SMS improves business communications strategy

The number of enterprises adopting SMS as part of their communications strategy continues to grow as they are realising the advantages that can be gained across their organisation. There is great potential for enterprise SMS as highlighted by the recent Ofcom report The Communications Market Report: United Kingdom which revealed that the popularity of SMS is rising.

Within enterprises, SMS is being used as a way of communicating more effectively with staff. One example of this is where an SMS alert is sent to employees to notify them of company information such as office closures and meetings scheduled. As staff are alerted immediately, and can respond where necessary, the enterprise will save a significant amount of time and improve efficiency.

Enterprises are also using SMS messages for external communications such as updating potential new staff applying for positions within the business. In this instance, SMS alerts can be sent to conveniently notify candidates of the status of their application thus ensuring they do not miss any crucial updates and shortening the recruitment process. Furthermore, enterprises are able to check the status of the sent SMS message by using delivery receipts. This provides the enterprise with the ability to audit sent messages and encourage feedback from the recipients.

SMS alerts are also being used within business CRM systems as a way of communicating with customers. A great example of this can be found in the airline industry which utilise SMS for mobile ticketing helping improve efficiency and enhancing the customer service experience. Airlines are also using SMS to communicate with passengers by providing updates concerning changes or cancellations to passenger flights, or general service information. This helps to significantly improve customer satisfaction as customers are informed immediately of any changes to their flights and allows them to respond where necessary.

An easy way for enterprises to introduce SMS alerts into their communications strategy is by adopting an EmailSMS solution. This is ideal for companies wishing to adopt an extremely straightforward SMS solution as it is easy to implement and requires very little technical knowledge.

Using HSL's EmailSMS solution couldn’t be simpler and companies can use any existing email software such as Microsoft Outlook. To send a message, you would simply compose an email as normal however in the ‘To' field you would include the mobile number in the email address. Staff or customers can also reply back to messages they receive on their mobile phone as they would reply to any other text message.

To read examples of how HSL's EmailSMS solution can be applied to improve your corporate communications, please view our case studies.

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mHealth - mobile technology for the healthcare sector

mHealth is described as the adoption of mobile technology within healthcare organisations and is becoming the new buzz word within the healthcare sector. According to an article by mHIMMS a “perfect storm of factors is coming together to ensure that mHealth explodes into mainstream consciousness by the end of 2012.”

Mobile technology can be applied across all healthcare organisations from hospitals, to clinics, to specialised health applications. Within hospitals the technology is used to offer in patient entertainment and communication facilities, reducing feelings of isolation by the patient whilst helping to make hospital stays that little bit more pleasant. Additionally, as hospitals continue to face growing pressure to improve productivity and meet strict budget and regulation requirements, mobile technology is revealing itself as a way of enabling cost efficiencies through automating and simplifying processes.

According to an article by FierceMobileHealthcare, doctors in particular are enthusiastic about mHealth with findings showing that almost 90% of doctors are keen to introduce mHealth. The article also shows that nearly 90% of doctors want patients to monitor health indicators such as weight, blood sugar levels and vital signs via mobile devices. This form of remote monitoring can be easily achieved through, for example, a customised app on the patient’s mobile handset or by simply texting their indicator details to their doctor or practice.

The use of SMS text messaging in GP practices is not a new concept as it is already used within a number of UK practices for sending patient appointment reminders or alerting patients when to take medication. SMS is a simple yet very effective means of communicating with people and unlike the telephone or postal service, is generally considered to be more discreet, immediate and less subject to delay. It is also convenient as messages can be sent outwith standard GP practice office hours thus making it easier to confirm, reschedule or cancel appointments which benefits the patient and also the practice by reducing the number of missed appointments.

A number of healthcare organisations already use HSL’s reliable and easy to use SMS services for these purposes and more. Further information on HSL’s mobile messaging services for the healthcare sector can be found on our website at http://www.hslsms.com/sectors/healthcare/.

