Thursday, December 20, 2007

SMS For Business

ValueFirst launched SMS For Business banners for the web marketers for them to touch-base with their prospects over the mobile phone.

Imagine a scenario, where a person visiting a website wants to know more about a product/service being shown as an ads on the web and clicks on it.

The moment he clicks on the banner, a popup box opens up on the screen which seeks a mobile number from the prospect. The prospect can then enter his mobile number and additional information about the ads is send to the prospect on his mobile number. The service has dual benefits for the marketer. Firstly, marketer can choose to have a small banner size and give additional details only to serious users, thus having cost benefits. Secondly, marketer also gets an opportunity to speak with the prospect over the phone.

For more details about the SMS For Business login: http://www.vfirst.com

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

ValueFirst launch new solutions for Customer Service in UK

“This era would belong to companies who would be able to create a better customer experience with a marginal addition to their cost base”

Why create a mobile service channel?

No company can afford to ignore the customer in today’s world. Increased competition demands organizations to maintain a relationship with the customer through multiple service channels – both using offline channels and electronic channels.

Today with a huge percentage of the population carrying mobile phones, mobile channel is the best medium to engage the customer and in the process improve the customer stickiness.

Why use SMS over voice?

SMS is gaining the acceptability as the preferred mode of customer service because it has two-way capabilities; it is fast and cheap and is less time-consuming for the service staff.

SMS from PC offers the following advantages as a channel of customer service:-

  • Instant: No delay even if phone is busy/switched-off
  • Automated: Automatic relay of critical information
  • Two-way: Instant processing of customer queries
  • Targeted: Specific message can be conveyed based on the consumer profile
  • Cost: Significantly cheaper than other medium
  • Anywhere/Anytime: Mobile is always in the pocket
  • Personal: Highly effective as communication to an individual

Bouquet of mobile messaging Services:

Alerts/Information: Automatic pushing of relevant and/or critical information to the customer based on configurable business rules

Queries/Complaints: Customers can log in their complaints/queries by messaging at a short-code or long-code, upon which they receive an automated reply or a phone call

Order Booking/Tracking: Customers can book the orders and track the delivery of orders using Pull based services

Service: Customers can be sent birthday greetings etc. and informed about new schemes, discounts and service renewal

About ValueFirst:

ValueFirst provides end-to-end mobile data services from back-end integration to application hosting to dedicated connectivity with the SMSC's of multiple GSM/CDMA operators in host of countries. Its mobile data service offering includes "plug and play" application licensing and hosting. Employing a partnership with Mobile operators, ValueFirst acts as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), with a clear focus on SMS mobile messaging, SMS from PC and SMS business Service.ValueFirst's Mobile Messaging Platform is capable of delivering SMS services to virtually any CDMA/GSM mobile handset across the globe.

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

SMS, IMS, and email

Email is by far still the most popular messaging service. Although both email and SMS are "store and forward" systems that utilize a gateway to pass messages from senders to recipients, the most obvious difference between the two are the length and complexity of the messages. SMS messages are limited up to 160 characters (although it depends on the service provider). However, SMS is anywhere anytime service and email cannot be anywhere anytime, you need to access it.

Mobile phone has been in use as a part of the body these days. People tend to forget things but mobile phone. The least you would expect any person to carry is a cell phone. It is an anywhere anytime, on the move technology.

While email lets you attach files, imbed images, and make use of HTML, SMS messages are limited to text and numeral display. However, there are a few exceptions. The Nextel SMS service lets you automatically make calls from phone numbers appearing in the message text much like a hypertext link in an email. Also, on European GSM cellular networks, SMS messages delivered to Nokia phones may have distinct ring tones or graphics attached.

On the other hand, Instant Messaging Service (IMS), made popular by AOL Instant Messenger, allows you to have virtual realtime text conversations (or chat) with people who are simultaneously connected to the Internet. SMS messages are immediate, but not simultaneous. SMS messages are sent to and processed by a Short Message Service Center (SMSC), which then delivers the message to the intended recipient's cell phone. If a message is sent to a phone that is turned off, the service center will store it and try to redeliver it for a period of 3 to 7 days, depending on the service provider.

