SMS Technology Provides Mobile Workers with a Permanent Messaging Connection to the Internet

Roke Manor Research, the electronics research and development business owned by Siemens, has developed and applied for a patent for SIEPOS (SMS Internet Enabled Point of Sales System), a unique SMS technique to improve efficiencies of mobile workers and heighten customer responsiveness. The new service enables mobile workers to receive orders and appointments in real-time, regardless of location and Internet connectivity.

"A top priority for any small business is to keep costs down, enhance productivity and grow their customer base. SIEPOS cuts costs significantly as mobile workers no longer need a permanent connection to the Internet," explains Adrian Skidmore, Retail and Finance Sector Marketing Manager, Roke Manor Research.

"It enables businesses to run much more efficient mobile operations and improve customer responsiveness, with information received in real-time.

The technology is being trialled by mobile Internet and communication company 4Productions Ltd, whose customers include estate agents and remote engineering companies.

Upon a customer placing an order or booking an appointment on a company's website, an SMS message is automatically sent to the SIEPOS application running on the mobile workers PDA. Without the need for an Internet connection, the mobile worker can immediately acknowledge and notify the customer, for example stating when they can expect delivery of their order.

"The trial so far has been a great success, with clients welcoming the convenience of being able to receive customer information regardless of location. Plus the application is easy to use and doesn't require any training or complex integration into existing systems" says Giles Butler of 4Productions.

"We hope to permanently offer this valuable service to all our client base soon."

Text messaging is becoming an increasingly popular communication tool with an average 55 million messages being sent daily in the UK in 2003 and forecasts reaching 63 million a day in 2004.* SIEPOS enables businesses to leverage the popularity of this technology to their advantage.

*Mobile Data Association January 2004

About 4Productions

4Productions specialise in developing and delivering Mobile SMS Text Messaging Solutions and Software Productivity tools, using leading edge technology. Its products will fit any business sector and are scaleable to meet the needs of individuals and SME's through to corporate customers.

About Roke Manor Research

Owned by Siemens, Roke Manor Research is recognised as a worldwide centre of excellence for research and development. Roke Manor Research specialises in the fields of electronic sensors and communications and with 50 years' experience in radio systems consultancy, integrated solutions and product design, has the breadth of technology and skill customers can rely on to meet all their wireless communications needs. Visit www.roke.co.uk for more information.