Outdoor equipment maker Mammut announced a new mobile app will be integrated with near field communication technology to connect to its products. The app will launch Jan. 15 in the Apple Store and an Android version will be released shortly afterwards.
With the new Mammut Connect app, the Swiss company claims to be the first outdoor brand to use NFC chip-reading technology. Users with an NFC-enabled smartphone will be able to scan chips embedded into their Mammut products (such as a ski jacket or climbing helmet) to find out information about the item. Scanning equipment will also allow users to extend a product’s warranty for five years.
“Customers are digital, mobile and social. They communicate with brands, actively contribute and give feedback with much more concrete demands than just a few years ago,” said Oliver Pabst, CEO of Mammut Sports Group AG, in a press release. “This is why Mammut is building an ecosystem. With Mammut Connect—a broad portfolio of real customer added value—we are creating an innovative platform and underlining our ambition to become digital leader in the outdoor sector.”
The app also acts as a built-in social platform where users can upload photos, videos, and map trails documenting their latest outdoor adventure with others. Users can share the exact Mammut equipment they carried on their journey. Mammut Connect will also feature videos and news relating to Mammut-sponsored professional athletes.
SportTechie Takeaway
With the use of NFC chips, Mammut is attempting to blend the offline and online worlds for its customers and digitize the retail experience. Last year, Mammut acquired Mountain Hub, a digital crowdsourcing platform that lets users upload real-time trip reports, routes, and condition updates.