by anton | Jul 31, 2013 |
Different methods exist for mobile billing and payments. We can expect to see an increase in the number of complicated (and simplified) ways for paying for virtual goods in the future. But for now, these are the methods we are all familiar with. The “grandfather” of mobile billing is the SMS text. It is the oldest and simplest way of charging customers for goodies. The customer sends a text and asks to have the product charged to his mobile bill. As soon as the payment is received, the merchant gets a notification and he releases the product to the consumer. The problem with this kind of billing is that it takes a bit of time and there is always the risk of info/ notifications getting lost or delayed. If you are in a hurry to obtain your product, this method can cause much frustration. To help solve this problem, direct mobile billing was introduced. It is faster, more secure and customers don’t need a credit card, nor do they have to register on another site beforehand. This allows merchants to reach people anywhere in the world. When customers want an online product, all they have to do is choose the mobile payment option and then enter a pin and/or password into their mobile phone. The charge will then be added to their phone bill. It is also possible to make mobile billing and payments via the internet. It is the exact same process as doing it from a computer, but it has the added advantage of the “anytime, anywhere” approach – you aren’t restricted to your chair behind the...
by anton | Jul 29, 2013 |
Does your SMS Gateway service provider know what they’re doing? Are you using the correct software? Let’s have a look at two of the things you don’t want for your gateway. 1. Incompetent support service When you first start off, you might not know much about the provider’s products or services and will need their assistance a number of times. Also, anything can happen down the line and when you need a quick solution, they should jump into superhero mode and come save you. Providers will promise you the moon and stars on their website, but the moment your contract is signed, you experience something less than satisfying. Before you put pen to paper and enter into an agreement – put the provider to the test. Send one or more emails to the company’s support team and ask questions about their services or products. Then take note of the following: The time they took to respond – did they consider you “important enough” to answer timely? If the SMS Gateway provider can’t answer a simple question fast, imagine what will happen when you have a real crisis! The quality of their response – do they know what they are talking about? Do they sound knowledgeable and competent? If they can’t provide you with a clear, expert answer, you are probably looking at a bunch of amateurs. A company that responds quickly but can’t help you, or one that can help you but takes forever to respond, will seriously harm test out first. It is a very wise decision to sign up for the trail version of a program before...
by anton | Jul 25, 2013 |
The mobile environment has created a few privacy and security concerns, especially when it comes to mobile billing and payments. How can you as a service provider give your clientele peace of mind when it comes to their financial relationship with you? Your clientele needs to know that their personal information won’t become public knowledge. You might think this information is limited to their banking details, phone numbers and address, but it pertains to anything that can make the individual’s identity apparent. For example: photographs, an IP address, voice print and facial recognitions etc. When it comes to mobile billing, your privacy policy should be ethical and strict. It needs to outline exactly what your policies are and what steps customers can take if they feel their privacy have been violated. This policy should be given in print (as part of the contract) when a client enlists your services, and should also be available on your website for public view. Design your services in a way that any information is protected from the moment of collection to use and storage. As mobile services gain more attention, it is inevitable that privacy and security policies of application providers and developers will regularly be reviewed and placed under close scrutiny. It only takes a handful of bad user experiences before the relevant authorities step in and demand anything from changes to your application to fines or compensation for breach of contract. The good news is that user privacy in mobile billing and transactions can be one of your greatest marketing tools. According to the Australian government’s website (oaic.gov.au), a 2012 survey...
by anton | Jul 24, 2013 |
Choosing a SMS gateway provider is no easy task. You want the best, but how can you be sure a provider isn’t all smoke and mirrors? Here are four things you should steer clear of if you want quality wireless services. One-man shows If a company is so small that it only has one or two employees – pause a moment and think. Mobile aggregation and wireless communication aren’t the kind of things that a person can manage single-handedly – even if the person is extremely talented. Such a SMS service provider might be able to service one client effectively, but what if he signs up more clients? Will he still be able to provide you with emergency technical support at two o’clock in the morning? Suspicious terms of payment Don’t fall into the “hidden cost” trap. Make very sure you know what you are paying for and why you are paying for it. Don’t just sign up with the first provider you meet and be careful when giving out your personal info and banking details. Also have a look at the company’s banking details – do they look legit? Insist on proof that your payment was received and processed every single time can always be up-to-date. Open source programs might be nice to have as a temporary solution, but don’t count on it for future projects. Don’t be fooled by SMS gateway providers who only pretend to have excellent services and products. Avoid one-man shows, suspicious terms of payment, one-sided and open source...
by anton | Jul 22, 2013 |
Are you wondering how SMS Gateway connections work? In this post we will explain the basics of understanding what lurks behind the send and receive of wireless communication. A SMS Gateway functions as a relay between SMS Centres (SMSC). The software are developed and maintained by service providers and network operators – this can be done in-house or outsourced, depending on the operator. Two SMS centres cannot communicate with each other if they don’t work with a common SMCS protocol. And as with all service providers, being unique isn’t only limited to their products and brand but they also code in different languages or ways. This is where a SMS Gateway comes in. It is placed in between the connections to transmit information and translates the protocols. Not only wireless carriers employ SMS gateways, but also content providers and SMS application developers as well. For instance, if an SMS text messaging application developer wishes to deliver SMS messages through a server, then the way to directly connect to an SMSC is through an SMS gateway. The gateway to be used should support many types of SMSC-specific protocols. SMS Gateways also make a mobile phone or GSM/GPRS modem, connected to the computer. These devices are able to connect to the PC by various methods, like Bluetooth, data cable, or USB cable. Although not as speedy as direct internet connection, it is cheaper if used for lightweight messaging. If you are interested in Integrat’s SMS Gateway services, get in contact with us today and open up a brand new communication platform for your...
