Case
Part 1: What is RCS?
RCS stands for Rich Communication Services and is the next step in mobile messaging. This messaging service combines the simplicity of SMS with the richer functionalities you already know from messaging apps like WhatsApp.
RCS vs SMS vs MMS
Everyone knows the Short Message Service, or the familiar SMS: nowadays used for one-time passwords (OTP) and 2FA security codes. If your brand wants to communicate via SMS you rapidly encounter several drawbacks: your message is limited to text only and a maximum of 160 characters per message. Additionally, the message is sent from an anonymous number. Thus, SMS has gained a bad reputation: many people associate an SMS with spam and fraud—especially when it comes from an anonymous or unknown sender.
With a Multimedia Messaging Service or MMS, you can send images, audio, and video, but this messaging service is often slow and expensive. Use of MMS by brands never really took off.
RCS, the new Rich Communication Service, offers the best of all worlds. It is branded, offers a full chat experience with features like read receipts, typing notifications, and has numerous interactive and multimedia capabilities. Moreover, the sender is always validated by mobile operators, making RCS much less susceptible to fraud and spam.
Three types of RCS
You can implement and use RCS in 3 different ways:
Basic RCS Messages are used to send text messages of up to 160 characters. It is essentially the new SMS with better statistics and a verified sender.
Single RCS Messages are used when you, as the sender, mainly send rich content (cf. rich content) and expect few responses.
Conversational RCS Messages are used by organisations to conduct complex interactions: it enables two-way communication with end-users.
Advantages of RCS over WhatsApp business platform
Comparing the capabilities of RCS with those of Meta's WhatsApp, RCS doesn't seem to have much new to offer. However, RCS provides several advantages that the parent company of WhatsApp and Facebook cannot put on the table.
RCS is integrally embedded in the operating systems Android and iOS (from version 18 onwards): as a user, you don't need to install an extra app like you do with WhatsApp.
WhatsApp has a problematic image when it comes to privacy: after all, it comes from the same Meta stable as the controversial Facebook. Therefore, many companies hesitate to associate their brand with it.
Many organisations do not want to become even more dependent on the whims of big tech companies like Meta. Marketers who have worked with WhatsApp in the past will undoubtedly share our opinion: the limitations and controls that parent company Meta enforces often complicate the use of the WhatsApp Business Platform. For example, there is the mandatory use of templates, making it impossible to send freeform messages.
Is RCS a new technology?
Although RCS has been around for years, it has never gained the broad adoption it deserves. Google developed RCS as a protocol to modernise traditional SMS messages and enhance them with a range of advanced features such as multimedia messages, delivery receipts, and read reports. Google has consistently worked on improving RCS to keep pace with modern communication systems and optimise the user experience.
Since 2016, RCS has been a standard feature in Android devices. With the launch of iOS 18, both Android and iOS users now have access to this technology.
RCS messages are end-to-end encrypted and cannot be read by Google. Google primarily acts as a facilitator of the protocol and will not use metadata from the messages for commercial purposes, according to their privacy statement.
Who Can Receive RCS Messages?
RCS is already working today from user to user (android <> android or android <> iOS 18). The ability that brands can send RCS messages will be available in iOS 18.1, expected in november this year.
Support for Android and iOS
With the launch of iOS 18, both Android and iOS users can receive RCS messages.
RCS Support by Mobile Operators
In Belgium, the three major Belgian operators (Proximus, Orange, and Telenet) already support RCS. In the Netherlands, mobile operators are slightly behind with the implementation of RCS. Only Vodafone currently has an active RCS network. The other operators seem to be working on it, although the timeline is unclear according to the sources we found online.
Part 2: The Impact of RCS on brands
RCS has the potential to fundamentally change the way brands communicate with their users.
Too many companies, for instance, have an app that offers little added value compared to their website. The reason for an app's existence is often push notifications.
But let's take a look at recent research on how apps are used:
85% of the time is spent on 5 apps, often social media
51% of users have not downloaded a new app in the last month
Compare that to SMS, which has a 98% open rate, of which 90% is within three minutes of receipt. Without the high development and maintenance costs of an app.
With RCS, we finally have app-like notifications without the app.
Tom Van Mierlo, Strategy Director
Brand and security first
Identification within RCS gives the recipient certainty. With RCS, the recipient immediately knows who sent the message: the brand's name and logo appear at the top of the message. Additionally, the recipient can click through mini-profile of the brand.
The operators, in turn, ensure authenticity and security through a verified sender. Someone with bad intentions can never send RCS messages under the name of iO.
If the RCS cannot be delivered, a classic SMS fallback can be provided, ensuring the sender that the user has received the message.
RCS finally provides a user-friendly and trusted channel for 2FA and OTP messages.
Tom Van Mierlo, Strategy Director
Better user and brand experiences
The RCS message interface is very user-friendly.
Additionally, it offers a richer, more interactive experience than traditional messaging platforms. Brands can now send multimedia content such as photos, videos, audio, GIFs, carousels, and shortcuts within a single message, leading to better customer interactions and a stronger brand connection.
In addition to response suggestions, you can also insert a number of shortcuts in your message as a brand. Below is a selection of these shortcuts:
View Map: This link opens Maps to a personalised location.
Call Phone Number: This fast link opens the phone app with a pre-specified number.
Open URL: With one click, you jump to the browser or deep links in an app (with app icon in the button).
Create Calendar Event: This shortcut opens the calendar app to create events with specific details.
App Deep Links: These deep links move the conversation to your app if needed, with the user immediately logged in.
Data and bots: increased integration capability thanks to the API structure
RCS messages are sent and received via an API-based platform.
If you've already chosen a composable architecture for your digital ecosystem, you'll now reap extra benefits because linking company data with RCS messages will be smoother.
Are you already experimenting with an AI chatbot on your website? Now it can be seamlessly integrated with your brand's RCS channel.
RCS Provides a Range of New Possibilities
There are a number of obvious scenarios where RCS will quickly gain ground:
Delivery Notifications: Track packages and provide delivery notifications.
Appointment Reminders: Remind you of your appointment with healthcare professionals, hairdressers, restaurants, and other appointments.
Weather Alerts and Emergency Notifications.
Marketing Messages: Show promotional offers, discounts, and newsletters.
