Technology

Ping4, Inc., a provider of scalable, geo-location based communications software for use in mobile applications and services, has launched a real-time, location sensitive, conditions-based, direct marketing tool that alerts Smartphone users with “Deal Alert” communications over any Wi-Fi network or GPS coverage near shopping malls, store locations and other retail venues.

Called Ping4Deals, the service is a new medium which targets potential customers with smart phones who travel within 25 miles of most retail stores every day. It enables retailers to push appealing, ad agency quality content to mobile consumers in order to increase same store sales and to capture impulse purchases from consumers when they are in or near the store.

“Ping4Deals delivers to the global retailer not just a thousand new customers on a particular day, but thousands at every mall or store every day,” said Jim Bender, CEO of Ping4Deals. “This solution is ideally suited to global retailers because we stay out of their revenue stream, we don’t impact gross margins, we give them full control over branding, marketing and advertising, and we scale globally overnight.”

A free download from the Apple Store/iTunes (soon to be available on Android) and available for a nominal fee to retailers, Ping4Deals pushes dynamic ads to consumers in real-time according to their pre-selected filters and preferences. Ping4Deals utilizes Wi-Fi and GPS technology, and rather than relying on simple SMS text messages, it delivers multimedia messaging including text, pictures, wave files, and video. The promotions are developed to minimize the drain on cell phone batteries and on mobile calling plan minutes of use, and can be configured nationally, globally or at the individual store level (hosted, software-as-a-service, or on premise).

Ping4Deals’ map and compass features enable consumers to search for directions to stores within a 50 mile radius of wherever they are. The “Deal Speak/Alert” feature (soon to be available) will “wake up” the smart phone of a nearby subscriber when they are within the five miles (or 300 feet via Wi-Fi) of a store or mall location and speak the deals to them for a safe hands-free offering. Access is also available via a web browser. Retailers can use the service to create and deliver marketing communications based upon a multitude of real-time conditions including time of day, store activity, weather conditions, inventory levels, or something specific to the consumer’s profile or buying patterns.

“Our products integrate seamlessly into the retailers overall e-commerce and social networking marketing strategies,” said Nigel Spicer, SVP, Ping4Deals. This is a new communication medium that can also be used to provision many other applications such as public safety, missing children, charity, and social games.”

Hollis, N.H.-based Ping4, Inc. specializes in the development of scalable geo-location based communications software for use in mobile applications.