ASB helps customers get one step ahead with launch of new app and website ‘Plus’ via Roam
Auckland digital product design agency, Roam, has recently delivered an exciting mobile app and website aimed at small business owners, for ASB Business Ventures.
‘Plus by ASB‘ is a digital platform that enables SMEs to run their businesses more efficiently by saving them valuable hours in their day. It brings together online business tools like Xero, Vend and Shopify into one place to provide a single view of performance for business owners. This can be done in the same amount of time it takes to make your morning coffee.
Business operators are able to complete business and administrative tasks straight from the app as it provides daily actionable insights into how their business is performing, 24-hours a day. This includes reviewing cash flow, sales or product info, and ticking off admin tasks like approving invoicing, all from the Plus app which can be accessed on your phone, laptop, tablet or desktop computer.
Says David Bell, general manager, ASB Business Ventures: “Our vision was to create a business concierge mobile app that would save SMEs an hour every day, so they could get on with what they did best. We first devised a prototype with one of our graduates, however, we felt we needed to leverage external resource and expertise to make the app look slicker and perform even better.
“We went to Roam with our concept and were pretty blown away by what they came back with in a really short time frame. We were also impressed with their ‘can do’ attitude, as they really understood the brief and what we were setting out to achieve from the outset.”
Says Ben Morreau, co-founder of Roam: “This was a hugely exciting brief for us, we loved the fact that David and his team were keen to push the boundaries with a ‘hard-core technology piece.’ It really was all hands on deck to get our first prototype together, which ended up being quite different to their original concept, but delivered more strongly on their overall vision.
“As we’ve been involved from the very early stage of ideation right through to the product being in-market, the process has been made much easier in that David’s team has spent most of their time working inside our offices, meaning we could really co-create with their innovation team. Trust and transparency have been absolutely key in this open and strong partnership.”
Says Bell: “This has been a project that has been two years in the making for us, so seeing this concept come to life is hugely satisfying. It truly was a joint effort and we’ve loved the fluid flow of information, ideas and collaboration; which has been a key part of the project’s success.”
‘Plus by ASB’ is a free, open platform meaning anyone can use it, regardless of who they bank with. The first release of Plus is aimed at retailers and small to medium-sized businesses and was pressure tested by New Zealand businesses such as Taylor Boutique and Chaos & Harmoney, before it was released to the market on 31st October 2017.
Version Two of the app is currently at MVP stage and and will include even more features and products.