Latest news with #WhatsAppBusinessPlatform
Gulf Insider
4 days ago
- Business
- Gulf Insider
Starting July 1: WhatsApp Business Rolls Out Major Pricing Changes
In a significant move for businesses worldwide, WhatsApp Business has announced a revamped pricing model for its WhatsApp Business Platform, set to take effect on July 1, 2025. The update introduces per-message billing, revised rates, and volume-based discounts for utility and authentication messages—aligning the platform with industry-standard practices seen on other messaging channels. WhatsApp will now charge businesses per template message sent, rather than relying on broader session-based models. This means that if a company sends a single marketing and one utility message, they'll incur separate charges for each message type. 'This update aligns our pricing structure with other leading communication platforms that already operate on a per-message basis,' said a WhatsApp spokesperson. Businesses can still respond to customer inquiries for free within a designated 24-hour customer service window, which resets every time a user sends a new message. During this period, companies can send both free-form and utility messages at no cost. 'This gives businesses more flexibility and choice when responding to customers, without worrying about added fees,' WhatsApp noted in its update. To support growth, WhatsApp Business will roll out market-specific volume tiers for utility and authentication messages. As businesses scale up, they'll automatically benefit from reduced pricing in higher tiers. 'The more messages you send, the more you save,' WhatsApp stated. 'Volume-based pricing makes the platform more cost-effective for growing businesses.' These volume tiers are category-specific and market-based. For instance, a business sending utility messages in Brazil would qualify for a separate pricing tier than one sending authentication messages in India. Predictable billing with per-message pricing No cost for responses within the customer service window Lower rates at higher volumes, incentivising platform growth Alignment with global communication pricing standards This pricing update signals WhatsApp's continued commitment to supporting business communication while ensuring cost-efficiency and scalability. Companies leveraging the WhatsApp Business Platform should review the new pricing structure closely to optimise their messaging strategies before the July 1 rollout.
Business Recorder
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Interview with Syed Aamir Jafri –CEO, Eocean Pvt Ltd
'Digital solutions will outperform conventional methods in Pakistan' Syed Aamir Jafri is the CEO and co-founder of Eocean, a cloud communication company with over 11 years of leadership experience. Under his guidance, Eocean has delivered innovative communication solutions to global clients such as Google, Facebook, Unilever, British Council, and Visa. His expertise spans marketing communications, business development, and key account management, with a strong grasp of the evolving mobile advertising landscape and emerging technologies. He is also the co-founder of Kistpay, a visionary platform aimed at digitizing Pakistan and beyond by aggregating major players in finance, telecom, insurance, and mobile technology. A certified Chief Digital Officer from MIT, his mission is to empower businesses and consumers through cutting-edge cloud-based solutions. Following are the edited excerpts of a recent conversation BR Research had with him: BR Research: Congratulations on Eocean's recent global recognition by META. Can you walk us through idea generation for integrating WhatsApp Business Platform with PTCL's services came about? Syed Aamir Jafri: Thank you! The idea came from a very challenge — call centres were overwhelmed, and customers were expecting faster, simpler ways to connect. PTCL wanted to modernize its service experience, and we knew WhatsApp was the one platform nearly every Pakistani uses daily. From there, it was about reimagining what service could look like: no hold music, no IVRs — just a smooth, intuitive conversation on a familiar app. BRR: With the successful implementation of the WhatsApp Business Platform at PTCL, could you share some insights regarding the implementation process. What were the greatest challenges in designing and deploying such an advanced self-service system? SAJ: The tech stack was complex, but the real challenge was human-centered design. We didn't want it to feel like a bot — we wanted it to feel like service. Integrating with PTCL's legacy systems took some creative problem-solving, but we kept the focus on speed and ease-of-use. The real magic was in continuous testing and feedback loops. It wasn't a one-shot build — it evolved through usage. BRR:Earning global