Alternatively, visit us at:

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follow us on Twitter @HSLSMS

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or email us at sales@haysystems.com

Banks embrace SMS to improve security

Every individual wants to know their bank accounts are safe but unfortunately this is not always the case. Recently, it was reported that as a result of human error, banking information along with the personal details of councillors from a UK city was accidently released to a member of the public. Maybe even more concerning is the recent estimate from the National Fraud Authority’s third Annual Fraud Indicator (AFI) that the cost of fraud in the UK has now risen to a massive £73 billion a year from last year’s estimate of £38 billion. Clearly security breaches still take place within banking institutions and this is particularly concerning considering fraud is on the rise. It is therefore even more critical that banks and finance companies make security and fraud prevention a number one priority.

SMS alerts can provide a reliable tool for banking firms to tackle these issues. With almost everyone in the UK having a mobile phone, and most messages estimated to be read within a matter of minutes, SMS communications allow banking institutions to reach customers anywhere and at any time. As a result, accounts can be monitored in real time to avert security breaches from taking place and quickly resolving any issues when they do arise. For example, banks can use SMS to send customers secure passwords when they set up a new direct debit via their online banking facility. In order to complete the process, customers are required to enter the password online, helping prevent fraud from occurring in the first place. Customers can then also flag up any changes attempted to their account without their knowledge.

As a result, SMS security alerts can also improve customer satisfaction. Customers are instantly aware of any security concerns and with additional safety steps in place, they can rest assured that their information is being safeguarded. Furthermore, by allowing customers to set up their own security alerts such as sending a notification when their cards are used for overseas transactions, they can control the nature and regularity of when information is received leading to greater overall customer satisfaction.

Additionally, banking SMS alerts have also been found to enhance customer loyalty and attract new customers which is crucial considering the competitiveness of the banking market today. The ath Power 2012 Mobile Banking study found that only about 1 in 8 mobile banking customers stated they would switch banks within 2 years compared to 1 in 5 within the general customer group. Furthermore, the quality of mobile banking was a key consideration for the most affluent and small business owners when deciding which bank to select.

It is therefore not surprising that banking institutions are rapidly embracing SMS to protect customers' details and accounts against security risks. We would expect security to remain a number one priority for banks, and with additional benefits such as greater customer satisfaction and loyalty, banks have even more incentive to continue adopting SMS.

At HSL, we have been providing high quality and reliable SMS services since 1999 and banking and finance is one of the many sectors which we serve. For further information on how HSL’s mobile messaging services can help you, please visit our website at http://www.hslsms.com/sectors/banking-and-finance/.

Alternatively, visit us at:

http://www.linkedin.com/company/hay-systems-ltd

follow us on Twitter @HSLSMS

or call us on +44 (0)1506 605260

or email us at sales@haysystems.com

How can SMS help agricultural growth?

One of the biggest challenges facing agriculture today is changeable weather conditions. An extreme case was experienced recently in the UK where drought was declared in many of the UK's largest wheat growing regions in England. Then just a few weeks later this was followed by one of the wettest months on record and even led to a number of flood warnings.

Changes in weather conditions like this can have a huge impact on crops, pricing and wildlife and ultimately curb agricultural growth. With weather conditions becoming more extreme and varied these days, it is becoming more apparent that we need more accurate and timely information.

SMS alerts are proving to be a very useful tool to overcome these challenges within agriculture. For example, Makerere University illustrates how farmers in Uganda have dealt with problems of drought by developing a mobile-based early warning system and sending SMS alerts about the availability of water. This is expected to help farmers reduce lost cattle and increase milk production. Elsewhere, SMS message alerts are being used to send information on current weather conditions to improve crop yields.These types of alerts can send much needed information instantly, accurately and reliably which can significantly help farmers to plan ahead and respond to changing conditions much more quickly and effectively.

Fluctuating pricing is also causing havoc as farmers find it more and more difficult to get the best price in different markets. However, text alerts can give farmers current pricing information straight to their mobile handset. The International Telecommunication Union reports that farmers in India and Ghana are already using message alerts for these purposes and are achieving better pricing as a result.

