Mobile phone designers challenged to keep up with users -- July 2010
Mobile phone handset designers should look to social networking for inspiration
to improve the management of communications on phones, says BulkSMS.com’s managing
director, Pieter Streicher. He maintains that it is ridiculous that many aspects
of the mobile phone user interface haven’t changed in ten years, especially when
it comes to contact management and SMS functionality. Read more on how
mobile phone designers are challenged to keep up with users.
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SMS messaging gets to work
-- June 2010
SMS, the happy accident of mobile technology that turns 17 this year, shows no sign
of slowing down. In fact, maintains Pieter Streicher, managing director of BulkSMS.com,
if anything, SMS is going to accelerate its stellar trajectory thanks to increased
business adoption. Read more on how
SMS messaging gets to work.
Download print friendly PDF version
New-look BulkSMS.com website launched today -- June 21, 2010
We have given our brand a bit of a makeover and improved the look and feel of the
website. While things may look slightly different, our reliable and easy to use
SMS messaging services remain the same. Read the press release on the
Revamped BulkSMS brand.
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How the PPI Act could affect corporate communication -- May 2010
Businesses will have to dramatically rethink their marketing and communication strategies
once the Protection of Personal Information (PPI) Bill is enacted into law. Although
there is debate around the anticipated date of the enactment of the PPI Bill, it
is currently under review and may be passed into law as soon as next month by Parliament
after having been approved by Cabinet in August 2009. Read more on
how the PPI Act could affect corporate communication.
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BulkSMS Messaging Awards finalists announced -- Wednesday, 26 May 2010
The 2010 BulkSMS Messaging Awards were won by Shoreangling.co.za, which uses an
SMS service to record fish catches and promote marine conservation. CPD Solutions
was awarded the second prize and the third prize went to Abrie van Wyk. The awards
were open to commercial and non-commercial organisations as well as individuals
who use BulkSMS.com’s SMS messaging platform for SMS services or day-to-day communications.
Read the press release to find out more about the
BulkSMS Messaging Awards finalists.
Download print friendly PDF version
With technology comes responsibility
-- May 2010
The spread of mass panic through SMS is unnecessary and people need to learn to
look at information with a more critical eye. People in general are too quick to
pass on information without checking if it originates from someone they trust. Propagating
certain dubious and false information can often have devastating results. Read the
press release to find
out more about how SMS can and does spread unnecessary panic.
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BulkSMS Messaging Awards finalists announced -- Wednesday, 26 May 2010
The 2010 BulkSMS Messaging Awards were won by Shoreangling.co.za, which uses an
SMS service to record fish catches and promote marine conservation. CPD Solutions
was awarded the second prize and the third prize went to Abrie van Wyk. The awards
were open to commercial and non-commercial organisations as well as individuals
who use BulkSMS.com’s SMS messaging platform for SMS services or day-to-day communications.
Detailed press release to follow.
Don’t be scammed on SMS --
April 2010
Do you know how to spot an SMS 419 scam, phishing attack, or fake payment confirmation?
If you value your money, you should know what to look out for. Read more on
SMS scams.
Download print friendly PDF version
Is social media a threat to SMS?
-- April 2010
SMS has become a trusted medium of communication for businesses and has added to
the operational efficiency by enabling the sending of a quick and relevant message
to a targeted database of contacts. But is the rise of social media sites like MySpace,
Facebook, Twitter alongside instant messaging services offered by Skype, MSN and
ICQ threatening the place of SMS messaging? Read the press release to
find out if social media is a threat to SMS.
Download print friendly PDF
version
Interconnect charges essential for SMS
-- April 2010
The introduction of a small interconnect fee for SMS messaging is essential in an
environment where both businesses and consumers rely on SMS messaging for communication
purposes. Currently, in South Africa, there is no SMS interconnect fee agreed between
the three local network operators. On an international level, there are still several
network operators that are not paying any SMS interconnect fees for terminating
messages on local networks. Read the press release on why
Interconnect charges are essential for SMS.
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BulkSMS.com recognised by Vodacom as a top achiever -- March 8, 2010
Vodacom’s annual Top Achievers Award recognises those wireless application service
providers (WASPs) in the local market who meet the following criteria: the WASP
must be a top revenue performer and be in good standing with WASPA, the industry
regulator. Read the press release on how
BulkSMS.com was recognised by Vodacom as a top achiever.
