Extending its SME offering with new ReadyApps, Vodafone says it’s offering “Personalised service, flexible plans and total communications solutions for Australian small businesses.”
Vodafone has unveiled a new suite of ReadyApps to “help customers navigate the unique and complex challenges faced by small to medium businesses.”
16 new apps have been added, with Vodafone unleashing a “multi-million dollar marketing campaign” to reinforce the telco’s “commitment to providing the tools and support to help small businesses succeed.”
Of course, one might innocently ask whether injecting these multi-millions of dollars into more apps, or cheaper plans, or more data inclusions might be a better way to spend the money.
{loadposition alex08}However, given the media relies, at least in part, on advertising, any such notion would likely horrify Australia’s version of Madison Avenue who presumably would argue that the money is well spent letting SMEs know of Vodafone’s new offerings in this space, and that the modern era allows tracking of advertising so we finally have a much better idea of what ads worked when, where, how and on whom.
And the fact the competition is advertising, leading to one’s own advertising helping to cut through in an ad-laden world.
So, what do all these new ReadyApps allow SMEs to achieve?
We’re told that the ReadyApps “allow customers to streamline their business processes and save time from security to processing to email management,” and that “the range of new apps provides more choice and convenience for customers in addition to Vodafone’s personalised service.”
Vodafone also proudly boasts that it “continues to be the only provider in Australia to give customers with 10 or more connections a dedicated, Australian-based Personal Account Manager,” from 8am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday.
Stuart Kelly, Executive GM of Vodafone Enterprise said: “This next evolution is part of our passion to treat every customer, big or small, like a very important business.
“Couple our award-winning, personalised service with our refreshed suite of sophisticated productivity tools and we’ve got a unique offer that finally gives customers the opportunity to transition from working “in” the business to working “on” the business,” added Kelly.
Vodafone also talks up its continued position as a “trusted advisor for the small business community” thanks to “two recent awards for excellence and support of the small business community.”
These awards includes the “Winner for Most Satisfied Customers – Small Business Mobile Phone Providers 2017 awarded by Canstar Blue,” and a certificate of recognition from the Council of Small Business Australia (COSBOA).
Peter Strong, COSBOA CEO said: “With new and evolving technologies, small businesses find themselves in a more dynamic and complex environment than ever before. Vodafone embraces these complexities and is a true champion for the small business community.”
So, what will Vodafone’s advertising campaign feature?
We’re told it “features a range of Vodafone customers from sole traders through to larger national businesses across key industries - professionals, trades and retail. The creative represents Vodafone’s ambition to arm businesses of all sizes with sophisticated tools and services to help them succeed.”
Kat Logan, Vodafone customer and founder of Sydney-based Buttercream Bakery is one of those featured within the new campaign.
Logan added her support, stating: “During the busiest periods my number one focus is keeping my head above water. Having a service provider like Vodafone gives me peace of mind that I’m going to get consistently great service at the times that really matter. The new apps are a sweetener – anything that can save time is a great thing for me and my business.”
Ok, so what are the ReadyApps?
The apps are listed below, you can see page 1 of the list of apps here, there’s more on page two.
I’m listing the apps from those two pages here, most of which have some kind of monthly fee, but which are all aimed at SMEs.
- CakeMail
- Dropbox Business (coming soon)
- Dynamics 365 for Sales
- Microsoft Enterprise Mobility + Security—everywhere
- Google G-Suite
- Microsoft Intune,
- Microsoft Office 365 Enterprise Bundle
- Mozy Backup Desktop
- Norton Security for Professionals
- Office 365 and Office 365 Enterprise
- OneDrive for Business
- Project Online
- ServiceM8
- SharePoint Online
- Skype for Business Online
- Symantec Endpoint Protection (coming soon)
- Visio Pro for Office 365
- Weebly (website builder)
- Yammer Enterprise
More information on ReadyApps is available is available here.
There are a range of terms and conditions Vodafone has highlighted in its media release, which you can read at the bottom of the linked page here, while the Help section also has an FAQ which also answers a lot of questions you might have.
