DISQUS

Mark · 9 months ago

hummm, a very simple web page that has a phone number field and a text box field could make their job a lot easier.

To automate they could use a sql table linked to a dts or ssis daily job that looks up the table and automatically sends a text message to anyone that is due one.

All in all a few hours work... but then they need the front end screen to enter the details... yada yada yada :-) (maybe they could use a spread sheet! yes, that would work just as good)

its all pretty easy stuff to set up and it gives them a good return for their efforts

adambird · 9 months ago

I think what you\re seeing is the mainstream adoption of SMS as a business communication tool. The challenge is that on it's own it's not enough to warrant investment in a PC with Internet access.

My local bike shop has the facility to send text messages out from their till system but because the till software vendor has put a crazy price on the messages, hoping I guess to try and make some extra money from the service, they don't use it. Instead the junior mechanic is instructed to type out reminders on his phone if he has any left on his bundle.

I, as you know, am a huge advocate of the reply path. Using virtual mobile numbers pays huge dividends in customer service. It's also a very, very cheap way for call centres to handle customer enquiries,

System receives a message from customer, automatically sends a message back setting their expectations 'Thanks for your message. One of our team will contact you within the hour'. Customer goes about their business. Call centre staff can call or text the customer back when ready to help them.

It smoothes out the call centre traffic spikes and means the customer isn't stuck in hold-music-hell

ashleybolser · 9 months ago

Bloody hell, my friend Neil Stevens even offered this service free to his local dentist in Ilkley, paid for by me. But they couldn't re-organise themselves to do it!
I've set up a simple system using AQL to use to get in touch with kids teams small adapt and it could be used by Dentists!
Ash

steveprocter · 9 months ago

Companies like iTAGG are pushing this hard. We get new signups every day from the likes of dentists, and our control panel makes it a lot easier to manage both sending and a reply path. But yeah between us and our competitors I reckon we still only have a fraction of the UK businesses out there. An awful lot more to go yet before all those poor receptionists can rest their little texting fingers!

Paul Rosenfeld · 6 months ago

Here in the United States small biz are nowhere with SMS. Fanminder.com is our new company (I'm the CEO) going into beta tomorrow solving the "dentist" and local merchant opportunity with a super-easy interface. And of course, we offer full two way capabilities. Anyone out there with experience in another part of the world I'd be thrilled to network with. Drop me a line at fanminder.com/twitter.

Paul

Ewan · 6 months ago

Let me know if we can do an interview, Paul