Download print friendly PDF version
Better control is required over modified SMS alphanumeric sender
IDs -- March 5, 2010
SMS technology allows for SMS messages to be sent from a modified alphanumeric sender
ID. For example, SARS could send an SMS message to you, with the word SARS appearing
at the top of the message instead of a numeric cellphone number. The main benefit
of alphanumeric sender ID is that it makes it much easier for consumers to recognize
the sender. However, this feature could be abused when messages are sent with a
spoofed sender ID. Read the press release on why
better control is required over sender IDs.
Download print friendly PDF version
Industry must speak out against cellphones and driving -- February 11, 2010
Most motorists do not realise the serious hazards of using their phones. According
to Arrive Alive, an international survey amongst 837 drivers with cellphones found
that almost half swerved or drifted into another lane, 23% had tailgated, 21% cut
someone off and 18% nearly hit another vehicle while using the phone. Read the press
release
using cellphones whilst driving.
Download print friendly
PDF version
Cheaper cellphone calls to drive SMS uptake in 2010 -- December 1, 2009
2010 is expected to bring a reduction in interconnect rates that are likely to result
in cheaper cellphone call charges. While this is good news for consumers, it may
mean a noticeable increase in the number of calls that people receive. In a world
where information overload is already a challenge, consumer behaviour patterns may
shift and expect businesses to contact them less with a phone call and more with
an SMS. Read the press release on why
cheaper cellphone calls may drive SMS uptake.
Download print friendly PDF version
HIV support programme uses SMS to keep men connected -- November 27, 2009
This case study illustrates that the use of appropriate mobile technology has a
positive impact on maintaining men’s participation in a health programme focusing
on HIV testing and education. Read the press release on how
SMS is used to communicate with the participants of the Imbizo Men’s Health Programme.
Download print friendly PDF
version
Email and SMS not ready for extinction
-- November 24, 2009
The advent of new communication tools like Facebook and Twitter, combined with the
digital era information overload has led to some commentators predicting the death
of sender-controlled communications, changing how businesses communicate with their
customers. Read the press release on why
email and SMS are not ready for extinction.
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version
Interconnect charges essential for SMS
– November 24, 2009
In the midst of the national debate on interconnect charges between cellular operators
few people realize that there is no interconnect charges between local operators
on SMS. There are historical reasons for this. In the early days of GSM networks
no one anticipated how popular SMS would become and its potential as a revenue stream
was initially overlooked. Read the press release on why
Interconnect charges are essential for SMS.
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Increasing demand for SMS over voicemail
-- October 26, 2009
Changes in consumer behaviour and technology are shaping cellphone use. One area
that is increasingly gaining attention is how consumers are moving away from voicemail
and towards SMS messaging. Read the press release on why there is an
increasing demand for SMS over voicemail.
Download print friendly PDF version
Automated STOP Request Notification Service -- Wednesday, 7 October 2009
The Code of Conduct of the Wireless Application Service Providers’ Association (WASPA),
the industry body for the local messaging industry, stipulates that once an end
consumer has opted-out via SMS from receiving SMS messages that they should be sent
an SMS confirming that opt-out request. To meet WASPA's requirements, BulkSMS has
added a new notification service that sends an automated SMS to a consumer to confirm
that they have opted-out from a client’s contact list. The automated SMS message
that is sent to a consumer is: “We have acted on your stop request and have blocked
our client from SMSing you, as per www.waspa.org.za regulations.” It should be noted
that the cost of this SMS notification (where 1 SMS = SMS credit) will be deducted
from a client’s account.
Launch of Big Swell SMS Alerts a First for South Africa -– September 15, 2009
The online surf media and surf forecasting service Wavescape have launched the Big
Swell SMS Alert service. This innovative mobile service is a first for South Africa
and delivers an SMS message to Wavescape readers who wish to know when the next
big ocean swell is due to hit South Africa’s shoreline. Read the press release detailing
the launch of Big Swell
SMS alerts.
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Widespread adoption of bulk SMS messaging by schools -- August 3, 2009
Many schools have adopted bulk SMS messaging to improve communications with parents
of school-goers. The traditional communication channels were all problematic in
that notes sent to parents via learners often got lost; calling a number of parents
telephonically can be very time consuming and; not all parents have access to e-mail
and the internet. Read the press release on the Widespread adoption of bulk
SMS messaging by schools.
Download print friendly PDF version
SMS messaging has a bright future
-- July 28, 2009
Businesses confidence in SMS messaging continues to increase as messaging industry
revenues are forecasted to grow despite the global downturn in the markets. Read
the press release on why SMS messaging
has a bright future.
