The entrepreneurs behind Zappify’s virtual business card and a contactless track and trace system for retail and hospitality businesses have expanded their product suite and added a key member to the team.
Keith Robinson and Paul Smith launched the contactless business card when the coronavirus pandemic hit and followed it up with a free track and trace system for hair salons, pubs, cafes and restaurants when it reopened last July.
The virtual business card replaces the need for individuals to wear a traditional business card. Users exchange their contact details in person or via video conferencing platforms, email and messaging apps on their smartphones using a unique QR code or a personal URL.
The Zappify Cov-ID track and trace platform has been used by over 300 companies and has amassed 48,000 registered consumers across the UK and overseas.
His success was recognized at the 2020 Spirit of Manchester Awards for a company’s outstanding contribution during the pandemic.
Now Keith and Paul, who are based in Bury, have developed an enterprise system that enables companies and organizations to manage virtual business cards for all of their employees. This means they can control branding, add or remove starters and graduates, update contact information, and collect usage data.
Keith said, “The new system has been in development for several months and we are excited to be bringing it to market. We have been very pleased with the feedback we have received so far. The system enables companies and organizations to securely manage their employees’ virtual business cards.
“In addition, it means significant cost savings for most companies and prevents large quantities of printed cards from being produced and ultimately thrown away.”
The company’s virtual business card displays the logo, key company information including web links and social media handles, and each employee can personalize theirs with a photo or a short video introduction.
The polymer company HEXPOL TPE, based in Middleton, Greater Manchester, is one of the users of the new system. The company is also introducing it to its offices in Sweden and Germany after successful trials in the UK.
Jill Bradford, Marketing Manager at HEXPOL TPE, said: “Zappify’s virtual business card is contactless and paperless, which is a win-win situation for us. It’s super easy to use too. We will introduce it in our European companies. ”
After expanding the Zappify portfolio, marketing pro Amy Conlock was hired to oversee brand and content development.
Amy said, “I’m very excited to be working with Keith and Paul on such an exciting and innovative business.
“The growth potential is enormous and it is very rewarding to have developed Zappify under extremely difficult economic conditions. The environmental benefits of paperless products are more important than ever, and the pandemic has brought the value of contactlessness to the fore. “
Keith said, “The virtual business card system is a modern digital marketing tool – it’s so much more than a traditional business card.
“We are developing additional products for private and business users from Zappify that are based on the same mobile, paperless and contactless technology.
“Having Amy on board during this exciting time will help us grow our user base and is a huge boost as we develop the brand and expand the functionality of the platform.”