How can I find a SMS Gateway Service Provider?

by | Nov 11, 2013 |

Are you looking for a SMS Gateway service provider but aren’t how to go about it? Here a company that is suited to your specific needs. It is always a good idea to have a detailed discussion with your chosen provider. You should make a list of questions to ask – the FAQ section on their website is a good place to start. After assessing your needs and requirements, the provider could offer you a special deal or simply help you choose the package most relevant to your business. Don’t be afraid to do thorough research before you make a final decision. Get in touch with Integrat – your SMS Gateway Service Provider in South Africa. We are situated in Pretoria, but we operate internationally. Our consultants are standing by to take your call and we will be happy to explain everything to you regarding our products and...

What is a SMS Gateway?

by | Nov 6, 2013 |

Have you ever wondered how you can send a text message from a Nokia to a Samsung, or from a phone that was manufactured years ago to one you just bought today? The answer: SMS Gateways. Without going into a technical explanation only a mobile developer would understand, we know that all phones aren’t created and programmed in exactly the same way. Smart phones for example were designed to breeze through internet activity, while some others aren’t even equipped with a camera to take photographs. Also, different manufactures use different protocols and language to create their handsets. So, how is this that these phones that seem completely different are able to communicate with each other? SMS Gateways make it all possible. These gateways, hosted by service providers like Integrat, serve as a conveyor and translator between phones. Say for example you own an Ericson and you subscribe to MTN, while your friend has a Blackberry connected through Vodacom. You proceed to type a text and add a photograph; then send it to your friend. In order for your friend communication between different phones would have been very problematic indeed and the option of texting, instead of calling, might not have been possible at...

4 Things to avoid in a SMS Gateway service provider

by | 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...

How supportive is your SMS Gateway service provider?

by | Jul 5, 2013 |

If you are paying good money for exemplary service/ products, you need to know that you will get your money’s worth.  And when the product and its use is largely unfamiliar territory, you really need to know that your SMS Gateway service provider has your back. Is there any way you can know this before you sign up with a service provider? Unfortunately there is no magic recipe for spotting a “bad” service provider. But, if you take a look at a few basic things, you will get an idea if the relationship will either be a rewarding or a disappointing one. 1. “Getting in contact with us is a breeze” Is it? Does the SMS Gateway provider have a (visible) range of contact options? The more ways you can get in contact with the service provider, the better. They should have a landline and /or cellphone numbers, an email address and physical address. These aren’t only good indicators that the company actually exists, but it also means you can get in contact with them in a way that suits you best. Always verify if the contact details are legitimate – it is easy to fake such details online. 2. “Put us to the test” The words that any client wants to hear! Not all SMS Gateway service providers will jump to the chance to provide test messages, but you can still do it yourself for very little money. Know what the product is capable of before you commit. Test whether you can successfully send and receive messages to and from your targets. 3. “We know what we are...

Payment options offered by SMS Gateway service providers

by | Jul 2, 2013 |

SMS gateway service providers all offer different payment plans and options, depending on the product or service you are interested in. In general, SMS messages and credits are purchased from a website, so naturally, most gateway providers support online credit card payment, PayPal, check payment, direct deposit, or a wire transfer. Cash payments will most likely not be accepted as electronic transfers are more secure and comes with a clear proof of payment. Most SMS gateway service providers offer a web-based account management system where you can manage your entire SMS campaign from one central location. The ease of use will differ and some will have features that others don’t. For instance, you can get features like IP locking, low credits/ SMS messages alerts, detailed reports, sub user management and SMS routing options. SMS routing options might have a direct effect on your payment options. The reason being: sometimes you may not want to allow your staff members to send SMS messages to destinations that cost too many credits. If your company sets up an SMS messaging system for staff members to contact clients in South Africa, you may want to disable the sending of SMS messages to other countries. Also, some networks are cheaper but not so reliable, while others are expensive but much more dependable. Keep in mind that the and reliability as the costs of SMS services and...