Download print friendly PDF version
BulkSMS.com supports Wired Parenting Workshop -- Tuesday July 28, 2009
BulKSMS.com will be taking part in the inaugural Wired Parenting Workshop to be
held in Johannesburg on Saturday, 1 August 2009. Dr Pieter Streicher, managing director
of BulkSMS.com will be speaking on how to technically manage new communications
technologies with their children, including understanding and controlling elements
such as cellphone bills, spam and digital profiles. Read the press release on how
BulkSMS.com supports Wired Parenting
Workshop.
Download print friendly PDF version
SMS becomes a business tool in CRM
-- Wednesday, 22 July 2009
SMS is used more in customer relationship management (CRM) in developing countries
such as South Africa than in other markets because more individuals have cellphones
than internet access. Read the Business Day article on how
SMS is used as a business tool in CRM
BulkSMS exhibits at MediaTech Africa trade fair -- Wednesday, 22 July 2009
BulkSMS.com is exhibiting at the MediaTech Africa 2009 from 22 to 25 July at the
Coca-Cola Dome, Northgate in Johannesburg. MediaTech Africa is a trade fair for
advanced technologies. Visit us at stand number B38.
BulkSMS showcase at 2nd Mobile Marketing Summit -- Monday, 20 July 2009
BulkSMS.com showcased its mobile marketing solutions at the 2nd Mobile Marketing
Summit held in Johannesburg on 20-21 July. Dr Pieter Streicher, managing director
of BulkSMS.com, also spoke on SMS marketing best practice during the Mobile Marketing
Showcase held during the summit. The Mobile Marketing Summit was aimed at marketing
and agency executives and hosted by Marketing Mix.
Wavescape delivers accurate surf forecasts to your cellphone -- July 16, 2009
Wavescape has re-launched its SMS surf forecasting service to include data drawn
from its successful online Wavescape Ocean Watch (WOW) service. The SMS service
provides regional open ocean and specific beach reports that includes swell, wind
and tide information delivered to a cellphone. Read the press release on how Wavescape
delivers accurate surf
forecasts to your cellphone.
Download print friendly
PDF version
Wired Parenting workshop in Johannesburg
-- Tuesday, 14 July 2009
Dr Pieter Streicher, MD of BulkSMS.com, is speaking at the Wired Parenting workshop
in Johannesburg on 1 August 2009. Wired Parenting is a workshop designed to empower
parents with a better understanding of the technology children are using, including
cellphones, Internet and gaming. Specialists will provide insight into the latest
technologies, how they work, what the impact is on a child (good and bad), and finally,
how parents can manage the process to give their child the best online opportunities
and experience - safely. For more information visit
Wired Parenting.
Call to make mobile payments more transparent to consumers -– July 14, 2009
Consumers should begin treating their cellphone bill like they do their credit card
statement and check all deductions. With the increase in ease of mobile payments,
especially via premium rate SMS subscription services, consumers should scrutinise
their bills just as they would their credit card statements. If not they may be
shocked by unexpected cellphone charges at the end of a month. Read the article
on why
mobile payments need to be more transparent to consumers.
SMS technology adds value to supply chain management and logistics -- June 18, 2009
SMS technology enables companies to increase efficiencies within their supply chain
management and logistics operations. In using SMS for mission critical communications
within extended business processes, companies are able to translate the implementation
of SMS technology directly into cost benefits and increased service levels. Read
the press release on how SMS technology
adds value.
Download print friendly PDF version
SMS messaging boosts online accommodation bookings Tuesday -- Tuesday, 28 April 2009
The benefit of SMS messaging has allowed SafariNow.com, an innovative Cape Town
based online accommodation booking service, to successfully boost service excellence
in the tourism industry. Read the press release on how
SMS messaging boosts online accommodation bookings
Download print friendly PDF version
Tourism benefits from SMS messaging
-- April 21, 2009
The benefit of SMS messaging for tourism is that it provides a personalised communication
channel in a service intensive industry and allows service providers to increase
operational efficiencies and reduce costs. Read the press release on how
tourism benefits from SMS messaging.
Download print friendly
PDF version
Mobile takes off in the run up to the 2009 elections -- March 23, 2009
South African political parties are increasingly turning to cellphones as a campaign
tool in the run up to the 2009 South African national elections. Some parties are
exploring the use of SMS messaging and other mobile campaigns to compliment their
online and offline electioneering. Mobile reach in South Africa is said to be 90%
of the total population. This is good news for political parties seeking to get
their election messages out to all citizens. Read the press release on
how SMS is being used in the run up to the 2009 elections..
