Multichannel is a term that is used in many arenas. The term is often used in digital marketing, where it is about being present in multiple channels, both online and offline, and in a combination of the two.
The same also applies in the “billing world", which is what we are focusing on here. By “Multichannel” here, we mean “a common platform for distributing invoices and other types of documents via all available distribution channels”.
The whole concept of multichannel is to digitalize as much of the company's document distribution as possible, increase internal control by providing a holistic picture of the entire organisation's distribution, and offer more tools to enable customers to actively work on what we like to refer to as the "customer journey", or the customer's relationship with you as a supplier.
In many cases, the invoices that are sent may be the only form of communication that the supplier has with its end customer. It is therefore a great advantage if you can personalise and adapt the invoice to suit the end customer. This can help to reduce customer churn or sell more. Invoices can therefore be sent with a customised message and layout, and delivered via the customer's preferred payment channel.
Multichannel is often based on single file receipt, i.e. the provider should not have to create several different types of files for sending to the individual distribution channels. It should be easy to use new payment/distribution channels, and it should not be necessary to make changes to your own systems.
The task of multichannel is to convert documents and invoice files, and then distribute them to the appropriate distribution channels, such as AvtaleGiro, eFaktura, Vipps, Mobile payment, e-mail, SMS, access point (EHF) and digital mailboxes such as digipost and e-Boks.
Multichannel is integrated with the various distribution channels and always keeps track of which payment channels the recipient wishes to receive invoices via. The logic in Multichannel ensures that invoices are distributed in order of priority, as determined by the invoice supplier, the customer who uses Multichannel.
When Cegal talks about “multichannel”, we do so through our Cegal Multi Channel Invoicing service. This is a platform that offers complete flexibility as regards the choice of invoicing and payment forms. This flexibility can be passed on to the end customer, who can then choose between different invoice and payment options.
Our integrated "payment radar" continuously monitors the most commonly used payment solutions on the market. The system continually scans the market, and when new payment solutions are implemented, our customers are automatically given the option of accessing the payment options concerned, without any need for further development.
Cegal Multi Channel Invoice covers payment options throughout the Nordic region. The following are offered in Norway: