Protecting the Mobile Workforce

The productivity benefits of smart phones and other mobile devices are difficult to ignore, and enterprises will continue to role them out across their workforce. For CIOs and other senior IT personnel the time to consider and implement a comprehensive mobile security policy is now.

Security measures should take into account security threats that are both external and internal while enabling a holistic approach that encompasses personalization and other access controls. The mobile environment has numerous weaknesses, and specialized threats are growing increasingly severe. Currently, there are over 300 mobile virus variants loose globally. The latest versions are more sophisticated and attack a device with the purpose of generating revenue or stealing confidential stored data. …

Avenues for mobile communication

Three weeks ago, we opened up a discussion in Techno Page about creative new ways in which mobile communication infrastructure could be used. I pointed out that thorough identification and registration process that mobile phone subscribers are subjected to in Sri Lanka, opens up the possibility for mobile phones to be used by their users to make payments in a way that is not very different from how credit cards or debit cards are used.

A few users wrote in demanding me to explain what I meant, so this week, I will oblige them with the details. In principle, what I pointed out was that mobile phones have the potential to be used as another method in which Electronic Funds Transfers at Point of Sale (EFTPOS) could be implemented….

Sujoy Bhattacharjee joins ValueFirst as Chief Operating Officer

Sujoy Bhattacharjee joins ValueFirst as Chief Operating Officer at ValueFirst corporate office in Gurgaon, India. Sujoy brings with him 20 years of extensive technology/industry experience in leading technology/ market-leading companies including Microsoft, AMD and TCS. Most recently, Sujoy worked with Yahoo!, Inc. at Sunnyvale, USA, managing products in Broadband and Mobile segments.

At ValueFirst, Sujoy leads technology development, technical operations, product management, customer fulfillment and HR functions at ValueFirst. When asked why he moved to India and chose to join ValueFirst, Sujoy said:

“ India has moved up the value chain in terms of the seeding and incubation of global market leaders, and I specifically saw ValueFirst as having the right mix to become a world leader in mobile data services. I was attracted by the twin factors of leading-edge technological innovation being done by it out of India, and the scalable and powerful business model at ValueFirst”

Sujoy has relocated to Gurgaon from Silicon Valley, USA, family to join Team ValueFirst.

About ValueFirst:

ValueFirst 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 and 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. ValueFirst combines signalling information from the mobile world with innovative applications running concurrently on its own IT applications platform and thereby pave the way for mission-critical international messaging services.

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

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.

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.

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