EAGAN, Minn. — Vikings fans who have already made it out for a **Verizon Vikings Training Camp** session have been able have their questions answered quickly and conveniently through technology and a partnership with Satisfi Labs.
Satisfi Labs formally announced the partnership Thursday morning, broadening its AI-powered Knowledge Management Platform onto Apple Business Chat and providing a new way for users to communicate directly with businesses using the Messages app on iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch.
In less than a full week of training camp, the Satisfi Labs virtual assistant has assisted with nearly 3,500 inbound messages from fans and facilitated nearly 1,000 conversations to help fans navigate events and activities at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center.
The top topics have been the autograph schedule, team/player info, tickets and parking, food locations, and things for fans to do.
"It's important for us to continue making training camp accessible to Vikings fans and ensuring a family-friendly experience," said Vikings Chief Marketing Officer & EVP Steve LaCroix. "Our aim is to consistently provide innovative ways to bring our fans closer to the excitement surrounding the team, including upgrading customer services and leveraging technology in new ways.
"We're glad to continue our partnership with Satisfi Labs to accomplish these goals and incorporate Apple Business Chat into our fan engagement strategy to provide the most seamless experience possible," LaCroix added. "Apple Business Chat makes communicating with us as easy as messaging a friend, so we expect it will quickly become our customers' preferred customer service channel."
The Satisfi Labs Knowledge Management Platform available on Apple Business Chat allows fans to communicate directly with the Vikings using the Messages app on iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch.
To start an Apple Business Chat, fans can open their camera to scan a QR code that has been placed throughout camp and in the free training camp **Playbook**. A conversation with the Vikings will open instantly in the Messages app, and users can take their time responding when it's convenient.
Apple Business Chat is available in beta for users and businesses worldwide and is built into iOS 11.3 and higher. For more information visit: apple.com/ios/business-chat. With Business Chat, customers can always reach a live person and are always in control of whether they share any contact information with a business.
The expansion for training camp builds on the partnership between Satisfi and the Vikings that has been in place at U.S. Bank Stadium since 2017. The in-stadium virtual assistant helps answer questions on game days.
In 2018, the Vikings participated in 54,161 conversations with fans and fielded more than 75,000 inbound questions.
Questions about the overall venue, such as times for the gates to open, the NFL's bag policy, tickets and parking accounted for 46 percent of the exchanges.
Food questions accounted for 20 percent, with where to get cheese curds leading the way. There also were questions about gluten-free offerings and where other food items are located.
Questions about the team and the Vikings schedule accounted for 16 percent.
"The Minnesota Vikings are continuously driving innovation when it comes to fan engagement through exceptional customer service and information accessibility," said Don White, CEO and co-founder of Satisfi Labs. "Utilizing our knowledge management platform on Apple Business Chat to answer fan questions using the Messages app on iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch shows a true dedication to providing a world-class user experience."
