1. Using SMS Technology Michael Schack South West TAFE Library

2. SMS – what is it?

3. SMS – What Is It?  Short message service  A communications protocol allowing the interchange of short text messages between mobile telephone devices.

4. Reasons for adopting SMS  To improve communication with our customers by supplementing existing methods of communication (Identified problems included unanswered phone calls, returned postal items and unread emails) (Identified problems included unanswered phone calls, returned postal items and unread emails)

5. What sort of messages do we send at South West TAFE Library  Short generic messages reminding borrowers they have items due today  Notices that items that have been requested are available  Miscellaneous mesages as required.

6. Process for reminder messages  DOS Batch file extracts data from library system and creates csv file  Library staff member uses Telstra Desktop messaging service to send text messages to borrowers with items due today  Borrowers may reply requesting a renewal  Loans are renewed manually on the library system and a confirmation text message sent

7. Definitions  DOS Batch file - A text file with the extension.BAT that contains DOS commands. When you type in the file name, DOS carries out the commands contained in the file, in the order they appear in the file CSV file - Comma Separated Values. -- a text file which can be opened by any spreadsheet or editor

8. Examples of files

9. Commands in batch file (s)

10. CSV file opened in Excel

11. Generic tag - keywords  

12. Case study stats  60 items charged in the week commencing 29 th March  32 text reminder messages were sent when items had not been returned  9 requests for renewal were received  23 overdue notices were mailed out

13. Anecdotal feedback  Positive comments from staff and students

14. Costs  About $0.13 per message