Why Smartix is built on digital wallets

Most smartphone users are already familiar with storing payment cards, boarding passes and event tickets in their digital wallet. Adding another pass feels like a natural extension of something they already use, rather than asking them to install another application, create an account or learn a new interface.

That familiarity builds confidence. Customers know where to find their pass, how to access it and how to use it, making them far more likely to engage with the information it contains whenever they need it.

Apps need to be installed, kept up to date and used regularly if they’re to remain part of a customer’s daily life. Over time, many are removed, offloaded or simply forgotten, reducing opportunities for businesses to reconnect when it matters most.

Wallet passes take a different approach. They don’t compete for space on a customer’s home screen and remain available in the wallet even after their original purpose has been fulfilled. That means customers can always find the latest information when they need it, while businesses retain a communication channel that’s ready whenever it’s time to share an update, reminder or personalised message.

Apple and Google define how different types of wallet passes look, helping customers instantly recognise a loyalty card, membership, ticket or gift card. Those familiar formats make passes easy to understand and quick to adopt, but they don’t dictate how your business can use them. Smartix builds on those foundations, transforming a wallet pass from a static digital card into a live communication channel. Passes can be updated whenever information changes, from loyalty point balances and membership status to event details or booking information, while timely notifications help keep customers informed and connected.

That’s just the beginning. While wallet passes are commonly associated with loyalty cards, tickets and memberships, the same technology can support almost any customer journey. A serviced ski collection receipt, a personalised wine club membership, an insurance policy or a warranty certificate can all become persistent communication channels, helping customers find important information quickly while giving businesses a simple way to keep them informed throughout the relationship.

Apps can quickly become outdated if they aren’t regularly used, sometimes requiring lengthy updates before they can even be opened. Wallet passes work differently. The latest information is delivered directly to the pass whenever it changes, ensuring customers always have access to current balances, bookings, memberships and other important information without needing to install updates or visit an app store.

A wallet pass doesn’t need to contain everything. Smartix can include personalised links that take each customer directly to the relevant page on your existing website or customer portal, without requiring usernames, passwords or complicated navigation. Combined with timely notifications and up-to-date information, this provides many of the benefits of a dedicated app while making use of systems your business already has.

Most people first encounter wallet passes as boarding passes, event tickets or loyalty cards, making these natural starting points for many businesses. Smartix supports all of these, while adding the ability to keep information current and continue communicating long after the original transaction.

The same technology can also support less traditional ideas. An insurance policy that stays up to date throughout the year, a ski service collection receipt that becomes next year’s service reminder, a valued customer card for a car dealership, an RNLI supporter card with news from your local station, or a breakdown membership that’s always ready when you need it.