by anton | Jan 27, 2014 | Mobile Products
It is much easier for the small business If a caller has been struggling with the mechanical assistant for five minutes, they don’t want to engage with staff who can’t provide assistance either. If the operator can enlighten callers on where they went wrong/ what all the options entail, the callers will have a better understanding of how to use the system more effectively next time. Need an Interactive Voice Response system for your company? You have come to the right place! Get in contact with Integrat right now and we will take you through the...
by anton | Jan 24, 2014 | Mobile Products
When choosing to go mobile with your marketing, companies are often faced with the choice between MMS and SMS messaging. What exactly is the difference between the two? SMS (short message service) Strictly text based and usually restricted to 160 characters. Advantages: Text messages can be sent in bulk, i.e. the exact same message can be sent to a number of people at the same time, or a bunch of personalised messages can be forwarded to various recipients. Delivery is almost instant – depending on the network provider. All mobile devices are capable of sending, receiving and displaying SMS. People are very familiar with the sending and receiving of text messages – it isn’t difficult or problematic to understand and use. It costs less than sending MMS messages. Disadvantages: The character limitation makes it harder for marketers to say everything they would like. They have to keep their messages very short and to the point without the impact of visuals. This can be hard when trying to establish an emotional connection to your product. Vulnerable to spoofing and spamming MMS (multimedia message service) Instead of sending only text, the user can add photographs, videos and sound. Advantages: It is an extremely useful marketing tool for a business as it allows for small, full coloured adverts and/ or messages with a catchy jingle or voice track. It allows room for creativity and fun – your message can look different every time. No boredom or plainness here! Can transfer more data at a time. Have more characters available for texting than SMS. Disadvantages: Older handsets are not capable of sending and...
by anton | Jan 22, 2014 | Mobile Products
Planning and hosting an event can be very stressful. Whether it is a small office party or the charity event of the year, the last thing you want is the event turning into a “no show”. Bulk SMS the arrival time and address of the venue. You can include this in more than one text, just in case the recipients accidently delete your message. Also, if something big happens that can turn your event on its head, (like a change in venue) you can quickly communicate the change in your...
by anton | Jan 20, 2014 | Mobile Products
Continuing from our previous article about what you should know before you get started on you Location Based Service (LBS) marketing, here are a few more practical tips and tricks. Make it useful and valuable Before you go trigger happy with your campaign, you need to stop and ask yourself: “Will my clients find this useful? How will this add value to their lives?” Why? Thus, make sure your website displays correctly on mobile. Secondly, stick to platforms that are simple and familiar. Facebook is a good example, because everybody knows how it works. You can take a gander at apps like Yelp, Mapquest and Foursquare as well – depending on your location. Location Bases Services is a great marketing tool. Just get the basics right and the world can be your proverbial oyster. The very first step on your journey? Call Integrat, and we will get you...
by anton | Jan 17, 2014 | Mobile Products
Location Based Service (LBS) marketing hasn’t It helps to convey a positive image to the public and makes your business seem more trustworthy. Remember that no matter what marketing mediums you use, in the end customers’ perception of your business will influence their decision to commit to your company or not. Incentives have to be part of the deal Consumers are used to all the marketing tips and tricks in the book. When it comes to Location Based Marketing, they expect to be rewarded for the time and effort they put in to participate in your campaign. Nobody does anything for free. Thus, reward your clientele for coming to the party. You can offer them discounts, vouchers, free samples, prizes etc. – as long as it is...
by anton | Jan 15, 2014 | Mobile Products
Good communication is the key to keeping your customers happy. Bulk SMS and two-way texting can provide a solid platform for great customer service. Staying in constant contact with example: a customer can send a specific short code for checking an account balance or buying a product. Because the company has all the details of the customer on the basis of their cell phone number, they can easy handle the query or return the call. Two-way mobile communication can help to alleviate some of the pressure on your call centre and customers can obtain the necessary help and answers faster. Interested in adding Bulk SMS to your customer communication tool box? Then give Integrat a shout! We supply mobile products and services that will take the Mission Impossible out of your customer...
by anton | Jan 13, 2014 | Mobile Products
If you are planning on using LBS (Location Based Services) as part of your marketing strategy, you might want to look at these five amazing tips. Why are they amazing? Because it is so sensible, it will have you asking: “Why didn’t I think of it first?” It is all about proximity When you establish your perimeter for your LBS messages, keep in mind that your customers have to be close to your shop for the message to have any effect. Receiving a promotional alert while 10 kilometres away, won’t inspire a customer to make a mad dash for your doors. The ideal proximity alert is between 1 – 3 kilometres. Visual appeal Make your message really pop with interesting and colourful visuals. Boring text or a plain advertisement will only make you fade into the background. A nice image of your products is always a winner. Also keep in mind that mobile devices are restricted in size, so make sure the message displays correctly. Be specific Don’t leave your customers scratching their heads with a vague Location Based Services message. First of all, make a compelling offering. Why should they visit your shop and not simply pass you by? Next, tell them exactly where you are located and if there are any familiar landmarks close by. If they have trouble finding your business, they won’t come might need to run your ad during a specific time slot. Be prepared for trial and error There is a good chance that you won’t get your LBS messages right the first time. Don’t beat yourself up about it. Test it out...