E-commerce Notifications: Send order confirmations, shipping updates, and receipts.
But due to the many interaction possibilities, RCS is much more powerful than just notifications. Consider, for example:
Banking via RCS: Send transaction alerts and balance updates.
Simple E-commerce: Navigate through a simple offer, order, and pay via RCS, for example, in sandwich bars or local shops.
Customer Support: Follow customer support via RCS through a chatbot or human interaction.
Ticketing: For trains, trams, buses, or even event tickets.
Entertainment: For example, quizzes and interactive content in the context of radio and TV programmes.
And what are the benefits for the user?
While RCS undeniably offers new possibilities for customer interactions, this messaging service should not be an end in itself. Just like with other new technologies such as AI, RCS is a means to improve existing processes and interactions.
Research already shows that users are enthusiastic about RCS:
Nearly 80% of consumers find RCS appealing,
74% say that RCS would make them more inclined to communicate with a brand. (Source: 2024 OpenMarket and GSMA, RCS business messaging research study)
Brands need to think strategically if the integration of RCS into their customer journeys is to add real value.
Brands must think strategically if the integration of RCS into their customer journeys is to offer true added value.
Tom Van Mierlo, Strategy Director
Finally, a Breakthrough for PWAs?
RCS has the potential to accelerate the adoption of Progressive Web Apps (PWAs). Since RCS supports push notifications without an app, users can receive updates without having to download a specific app, reducing the barrier to PWA use.
As a refresher, by adding PWAs to websites, they can behave like an app, and they can also be installed as an app, without the complexity of app stores and native development.
At iO, we see PWAs as a technology with a lot of potential, especially to transform the efficiency and accessibility of web applications. The economic benefits also give this technology an edge: organisations no longer need to develop and maintain a separate app.
iOS has supported push notifications for PWAs for more than a year. However, due to Apple's prolonged reluctance to implement some essential success factors in iOS, the major breakthrough has remained elusive until today.
The arrival of RCS could give the adoption of PWA applications a new boost.
Conclusion
Now that Apple has finally embraced RCS with iOS 18, brands and marketers are on the brink of a new way to reach their audience. RCS not only offers a richer user experience but also a powerful platform for customer engagement and brand building.
Want to learn more about how RCS can strengthen your brand? Contact our team of experts and discover the possibilities.
iO works closely with RingRing and mobile operators for a quick adoption of RCS in Belgium and the Netherlands.
Want to know more? Take a look at www.rcs.be
Got questions about RCS? Contact Tom.
Tom Van Mierlo - Strategy DirectorRelated articles
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Discover the fruitful collaboration between Primagaz and iO in this 'Walk and Talk' video. In this video, you'll get a behind-the-scenes look at the collaborative dynamics between Primagaz and iO. We discuss how we dealt with challenges, how we exploited opportunities and what strategies we developed. We'll take you through our shared journey of growth and success, where trust and a commitment to excellence are central. This Walk and Talk is more than just a conversation - it is a celebration of a collaboration that has stood the test of time. It is a story of mutual growth, of learning and evolving, and of creating value for both organizations.Read moreCase
How to create the ultimate online platform for 300+ luxury fashion boutiques?
iO developed a unique B2C Commerce platform and app where more than 300 luxury boutiques sell fashion via one webshop.Look at this client storyCase
How do you make filing B2B debt collection cases online easier?
For Atradius Collections, iO developed a B2B digital collection platform, the first in the collection market.Look at this client storyCase
How do you sell online efficiently in B2B?
For international distributor SIBO Fluidra, iO developed a B2B Magento Open Source commerce platform and Akeneo PIM system.Look at this client storyCase
How do you optimize your membership management with OutSystems to make golf thrive?
A central database for software vendors and clear data of golf in the Netherlands: that's what we’ve built in OutSystems - using pure low-code development.Look at this client storyCase
How do you bring learning to life for preschool and primary school children?
We developed a new online platform that functions as a website, webshop and sales tool for Uitgeverij Zwijsen, a leading publisher in education. Read more.Look at this client storyCase
How do you support expats moving around the world?
Gosselin, active in international relocations, wanted more leads to boost growth. Our experts helped to bolster their digital presence.Look at this client storyCase
How can a Flemish brand get a foothold in the Walloon market?
iO helps Torfs, the Flemish shoe giant, to position itself better in the Walloon market and as a fashion player. Read more about this case.Look at this client storyCase
how do you enhance the impact of the newsletter for a telecom giant?
Optimizing Content and Presentation: How iO Transformed Proximus' Newsletter Engagement. Read the case here.Look at this client storyCase
How to combine rebranding and site redesign for a better user experience?
Creating a Cohesive Platform: Assuralia's Rebranding and Site Redesign for Enhanced User Experience Read the story here.Look at this client storyCase
How to use social networks to modernise your digital communication?
Modernizing Automotive Digital Communications: Unleashing the Potential of Social Networks. Read the story here.Look at this client storyCase
How to guarantee swift intervention for water and gas leaks through a centralized business app?
Discover how we customised a business app that semi-automatically schedules the most efficient solution and produces quick reporting.Look at this client storyCase
How do you launch a completely new brand for a global leader in marine recreation?
Read how we worked with Brunswick to create a full branding and international go-to-market strategy to launch their latest brand Navan.Look at this client storyCase
Freedom, self-reliance, and user-friendliness
Discover how the online presence of Firda was revamped with a new Drupal platform. With seamless integrations, simplified forms and an improved design.Look at this client storyCase
How do you make customers salivate for your brand again?
Find out how we helped cheese brand CAMBOZOLA reactivate its existing customers and attract younger generations. Read the case.Look at this client storyCase
Finding and offering the right location to turn a special event into a favourite memory
Discover how iO made the websites and the personal admin portal of High Profile Locaties more manageable, findable and scalable. Read the case study.Look at this client storyCase
Repositioning a meat brand in full transition
Discover how iO helped Imperial transform into a future-proof food brandLook at this client storyCase
How to deliver a consistent brand experience across 35 countries
How do you develop a digital and internationally deployable retailer concept that takes your customer experience to the next level?Look at this client storyCase
Impacting the traveller and environment through technology
Brussels Airport: a look at the digital platforms iO built for the ultimate passenger experience.Look at this client storyCase
Clear communication & vision for stakeholders
Communication, internal & external, is important for Brussels Airport. Read here how iO supports the airport in this.Look at this client storyCase
How do you stimulate requests for co-branded credit cards?
