Australian IT Firm Delivers Luxury Loyalty Rewards Programs Using Low Code

The global luxury market, valued at nearly $300 billion with a projected annual growth rate of almost 5%, demands the epitome of excellence, from the products to the services down to tokens of appreciation.   

At the heart of the luxury industry lies the significance of customer retention and engagement. A report from the Harvard Business Review highlights the pivotal role loyalty programs play in driving revenue growth, emphasizing that customer loyalty transcends mere monetary incentives or lavish gifts — instead, it’s about crafting experiences that resonate deeply with patrons, establishing lasting brand relationships.  

Mackbron PTY LTD a tech company based in Australia, aims to help luxury brands deliver a first-class customer experience through custom digital solutions. Leveraging Caspio’s low-code platform, they designed loyalty program software for luxury brands, fostering their customers’ trust and deepening brand loyalty through personalized experiences and exclusive rewards.   

Mackbron PTY, FIDA LOREM: Setting Up Shop  

In 2007, an Australian-based French couture brand set its sights on expanding its reach across the Pacific region. Seeking to entice the local market, the company reached out to IT veteran John Hallis to develop a unique luxury gift card system aimed at attracting new clientele. Leveraging his extensive background in technology and digital payments, he swiftly created a custom loyalty rewards system for the brand. This system not only appealed to a sophisticated user base, but also simplified in-store transactions, enhancing the shopping experience between customers and staff.  

Six years later, in 2013, Hallis was once again tapped by another luxury brand to provide a custom loyalty program for the launch of its flagship store in the Sydney central business district. With expansion plans looming in Melbourne and New Zealand, Hallis rose to the occasion, crafting a custom loyalty software to support their growth initiatives. His success didn’t stop there, as he continued to collaborate with numerous luxury brands, all seeking to attract, nurture and retain high-end clientele through tailored rewards programs.  

Thus, Hallis’ Mackbron PTY LTD was born. Under the business name FIDA LOREM, Mackbron PTY creates secure and customized loyalty program apps for luxury brands, such as gift card systems and comprehensive rewards plans. Its goal is to support brands in their expansion into major fashion districts and upscale hubs like airports and entertainment districts, helping facilitate their establishment and growth in new markets.  

In a world where every customer interaction matters, Mackbron PTY empowers luxury brands to build lasting connections, driving growth and loyalty in today’s competitive retail environment. However, navigating this path to success was no small feat, as Hallis faced several obstacles along the way.  

Rising Above Legacy Challenges   

Sitting down for an interview with Caspio’s ‘Low Code/High Impact’ podcast series, Hallis shared, “Being in technical support for many years, I know that legacy systems take forever to get things done.”   

Many luxury brands, particularly those that have been around for a long time, still use traditional, often paper-based systems. Some retailers even lack these management tools altogether. Most of their existing systems are fraught with risks and inefficiencies, including data silos, compromised data integrity and security, extensive maintenance costs and more.

LOW CODE FOR BUSINESSES: Watch Caspio’s Low Code/High Impact series on YouTube or listen via podcast platforms to learn how low code helps transform businesses.   

To deliver a bespoke loyalty program to his clients, Hallis himself needed a quick-to-deploy custom solution. Off-the-shelf software did not cut it, so he turned to Caspio to create exactly what he had in mind. “I wanted to find a low-code platform because I needed something secure, accessible and easy to migrate to,” he explained.   

Redefining Luxury Experiences With Caspio   

Hallis needed a tool to easily transport his old systems into a web-based database. The goal was to empower his clients to do the same with minimal support, all while safeguarding their data and expediting development processes for a faster time-to-market.   

He discovered Caspio’s low-code platform and was drawn by its integration capabilities, which addressed many of his challenges on data migration. “We were using different platforms — I was looking at a web-based platform that I would do myself, a third-party database and more,” he explained.   

But beyond that, it was Caspio’s people that ultimately won him over. Hallis noted, “What really convinced me was the commitment from the people that I work with at Caspio.”   

