To prop up its technologically superior ‘NFC loyalty programme’, CH17 will enter into a strategic partnership seeking the expertise of iScientia - a leading technology solution company in Surrey - to develop and customise IT solutions for all its loyalty schemes and customer relationship management programmes currently underway.

Having embraced the world’s best-in-class NFC technology for its flagship programme for the Sri Lanka apparel - Ransalu Privilege - CH17 is now aiming at providing a complete solution beyond discounts and points to its cardholders as well as the merchants who are registered under its loyalty network.
These include data mining, engaged sales and marketing management, customer profiling based on customer preferences, purchase history (records), frequency, etc., all of which will be bundled as basic offering to CH17 loyalty members. 

Several other unique features such as geo-fencing, proximity-based communication, iBeacon-based  indoor navigation, mobile instant rewards, customer insights, data visualization and reporting, mobile payments, effective and measurable promotions, membership programmes, targeted instant rewards, multi-merchant programmes and white labelling will also be provided to selected merchants on a case-by-case basis, CH17 CEO Jumar Preena said.

iScientia is a registered company based in the UK. Founded by Nuwan Weerasinghe, a Sri Lankan entrepreneur based in Surrey, this firm is a popular software consultancy and solutions provider focusing on mobile-based CRM and loyalty platforms for a number of retail chains and outlets in the UK. 
Weerasinghe is ably supported by a team of IT undergraduates mostly from the local universities who have hands on experience and knowledge of the latest technologies within the industry and guidance of senior management with an international perspective.

“We are indeed privileged to be associated with iScientia, as they come from a background of a matured retail market and technologically advanced IT cum marketing environment,” said Preena. 

“We want to exchange our expertise in the field of the focused loyalty platform with innovative technology,” he added.

Weerasinghe said that his firm has the all-important platform with ready to plug-in supporting applications and programmes, which enable a loyalty programme unique to the implemented company. 

“We only have to customise to the needs of CH17’s merchant base. Time is money, so we don’t have to spend time developing programmes and apps, which is also costly in terms of man hours. Our programmes are literally ‘pre-fabricated’; all we got to do is to customise according to client preferences and needs. It’s a platform built with cutting-edge technology, sealed with a promise of stability, agility and a strategic vision to be future ready.”

iScientia was formed in 2007 identifying the service requirement in hospitality sector for affordable and agile software solutions. Today, the company has diversified its systems and consulting portfolio to payments, aviation, system security and loyalty services.

“We expand geographical boundaries with our presence servicing clients from Asia, Europe and Australia. Our strength is in our technology and our exposure in the financial epicentre in Europe.

Being a Microsoft-recognized Bizpark member and use of Microsoft Azure, Xamarin and cloud technologies open us the opportunity to develop a most up-to-date product range in various market sectors, e.g. NUV Loyalty platform, Emptor CRM system, Congressio Event management system and Culina Restaurant Management system,” Weerasinghe explained.

Preena and Weerasinghe exchanged documents offering their respective services and scopes recently and hoped to strengthen their relationship through sharing and exchanging of ideas.