Utilico Insights - Jacqueline Broers assesses why Vietnam could be the darling of Asia for investors. Watch the full video here.
London South East prides itself on its community spirit, and in order to keep the chat section problem free, we ask all members to follow these simple rules. In these rules, we refer to ourselves as "we", "us", "our". The user of the website is referred to as "you" and "your".
By posting on our share chat boards you are agreeing to the following:
The IP address of all posts is recorded to aid in enforcing these conditions. As a user you agree to any information you have entered being stored in a database. You agree that we have the right to remove, edit, move or close any topic or board at any time should we see fit. You agree that we have the right to remove any post without notice. You agree that we have the right to suspend your account without notice.
Please note some users may not behave properly and may post content that is misleading, untrue or offensive.
It is not possible for us to fully monitor all content all of the time but where we have actually received notice of any content that is potentially misleading, untrue, offensive, unlawful, infringes third party rights or is potentially in breach of these terms and conditions, then we will review such content, decide whether to remove it from this website and act accordingly.
Premium Members are members that have a premium subscription with London South East. You can subscribe here.
London South East does not endorse such members, and posts should not be construed as advice and represent the opinions of the authors, not those of London South East Ltd, or its affiliates.
Another COVID-19 operation being carried out by IMO's subsidiary Healthcare Communications:
Https://directorsclub.news/2020/06/11/imimobile-delivers-bi-lingual-covid-19-test-results-to-welsh-residents/
"Healthcare Communications deliver bi-lingual test results to Welsh residents
London, 9 June 2020
London, 9 June 2020 – Healthcare Communications is sending out thousands of Covid-19 test results to Welsh residents via a new text messaging service. Results are delivered by SMS to key workers and members of the public who have been tested for the virus in Wales.
The service means that those who test positive can continue to self-isolate, while those who test negative can get back to their normal routines as soon as possible.
Public Health Wales has been working with Healthcare Communications to implement the system across Wales as part of its efforts to help scale up the country’s sampling and testing capacity. The system has now been rolled out in several local health board areas across Wales.
Dr John Boulton, Director of NHS Quality Improvement and Patient Safety, who heads up Public Health Wales’ testing cell, said: “Making sure that people in Wales get their test results in a timely and convenient manner is obviously hugely important.
“Equally important, though, is having a system for doing this that is time and resource efficient from an operational perspective.
“We are confident that the system we have in place with Healthcare Communications can support our continuing efforts to scale up Wales’ testing capacity as part of the next phase of our COVID-19 response.”
Previously, when testing numbers were at approximately 200 a day, results were shared over the phone. However, as testing numbers have increased, the urgency behind delivering results means that this is no longer a safe or efficient channel to do this.
Now, SMS messages are sent to thousands of individuals every day in both English and Welsh. The workflow is automated, so staff time spent on phone calls and admin can now be redirected to other COVID-19 duties to help keep Wales safe. This will prove invaluable as work continues to increase Wales’ testing capacity in line with the Welsh Government’s Test, Trace Protect strategy.
Healthcare Communications work with 5 of the 7 NHS Health Boards and the National Screening Services in Wales, sending over 3 million communications to Welsh patients every year. Communications are delivered in Welsh and English to comply with the Welsh Language Act and deployed across several channels including SMS, IVM, agent call and by digital and postal letter.
etc"
This news hasn't been posted before:
Https://martechseries.com/sales-marketing/sales-enablement/unified-communications/imimobile-enables-remote-working-contact-centers-amid-pandemic/
"IMImobile Enables Remote Working for Contact Centers Amid Pandemic
Unified Communications
Public sector clients including local councils and NHS trusts have rapidly transitioned to remote working using IMImobile’s products
Global cloud communications software and solutions provider IMImobile PLC, announced that its cloud contact center software has enabled remote working for its clients following the COVID-19 outbreak. Customers including Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council and Bouygues Energies & Services have recently transitioned their office-based contact centers to homeworking due to the lockdown measures introduced by the UK government.
IMImobile strengthened its contact center offering last year through the acquisition of UK-based contact center software provider, Rostrvm. The integrated omnichannel solution consolidates voice, messaging and social customer service channels into a unified agent console and simplifies contact center operations for businesses and public sector organizations. With the product and associated infrastructure hosted in the cloud and delivered as a service, contact centers have easily transitioned to working from home without any service interruption.
etc"
https://www.investegate.co.uk/imimobile--imo-/gnw/imimobile-signs-partnership-agreement-with-communisis/20200609080010H2286/
This is great news. I suspect it's an RNSNON because IMO couldn't put a specific value on the deal as it's dependent on the number of transactions. Nevertheless, imo this is an important agreement.
I remember when CMS were a quoted company that they were making a huge transition to digital, and in particular that they won a 10 year outsourcing contract with Lloyds Bank to handle all of its communications with customers:
Https://www.insidermedia.com/news/yorkshire/94120-lloyds-banks-communisis-ten-year-deal
Just this one relationship alone should bring in substantial revenues.