Web, app, and integration platform for co-branded credit card programmesLook at this client storyWhat we do
Reach your users with better persona and journey research
iO helps you find the best channels to reach your customers and leads – with in-depth research on buyer personas and customer journeys.Read moreWhat we do
Understand your audience with market and consumer research
If you know your consumer, you can answer to their needs better. iO helps you with in-depth insights from market and consumer research.Read moreWhat we do
Branding & marketing strategy: tell your brand story convincingly
Take control of your brand story with a sophisticated brand and marketing strategy. Power to the people, right? Get to know iO's take on things.Read moreWhat we do
Get better results with a targeted communication strategy
Build a strong strategy for your business communication. iO experts will help you get your message to your target audience.Read moreWhat we do
Branding and communication strategy for your business
The modern consumer looks for brands they can connect to. Create brand value that aligns with your DNA – measurable and successful.Read moreWhat we do
An innovative long-term partnership: strategy in technology
Support your organisation’s growth ambitions on budget with an in-depth tech strategy. Find out more about what iO can do for your business.Read moreWhat we do
A/B testing: The road to your marketing triumph
Take your website to new heights with A/B testing. Stay agile, optimize continuously, and improve user experience for greater engagement and growthRead moreWhat we do
Convince your target group with smart UX/UI design
UX/UI design can make or break the success of your web platform, application or campaign. How do you make it work? Read on and find out.Read moreWhat we do
Online self-service portal development with iO
With a self-service portal, you can focus entirely on stimulating valuable digital interactions with your customers.Read moreWhat we do
AI makes your organisation smarter and more efficient | iO
AI is more than a trend. Our experts are here to show you how AI can add value to your organisation.Read moreWhat we do
Digital accessibility: opening doors to all users
Enhance your website's accessibility with iO's expert guidance. Discover where your organisation stands, prioritise accessibility, and ensure transparency. Build a more inclusive digital world today.Read moreWhat we do
Create your own branded podcast with iO
Creating a strong, branded podcast starts with finding the most compelling stories, identifying the right format, and selecting the most convenient release frequency.Read moreWhat we do
A strong brand design to inspire
A recognisable brand identity helps you get more revenue, stronger reputation and greater brand preference.Read moreWhat we do
Engage your target audience with dynamic online and offline activations
Activate your target audience with dynamic online and offline experiences. At iO, we blend marketing, technology, and strategy to create impactful brand activations.Read moreWhat we do
Event booths that match your brand identity
Make the perfect first impression with your booth at any trade show or event. Read on and discover how our expertise helps your business.Read moreWhat we do
Campaign creation to capture your audience's attention
Campaigns allow you to generate extra attention for your product, service, event or range. Our experts take care of creation & launch and measure the results.Read morePress
AI without measurable impact? Nothing more than an empty gimmick for your business
Read morePress
iO bolsters ambition with the arrival of Collin Seyger as new CFO
Read morePress
George Moses new Technology Director at iO
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iO brings the Port of Antwerp-Bruges’ digital twin to life with AI
Read morePress
iO appoints Rachel Vermeulen as Managing Director of Campus Eindhoven
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iO creates future-proof look for Assuralia
Read morePress
11.11.11 chooses iO as digital partner
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The power of branded podcasts recognised with four Lovie Awards for iO
Read morePress
iO and M Leuven bring Flemish Master to life with AI tool
Blended agency iO gives history an extra dimension for visitors to M Leuven thanks to AI-driven web app.Read morePress
iO appoints Marco Merola as Managing Director on Campus Herentals
Read morePress
Two top experts of iO win the exclusive Sitecore MVP Award of 2024
Read morePress
iO helps KNMI keep the Netherlands safe in terms of weather and climate in 2024
Read morePress
iO helps companies tap into their innovation potential
Read morePress
Amnesty International Vlaanderen and iO put a human face on hope with ‘the power of the people’
Read morePress
NMBS picks iO as innovation partner and service design expert
Read morePress
iO and Worldline launch AI Smart Search for Developer Portal
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Nagelmackers strengthens long-term relationships with a brand-new platform
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Plopsa and iO join forces to create magical digital experiences
Read morePress
VRT joins forces with iO’s digital experts
Read moreWebinar
Corporate Alt Delete - give your organisation an innovation boost
How do you keep your business dynamics fresh and boost the innovation potential and that pioneering mindset in your organisation? Corporate Alt Delete invites you to take a fresh look at your organisation and jointly rewrite your story. Corporate Alt Delete is a book, a workshop, a mindset, and now also a webinar.Read moreWebinar
What is the impact of AI on SEO?
Watch the webinar now.Read moreWebinar
From branding to brand experience: how to create a coherent brand experience
In today's crowded marketplace, consumers are faced with a multitude of options. It's vital that your brand not only stands out but is also seen as positive and consistent. Additionally, you must be able to adapt seamlessly to market changes, all while maintaining your credibility and authenticity. Are you interested in discovering how to achieve brand experience excellence? Watch the recording now.Read moreWebinar
Webinar: elevate your brand: mastering the art of content strategy
How can you effectively utilize content to promote your brand? How can you ensure that your brand stands out with persuasive creations across the appropriate platforms? These questions will be answered in our complimentary webinar, where you'll gain insights on developing a content strategy that seamlessly aligns with your marketing channels and target audiences. Watch the recording below.Read moreWebinar
MarTech stack, from sprawl to essentials
How do you navigate through the jungle of tooling? How do you maintain an overview of your MarTech stack? This webinar will show you how to navigate your MarTech stack in simple steps and get to the essence: tools you really need.Read moreWebinar
Webinar | Will your organization be ready on 28th June 2025 for the EU's Digital Accessibility Law?