Download print friendly PDF version
BulkSMS.com has launched Parents Corner
-- Thursday, 19 March 2009 Parents Corner is an information resource to help parents better understand
their child's cellphone habits. To learn more visit
Parents Corner or read the complete article
here.
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SMS messaging is becoming politically correct -- March 17, 2009
South African political parties are increasingly turning to cellphones as a campaign
tool in the run up to the 2009 South African national elections. Inspired by Barack
Obama’s 2008 US presidential campaign, some parties are exploring the use of SMS
messaging and other mobile campaigns to compliment their online and offline electioneering.
Read the press release on how
various political parties are using SMS in the run up to the 2009 elections.
Download print friendly
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SMS streamlines non-profit calls for donations -- February 23, 2009
There is a growing trend in using SMS messaging to promoting charity work. The South
African National Zakáh Fund (SANZAF) is one such organisation that has adopted SMS
as a key campaign tool to communicate directly with its donors. Read the press release
on how SMS is being
used in charity work..
Download print friendly
PDF version
It’s not all doom and gloom
-- January 16, 2009
The business outlook for 2009 seems bleak. One report which may get you reaching
for a Prozac is Grant Thornton’s
2009 International Business Report. It found that South African business
sentiment was pessimistic. In 2008, 75% of local businesses surveyed were optimistic,
this year those with a positive outlook slumped to 35%. There were particularly
low expectations for turnover, profitability and employment in the year ahead. Read
the press release on the
business outlook for 2009.
Download print friendly
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Archived Developments
Here are older news and feature additions; Click on the year to view sub items for
that year. Click on the heading of the subitem to view its contents:
2008
Reflections on 2008 and beyond
-- November 26, 2008
We are in the midst of a global economic recession and human interventions are accelerating
climate change. Yet, with the election of Barak Obama as president-elect of the
USA I am hearing people expressing uncertainty about the economy and the climate
mixed with optimism about a new role for America on the global stage, and especially
for Africa, leading into 2009. Read the press release on
the reflections on 2008 and beyond.
Download print friendly PDF version
Social media can add up to communication overload -- November 11, 2008
Communications induced stress is fast becoming a common problem as we add social
media to our existing diet of electronic communication at work and home. Internet
and mobile technologies have made it easy for people to keep in “touch” constantly.
In many cases, these communications are perceived as requiring our immediate attention
and response. Read the press release on
how social media can add up to communication overload.
Download print friendly PDF
version
Study confirms that SMS is more effective than voicemail -- October 30, 2008
New research bears out that people are more likely to respond sooner to an SMS than
to a voicemail message. While the study focused on cellphone users in the USA, these
findings correspond to a similar move toward using SMS rather than voicemail among
South Africans. Read the press release discussing
the study confirming that SMS is more effective than voicemail.
Download print friendly
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Internet and mobile technologies drive local SME competitiveness -- October 29, 2008
The increased access to high-speed internet connectivity and the widespread adoption
of mobile phones are stimulating entrepreneurial innovation by digitising core business
operations and creating new business models. These factors are providing small and
medium sized businesses (SMEs) with a competitive edge in local and global markets.
Read the press release on
Internet and mobile technologies driving local SME competitiveness.
Download print friendly
PDF version
MobileActive08 -- 13-15 October,
2008
We are showcasing our SMS messaging services at the MobileActive08 conference in
Johannesburg, 13-15 October 2008. The theme of MobileAcive08 is “Unlocking the Potential
of Mobile Technology for Social Impact”. Read the
MobileActive08 press release.
Download print friendly
PDF version
Is SMS messaging replacing voicemail?
-- October 7, 2008
The recent addition of Vodacom’s Voicemail2SMS service in the local mobile market
begs the question: is this an indication that SMS is replacing voicemail as a preferred
messaging service in South Africa?. Read the
press release on whether or not SMS is replacing Voicemail.
Download print friendly PDF
version
The benefit of bulk SMS messaging for business communications -- September 30, 2008
Small, medium and large businesses are increasingly looking to SMS technology as
a channel for business communications due to its direct benefits in increasing operational
efficiencies. This has spurred on technology providers to start integrating SMS
capabilities into their software business solutions.
Read the press release to find out about the
benefit of bulk SMS messaging for business communications.