Friday, November 23, 2007

What is SMS?

Short message service (SMS) is a globally accepted wireless service that enables the transmission of alphanumeric messages between mobile subscribers and external systems such as electronic mail, paging and voice mail systems.

SMS is convenient and cost effective for a number of reasons. When you compare it with the cost of airtime for voice calls or wireless web access, SMS is a real bargain. Messages can be received while making voice calls, and there are no busy signals to contend with. Plus, if you should you find yourself in a situation where talking on a cell phone is inappropriate, SMS is silent and discreet. Messages generated by SMS are immediately delivered directly to your phone. There is no need to call an access number, as is the case with voicemail. Also, most carriers offer SMS alerts (information packets, such as stock quotes, sports scores, and news) that can be delivered to your phone at regularly scheduled intervals.

Currently, there are approximately 24 billion SMS messages sent globally each month, with the majority of that traffic occurring in Europe and Asia. In North America most major cellular providers offer either oneway or twoway SMS to their subscribers. With oneway service, you can receive messages; while with twoway service, you can both receive and send messages.

Examples of SMS provider companey: http://www.vfirst.com

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

SMS Mobile Marketing

SMS Mobile marketing is a new addition to the media mix, with great opportunities for direct interaction with customers and cost-effective data collection. Leading brands have adopted this medium and the number of companies actively using mobile marketing in their marketing strategies is growing rapidly.

Selecting a SMS mobile marketing partner that understands the medium as well your requirements is the key to success - we hope that this white paper will help you to make the most out of this exciting media channel.

If you so desire, ValueFirst can provide you software applications and access to its infrastructure. Alternatively, ValueFirst can help you conceive and run the campaigns by leasing out its infrastructure.

For more information about the SMS Mobile Marketing Login: http://www.vfirst.com

Thursday, November 15, 2007

What is a killer Mobile App?

For so many years now, mobile ecosystem is waiting for the next killer application after SMS but the answer is still elusive.

Why has not the next killer application born? What makes it so difficult for any application to be a killer app? What are the characteristics of a killer app?

To my mind, killer app is something which:-

1) Network effect: killer app essentially has the For so many years now, mobile ecosystem is waiting for the next killer application after SMS but the answer is still elusive.

Why has not the next killer application born? What makes it so difficult for any application to be a killer app? What are the characteristics of a killer app?

To my mind, killer app is something which:-

1) Network effect: killer app essentially has the chatecteristic of creating network effect. One person X is using MS Excel it forces other person to also use MS Excel to read his content. My means of network effect killer app gets pollinated to mass users and becomes a defacto

2) Personalization: A killer app is a framework which people can personalize based on thier need/likes. It lets user create content, exchange content, store personal information

3) Usability: A killer app has very intuitive UI and may be simple or elegant. Think IPOD.

SMS worked because it had all the three characteristics.

M-payments applications failed because of lack of usability. For last few days I had been juggling with password applications to get them installed on my Nokia 9300i and to my dismay I found that none of the 9 applications loaded on phone work. And I realized that we are no where near our mobile replacing our laptop. Application porting over phone is not easy. It takes a hell out of you trying to test the application on all phone types.

So what can be likely killer app?

Music: Probably not. Music along has no value. Ipod is a killer app because of network effect and personalization.

M-communities: Ok…. Do they have IP. Communities are replicated quickly creating too many of them. Let’s check out which one of them will be able to get traction. Usability would be key. I like the Zaiku.com model of microfeed.

M-cash: I bet on it. This is not the typical paymate model where you pay the bank. It is about digital notes. Imagine on bank request bank pushes signed 100 Rs/10 Rs notes on your mobile phone. You pay to the ciggarate shop 12 Rs, where 10 Rs are transferred as m-cash and 2 Rs as physical.

It is mobile to mobile transfer via bluetooth - no bank commission. The user interface is really simple like SMS.

So the mobile becomes your wallet.

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Text Messaging For ERP - Creating A "Connected" Enterprise

Why m-power the ERP?

