Using SMS Marketing to Drive Revenue

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There’s an interesting article on the Xero blog about using SMS marketing to drive revenue – How to increase sales on a budget.

The article illustrates how an Auckland hair salon came invested $45 on an SMS marketing campaign to their existing customers to promote another one of their services that generated $24,000 in short-term revenue and up to $451,955 in long-term revenue.

This demonstrates an effective and appropriate use of SMS marketing to your existing customers – something fmSMS integrated with your FileMaker solution was designed to do.

Telstra SMS API

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Earlier this year Telstra, Australia’s biggest mobile phone operator, announced a preview of their new APIs website. I was pleasantly surprised that the first API that they were previewing was an SMS API which they were making available to a limited group of developers. I quickly signed up for the preview and started working out how to add support for the Telstra SMS API to fmSMS – within a few hours I had it successfully sending messages and receiving replies. During the Preview Telstra were not charging for use of the SMS API, however there were a few limitations:

  • you could not send more than 1000 free SMS messages per month
  • you were limited to 100 messages per day
  • you can only send messages to Australian mobile phones

Telstra have recently opened up the SMS API Preview to all developers and it’s still free, subject to the same original limitations. We’ve released an updated version of fmSMS with support for the Telstra SMS API so you can take advantage of the free messaging to Australia numbers during the preview.

For more information about fmSMS and to download a trial version visit the fmSMS website.

Full details about the Telstra SMS API are available at:

Telstra SMS API

 

Installing 32-bit and 64-bit plug-ins in FileMaker Pro v14

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The recently released FileMaker Pro v14 is the first version of FileMaker Pro that can be installed and run as either a 32-bit application or a 64-bit application – on Windows you have to choose which version to install, and on OS X FileMaker Pro is installed as a single application bundle containing both 64- and 32-bit versions (you can choose which version to run via the Get Info window).

When using the 64-bit FileMaker Pro application you will need to ensure that any plug-ins you install are the 64-bit versions – 32-bit plug-ins won’t load with the 64-bit FileMaker Pro application. The same applies to the 32-bit FileMaker Pro application – it will only load 32-bit plug-ins.

How do you check which version of FileMaker Pro v14 is installed in order to install the appropriate version of the plug-in? FileMaker have added a new function to v14 for just this purpose – Get ( ApplicationArchitecture ). This function will return the following depending on the platform:

  • i386 for the 32-bit version of FileMaker Pro
  • x86_64 for the 64-bit version of FileMaker Pro, FileMaker Server, FileMaker WebDirect, and Custom Web Publishing
  • arm7 for FileMaker Go running on an ARMv7-based device
  • arm7s for FileMaker Go running on an ARMv7s-based device
  • arm64 for FileMaker Go running on a 64-bit ARM-based device

As plug-ins are only supported by FileMaker Pro and FileMaker Server you can ignore the FileMaker Go options. To install a plug-in for the appropriate version/architecture/platform you can write a script that incorporates the following:

  1. use the Get (ApplicationVersion) function to determine whether you are running under FileMaker Pro/Pro Advanced, FileMaker Server or the Web Publishing Engine
  2. also use the the Get (ApplicationVersion) function to determine the version of the FileMaker client you are running
  3. if the client is FileMaker Pro/Pro Advanced and the version is less than 14 you can simply install the 32-bit version of the plug-in using the Install Plug-In File script step – you can check the installed version using the Get(InstalledFMPlugins) function
  4. if the client is FileMaker Pro/Pro Advanced and the version 14 or higher you can use the Get ( ApplicationArchitecture ) function to determine is it is a 32-bit or 64-bit installation and then use the Install Plug-In File script step to install the appropriate version
  5. if the client is FileMaker Server and the version is 13 or higher you will need to install the 64-bit version of the plug-in. For FileMaker Server v12 you need to install the 32-bit version of the plug-in. Remember to check the options in the FileMaker Server Admin Console under the Database Server > Server Plug-Ins tab to enable FileMaker Server to use plug-ins and update them via the Install Plug-In File script step.

Plug-in vendors will typically supply 3 versions of each plug-in:

  1. the Mac OS X version of the plug-in – this is a single binary plug-in (file extension .fmplugin) containing both the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of the plug-in
  2. a Windows 32-bit plug-in (file extension .fmx)
  3. a Windows 64-bit plug-in (file extension .fmx64)

You can store each of these plug-in files in separate container fields to be referenced by the Install Plug-In File script step, once you have branched for your FileMaker client, version and architecture.

