Implementing Bulk SMS in the Travel Industry with Database Triggers

Database triggers make light work of bulk SMS messaging in the travel and hospitality industry.

The automation of bulk SMS messages pose a problem to many businesses in the travel industry that seek to communicate important information to their clients. Information types that should be communicated to current and prospective customers include those that would essentially help them plan their journey, including confirmation, alerts and notifications. This can be achieved by implementing SQL database triggers in the database.

How do Triggers Work?

A trigger is a procedure which is executed when an INSERT, UPDATE or DELETE occurs in a specific table. These triggers are implicitly executed and can be used to invoke stored procedures that allow for the transmission of bulk SMS messages to contacts.

With certain database systems triggers can also be stored outside of the database. One example is with Oracle Forms that form part of the Oracle Forms application. In this instance a trigger is fired when a specific trigger point is executed.

Implementing Triggers

Oracle, MySQL and many other database engines support database trigger functionality. This means that travel companies running both proprietary and open source databases will be able to implement these triggers to communicate with contacts using bulk SMS. In terms of the implementation, two key areas in the organisation become involved:

Marketing

Marketing – Before triggers can be implemented for bulk SMS messages, it is important to determine which messages will be sent to customers. Naturally this depends on the information available to the company – one company might have a facility for automatic weather alert updates. This type of service can be used to inform travellers of weather conditions at their destination. Another company might have access to information pertaining to available rates and/or specials at restaurants and hotels, which might prove useful to travellers in that area.

Software Development / Engineering

Once the message types have been decided on, the development team has to implement the SQL triggers in the appropriate tables. As soon as values are added, changed or removed, this will then activate the database trigger, thereby using bulk SMS to inform clients of the relevant changes.

Naturally the teams that implement bulk SMS will also have to consider which API is appropriate for said implementation. This depends on the software environment being used, and also on the messaging requirements of the business.

There’s more information about the integration of SMS into the business. Just visit our bulk SMS page now.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.