recognition from Meta is a significant achievement. What does this mean for Pakistan's position in the global digital landscape? SAJ: It's a proud moment — not just for the Eocean, but for the country. It proves we can build globally relevant solutions from Pakistan that solve real problems at scale. It also signals that the world is paying attention to our ecosystem, and that's a huge opportunity — for founders, investors, and policymakers alike. BRR:WhatsApp is a widely used app in Pakistan but turning it into a full-fledged customer service platform is a game-changer. How do you see the role of messaging apps evolving in enterprise communication? SAJ: They're the new storefront. It's no longer about apps or websites — it's about conversations. Messaging apps are where intent meets action: ask a question, pay a bill, raise a ticket — all in the same chat. And that's just the start. These platforms are becoming the operating systems of customer experience. BRR:What has been Eocean's growth strategy in Pakistan over the years, and how do you plan to manage or accelerate growth in the years to come? SAJ: We've focused on solving deep-rooted communication problems — not just adding channels but redesigning how businesses interact with customers. Our growth's been driven by trust, execution, and innovation. We've worked with the largest names in banking, healthcare, and telecom — from HBL to Aga Khan Hospital. Looking ahead, we're doubling down on AI, payments, and regional expansion across the GCC and South Asia. BRR:Eocean has worked with global giants like Google, Facebook, and Visa. What unique advantages does a Pakistani cloud communications company offer to international clients? SAJ: We know how to do more with less — and we build for scale from day one. Our solutions are cost-effective, adaptable, and deeply grounded in the realities of high-volume, low-margin markets. And we move fast — not just because we must, but because we know how. Our clients range from Pakistan's biggest enterprises to banks in the Maldives. BRR:Do you believe the success of this project can serve as a blueprint for other industries in Pakistan? If so, how? SAJ: No question. The core playbook — simplify access, automate intelligently, and meet users where they are — is sector-agnostic. Whether it's education, healthcare, or financial services, this model cuts cost and boosts customer satisfaction. It's replicable and scalable. BRR:Kistpay is another bold venture. Tell us how it ties into your broader vision for a digitally inclusive Pakistan. SAJ: Smartphones are the entry point to the digital economy — but affordability is a huge barrier. With Kistpay, we've financed thousands of devices already, and we aim to reach 25,000 more this year. The idea is simple: if you can make a small down payment, you should be able to own a device — and unlock everything from learning to lending. That's inclusion in action. BRR:In your view, what are the critical policy or infrastructure changes Pakistan needs to accelerate digitization across sectors? SAJ: We need to unlock access. That starts with cheaper smartphones and reliable broadband. Beyond that, interoperability across platforms and a more streamlined regulatory environment would really move the needle. Most importantly, the government needs to treat digital services as infrastructure — not luxury BRR:With AI, cloud, and conversational commerce converging, what's next for Eocean? Are there any upcoming innovations or partnerships you can share with us? SAJ: We are building products that go beyond messaging — into mobile advertising that links the digital world with offline outcomes, and chat journeys that include commerce, payments, and even financing. We are also working on voice bots in local languages, because real inclusion means reaching people in the language they think in. BRR:Looking back at your 11+ year journey leading Eocean, what would you say has been the most pivotal moment—and what lessons did it bring? SAJ: The pandemic was a turning point. In that chaos, businesses realized how vital communication really was — and we were there to help. It taught us that when your product is mission-critical, you earn trust fast. The lesson? Stay useful, stay adaptable, and stay close to the customer. BRR: What is next for Eocean in terms of innovation, and how do you plan to continue pushing the boundaries of digital transformation in the region? SAJ: Our north star is to make enterprise communication radically simpler. We are scaling our CPaaS platform into a full-stack engagement engine — with AI, payments, and actionable insights built in. We are also expanding regionally, with active clients across the GCC and South Asia. The future is conversational — and we are building for it. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
