Swindon & Wiltshire News
Bath firms invited to trial new customer comms tech
Bath-based businesses are being invited to take part in an innovative new project to make their offers and information instantly accessible and interactive for customers.
The ConnectedBath Project, led by Minfo and supported by Innovate UK, is focused on helping local retail, hospitality, tourism, service businesses and not-for-profit organisations remove friction between customer interest and customer action.
Whether it’s a restaurant menu, event booking, special offer, donation page, visitor information or follow-up details, Minfo enables customers to instantly access what they need on their own phone at the exact moment their interest is triggered.
Minfo was founded by entrepreneur Roland Storti, who was inspired by a simple but common frustration.
“I heard a radio advert while driving for something I genuinely wanted to buy,” he said. “By the time I got home I’d forgotten the name.
“That moment made me realise how often businesses lose customers simply because there is no easy way to act in the moment.”
From that insight, Minfo has been designed to give people choice and control.
Using patented AudioQR technology that works seamlessly across audio, video and public spaces, a simple tap on the Minfo universal app instantly connects people to relevant information or ads on their mobile, with the option to save it for later, removing the need to remember names, search online or type URLs.
For Bath businesses, one of the most immediate opportunities is interactive radio advertising.
Through Minfo’s collaboration with Radio Bath, advertisers can allow listeners to instantly engage with offers, competitions, bookings or information while listening, even if they are driving or busy at home.
Beyond advertising, Minfo is also being used to support operational business communications. This includes in-store messaging, visitor guidance, tourism information, community announcements, fundraising and public interest campaigns.
While the technology also works across TV and YouTube viewed on TV screens, the ConnectedBath Project is primarily about practical local impact.
It is designed to show how instant engagement can increase response rates, improve customer experience and reduce drop-off across everyday business communications.
Minfo is about to begin working with University of Bath, making all of its screens in the School of Management building interactive for students.
The initial deployment is intended as the first step towards a broader rollout across the entire university, enabling students to instantly access information, events, resources and updates at their convenience.
The project is launching in Bath because of its mix of independent businesses, cultural institutions, tourism operators and community organisations, alongside its strong identity and collaborative spirit.
Bath-based businesses, agencies and organisations are encouraged to step forward now to take part, shape the project and help position Bath as the UK’s first ConnectedCity.
The ConnectedBath Project is currently in its initial launch phase until the end of March. Participating businesses that sign on during the initial launch phase will receive six months free usage until September.
