Connet Systems has acquired the tender for the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality (STLM). "We welcomed the news that we had won the tender for the Steve Tshwete Municipality," says Brendan White, CEO of Connet Systems. "It has reaffirmed our commitment to providing first-rate mobile communication solutions."
In South Africa, not enough companies use a mobile strategy either for marketing, as part of their business structure, or for reaching out to their employees. "With mobile penetration in South Africa sitting at over 100% of the population, businesses today can't afford to leave out a mobile strategy," says White.
"Mobile statistic reports for South Africa indicate a positive growth in usage throughout the next year. If you aren't on board already, it's time to look into how mobile communication can be a cost-effective and efficient solution, while at the same time delivering a service that is easily reached by millions in South Africa."
The municipality has expressed positive results when using mobile communication to simplify and streamline its notifications and account registration process. The system, facilitated by Connet Systems, provides the municipality with a platform to communicate and provide information to the local community by using mobile technology. Using a short code and bulk SMS, registered users receive information on a variety of municipal services, including the invoices outstanding on their accounts.
A short code is used to register consumers on the Web-based system municipal e-service. Lorette Bruwer, Data Control Officer, and Marius Britz, Radio Network Technician at STLM, say: "Our in-house developed Web-based system is intended for those customers who do not have access to register via the Internet or prefer to use a cellphone to register. If a customer lost his/her e-service password it can be obtained through the short code set up by Connet Systems." Once registered, the consumers receive monthly SMSes on their account balance and due date. Bruwer and Britz mention that, "the municipal accounts are settled faster especially during times when the Post Office strikes and accounts could not be delivered on time. Also, the delivery reports returned from Connet Systems offer a very effective management tool for accountability and traceability."
Using bulk SMS, the municipality reaches its customers within minutes to notify them of any electricity or water interruptions and expected restoration times. "The cost to reach so many consumers is relatively low, taking into account the benefit of informing so many consumers simultaneously," say Bruwer and Britz. "Reaching our consumers before they call us has reduced our inbound calls. We have found that consumers even take the SMS and post the technical faults on Facebook and Twitter accounts, which are read by many people in the municipal area."
STLM also uses SMS for sending information to the local community on delays in refuse removal and collection times, scheduled ward meetings and sale of residential stands. Even the regional radio receives an SMS to inform the public accordingly. The combination of mobile communication, social media and radio creates a rapid notification system.
Future projects for the mobile communications at STLM may include sending applicants the outcome of their interviews. "Although not finalised yet, a new development recently undertaken is to notify applicants on interview details and the outcomes thereof," say Bruwer and Britz. "We may also consider sending out reminders for public meetings."
Through mobile communication, STLM has established relationships and communication channels with the local community and facilitated a culture of public accountability with accurate information about the level of municipal services. "We definitely recommend that a mobile communication strategy be used by all municipalities. Technologies are forever changing and customers are becoming more aware of their rights and duties as members of a local community," say Bruwer and Britz. "The process works for the municipality and is very efficient with basically no maintenance. Mobile technology is an effective tool, which can be used by municipalities to establish a sound relationship with communities and to keep them informed on various municipal matters."
A leading developer of mobile services and systems, Connet Systems specialises in USSD applications as well as SMS, mobile applications, short codes, mobile payments and other mobile communication, and counts some of South Africa's largest companies among its customers. You can reach Connet Systems at 012 348 5332 or visit www.connet-systems.com.
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