September 2014, XNUMX

To all the press

GMO TECH, Inc.

Easily create O2O apps for stores and facilities
Launch of "GMO AppCapsule"
~Create your own original iPhone®/Android™ app now and easily~

　GMO TECH, Inc. (CEO: Akihito Suzuki, hereafter referred to as "GMO TECH"), a GMO Internet Group company that provides online customer acquisition services, today announced the launch of GMO AppCapsule, a CMS(*1) compatible O2O(*2) app creation ASP(*3) service that allows users to easily create store apps (compatible with iPhone®/Android™) for restaurants, beauty salons, nail salons, accommodations, hospitals, dental clinics and more. The service will begin offering the service today, Monday, September 1, 2014.
(※1) CMS: An abbreviation for Content Management System, a system that allows you to easily edit app content from an administration screen.
(※2) O2O: An abbreviation for Online to Offline, a service that utilizes information and services on the Internet to promote customer traffic to physical stores.
(※3) ASP: Abbreviation for Application Service Provider. By using this service, you do not need to develop your own app, so you can create apps quickly and at low cost.

[Background to the launch of GMO AppCapsule]
　GMO TECH provides effective smartphone marketing support tailored to customer needs, including services to help attract visitors to websites using search technology such as SEO measures and listing ads, as well as the "GMO SmaAD" ad network for smartphone apps that uses advertising to spread information.
　With the recent spread of smartphones, users (consumers) can now access information online at any time, and their consumption behavior tends to be heavily influenced by the information they obtain online. As a result, O2O, which actively builds relationships with customers online and encourages them to visit physical stores, has attracted the attention of operators of physical stores and facilities such as restaurants, accommodation facilities, and hospitals, and there is a growing need for sales promotions that utilize smartphone functions such as "push notifications" and "location information."
　Against this backdrop, GMO TECH has launched GMO AppCapsule, a CMS-based O2O app creation ASP service that allows users to create store apps that not only distribute information from stores, but also distribute coupons and include reservation functions.

About GMO AppCapsule
　 "GMO AppCapsule" is a service that allows users to easily create original iPhone®/Android™ apps by simply selecting the design and information on a PC management screen. Equipped with numerous functions such as stamp cards and coupon distribution, even store operators with little knowledge of online sales promotion methods can increase contact with customers through the app, attract more customers to their stores, and increase sales. In the future, we also plan to integrate the app with payment services.

Feature 1. Easy app creation and management
　You can easily create an app by selecting a design from over 200 templates and entering basic information. You can also customize your own original design by combining your favorite colors and design parts.
In addition, it has the following functions, so you can use it with little operational burden even after creating the app.

• 1) Store information function: Communicate basic store information and atmosphere
• 2) Supports the operation of multiple stores (chain stores)
• 3) Product introduction function: Detailed information on products and services available can be displayed
• 4) Web view function: Smartphone sites specified by URL can be displayed as they are.
• 5) Preview function: You can instantly check the design you set on the admin screen in the app.
• 6) App submission service and free OS updates
• 7) App usage aggregation function: Ability to aggregate the number of installations and active users

Feature 2. Find new customers
　We offer free support for app store (App Store/Google Play) top search results (ASO (*4) measures). This will increase the number of app installs and allow you to acquire new users who meet your needs (excluding the Bronze plan).
(※4) ASO: Abbreviation for App Store Optimization, a measure to rank high in app store search results. "ASO" is a registered trademark of our company.

Feature 3. Increase the number of fans of your store
　The app also comes equipped with convenient features that increase contact with customers, such as a "gallery function" that allows you to present an image using multiple photos, and a "stamp card function" that allows you to collect stamps when customers visit the store, start the app, or introduce a friend, and issue bonus tickets.

Feature 4. You can call customers when you want them to come.
　It also supports a "push notification" function that sends text information directly to users' smartphones, and a "geo-push" function that allows you to send messages only to customers in a specified area, making it possible to effectively attract customers in a timely manner by narrowing down your target audience, such as by announcing a local sale.

Feature 5. Distributing discount coupons for stores
　Not only can first-time coupons encourage new customers to visit your store, but you can also distribute coupons for any period and target audience, tailored to each store's needs, such as promotions and sales.

Feature 6. You can make reservations directly from the app
　Customers can not only make inquiries by phone or email through the app, but also make reservations directly by selecting a date from the calendar. For stores, this not only streamlines reservation reception work, but also prevents overlooking reservations, as reservation notifications are sent to pre-registered email addresses.

<Service overview>

<Features scheduled to be added within the year>　
(1) Credit card payment function – Collaboration with “GMO Pallet” –
　By linking "GMO Pallet," a payment service provided by GMO Payment Gateway that allows payments at physical stores and facilities to be completed via a smartphone app, with "GMO AppCapsule," it will become possible to make credit card payments via smartphone.
GMO Pallet:https://www.gmo-pg.com/pallet

(2) Waiting list notification function
　This is a convenient feature that allows customers to easily check their reservation queue when they visit the store. The app allows customers to check the current number of people waiting and the waiting time, so they can make a reservation from their smartphone wherever they are, such as at home or on the move, depending on the congestion situation. For stores, this reduces customer stress caused by waiting times and increases customer satisfaction.

GMO TECH aims to contribute to the development of our customers' internet businesses and will continue to promote customer acquisition support services both domestically and internationally via PCs, mobile devices, and smartphones.

[Reference URL]
[GMO TECH Inc. service] URL:http://gmotech.jp/

<O2O service for stores>
　・“GMO AppCapsule” URL: https://appcapsule.com
<Smartphone advertising>
　・GMO SmaAD Ad Network byGMO URL: https://smaad.jp/adnetwork/
　・GMO SmaAD Rewards URL: https://smaad.jp/reward/
<Search engine top ranking service>
　・SEO AIRLINES byGMO URL:http://seo-airlines.com/
<Social media/SNS customer acquisition support>
　・"GMO Social Media Support" URL:http://gmosocial.com/

[Contact information regarding services]
GMO TECH, Inc.　　
O2O (O2O) Business Division: Yamauchi and Kato
TEL: 03-5489-6375 (direct communication)
FAX: 03-5489-6371
E-mail: ac-support@gmotech.jp

[Press inquiries]
GMO TECH Inc. Public Relations Officer Someya
TEL：03-5489-6370
FAX: 03-5489-6371
Email: press@gmotech.jp

*Google Play and Android™ are registered trademarks of Google, Inc.
*App Store and iPhone® are registered trademarks of Apple, Inc.
*The iPhone trademark is used under license from Aiphone Co., Ltd.

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