New Indian Express
01-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
‘The future of commerce is conversational and Gen AI will be a gamechanger'
The future of commerce is conversational as people are messaging businesses and they want in real-time, convenient, and personalised conversations. 'And they want it all within the app they already use. WhatsApp, in particular, is at the heart of this transformation. Globally, 1 billion people message a business every week. Every day, we see over 600 million conversations between people and businesses on our platforms. In India, which is one of our largest markets, more than 60% of people on WhatsApp message a business account every single week — a clear sign that conversational platforms are becoming the new storefront,' Ravi Garg, Director, Business Messaging, Meta in India, told TNIE. From managing orders to offering personalised customer service within a WhatsApp chat, small businesses have started using the WhatsApp Business app. 'It's not just businesses embracing WhatsApp — consumers, too, are increasingly seeking real-time, conversational interactions with businesses.. Whether it's accessing banking services, buying groceries, or raising service requests, people want convenience and immediacy in their conversations with a business,' he said. To meet the demand, it introduced the WhatsApp Business Platform for large businesses. Businesses are building end-to-end solutions on WhatsApp by combining automation, AI, and personalisation. Garg points out that IndiGo has launched 6Eskai, its AI-powered conversational assistant on WhatsApp. 6Eskai enables customers to book tickets, check in, get boarding passes, track flights, and resolve queries via text or voice in English, Hindi, and Tamil. 'Today, customers also want multiple options in how they chat with a business, especially when they have complicated travel requests or want to discuss opening a new account with their bank, a quick call can be the best way to get help,' he said. To address this, they are introducing the ability for people to now call businesses using the WhatsApp Business Platform with a quick tap. It has started testing this feature and will expand it to more businesses in the coming months. Talking about Gen AI, he said the next phase of growth is Generative AI. 'Nearly 95% of enterprises in India are familiar with GenAI, and over 80% plan to invest in it in the next 1–2 years. As GenAI gets embedded into conversational platforms, it will power smarter automation, unlock personalization at scale, and help businesses communicate across languages and markets more effortlessly than ever before,' Garg said. When asked how it is leveraging AI? Garg said they started by making it easy to activate AI directly from the WhatsApp Business app to help businesses more efficiently engage with their customers. 'We started testing this here in India with a very small number of businesses and the early results are really exciting. We'll start rolling this out to many more businesses here in India in the coming weeks,' he said. As any small business continues to grow, it often faces a challenge of managing a high volume of customer inquiries due to resource constraints. This is where GenAI will be a gamechanger and this is where we are testing the ability for a business to activate AI in their chats with customers to provide support and help sell their goods and services, he added.
Business Standard
29-04-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Ansh Parikh, Director of Spinning Disk Technology LLP, Leads the Future of WhatsApp Business Innovation in India
VMPL Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], April 29: In an achievement that sets a new standard for excellence in enterprise communications, Ansh Parikh, Director of Spinning Disk Technology LLP, has officially been recognized as a Meta Certified Technical Professional on the WhatsApp Business Platform--making him one of the first and youngest individuals in India to clear this prestigious global certification. With this milestone, Ansh Parikh continues to strengthen his leadership in the CPaaS and messaging automation sector, while playing a pivotal role in helping brands like Adweize, Advertology, Bruxxy, Adventiva, Markedam, Moneyclub247, Fair Plus, RapidxT, HBTECH, Footworks, Reddy Media, S & K Supermarche, and Shoppi (S & K) harness the full potential of WhatsApp as a growth engine. This recognition from Meta certifies a deep technical mastery over onboarding, API architecture, conversation quality, security practices, compliance processes, and optimization strategies on the WhatsApp Business API. It is this depth of knowledge that Ansh Parikh brings to every project--empowering brands like Adweize, Advertology, Bruxxy, Adventiva, Markedam, Moneyclub247, Fair