Business SMS - Short message service

Available on mobile digital GSM networks, this allows text messages of up to 160 characters to be sent and received via the network operator's message centre to your mobile phone, or from the Internet, using an SMS gateway. If the phone is powered off or out of range, messages are stored in the network and are delivered at the next opportunity.

Benefits

SMS messages are often more convenient to receive than a phone call.  They can also be faster to type and send than making a call. The same text messages can also be sent to groups of people and can be used, for example, for internal company communication as well as dealing with suppliers and customers. 

Changing a business process to use SMS updates to keep people informed can increase customer satisfaction and also reduce costs - because the customers don’t need to call in to find out what is going on.

SMS in Action

A perishable goods wholesaler can send a text message to all local grocers advising them that there are special deals on offer as stocks reach sell by dates. They reply yes and receive a phone call from the wholesaler to take their order immediately. Stock that would otherwise have been destroyed is suddenly generating revenue!

The process of selling houses is often long and fraught for both buyers and sellers alike. In the middle of the transaction is the solicitor who spends too long on the phone giving clients updates of the progress of their sale/purchase. Instead of taking or making all these calls why not send out a weekly text message to clients advising then of progress?

From the outset the buyer/seller knows they will be kept up to date with progress and the solicitor can focus on the business in hand – Conveyancing. Productivity is enhanced at the same time as customer service is improved and costs reduced as text messages are cheaper than phone calls.