Durable cards replace paper directory

Established in 2018, Negotium is a company based in Angers, France, that provides services to works councils. Its objective is to provide employees with benefits and discounts at local businesses, particularly by giving them access to a network of partners who are key players in the local economy (ready-to-wear outlets, leisure activities, dining, event ticketing, etc.).

The list of partner businesses and their various commercial offers were initially listed in a directory called Go-To Addresses. Today, this Angers start-up is marketing a plastic card version of this directory that’s better adapted to current needs. A look back at this project.

Finding a more flexible and durable alternative to the print version.

In order to distribute its list of 200 businesses in the network and their promotional offers, Negotium used to use its Go-To Addresses printed publication. This print copy handed out to eligible employees fulfilled its function of providing information, but it couldn’t be quickly and easily updated. This had a clear ecological impact because the document had to be regularly reprinted. Neither was it easy providing up-to-date and instantly accessible information.

Which solution would therefore combine flexibility in terms of information updates and durability? How can real-time access to the latest list of partners be ensured? And at the same time limiting the ecological impact?

PVC card with QR code: a smart “phygital” solution.

This is how the card version of Go-To Addresses was born. It’s a real physical object in a credit card format handed out to employees and is the link to the digital part thanks to the QR code on the reverse. This QR code links up with a web page that lists all of the partner offers. This makes the content easily accessible and just as easy for Negotium to update as well.

The card printer chosen for easy, on-demand printing was Primacy. As a local player itself, Negotium naturally chose a company from Angers for its project: “Evolis is a local actor with a global reach and is recognized for the quality of its products and services” Bilal Rhoulben, founder of Negotium, explains.

Responding to the needs of today. And those of tomorrow.

Both in its daily use and with a more long-term view in mind, the solution that was adopted essentially meets the different criteria as mentioned:

• Limiting the ecological impact: Negotium no longer needs to print its Go-To Addresses directory. Employees can access the information contained in the listings directly by scanning the QR code on the back of the Go-To Addresses card.
• Adopting a durable medium: whereas before the print version was very soon out-of-date and had to be regularly reprinted (automatically consigning the previous version to the trash can), the QR code will always remain the same. This makes the card just as durable.
• Providing flexibility and ease of printing: the cards are printed on-site at Negotium using the Primacy printer for instant, on-demand printing. “The printer is very easy to use and no special training is required,” Bilal Rhoublen explains.
• Customizing the card design: graphics, logo, QR code, social media icons can all be easily designed using the software included.
• Ease of use for customers: the credit card format is extremely practical. Eligible employees can easily slip their Go-To Addresses card into their wallet, for example, unlike a print version. It also means that it’s within easy reach during a shopping trip.

To date, Negotium has already printed and issued 1,000 Go-To Addresses cards.