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Telemedicine app signs partnership with more than 30 thousand establishments

The subscription service of the telemedicine application Hello Doctor now has the Hello Benefits, offering exclusive advantages in more than 30 thousand establishments. Users will have access to discounts in pharmacy chains, supermarkets, convenience stores and retailers such as Renner, Riachuelo and Magazine Luiza.

The asynchronous telemedicine application Hello Doctor announced a new expansion of its services by entering into a partnership with more than 30 thousand establishments. The goal is to provide users of the subscription service a club of benefits and advantages in a wide network of partners, including pharmacies, supermarkets, convenience stores and retailers. In addition to Hello Benefits, the service already has discounts on consultations and priority care with more than 2000 doctors who serve by the app.

With the expansion of the service, the expectation is to increase by 30% the number of subscribers.The CEO and founder of Hello Doctor, Anderson Zilli, shared his enthusiasm with the novelty.“Since the launch of the subscription service we are already studying to offer the benefits club to our users. Our goal is to make access to health easier and more convenient for everyone, but also to offer a quality and complete service, bringing even more innovations and advantages to subscribers and their families”, said the entrepreneur.

With Hello Benefits users will have access to discounts on major brands. Among the partners are Droga Raia, Drogasil, Panvel, Drogaria Sao Paulo, Pay Less, Labi Exams, Hermes Pardini, Casas Bahia, Ponto, Vivara, Netshoes, Magalu, Centauro, TokStok, Aliexpress, among others.

Will have access to the benefits club Hello subscribers who have the monthly subscription, in the amount of R$19.90. Currently, users already have 15% discount on up to three appointments per month, with general practitioners or specialists and premium support, ensuring faster service whenever necessary.

Engine Brazil Launches Customer Engagement Area to Enhance Customer Experience

Engine Brasil, a consulting firm specialized in solutions for digital transformation and a partner of SAP, announced today the creation of a new area dedicated to Customer Engagement.This strategic initiative aims to offer an even more personalized experience to its customers, in response to the growing demand for migrations to cloud environments.

Marcos Mazarin, a veteran of the Information Technology and Services industry, has been appointed director of the new area.With his extensive experience in managing complex IT environments and business transformation, Mazarin is well positioned to elevate the quality of Engine's customer experience.

Andre Nadjarian, VP of strategy and innovation at Engine, explained the importance of this new area: “O development of the specific area of Customer Engagement is part of our strategy to ensure the best experience in the migration process. Considering the current phase of digitalization and expansion of digital transformation in the cloud environment, it is essential to establish an even closer and more accurate monitoring.”

Engine customers will benefit from closer and more proactive follow-up, greater efficiency in using solutions, anticipating needs, and increasing compliance with business objectives.

To structure the new sector, Engine was supported by ISSI (Integration Solution Services Inc.), an international consultancy recognized for excellence in Customer Success structuring and specialized in SAP systems architecture. With this partnership, Engine becomes the first SAP partner in Brazil to adopt the practices recommended by ISSI.

This new initiative reinforces Engine's commitment to remain at the forefront as a strategic advisor to its customers, especially with regard to digital acceleration in cloud environments.The company aims to raise the standards of strategic and tactical consulting, transforming customer success into cloud environments.

Nadjarian concluded: “With the constant changes in the market, Customer Engagement has become an indispensable element to ensure efficiency and ensure quality in service delivery.From now on, our customers will be able to count on an even closer performance, aiming mainly to achieve broad satisfaction and promising results.”

Startup creates technology to help companies automate WhatsApp service

In Brazil, 197 million people use WhatsApp, according to Meta data. The platform is also a power not only for banks and retail, but also for companies that use APIs, bridges that connect different types of software or applications, created in different programming languages, and that need to communicate with their customers. In this context, clear solutions that expand communication are fundamental.

The market already offers some options in this sense. One of them is Z-API, developed by Grupo IRRAH, a Brazilian company with technological solutions for the retail sector.Z-API integrates WhatsApp with business systems, transforming the way companies communicate with their customers.

“A tool was created to increase efficiency in communication processes, allowing companies to develop service bots, appointment scheduling systems, sending notifications and many other features adaptable to the specific needs of each business,” explains Andre Nunes, head of Product Group.

