And the Winner is……….. ToneTag

 

 

For over 4 years, I have been sending e-mails to our Policy Makers to come up with a payment App which can enable an illiterate Indian citizen to make payments by speaking in his phone

 That was when the number of Mobile phones was ( may be ) 400 million

At present there are over 1200 million mobiles ( half being feature phones ) and the number of persons using mobile apps for digital payments are 160 million

( refer :  Mobile Payments in India )

Here is what I suggested in my first e-mail on this suggestion (  Do Not Stop Here  /  01 Dec 2016 ) :

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*  Buyer  buys something worth Rs 100 from a shopkeeper

 

 *  Buyer and the Seller, look into their own mobile-cameras ( of  smart phones

   loaded with M-Rup ) for biometric Aadhar identification / linked to Jan Dhan a/c 

 

 *  Seller speaks in his mobile : " Muze Sau Rupiah dedo "

 

 *  Buyer speaks in his mobile : " Inko Sau Rupiah dedo "

 

 *  Message flashes in the mobile screen of Seller :

    " Tumhare account-me Sau Rupiah Jamah ho gaya / GST bhi kaat ke Sarkar-ko bhej diya "

 

    

*  Message flashes in the mobile screen of Buyer :

    " Tumhare account-se , Sau Rupiah inko Bhej Diya . Abhi balance me teen sau sath rupiah bacha hai "

 

 

Dear  Shri  Amitabh  Kant  :

  

While congratulating you - and your entire team of dedicated professionals - I request you, not to stop with launch of AEPS mobile app

  

Please, do come up with a version which enables millions of not-so-savvy Indians to just give a " Voice based Instructions " to AEPS app, for all of their Digital Payment transactions, in language of their choice

 

  ==================================================

Today I came across the following news :

ToneTag introduces ‘Voice Commerce’ to ease the offline shopping experience !  ( APN News / 11 Dec 2020 )

 

Extract :

Ø  Voice can make Bharat digital: 

      ToneTag’s voice-based payments solution utilizes Sound Waves to generate 

      Audio QR as a medium for the merchant or seller and payment information

      to complete the transactions. Customers can do tap and pay transactions or

      do queue less / cashier-less payments from anywhere in the store

      

      

Ø  For small payments under Rs.500, customers can simply say “Pay the bill” or “Payment kar dijiye” and payment process completes in two seconds. Customers can interact in their native language too. This personalized offline retail experience will mark a new era in interactive voice commerce.

 

Ø  Introducing an exclusive Voice Commerce technology, Kumar Abhishek, CEO, ToneTag said,

      “We look forward to providing customers with a highly differentiated offline shopping experience that is  easier and faster than regular shopping. Although, technology innovation in e-commerce has made the  online shopping experience seamless and smooth as compared to the physical retail shopping experience whereas physical retail accounts for approximately 86% of all retail sales globally. It was a need of the hour to bring –in a breakthrough technology in offline shopping too. ToneTag’s Voice Commerce feature is surely the solution to make the offline shopping easier and faster and without much physical proximity.”

     

            

    

Ø  He further says ,

      “By 2022, with over 18 billion IoT (Internet of Things) devices like connected cars, appliances, wearable and other consumer electronics , the potential for leveraging Voice is massive. In fact, with conversational  commerce steadily becoming the norm, it is believed that Voice command will be the key. ToneTag has harnessed the audio signal into payment gateway and made the process simpler and smoother”.

              ================================================

Dear Kumar Abhishek,

[  hello@tonetag.com  / Abhishek@tonetag.com  ]

 

Congratulations on this innovation which will give a huge boost to digital payments and prove a boon to some 80 lakh BLIND PERSONS of India

 

In my following blog, I had opportunity to mention your quote as follows :

Cards Vs Mobile Wallets ……………………………………………..[ 16 Jan 2017 ]

 

"  The major concern for the Government is that only 20 % of the entire cell phone-using population in India has smart phones

 

With ToneTag, in case of smart phones, the transfer is done by a single touch using SOUND WAVES

 

In feature phones, users need to dial a toll-free number, and the payment instruction is carried out through interactive VOICE RESPONSE "

 

===================================================

Related Readings :

ToneTag partners with GMO to expand its sound-based payment solutions in Japan   /  28 May 2019

When BHIM is here, can ARJUN be far away ? …………………………………………………………….[ 30 Dec 2016 ]

A Matter of Time ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..[ 03 Jan 2017 ]

JUST ONE MORE STEP LEFT …………………………………………………………………………………………..[ 30 Jan 2017 ]

Simplicity : The Ultimate Mobile Wallet ?..............................................................[ 13 Feb 2017]

Wake Up , BHIM , Wake Up !..............................................................................[ 16 Mar 2017 ]

BHIM : the Unstoppable…………………………………………………………………………………………………..[ 14 April 2017 ]

A Beerud named BHIM ?.....................................................................................[ 17 Apr 2017 ]