Download print friendly PDF version
BulkSMS launches the cartoon character Eezy who promotes
responsible SMS messaging.
Click to see the comic.
Mobile Information Security Conference
-- September 26, 2008
Dr Piet Streicher, MD of BulkSMS.com will be speaking on SMS phishing and scams
at the Mobile Information Security conference to be held on the 29th and 30th September
2008 at the Hilton Hotel in Sandton, Johannesburg.
This conference tackles issues such as the security problems unique to mobile devices;
it explores how hackers are attacking these devices, and it investigates how to
asses real threats and how to create a mobile security policy.
Dr Streicher will be discussing what exactly SMS phishing and scams are and how
to avoid them. Read our previous press release on
SMS phishing to learn more about this topic.
Download print friendly PDF version
Franchises should consider using SMS messaging -- September 11, 2008
SMS messaging provides a franchise operation with a mobile communications channel
that expands its business reach and creates internal operational efficiencies.
Read the press release on why franchises
should consider using SMS messaging.
Download print friendly PDF version
Internet services do not benefit from convergence -- July 30, 2008
Convergence has been a hot topic in the IT industry for a while. It was initially
driven by the trend toward converged mobile devices and is now spurred on by larger
IT services companies focusing on the convergence of communications by managing
voice, data and video over an enterprise's IP network. Yet, as Dr Pieter Streicher,
managing director of BulkSMS.com, points out in this article, there is a case against
convergence when considering the merits of niche focused Web based services in the
market. Read the press release on convergence
in the IT industry.
Download print friendly PDF version
Making the most of Mobile Marketing Campaigns -- 30 July 2008
Mobile marketing is a blanket term covering campaigns that include the advertising
and promotion of brands, products or services using the mobile channel (also known
as the wireless or cellular channel) to interact with consumers via their cellphone.
Start by reading the Mobile Marketing
Guide
Collaborative logistics should take full advantage of SMS messagingJuly 21, 2008 Today, advances in the Internet and
SMS messaging offer logistics industry players a competitive strategy to continue
adding value to customers. The move toward the use of Web-based and mobile technologies
for business collaboration within the supply chain is enabling logistics providers
to meet the growing challenges of globalisation and the need to reduce carbon emissions
while still meeting customer expectations for the shipping or delivery of orders.
Read the Collaborative logistics
press release.
Download print friendly PDF version
The Evolution of Mobile Marketing in SA
July 15, 2008
Mobile marketing has stepped out from under the shadow of SMS-enabled business communications.
Today, with cellphone penetration rates of nearly 90% in South Africa, the mobile
channel is fast becoming seen by businesses as the single most effective means to
provide brand experiences by interacting directly with consumers with access to
a cellphone. Read the Evolution of Mobile
Marketing press release.
Download print friendly PDF version
SMS messaging bridges South Africa’s digital divide -- June 29, 2008
The high adoption rates of cellphones in South Africa, especially among lower LSM
consumers, have given a new impetus to initiatives aimed at bridging the digital
divide. This has made possible the development of programmes that focus on using
SMS messaging as a communications tool in South Africa’s economically vulnerable
and underserviced areas. In many digital divide initiatives, irrespective of whether
they are market or development led, SMS is fast becoming a preferred digital bridge
across the donga to information access.
Read the press release on how
SMS messaging bridges South Africa’s digital divide.
Download print friendly PDF version
SMS improves staff scheduling for online language training
provider -- June 27, 2008
Pangea Outsourcing Services, a growing Cape Town business offering online English
tuition to clients worldwide, found that coordinating staff teaching shifts telephonically
or via email was becoming more time consuming for the office manager and adding
to the running costs of the company. To reduce Pangea’s operational burden around
work scheduling, the company adopted SMS as an administrative tool to effectively
manage a large staffing compliment whose primary form of communication was their
cellphone.
Read the press release on
how SMS improved the staff scheduling for an online language training provider.
Download print friendly
PDF version
Phishing for your phone is on the increase -- June 26, 2008
Companies that communicate with their customers using SMS could leave those same
customers wide open to phishing, the fraudulent attempt to collect personal or banking
details. Dr Piet Streicher, managing director of BulkSMS.com, a global mobile messaging
company headquartered in Cape Town explains why companies need to ensure that their
customers are made aware of the types of SMS messages they send out, and what, if
any, information they might request via the SMS channel to reduce the risk of SMS
fraud through phishing attacks.
Read the SMS phishing press release.