The solution also offers valuable insights from large-scale conversation management, serving both small entrepreneurs and software houses, which make up its largest audience.Technology companies in particular have adopted Z-API on a large scale, making it a centerpiece in their business models.“O Z-API is more than a tool, it is the basis for the success of many companies.If it stops working, many entire operations also stop,”, highlights Cesar Baleco, CEO of IRRAH

The tool is easy to integrate and offers advanced features such as sending and receiving messages, automation, support for various media formats and technical support in WhatsApp itself, available in Portuguese directly on the platform.“A Z-API understands the particularities and demands of the Brazilian market. Therefore, our support team is prepared to offer specific assistance and tailored guidance to companies operating in Brazil,”.

The expert explains that remote communication, intensified after the 2020 pandemic, changed the buying and selling relationships in the market. WhatsApp, the main communication channel for Brazilian companies, was used by 95% of the companies interviewed in a study conducted by Meta between 2022 and 2023. “However, a business cannot depend only on clicks. It is necessary to be assertive and offer, in the digital environment, the best possible experience, really observing the consumer interest, with a clear, humanized and agile communication, to generate credibility, recurrence and, of course, fidelity, Miriam Plensra, completes the IRMA Group.

Cybersecurity: the importance of investing in information security

Investing in information security (IS) is the most effective way to protect data and internal systems against unauthorized access and other cyber threats.With a solid and effective governance program, organizations can ensure that the three pillars of information security (Integrity, availability and confidentiality ( are maintained, ensuring that the company is safe from unauthorized access.

According to a study conducted by Solo Iron, a cyber security vertical of Solo Network, cyberattacks increased by 70% in Brazil in the second quarter of this year alone.To make matters worse, this scenario was followed by all of Latin America, which recorded about 53% more shares of this type in the same period of analysis, according to another report released by Check Point Research.

Regardless of size or segment, any business can be the target of these attacks, from a small market with only two computers connected to the internet, to large industries with a global presence. Among the main reasons that explain this occurrence, it is noteworthy that many managers, especially those of small and medium-sized companies, underestimate the importance of investing in information security, believing that they are not on the radar of attackers.

However, contradicting this thought, according to Kaspersky, SMEs face 365 attack attempts per minute in Brazil BUT, are the ones that least resort to some type of cyber insurance that protects them against these criminal actions. Being reluctant to this investment is no longer an option, especially in the face of an increasingly globalized market, where information is a precious asset for decision making. In this context, the theft of sensitive data can lead to financial losses and other major damages.

Faced with such a risk, investing in information security (IS) and having a data governance program is the most effective way to protect data and internal systems against attacks and other cyber threats. Implementing good practices that reduce vulnerabilities in the computing environment, protect assets and thus preserve the reputation of organizations is essential.

In practice, this direction should not be limited to the incorporation of technological resources favorable to security, such as artificial intelligence (AI), which is able to analyze large volumes of data, identify behavior patterns and detect suspicious activities that may pose security risks. A well-structured governance program includes a clear and objective information security policy, in addition to conducting regular training (taught at least once a year) for all employees, a robust password policy and the implementation of access controls to corporate systems and files.

In addition to the aforementioned items, it is vitally important that organizations have basic protection mechanisms, such as firewall, antivirus, VPN, as well as the exclusive use of licensed software that receives constant updates while remaining protected against the latest threats.

It is also important to ensure that the entire program is audited periodically by independent auditors to ensure its effectiveness and continuous evolution.

Legally, there is also the factor of the LGPD (General Data Protection Law) of 2018 (Data Noncompliance can result in daily or simple fines, ranging from 2% of billing to R$ 50 million for infringement, in addition to blocking data and any suspensions of corporate activities. However, far beyond financial penalties, companies that do not comply with such standards can be charged with a kind of “publicity of violation”, which can be disclosed on its official website or in other media, which will certainly be a tremendous negative point for its reputation.

Being in compliance with the LGPD is an obligation of organizations in Brazil, but this ends up being a natural consequence of a well-established governance program, regular training and independent audits. Thus, the risks of companies suffering from theft or loss of data are significantly reduced, either by human or technical failures.