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations have also reported that fishermen are using SMS not only for pricing information but also for information on supply and demand within markets. This is allowing them to reduce waste substantially and even sell supplies whilst still out at sea! SMS text alerts are clearly proving to be a really valuable communication tool for farmers and fishermen as they are able to receive the crucial information they need quickly and reliably.

Given all the benefits of using SMS within agriculture, it is surprising that it is being adopted by the UK at a considerably slower pace than overseas markets, especially considering some of the extreme weather we have been witnessing recently. A survey conducted by Farmers Weekly concluded that 56% of farmers could not live without their mobile phones, which again highlights the enormous potential for SMS communications to be used widely within this sector.

At HSL, we have been providing SMS services since 1999 and agriculture is one of the many sectors which we serve. For further information on how HSL’s mobile messaging services can help you, please visit our website at http://www.hslsms.com/sectors/agriculture/.

Alternatively, visit us at:

http://www.linkedin.com/company/hay-systems-ltd

follow us on Twitter @HSLSMS

or call us on +44 (0)1506 605260

or email us at sales@haysystems.com

How are Airlines benefitting from mobile technology?

The use of mobile technology within enterprises is becoming more commonplace and one interesting case is how it is being adopted by airlines. Many airlines are now seeing the potential business benefits for SMS use within the travel industry with one of the main benefits of using SMS being cost efficiencies. Given the ever increasing price of fuel, costs are clearly a prime concern for this sector.

As such airlines are now introducing technology to various stages of the journey to improve efficiency. Mobile ticketing is being used as a means of streamlining the check in procedure resulting in fewer staff being required and generally speeding up the process – a benefit to both airlines and passengers.

Mobile technology, and SMS in particular, can also be used to enhance the passenger experience in other ways. Passengers want assurance from their chosen airline that they will arrive at their destination on time as scheduled. As such any planned or unexpected interruptions to their travel could cause not only a delay in their arrival but also have knock on effects to further activities, for instance, holidays, business meetings or connecting flights. Therefore it is crucial for passengers to be alerted to any changes to their schedule and to receive this time sensitive information as and when it is generated. SMS is therefore the ideal solution for airlines to communicate flight or service information updates as it provides immediate notifications to passengers. It can be easily used by airlines to update passengers on the move who may not have access to a computer or internet link but most likely will be carrying their mobile phones.

SMS is also used within airports for system monitoring. SMS alerts can be generated and sent to warn staff of system failures or downtime. In addition to this, SMS is also being used for communication between employees within airports and airlines.

When you take into account the requirement for increasing cost efficiencies, coupled with the pressure from passengers to constantly review and improve airlines services, it is of no surprise that SMS is taking off within airlines as they adopt mobile technology into their business not only for mobile ticketing but also for improving the passenger experience itself.

SMS is discreet and perfect for travellers on the move and considering the high read rates for SMS, airlines can rest assured that updating passengers by SMS is an effective and receptive method for receiving flight and travel information.

HSL have been providing SMS services since 1999 and the travel industry is one of the many sectors which we serve. Further information on our mobile messaging services for the transport industry can be found on our website at http://www.hslsms.com/sectors/transport-and-logistics/.

Alternatively, visit us at:

http://www.linkedin.com/company/hay-systems-ltd

follow us on Twitter @HSLSMS

or call us on +44 (0)1506 605260

or email us at sales@haysystems.com

Technology sector takes to text alerts

The Post Office came in for criticism earlier this month when its main IT system crashed for the fourth time in nine months. It is just the latest example of the disruption - and bad publicity - that can be caused by computer network failures.

There are many reasons why a network can go down: power outages, temperature fluctuations in server storage areas, or human error when making a change to the system, to name but a few. The complexity of the systems involved mean that slight changes can make a big difference, but be almost impossible for IT specialists to spot.