Great to see Octopus continuing to buy and above 10%. They've been issuing almost monthly increased holding RNS's since they crossed 5% in November:
https://www.investegate.co.uk/imimobile-plc--imo-/rns/holding-s--in-company/202006080700071777P/
I've also topped up with a few more in this hiatus.
Last year's results were on 2nd July. We already know that this year's results to 31/3 will be fine, and with the heavily increasing usage of mobile/cloud and the move to remote working in the pandemic I suspect the outlook will be nicely positive too.
This post dated 20th April talks about how IMO can help with emergency communication in the current pandemic:
Https://imimobile.com/blog/how-to-send-emergency-communications-in-one-hour
"How to send emergency communications in one hour
With many businesses having to limit or cancel their services, crisis communications play an important role in assuring customers of a company’s ability to cope with the situation.
Written by Sravani Gade
April 20th 2020
Emergency communications have become essential amid the COVID-19 pandemic. With many services interrupted, customers are facing significant challenges in communicating with businesses. A pragmatic approach to proactively communicate with customers quickly and with minimal effort is imperative.
etc"
Big interview with the CEO here about the way workplace practices etc are changing post-lockdown:
Https://www.computerweekly.com/news/252481922/Collaboration-and-communications-get-richer-as-Covid-19-ushers-in-new-working-reality
A small extract:
"As the Covid-19 outbreak gathered pace and lockdowns became the norm, the company shifted more than 1,100 staff to remote working in the space of a week and without any loss of service, said Patel. This wasn’t just down to the communications systems the company sells and indeed uses. It was mainly down to being a cloud-based software business that was not just able to deploy the systems it uses but also able to deploy and provision services without being physically present. Advantageously, much of IMImobile’s communication and interaction with customers was already carried out over virtual channels.
Yet the outbreak has also encouraged the firm to explore ways it can help customers to manage transitions. This has seen the launch of services to help with emergency communications and to set up remote working contact centres, and also working with the UK government and mobile operators to send out critical SMS communications.
One example was enabling Walsall NHS Trust to make virtual appointments available to patients through an eClinic, making it possible for dermatology services to continue. It is also investigating how firms could embrace technologies such as rich communications services (RCS), digital messaging channels and chatbots to allow them to communicate more effectively and efficiently with their customers. It added that features such as rich cards, carousels and suggested replies allowed for better customer navigation and quicker responses."
Love it, topped up.
A great - and clever - gesture by IMO announced today, giving their eClinic video consultation software free to NHS trusts for a year.
This looks extremely promising. It will encourage fast take-up, but will integrate the product into the NHS, which would be highly likely to retain it and pay for it after that first year:
Https://www.investegate.co.uk/imimobile--imo-/gnw/imimobile-offers-free-eclinic-software-amid-pandemic/20200421080010H5477/
"IMImobile offers free eClinic software amid pandemic
Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust implements video consultation software in response to COVID-19 crisis
LONDON, April 21, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global cloud communications software and solutions provider IMImobile PLC, today announces that its healthcare division, Healthcare Communications, has launched its eClinic software to NHS trusts for free for a year. The video consultation software allows for patients to see their clinicians via online consultations, from the comfort and safety of their own homes. This means that regular health checks and medical reporting can continue even if patients or healthcare professionals are self-isolating.
Kenny Bloxham, Managing Director at Healthcare Communications, says: “We all need to support the NHS through this crisis; by switching as many appointments to virtual as possible, we can ensure services are not overwhelmed in the future. The eClinic solution is clinician led, so patients don’t spend lengthy periods in ‘virtual’ waiting rooms – instead, clinicians can immediately connect with their patient. It can be rolled out at scale across hospitals and GPs within days, and looking to the longer term, represents a sustainable way to redesign the patient pathway for the future.”
eClinic also allows clinicians to collaborate and exchange medical opinion, through clinician-to-clinician support and consultation features, meaning communications between colleagues can be maintained and kept private, despite the professional distances created by the coronavirus pandemic. The eClinic video consultation platform enables clinicians to convert entire clinic lists to virtual appointments. Healthcare workers can also use the platform to immediately assess urgent patients who cannot attend in person. Not only is this kind of IT implementation crucial during the coronavirus outbreak, but digitally transforming patient care will improve overall efficiency for NHS trusts.
Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust have implemented the software in response to COVID-19 and now have 40 clinicians set up to use the system. Dr Muhammad Javed, Consultant Paediatrician and CCIO at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, said: “We have always felt that a significant number of our patients do not actually need to come to the clinic. During the current pandemic, having a service like eClinic has become a necessity.
etc"
They now own 9.19%, or 7.55m shares:
Https://www.investegate.co.uk/imimobile-plc--imo-/rns/holding-s--in-company/202004171424100826K/
I was pleased with recent trading update and the accompanying small fundraising. Almost no impact to date from COVID-19 - which will likely increase the demand for IMO's services - and additional funding from keen institutional investors to enable further growth.
