In today’s highly connected world, the process of managing contact information for businesses and organisations can be quite fragmented. While business owners and managers understand the need to always have well-coordinated presence and visibility, the quest gets complicated by all the information available out there. And while directories and information portals provide listing services to connect businesses and customers, things still get difficult due to other challenges including ‘volatile’ street naming systems, non-availability of ‘functional’ ZIP or Postcode systems, relocating/expanding business presence amidst many other issues
To accurately connect with businesses and services calls for extensive disambiguation both for the businesses and their customers, an indigenous IT firm, DigitalRig is unveiling a seamless Business and Information Directory called Beekeys. The service brings a number intuitive tools together to help improve the visibility and access by customers to businesses in a friendly, efficient way. The main feature is centred around the dynamic linking of a search friendly and more memorable, unique 3-12 alphanumeric characters tag called a BEEKEY (Business Key) and chosen by business owners/managers. The information linked to the beekey can then be securely managed by the authorised users using simple menus and triggers.
Speaking on the importance of Beekeys, Dipe Adedeji, the Chief Executive of DigitalRig Limited opined that the Beekeys is a platform that greatly improves the way business contact information is managed, shared and used by businesses and their customers especially in comparatively poorly chartered towns or cities. ‘With Beekeys’ a number of issues that come with the dynamism of owning or managing your contact information and brand are solved in a very simple and effective manner. This will be very useful for Startups and Micro-Small sized enterprises located in the more rural setting. It will also prove very effective in managing location information for large organisations and/or brands with presence in multiple locations.
And it is not just about businesses. The portal provides a location sensitive listing for public utilities and critical formations such as medical emergency, fire and security as are available in different locations. This feature will give users of the directory quick and easy access to the formations for Fire, Police, Emergency Medical services and more within their immediate location. Search users stand to gain a lot by registering as well because of certain features that will allow them to communicate seamlessly with listed businesses.
The platform is mobile and user friendly. The company announced that registration and listing of businesses and organisations (including beekeys) on the platform is free. There are however, several premium tools available to be taken advantage of such as multi-location listing, customer relationship management, brand promotion and more.
According to the firm, a lot of work is being done toward a December 2020 launch. Businesses owners in the meanwhile can register and list their businesses (or do a time limited beekey reservation) on the beta version of the portal at www.beekeys.com/nigeria. Beekeys are available on a first come first served basis with a few simple guidelines:
Must be greater than but less than 3 alphanumeric characters
Unique (trademarked names will be rescinded on valid dispute)
No spaces, no symbols, all lower case