[OPLINTECH] Text Messaging

[JKENZIG]

At CCPL we have been using Velti for this. http://www.velti.com  I set
up a domain called librarytext.org and set it to forward all mail to
them from it.  The patron puts their cell phone number at
librarytext.org into their patron record as the email address.  The
notice goes to Velti who strips out the phone number reformats for cell
phone and sends it along as an sms text.  

 

Jim Kenzig

Network Manager

Cuyahoga County Public Library

 

From: oplintech-bounces at oplin.org [mailto:oplintech-bounces at oplin.org]
On Behalf Of Bill Hardison
Sent: Monday, September 22, 2008 9:15 AM
To: Shane I. Hoffman
Cc: oplintech at oplin.org
Subject: Re: [OPLINTECH] Text Messaging

 

Shane,

Not to rain on your parade, I am of a similar mind.  I suggested an SMS
project 5 or 6 years ago to the TV station I used to work for.  At it's
foundation it is an outstanding idea.  (of course I'd say that I had it
too  lol)

3 years ago I finally was allowed to setup (with one of our vendors) a
school closing SMS alert system .  Mass SMS messaging is a nightmare.
Getting away from it is one of the reasons I give for wanting a new job.
The major task isn't the technology to send the messages.  It's keeping
your messages flowing.  The cell phone companies are constantly changing
their SMS spam "filtering" tactics.  One day your messages go through
and the next they do not.  They are not particularly interested in the
problems of those outside phone to phone SMS.  To add to the problems
some cell phone carriers do not allow anything BUT phone to phone SMS.
Trac Phone used to be like that.  I assume they still are.  On any given
"snow day" I could anticipate 3 to 4 hundred bounced SMS email messages,
that required individual attention to remove canceled cell accounts etc
from the database.

It's true that no library would need to communicate with such a large
group.  However, the problems with the cell companies would be
universal.

So, what am I saying?  If you can find a vendor who is willing to handle
ALL of this for you and all you have to provide is message content, go
for it.  If you have to build it and/or manage it day to day, then maybe
not.


-- 
Bill

Bill Hardison
Computer Services Coordinator
Northwest Regional Library System (NORWELD)
419-352-2903



On Tue, Sep 9, 2008 at 10:14 AM, Shane I. Hoffman
<shoffman at pickawaylib.org> wrote:

Are any of your libraries using text messaging for pre-overdue notices
or any other communication with the public?

 

 Shane Ian Hoffman
IT Coordinator
Pickaway County District Public Libraries
1160 North Court Street
Circleville, OH  43113
phone - 740.477.1644 ext. 232
fax - 740.474.2855 


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