Frequently Asked Questions

• This section provides the answers to frequently asked questions by customers and clients.

What is a beacon?

A beacon is a small device that talks to other nearby devices, such as smartphones. The term "beacon" can refer to the Apple version (iBeacon) or the Google version (Eddystone) or to other beacons (there are many beacon manufacturers). Different beacons work slightly differently to transmit their signal to nearby portable electronic devices (such as your phone). Migo IQ works with all of them, whether iBeacon, Eddystone, or BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) beacons.

What is machine learning?

It's a method of data analysis which automates the way computers build analytical models. Computer use algorithms which allow them to iteratively learn from data. Instead of having to explicitly program a computer where to look or what to look for, machine learning allows a computer to "learn". That learning enables computers to use their processing and memory capacity to find insights, patterns, and connections that would take the human brain hundreds of years to trace.

Migo IQ's platform is built on our proprietary set of algorithms, which make some amazing things possible. Our machine learning algorithms produce models that can analyze "bigger" (more complex) data, and produce faster, more accurate results. Our platform works well on a very large scale (such as thousands of inventory items); in fact, the algorithms work better with more information, finding more connections and patterns. Those patterns and connections allow our platform to produce high-value, high-probability predictions in real-time, for each user, without any staff intervention needed to make it all happen.

What is the search function in migo IQ?

Anytime a customer is looking for a specific item, migo can find it. Maybe a customer is looking for a particular brand of jeans in a particular cut and a particular size. The customer can search in the app, and migo can respond appropriately: with an in-store location for the jeans, shipping options, or with an offer for a similar cut of jeans in the right size. Migo can also help customer search for products with specific criteria, such as diet restrictions, color, style, and size preferences. In a grocery store, customers could search for gluten-free items, or low-sugar cereals. In the clothing department, a customer could search for “shirts that are white” or “lightweight scarves” or “size 10 pants.”

What is the migo IQ chat function?

The chat function is a video messaging service that allows your customers to interact with real people quickly and easily. By tapping the chat icon in the app the client will be connected with an "available" store associate. Your associate can chat via video with the customer, from any location: on the showroom, in a warehouse, in the office, at a call center. Location doesn’t matter; availability does. Since any associate, anywhere, can quickly and easily answer customer question, everyone gets to work more efficiently and customers get help more quickly.

What is the map function in migo IQ?

The map function helps your customers find exactly what they want in the store or venue. Perhaps your customer has just received, and accepted, an offer for a seat at a high-stakes poker game. Exciting! But how does she get there from the other side of the casino? Easy enough: she’ll just tap the map or navigation button on the offer, and migo will show her the way to her next adventure.

What do you mean by personalization?

Think of it this way: you’re in a big group of people, at a sports event. Most of the people around you are rooting for the same team, your team. That’s cool! You have that in common. Maybe you’re all wearing team colors: another thing in common! And you’re all happy when your team scores, and upset when the other team scores. What else do you have in common? Maybe you all (mostly) live nearby… But here’s where it gets tricky. Because while the majority of you might live nearby, and appreciate an offer for a discounted ticket to team promotion event on Sunday, some of you in that group probably traveled in just for the game… and won’t even be in town on Sunday. That offer is useless for them.

A “persona group” takes everyone in a group with a few things in common (liking the same sports team, for instance) and assumes that they have everything in common. It makes the same offers to the entire group, betting on those commonalities and ignoring the differences. It’s slightly better method of marketing than just making the same exact offers to, say, the whole world. But you can bet the differences are there, and, many times, the offers just miss the mark.

Personalization throws the whole concept of ‘persona group’ or ‘target market’ or ‘market segment’ out the window. True personalization works on an individual basis. Instead of assuming anything, a personalized platform provides offers on the basis of what is actually known about each individual user; then, as the user responds to the offers, the platform learns more, analyzes what it learns, and creates even better offers for the user. So, for example, if in that group of sports fans you are the only one who lives 200 miles away and enjoys cigars on the weekend, you’ll get offers that coincide with those unique traits: maybe a cigar box in team colors, or a coupon on a to-go meal to take with you on the drive home. Migo IQ uses machine learning to make connections and find patterns unique to each particular user, and then create truly personalized opportunities that match the user, the time, and the place.

Do I need to create persona profiles for the offers?

No, personas are not needed! The beauty of migo is in the 1-to-1 intelligence it brings to brick-and-mortar retail. Since migo's platform works on machine learning, it's able to analyze the best offers for every individual using the app. No more poorly defined persona groups. Each consumer gets a unique set of offers, based on their behavior, preferences, and specific location in the store.

Does migo IQ work with both iOS and Android platforms?

Yes, migo works with both iOS and Android. We've built our APIs to work with both iOS and Android, so we can easily integrate our platform with your branded apps for iOS devices and for Android devices.

Does the Bluetooth need to be on for migo IQ to work?

Beacons need a Bluetooth signal to work, so yes: Bluetooth needs to be active on the receiving device (your smartphone) in order to get a signal from the migo platform. Apple allows us to switch Bluetooth when a user first downloads the app or when it is launched. So if an iOS user has turned off Bluetooth, they'll be reminded to switch it on when they open the app.

How do you keep the data anonymous and safe?

Keeping the brands data safe and secure is our number one priority. To keep user data secure, the Migo IQ platform tracks the data only once the user opts in, and does not request personal information; as a result the user remains completely anonymous. The brand has complete ownership of the data and Migo IQ only uses the data for its machine learning platform. Migo IQ will not sell or share this data.

Does migo IQ work as well on Android as it does on Apple?

Yes, it does! We’ve built the migo platform to work seamlessly with both operating systems. It functions just as well on Android devices as it does on Apple devices.

Will migo IQ app allow ordering out of stock inventory?

Since migo works with your branded app, any particular features your app has - such as the ability to order an item directly from within the app - will remain and work on the offers served up by migo IQ. And if your app doesn’t have the features you want (such as in-app ordering), our team will be happy to work with you to create the perfect app that gives your customers the easiest, most convenient way to shop your products.

Does the customer have to download the app every time they go to the store?*

No. Once the app is downloaded, it will automatically remind the customer to use it once a customer enters your store. Unless the customer manually deletes the app from their phone, they won’t need to download it again.

How does the customer download the app?

Customers without the app downloaded to there phone will be sent an invitation on there phones as son as they enter the store. The customization message can display, for example: “Would you like to download our app to get exclusive offers, personalized just for you, as you shop?” Customers will have the option to select yes or no. If the customer selects yes, the app will be downloaded on there phone where it will begin displaying offers immediately.

Who does the day-to-day upkeep on the inventory for the recommendations?

Store staff can easily handle the inventory upkeep. It’s a simple process using a barcode scanner and the migo admin dashboard. When inventory is purchased, it’s automatically removed from the system. When inventory is rearranged or removed from stock, employees can simply scan and adjust the number available or the location as they move the inventory. Our install team will train your staff on the scanner and the admin dashboard, and our help team is always around to answer any questions.

What if a beacon is needed in a freezer or moist environment?

Beacons can be easily installed in freezers, refrigerators and other environments with specific needs by taking the proper precautions and using the proper tools. Because the beacons will be around food in theses special environments, migo IQ takes special precautions in order to ensure the safety of customers and their products by using only FDA approved food safe adhesive, and making sure that the job is done correctly so that the beacon is in a safe location.