After signing up for the platform, Hallis enlisted the help of Caspio’s Professional Services team to take his work even further. He described his experience with the team as “extraordinary,” appreciating their talents and passion to solve problems enthusiastically.   

“The positive persistence of the Caspio team played a pivotal role in driving the success of the platform I have today.”   

John Hallis
Founder & Director
Mackbron PTY LTD

Hallis especially appreciated the synergy that came with working with experts, saying, “You don’t really need an in-depth technical background. What you need is to understand your business and the outcome you want.”   

As an IT professional himself, Hallis welcomed the business perspective that Caspio brought into the partnership. Instead of getting caught up in the minutia of the project, he could focus on the bigger picture and leave the details for the Professional Services team to sort out.   

“It’s key that you know your business process and desired outcome. Then the Professional Services can turn that into a solution,” he emphasized.    

Luxe Program, Bountiful Rewards   

Mackbron PTY’s loyalty rewards program is no run-of-the-mill gift card service.    

These rewards programs are custom to each of Mackbron PTY’s clients, carefully curated to match their unique needs, requirements, and even branding and identity. “I specialize in the high-end retail sector where branding plays a very crucial role,” explained Hallis.  

“When customers are shopping in-store, they want to have a good experience,” he elaborated. “For example, a customer might be buying gifts for someone who’s getting married or for an anniversary, and you put value on their cards. They come home with branded packaging, but they don’t just see the brand name. They also envision what they could potentially get as a gift from the company.”  

This is precisely what Mackbron PTY aims to deliver. According to him, a smooth transaction experience is a core part of luxury customers’ buying journey, which is why brands go out of their way to ensure their systems work. He explained, “Things can change often on the fly. If a customer says they want to buy a $100 gift card and you accidentally give them a $1000 gift card, you must be able to quickly void and alter that.”  

Another notable aspect of the system is its simplicity. Designed with user-friendliness in mind, the system requires minimal onboarding for staff to become familiar with it. Its intuitive design and accessibility facilitate seamless operations, allowing both customers and staff to adapt quickly. This is particularly advantageous during peak seasons, such as holidays, when temporary personnel may need to be quickly onboarded.  

Aside from providing gift card assistance, the Caspio-powered system also serves as a digital finance backbone for their clients. “Prior to having this system, most of them relied on manual processes, which were fraught with problems,” he revealed. With this new software, they get accounting support that adheres to strict regulations like Sarbanes-Oxley compliance for American companies.  

It also brings a secure infrastructure that houses customer data, making it easier for the team at Mackbron PTY to update existing security and privacy systems based on their needs. He emphasized its importance, saying, “When you work with high-end brands, they look thoroughly at the type of security and privacy arrangements you can offer.”  

Mackbron PTY’s loyalty rewards program represents a commitment to excellence in the luxury retail sector. By providing seamless transactions and stringent security measures, they’re able to enhance the overall shopping experience for both customers and staff alike.  

Fashioning the Future   

With mergers and acquisitions happening in the global luxury industry, Mackbron PTY has its hands full of upcoming projects. “Many companies are still behind in terms of modernizing their systems,” Hallis explained. “There are opportunities to expand quite significantly.”   

Caspio will be a vital part of this journey. Hallis has his eyes set on rolling out globally and is confident that Caspio will make this transition much easier for his company. “I could see us moving into a much larger business-type platform. There’s immense potential for growth.”   

Mackbron PTY’s journey has shown that businesses have what it takes to meet their digital needs — whether they have extensive, in-house IT resources or not.   

With Caspio’s low-code platform and Professional Services team, even a one-man team can deliver incredible solutions for their clients. “If you’re considering low code, then engage with it quickly — you won’t regret it,” Hallis shared.   

Ready to experience the low-code difference? Contact us today to learn how Caspio’s Professional Services team can help create the solutions you need to succeed in the digital world.