Sometimes you just need a ride somewhere, and there's no one around to help. That makes ridesharing services like BlaBlaCar's all the more valuable, and BlaBlaCar is looking to make its services more available thanks to a new connection with Nexmo.
The combined effort calls for Nexmo's short messaging service (SMS) application programming interface (API) to augment BlaBlaCar's messaging system, allowing it to route over 100,000 such messages a day, and for less cost than is currently seen. It's expected to lower BlaBlaCar's communications costs by up to 15 percent, while still delivering a fairly high volume of messages.
Reports suggest that BlaBlaCar turned to Nexmo thanks to its ability to work with BlaBlaCar's preferred communications method, easily connecting non-professional drivers to those in need of a ride. Nexmo's Adaptive Routing system also stepped in to provide the fastest routing for the messages, helping to improve reliability and reduce costs.
The power of the API in modern business development is well-known, and for those not already familiar, further evidence will be provided in grand style this summer in Las Vegas. At Caesar's Palace, July 18 – 21, the event called All About the API will not only show off what's going on in the field already with company-focused workshops, but also generate some of the next big developments with a set of hackathons set to run during the event.
BlaBlaCar's technical lead, Nicolas Schwartz, offered comment: “For over a year, Nexmo has helped us ensure our community is getting the most reliable communications and deliver the best service possible. Communication is one of the pillars of reliable transportation—when you're arranging for a ride, you want the immediacy of text messages, especially when things change. Driver and passenger satisfaction is crucial for us, and Nexmo provides the solutions we need for the satisfaction of our community.”
This news is an example of just how important an API can be. It provides better, faster messaging and helps users better connect. While driving services these days have come under fire from several directions—Uber has been involved in its share of controversies from drivers that perhaps should have been better vetted to the encroachment it makes on the cab driver market—making a service that's not only safer but also easier to use is the kind of thing that most companies would want to see. A safer, easier to use service means a better customer experience, and that means a greater likelihood of users coming back for more.
BlaBlaCar's new use of Nexmo API may not keep it as a big name in the field, but it's not likely to hurt. Adjusting a service to provide more value is a smart idea, and one that should yield plenty of value down the line.
Edited by
Stefania Viscusi
