Introducing
Whether it's tracking an accountant's clients or mobilising a search & rescue team, a shared information source that can be accessed from anywhere 24 hours a day can be of great benefit.
Add the ability to easily send virtually instant SMS messages to your whole team using your PC keyboard, and you have a powerful team working solution.
We offer on-line database solutions that allow groups to collaborate using only an Internet-enabled PC and a standard browser. Our SMS gateway, designed for rapid message delivery, can be integrated with your on-line database or used as a stand-alone service.
We specialize in customised low cost web applications for small to medium sized businesses, where a commercial web-hosted database solution (or more often the cost of customising one) is not cost effective.
SMS Responder
The Data Lake's SMS Responder service is designed to serve the needs of groups requiring SMS delivery of time-critical messages. The service was developed in collaboration with lowland volunteer search team Bucks Search & Rescue whos 48 members assist Thames Valley Police with missing person searches. Other UK lowland search teams are now also evaluating the system.
Experts in rapid SMS
Developing these demanding systems has given TDL valuable experience in the best ways of ensuring rapid and reliable SMS transmission. TDL have contacts with five well-established SMS gateways, and are developing direct links with UK phone operators. We monitor messaging speed and reliability and make any changes necessary to deliver a quick and reliable service, which means you can get on with your job!
Web based interface
A database of members' names and mobile numbers can be accessed from almost any internet-enabled PC using a user-friendly web site. This web site is also used to send SMS messages. The website is password protected and encrypted using SSL (as used for protecting credit card details).
We understand that at four in the morning, with someone stuck up a mountain, a user-friendly system is essential. SMS Responder has been developed as a simple and straight-forward way to send SMS messages.
SMS to SMS
Although the Web interface has many advantages, SMS Responder will also allow SMS messages from a normal GSM phone to be broadcast to all team members.
The combination of Web and Phone access combined means that SMS Responder is available to any organiser from home, from work, from their car or in the field.
No running out of units
Bona-fide organisations will be invoiced for units used - they do not have to be purchased in advance as with most other services. This means that there is no danger of running out of units during a busy period. It also means we can invoice your organisation direct - there is no need to use personal credit cards.
Personal user names
All other services we have tested supply only a single user name and password to organisations. For accountability and to help comply with the Data Protection Act, organisations using SMS Responder can set up individual user names and passwords for each person authorised to use the service.
Controlled costs
Sending rapid SMS messages direct to UK operators costs more than using offshore routes. However, SMS Responder gives the option of 'Economy' delivery for messages that are not time critical, for example a change of meeting venue for next week, or an announcement of a social event.
Costs can be reduced further by reducing the number of people each message is sent to. Members can be marked as "inactive" while they are on holiday etc, and messages can be sent to as many or as few people as necessary.
Further, the cost of sending each message is displayed before it is sent. This is confirmed in two emails automatically sent to the sender and account owner.
Expandability
The standard web interface is all that's needed to send SMS messages, but many of our customers use their web database for more than just SMS messaging. Bucks Search & Rescue store their members' qualifications, from Rescue to First Aid, along with addresses, home phone numbers etc. These details are used in many reports from First Aid listings to the unit phone list. These features, or other new features unique to your organisation, can be added at a later date if required.
Why not try it?
There are no setup fees, you only pay for the messages you send.