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

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

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.

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?