by anton | Jan 10, 2014 | Mobile Products
As a restaurant owner your top priority is to fill empty tables. Bulk SMS can help you to entice diners to walk past the competition and into your establishment. Want to know how? Attracting and keeping customers can be a pain in the neck in any industry. The restaurant business is especially rough because people are spoilt for choice when it comes to eating out. On top of that, your business has to be open at odd SMS comes in handy! It just so happens… Use text messages to alert customers to specials and promotions. People can’t resist a good deal, and if the timing is spot on, you are bound to hit your mark. For example: if it is a hot summer’s day, tell your customers that it just so happens you serve the best ice cream dessert in town. If you can time the messages a few hours before chow time, your customers will have the opportunity to convince themselves that they really are in dire need of your ice cream. Show and receive Send coupon messages. It doesn’t really matter what the text is about (a promotion, trading hours etc.) but add to the message that the receiver can show it to their waiter for a discount on a particular dish or drinks. The more the merrier, right? So, why not make offers exclusive to parties of more than two people. It’s a celebration! If you really want to score brownie points with your customers, use SMS to send them freebies on their birthdays. It could look something like this: “Hey Jason, we at ABC restaurant...
by anton | Jan 8, 2014 | Mobile Products
A picture says a thousand words. Luckily for mobile users, MMS does just that, maybe even more. That is why the ordinary Joe as well as the corporate world is getting in on the action. As we all know, a multimedia message (MMS) is the combination of ordinary text with pictures and sound to create a piece of communication that goes beyond a few meagre sentences. Photographs have traditionally been used to captures memories and precious moments in time. But used as a MMS, it takes on a whole new meaning and ascends into a communication tool that can help to convey thoughts and feelings to others. For example: instead of telling a friend to meet you at restaurant X for lunch, you can send them a picture of the restaurant. Or instead of giving your significant other a detailed description of the perfume you want him to buy, simply snap a picture of the bottle and forward it to his phone. Businesses are also taking advantage of MMS to spread the word about their promotions. It is probably the closest thing we currently have to a television ad for mobile. A company can easily construct a very short video message or picture show to introduce their customers to new products or alert them about special offers. It is simple, yet very effective. Some companies are reluctant to send of traditional channels like television and radio. Picture and video messaging is a creative and smart way to communicate – whether you send a love note to a special someone or try to entice a customer into buying your products....
by anton | Jan 6, 2014 | Mobile Products
A Bulk SMS marketing...
by anton | Jan 1, 2014 | Mobile Products
With BBM, WhatsApp, iMessages and other new mobile applications, it is only natural to wonder if Bulk SMS still has a place as a marketing medium. It most certainly does – and this is why! Text messages are the only universal form of wireless communication currently guaranteed to open the message within the first few minutes after receiving it. It is such a cheap form of marketing even the smallest business can afford it Consumers are comfortable with the medium itself. It can be used to compliment or drive any marketing campaign Even as new mobile apps and nifty ways of communicating emerge, you will never go wrong with a simple text...
by anton | Dec 30, 2013 | Mobile Aggregation
Another interesting trend birthed by the coupling of wireless handsets and mobile technology, is mobile television. The question: Are the Mobile Aggregation gurus onto something or not? According to a recent study (TV Untethered) in the USA – they are! The research uncovered that over 40 million consumers are imagery. After all, anything is possible with Mobile Aggregation. You can also be sure that television producers will take note of this as well and, just like web developers had to cater for the mobile community, they will do the same. Not to mention that this will create a brand new space for advertisers to dig into. If you are looking for a Mobile Aggregation Service provider, remember that Integrat is only a click...