Ramon Silva's he is a Network Analyst at ECOVIS BSP.

Thyago Baruchi he is a Partner and IT Manager at ECOVIS BSP.

Twilio expands access to RCS to enhance brand messaging and win consumer trust

Twilio, a customer engagement platform that delivers personalized, real-time experiences, announced the global availability of RCS messaging (Rich Communication Services) through its APIs of Programmable Messaging e Verify. RCS enhances traditional messaging by introducing sender identification, with its logo appearing directly in the phone's default messaging app, ensuring that customers can immediately recognize who is sending them this message and trust the source of it. With this update, companies will be able to send verified messages that build trust and loyalty to customers, all without the need for code changes¹.

Specifically, Twilio RCS offers:

  • Brand messages: Twilio RCS automatically updates SMS messages to RCS on compatible devices at no additional cost for basic messages up to 160 characters. Features include embedding business logos, slogans, business name, trusted sender verification by Google, and read receipts. This ensures that customers always know who they are communicating with, increasing trust and engagement (key factors to drive repeat purchases and transactions for the first time;
  • Advanced content and interactive features: RCS messaging enables businesses to create engaging and interactive experiences with call-to-action buttons, interactive carousels, location sharing, and quick response options². These capabilities empower users to take immediate action within the message itself, driving higher engagement and conversion rates while reinforcing brand authenticity; and
  • No code changes: one of the main advantages of Twilio RCS is the ease of its implementation. Enterprises can configure their branding on the RCS message and sender verification through the Twilio Console, allowing them to start sending reliable communications without any code changes. Twilio also manages carrier registration and integration, capacity checks, and provides tools to ensure that messages are delivered via SMS when RCS is not available.

As the current scenario evolves, it is crucial that companies build and maintain consumer trust, especially when they are flooded with notifications and texts. According to a survey on consumer preferences from 2024, Twilio, 75% of consumers who received a text message with the sender's logo said that this increased their confidence in the message, with almost half (49%) stating that they would trust brands more if a logo were present in the messages. This trust translates into action: 4 out of 10 consumers repeated the purchase with these brands and 1 in each brand they used a reliable communication through the first time they made a purchase through the R4 channels.BIMI) in emails. Twilio's suite of APIs empowers companies to create trusted and engaging communications that excel in a competitive marketplace and can drive ROI.

“Na Twilio, we believe building customer engagement should be as simple and secure as possible”, says Inbal Shani, Chief Product Officer, Communications, Twilio.“O RCS makes this a reality by offering richer interactions, greater deliverability, and most importantly, building trust in your brand without changing a single line of code.”

For businesses looking for a more dynamic and interactive communication channel, RCS offers a secure, reliable and enhanced alternative to SMS. While SMS remains a vital tool for many use cases, RCS provides a standardized, feature-rich platform that bridges the gap between traditional messaging and interactive experiences offered by over-the-top (OTT) channels such as WhatsApp. Branded communications ensure that businesses can deliver engaging, seamless experiences that resonate with customers and build lasting trust.

“According to a recent study by Futurum Research, companies using RCS experienced a 32% increase in customer engagement and conversion rates compared to traditional SMS.It makes sense to focus on RCS solutions to help drive value for their” customers, says Paul Nashawaty, Futurum's leading practice, development and application modernization.“This is likely due to RCS's ability to deliver richer, more interactive content such as images, videos and buttons that can enhance the customer experience and generate greater ROI.

Availability

Twilio RCS messages are available in public beta globally to all companies in Programmable Messaging and generally available on Verify.

Previously, RCS adoption was limited by its availability only on Android devices.However, with the recent apple Announcement that RCS will be supported on iPhones starting this month, the scenario is set for widespread adoption of this technology.For more information and to request access, visit: https://www.twilio.com/en-us/messaging/channels/rcs.

Adsmovil OOH becomes part of the Nirooh platform for direct purchase of programmatic media for DOOH

Adsmovil, the digital advertising media technology company, which owns the largest network of OOH partners in Latin America, is now part of the Nirooh platform, the first head binder in the country, which uses software with the ability to connect a greater number of buyers, increasing the supply and freedom of choice beyond revenue.

