Joburg.co.za is a dynamic online initiative providing up-to-date information on places to go, people to see and things to do in and around the Gauteng region.
Ken Fargher, technical director of Parity Software, explains that Joburg.co.za is a marketing initiative comprising an interactive Web site including weekly online newsletters developed and managed by Parity Software. Joburg.co.za was launched in February 2005 and has since achieved a subscriber count of over 180 000.
SMS Cellular Services (SCS) has recently partnered with Parity Software to SMS-enable the Web site so that readers can enter competitions and or charity fundraisers via SMS messaging.
"As an integral part of the SMS messaging process, we make use of SCS to provide us with premium-rated short codes that subscribers can SMS. We currently have two numbers that are used alternately on the Web site," says Fargher.
Rob Airey, managing director of SCS, comments: "SMS messaging is emerging as the most cost-effective, quickest and easiest form of peer-to-peer mobile communication ever. By making use of a unique five-digit code the customer is able to use it for marketing and competition purposes while at the same time familiarising its customer base with the number.
"The premium-rated short code service is highly effective if the customer wants to launch competitions or hold fundraisers."
Joburg.co.za aims to become the first port of call for Johannesburg residents or visitors when deciding what to do over the weekend. Visitors to the site can read the latest headlines, the weekend's weather, plan a holiday, win a prize by sending an SMS to an advertised number or even find a new restaurant.
"In terms of the Wireless Application Service Providers Association (WASPA) guidelines, we publish all our prizes and winners of the competitions in our newsletters. We have a different competition every two weeks. We are also planning on making the competitions more interactive.
"Joburg.co.za is the most exciting development in online marketing. The Web site along with the newsletter and SMS competitions provide the ideal platform from which to market the city of Johannesburg," concludes Fargher.
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SMS and mobile technology leader, SMS Cellular Services, provides enterprise enabling SMS systems on a wide range of applications and platforms. The CellSys solution includes a fully redundant network infrastructure for connection to GSM operators worldwide (including South Africa's Vodacom, MTN and Cell C). This ensures an unparalleled level of availability allowing organisations to implement SMS-enabled business critical applications. The simplicity of the interfaces and the ease of integration with the CellSys system means that SMS-enabled applications can be deployed quickly and easily, with minimal cost.
Offerings such as service level agreements, access to a 24-hour help-desk, network monitoring, engineering support and integration services, and consulting has enabled SMS Cellular Services to develop an impressive list of blue chip customers in the banking, financial services, manufacturing and mining industries.
Established in 1999, SMS Cellular Services is the exclusive owner of the CellSys SMS software suite. SCS develops, implements, supports and maintains highly functional and scalable business communication solutions through the use of mobile technology.
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