by anton | Dec 27, 2013 | Mobile Billing
Although the popularity of Mobile Billing is slowly spreading throughout the world, users will continue to compare the advantages versus the disadvantages of this new payment method. Will you give wireless transactions the thumbs up or the thumbs down? Advantages Speed: no need to punch in your credit card details or fumble around for cash in your wallet. It is a very fast way to pay for the goodies you want. Convenience: what could be more convenient than using your mobile device, which never leaves your sight anyway, to make a purchase? Forgot your credit card at home? Who cares! Pay for services and products on the go – anytime, anywhere. Easy to use: the process of Mobile Billing is simple. No need to over think anything. Access to services: in countries where a lot of people don’t have bank accounts or credit cards, wireless billing provides an excellent way to gain access to services previously denied. Disadvantages Security concerns: as with any payment or billing method, it is not without its security risks. However, in all fairness, one should delve a little deeper into the process as well as consumer behavior to get a clear picture of this. Some users are concerned for example that banks may have full access to your phone bills and buying patterns. What can banks do with this information? They aren’t less, or more, secure than any other purchasing method. Overspending: because of all the advantages of wireless billing, it does raise the concern of users making unnecessary purchases and getting into financial trouble. Mobile Billing is changing the way people shop. It...
by anton | Dec 23, 2013 | Mobile Billing
According to a recent study by Juniper, it is estimated that the amount of mobile gamblers will rise to 164 million by 2018. Is this possible, and can Mobile Billing aid a mobile revolution in this regard? Let’s have a look at the study first. The report says that the 164 million tablet owners will engage in any of these activities on their device: placing a bet, visiting a mobile casino or buying a lottery ticket. This indicates an increase in mobile gamblers by 100 million users is a love match that will produce many participants and fans. Maybe even the estimated 164...
by anton | Dec 20, 2013 | SMS Gateway
Communicating via SMS messages with your customers during the Holidays can be eight times more effective than doing it via email. SMS Gateway Services will provide the means; you just have to grab the opportunity! Before you get started on your text marketing campaign, keep two things in mind. One: customers have to opt in to receive your messages – you can’t do it without their consent. Two: go about it in a smart way – one annoying message and your customers might decide to opt out entirely. The latter can be difficult, but if your messages are valuable, want to do is waste time running around comparing products and prices. Beat your competitors to the punch by creating images, videos, tips, look books etc. that your customers can receive on their cell phones. Haven’t signed up for SMS Gateway Services yet? What are you waiting for! Give us a call and you can have your SMS marketing campaign up and running in no...
by anton | Dec 18, 2013 | Mobile Aggregation
The Holidays are a time for big spending. Now more than ever, consumers are turning towards Mobile Aggregation products and services to manage their festive shopping. The number of people using a mobile phone to search for and purchase products has boomed significantly. According to sparked.com, the percentage of consumers engaging happens when a consumer searches for the product at home first and then goes to the store to make an actual purchase. Needless to say, if your business is not present (and presentable) on the mobile web, you are going to miss out! For all your Mobile Aggregation needs, get in contact with Integrat right...
by anton | Dec 16, 2013 | Mobile Aggregation
The New Year usually brings new job opportunities for those seeking employment. It seems as if the economy is stabilizing and this could mean more vacancies to fill. Mobile Aggregation Service Providers can use this opportunity to ideal target market for mobile job applications. Mobile Aggregation Service Providers can play a key role in connecting these job seekers with companies who offer employment. Business can create detailed questionnaires and pre-screening tests that applicants can complete via mobile. This will not only help a company to easily obtain the cream of the crop for a position, but will also benefit the job seeker. Few things are more frustrating for a job seeker than wasting time and money to get to an interview only to find that they aren’t exactly what the company is looking for. When you are already strapped for cash, wasting it on an unsuitable interview is the last thing you want to do. Mobile Aggregation Service Providers can also bring SMS alerts and notifications into the mix. A company can receive a notification when a job seeker is looking into a position; thereby putting the HR department on standby mode should the mobile user acquire assistance. The user can then receive an alert to confirm that his application was completed successfully, or to notify him whenever a position is available that fits his criteria. These types of services will undeniably make the lives of both businesses and job seekers so much...
by anton | Dec 13, 2013 | Mobile Aggregation
Companies are getting creative with Mobile Aggregation in order to develop unique and amazing mobile marketing techniques. One of those brilliant ideas is to use QR codes to facilitate customer interaction and rewards. A QR code is a basically a bar code that contains information. The user scans the code with their phone to read the message. What does this have to do with smart marketing practices? Well, the code can be used for a great number of things like redeeming coupons, prize giveaways, competition entries, promotional messages, access to a personal account etc. Thanks to the marriage between web and phone technology (or Mobile Aggregation for short) QR codes can be used for various purposes. Let’s focus for a moment on loyalty programs. Things like coupons and loyalty cards are expensive to print, not to mention, easy to lose as well. They can’t really be personalized either. QR codes on they are trackable. Owners can make use of Mobile Aggregation technology to see which products are scanned the most and if these products are indeed purchased. If a product has a high number of scans but doesn’t have a large number of sales, it could indicate that people find something off-putting and that the owner should consider supplying an alternative product. If this all sounds too good to be true – it is not all! 2D scanning technology is a trend that will set the mobile marketing industry on fire now and in the...