This move by Adsmovil will take the company to another level of delivery of both programmatic and business results. It will now enjoy an innovative technology capable of verifying “slots” available on DOOH screens, eliminating the verification phase of which slot is available for which DSP, a cascading process, as each task flows to the next phase without needing the publisher.

“This integration can be summarized in two words: efficiency and revenue. With it we will deliver more return to the entire network driving the growth of DOOH. Expanding our range of technology partners is one of Adsmovil's missions to offer the state of the art in our” sector, comments Mariana Toledo, SVP of Adsmovil OOH.

Adsmovil offers more than 6.9 billion OOH impressions to Latin American advertisers every month, with more than 69 million impressions available in Brazil and this number is expected to grow with the integration of the Nirooh platform.

“A Nirooh has created a unique technology to optimize “slots” on DOOH screens, without the publisher's concern, which “lot is released for which DSP. Basically we developed the water fall of the DOOH programmatic. With the Adsmovil partnership integrated via direct API with Nirooh, we will develop more business opportunities and programmatic results in the market and the” publishers, explains Bruno Pompeu CEO of Nirooh.

“Today, in Brazil we have at the disposal of advertisers more than 20 thousand screens of large publishers. Already in Latin America this number rises to 58 thousand screens. With the integration between Adsmovil OOH and the Nirooh platform we will offer greater control with a higher revenue and less WORK”, adds Mariana.

Adsmovil OOH already serves advertisers such as Mercado Livre, Toyota, Pepsico, Unilever, SC Johnson, Iguatemi, Danone, Softys and others.

Tech Companies Bet on Developer Experience to Retain Talents

With the growing shortage of professionals in the technology sector, talent retention has become a significant challenge for companies in the field. According to data from Google for Startups, Brazil will face a deficit of 530 thousand professionals in the area by 2025. In this context, offering an excellent experience for employees is essential, and the Developer Experience (DevEx) emerges as a crucial strategy to retain developers.

DevEx refers to the quality of the tools, processes and work environment provided to developers. According to Lucas Gerhard, Tech Lead of Zallpy Digital, a company specialized in customized digital solutions,“Invest in Developer Experience is essential for technology companies that want to remain competitive, innovative and attractive to the best talent in the market.”

Here are some tips to enhance the work experience of developers and make it more productive and motivating:

1. Systems Integration: Just as User Experience (UX) is vital for end users, DevEx prioritizes the experience of IT professionals. Integrating effective systems, tools, and practices during the development cycle is essential to fostering a more enjoyable and assertive work environment.

2. Task Automation: Automating repetitive tasks and ensuring a stable infrastructure are key measures. Clear, up-to-date documentation also facilitates the workflow of developers. Investing in solutions that simplify work is crucial to avoid obstacles that directly affect the efficiency and quality of the final product.

3. Implementation of Good Practices: Adopting code reviews, following development standards, and maintaining a high-performance infrastructure are pillars to ensure effective DevEx. This not only increases software quality, but also fosters an organizational culture that values innovation and collaboration.

A well-implemented DevEx not only improves developer productivity and satisfaction, but also strengthens communication and collaboration within the team. Choosing tools that facilitate integration and information sharing results in greater efficiency and quality in software development.

As the shortage of technology professionals intensifies, attention to Developer Experience becomes an indispensable competitive advantage.Companies that invest in continuous improvement of DevEx not only retain talent, but also excel in the market for innovation and quality of their solutions.

STF closes discussion on need for refund of ICMS amounts paid in advance the largest by retail

This means that when selling the goods with the percentage of ICMS already embedded by the industry, if the presumed value is greater than the effective at the time of sale, the retailer is entitled to return the amount paid in excess, without having to prove the transfer to the final consumer, who may end up paying more expensive, without being entitled to any refund

In recent weeks, taxpayers, especially retailers, have won a major victory before the First Section of the Superior Court of Justice (STJ), in the Special Appeals judgment no. 2,034,975/MG 2,035,550/MG and 2,034,977/MG, under the systematic of repetitive features (Theme no. 1.191).“O STJ accepted the thesis that, in the system of forward tax substitution, in which the substituted taxpayer resells the merchandise at a price lower than the assumed calculation basis for the collection of ICMS, the condition provided for in article 166 of the National Tax Code” is inapplicable, explains Amanda Nadal Gazzaniga, partner of ButtiniMoraes Advogados.

