SMS text messaging is the most widely used data application
in the world, with 2.4 billion active users, or 74% of all
mobile phone subscribers. The term SMS is used as a synonym for
all types of short text messaging as well as the user activity
itself in many parts of the world.
What is an SMS Gateway
One problem of SMS messaging is that phone
companies use their own communication protocol and most of these
protocols are proprietary.
To avoid this problem Salon & Spa uses a
SMS gateway to act as a relay between your
business and he different phone companies subscribers phones.
SMS gateway providers facilitate the SMS traffic between
businesses and mobile subscribers, being mainly responsible for
carrying mission-critical messages.
It is easy to send SMS messages with an SMS
gateway service provider. Here are the typical steps:
- Register for an account on the SMS
service provider's web site. (An SMS service provider may
allow newly registered users to send a few free SMS messages
for testing it's service quality.)
- Log into the account.
- Buy a number of credits or SMS text
messages online. Many SMS service providers support credit
card payment and some also support PayPal.
- Send SMS messages using the Salon &
Spa tools provided in various parts of the system.
- Receive replies using your preferred
e-mail account.
- The cost per SMS message sent depends
on how many SMS messages you purchase. It starts at around
US $0.06 to US $0.07 per SMS message. The more SMS messages
you purchased, the lower the cost of sending one SMS
message.
SalonTrac Systems recommends
smsgateway.ca as your
SMS provider.
Using SMS text messaging in Salon &
Spa or iTracRetail
The text message windows
will use your client's primary phone number. you
will need to insure that the primary phone number is
their cell phone.
You will now be able to send text messages to your
clients from the client center and the client search
dialog.
As well with the click of a button you can send
pre-formatted reminder texts from the appointment
information screen and the two appointment confirmation
screens.
You will get an immediate message that
your text message was successfully sent or a message as
to what error may have been encountered.
Replies that your clients may send you
will be returned to you to your e-mail account that you
specified when you set up your SMS account.