Download print friendly PDF version
Community organizations use bulk SMS messaging during the refugee
crisis -- June 11, 2008
BulkSMS.com recorded its highest ever monthly SMS volumes on the Community.BulkSMS
platform during the recent refugee crisis fomented by xenophobic violence against
foreign nationals. These above average SMS statistics for organizations within South
Africa’s civil society were largely based on calls for volunteers and essential
items to assist displaced immigrants.
Read the SMS and refugee crisis
press release.
Download print friendly PDF version
SMS messaging increases customer satisfaction -- Monday, May 26, 2008
The sending of SMS notifications to customers’ cellphones is adding value to the
management of customer relationships by allowing companies to communicate instantaneously
with targeted customers.
Read the SMS and customer relationship management
(CRM) press release.
Download print friendly PDF version
BulkSMS.com at Computer Faire 2008
-- Tuesday, May 20, 2008
BulkSMS.com is exhibiting at Computer Faire 2008 at the Sandton Convention Centre
in Johannesburg. Visit us in Hall 1, Stand A8 from 20 to 23 May 2008.
Read the press release about BulkSMS.com
SMS messaging solutions on promotion at Computer Faire 2008.
Africa leads the way in global SMS messaging trends -- Monday, May 12, 2008
African companies are leading the way in developing innovative uses of SMS messaging.
This is the latest word from the Global Messaging 2008 conference held in Cannes,
France on 8-9 May 2008.
Read the global SMS messaging
trends press release.
Download print friendly PDF version
Dr Pieter Streicher, MD of BulkSMS.com, is attending the Global Messaging
2008 conference in Cannes, France (8-9 May 2008). If you wish to schedule an appointment
with Dr Streicher at the event, please contact us on
info@bulksms.com -- Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Addressing technology stress in the mobile era -- April 24, 2008
Information technology such as the internet and cellphones are usually seen as making
daily interactions between people more efficient. The irony is that these technologies
are adding to our already stressful lives by demanding more and more of our attention;
intruding into our work and personal lives in ways that many may find unmanageable.
Read the press release on
addressing technology stress in the mobile era.
Download print friendly
PDF version
Airlines may need to consider in-flight cellphone etiquette -- April 8, 2008
While airlines consider permitting the use of cellphones during flights, it should
be remembered that cellphones are already a source of annoyance in public spaces.
It is not hard to imagine how much more of an irritant a voice call may become if
made in the confined space of an airliner's cabin.
Read the press release on
why airlines may need to consider in-flight cellphone etiquette.
Download print friendly
PDF version
SMS alerts improve logistics management
-- April 2, 2008
SMS alerts are improving logistics management within the supply chain. SMS, as a
communication channel, allows for the sending of information to one or more people
at short notice thereby meeting the key business requirements of timeously communicating
delivery schedules to drivers and ensuring that customers are kept informed on their
order status.
Read the press release on how SMS
alerts improve logistics management.
Download print friendly PDF version
SMS messaging creates new business opportunity for Cape Sessions -- April 1, 2008
Cape Sessions sells digital images from a website to windsurfers caught in the shutters
of Liz Metcalfe's camera. The secret to her success is coupling photographic talent,
a web presence, and an SMS location alert service to drive sales.
Read the SMS and photography
case study
Download print friendly PDF version
BulkSMS.com industry briefings
-- March 31, 2008 BulkSMS.com is holding industry briefings in Cape Town (17 April
2008), Johannesburg (15 May 2008) and Durban (28 May 2008) on "Improving workplace
productivity and reducing technology stress". Topics to be covered
are: 10 Steps for Cleaning up Information Pollution, the Mobile Worker in South
Africa, Increasing Focus and Productivity in the 21st Century Office, and Strategies
for the Automated Lifestyle. Go to the full programme for the briefing on
improving workplace productivity and reducing technology stress as well
as workshop registration details.
SMS messaging benefits schools
-- March 5, 2008
Many schools are readily adopting SMS messaging as SMS provides them with an instantaneous
and cost-effective way of staying in contact with the parents of school-goers.
Read the press release on the benefits
of SMS messaging in schools.
Download print friendly PDF version
SMS messaging calls faith to action
-- March 4, 2008
A growing number of faith-based organisations are using the BulkSMS Text Messenger
service to send SMS’s. This desktop application is user-friendly, making sending
an SMS as easy as sending an email. In addition, BulkSMS.com offers faith-based
organisations with a part-sponsored tagline discount when they register on the Community.BulkSMS.com
website. This has the advantage of offering faith-based organisations a reduced
cost when sending SMS messages.