Plus a rosy outlook from the CEO:
"Jay Patel, Group Chief Executive of IMImobile, commented: "We are pleased to report that the positive trading momentum from the first half continued through the remainder of the year, and that we have delivered another year of good growth. Our enhanced foundations in the US and consolidation of operations are now delivering results, and the recent strategic client wins in that market represents a significant step forward for the Group."
Another placing. 10%. Shares to placed on market 15th April. Why not join the placing party. Very sensible no doubt, but gives me the feeling this is going to get worse before anything positive happens.
There's a good chance that IMO are involved in this as O2 are a long-standing IMO customer:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/technology-52017451
I also note that IMO have a web page up covering their tech helping to overcome this crisis:
Https://pages.imimobile.com/crisis-communications
Octopus are pretty astute stock pickers. Often seem to go for slightly under the radar steady but sure companies like IGR too.
I'd have thought IMO would be one of the least affected companies from the virus, and indeed may be a beneficiary given the increased reliance on mobile phones for communication.
And this morning we learn that Octopus Investments continue to increase their stake in IMO - they now own over 8% with 6.04m shares:
Https://uk.advfn.com/stock-market/london/imimobile-IMO/share-news/IMImobile-PLC-Holdings-in-Company/81938982
Actually they could have been sells I guess. Getting a very good price if all these big trades are sells
2 healthy looking buys.
Https://www.investegate.co.uk/imimobile--imo-/gnw/imimobile-enables-hyundai-to-use-whatsapp-business-for-customer-service/20200304080010H4097/
"IMImobile enables Hyundai to use WhatsApp Business for customer service
Using WhatsApp as a customer service channel will improve customer experience for vehicle service booking
LONDON, March 04, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global cloud communications software and solutions provider IMImobile PLC today announced that Hyundai India has integrated WhatsApp as part of their customer service strategy. Using WhatsApp, Hyundai wanted to streamline the vehicle service booking process, provide service updates and documentation all in one place via their customers’ preferred communication channel.
The WhatsApp Business solution enables businesses to connect with 2 billion users in a simple, reliable, and private way across 180 countries worldwide. As an approved WhatsApp Business solution provider, IMImobile’s multi-channel Enterprise CPaaS (Communications Platform-as-a-Service) offering, IMIconnect, enables enterprises to seamlessly integrate WhatsApp Business into their customer communications strategies and drive engagement through intelligent and context-aware messaging.
Hyundai will use WhatsApp Business for booking a car service, providing service updates, sending rich media content, sending repair invoices and capturing customer feedback. To build consumer trust and allow Hyundai customers to verify that they are interacting with an official account Hyundai uses a verified business profile on WhatsApp. As an asynchronous channel, WhatsApp Business is convenient for consumers and allows customer service agents to handle more conversations at the same time.
Sudarshan Dharmapuri, EVP Products at IMImobile, commented, “WhatsApp Business offers a new and more convenient way for consumers to communicate with brands. Hyundai recognizes the importance of embracing newer, effective digital communication channels to improve customer experience and create differentiation from their competitors. Conversational customer engagement, service and support present a huge opportunity for businesses, more so now than at any other time. We look forward to working with Hyundai to further optimize the customer service experience.”
For more information about WhatsApp Business please click here: https://imimobile.com/solutions/whatsapp-business"
Here's what Robbie (aka Naked Trader) had to say about IMO yesterday afternoon:
"I bought some Imimobile (IMO) live at the seminar. This is a clouds communications and software company whose shares are on the rise. There is decent growth here and it's recently taken on some debt (not too big) after buying 3C Interactive for $43m.
Next trading statement is due early April - be interesting to see how the acquisition has been bedding in.
This company seems well managed and in a good place, if it carries on rising before the next statement I'll probably average up."
nm
Nice rise already today to new highs. Plus news of a tie-up with Hyundai from this week:
"IMImobile? @imimobile · 6 minutes ago
Fantastic to be working with @HyundaiIndia to deliver a #WhatsAppBusiness solution to improve #CX for booking a car service.
Hyundai | Service on WhatsApp https://youtu.be/sIIrIk0hEyw via @YouTube"
Rolling out across nine countries "with more to come":
Https://imimobile.com/blog/google-brings-business-verification-to-sms
Extracts:
"Google brings Business Verification to SMS
Verification to enhance customer trust in SMS messages now also supported by IMImobile
Written by Alex Cambell|
January 16th 2020
Despite the rise in popularity of newer mobile messaging channels such as RCS, WhatsApp for Business and Apple Business Chat, SMS remains the primary mobile communications channel for most organizations. In fact, industry analyst Mobilesquared predicts that 2.8 trillion A2P SMS messages will be sent by 2022......
