Connet Systems has once again taken hands with Cotlands to assist the organisation in reaching its values of excellence and furthering possibilities. Cotlands, a non-profit community development organisation that focuses on early childhood learning and actively seeks to find solutions to real community problems, is sponsored by Connet Systems. Since April 2013 Connet Systems has assisted Cotlands to achieve its goals through optimising its mobile marketing strategies.
In focusing on this aspect, Connet Systems has developed a user-friendly USSD application that will enable anyone who utilises Cotlands' facilities in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Western Cape and Mpumalanga to view play sessions, times and venues throughout the year; details of lessons will be outlined informing caregivers about what their child will learn, as well as relevant numbers for social workers and emergency response personnel.
"Connet Systems' contribution to Cotlands through the development of a USSD application shows the company's level of commitment to our projects and to the empowering of families," says Jackie Schoeman, Cotlands CEO, "This system will enable caregivers to become more involved in the learning process and this, we believe, will further strengthen family relationships."
By simply dialling *120*8429# the user can navigate between times and venues, contact information and learning syllabuses. If all else fails, a direct contact number is listed should the user require additional assistance, be it directions or other information regarding the sessions. Weekly syllabuses include brief information for example in the first week of May children learnt about the dangers of playing with matches. The syllabus information thus also encourages caregivers to have their children tell them about what they learnt.
Cotlands would like to promote the USSD in July in local papers and broadcasters as it is meant for their beneficiary audience. "We are very excited to launch the USSD application," says Jackie Schoeman, "USSD is very popular in South Africa although it is fairly uncharted territory for non-profit organisations. Cotlands is fortunate and proud to have a long term-relationship with Connet Systems, which has allowed us to explore this new method of communication."
USSD continues to be a very popular mobile communication tool. This is not only due to the ease of use to the user but also the additional capabilities that USSD has to offer such as sending out a SMS within the application. USSD will continue to be a successful tool of communication because it is accessible on all handset types, so whether you are rocking a Nokia 3310 or the latest Samsung Galaxy, the USSD will function effectively.
As part of the overall sponsorship for the year, Connet Systems has also sent out thousands of SMSs to Cotlands' sponsors to promote World Play Day on 28 May in the hopes of repeating the success of 2013. If you would like to assist Cotlands, please visit www.cotlands.org.za to see how you can get involved today.
A leading developer of mobile services and systems, Connet Systems specialises in USSD applications as well as SMS, mobile applications, short codes, and other mobile communication and counts some of South Africa's largest companies amongst its customers. You can reach Connet Systems at 012 991 4328 or visit www.connet-systems.com.
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