According to the tax official, in some states, such as Minas Gerais, taxpayers who requested the refund of ICMS-ST due to the difference between the value of the final transaction and the presumed value faced resistance from the Treasury Secretariats, which required proof of the acceptance of the financial burden.

The discussion on the inapplicability of art. 166 of the CTN became strongly relevant after the judgment by the STF, RE no. 593,849/MG, under the general repercussion system (Thema no. 201), in which it was established that “it is due to refund of the difference in the Tax on the Movement of Goods and Services (ICMS paid in excess in the forward tax substitution regime if the basis of effective calculation of the transaction is lower than the presumed”. “It turns out that, after the recognition of the right to restitution of ICMS-ST in this hypothesis, some States regulated the matter in order to restrict the return of the amount to taxpayers. Thus, in order to avoid economic losses, these same federation units began to require the proofs provided for in article 166 of CTN”, Amanda details. 

The lawyer gives as an example the State of Minas Gerais, which, in § 1 of article 46 of Annex VII of the RICMS/MG (Decree no. 48.589/2023), determines that: “only the taxpayer shall be entitled to the refund referred to in the caput, who has not passed on the amount of the tax claimed in the price of the goods or, if he has done so, is expressly authorized to receive it by the person who supported it, in which case the supporting documents must be kept at the disposal of the Treasury.”

In general, the CTN's provision aims to prevent the taxpayer from requesting the refund of indirect tax, whose financial burden has been borne by another person (called “contributor de facto”), and an exception is allowed only if that citizen expressly authorizes the taxpayer entitled to receive these amounts.

The justification for restricting the right to restitution is that the taxpayer of law, when selling goods with the tax included in the price, had already been compensated or reimbursed. Thus, if the payment of the tax was considered improper, return it to the taxpayer of law would result in unjustified enrichment, because he would be reimbursed twice. “ that, for the application of article 166 of the CTN, the analysis of the economic repercussion must be made in each specific case, being necessary to distinguish between situations that, although they seem similar, can lead to different legal results”, highlights the lawyer of ButtiniMorae.

As is the case of the refund in relation to the forward tax substitution regime, in which the tax is collected in advance, before the actual occurrence of the generating event, that is, before the sale to the final consumer. In such a way that the payment of the tax is based on an estimate that may not be confirmed. Thus, if the presumed value is greater than the realized, this justifies the return of the amount paid in excess, without the need to prove the transfer to the final consumer.

It is observed, therefore, that the amount to be refunded is not passed on to the final consumer at any time, since the charge is borne exclusively by the tax substitute, it is to this that the right to refund the tax is actually due. In fact, the refund of ICMS-ST paid in excess aims to prevent the State from unduly withholding values that do not correspond to the actual amount of the transaction. The application of article 166 of the CTN in these cases would hinder the legitimate return of taxes collected the largest, unfairly benefiting the tax authorities and not the taxpayer, by generating unjust enrichment for the State.

Thus, there is no doubt about the inapplicability of article 166 of the CTN in the refund for the tax substitute (retailer) of the ICMS-ST corresponding to the difference between the assumed calculation basis and the one actually practiced in the sales transactions to the final consumer.

The thesis recently established by the First Section of the STJ (Them 1.191), confirmed the jurisprudence of the court itself, which had already understood that: “in the systematic tax substitution forward, when the goods are purchased, the taxpayer replaced in advance collects the tax according to the estimated calculation basis, so that in the specific case of resale for lower value, the taxpayer collects the tax he has no way of recovering the tribute he has already paid, resulting in the discount on the final price of the product of the trader's own profit margin, being inapplicable, in kind, the condition to the repetitive claim that is dealt with art. 166 of CTN” (AgRg in REsp 630.966/RS, Rapporteur Minister Gurgel de Faria, First Class, DJe 22/05/2018). In the same sense: AgInt in REsp no. 1.956.315/MG, Rapporteur Minister REGina Helena Costa, Class, Class First Class 2/222.[1]

“Therefore, the STJ correctly closed the matter by recognizing that it is not necessary to comply with Article 166 of the CTN in situations where the refund of amounts paid in ICMS is sought in the forward tax substitution regime, especially when the basis for effective calculation of the transaction is lower than presumed, since, as shown, the burden is assumed only by the replaced tax”, concludes Amanda.