"It is not enough to implement an ERP, but what is important is that the ERP experience percolates to all the employees of the organization"

Despite huge budgets spend on ERPs by the enterprises today; they have failed to deliver results. A deeper look at the issue would reveal that one of the reasons for their failure is the low application compliance. A low application compliance results not only from a faulty implementation of the application (not in accordance with the business), but also because all employees are not connected 24X7 to the ERP system.

An ERP acts as the computing engine of the organization but it still fails to deliver due to the communication failure of assimilating and disseminating the information.

Messaging scenarios in an ERP

Sales module:

• Intimation of targets to the field force

• Pull-Push of relevant information from the field

Purchase/ Stock/Production Module:

• Intimating warehouse about the purchase orders

• Pull-Push information from the warehouse

• Pull field sales data for production planning

HR Module:

• Intimating field employees about the incentives

• Intimating employees during vacation/leave

Budget and Project Module:

• Intimating project team about scheduled targets

• Updating field employees on budget plan

What does an ERP need to be m-powered?

• Carrier-class 2-way SMS gateway to push and pull the relevant information

• Access to any GSM/CDMA mobile phones for global reach

• Connectivity with multiple SMSCs for timely and assured delivery

• A scalable messaging solution to adjust for higher pay-loads

• An API interface which easily integrates with the ERP

• An intelligent message routing system which routes message at the least cost

• Configurable messaging platform which can be customized to client requirements

• An intelligent reporting system to account for delivered and failed messages

• Remote account management to add/delete users and impart credits for messaging

• Flexible billing system where either the ERP vendor can be billed as the master account or individual clients can also be billed

• 24X7 technical support

Click here to know Why is ValueFirst an ideal mobility solution partner?

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Facebook mobile platform

Today at CTIA, Facebook announced support for mobile versions of Facebook applications. Well at least kind of. I’m not entirely sure of the details yet, but it looks like app developers can tie into mobile components, like SMS messaging. Facebook uses SMS to alert me when I have received a new inbox message. This is convenient and handy. Apps can now use this, which is cool, because individual developers would have to rely on email->sms gateways or pay for a messaging service to work with all carriers. Now it seems they can piggyback on Facebook, who have the message infrastructure in place.

It also sounds like apps can have mobile versions that will work with the mobile version of the site. Note that there are two. One wap (or maybe xhtml-mp), the other for iPhone. The iPhone app is the best app out there. Although the applications aren’t supported, basic Facebook functionality works fabulously. I’ll have to take a look at the developer API a little more now and see what else can be exploited for mobile apps. The SMS gateway is enough already for the little guy. ...More

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Anuj Dahiya joins ValueFirst

ValueFirst celebrated its fourth anniversary on 17th October 2007 with the welcome of Anuj Dahiya, a well known professional in the online and media circles. Anuj is known for his expertise in excellence in business development. Anuj has joined ValueFirst as Sales Head - India being responsible for sales in India.

Anuj was earlier holding a position of Business Director in GroupM. Anuj was handling clients such as Hero Honda, Sony Ericsson, Indiatimes Travel, ABN Amro, Discovery, Perfetti and GE Money in Interactions.

“ValueFirst is at an interesting juncture currently. It can scale to a INR 100 crore business with right kind of sales push and focussed effort. This was one of the reasons which propelled me to join ValueFirst and accept the challenge”, says Anuj Dahiya.

Vijay Shukla, Country Head, ValueFirst, was delighted on the occasion and commented, “With Anuj onboard, ValueFirst is set to achieve a accelerated growth in revenues for FY07-08”.

About ValueFirst

ValueFirst (www.vfirst.com) empowers its customers to communicate between varied IT back-end systems and mobile phones using SMS Services. ValueFirst provides a unique, end-to-end, global carrier-grade mobile data service. Its mobile data service offering includes "plug and play" application licensing and hosting. Employing a partnership with mobile operators, ValueFirst acts as an MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator), with a clear focus on SMS mobile messaging. ValueFirst’s Mobile Messaging Platform is capable of delivering SMS services to virtually any CDMA/GSM mobile handset.