailers and distributors to sell more and get rewards and commissions for that.^[9]

Managed Operations

Managed Operations revolves around monitoring and maintaining customer’s operations (largely technical) on a proactive basis. It is considered to be “a strategic method for improving operations and cutting expenses”.

SDS' managed operations includes system monitoring, end to end managed operations and support with system deployment and configurations, on demand.^[10]