Alert Taxis first in New Zealand to offer taxi orders via sms
TxtCentre utilised to allow customers to order a taxi
AUCKLAND NEW ZEALAND – July 18, 2003 - In a first for the New Zealand market, TxtCentre Ltd announces that Alert Taxis now offer the ability to order a taxi via SMS txt messaging. The complete service is provided by TxtCentre’s ground-breaking and patented technology.
Brian Lough, General Manager of Alert Taxis said "TxtCentre's service is simple, yet highly effective, and will deliver a great solution for the growing number of customers who want a simple and cost effective way to order a taxi from their mobile phone. Our customers create an SMS txt message beginning with the word 'taxi' or 'alert' followed by their pick-up address. We receive the txt instantly, send a confirmation txt back to the customer so they know we’ve got them in our system and then dispatch a taxi. It couldn't be more simple or convenient".
Warren Tobin, Managing Director TxtCentre, "Txt (SMS) messaging is a fast growing phenomenon, even in older age groups. Mobile phones now own consumer pocket space and, unlike computers, they can be used virtually anywhere. While txt used to be the domain of the under 20s, today txt messaging extends across all age groups as a result of parents learning from their children and from the aging of the original txt pioneers. The group of people who do not txt shrinks monthly. Our TxtCentre service provides a new channel for any call/contact centre. We deliver all of the cost benefits associated with existing automation technologies, such as integrated voice response (IVR), but we do so without adversely affecting the customer experience. Txt automation is more akin to the successful application of online self-service which means that in many cases we actually enhance the customer experience".
TxtCentre provides a new communication channel for call/contact centres. Instead of calling into a call/contact center by phone, consumers use their mobile phone to send a simple txt message, to a short code. Short codes operate on both Telecom and Vodafone networks. This action signals a request for service from the desired organisation.
Inbound txt messages can be integrated into existing call queues along with voice calls, emails and faxes. Integrated Txt Response (ITR) which mimics Integrated Voice Technology (IVR) but with a far wider range of automation capability and usability benefits, is also provided, as is a TxtChat option.
There are two short codes provided with the TxtCentre service; 8080 which is free to the mobile phone user and 8989 which incurs a charge of 50c. The short code activated for each service is determined by the organization subscribing to the TxtCentre solution.
Until the advent of TxtCentre, call/contact centres had to accept the significant cost of taking mobile phone originate calls, or risk alienating 2.6M consumers who use mobile phone in New Zealand, by barring mobile originate calls. The elimination of wait time, an on-going issue for all call centres in terms of cost and customer satisfaction levels, as well as the ability to streamline repetitive tasks, are just some of the benefits delivered by TxtCentre.
Another is the ability to dramatically reduce call abandonment. TxtCentre captures a caller’s number as part of the inbound txt message. Furthermore, the TxtCentre service is seamless, with inbound txt messages being integrated into a call/contact centre’s existing call queue management systems.
About Alert Taxis
Alert Taxis have been servicing the Auckland market since 1964. During that time Alert has developed a reputation for offering a first class telephone response service. Customer demand for this type of service has seen Alert Taxis grow its fleet over the last 12 months and will continue to do so to meet discerning customers requirements. Alert Taxis is an active member of the New Zealand Taxi Federation promoting "Safe Professional Service".
About TxtCentre Ltd
TxtCentre was formed to harness the opportunities afforded by mobile phones and the new forms of communication available through them. The intellectual property surrounding the TxtCentre product has been successfully patented. TxtCentre has offices in New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom. TxtCentre is a partner of Vodafone, Telecom and many other large telecommunications organizations.
www.txtcentre.com