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St John Ambulance Selects Web-Based SMS Solution From Text Messaging Centre (TMC) for Rapid Response Communication via Two-Way SMS Messaging

Posted on: Monday, 23 February 2009, 10:56 CST

LONDON, February 23 /PRNewswire/ --

- First Aid Charity Implements Autonomous Web-Based SMS Solution to Communicate With Staff and Volunteers Quickly and Effectively

UK first-aid charity, St John Ambulance, has selected the autonomous web-based SMS solution from Text Messaging Centre (TMC) http://www.tmcsms.com/ to communicate efficiently with its substantial volunteer base throughout the Sussex region via two-way SMS messaging. The web-based SMS solution has been implemented throughout the Patient Transport section of St John Ambulance Sussex, to enable operators to contact volunteers and staff quickly when new jobs come in or when staff cover is urgently required. The quick send and respond times of TMC's web-based SMS solution have speeded up reaction time from registered volunteers resulting in huge time and cost savings for the not-for-profit organisation.

Since implementing the Text Messaging Centre (TMC) web-based SMS solution http://tinyurl.com/bbkkp5 , St John Ambulance has seen a dramatic reduction in the amount of time spent contacting volunteers to find out their availability for particular tasks, thanks to two-way SMS messaging. Matthew Codling, Operational Services Manager for St John Ambulance Sussex explains, "Communication via with our staff and volunteers is fundamental to the successful running of the organisation. Using two-way SMS messaging has allowed us to free up the amount of time spent calling a list of volunteers - which was a full time job in itself." Codling continues, "We can now send one simple text out to our team of volunteers simultaneously, ensuring everyone receives the same information at the same time. It has also meant we can target volunteers much more rapidly, as people tend to respond more quickly to text than a missed phone call."

Because Text Messaging Centre (TMC) is a web-based SMS solution rather than desk-top http://tinyurl.com/aqj6wv , it can be accessed from any computer and all two-way SMS messaging is fully auditable and compliant through the interface. Text Messaging Centre (TMC)'s 'no contract, no minimum term, no fixed monthly fee' approach was one of the key attractions for St John Ambulance in the selection of this system over others, along with TMC's reputation for cost efficiency and reliability. "One of the key benefits of the Text Messaging Centre (TMC) technology is its flexibility", explains Codling. "The number of two-way SMS messaging we use is never stable, as many of our services are reactive to what is happening at the time. For example, a severe outbreak of flu or a weekend music festival in the region will dramatically increase the number of texts we send. Having the ability to buy different text bundles enables us to buy what we need, when we need it, significantly reducing our costs and limiting wastage".

Following a successful trial period, the charity now uses text as a regular method of communication, sending on average around 127 messages a day to three groups of volunteers. The technology is also being used to assist other sections of St John Ambulance within areas such as task deployment and event management. Codling says, "We are increasingly finding new ways in which two-way SMS messaging can vastly improve our communication processes. We have recently used a virtual number from Text Messaging Centre (TMC) http://tinyurl.com/cyor2q to send non-urgent information, such as casualty numbers at large events, to one central location where it can be easily retrieved and analysed at a convenient time." Codling adds, "We have also begun to inform ambulance drivers of their next journey via text, as it is often difficult to answer a mobile phone when your primary concern is taking care of a patient."

Peter Tanner, Managing Director of Text Messaging Centre (TMC) comments, "It is a real pleasure to be working with a worthwhile charity such as St John Ambulance. It is great that two-way SMS messaging has had such a positive impact on the running of the charity." Tanner concludes, "As a not-for-profit organisation it is really important that out-going costs are kept to a minimum and it is fantastic that our web-based SMS solution is enabling St John Ambulance to do that."

About Text Messaging Centre

TMC provides controlled and managed autonomous web-based text messaging solutions for business. This UK market leader in innovative SMS messaging, specializes in producing software tools and offering services which allow organisations to control their own sending and receiving of unlimited global text messages. TMC customers span public and private sectors, SME to Enterprise.

TMC provides its customers with a completely scalable, web-based SMS platform, making it simple, easy and cost effective for organisations to communicate quickly and economically with both clients and staff. The organisation's "no contract, no minimum term, no monthly charge" approach has attracted such customers as Tube Lines, Home House, Brent London Borough Council and Bupa.

SOURCE Text Messaging Centre (TMC)

Source: PR Newswire

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