Thank You : Beerud…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..[ 23 Apr 2017 ]

Inching Forward ?..............................................................................................[ 20 May 2017 ]

Let BHIM get MAD !............................................................................................[ 21 May 2017 ]

BHIM , the Impersonator ?...................................................................................[ 17 June 2017 ]

BHIM : Can You tango with GST ?..........................................................................[ 19 June 2017 ]

Preloaded BHIM ?................................................................................................[ 04 July 2017 ]

Closing in on BHIM V 4.0 !...................................................................................[ 05 July 2017 ]

BHIM : the Omnipresent ?....................................................................................[ 05 Sept 2017 ]

From BHIM 3.0 to BHIM 7.0 ?...............................................................................[ 14 Sept 2017 ]

Not exactly BHIM 4.0……………………………………………………………………………………………………………[ 19 Sept 2017 ]

BHIM gets a Voice !..............................................................................................[ 30 Oct 2017 ]

Google, WhatsApp, BHIM ?....................................................................................[ 14 Dec 2017 ]

BHIM   will  recognize  you……………………………………………………………………………………………………[ 30 May 2018 ]

BHIM gets friendly with GST ……………………………………………………………………………………………….[ 04 Aug 2018 ]

 

===================================================================================

With regards,

Hemen Parekh  /  hcp@RecruitGuru.com / 15 Dec 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marching with Matched Steps ?

 

 

Context :

The Long and Short of the Shot    /  ET Magazine – 13 Dec 2020

Extract :

Ø  Last mile delivery

Beneficiaries get the vaccines in Hospitals or Medical Centres . In remote areas, vaccination is now done by Anganwadi workers, Accredited social health activists workers

Ø  Packaging

# Manufacturer puts a 2D barcode ( looks like a QR code ) on EACH VACCINE VIAL

My Suggestion :

For vaccine, each bottle / vial, besides carrying Batch Number, must carry UNIQUE bottle number / vial number .

Vaccine Manufacturer will record which bottle got dispatched to which drug store / when. Data will get automatically transmitted to Govt’s Central Server

             ( source :   Rationing of Covid Vaccine ? /   06 July 2020 )

 

Ø  Dashboard for Tracking Shipments

The government uses Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network or eVIN to :

       #   Identify Primary Beneficiaries

      #   Collect Real-Time Inventory Data

      #   Track Distribution Network

   My Suggestion :

              #   Pharmacy Stores to maintain Computerized Record of who (which

                    person ) was sold a given “ Vial Number “. This data will get

                    automatically transmitted to Govt’s Central Server

                     

          #    No vial to be sold to anyone unless a Mobile App ( VaccineVend  ? )

                clearly displays that person’s  priority  ( as determined by AI ) , as

                HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW . No person without such Mobile App will be

                    sold the vaccine

                     

 

               #   Chemist will enter sale-details in customer / buyer’s Mobile App , which

                    will get automatically transmitted  to Govt’s Central Server

                     

            ( source :   Rationing of Covid Vaccine ? /   06 July 2020 )

 

ROLLOUT SCENARIO

Ø  In the box / Each sealed box would contain 10 – 20 vials

Ø  Up to 200 such boxes to be packed in bigger temperature-controlled containers

Ø  Tracking > IoT sensors to be embedded on shipment boxes

Ø  Handheld devices will be used to scan 2D barcodes at CW to crosscheck specifications

Ø  While transporting, embedded sensors will track the temperature and send alerts in case of variations. Blockchain will be used to create tamper-proof records

       LAST MILE LINKAGE

Ø  Drones may transport vaccines to remote areas

Ø  Dosages to be tracked using Aadhar

Ø  SMS reminders will be sent to individuals for second dose

My Suggestion :

 #  E-way Bill too , will have all the QR Codes / RFID data , of each item loaded

     onto the truck ( Price / Origin City / Destination City / Supplier with GSTN

    registration number / Recipient with his GSTN /  registration number / GST –

    ISGST – SGST amount for each item / Date of Dispatch / Validity of E Way

    Bill etc )

        

       

          #     Just like today’s Mobile Apps of UPS / FedEx enable online tracking of

                 each package and of individual items within each package , that “ high

                 technology interface “ being proposed by the Government should

                 incorporate the following technologies :

                   #    QR code / RFID chip

               #     GPS based 

NaviC [https://myblogepage.blogspot.com/2017/05/leveraging-navic.html ]

               #     Internet of Things ( IoT )

                      Internet ofVehicles ( IoV )

                     [ source : https://myblogepage.blogspot.com/2017/03/internet-of-vehicles-iov.html ]

               #   BlueTooth / NFC

                   ( source : Highways to Hyper-loops  /  09  Mar 2018 )

 

=================================================

Related Reading :

BMC to develop app to help distribute COVID-19 vaccine   /   Free Press – 14 Dec 2020

Extract :

Ø  This application will be made on similar lines as the CoWin-20 application of the central government.

