Friday 19 July 2013

Developing and designing the iMember app

Our new app was designed  and  developed  by  SMACK. Launched in 2012, they have been shortlisted as one of the top new digital agencies by Net  Magazine and  flagged  as one  of  the  top  10  creative  agencies to  watch  in  2013  by Creative Bloq. The  iMember  app,  now  available  to  download from App Store and Google Play, gives users access to thousands  of rewards and membership benefits whilst on the go.




SMACK developed the hybrid HTML5 mobile app using open source scalable technology  capable of future proofing the inherent big data requirements.

Sel-Vin  Kuik,  SMACK’s  technical  director  describes the development:

“For  us  the  challenge  was to  deliver  content that could be searched by natural language and geography to provide the user with  instant, relevant results.  We have allowed for complex connections between the thousands  of benefits available on the database through implementing a fine-tuned search indexer.” Kuik  adds:  “The  choice  to  use  hybrid  technology  was  an  easy  one. The  client  wanted  a  multi-platform  solution,  while  keeping  costs  down. We’ve  built  the  iMember  app  using  Adobe  PhoneGap.  Hybrid  solutions  no  longer  forfeit  processing  speeds  the  support  for  HTML5 is improving with every generation of smartphone, and the speed and capability of  the current mobile browsers mean we can really push hybrid apps to match the standard  expected from native”. Available  benefits on  the  mobile  app can  be  searched  by  product  type,  location  or  organisation with users  sent  instant  access  to  deals  and  step-by-step  advice  on  how  to  claim them.

Heading up the design team, Lubna Keawpanna, SMACK’s creative director said:

“In a crowded space,any new app has to stand out, yet at the same time illuminate the user to  the app function. The user experience on the app is more personalized on the mobile app,  as  it  identifies  your  location  and  immediately  shows  you benefits in  your  vicinity. We  continued  with  the urban minimalist  feel,  breaking  away  from  the  cluttered  approach  of  most  money-saving  sites. We  highlighted the  features a  user needs  whilst on  the  go  to  enhance the mobile user experience


We think Smack have done a fantastic job, and hope you do too.   You can download the app for Android and iPhone/iPad by clicking on the buttons below.



New iMember App shows you where it pays to belong

We have made it easier than ever for our users to claim their ‘forgotten’ fringe benefits by launching a brand new iPhone and Android App – available to download completely free of charge.




It’s money for nothing, you just have to remember you’re a member.  But with so many UK consumers needing a little reminder every now and then – and that’s where the new iMember App comes in.


I've been testing the app for a few weeks.  I belong to a number of organisations, like The AA, and my gym, I subscribe to the Times, and get my insurance from MoreThan but I was always forgetting the fringe benefits they offered.  This app helps me remember I’m a member when I am out and about.   It was a natural progression for iMember to combine the benefits of membership with the growing capabilities of smartphones. Using GPS technology, it shows the user all current discounts and promotions in their location with an interactive map – whether you are at home,  on holiday, on the local high street or on the train to work.

The app can give an electronic ‘nudge’ or push notification when you are close to a benefit.  Reminders are given at a distance of between 0.5 – 10 miles from the smartphone’s location, and  this can easily be adjusted in ‘settings’ so nudges are more or less frequent depending on your preference.

Taking the ease of use and flexibility of the website, and adding improved accessibility via a handheld smartphone, it can be adapted to meet every user’s specific needs.  Whether searching for available benefits by product type, location or organisation, users get instant access to deals and step-by-step advice on how to claim them – it’s that simple.  Looking for somewhere to eat? The iMember app will tell you which restaurants near you offer discounts because of who you are.  Want to go to an attraction?  iMember makes sure you don’t miss out on what you are entitled to.

The feedback we're getting from early users has been very positive: "The service is great and I've used it to get free national trust passes as didn't realise my bank offered these." says Chris. "when I was out today it told me about an English Heritage benefit!"  says Lucy.


To get the app just click on the button below:




You can use the app to update the organisations you subscribe to, or use the website

Tuesday 16 July 2013

Can't remember what you belong to?

A number of people have said they can’t remember what organisations they belong to or services they subscribe to.  To help out, here are some lists to jog the memory.

