Lufthansa Launches MemberScout Location-based Mobile Social Network

Lufthansa has announced the launch of MemberScout, the air travel industrys first real-time, location-based social networking solution for frequent flyers. MemberScout enables its users to instantly swap, share or exchange knowledge and ideas. The application, available as an iPhone and soon also BlackBerry application, was developed by mobile apps developer match2blue, using the Apama Business Event Processing (BEP) platform from Progress Software Corporation.
MemberScout was launched in beta to Lufthansas Miles & More members in November 2009. Its an instant information exchange through which participants offer each other help and advice, asking questions and providing information related to destinations and travel. Match2Blue created the mobile app to support Lufthansas customer relationship strategy, though rather than using the social network to push out information about flights, it has been designed as a member-helps-member service.
Our vision is to help frequent flyers connect with each other to benefit from peer group advice, says Lufthansa Head of Social Media, Dr. Torsten Wingenter. Ultimately, it will support engagement with the Lufthansa and Miles & More brands, but is not a sales tool we are helping the business community that flies with us to gain the benefits of being in that community, wherever and whenever they need to. 
Dr. Giles Nelson, Chief Technology Strategist at Progress Software, believes the MemberScout service could prove invaluable to Lufthansa customers. 
Imagine how essential the service could become to MemberScout members, she says. For instance, you land in Heathrow and see updates on the quickest way into London that morning so ensuring you make your meeting as reported by other MemberScout members. The possibilities are limitless.