Will your organization be ready on 28th June 2025 for the EU's Digital Accessibility Law? Today, for your organization or business to thrive, a digital presence is essential. However, this online presence also brings about a growing need for digital accessibility. Moreover, the EU expects your organization to be digitally accessible by mid-2025. Discover why this is important and how to approach it during our webinar on 22nd August.Read moreWebinar
Webinar: discover how digitally mature your business really is (and what steps to take next)
As a CEO, managing director or marketing manager, you’re steering your ship towards the digital future. But here’s the challenge: how do you ensure you’re on the right course? Which aspects are thriving, and which ones need a boost? Register for our webinar and discover exactly how your company can move towards complete digital maturity.Read moreEvent
Enhance your municipality's digital services with smart solutions
Do you want to elevate your municipality's digital services? Save the date and join us on November 25th to discover how you can use digital tools work more efficiently and better serve the residents and businesses in your municipality.Read moreWebinar
Webinar: How to easily gain complete control over the Woo publications of your organisation
With the introduction of the Open Government Act (Woo), the disclosure of information has become of greater importance. It’s wise to have a solid process and powerful digital tools in place to help your organisation comply to the Woo. But where to start? In the webinar ‘How to easily gain complete control over the Woo publications of your organisation’ we’ll show you how to set up this in a sufficient and user-friendly way.Read moreWebinar
Webinar: How to easily gain complete control over the Woo publications of your organisation
With the introduction of the Open Government Act (Woo), the disclosure of information has become of greater importance. It’s wise to have a solid process and powerful digital tools in place to help your organisation comply to the Woo. But where to start? In the webinar ‘How to easily gain complete control over the Woo publications of your organisation’ we’ll show you how to set up this in a sufficient and user-friendly way.Read moreWebinar
How to become a Social Brand - Building your business with social media
Learn how to move from merely being present on social media to making an impact with an effective social strategy.Read moreWebinar
Discover what's new in HubSpot: your quick guide to the INBOUND '24 updates
With over fifty new features every month, the HubSpot express train shows no signs of slowing down. Last month at the annual INBOUND event in Boston, you could explore all the latest updates and get an exclusive preview of the roadmap for the coming year. Couldn't make it? Sign up quickly for our free webinar to get a concise overview of all the highlights from INBOUND '24.Read moreWhitepaper
Event-triggered multichannel marketing
Event-triggered marketing, the process of identifying, prioritising, categorising, monitoring, optimising and executing, is the most effective exercise multichannel marketers can do to reach audiences at the right moment. In this whitepaper we take you through five quintessential steps for event-triggered multichannel marketing.Read moreWhitepaper
Tell your story with video
Making and distributing fun and striking videos isn’t just for the wealthy, happy few. Today, creating quality video content is technologically and financially feasible for every budget and every message. In a market that’s overflowing with content, where smartphones have high quality, film-worthy cameras and on the back of the positive inspiration from YouTube and TikTok, any barriers that people might have felt that held back their video creativity were blown away. Discover everything there is to know about video in our white paper.Read moreWhitepaper
Interactive video for the static marketer
Interactive content engages people with choices, questions, and options. That’s no different with interactive video — in stark contrast to traditional video, which is linear and forces the viewer to watch passively.Read moreWhitepaper
3 steps to build a successful B2B inbound marketing strategy
Shouldn’t the client be at the heart of every marketing campaign? When it comes to good inbound marketing, the same is clearly true for B2B marketing. Inbound marketing is an effective way to gather everything you need to build a successful campaign: the right, qualitative leads - collected in a way that does not disturb the user experience, using data that’s willingly shared. It’s a fitting approach, not only for acquiring new customers, but for turning them into enthusiastic brand ambassadors in the process.Read moreWhitepaper
Chasing the spark: emotion and creativity in communication
When was the last time you felt truly touched by an advertisement? Pure, raw creativity in the streets, in a magazine, or a heartwarming commercial. In short: a (rare) moment when a brand boldly entered your comfort zone through emotion. Sounds familiar?Read moreWhitepaper
Flexible and dynamic e-commerce with Shopware
In a world where customers are finding their products online at an increasing rate, it’s impossible to ignore e-commerce. Moreover, we’ve become so demanding that businesses need to be able to continuously evolve and improve the user experience. But not every system is equipped to grow along with you in a world that moves at warp speed. Shopware 6 is.Read moreWhitepaper
Boost growth with digitalisation
Digital transformation may be a buzzword, but that’s because it’s happening right now. Digitalisation has gained momentum every part of society and it’s showing no sign of slowing down. Consumers have high expectations and now it’s for companies to anticipate their digital needs. iO has the expertise and experience your company needs for effective digital transformation. Digitalisation is a mindset that has an impact on the entire company, from business operations and internal processes to marketing and communication. Customer focused and with a clear vision. Do you want to know more about the benefits of digitalisation, and how to embed it into the DNA of your company? Our experts have bundled their insights and experiences into an inspiring ebook that will help you prepare your brand for tomorrow.Read moreWhitepaper
A user-friendly self-service portal in 5 steps
Does your organisation spend a lot of time providing customers with support and service? Think about scheduling appointments, contract management, or changing customer data — exactly the kind of things you can digitalise in a self-service portal. Only, how do you go about it?Read moreWhitepaper
Digitalisation - the key to unlock B2B business growth
The digital revolution has profoundly changed the B2C market, and B2B soon followed. None of it happened overnight, by the way. In fact, the trend was initially slow to take off in the B2B sector. Today, digitalisation reached essential status in B2B for anyone wishing to stay ahead of the competition. Its secret? An omnichannel approach, the new standard for B2B sales.Today, B2B customers expect the same standards as B2C customers do in terms of access and service from self-service platforms and digital portals. They expect to find the right products, services or ecosystems across all stages of the customer journey. How do you manage B2C expectations in a B2B context?Read moreWhitepaper
How do you find and motivate talent in Belgium?
The battle for talent – in other words, valuable, talented, and motivated employees – is raging harder than ever before. And that's not surprising. For every organisation, the key to success lies with the right talent. Young and old, highly educated, and self-taught, native and immigrant. How do you get them on board? And how do you stop them from looking elsewhere? Instead of using recruitment as a means to attract talent that’s based on financial promises and incentives, in the long term it’s wise to have a sustainable approach that starts from within your own organisation. In this whitepaper we will analyse the importance of your employer value proposition and take you through the recruitment do's and don'ts. Peppered with facts, figures and statistics that are relevant to the Belgian jobs market, and concrete tips, tricks, and trends.Read moreWhitepaper
Win the battle for the consumer with marketing automation
In 2023, consumers’ expectations are higher than ever. They reject generic messages and communication. More so; they want to be put on a digital pedestal. To be personally addressed and only shown content that is relevant to them. In other words, they want companies and brands to give them an experience. And that experience has become just as important as a product or service.Read moreWhitepaper
The Opportunity Report: take advantage of the latest developments in strategy, marketing and technology
How do organisations stay ahead of the pack in a constantly evolving world? With a collection of expert insights in a single guide, to make the most out of new market trends, emerging technologies and upgraded industry standards. This Opportunity Report is created and curated by professionals across marketing, strategy, content, and technology, using their common vision on what will shape the world, the market or their field of expertise.Read moreWhitepaper
Get the most out of your social media marketing
Many companies use social media to reach their target audience. Too few companies use social media to engage their target audience. A shame really. Because engaging content is the key to success on social media.Read moreWhitepaper
Building brands with content
Brands are built with advertising, and content then adds depth to the brand, right? Not if you ask Aart Lensink. As a content expert, he helped several brands tell strong stories, and now he's sharing his knowledge on building brands with content in this e-book— packed with examples and with a concrete step-by-step plan.Read moreWhitepaper
Everything you need to know about Large Language Models (like ChatGPT)
AI language models, better known as Large Language Models, such as ChatGPT are hot. For some, they are a fine piece of pastime, for others an important tool to achieve business goals – not in the least for SEO and SEA. As they gain plenty of popularity, the complexity of the picture is also becoming clear, just the capabilities of AI. It becomes important to fully understand their potential, and their limitations, before you start working with them.Read moreWhitepaper
How to build an effective content marketing strategy
Producing content is a tactic everyone seems to rely on these days. Many organisations are creating content today — they have blogs, are active on social media, and might even publish their own magazine. But the underlying, supporting strategy? Something you rarely come across.Read moreWhitepaper
6 best practices for successful business innovation
How will your organisation challenge the status quo? What role do you hold in a market where the lines between different domains are becoming less distinct? How are you going to shape a future-proof business model that ensures that you are still relevant the day after tomorrow? The challenges of innovation aren't so much centered around refining your existing business model, but about responding smartly to a dynamic market where the rules are constantly changing. Therefore, innovation within your company remains essential: it enables you to tap into new markets, address new target groups and develop new propositions. Unfortunately, not every form of innovation actually leads to improvement. Our white paper shares 6 best practices for successful business innovation so that innovation does not remain a buzzword but delivers tangible results.Read moreWhitepaper
The key insights from Corporate Klooien – Back to Tomorrow
If you were to start all over again tomorrow, would you end up where you are today? In the 2023 edition of Corporate Klooien, we worked with professionals from influential organisations to explore their ideal future scenarios. We examined how they can deliver value and determine the right priorities in their specific situations. We did this using our own Corporate Alt Delete method.Read moreWhitepaper
How to successfully develop a platform
Facebook is a media company that does not create content. Airbnb has turned the hotel industry upside down without owning any accommodation. Two well-known examples of fast-growing platforms that enable transactions and bring users and products together. The main factor for success in this is their appeal to the right users and adding value by solving problems, providing convenience or introducing new services. They do this using a very strong User Experience (UX) and Developer Experience (DX).Read moreWhitepaper
Corporate Alt Delete – Rewrite your organisation’s founding story
Corporate Alt Delete is a book that bridges the gap between two worlds within an organisation: Team Horizon, thinking in opportunities, and Team Business, focused on current results and business value. This book invites you to breathe new life into the old founding story of the organisation, enriching it with today's market knowledge and business capabilities. Why read Corporate Alt Delete?Read moreWhitepaper
7 strategic considerations for building powerful platforms
For many companies, digital platforms are the backbone of their operations and critical to exceptional customer experiences. This white paper offers strategic insights and practical solutions to address digital challenges such as agility, scalability and security. Download now to take your digital platform to the next level and seamlessly align with your business goals.Read moreWhitepaper
The CTO guide to a composable architecture
Instead of depending on one big software suite, the ‘composable approach’ enables organisations to customise their IT infrastructure by selecting and integrating the most suitable components for their specific needs. However, composable is not a universal solution. In this whitepaper we break down the composable concept, explain the core principles and its potential impact on your organisation’s digital ecosystem. We help you determine a realistic timeframe for transitioning to a composable architecture and evaluate whether your business is ready to embrace composability. Finally, we explore diverse migration strategies for a smooth and seamless transition.Read moreBlog
Social media storytelling done right
Storytelling. Many see it as a buzzword that has been thrown around too often in recent years. But storytelling is much more than that. It is a powerful tool to differentiate your brand and connect with your target audience. And what better way to connect online than through social media?Read moreBlog
10 ways to create terrible branded content
At the beginning of November, a delegation from iO went to Web Summit in Lisbon. One of the most inspiring speakers was Graham McDonnell, Vice President Brand & Creative at TIME. His talk focused on all the many ways branded content can go wrong. Copywriter Jan Schuddinck summarised his talk for us, so that you never have to make these mistakes again.Read moreBlog
How to stand out with creative content marketing
Earlier this year, we launched the Opportunity Report 2023: a collection of visions and insights from our experts to help you stay ahead in the new year. On 9 March, during our online event “Accelerating your business in 2023”, we brought these insights to life. One of the live sessions at this event was hosted by Ruth Nys (Strategy Director Content), who talked about ways to stand out with creative content marketing. In this article, we’ll share the key takeaways from Ruth’s session with you.Read moreBlog
Time to add TikTok to your marketing strategy?
