evolaris cooperates with Deutsche Bank
In the second half of 2008, a research cooperation project involving Deutsche Bank and evolaris next level Privatstiftung was initiated. The purpose was to conduct trend monitoring on behalf of Deutsche Bank in the field of "mobile telephony in the banking sector" and to set up a trend workshop in Frankfurt. The aim of monitoring was to establish the status of and on-going trends in the mobile telephony market in general, with a focus on mobile financial services.
On 1 December 2008, Otto Petrovic, Christian Adelsberger and Werner Haring were able to present the results of the project to 15 high-level experts from Deutsche Bank in Frankfurt am Main.
The effects of new technologies and services in the mobile telephony market were analysed and future developments were forecast. The results of the fact-finding mission to Japan and Korea undertaken by an evolaris team in November 2008 served as a benchmark. Recent experience from the world's most advanced mobile telephony market gave tangible expression to interesting developments and their innovative perspectives.
The cutting-edge nature of the mobile telephony market in Asia is apparent from the revenue structure. In the case of some providers, data services provide nearly half their total proceeds. The utilisation of services based on GPS and NFC technology is also already widespread in this market and is subject to continuous enhancement. These developments will also reach the European market at some point in the future and will extend the application range for mobile phones.
During an open discussion round, the participants exchanged information and defined the future collaborative approach.
Client: Deutsche Bank
RLB Steiermark AG joins forces with evolaris to generate long-term momentum in the field of innovative customer communication.
After just three months, approx. 111,000 Raiffeisen Bank customers are now receiving information about attractive benefits, exclusive invitations to Raiffeisen events and much more - and they receive it in a manner which is straightforward, swift and convenient. Every month, more than 100,000 text messages are sent out via a platform developed by evolaris. Contacts with customers via their mobile end devices have now reached the 400,000 mark. Due to the high degree of acceptance from both customers and banks, the system is set to be expanded and developed in the future, confirming its role as one of the bank's four multi-channel banking channels in the years to come.
Client: Raiffeisen-Landesbank Steiermark AG
mobilkom austria – context-aware services
In order to offer adequate services, this project is being conducted in order to investigate which context-related information - depending on time, place and current activities - is highly relevant for the customers. In addition, it will be possible to derive concepts of potential value to mobilkom austria. The opportunities for the utilisation of context information from a technical and legal point of view over the next 5 years are also being identified.
Client: mobilkom austria AG
performance monitoring
Due to their special design and the development of customer relations, mobile marketing campaigns require new research applications to raise the level of acceptance among the target group. The aim of the project was to design the relevant dimensions and to derive questions and guidelines for the correct selection and design of methods, as well as to present options for the evaluation of mobile marketing campaigns. The focus was on the most universally valid design of methods that would make it possible to compile a database by continuous benchmarking, which could then be used to measure the success of mobile marketing campaigns more easily.
Client: In-house-R&D
RLB usability process
Development processes should include sustainable, integrated usability monitoring to ensure the quality of IT developments from the very beginning, thus guaranteeing the success of on-line and mobile services in the long term. The aim of the project was to determine the relevance of the integration of usability evaluations on the basis of selected reference development processes employed by the Raiffeisenlandesbank Steiermark and to make recommendations for adequate integration. One of the central findings of the project is the importance of early usability research in order to ensure that the development process has been customised from the beginning and is thus successful from the point of view of acceptance.
Client: Raiffeisen-Landesbank Steiermark AG
mgbl WP2 – user requirements
This international EU project was started in 2005 and evolaris was - among other things - assigned the task of investigating the user requirements for mobile-based games to be developed for learning purposes. Three market research surveys have been carried out in total. The first qualitative project covered general requirements for mobile-based learning games from an expert's point of view. The second project concentrated on on-line surveys of the target group, i.e. young people. The third sub-project dealt with the analysis of those responsible for the administration of the practical application of games. The main insights were the combination of a real environment with game contents, an entertaining and challenging presentation of a competitive nature, as well as learning content that is indirectly conveyed, without giving the game the excessively dull appearance of a learning aid.
Client: EU F&E
RLB mobile accompanying market research
The current satisfaction of participants with the campaigns was determined in another area of the accompanying market research for the mobile marketing campaign of the Raiffeisenlandesbank Steiermark. Apart from the established service, which offers the participants "goodies" to be redeemed via a 2D code, evolaris also evaluated an information campaign conducted at selected banks. It was again demonstrated that the acceptance levels among the target group were positive. Three quarters of all participants are satisfied with Raiffeisen Mobil and more than 80% would participate in the programme again.
