Startup offers services via Whatsapp | Kochi News
Kochi: At a time when various smartphone apps are thriving in various commodity delivery industries, a startup in Kerala is now offering delivery services through WhatsApp instant messaging platform to simplify and facilitate online shopping. Errando, a hyperlocal delivery startup in Kochi, has launched the delivery service powered by WhatsApp’s application programming interface (API). Customers do not need to download an app for this but can now use their WhatsApp to place orders for food, stationery, medicine, groceries, pick and drop or any other shopping service.
All they have to do is send ‘hello’ as a text message to a particular number (7994834834). The API function will respond with respective automated response messages and prompt and guide the customer to place the order with some messages. Delivery/pickup addresses can be shared easily by typing the location name or using WhatsApp‘s location search feature. Customers can make payment using auto-generated payment links and also receive order updates in the same chat window.
The API allows businesses to receive and respond to an unlimited number of WhatsApp messages from their customers. Many platforms are now using this feature to extend the reach of their services and activities to people.
Errando co-founder Shameer Pathayakandi said WhatsApp-powered services will help customers avoid multiple app downloads that consume storage space and hamper smartphone performance. Moreover, it is similar to a normal WhatsApp chat and even people who are not tech-savvy could place their orders without being confused with the user interfaces of various apps. Besides English, services will soon be available in Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil and Kannada.
Errando, which started its services in 2016, currently operates in Kochi, Kozhikode, Thiruvananthapuram and Bengaluru. Errando offers a wide range of hyper-local services including home delivery of basic goods to shops or offices, forgotten items at home, the purchase of medicines and the payment of bills, to name a few. . The platform processes almost 1.5 lakh orders per month and the company says it is the first hyperlocal online delivery system in the state.
Errando plans to expand its services to six more cities in South India including Hyderabad, Chennai, Coimbatore, Mysuru, Mangaluru and Thrissur.
All they have to do is send ‘hello’ as a text message to a particular number (7994834834). The API function will respond with respective automated response messages and prompt and guide the customer to place the order with some messages. Delivery/pickup addresses can be shared easily by typing the location name or using WhatsApp‘s location search feature. Customers can make payment using auto-generated payment links and also receive order updates in the same chat window.
The API allows businesses to receive and respond to an unlimited number of WhatsApp messages from their customers. Many platforms are now using this feature to extend the reach of their services and activities to people.
Errando co-founder Shameer Pathayakandi said WhatsApp-powered services will help customers avoid multiple app downloads that consume storage space and hamper smartphone performance. Moreover, it is similar to a normal WhatsApp chat and even people who are not tech-savvy could place their orders without being confused with the user interfaces of various apps. Besides English, services will soon be available in Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil and Kannada.
Errando, which started its services in 2016, currently operates in Kochi, Kozhikode, Thiruvananthapuram and Bengaluru. Errando offers a wide range of hyper-local services including home delivery of basic goods to shops or offices, forgotten items at home, the purchase of medicines and the payment of bills, to name a few. . The platform processes almost 1.5 lakh orders per month and the company says it is the first hyperlocal online delivery system in the state.
Errando plans to expand its services to six more cities in South India including Hyderabad, Chennai, Coimbatore, Mysuru, Mangaluru and Thrissur.