That is why many businesses, particularly those with large corporate networks, or those with a big online presence, rely on some form of network monitoring. This keeps a permanent eye on the state of websites, servers or databases, and sends out automated alerts to staff - often by SMS - as soon as something goes wrong.

It is not surprising that network administrators, and the technology sector as a whole, have been keen to make use of the benefits offered by SMS texting. Messaging alerts can easily be added into monitoring systems of all types, from security to employee attendance, and allow companies to respond to problems early on, reducing the impact on the business and customers.

The immediacy of SMS is also an advantage when it comes to another aspect of the technology sector - software.

In particular, text alerts are proving to be very useful for software activation purposes, allowing firms to enhance their customer support services.

One of our clients, Code Factory, currently uses text messaging to activate software that helps the blind and visually impaired use screen readers, screen magnifiers, and Braille interfaces on a wide range of mainstream mobile devices.

It is a quick and easy process, whereby the user sends an SMS to Code Factory and receives a reply directly from the application, containing the appropriate activation key. The service means that the customer no longer has to wait for the software to be manually activated, but can do it himself, at any time of the day or night.

The seamless process fits perfectly with Code Factory's focus on customer support.

You will find more information on our mobile messaging solutions for the technology and telecoms sector on our website (http://www.hslsms.com/sectors/technology-and-telecoms/).

Alternatively, visit us at:

http://www.linkedin.com/company/hay-systems-ltd

follow us on Twitter @HSLSMS

or call us on +44 (0)1506 605260

or email us at sales@haysystems.com

SMS alerts save lives

Thirty-nine people were killed when severe tornadoes swept through ten US states in early March but, according to reports, the death toll would have been a great deal higher if a complete early warning package - including SMS text alerts - had not been in place.

“Everyone knew that this tornado was coming and that it would be on the ground a long time,” tornado victim Roger Jones, 60, from Kentucky, told USA Today. “They were absolutely right on."

Local authorities and public sector bodies have been using text messaging as part of their emergency alert systems for some time now.

In the US, many local counties broadcast tornado text alerts to subscribers as soon as the National Weather Service issues a tornado warning. The same systems are used to disseminate other emergency messages relating to the health, safety or welfare of local communities.

In Australia, federal governments use SMS alerts to broadcast bushfire, flood and even tsunami warnings to the public, while in Canada text alerts are part of the Ontario government's Emergency Public Warning System. This sends 'Red Alerts' to subscribers when a serious incident has occurred, such as a large fire or explosion; chemical leak or spill; nuclear emergency or extreme weather event.

Similar systems are in operation in the UK, but our public sector agencies are also finding more mundane, but practical uses for bulk SMS messaging. Examples include:

• Advising of changes to refuse collection during holidays or bad weather
• Warning of the unexpected closure of community facilities, such as libraries or leisure centres
• Hospital appointment reminders
• Court appearance reminders to witnesses
• Missing dog alerts to dog walkers
• Rental balance reminders for tenants

HSL supports a range of clients who use text messaging to communicate emergency alerts. For example, Newmont Mining Corporation in Indonesia, one of the world’s largest gold producers helps to protect its workforce of 7000 people and neighbouring communities through a Tsunami and tropical cyclone text alert warning system delivered by HSL. More information on how this works can be found at http://www.hslsms.com/about/clients/case-study-newmont/.

Dartmoor Search and Rescue Service has worked with HSL for the last five years using text messaging for emergency call outs for their team. This is also used as a two way communication system, as team members can confirm their attendance with a text reply. You can read about how Dartmoor’s Search and Rescue team works with HSL to protect visitors who get into difficulty here: http://hslsms.com/about/clients/case-study-dartmoor-search-and-rescue/.

You will find information on our mobile messaging solutions for the public sector on our website at http://www.hslsms.com/sectors/public-sector/.

Alternatively, visit us at:

http://www.linkedin.com/company/hay-systems-ltd

follow us on Twitter @HSLSMS

or call us on +44 (0)1506 605260

or email us at sales@haysystems.com