Karri
With large amounts of cash and very little security, schools are now becoming an easy target for criminals. Numerous schools across the country have already been raided, with several serious incidents and even fatalities.
In partnership with Nedbank, Karri has introduced a mobile payment app to address this growing problem. The app enables parents to send money securely to their child’s school. Hundreds of schools countrywide are using Karri, with most now refusing to accept cash payments from parents.
The app offers a simple alternative to children bringing cash to school by allowing parents to make payments via an app on their smartphone. It is free for parents to use and there are no hidden costs or sign-up fees for the school.
Platform: Android and iOS
Expect to pay: A free download
Stockists: Visit Karri here for downloading instructions.
Visit the next page to read more about ChatBack, Charge Running, Bookings Africa and HomeChoice.
ChatBack
Infobip has enabled a WhatsApp Business API for ChatFin, a fintech company which recently introduced its latest platform – ChatBack. The platform simplifies consumers’ everyday tasks by providing rich content customer dialogue over WhatsApp – delivering the underlying capability for the launch of ChatFin’s hassle-free service for South African’s to renew their vehicle licences.
With the service, car owners in South Africa can, at any time, renew their vehicle licences over WhatsApp. The convenient renewal process takes less than two minutes, saving vehicle owners the time of having to wait in long queues.
WhatsApp, used by 1.6-billion people in over 180 countries, is the world’s most used chat app. WhatsApp’s channel verification with its green check mark also helps customers recognise the verified dialogue, assuring that the end-customer is in fact communicating with the right business or organisation, avoiding fraud situations.
Platform: Android and iOS
Expect to pay: ChatBack renewal costs R199, which includes licence disc delivery.
Stockists: Users can click here to start the process in WhatsApp or go to the ChatBack website, or add ChatBack (+27 66 202 6685) to their contacts and then text “renew” over WhatsApp to get started.
Visit the next page to read more about Charge Running, Bookings Africa and HomeChoice.
Charge Running
Three Chicago runners say they are changing the game with Charge Running. The app uses the additional sensor data in a phone to calculate performance measures such as the runner’s current pace, average pace, number of steps taken, steps per minute, and (for Apple Watch wearers) their heart rate. It also shares that information privately and securely with a live fitness coach who uses it to provide personalised recommendations for improving the user’s performance in real time
As an example, a trainer affiliated with the app might say: “Hey Jim, I’m tracking your pace at 8 minutes per kilometre and your cadence at 130 steps per minute. That means you’re taking a really big step size. If you can, try to shorten your stride a little bit. If we can get you to 150 steps per minute, you can run the same pace with significantly less effort.”
The app also saves the information to the user’s profile so they can see how they progress over time.
Other features include:
– Unlimited access to live running classes and virtual races,
– A Live Leaderboard that ranks each runner based on distance traveled for motivational purposes,
– Group chat with coaches and fellow runners throughout the run,
– On-demand runs for times when users can’t join the live groups.
Platform: Android and iOS
Expect to pay: R1 400 per annum
Stockists: Download Charge Running here.
Visit the next page to read more about Bookings Africa and HomeChoice.
Bookings Africa
Bookings Africa, a pan-African marketplace that uses technology to help source talent in the lifestyle, entertainment and media industries across Africa, is now focusing on unlocking the earning potential of young entrepreneurial Africans and monetise their skillets.
Through the app, users can search for various talents, compare their prices, book online, pay securely and provide ratings and reviews for services across Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya.
The app currently offers14 talent categories including make-up artists, photographers, DJs, hair stylists, and social media influencers, with plans of increasing to over 40 categories and expand to other countries across Africa by December this year.
Platform: Android and iOS
Expect to pay: A free download
Stockists: Visit Bookings Africa here for downloading instructions.
Visit the next page to read more about HomeChoice.
HomeChoice
HomeChoice International, a provider of retail and financial services products, has partnered with Oracle to launch a new eCommerce website hosted on Oracle Cloud Commerce (OCC).
OCC plays a pivotal role in HomeChoice’s technology strategy to replace its legacy monolithic application with cloud-based systems supported by service-based architecture built in-house. The new website makes it easier for customers to browse HomeChoice’s digital catalogue and manage their accounts more efficiently, from updating contact information to requesting settlement letters.
Future plans for OCC see it being extended into other customer-facing systems, such as those in use by customer services teams and sales agents. The OCC platform receives quarterly updates from Oracle, bringing enhancement and new features, allowing HomeChoice to continually improve the digital experience for its customers.
Platform: Most devices with an up-to-date Internet browser
Expect today: A free service
Stockist: Visit HomeChoice here to sign up and get shopping.