Read the SMS and faith-based organisations
press release.
Download print friendly PDF version
SMS is integral to our daily communications -- February 20, 2008
Cellphones are an unrivalled communications device and SMS messaging is an integral
part of our daily social interactions. SMS messaging allows us to instantly contact
others, irrespective of the time of day or whether they are sent to someone in the
next room, another city, or even overseas.
Read the press release on SMS messaging
and changes in social behaviour.
Download print friendly PDF version
How self-regulation benefits the mobile messaging industry-- February 19, 2008
South Africa is one of only a few countries with a self-regulating body for the
mobile messaging industry. It has ensured that the local industry has developed
as an example of how a self-regulatory approach can address technology innovation,
increased competition, and remain committed to ensuring consumer rights are upheld.
Read the press release on
the benefits of self-regulation for the mobile messaging industry.
Download print friendly
PDF version
Mobile industry is going green
-- February 13, 2008
Top wireless industry trends focused on by industry leaders at the 2008 Mobile World
Congress in Barcelona, Spain are faster mobile broadband speeds and the need for
companies to commit to the environmental sustainability of the mobile industry.
Read the SMS and global trends
press release.
Download print friendly PDF
version
Cellphone etiquette for people on the move -- January 17, 2008
"We need an etiquette tailored for business people who communicate on the move.
The increase in cellphone usage for work and private calls or messaging is becoming
a source of irritation and psychological stress within, and outside, the workplace,"
says Dr Pieter E. Streicher, managing director at BulkSMS.com. Read the
SMS messaging and cellphone etiquette press release.
Richard Simpson, director at BulkSMS.com, is attending Mobile
World Congress in Barcelona, Spain (11-14 February 2008). If you wish to
set up a meeting at the event, please contact us on info@bulksms.com.
-- Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Version 4.3 of the BulkSMS Text Messenger software
has been released.- Tuesday, January 15, 2008 Download here.
2007
Key features of the new release of the BulkSMS Text Messenger
(Version 4.1) -- Thursday, 20 December 2007
Automatic integration of Microsoft Outlook contacts, find and manage feature, multi-group
view, drag/ drop from Contacts to Groups, and Groups to Contacts, ability to split
large groups into smaller groups, group management screen, sender ID's, long messages
of over 160 characters (concatenation), export message. Click here to download new
updated software.
Google invited BulkSMS.com to present a case study
at the "Get to know Google" event. -- Thursday, November 20,
2007
BulkSMS Text Messenger --
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Join us for the SMS messaging product briefing on the BulkSMS Text Messenger in
Johannesburg. Learn about advanced messaging features.
BulkSMS.com is hosting a SMS Messaging Product Briefing
in Johannesburg on Thursday, November 29, 2007 on
"Making the Most of SMS for Business Communications." The briefing
will focus on advanced features of the BulkSMS Text Messenger desktop application:
linking to external datasources, exporting contacts, personalised messaging, and
scheduled messages. Go to the full programme for the product briefing on
SMS and business communications as well as registration details.
BulkSMS.com is conducting a workshop in Cape Town
on October 4, 2007on "Making the Most of BulkSMS
Text Messenger's Advanced Features for SMS Messaging". Topics to be
covered are: linking to external datasources, exporting contacts, personalised messaging,
and scheduled messages. Go to the full programme for the product briefing on
SMS and business communications as well as registration details.
BulkSMS is hosting a mobile industry briefing in Durban
on 2nd August 2007. The briefing will address how
commercial SMS communication campaigns should comply with legislation and regulation
in South Africa. Go to the programme for the briefing on
SMS and legislation as well as registration detail.
Global Messaging 2007- 11th
June 2007
SMS messaging revenues have continued to grow year-on-year and are providing mobile
network operators with their most significant messaging revenue earnings. The result
is that analysts have had to admit that their predictions on the demise of SMS have
been premature. Read the SMS messaging
and global revenues press release.
BulkSMS is hosting a mobile industry briefing on SMS and legislation
in South Africa - 15th May 2007
The briefing will address how commercial SMS communication campaigns should comply
with legislation and regulation in South Africa. Go to the programme for the briefing
on SMS and legislation
as well as registration detail.
BulkSMS at Futurex Expo 2007
- Apr 4th, 2007
BulkSMS.com will be attending the forthcoming Futurex Expo 2007 in Sandton, Johannesburg
from the 15 to 18 May 2007. Interested parties who wish to set up a meeting with
a BulkSMS.com representative at the Expo should contact us.