Client: Raiffeisen-Landesbank Steiermark AG
Living lab and on-line, mobile panel
The basic problem addressed in this project is the inadequate user orientation of mobile services. The use of panels, i.e. of groups of persons prepared to participate in research activities, is becoming increasingly popular in scientific and commercial research. Living labs (LL) constitute a new instrument for the incorporation of users into the technological innovation process at European level. By focusing on mobile technologies and the target group of school pupils and students, new instruments are being developed that enable the researcher to use product innovation ideas and prototypes like a sensor that can be immersed in the real user environment, resulting in valuable feedback.
Client: In-house-R&D
Identification technologies: evolaris uses the mobile phone as an identification element
evolaris has conducted a project to investigate technologies that can be used to convert mobile phones into identification elements . Such technologies are always popular, for example, when their purpose is to identify the user as a customer participating in a bonus programme. As the transactions are conducted via the mobile phone, it is no longer necessary to maintain numerous customer cards.
Communication concerning the bonus programme can also take place directly via the mobile phone, either by voice message or by SMS. The identification technologies supported by mobile phones fall into three groups: there are technologies that require special hardware and can thus also guarantee special security standards, but which are not yet widely used. There are also technologies that make identification possible on the basis of mobile software, but which are frequently not suitable for the mass market because of inadequate platform standardisation. And finally, there are technologies based on functions that are currently supported by almost 100% of all mobile phones.
It is particular in the field of technologies suitable for the mass market that evolaris intends to focus on research that will provide contemporary identification media for loyalty programmes.
Client: In-house-R&D
Market analysis: evolaris identifies potential in systems for the management of customer relations
As part of its on-going research into customer relations management, evolaris investigated systems that help companies make targeted contact with their customers. These systems are designed to provide customers with relevant information from the company on the basis of their existing transaction history.
Definite potential was identified in terms of the interface between traditional CRM systems, which are often operated entirely as customer databases, and campaign management tools. The campaign management systems control the communication of offers and content to the customer but often do not feed the results of the resulting dialogues back into the CRM system for further analysis.
At evolaris, we will be focusing on this interface. Further projects will be aimed at developing technical prototypes for the combined use of CRM and dialogue management.
Client: In-house-R&D
KeyToNature website and WIKI
KeyToNature is an EU-wide project involving 14 partners, which is aimed at creating various standardised descriptive and identification systems for biological organisms of all kinds and an electronic system that can also be used for teaching purposes. Within this framework, evolaris is compiling and managing the public website on the basis of a Wiki system (similar to Wikipedia).
Client: EU F&E Programm eContentplus
The "We Change Europe" voting tool
The Europe-wide e-initiative platform "We Change Europe" enables all European citizens to cast direct on-line votes on various initiatives. Voting is also possible by SMS and even by fax or postcard. Special emphasis was placed on security aspects during implementation. There are several systems (from CAPTCHAs to IP tracking) that prevent automated voting in particular and all communication is, of course, SSL-encoded. The platform is presented in all EU languages.
The operators of the platform are provided with a convenient interface for the definition and statistical evaluation of initiatives.
Client: Europa braucht Initiative! e.V.
Raiffeisen: evolaris analyses the success factors for the set up and operation of a customer panel
The general conditions for the constitution of a customer panel for market research purposes was analysed within the framework of a feasibility study conducted for the Raiffeisenlandesbank Steiermark. An important advantage of the customer panel is that it rapidly and reliably makes available valuable data on the various sales activities and the resulting decision-making support. Ongoing monitoring can be used to directly measure the acceptance of measures among customers. Success factors for panel management, such as regular, active communication with the panellists and continuous updating of master data, were identified. Other criteria for good panel management are the structured recruitment of customers for the panel and the integration of the panel list data into a panel management application.
Client: Raiffeisen-Landesbank Steiermark AG
Mobile survey tool
The evolaris mobile survey tool was developed in cooperation with the market research division of evolaris. This tool makes it possible to conduct surveys by mobile phone. An easy-to-use web interface can be employed to define and send out questionnaires. The questionnaires are presented in a manner optimised for the various mobile phones of the survey participants. Various statistics and reports on the survey process can be viewed in real-time via the web interface and also exported for further evaluation.
