These Companies Have an SMS Solution. Do You?

Having an SMS solution at hand saves money on communication, increases communicative reach and ensures that it’s easier for your customers to invest in your business. Numerous South African businesses in different sectors have already invested in SMS communication with great success.

Like most other business decisions, when faced with the decision of investing in an SMS solution, it all comes down to “what’s in it for me?” Ask yourself these questions before you decide:

• Can SMS be used to enhance customer/co-worker/supplier communication?
• Is there an SMS solution with the potential to increase sales?
• Is it available for businesses of any size?
• How much will it cost?

The South African companies below asked themselves the above questions and came up with the following answers…

Vouchers

“Cellpower” as it is known in the Tshwane area, is a pioneering service that allows home owners and businesses to buy prepaid electricity via SMS. According to SABC News, vendors will be able to buy electricity and sell it to consumers using SMS technology.

The benefit:

• Individuals who need to top up their electricity will have easier access to prepaid vouchers.
• Electricity can be bought at any time, meaning no more travelling after dark or through dangerous areas.
• Performing an SMS transaction is cheap in comparison to fuel and/or taxi costs.

Supplier Communication

The South African Construction Industry Board (CIDB) uses SMS to communicate with a database of construction companies.

The Benefit:

• Money saved on telephone calls.
• Clearer communication on site, especially when considering the noise-levels at many construction sites.
• Messages can be stored and replied to, thereby avoiding possible communication mishaps.

Project Management / Education

The SA Sugar Association initiated a pilot project to supply farmers in the Pongola area with irrigation advice. According to project details, commercial farmers of all sizes will receive one SMS a week instructing them whether or not to irrigate their crops.

The Benefit:

• Instant widespread communication.
• Project coordination.
• Increased potential of success.

Making Use of an SMS Solution

There exist a variety of tools that will allow each and every business to integrate an SMS solution into their current communication framework. These include:

The Desktop Application

A number of desktop applications are available for download and installation. These allow for the transmission of SMS and the management of either simple or complex address books with relative ease. An example of a desktop application as an SMS solution.

The Web Based Application

Operating system independent, the web based application will work in almost any browser, on any computer connected to the internet. As with the desktop application, the web based application allows for the sending and receiving of messages, reporting and the management of contact lists. An example of a web based SMS solution can be found on Clickatell’s Communicator page.

Application Programming Interfaces (API’s)

The API’s consist of a variety of modules – each allowing custom integration with existing software and websites. These API’s provide customisable functionality and often (though not in all cases) only require a intermediate HTML knowledge to implement. The API’s that can be used as SMS solutions include:

• HTTP/S (Web to SMS)
• FTP (Web to SMS)
• XML (Web/App to SMS)
• .COM (Windows/ASP to SMS)
• SOAP (Web/App to SMS)
• SMTP (Email to SMS)
• SMPP (App to SMS)

Using any of the above will allow you to get in touch with customers and co-workers with relative ease whilst saving on communication costs. Visit SMS solutions, there are for your business.

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Tags: Clickatell ZA, Clickatell's SMS Solutions, Developers SMS API's, SMS Solution, SMS solutions, text messaging service