The Automobile Association of South Africa acquires stakes in mobile security service
The AA offers its members access to immediate security service provision fast and effectively.
Calling All Stations Immediately (CASI) is a personalised security app that offers immediate security service provision at the push of a button. It is now part of the AA’s services bouquet to its members.
Users can activate the service at home, at their offices, in their vehicles, at public venues (such as shopping malls or at outside events) or even at schools. The service is available to the AA members at discounted rates, and to non-members at an affordable cost. This removes the focus from the vehicle to the person and is another part of the association’s quest to provide diversified services to the market.
The AA is proud that it can provide these services to a person regardless of their geographical location by utilising this technology.
“We’ve essentially been in the mobile response business throughout our 92-year history – people on the road need help, call us, and we assist them – so this is a natural extension of the services we offer. Three years ago we added security services through CASI to our roadside and emergency medical response solutions, an addition that strengthens our offering to members. Buying a significant stake in CASI shows our commitment to the business and the service they provide and underscores our trust in a product that can genuinely mean the difference between life and death,” said Willem Groenewald, the AA CEO.
The AA’s share in CASI is an indication of the association’s growing investment in strategic technology partnerships and shows the AA’s commitment to making technology the backbone of its service offering to its members, said Groenewald.
“The goal of this transaction was to create a strategic alignment between the businesses (CASI and the AA), both on a technology front and through the services offered. This deal positions the AA at the forefront of mobile security service providers and enables CASI to work with a partner who understands the value of investing in technology where it matters,” said Jaco de Villiers, CASI’s managing director.
“We were the first company to provide mobile panic solutions in South Africa and we pride ourselves on being innovative and forward-thinking. The AA is a similar company that is always looking for new avenues to enhance member benefits. This partnership will take both our businesses to new heights and offer South Africans a product which is truly unique and, most importantly, extremely useful,” said De Villiers.
“We want to provide our members with the best services and benefits in the market and it’s critical that we partner with like-minded companies who are innovative and driven by technology to ensure this, all at an affordable cost to consumers. Our partnership with CASI is a vital element of our strategy into the future to make this happen,” concluded Groenewald.
Source: AA