When it comes to the history of platforms, none have become as popular as quickly as TikTok. What started as a dance app for teens is now a global phenomenon with an undeniable cultural impact. TikTok has revived the concept of brand love — but is TikTok a safe bet for organisations? And how does TikTok fit into a marketing strategy in 2023?Read moreBlog
Get started with online personalisation
Users expect increasingly relevant experiences. How should your organisation tackle this? By focusing on online personalisation. iO experts Client Services Director Charles Borremans and CRO and personalisation expert Eddy Boeve will tell you all about it.Read moreBlog
Reputation is not just the responsibility of the communications department
In episode 5 of the Public Brands series: Iris Reshef from the NS (Dutch railways) and Suzanne Bijkersma from the Social Insurance Bank (SVB) discuss brand and reputation thinking in the public sector.Read moreBlog
Verbal brand identity: find your own voice and make it heard
Your verbal brand identity is the set of linguistic expressions of your brand. It bundles the tone in which and style with which you communicate to all your target audiences through all mediums. Together with your visual brand expression, your verbal brand expression conveys who you are, what you stand for and what you can do for your customers. In this blog, we will explore your unique voice together.Read moreBlog
Everything you need to know about Consent Management Platforms (CMP)
Organisations often store user data on their websites and apps, usually in the form of cookies. But every organisation has to be transparent about how they handle this data, and let users know if their data is shared with external parties. A Consent Management Platform (CMP) can help with this. We'll tell you all about it in this blog.Read moreBlog
Discover TikTok’s innovative advertising opportunities
iO's social advertising team visited TikTok HQ for the first Benelux agency workshop. TikTok is Gen-Z's search engine, and an exciting platform that’s constantly developing new features. We’ll be highlighting the most interesting insights and opportunities we learned from TikTok in this article.Read moreBlog
9 ways for your brand to win at Christmas
If you listen closely, you can already hear them. Christmas bells. Seriously. Christmas is coming! By the way, Christmas has already started for me. When I’m lying in my hammock in the South of France, I’m already thinking about Christmas trees, snow and beautifully laid tables. And, of course, I’m thinking about how to win at Christmas, traditionally the busiest commercial period of the year. But how do you make sure that your brand wins at Christmas? And how do you make sure you stand out from all the other Christmas campaigns?Read moreBlog
'Get a taste of AI' #1: Innovating with Large Language Models (LLM) as taste-maker
Anyone who has tried ChatGPT knows that we are at the dawn of a new era. A lot of businesses want to respond to these developments, but often still regard generative AI as a black box. The complexity and lack of transparency can lead to timidity and restraint, while AI as a technology offers a lot of unique opportunities and possibilities. Do you want your business to get ahead of the curve? Then you have to give AI a try: experiment, learn and apply. Experimentation is the only way to learn how and when AI can deliver value to your business operations.Read moreBlog
2023 Christmas commercials: mediocrity, craftsmanship, clichés and sometimes... brilliance
It’s that time again: It’s Christmas commercial season 2023. I’m ready for a wagonload of snow, candy, British stars, and tortured covers of familiar songs. And what did I get? Exactly that. I love it! A (completely objective) overview of the (mostly) British 2023 Christmas commercials. Brace yourself for Rick Astley, kisses, Ryan Reynolds, talking mittens, singing oven gloves, pink flamingos, John Travolta as Santa Claus and... a rediscovered hit from 1965. And... What did John Lewis do?Read moreBlog
AI tools that add real value to your business processes
Technology is in a constant state of change. The great evolution of recent years has been AI. Today, it's a powerful tool that can radically change the way we solve problems and create value. But how should we really look at AI? And how can we make sure it becomes more than just an empty gimmick?Read moreBlog
How to craft a brand name or tagline in 5 minutes (and whether it's the right one)
Seriously, it's done in no time. And we're about to show you how. The question is: is this what you want? In this blog post, you'll read how we do it at iO, you'll find some tips and tricks to apply on your own work and you'll start to grasp the added value of the human factor.Read moreBlog
The future of AI: which 5 trends make their mark on 2024?
We are standing at the beginning of a new economic era with AI and automation as driving forces. Customer interaction is radically being transformed, and the rise of generative AI heralds one of the biggest revolutions ever. As far as AI is concerned, the near future is still a bit unpredictable, but one thing is certain: companies that really want to make a difference should resolutely opt for a digital strategy built upon resilience, productivity and efficiency. Let’s delve into the five most remarkable AI trends for 2024.Read moreBlog
3 trends in content marketing for 2024
Users are becoming increasingly mobile: they're freely moving from channel to channel, looking for the content they want to consume. So keeping an eye on trends and taking full advantage of them is more important than ever. After all, trends offer a perfect opportunity to be creative. But what can we expect in 2024? In this blog, you'll discover three trends you can address to increase your impact with your target groups.Read moreBlog
Work smarter, not harder: your guide to masterful productivity with AI
Are you tired of all the grand promises surrounding AI? Do trends come and go without leaving a lasting impact? Are you yearning for a down-to-earth answer to the question, "What can I truly gain from AI in my daily work?" Our Art Director and AI pioneer, Gijs guides you in this blog interview. Why can he only guide you? Because there's no one-size-fits-all approach. AI is tailor-made, but it can significantly simplify and enhance your work. Within minutes, promises Gijs, you can achieve powerful mass production. His practical tips might just transform your daily workflow or, at the very least, encourage you to rethink it. Discover how in this interview.Read moreBlog
Hot in 2024: sustainable websites
“Refresh your website every five years.” Sound familiar? Well, listen carefully. Because in 2024, things have changed. The tech keeping your website up and running used to be out-of-date after five years. But now, it’s become more stable. So, don’t jump on the new website bandwagon just yet, and do your homework to see what you can repurpose first.Read moreBlog
Why WordPress is the perfect CMS for marketers
At iO, we partner with some major players and market leaders in marketing and technology. One of these partners is WordPress, world's largest Content Management System (CMS). There are several reasons why WordPress tops the list of CMS platforms. For one, the platform has a lot to offer for all its target audiences. In this blog, we list its main advantages for marketers.Read moreBlog
How to create an AI copywriting assistant with custom GPT
Is AI the big monster some make it out to be? The one waiting in line to take over our job of content marketeer? One thing’s for sure: artificial intelligence is no hype. It’s here to stay, and it’s up to us to deal with it. At iO, we’re always looking at new ways to create value. AI turns out not to be a solution, but rather a means to an end. In this blog post, we explain how we use an AI copy assistant to write large volumes of copy in a cost-effective way.Read moreBlog
Drupal Starshot announced: 5 things you need to know
Earlier this month, Drupal founder Dries Buytaert took the stage during the annual DrupalCon North America in Portland (Oregon, USA). He delivered what some call the biggest Drupal news in a long time: the official announcement of Drupal Starshot. Being the largest Drupal partner in the Benelux, we at iO would like to shed some light on this upcoming launch.Read moreBlog
Drupal sets new standards with Starshot
iO and Drupal go way back. We have been using the CMS since our early days, so it is fair to say it holds few secrets for our developers. In recent years, the CMS market has evolved enormously, with new systems springing up like mushrooms. And even though many did not survive, there are still a lot of new CMS systems standing strong today. An unusual situation for Drupal, but with the announcement of Drupal Starshot, the answer is now finally here.Read moreBlog
Why a seamless partner experience is crucial for your organisation
The fact that a flawless digital experience is crucial to consumers, is not new — every day we experience this ourselves when using apps or ordering things online. Less known, but just as crucial, is the partner experience (PX). Especially for financial institutions (such as banks, insurers or payment companies) a seamless PX is invaluable. Friso Geerlings, Technology Director at iO, explains why this is the case and how you can safeguard your PX.Read moreBlog
Migrating to Sitecore XM Cloud: The step towards a Composable DXP
XM Cloud is the CMS of Sitecore’s new Composable DXP. It is a further development of their original CMS, but packed and serviced completely different. It’s SaaS, less hassle to maintain, quicker and easier to develop on, a lot easier to work with for content editors, but still as powerful and versatile as before. So when starting a new Sitecore implementation, choosing XM Cloud over the original Platform DXP is a no-brainer. But what about migrating your existing implementation to XM Cloud? There is no set upgrade path and your starting position greatly influences the desired route to take, but also the business case behind such a migration. In this article I will share my view on the important differences, challenges, benefits, caveats, possible approaches for a migration roadmap, and everything you would like to know and consider before embarking on this journey.Read moreBlog
Conversational search: what is it and why do you want it?