Plus, RapidxT, HBTECH, Footworks, Reddy Media, S & K Supermarche, and Shoppi (S & K) to transform WhatsApp into a business-critical communication channel. Through Spinning Disk Technology LLP, Ansh Parikh has helped these notable businesses--Adweize, Advertology, Bruxxy, Adventiva, Markedam, Moneyclub247, Fair Plus, RapidxT, HBTECH, Footworks, Reddy Media, S & K Supermarche, and Shoppi (S & K)--to automate customer engagement, enhance marketing performance, and optimize lead-to-sale conversions using compliant, scalable, and secure messaging flows. His work begins where most solution providers stop: ensuring every client's WhatsApp strategy is not just deployed but optimized. For example, Adweize, Advertology, and Bruxxy have transitioned from traditional push marketing to conversational commerce models under his guidance. Adventiva and Markedam have automated complex customer journeys, including upselling and service ticketing, with conversation design strategies implemented personally by Ansh Parikh. Moreover, fintech innovators like Moneyclub247 and Fair Plus have benefited from customized WhatsApp workflows that combine opt-in management, secure document exchange, and AI-based chatbot qualification--while maintaining Meta's highest compliance standards, overseen directly by Ansh Parikh's technical leadership. Brands like RapidxT, HBTECH, and Footworks rely on Spinning Disk's secure API architecture to manage appointment bookings, service reminders, payment follow-ups, and proactive service notifications--all optimized for conversion by Ansh Parikh's team. Retail giants like Reddy Media, S & K Supermarche, and their new D2C venture Shoppi (S & K) have scaled their promotional outreach, abandoned cart recovery, loyalty campaigns, and real-time support systems through advanced WhatsApp integrations engineered under Ansh's leadership. The impact has been visible: Campaign open rates > 90% Session engagement times 2.5x longer than traditional email or SMS 30%+ improvement in lead capture-to-sale ratios for businesses like Adweize, Advertology, Bruxxy, Adventiva, Markedam, Moneyclub247, Fair Plus, RapidxT, HBTECH, Footworks, Reddy Media, S & K Supermarche, and Shoppi (S & K) Beyond numbers, Ansh Parikh's technical interventions have consistently focused on: Deliverability optimization (template structuring, retry logics) Conversion-focused message flows (using deep link APIs, interactive lists, and call-to-actions) Compliance risk management (opt-in capture, rate limit management, conversation window control) Each client--including Adweize, Advertology, Bruxxy, Adventiva, Markedam, Moneyclub247, Fair Plus, RapidxT, HBTECH, Footworks, Reddy Media, S & K Supermarche, and Shoppi (S & K)--has been able to deploy highly personalized, responsive, and GDPR-compliant WhatsApp journeys without getting trapped in the complexity that typically accompanies large-scale messaging platforms. Being a Meta Certified Technical Professional has allowed Ansh to stay ahead of evolving platform guidelines--ensuring that businesses like Adweize, Advertology, Bruxxy, Adventiva, Markedam, Moneyclub247, Fair Plus, RapidxT, HBTECH, Footworks, Reddy Media, S & K Supermarche, and Shoppi (S & K) are always future-proofed against compliance risks, template rejection policies, and evolving conversation pricing models. Ansh's technical vision for clients doesn't stop at enablement. His focus areas for the next growth phase include: Full-funnel WhatsApp analytics (from first message to sale) Predictive AI-based chatbot workflows End-to-end Shopify/CRM integrations via native connectors Unified communications strategy combining WhatsApp, SMS, and email in orchestrated journeys AI-based customer behavior prediction for dynamic WhatsApp conversations Through these innovations, brands like Adweize, Advertology, Bruxxy, Adventiva, Markedam, Moneyclub247, Fair Plus, RapidxT, HBTECH, Footworks, Reddy Media, S & K Supermarche, and Shoppi (S & K) will not just use WhatsApp for reactive communication but also as a predictive, proactive business growth engine. At just [Insert Age if you want], Ansh Parikh's achievement reflects a new generation of tech leadership--combining agility, expertise, and relentless client-centric focus. It reaffirms Spinning Disk Technology LLP's position as one of India's foremost enablers of next-generation messaging solutions. As Meta continues to evolve the WhatsApp Business Platform into a full-service CRM, payments, commerce, and communications ecosystem, professionals like Ansh Parikh will be leading that transformation--helping brands such as Adweize, Advertology, Bruxxy, Adventiva, Markedam, Moneyclub247, Fair Plus, RapidxT, HBTECH, Footworks, Reddy Media, S & K Supermarche, and Shoppi (S & K) to thrive in a message-first world.