See the Futurex Expo website for more information.
BulkSMS is hosting a mobile industry briefing on SMS and legislation
in South Africa- Mar 12th, 2007
BulkSMS is hosting a mobile industry briefing on 29th March 2007. The briefing will
address how commercial SMS communication campaigns should comply with legislation
and regulation in South Africa. Go to the programme for the briefing on
SMS and legislation as well as registration detail.
3GSM in Barcelona- Jan 30th,
2007
Bulksms.com will be attending the forthcoming 3GSM Conference in Barcelona, Spain
from the 12th to 15th February 2007. Interested parties who wish to set up a meeting
with a Bulksms.com representative at the conference should Contact
us. See the 3GSM Conference website
for more information.
Happy New Year!Tuesday, Jan
2, 2007
BulkSMS wishes all visitors of our site a wonderful New Year! Your BulkSMS Team
2006
Bulksms at CeBIT - March 7th,
2006
Visit us from from 9-15 March at stand F56/2 in Hall 4. To book a meeting with one
of our staff at CeBIT email us with your
details and indicate your preferred date & time of meeting.
2005
New website design- October
8th, 2005 Thanks to Lori at Zenfulcreations and our own team the website
looks nicer, there is more information available and it is structured better. Comments
are welcome.
Account security- June 27th,
2005 We have amended our terms & conditions to improve account security.
The "company name" is not editable anymore, and requires a written submission to
be changed. Please take note of our amended terms & conditions.
Users are advised to ensure that their company details and all contact details on
their BulkSMS account/s are correct. The "company" is the legal entity that contracts
with BulkSMS.
Sponsor credit usage- May
17th, 2005 It is now possible to sponsor credit usage on other Bulksms accounts
from your Bulksms account. An example of where this is useful is if you have a business
in which you have several people who have Bulksms accounts, but you want to manage
the purchasing and usage of credits from one central Bulksms account. This feature
is called the Sponsor-Consumer feature as the central account sponsors the consumption
of credits on sub-accounts. Read more...
'STOP' reply feature added
- Feb 20th, 2005 It is now possible for a recipient of an SMS message to
reply with 'STOP' and the recipient's number will automatically be removed from
the Bulksms phonebook of the client who sent to the recipient if the number is stored
on the client's phonebook. The client will also be emailed to confirm that a 'STOP'
request has been received. The recipient number will also be added to a 'blocked'
list so that should the client inadvertently send an SMS message to that number
again, the SMS message will be blocked. Numbers will only be unblocked if proof
is provided that the BulkSMS client may legally SMS the particular number. This
feature is in line with legal requirements in many countries. Note that this feature
is only available to the recipient if the client set the SMS messages to 'repliable'
when sending.
2004
Scheduled Messages- Nov 25th,
2004 Have you ever needed to send an SMS to an individual or group from your
Bulksms account at a particular time, but knew that you would not have access to
a PC or the Internet at that time? Your only option was to send the SMS out earlier
or later than you had wanted to. No longer! With scheduled messaging you can set
messages to go out from minutes into the future to days, to weeks and even years
into the future. Goto 'Update Your Profile' to enable this feature.
Low Credit Notification-
Aug 6th, 2004 Avoid running out of credits! Set your Low Credit Level on
your user profile and receive email alerts when your credits drop below this level.
This feature is particularly useful for clients who use the http, ftp, and email
to SMS interfaces. For more information, log into your account and click on 'Update
Your Profile'.
SMS Merge- Jul 20th, 2004
Personalize your message when sending SMS's to groups. While composing an SMS message
to send to a group, all you have to do is click a button for First Name and/or Surname
and when you send your message the Bulksms system will automatically place the required
information from your Online Phonebook into the message. It is that easy, and it
will give your messages more credibility. Try it out on the 'Send Messages to a
Group' page.
2003
Failed Number Purge- Dec
3rd, 2003 Cleaning up your phone book just got easier. Use Failed Number
Purge to better maintain your phonebook groups. This allows you to purge numbers
based on a chosen number of consecutive SMS delivery failures. To keep your phonebook
up to date read Failed Number Purge.
Saturday Support hours extended
- Jun 10th, 2003 BulkSMS has introduced Saturday support to better serve
you. Support is now available on Saturday from 8am - 2pm GMT+0. (Standard weekday
support is from 6am - 4pm GMT+0). So if you have any question please email or phone
BulkSMS support. For current Support contact information see Contact
us page.