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State Farm lets consumers virtually pack for a move via iPad app

State Farm is helping consumers move via a relocation planning and household inventory assistant application.

The MoveTools application lets consumers plan their tasks, pack, organize their stuff and manage their entire move from start to finish. The application is available as a free download in Apple?s App Store.

?The idea for the app was to leverage the iPad form factor while contributing to the business opportunity of retaining moving customers,? said Eli Winn, manager at State Farm Enterprise Internet Solutions, Bloomington, IL.

?The value of the application is meeting a true customer need, shifting brand perception and contributing to the retention of customers who are in the process of moving,? she said. ?We are leveraging the iPad to create a unique innovative experience, from virtually packing to printable QR code labels so customers can keep better track of what they packed.

?We hope the application will keep the State Farm brand positioned in movers? minds in a positive way.?

The State Farm application features a week-by-week checklist of 34 moving tasks.

Users can use the smart labels, which feature mobile bar codes

On the move
Users can enter their move date and add specific tasks to make a personalized to-do list.

Additionally, there is an interactive packing screen that lets users go room-by-room in their house and virtually pack and organize their stuff.

?We wanted to leverage the iPad?s engaging form factor, large display and multi-touch capabilities by using bright colorful illustrations with a unique packing experience,? Ms. Winn said.

?State Farm?s focus is on the customer,? she said. ?We want to deliver the products that our customers want and let them choose their preferred access point ? agent, call center, online, mobile.

?Mobile serves as a primary access point for many customers and we want to enable those customers to have the products they need, when they need them.?

Mobile codes
The application also features smart labels with mobile bar codes.

Users can virtually move via the application

Users can label their boxes and use their handset to read the labels and reveal the contents of any box without opening it.

In addition, users can make an inventory of all your possessions and the boxes in which they are located, as well as search their inventory to find any item.

?We are still developing our comprehensive tablet strategy, but customers can expect to see more financial features available on mobile in early 2011 and throughout the rest of the year,? Ms. Winn said.

Final Take
Here is a demo of the iPad application.