RM – Security Audit Research
The advanced integration of Raiffeisen Mobil (designed and developed by evolaris) into the central banking system of Raiffeisen Landesbank Steiermark AG requires compliance with the highest security requirements. In order to guarantee compliance with these security requirements, evolaris carried out the project Security Audit Research. In this project Raiffeisen Mobil was brought fully up to date in terms of technical security. Amongst other measures, communication with the SMS Gatewayprovider was encrypted. Furthermore, so-called APNs (Access Point Names) were also configured. These APNs act as secure access points when transmitting data in mobile communication networks. After completion of these developmental stages, Raiffeisen Mobil was subjected to a Raiffeisen internal Security Audit (performed by security experts from Raiffeisen-Landesbank Steiermark AG).
Client: Raiffeisen-Landesbank Steiermark AG
Pilot extension basic functions in RM
Real operation use of Raiffeisen Mobil during the piloting phase revealed a number of new requirements and wishes. These were then analysed, prioritised and implemented by evolaris. The following enhancements were implemented in prototypical fashion on the Raiffeisen Mobil platform.
- Implementation of a function for the purposes of SMS registration throughout Styria.
- Implementation of a legal concept for the administration of Raiffeisen Mobil by employees of Raiffeisen Landesbank Steiermark AG.
These functions were implemented by evolaris and are now enhancing Raiffeisen Mobil's performance spectrum.
Client: Raiffeisen-Landesbank Steiermark AG
EPAMEDIA test environment
Within the framework of a test environment developed for EPAMEDIA GmbH, evolaris demonstrated how mobile services can be implemented with a minimum of complication. A dialogue-orientated web platform was developed especially for corporate clients, enabling them by filling out a form to readily activate complex services such as real-time voting by SMS, to download added-value services such as ring tones and background images, or to subscribe to information services. In the background, these services are provided by the powerful evolaris modelling system, which offers all the performance characteristics required for mobile marketing, such as detailed data records and result evaluation. This also allows evolaris's mobile communication experts to expand and adapt the mobile communication services as needed.
Client: EPAMEDIA – EUROPÄISCHE PLAKAT- UND AUSSENMEDIEN GMBH
Mobile TV white paper
To counteract the tendency to analyse mobile TV from a technology-centred point of view which underrepresents the business models and economic framework conditions, mobilkom austria compiled a white paper on the "Sustainable Economics of Mobile TV Services" together with the UMTS Forum and the GSM Association. evolaris made significant contributions in the fields of interactivity and customer acceptance, as well as international market trends and alternative services. The white paper is used by the members of the UMTS Forum and the GSMA as a basis for strategic decision-making in the field of television via mobile telephone. It may be downloaded from the website of the UMTS forum (www.umts-forum.org).
Client: mobilkom austria AG
Mobile Marketing Road Map
In the sector of mobile phones, evolaris places great importance on finding new business models that build on the foundation partners' existing models and those that are being developed for the future.
There are currently numerous developments in the field of mobile marketing and mobile advertising, the potential of which has not yet been established in detail.
Close market monitoring will help plan strategic projects to exploit those
market-relevant categories on which development should be concentrated
in the future.
The aim of the project is to establish the mobile marketing and mobile advertising potential in the market-relevant categories for Austria from 2008 to 2012 and the product portfolio needed to exploit it.
Client: In-house-R&D
eBusiness in B2B product sales
Within the framework of a project for AVL List GmbH, evolaris investigated the significance of the Internet for the B2B sector. The aim of the project was to conduct desk research to determine the importance of the Internet for B2B products. Global B2B e-commerce turnover currently amounts to € 16 trillion. The USA heads the regional distribution of this turnover, followed by Western Europe and the Asia/Pacific region. The Internet is becoming increasingly important in the B2B sector, as can be clearly seen from the annual growth rates of turnover handled via the Internet. The average annual growth rate in Western Europe is 73%, while for the Asia-Pacific region it is an impressive 99%.
Client: AVL List GmbH
Development of a student portal
evolaris compiled a concept for the development of a dedicated technology student portal within the framework of a research project carried out jointly with AVL List GmbH. The aim is to bind the students to the company at an early stage. Basic needs and requirements were evaluated in several peer groups. In addition, a usability concept and the structural design for the portal were developed. The functional design was developed to serve as a basis for the graphic design. Specifications for the technical development of the portal were jointly compiled. The strategy also included the integration of mobile telephones as a communication channel with the students. The portal will go on-line in the autumn of 2008.
Client: AVL List GmbH
Cross-border electronic invoicing - the ebCrossBorder case study
From an economic point of view, electronic invoicing (e-invoicing) offers many benefits (time and cost savings) due to process simplification for both the sending and the receiving party.Due to a lack of broad consensus at the European level, no binding standard for this type of invoicing has been defined to date. Individual states have, however, developed their own standards. In Austria, this was done under the guidance of AUSTRIAPRO/WKÖ, which compiled technical specifications ("ebInterface") in cooperation with software providers. evolaris conducted practical experiments as part of the "ebCrossBorder" project launched by AUSTRIAPRO to determine the extent to which these specifications are compatible with the national standards in Slovenia and Italy. The comprehensive project report may be downloaded from the AUSTRIAPRO website.
Client: AUSTRIAPro
Analysis of the basic conditions for electronic invoicing in Austria, Serbia and Slovenia
This analysis formed part of the "Information Science and Society in SEE countries" project conducted by Austrian Science and Research Implications. Project partners from Slovenia and Serbia were involved in analysing the various general conditions for electronic invoicing (eInvoicing) in the individual countries from a technical, organisational and legal point of view. This went beyond desk research with secondary literature. A total of 30 interviews were conducted, mainly with SMEs in the region. Results showed that the general conditions and the status with regard to the utilisation of eInvoicing in Austria and Slovenia were largely comparable, but that a lack of legal regulation in Serbia effectively hinders this efficient form of invoicing.
Client: Austrian Science and Research Liaison Offices
Measuring the network quality of data cards
mobilkom austria is planning the on-going measurement of the subjectively experienced network quality in the data sector, i.e. mobile data cards and USB modems. In the voice sector, tracking is currently taking place via telephone surveys (CATI), which are being conducted on a regular basis. mobilkom austria would now like to test new methods for researching perceived data network quality. The project will compare various mobile market research applications such as evolaris SMS and WAP surveys. These will then be compared to the results of traditional surveys, in as far as such information is available. The correlation with objective technical data will lead to findings on the extent to which such data correspond to the personal opinion of the A1 customers.
Client: mobilkom austria AG
White paper - Mobile TV Advertising
mobilkom austria cooperated with the GSMA in compiling a white paper on the subject of mobile TV advertising. As was the case with the white paper on the "Economics of Mobile Multimedia Services", evolaris could bring considerable expertise to bear on the project and supported the mobilkom team headed by Dr Wiedermann in its contribution to the GSMA white paper by formulating selected chapters.
Client: mobilkom austria AG
Panel management
RLB intends to set up a panel of persons who will permanently track and record advertising activities in the financial sector on-line, thus offering RLB the possibility of rapidly reacting to communication activities within the financial sector. The aim of the project is to conduct a viability study with clear focus on the questions to be answered in the field of advertising tracking.
Client: Raiffeisen-Landesbank Steiermark AG
mGBL – Development of a software platform for game-based learning using mobile phones
This project has a total budget of € 2.5 million and involves 11 project partners from 5 countries, with evolaris assuming main responsibility. The project goal is the development and implementation of a software platform that will facilitate learning by mobile phone. The focus is on models that facilitate learning in a game-based, emotional environment. In this regard, the mobile telephone acts as a bridge between the real and the virtual world. This project will run for a period of 3 years and will be completed by the end of 2008. The last software modules for the m-learning platform are currently being developed. A highlight of this project was the final conference, which was planned and organised by evolaris and took place in Cambridge at the end of June 2008 under the title of "Serious Games on the Move 08" (http://www.inspire.anglia.ac.uk/serious/index.html) The mGBL project is being supported with funding from the European Union within the framework of the technology-enhanced learning programme of the 6th general work programme.
Link to the EU programme: http://cordis.europa.eu/ist/telearn/index.html
Link to the mGBL website: http://www.mg-bl.com
Client: EU F&E
KeyToNature – a European project for the development of eLearning tools in the field of the diversity of species
This project has a total budget of € 4.8 million and involves 14 project partners from 11 countries. Existing software systems, which are already being used by specialists to identify plants and animals, formed the point of departure. Based on this, evolaris will cooperate with the project partners between autumn 2007 and 2010 to present eLearning and mLearning solutions for use in formal education. The aim of this project, which is being furthered within the eContentplus framework, is to present the biological diversity of species to specific target groups. In particular, evolaris is coordinating the identification of the needs and requirements of all stakeholders, the development of a business model and a project portal, as well as the clarification of legal issues. The project results may be viewed at www.key2nature.eu.