If you’re using plug-ins with FileMaker Server’s Web Publishing Engine you’ll need to install these manually on your server – see the FileMaker Server Help guide for details on where to install these (the Custom Web Publishing Engine has been a 64-bit process since FileMaker Server v12.0v2).

This FileMake Knowledge Base article has more information about FileMaker Pro v14 and 64-bit operating systems – FileMaker Pro/Advanced and Windows 64 bit operating systems.

fmSMS and FileMaker Pro v14

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We’re pleased to report that fmSMS v3 is compatible with FileMaker Pro/Pro Advanced v14 that was released today. We haven’t encountered any issues so far in our testing and have been able to send single and bulk messages successfully.

If you encounter any issues with fmSMS v3 and FileMaker Pro v14 please let us know.

Databuzz to Exhibit at the 2015 FileMaker Developer Conference

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FileMaker Inc. have recently released the schedule for the 20th anniversary edition of the FileMaker Developer Conference (DevCon) to be held in Las Vegas, Nevada from July 20-23, 2015. We’re excited to announce that we will be once again exhibiting at the conference, and this year we have 2 products to demonstrate (a 100% increase on previous years!).

As we have in past years we will be demonstrating fmSMS, our award winning 2 way SMS solution for FileMaker Pro, FileMaker Go and FileMaker Server (including support for FileMaker WebDirect). fmSMS allows you to send an SMS from FileMaker Pro, FileMaker Go and FileMaker Server to almost any mobile phone in the world, reaching over 800 networks in more than 200 countries. You can get more information about fmSMS from the fmSMS website.

This year we will also be showcasing FileMaker integration with the Xero online accounting software. Xero is easy to use online accounting software that’s designed specifically for small businesses and is a great match for FileMaker Pro to help you run your business. We can help you integrate your existing FileMaker solutions with Xero, or if you would rather do this yourself we also have a new product called fmAccounting Link (Xero Edition). fmAccounting Link (Xero Edition) lets you upload and download Contacts, Invoices, Payments, Bills, Timesheets and more between FileMaker and Xero. You can get more information on fmAccounting Link (Xero Edition) from the fmAccounting Link (Xero Edition) product page.

 

If you’re coming to the conference please stop by and say hello and we can demonstrate how you can send and receive SMS/TXT messages using FileMaker Pro, FileMaker Go and FileMaker Server. We hope to see as many of you there as possible and look forward to answering your questions about FileMaker, SMS integration and Xero.

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fmSMS Developer License Now Available

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Databuzz is pleased to announce that a Developer License for fmSMS v3 is now available from the fmsms.com website. The Developer License allows FileMaker developers to integrate fmSMS with an unlimited number of their client solutions. fmSMS is completed unlocked allowing developers to either embed or integrate fmSMS into their client solutions – we have an Integration Guide that covers both scenarios.

We now have 3 different licenses available for fmSMS:

  1. Workgroup License: this allows you to use fmSMS at a single Company at one location
  2. Vertical Solution License: this allows you to integrate fmSMS with a single vertical solution that your company sells
  3. Developer License (v3 only): this allows you to integrate fmSMS with an unlimited number of your client solutions

Full details including pricing are available on the fmSMS Purchase page.

Why SMS Marketing is Powerful

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We came across an interesting article this week on the Flying Solo website listing 4 reasons why SMS marketing is powerful. The article is aimed at an Australian audience but the principles apply all around the world. Here are their 4 reasons why SMS marketing is so powerful:

  1. You have permission (an there’s no junk/spam folder on mobile phones for messages to get lost in)
  2. SMS has extremely high open rates (98% of text messages are read by recipients and 90% within 3 minutes of delivery)
  3. SMS gets to the point
  4. Conversion is incredibly high

You can read the full article here. You can get more information about our FileMaker 2 way SMS solution fmSMS on the dedicated fmSMS website.

fmSMS 10% Off During FileMaker DevCon 2014

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Databuzz will be exhibiting once again at the FileMaker Developer Conference 2014 where will be showing fmSMS v3.5 and how easy it is to send and receive SMS/TXT messages with FileMaker Pro, FileMaker Server, FileMaker WebDirect and FileMaker Go. If you’re attending DevCon make sure you stop by our booth for a demo of how fmSMS works or if have any questions about integrating SMS functionality into your existing FileMaker solution.

We’re also offering a special DevCon discount from now until the 1st August, 2014 – you can get 10% off fmSMS using our special DevCon purchase link at:

http://www.fmsms.com/devcon/

Even if you can’t make it to DevCon in person you can still take advantage of this offer. I look forward to catching up with as many attendees as possible – please stop by our booth and say hello.