Conversational search in the form of an AI chatbot lets your website visitors interact with your content, resulting in a better customer experience. Conversational search is an advanced search method that uses natural language processing to understand search queries and provide relevant results. Instead of entering search terms, users can formulate searches as they would in a normal conversation.Read moreBlog
Four steps toward a flawless customer experience: the Double Diamond model
Good customer experience – say, the positive feeling that occurs and sticks when people interact with your brand – starts with a strong strategy. It requires lots of guessing, thinking, and doubting. Not to mention: hours of deciding and designing how to make it happen. So, how do you develop a strategy tailored to your organisation and goals? At iO, we use the Double Diamond model. It’s our creative guide to thinking from a problem-solver perspective. From product design to UX and far beyond, the Double Diamond model helps solve complex issues efficiently. In this blog post, we shed some light on the model, its pillars, and its possibilities, so that you can start using it to create flawless customer experiences that stick.Read moreBlog
Drupal 11: innovative features for better UX, performance and development
Drupal recently launched the latest version of its unsurpassed CMS: Drupal 11. As a Certified Drupal Partner, our 130-strong Drupal team is eager to get started helping companies find their way around. After all, Drupal 11 offers a lot of new features that improve the user experience, increase performance and streamline development processes.Read moreBlog
What is search intent? And why is it important for SEO?
When you look something up on the Internet, you always do so with a specific intention. Whether it's to gather information, compare products or actually make a purchase. Either way, you want to see results that match your intent as closely as possible. This intent - called search intent - is a crucial factor for both Google and marketers.Read moreDossier
Dossier: Personalisation
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Dossier: B2B - Turning B2B challenges into solutions
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Dossier: Ready to pop on social media?
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Dossier: Get a taste of AI – Discover the endless possibilities of AI
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Dossier: successful innovation
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Dossier: Maximize your marketing efforts with HubSpot
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Dossier: Drupal. Why big brands rely on Drupal CMS.
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Dossier: Composable, the key to flexible business architecture
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Infinite opportunities: Thierry Geerts (Google Belgium)
"Digitisation in Belgium is progressing rapidly, but not as fast as it could or I hoped it would," says Thierry Geerts, CEO Google Belgium. He wrote a book, Digitalis, about his vision on digitisation. He talks about how we can — and should — pick up the pace of digitisation.Read moreVideo
Infinite opportunities: Peter Van Hoecke (Van Hoecke)
According to Peter Van Hoecke (CEO Van Hoecke), the client is always central, especially — in digital transformation. By automating, accelerating, and rationalising processes, you help your clients save time — our most finite and valuable resource.Read moreVideo
Infinite opportunities: Steven Van Belleghem (iO)
Steven Van Belleghem (partner iO) talks about the three main advantages he sees in technology and digital transformation: faster than real-time service, hyper-personalisation, and the ultimate convenience.Read moreVideo
Infinite opportunities: Tim Colman (Proximus)
Creative concepts can elevate a campaign, says Tim Colman (Head of Digital Communication at Proximus). He talks about the importance of creativity at every stage of the customer journey.Read moreVideo
Infinite opportunities: Daan Simonis (Perfetti Van Melle)
Creativity isn't just useful for building a strong campaign — it's essential. Daan Simonis (Global Media & Digital Marketing Director at Perfetti Van Melle) explains why this is the case and how a creative idea has a strong impact, especially on paid media platforms.Read moreVideo
Infinite opportunities: Yannick de Bièvre (MediaMarkt)
MediaMarkt is an omnichannel retailer, and that is a very conscious choice. Digital and non-digital channels flow seamlessly into each other, according to Yannick de Bièvre (Head of Marketing BeLux).Read moreVideo
Infinite opportunities: Steven De Deyne (Proximus)
"With digital transformation, you can deliver added value to your customers," says Steven De Deyne, Head of Media and Production Competence Center Proximus), it in this video.Read moreVideo
Infinite opportunities: Paul Smeets (Cadac)
You can't do partial digital transformation, says Paul Smeets (CTO Cadac). In this video, he tells you more about his vision on digitisation.Read moreVideo
Digitising a business: the most common mistakes and how to avoid them
How is it that only 30% of the companies are successful in adopting digital transformation? In large part because it affects every aspect of a business: people, processes, infrastructure, and customers. We walk you through the most common mistakes we see in digital transformation projects so you don’t have to make them yourself. Expert:Tom van Mierlo, Digital StrategistRead moreVideo
Transforming technology into a catalyst for innovation
How fast can you launch new products and services, scale up or scale down sales channels, or provide a better customer experience? The technical complexity of a business often determines its innovation speed. We look at how to transform the 5 key blockers in technology into accelerators for your business. Expert:Raymond Muilwijk, Center of Excellence Lead TechnologyRead moreVideo
How to measure the value of innovations faster and more clearly
In 2024, you will be less likely to make long-term investments. ROI has become a more important factor in innovation compared to recent years. We share ways that will help you validate innovations faster and gain management’s support. Expert: Uilke Duinstra - Service Line Director Strategy at iORead moreVideo
Do you take social media seriously?