by anton | Dec 11, 2013 | General
Are you looking for a Mobile Aggregation Service provider that can take your company to the next level with their various mobile products and services? Then you have come to the right place. At Integrat we have made it easy as pie to get in contact with us. Pick up the phone Got a burning question or a problem that needs immediate attention? Our call centre operates in eleven languages with state of the art call centre ticketing, recording, call management, VOIP routing, tracking and transaction log access and call reporting capabilities. The call centre staff provide basic device support e.g. instructions on WAP enablement and device compatibility. During office hours, this is the number to call: +27 (0) 11 062 1400 In case of an emergency, dial +27 (0) 82 511 7837 For unsubscription queries you can phone +27 (0) 11 062 1402 Get on your email Sending Integrat an email is fast and hassle-free. The email meet the faces behind the scene? Our head office is located in Centurion. The physical address is: 2nd Floor Hennops House Riverside Office Park 1303 Heuwel Avenue We would be delighted to receive a call, email or visit from you. If you don’t already follow us on social media, why not have a look at our Facebook Page and Twitter as...
by anton | Dec 9, 2013 | SMS Gateway
A lot of people ask the question: why are SMS Gateways important? Not only because the term hasn’t been your...
by anton | Dec 6, 2013 | Mobile Aggregation
Choose from any of Integrat’s fine selection of products and services. We can do anything from mobile consultation, development, and application hosting to various forms of support and account management. We are more than just a SMS Gateway provider serving as a wireless communication portal between business and their clients. We are also Mobile Aggregators that pride ourselves in being on the cutting edge of mobile technology and the development of related services and products. When you sign up with us, you can be sure that you will have a dedicated account manager looking out for your unique needs and making sure that you know what is going on at any point in time. We are also business on the...
by anton | Dec 4, 2013 | General
Make use of Integrat’s products and services to reward your customers to increase their loyalty and create more revenue for your business. Want to know how? You can retain your customers in one of three ways: provide a very valuable product, be great at client service and give tangible rewards. The first one is completely up to you, but mobile aggregation services can help you to build excellent relations and provide rewards to consumers. Mobile applications are a great way to give a little something extra to your customers. Here are a few examples of what is already contains discounts or prizes. Let Location Based services tell you every time a customer is close to your shop so you can send them a promotional message. Reward customers with a free meal after they have “checked in” at your restaurant on Facebook. Moving on to some of Integrat’s other products and services, you can also do the following via text: Send vouchers directly to a customer’s phone that they can “swipe” at your store. Ask customers to participate in polls and surveys via mobile to determine their satisfaction with your business. Send customized messages containing tips or interesting info on your products. You can use anything from Mobile Billing, Interactive Voice Response, Bulk SMS, MMS, USSD and Mobile Application Hosting to reward your loyal customers. All of these products and services are available from Integrat. Combine our Mobile Aggregation with your creativity and business drive to offer something unique and interesting to consumers. Get in touch with us and we will help launch your business...
by anton | Dec 2, 2013 | Mobile Billing
Mobile Billing isn’t limited to one specific type or format. There are indeed different ways to use a phone to pay for goods or receive a statement. Today we will look at the difference between direct carrier billing and premium SMS. Premium SMS is the one that most people are familiar with. This is when you use your Billing do have a few drawbacks. For example you have no guarantee of your SMS reaching the provider, nor the product reaching you. Some customers aren’t comfortable with the process because there is a possibility of one or two things going awry. You might get charged the wrong amount or accidently opt into a monthly subscription rather than a once-off purchase. People will rarely use this method for large purchases because of these problems. Direct carrier billing allows you to purchase now and pay later, almost like a credit card. The cost of your purchase is added to your mobile bill, so at the end of the month, you only have to pay your mobile service provider. This very convenient and often used for gambling applications. The biggest pitfall of this type of Mobile Billing is that the sheer convenience makes it easy for people to land themselves in debt. On the other hand, it is easier to dispute these transactions and protect yourself against fraud, because you should have it all on record. A big advantage of both premium SMS and direct carrier billing, is that it is available for all mobile users. It doesn’t matter what type of phone you have or which network provider you belong to. In...
by anton | Nov 29, 2013 | SMS Gateway
If you are a SMS Gateway Service provider, you know how important it is to reassure your clientele that their personal info is safe with you. A lot of potential clients will first ask to view your privacy policy before they sign up for your services. collected and what you are going to use it for. Where will the info be stored, for how long will you keep it, and what security measures do you have in place to protect it? What will happen in the unlikely event that a client’s info gets stolen? Another thing to consider: only collect the info you as an SMS Gateway provider really need. If you are unsure about the legality and ethics of your conduct at any time or stage, you can turn to WASPA for...
