Guides

Virtual Mobile Numbers vs. SMS Short Codes

There is a clear difference between the two numbers and that is the length of them, one is a long number and one is a short number. They both allow you to receive SMS messages.

So a Virtual Mobile Number is an 11 digit number that effectively makes your online SMS account into a mobile phone in its own right. You can send texts from the number and receive messages directly back to the number. The advantage of this is that your customers or staff can store the number in their phone and will always know who the text messages are from. It’s just like storing a friend’s number into your phone’s contacts.

An SMS Short Code is a 5 digit number that is memorable, for example 80806. These can be bought as dedicated Short Codes, which means that you own that number and every message sent to it will go into your account. An SMS Short Code can also be shared, this means that many people use the same number, however everyone has a unique “keyword”. This keyword is to be placed at the start of a text and will direct the texts to the correct account’s inbox.

As well as Short Codes, there are Premium Short Codes. These are again the same as a standard Short Code in size, however texting these numbers will come with additional charges. They are most commonly seen on TV competitions, for charity donations and for use by ring tone companies.

The above numbers work well with offline media such as print, radio, TV etc. However it is more common to see a Short Code, as they are more memorable and quicker to enter into a phone, a key attribute if time is of the essence.  A Virtual Mobile Number is perfect for when you would like people to reply to your message, it makes the process much easier as the recipient simply needs to press reply on their mobile and send the message back.

With Esendex’s  SMS Plans or SMS Trackers, you get a free Virtual Mobile Number or an SMS Short Code with a keyword. For more information call one of our SMS experts on 0845 356 5758 or email sales@esendex.com.

Event Check-in: A revolution for event organisation

The leading digital agency ORM London has launched a new iPad app which has the ability to create a guest list, check guests in at the event and analyse data afterwards to improve future events.

A number of British event organisation companies could benefit from the exciting new iPad app.

This new service, called Event Check-in, will help event organisers save both time and money. By using the QR scanner, event guests are quickly and easily checked in. A unique QR code for each guest can then be included in email or printed invitations.

Multiple iPads and scanners can be connected to the app to scale up for events with multiple points-of-entry. On top of this, automatic SMS alerts can be set up to send a text message to a guest’s host when they arrive. This extra service will ensure VIP guests are looked after properly as soon as they arrive.

The sophisticated system works with a wireless scanner and software-as-a-service (Saas) portal that streamlines the event check-in process from any location. The iPad and the portal will be constantly synchronised.

Once the event is finished, data from the iPad is synched to the Event Check-In portal and all the information is consolidated to produce an analysis. In this sense, the system is developing a customised guest feedback module for the organisers.

A mix of technologies

“By connecting the iPad and SocketMobile scanner, a world first, and combining them with SMS alerts and live cloud data Event Check-in is at the cutting edge of connective devices,” said Mahesh Ramachandra, Head of Product at ORM London.

“At ORM London, we want to continue to push the boundaries and Event Check-in is the first of a number of innovative apps we have planned to help businesses in various industries.”

SMS communication is an integral part of both smartphones and simpler mobile phones. Both devices help to boost the SMS client-business communication.

Text messages a business should never send

The use of text messages by businesses has increased considerably in recent years, as business leaders increasingly come to view SMS as an effective communication medium. Thanks to SMS it is now possible to contact staff within seconds and even choose which departments you may wish to communicate with by sending SMS to just a specific group.

Despite the many benefits of text messages for business, there are some situations in which sending an SMS is simply bad business practise.

Here are some of the worst scenarios of when opting to communicate via SMS should be avoided:

Redundancy notices: Redundancy is a very delicate situation that should never, ever be communicated via a text message. Even in the case of a big company in which it is difficult for managers to be in personal touch with all employees, a redundancy notice should always be communicated personally and in private.

Employee reprimands: As in the case of redundancy notices, all that negative information that concerns only one person or group of employees is better communicated in a face to face meeting. Your staff will appreciate the opportunity to be given the chance of discussing in person which areas can be improved.

Bonus cancellations: It is always recommended to give bad news in person, or at the very least via a phone call. Receiving an SMS notification that your bonus is to be cancelled will not endear any company to their employees. Most employees will prefer to be told personally about it in case they have questions.

Meeting Cancellations: Whether a big or small company, texting a customer to let them know that you will not be able to meet them is never a good idea. Why? A courtesy phone call, apologising why the meeting will not take place, will be far more effective in keeping your customer happy and will allow them the opportunity to re-arrange with you immediately.

As a general rule of thumb when sending bad news, it is important to be particularly careful and always give negative or individual information in private. The personal touch is often called for in these situations and employees and customers will be more appreciative than if they had received a single text.

Other than that, tools that allow you to Send SMS from PC or an SMS API are proven to be an effective way to share information via employees, such as meeting times or minutes, general announcements, rotas, holidays and, of course, good news.