BENGALURU: After recently launching a mobile app for small businesses, WhatsApp is preparing to add several new features for large enterprises , including customer support and possibly merchant payments as well, according to people familiar with the developments.
WhatsApp, which last month introduced a peer-to-peer payments feature on its messaging app, has been working with companies including hotels network OYO and ticketing platform BookMyShow to allow them to communicate with their customers.
The Facebook-owned company is now developing a customer relationship management (CRM) software that it will introduce initially for companies using its application programming interface (API), said one person aware of the matter. This feature is expected to roll out in the next six to nine months. Till late last year, WhatsApp had about 10 enterprises using its API (which entails core tools for building applications), as per industry sources. WhatsApp is expected to expand its payments facility to include customer-to-merchant transactions to offer a complete solution to enterprises.
“WhatsApp will most likely use the Facebook Messenger playbook for enterprises. Their services could range from messaging, calls and maybe even payments in the future,” said Nikhil Kumar, head of developer ecosystem, IndiaStack.
WhatsApp didn’t comment on the merchant payments feature but confirmed it is testing an enterprise technology for larger businesses to make it easier for companies to connect with their customers and share useful information.
“We are building and testing two new tools that create more value for people and businesses on WhatsApp,” a spokesperson for WhatsApp said in an email. “In January, we launched WhatsApp Business app for small businesses on Android. We are also testing an enterprise solution for larger businesses. Both tools make it easier for businesses to connect with their customers and share useful information like flight information, delivery confirmations, and other updates.”
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