The Top 100 Most Popular Organisations
Nectar
Tesco
Halifax
Nationwide FlexAccount
Automobile Association
National Trust
Virgin Media
Barclays Premier
The Times
RAC
First Direct
British Sky Broadcasting Group
Vodafone
HSBC Premier
Santander Reward Current Account
English Heritage
Unison
Civil Service Members Association
O2
American Express
Lloyds TSB Platinum
Orange
BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT
O2 Priority Moments
Daily Telegraph
More Than
Royal Society of Chemistry
TalkTalk
Durham University Alumni Community
Mumsnet
Aviva
National Union of Students-Students and Apprentices
Co-operative
Health Service Discounts
Axa Ppp Healthcare
Institute of Advanced Motoring
Edinburgh University
Virgin Mobile
Natwest Bank Select Silver Account
National Union of Students-Graduates
Lloyds TSB Gold
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
David Lloyd
Caravan Club
Public and Commercial Services Union
University College London
Co-operative Bank Privilege Premier
University of East Anglia
Green Flag
Cardiff University
Kent Science Park
National Trust for Scotland
Manchester University
Co-operative Bank Privilege
Natwest Advantage Gold
Eon
University of Cambridge
British Gas
Royal Bank of Scotland Select Silver
University of Greenwich
Marriott Hotel
Unite
Prudential
UKNetMonitor
Running Bug
BT
Lloyds TSB Premier
Middlesex University
Labour Party
Association of Optometrists
College of Optometrists
General Optical Council
Liverpool University
Lincoln University
University of Oxford
National Union of Teachers
London School of Economics
Clydesdale Bank Private
Dial Direct Car Insurance
Association of Accounting Technicians
National Association of Probation officers
Privilege
British Medical Association
UK Council For Psychotherapy
Cadw
Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing
British Association For Shooting And Conservation
British Contact Lens Association
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
National Association of Pension Funds
Edinburgh Napier University
Maidstone Orchestral Society
Royal Commonwealth Society
University of York
Youth Hostel Association
First Division Association
Camping and Caravanning Club
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
Institute of Chartered Accountants In England and Wales
Central Lancashire University
British Airline Pilots Association
Top 100 Organisations with most benefits
Ski Club Great Britain
Automobile Association
National Union of Students-Students and Apprentices
Southampton University
London Cycling Campaign
Gloucestershire University
National Union of Students-Graduates
Sunderland AFC
Barclays Premier
British Bee Keeping Association
David Lloyd
Nationwide Group Staff Union
University of Oxford
University of Wolverhampton
Mumsnet
More Than
Hertfordshire University
Long Distance Walkers Association
HSBC Advance
Institute of Fundraising
Heriot-Watt University
Camping and Caravanning Club
Norwich City FC
Robert Gordon University
Institute of Chartered Accountants In England and Wales
Active Newcastle
University of East Anglia
Cyclists Touring Club
Rugby Players Association
National Association for Gallery Education
King's College London
Arboricultural Association
Anglia Ruskin University
Lincoln University
University College London
Friends of Bedgebury Pinetum
Institute of Paralegals
Scottish Canoe Association
Surfing Great Britain
British Allied Trade Federation
University of The Arts London
RAC
University of Cambridge
Prudential
Scottish Youth Hostels Association
Institute of Certified Public Accountants In Ireland
East London University
Central Lancashire University
Association of Teachers And Lecturers
Aberdeen University
The Times
Tourism Society
England Golf
Institute of Recruiters
Inland Waterways Association
Kew Royal Botanic Gardens
Kingston University
Sheffield Hallam University
Association of Optometrists
Bath University
Public and Commercial Services Union
Union of Shop Distributive And Allied Workers
Alice Holt Discovery Pass
AECB, the Sustainable Building Association
Bar Council
Association for Perioperative Practice
Northampton University
Coventry University
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
Bishop Grosseteste University College Lincoln
Spokes
British Rowing
Association of School And College Leaders
Mountaineering Council of Scotland
Usability Professionals Association
National Association of Co-operative Officials
Dalby Discovery Pass
Sheffield University
Liverpool University
Cardiff Met
Buckingham University
Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
Institute of Continuing Professional Development
Oxford Brookes University
Saga
Nottingham Trent University
Delamere Discovery Pass
Direct Marketing Association
Axa Ppp Healthcare
D&AD
Les Croupiers Running Club
Caledonian Club
Civil Service Members Association
University College Birmingham
National Osteoporosis Society
NFU Scotland
Association of Taxation Technicians
Jelly Legs Running Club
Forest of Dean Discovery Pass
Law Society of England and Wales

The list all the organisations we have on iMember is too long to post here, but you can search for your organisation at http://imember.co.uk .  If yours is not there then please let us know. Drop us an email at hello@imember.co.uk.