Ø  “The main aim of the CoWin-20 application is to help agencies to keep a track of the COVID-19 vaccination programme and allow Indian citizens to apply for a vaccine shot,” he said.

Ø  He further said that this application will contain the data of all those who will be given the vaccine dose first and other basic details about the COVID-19 vaccine. “The person related to this application will also have to link their Aadhaar card and mobile number. Alert messages will also be sent to him regarding the next vaccine,” official added.

Ø   “Soon we will be developing an application in which all the details about the vaccine will be available to the citizens. We will get details about cases and recovered patients numbers on the Arogya Setu app,” he said.{ Suresh Kakani / amc.ws@mcgm.gov.in }

My Suggestion :

   ( source :   Voting and Vaccination : Compare and Contrast    /    19 Oct 2020 )

 

      Extract :

 

          Govt to launch a Mobile App { VacReg ? )

 Ø    Ask all Mobile Service Providers to stop their services to those subscribers 

       who fail to download / install  this app by 30^th Nov

       

 Ø          Mandate all mobile users to fill-in “ REGISTRATION DATA “ by 30 Dec

             2020 and click UPLOAD

 Ø    App will require a citizen to submit following data :

Name / Aadhar Number / Mobile Number / Current Resi Address ( could be different than add in Aadhar ID ) / Ticking –selection of only one of the PRIORITY CATEGORIES from the following drop list :

“ I belong to :

Healthcare Worker / Frontline Worker / Police / Muni. Worker / Armed Force / People>50 yrs of age / People<50 yrs with comorbidity / People<50 yrs with co-morbidity / None of the above – NOTA  “

Ø  Persons who find it difficult to fill in this Registration Data into mobile app ( for whatever reason – including, not having a Smart phone ), may take help from the nearest,

     #   CSC ( Common Service Centre ) 

     #   Post Office 

     #   Aadhar Registration Centers

     #   Nursing Home / Hospital / Lab or even any nearby Doctor,

 -       all of who will be requested to help the hapless citizen concerned ( they

         may use desktop to submit registration data on central server

         of Ayushman Bharat website )

         

 Ø    Based on the  “ Registration Data “ submitted, the Central Server ( of

       Aushman Bharat ) will issue

      a UNIQUE PRIORITY NUMBER to the person ( by SMS on mobile ) . 

      The message will also assign a specific “  “ Vaccine Delivery Centre –

      VDC “ ( a nearby Hospital – Nursing Home – Lab – Doctor )

     

Ø          Server will, simultaneously send notification to that particular VDC ,

            providing full registration details of The concerned citizen – indicating his

           PRIORITY

           Ø    Based on the “ Number of Citizen “ assigned – and the PRIORITY of each

                 such citizen, software installed will send an SMS to the citizens ,

                 assigning SPECIFIC DATE / TIME to each person for visit .

       

 This automatic / rule-based “ SCHEDULING “ by the software, will ensure “ No crowding / maintenance   of Social Distancing “

 Ø    Concerned VDC will fill in details such as : Vaccinated on ( …..  ) /  Did not

       turn up

               ( This will alert health worker to visit residence of person for follow-up /

                 reschedule visit )

 Ø    After the vaccination , VDC will also fill in further details as suggested at :

             Rationing of Covid Vaccine ? ……………………………………[ 06 July 2020 ]

 

Filling-in of this data is of CRUCIAL IMPORTANCE

 

 THE GREATER THE NUMBER OF ( VACCINATED ) PERSONS FOR WHOM VDC FILLS IN SUCH DETAILED DATA, THE GREATER WILL BE THE ABILITY OF THE AI [ ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ] TO PREDICT  :

            

            #    Where ( location ) will the infections go up further / go down

            #    Which STRATA of society is more / less likely to get affected in future

            #    The EXTENT to which recovery – rate will go up / down , and where

            #    What could be the MORTALTY RATE ( region-wise / Strata-wise /

                  education-wise / Income Level -wise etc )

 

Distribution Logistics

 Please also consider a centralized purchase of vaccines by your ministry from all vaccine manufacturers

No direct purchase by State Governments or any other govt agency – and certainly not by any private party/person

Your ministry to issue DELIVERY SCHEDULES to all vaccine manufacturers, which will instruct, how many dozes ( vials ) to be delivered to each VDC ( Vaccine Delivery Centre ) – and on what date . These schedules to be visible to all, so that there is no dispute between different States re “non-receipt / less receipt “ of dozes

Each consignment to be tracked by Aushman Bharat website and promptly displayed for all to see

Online confirmation of receipt of each consignment by all VDC – again displayed on website for all – ensuring no debating of FACTS of deliveries / stocks / consumption

Although, website shall not display the names of citizen who have been administered the vaccine ( to protect their privacy ), it will display the DAILY and CUMULATIVE numbers of vaccinations ( for all to see )

===================================================

With regards,

Hemen Parekh  /  hcp@RecruitGuru.com  /  14 Dec 2020