Databuzz releases fmSMS v3.5 with FileMaker WebDirect Support

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Databuzz today announced fmSMS v3.5, an upgrade to their award winning solution that lets you send and receive SMS/TXT messages from within FileMaker Pro.

fmSMS allows you to send an SMS from FileMaker Pro to almost any mobile phone in the world via one of the supported SMS Gateways, reaching over 860 mobile networks in more than 220 countries. SMS is great means of direct communication with customers, staff, suppliers, and students.

fmSMS v3.5 has been updated to support FileMaker Pro v13 and FileMaker WebDirect allowing access via a web browser on a desktop or laptop. fmSMS also includes support for sending messages from FileMaker Go running on the iPad or iPhone. Databuzz will be demonstrating fmSMS v3.5 at the 2014 FileMaker Developer Conference, to be held in San Antonio, Texas from July 28-31, 2014.

What’s New in v3.5

  • updated for FileMaker Pro v13
  • added support for FileMaker WebDirect
  • expanded supported SMS Gateways to over 50 providers internationally
  • added support for the new Perform Script On Server script step (requires FileMaker Server v13)
  • bulk SMS in FileMaker Pro v13 now uses the new List of summary field for faster performance
  • updated for FileMaker Go v13*

SMS is perfect for appointment reminders, phone messages, promotions, segmented marketing, school absence alerts, and password confirmations. With SMS you can reduce your costs and play less “telephone tag”.

fmSMS works with multiple SMS Gateway providers internationally and supports the following features**:

  • Send single and bulk SMS messages (messages are typically delivered in under 15 seconds)
  • Send long messages (greater than 160 characters)
  • Works with over 50 SMS Gateway providers internationally
  • Delayed Delivery – send a message now for delivery at a future time
  • Alphanumeric Sender ID –
  • Delivery Receipts – track the status of sent messages
  • Message Logging – track the history of all sent messages
  • Message templates – create an unlimited number of pro forma templates
  • 2 Way SMS – allow recipients to reply to messages and have them appear in fmSMS

“fmSMS is now easier to integrate into a customer’s existing FileMaker solution than ever,” said Andrew Duncan, Director of Databuzz. “We’ve simplified the licensing and included support for the entire FileMaker platform – you can now send an SMS from FileMaker Pro, FileMaker Go, FileMaker WebDirect or FileMaker Server.”

Availability, Pricing, and Compatibility

fmSMS v3.5 is available now from the fmSMS website at http://www.fmsms.com. A 14 day trial version is available for both Macintosh and Windows. Workgroup Licenses start at AUD $495.00. fmSMS requires FileMaker Pro v12 or FileMaker Pro v13.

Upgrade Information

fmSMS v3.5 is a free upgrade for owners of fmSMS v2/v3.

* FileMaker Go support requires the fmSMS file to be hosted by FileMaker Server

** Not all SMS Gateways support all features of fmSMS. Some features might incur additional charges by your selected SMS Gateway. Some features require hosting by FileMaker Server v12/v13 with Custom Web Publishing using the PHP API and a static IP address. See our website at http://www.fmsms.com for more details.

Media/Customer Contact:

Andrew Duncan

Phone: +61 418 468 103

sales@databuzz.com.au

http://www.fmsms.com

http://www.databuzz.com.au

About Databuzz: Databuzz is a long standing member is a member of the FileMaker Business Alliance and has been developing and deploying FileMaker solutions for clients in Australia and internationally since 1999. Our clients are individuals, small-medium businesses, government agencies and multi-national corporations. Databuzz was founded by Andrew Duncan, a Certified FileMaker 13 Developer. In 2010 Andrew presented a session at the annual FileMaker Developer Conference on integrating SMS/TXT Message Integration with FileMaker. For more information please visit our website at http://www.databuzz.com.au.

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FileMaker is a trademark of FileMaker, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

New fmSMS Website Launched

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In preparation for the launch of a new version of fmSMS at the upcoming FileMaker Developer Conference we’ve just updated the fmsms.com website – we hope you like the new design. We’ll be updating the main Databuzz website next week as well with similar changes.

Our new website is much more friendly on mobile devices like smartphones and tablets which now account for over half of Internet traffic. We’ll be adding some new videos next week that demonstrate the main features of fmSMS.

Just a reminder that Databuzz will be exhibiting at the 2014 FileMaker Developer Conference in San Antonio, Texas from July 28-31, 2014. We’ll be demonstrating how you can use fmSMS with FileMaker Pro, FileMaker Go and FileMaker WebDirect to send and receive SMS/TEXT messages with the FileMaker platform. We hope to see as many of you there as possible and look forward to answering your questions about FileMaker and SMS integration.