Tracker CareGuard
Tracker’s CareGuard offers mobile emergency response anywhere in South Africa and at any time. The service enables subscribers to request armed response assistance by dropping a location pin in WhatsApp.
Traditionally, security and tracking companies have made use of separate devices or apps to assist customers in emergency situations. However, it is possible that a device or app is misplaced or forgotten and therefore not easily accessible when the need arises.
Now Tracker CareGuard subscribers can use technology that many use frequently — WhatsApp — to be connected to a nationwide response network of over 1,500 armed responders. On receiving a location pin, the WhatsApp bot automatically sends an emergency request to surrounding security responders. The closest responder is activated and navigated directly to the site of the emergency through pinpoint geo-location.
The responder receives an instant profile of the subscriber with their identity and other relevant information via an in-vehicle responder device, ensuring that they can identify the subscriber immediately. The subscriber, in turn, receives information enabling them to track and identify the responder.
South Africans can test the service by saving 0861 222 781 as a WhatsApp contact on their mobile device and typing ‘Hi’ in the chat to initiate a demo.
Platform: Any device running WhatsApp
Stockists: Save 0861 222 781 and send a WhatsApp saying ‘Hi’
Expect to pay: R49 per month
Go to the next page to read about Swatch X You, Sanedi, Ayoba and the AlphaCode Incubate programme winners.
Swatch X You
The Swatch X You app allows one to personalise a Swatch’s strap and dial, and add a personalised description, such as a name, to the back of the device.
A blank virtual Swatch is shown on the screen and this can be placed on various artworks which are added to on regular basis. Artworks include modern art, graffiti, a Mickey Mouse X Keith Haring collection and, just recently, a Valentine-themed canvas.
Once a design has been selected, a user chooses the mechanism type and colour and can then add a personal inscription to the back of the watch.
Platform: Any device with an up-to-date browser
Stockists: Design your own Swatch here.
Expect to pay: R2 090
Go to the next page to read about Sanedi, Ayoba and the AlphaCode Incubate programme winners.
Sanedi energy calculating app
Individually, a lightbulb may not be considered a major energy consumer in a building, especially in a home or small office. However, considered collectively on a larger scale, such as in a government facility, school or hospital, the energy efficiency of lighting can have a significant impact on a building’s energy use.
The Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) has developed an app that helps users implement energy-efficient lighting. “It does this by guiding a user through a lighting energy audit of a building,” explains Karen Surridge, manager of the Renewable Energy Centre of Research and Development for Sanedi.
“As one works one’s way through a building and grounds, one counts the lights and notes their specs. The app then provides information on alternative lighting solutions, the cost, energy usage, the investment required and the return on that investment in terms of energy and costs saved.”
Platform: Android and iOS
Stockists: Visit the Sanedi website here for more information on how to save energy and to download the app.
Expect to pay: A free download.
Go to the next page to read about Ayoba and the AlphaCode Incubate programme winners.
Ayoba reiterates protecting users’s privacy, announces in-app assistant
Free African messaging app ayoba has reiterated its focus on protecting its users’ privacy and security.
“All the content is curated,” says interim CEO Richard Cimardi. ‘We have a team of editors who check every post before it goes live. This includes our music and entertainment channels. So it’s 100% family friendly and safe for our younger users.”
Ayoba has recently launched an in-app assistant, Aya, to guide new users on how to use an instant messaging app. Aya appears in everyone’s chats and can run a variety of interactive tutorials for key features within ayoba.
In partnership with MTN, customers are automatically allocated free data to use ayoba. Allowances range from 50MB daily to unlimited usage, depending on the country. Free data allocations can be used for most activities available in the app – including messaging, browsing, gaming and listening to music.
Platform: Android and iOS
Stockists: Visit Ayoba here for downloading instructions.
Expect to pay: A free download.
Go to the next page to read about the AlphaCode Incubate programme winners.
AlphaCode Incubate programme winners
Almost 200 fintech businesses applied for the AlphaCode Incubate programme, which aims to grow financial service entrepreneurs. Ten have been selected for a development programme that provides funding, guidance from performance coaches and a panel of advisory experts.
The businesses chosen are:
Bento: A service that gives employers a solution to offer employee benefits without the cost and administrative burden. Employees are able to self-manage their benefits and perks, giving them freedom of choice over their remuneration structure and take-home pay.
Mapha: This allows one to buy and deliver goods from most local stores in their area. Mapha’s service delivers items and offers the option of buying from multiple stores in one trip.
OysterPay: Gig workers who are largely overlooked by traditional financial institutions will benefit from this digital banking platform. It offers a prepaid debit card and mobile app that helps these workers be paid, save, and borrow.
Melon: Investing in Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies is out of reach for many. But with quick purchases and a well laid out user interface, Melon brings buying Bitcoin to the layman. Users will be able to add an investment amount to their cart, pay using card or instant EFT, and access savings products in one location.
AgriCool: Farmers can access finance and gain information on improving their production with AgriCool. It is also an e-marketplace that links smallholding farmers and buyers to markets in their area.
Imfuyo Technologies: Also focusing on the farming community, Imfuyo Technologies is developing a smart farming solution that will give livestock farmers better oversight of their operations. The solution consists of a smart tracker that collects data about cattle location and behaviour. The data is analysed to enable farmers to optimise farming activities.
MatchKit.co: Through this platform athletes can make money, regardless of the status of sporting events. It integrates into social media to showcase the value of an athlete’s digital audience to potential sponsors.
Varibill: Great for providers of usage-based products and services, Varibill provides plug-ins that integrate into various sources or devices. It then connects the sources with a company’s existing accounting system, translating this information into billing data.
Chama Money: This is a platform for stokvels to operate online in an easy, safe and transparent way while giving them access to retail, insurance, and financial products from trusted providers.
DentX: A machine learning platform for vehicle damage repair pricing that supplies vehicle or fleet owners with data for quotations. The DentX platform allows approved service providers to supply more accurate estimates.