By: Nathan Bomey
AnnArbor.com Staff
Posted: Oct 28, 2009 at 12:39 PM [Oct 28, 2009]
The Ann Arbor Area Chamber of Commerce is set to introduce an iPhone application to boost the local business community.
The free application, developed by Ann Arbor-based firms The Whole Brain Group and Arbormoon Software, is targeted at chamber members but will be available to the public.
The application, to be released in November, offers a quick way to find chamber member companies that are offering deals to other chamber members and their employees. It also provides a quick way for all users to get addresses, phone numbers and Web sites for participating local companies.
“We want to show that we understand technology,” said Megan Crosbie, marketing coordinator for the Ann Arbor Chamber. “We’re not your grandfather’s chamber.”
The application, introduced today at the weekly Lunch Ann Arbor Marketing (LA2M) meeting, comes as the Ann Arbor technology community is plunging quickly into smart phone application development.
Dave Koziol, principle software engineer for Arbormoon, said the application took about five weeks to develop. He declined to discuss the costs associated with the development, though chamber officials said Blue Cross Blue Shield was a sponsor.
Bonnie Valentine, director of business development and consulting for The Whole Brain Group, said the application also could offer a needed boost to the retail community during the holiday shopping season.
About 100 chamber members have agreed to offer deals through the application, which still needs to get approval from Apple to be distributed through the iTunes Store. A demo is available here.
Chamber officials hope to get 300 companies to participate by the time the application is available to the public.
"You can see what businesses are offering discounts and then you can use them," Crosbie said.
Contact AnnArbor.com’s Nathan Bomey at (734) 623-2587 or nathanbomey@annarbor.com. You can also follow him on Twitter.
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Megan Crosbie
Posted Oct 28 2009
It is important to note that Chamber members may participate in the m2m discount program for FREE - offering and using the discounts is part of your membership with the Chamber!
81wolverine
Posted Oct 28 2009
Smart idea. I hope it helps local businesses. Anything in this economy that can bring in new customers is a real positive.
Helene Gidley
Posted Oct 28 2009
As a chamber member I'm excited about the increased visibility this will give to my company!
Jennifer Coleman
Posted Oct 28 2009
m2m discounts are not just available to chamber members. They're also available to ALL employees of chamber members.
Megan Crosbie
Posted Oct 28 2009
Thank you to our m2m iPhone app sponsor, Blue Cross Blue Shield and Blue Care Network!
Nathan Bomey
AnnArbor.com Staff
Posted Oct 28 2009
Jennifer, thanks for the comment! Yes, that's true. I added a line to make sure it's clear.
Janelle Baranowski
Posted Oct 28 2009
So if you're not a chamber member or employed by a chamber member, you're not eligible for the discounts?
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If that is the case, they should consider letting anyone get the discounts, since the goal is to increase members' business and visibility.
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www.some-other-viewpoint.blogspot.com
Marvin Face
Posted Oct 28 2009
My iPhone is supplied by the company I work for so there are some things I can't view. In this case, I can’t view the flash presentation on the iphone telling me about the iphone app. Is this a problem with anyone else?
Helene Gidley
Posted Oct 29 2009
Sadly, iPhones do not support flash apps. To the reader who's company provided iPhone could not see the demo. - you are not alone .
em
Posted Oct 29 2009
This app is awesome! What a great way for local businesses to do some innovative advertising for the x-mas season FOR FREE! AND it gives back to chamber members via the discounts... SMART idea A2Chamber =)
TheInfamousOne
Posted Nov 20 2009
I'm not a chamber member and I downloaded the app and I still get discounts from a few businesses. I wonder if they're making an app for the Blackberry or the new Droid phones.