Social media as a marketing tool is often overlooked, despite their potential, they are frequently underutilised. Nevertheless, a strong social strategy and a brand-oriented focus are the keys to success on social media platforms.Read moreVideo
Building brands; yes you can!
Social media extends way beyond performance and direct conversion. It's about building brands, building relationships with the target group and strategically distributing content on relevant platforms. Success requires belief in the power of social media and investment in knowledge building and daring to experiment.Read moreVideo
Who decides if your content has value?
It is sometimes difficult to estimate which content is valuable and which is not because of the influence of subjectivity and different opinions in your marketing team. Fortunately, that responsibility lies entirely with the consumer. All you have to do is create a lot of content that is in line with your organisation’s values.Read moreVideo
Who sees which content? The algorithm decides.
Less is more? Not when it comes to social media content. You need a lot of contact moments to get on the radar and stay there. Then the algorithm decides who sees which content.Read moreVideo
Banish content burnout
Sometimes content marketers suffer from a content burnout: they don't know what to post or how to come up with creative content. The drip model offers a solution: take a look at the 'low-hanging fruit' within your organisation, sector and above all: your target group environment. With social posts that you write from the perspective of your target group, you always deliver engaging content.Read moreVideo
Is Facebook passé? No way!
Many young people are on Snapchat and TikTok today. In spite of that, Facebook, with 70% active users, remains the largest social network in Flanders. Do you want to reach your audience? Then consider using Reels. Facebook can also deliver strong results for B2B marketing, especially in combination with LinkedIn.Read moreVideo
Does your brand have to be on TikTok?
TikTok offers unprecedented potential for organic reach, but also brings challenges: privacy issues, diverse content and users; and a powerful algorithm. Post multiple times a day and focus on native content instead of your own campaign materials.Read moreVideo
Which formats work on social media?
Since TikTok boosted vertical videos, they have dominated all platforms. Using reels strengthens the bond with your video first users and gives you more organic reach and improves your marketing results.Read moreVideo
Conversation management: truth, courage and action
Conversation management is a shift from webcare to webdare. Where in the past, brands mainly responded to negative experiences and complaints on their own channels, now you join conversations with your consumers on your own and other channels. This increases your visibility and positions you in the market.Read moreVideo
Social media marketing: tried and tested by Dewaele
Content strategist Sam talks to Vanessa Loose, marketing manager at Dewaele. For Belgium's largest independent estate agent, social media are incredibly important. With a healthy mix of trends and evergreen topics, they always stay on the radar as a life partner in living and business through social media.Read moreVideo
Challenger Stories: Brandt & Levie turns the meat industry on its head
For Brandt & Levie, responsible production is not an afterthought, but the core business. The Amsterdam sausage maker produces animal-friendly meat according to its own recipe — exclusively from well-kept pigs. An impactful story about sustainability in an industry that sometimes struggles to find it.Read moreVideo
Challenger Stories: Natuurhuisje protects local biodiversity
Natuurhuisje is not just a booking platform for holiday homes, it's a full-fledged climate company. Nature is at the heart of everything they do, and it's — in their own words — their responsibility to protect it. The booking platform is merely a means to that end. That's why Natuurhuisje donates part of its revenue back to local projects to improve biodiversity.Read moreCase
How do you engage with education professionals online?
Find out how we connected 78 editors and authors with hundreds of visitors through Zendesk to increase the quality of education.Look at this client storyCase
How to translate brand values into engaging stories?
iO created a content strategy for Audi that gives the brand values an emotional charge through storytelling.Look at this client storyCase
How can you turn a government instance into one of the country’s star employers?
The experts at iO made UWV an attractive employer thanks to this multi-channel employer branding campaign.Look at this client storyCase
How to optimise and increase the conversion rate in specific target audience groups?
Maximizing ROI: iO's Approach to Boosting Conversion Rate in Beobank's Campaigns. Read the full story here.Look at this client storyCase
How to manage a range of websites while meeting client expectations?
Enhancing Digital Content Management for D'Ieteren Automotive's Websites? Read the full story here;Look at this client storyCase
How do you convert festival- goers into active members of your community?
From Festival Wristbands to Online Accounts: Converting Festival-Goers with Effective Paid Media. Read the story here.Look at this client storyCase
How do you transform two telecom giants into one powerful brand?
Entopic/iO rewrote all content to a new tone of voice for the launch of the Odido brand and managed content migration from 2 websites to the new website. Want to know more? Find out in this case.Look at this client storyCase
How do you bring years of delicious creativity to life?
With creative always-on and ad hoc campaigns, our experts help Manna Sauzen grow into a leading Belgian brand.Look at this client storyCase
How do you make port jobs more appealing?
For Port of Antwerp-Bruges, we brought a brand-new job platform to the market with a creative, multimedia campaign. Read more.Look at this client storyCase
How to future-proof and secure a European dealer intranet?
Discover how the JLR Gateway, built in Drupal, acts as a central hub for dealer communication, processes, and collaboration.Look at this client storyCase
How to present a unified brand story for multiple companies within the same group?
How do you tell a clear online story that pulls traffic towards your website if you represent multiple businesses? Read the case and find out.Look at this client storyCase
How we blend technology and marketing for online pharmacy Farmaline
How does iO keep its long-term relationship with Farmaline fresh as a daisy? By mixing trust with a profitable synergy of tech and marketing services.Look at this client storyCase
Realising growth through marketing
How iO convinces travelers to choose Brussels Airport for their next trip. Discover the marketing campaigns.Look at this client storyCase
A creative blend of skills
Discover what iO does for airport & travelers: from branding to creative campaigns and content creation.Look at this client storyPage
Verschil chatbot, bot en robot
Robots, chatbots, bots. Drie termen die erg op elkaar lijken, maar erg kunnen verschillen. Het zijn weliswaar alledrie technologische vorderingen in de samenleving, maar het is belangrijk om te weten wat ieder kan betekenen voor jou en wellicht je bedrijf.Read more