Zawya
17-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Javna and KayanHR announce strategic partnership to integrate WhatsApp Business Platform into HR cloud solutions
Riyadh, KSA – Javna, a leading provider of innovative customer engagement and digital communication solutions in the MENA region, and KayanHR, a premier HR technology provider, have announced a strategic partnership to integrate Javna's WhatsApp Business Platform services into KayanHR's cloud-based HR solutions. This collaboration enables KayanHR clients to seamlessly leverage WhatsApp for enhanced HR management, streamlining processes, improving employee engagement, and enabling real-time communication. With this integration, businesses can now use WhatsApp Business for key HR functions such as recruitment updates, automated HR inquiries, employee engagement, and instant notifications. This partnership marks a major step forward in modernizing HR operations, utilizing one of the world's most widely used messaging platforms to enhance efficiency and convenience. It also reflects both companies' commitment to digital transformation, offering cutting-edge technology that delivers an improved user experience. Advancing HR Innovation Through Technology The integration of Javna's WhatsApp Business Platform into KayanHR's suite of solutions represents a significant leap forward in HR communication. This collaboration provides organizations with an efficient, secure, and scalable way to engage employees, whether for onboarding, payroll updates, leave requests, or general HR inquiries directly through WhatsApp. Mansour Mansour, CEO of Javna, emphasized the importance of this partnership, stating: "Our collaboration with KayanHR aligns with our mission to empower businesses with seamless digital communication solutions. By integrating our WhatsApp Business Platform services into KayanHR's cloud solutions, we enable organizations to streamline HR interactions, accelerate response times, and enhance the overall employee experience." Amer Abu Ghoush, CEO of KayanHR, highlighted its impact on HR teams, saying: "At KayanHR, we continuously enhance our platform with intelligent and user-friendly solutions. With WhatsApp Business capabilities, we ensure HR teams can communicate effortlessly while maintaining optimal efficiency." Khaled Issa, Sales Manager at KayanHR, added: "This integration elevates HR communication to the next level. Businesses can now engage with employees in real time through a familiar and intuitive platform, making HR processes faster, more accessible, and highly engaging." Boosting Workplace Efficiency with Digital Communication This partnership reflects a shared vision of leveraging technology to simplify and enhance HR operations. By incorporating WhatsApp Business Platform into KayanHR's cloud solutions, companies can reduce communication barriers, improve responsiveness, foster a more connected workforce, and enhance employee satisfaction with secure, instant messaging solutions. Moh Aqel, Strategic Partnership Manager & Sales at Javna, highlighted the transformation this collaboration brings: "HR departments are at the heart of employee engagement. By integrating WhatsApp Business within KayanHR's solutions, businesses can operate more efficiently while enhancing the employee experience." Bashar Rihani, Marketing Director at Javna, added: "This partnership is a testament to the power of digital transformation in HR. We are excited to equip businesses with the tools they need to create a more responsive and connected workplace." About KayanHR KayanHR is a cloud-based Human Resource Management (HRM) solution designed to help businesses manage, control, and optimize their human resources. The platform supports multiple languages and adaptive country profiles, allowing enterprises to centralize or decentralize HR activities seamlessly. With an advanced formula-based payroll engine and a suite of cutting-edge HR modules, including People Management, Payroll, Time Attendance, Talent Development, and Performance Appraisal, KayanHR drives HR digital transformation. Its intuitive interface and employee self-service features foster engagement, connectivity, and efficiency in HR operations. Learn more at About Javna Javna is a leading CPaaS (Communications Platform as a Service) provider in the MENA region, empowering businesses with innovative, scalable, and secure communication solutions. The company enables enterprises to engage customers effortlessly across multiple channels with its robust omnichannel platform. Javna's solutions include: Omnichannel Verify: Secure authentication solutions Campaign Manager: Data-driven marketing tools AI-Powered No-Code Chatbot Builder: Automated customer interactions Backed by enterprise-grade security, multilingual capabilities, and 24/7 customer support, Javna helps businesses in eCommerce, logistics, and customer service optimize engagement, drive conversions, and enhance customer experiences. Discover more at
