Email to SMS: Real World Applications

Email to SMS relies on the SMTP protocol, and therefore the SMTP API. How can you implement it to get the most out of SMS messaging? Let’s look at the main characteristics of email to SMS first:

• Send messages in excess of 160 characters. Messages longer than 160 characters are sent in groups of 160 characters(max) at a time and then concatenated on the destination mobile device. It is, however, not advisable to send messages of more than three parts since they are not always sent in sequence by the destination mobile network.
• Send contacts. Use converters to convert VCal and VCard messages into the correct format.
• Reporting. As with the other Application Programming Interfaces, the SMTP API (email to SMS) provides functionality for reporting.
• Send messages in different formats. While the standard is 7-bit messaging, other formats are also available for different purposes. They include binary messaging (8-bit), flash messaging and 16-bit messaging (UTF-16 Unicode). The latter can be used to send messages in other languages using their native characters.

Note: Email to SMS does not support two-way messaging, but can be used in conjunction with a two-way capable protocol to facilitate this messaging requirement.

Where Can Email to SMS be Used?

The following include situations where email to SMS can be used, but do not represent them all. Remember, if there’s one-way communication taking place, chances are that that’s where you’ll be able to employ email to SMS.

The Personal Assistant

Notifications based on email rules and alerts. These include messages from a specific sender, messages with a certain subject, messages with certain keywords, etc.

Technical / Engineering

To use an umbrella term, SMS can be used for all server and/or network notifications. These can include the results from periodic system checks to network and system alerts, etc.

Stock Control

Keeping track of stock numbers as they decrease or when they reach a certain level. This will alert the controller of when to place an order without incurring additional work.

Education

Teachers can use email to SMS to send messages to parents in a number of situations:

• attendance
• test results
• meeting requests
• etc.

Why Should You Use Email to SMS?

While there exist a number of reasons why we think you should use email to SMS as a service, we’ll only list those of importance to your business – to help you work smarter and better. Here’s how you’ll be able to make business better:

• Save on voice call costs.
• Save on snail mail costs.
• Enjoy cheap international communication (at the touch of a button).
• Recipients will receive your messages instantly; cut down on communication delays.
• Reach customers and employees wherever, whenever.
• Enjoy  increased penetration and response rates

Looking at the above, can you honestly say that none of this would benefit your business in some way? Read more by following the link to the email to SMS page.

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