Integral Ad Science (IAS) appoints executives to lead operations and product gobal areas

Integral Ad Science (IAS), a leading global digital ad measurement and optimization platform, announces the appointment of Marc Grabowski as the new Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Srishti Gupta as the new Product Director (CPO).

Grabowski, former global vice president of Oracle Advertising, will oversee the global IAS business organization, prioritizing customer success activities, business strategy and business operations.Gupta, former product director at Rokt, will lead product strategy, including product development and go-to-market initiatives.Grabowski and Gupta will respond directly to Lisa Utzschneider, the CEO of IAS. 

“It is a great satisfaction to receive at IAS Marc and Srishti, who will enrich our senior leadership team, strengthen our culture of customer prioritization, and contribute to the development of our products, to solve the main needs of our customers and partners”, says Lisa Utzschneider, CEO of IAS. “Marc and Srishti share the focus on innovation and agility, something essential to our dynamic and fast-paced market segment.We look forward to the contributions of both to continue allowing customers to maximize their performance and expand their investments in digital media.

Grabowski brings extensive professional and leadership experience on both sides of supply and demand in the advertising industry.He joins IAS after leaving Oracle Advertising, where he led the global market insertion area for Oracle advertising products, including Moat, Datalogix, BlueKai and Grapeshot. Previously, Grabowski served as executive vice president of global sourcing and business development at Criteo; was CEO at Persio, a B2B mobile marketing platform, subsequently acquired by Clutch.com; and spent nearly a decade at Yahoo! in various sales roles.

“IAS' focus on data integrity, its trusted AI-based technology, and company capabilities for social media, open web, Connected TV (CTV) and other emerging channels are factors that make this opportunity exciting”, says Grabowski. “I am excited to add strategy and execution experiences to the strong IAS talent pool to deliver superior results to our customers and partners.”

Gupta is an experienced and visionary product leader with a history of growth across multiple advertising channels for B2B and B2C, including CTV. She recently served as chief product officer at Rokt, an ecommerce technology company where she was responsible for delivering relevant, high-performance experiences for billions of transactions. Prior to joining Rokt, Gupta was director of ad measurement at Amazon, where she led the creation of cross-channel measurement products.

“Marketing professionals seek to maximize the return on ad spend across all channels, and IAS has kept innovating with” fexibility and agility, says Gupta.“I am excited to build a strong foundation and drive value for customers through cutting-edge products that advance the IAS mission of providing reliability and transparency on digital media quality.” 

Sanofi Strengthens E-commerce with New Leader Appointment

Sanofi's Consumer Healthcare unit today announced the appointment of Erica d’Almeida and Silva as new Head of E-commerce. With over 12 years of experience in acceleration, growth and online sales, Erica arrives to lead the development and implementation of digital sales strategies, as well as optimize the user experience on the company's website.

This appointment underlines Sanofi's commitment to strengthening its digital presence and getting even closer to consumers. The Consumer Healthcare unit aims to significantly expand its online operations, reflecting the growing importance of e-commerce in the health and wellness sector.

Erica d’Almeida and Silva expressed their enthusiasm with the new challenge: “It is an honor to be able to join such a talented team! I am excited to offer my luggage and to boost our business more and more.” She highlighted her goal of contributing to the growth of the area and strengthening the relationship with consumers, focusing on leading brands such as Dorflex, Novalgina, Allegra and Enterogermina.

With an impressive career that includes stints with companies such as Red Bull, Whirlpool and Mercado Livre, Erica brings extensive experience in leading local and global teams.In her latest position at Red Bull, she led the acceleration and sustainable growth of e-commerce in Latin America and the Caribbean, developing strategic partnership agendas with online customers and platforms.

Erica's arrival at Sanofi marks an important moment for the company, which seeks to expand its digital presence and enhance the online shopping experience for its consumers.With her expertise in digital transformation and e-commerce strategies, she is expected to play a crucial role in the growth and innovation of Sanofi's Consumer Healthcare unit.

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