Verified SMS
If businesses are able to do more to verify they are trusted senders, it will significantly improve engagement and trust with customers. Therefore, the announcement from Google that it is bringing business verification to SMS promises to be a gamechanger when it comes to business SMS messaging. Verified SMS by Google will enable businesses to display their brand name and a logo alongside a verification badge when sending SMS to Messages users.
IMImobile has been one of a select number of technology partners working with Google on this initiative, so we are really excited to help bring Verified SMS to market..."
"Google’s Verified SMS offering presents a number of benefits to businesses:
Verifying message authenticity - on a message-by-message basis – without sending message content to Google
Minimal integration effort required - just provide your business name, logo and description
Improved messaging experience and increased customer trust
The business being seen as an innovator
The roll-out is happening gradually across nine countries including the UK, US, India, Mexico, Brazil, France, Philippines, Spain and Canada, with more to come in the future."
Nice.
Continuing to rise each day now - hopefully new all-time highs coming soon.
Https://directorsclub.news/2020/01/06/rostrvm-solutions-now-part-of-imimobile/
"Rostrvm Solutions now part of IMImobile
January 6, 2020
Rostrvm Solutions is delighted to announce that it is now part of IMImobile, a global cloud communications software and solutions provider.
IMImobile’s cloud communications platform and applications enable enterprises to quickly and easily automate digital customer interactions to improve customer experience and reduce operating costs. Rostrvm’s applications power high-volume yet personalised inbound and outbound customer contact for call centres, contact centres and back office operations.
The combination of Rostrvm and IMImobile’s products provides enterprises with a comprehensive set of modular yet integrated contact centre capabilities.
Sudarshan Dharmapuri, Executive Vice President of Products at IMImobile, said: “By bringing together voice and digital customer communication channels, conversational AI and process automation into a unified cloud platform, we help enterprises deliver great customer experiences, reduce costs and evolve their contact centres into next-generation customer engagement centres.”
IMImobile has successfully worked with Rostrvm on a number of cloud contact centre implementations in recent years.
Peter Brown, Director of Rostrvm Solutions, said: “The opportunities from this collaboration for enabling digital transformation for businesses are endless and we look forward to bringing these to customers in 2020 and beyond.”
About Rostrvm Solutions
Rostrvm Solutions is an enterprise-class contact centre software company with customers in the UK and worldwide. We design, develop and support the rostrvm suite of applications that make call centres, contact centres and back office operations efficient and effective.
Solutions include inbound queueing and contact routing, outbound dialling and multichannel messaging, performance management and desktop optimisation.
Rostrvm Solutions was established in 1986 as a division of royalblue, the financial trading applications company. It is based in the UK in Woking, Surrey."
How IMImobile is leveraging AWS to help enterprises deliver seamless customer experiences....
Https://yourstory.com/2019/12/imimobile-leveraging-aws-seamless-experience
Extract:
"Customer experience has become the defining battleground for leading consumer businesses. Customers 2020: A Progress Report by Walker states that 86 percent of consumers are willing to pay more for great customer experience and, by 2020, customer experience will overtake price and product as the key brand differentiator. Consumers now look for seamless ‘digital first’ experiences and want to interact with brands over messaging channels like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Apple Business Chat and SMS. However, many established businesses are struggling to keep pace with these changing customer expectations due to legacy technology infrastructure and fragmented systems.
Solving this problem is where IMImobile has carved a niche for itself. Delivering an unmatched customer experience Founded in 2000, IMImobile is a global cloud communications software and solutions provider headquartered in London, with offices across the globe. The company offers an integrated suite of platform and applications to help businesses improve customer experience and reduce operational costs. IMImobile’s clients include organisations such as Hermes, Centrica, AA, O2, EE, BT, Walgreens, Pizza Hut, Vodafone, MTN, Best Buy, Express, three major retail banks in the UK and public-sector organisations, globally. IMImobile’s enterprise cloud communications platform, IMIconnect, enables businesses to deliver frictionless customer experiences across 10+ channels including SMS, Email, Push and In-app Messaging, WhatsApp, Apple Business Chat and RCS, through AI-augmented inbound and outbound communications. This includes customer interactions such as appointment management, complaint handling, consent management, fraud alerts and payment notifications, omnichannel live chat, order tracking and management, and so on....
.....Next steps for IMImobile and AWS With the modes of communication constantly evolving, services like Amazon SageMaker and Amazon Polly are positioned to extend and enhance IMImobile’s conversational AI capabilities."
Octopus Investments continue to buy - they went over 5% in November and now they're over 6%, with 4.55m shares:
Https://www.investegate.co.uk/imimobile-plc--imo-/rns/holding-s--in-company/201912131152008247W/