User:Mistertms/TMS short code

This article is about the new generation of short codes for URL messaging: TMS short codes

Originally a short code is an association of a short keyword plus a short phone number provided by local telecoms companies that can be used by brands to engage in a relationship with consumers in order to exchange SMS text messaging or MMS multimedia messaging. Short codes are widely used for local value-added services such as TV program voting, ordering ring tones, charity donations and mobile services. Messages sent to short codes can be billed at a higher rate than a standard SMS. An example of short code is: text Haiti 2010 to 43445.

The telecoms short codes per definition are easier to read and remember and they were built for text messaging. With the new generation of internet connected mobile phones this system has needed to be upgraded to answer the requirements of URL messaging since the relationship between brands and consumers has moved from an exchange of texts to an invitation to visit a mobile web site (or a mobile application) via a personalized experience.

A new generation of short codes “the TMS shortcodes” has already emerged. These short codes are optimized for both the new generation of internet connected phones and URL messaging. The system is based on an editor of alpha numeric short codes, Telecoms neutral and a new real time search engine of short codes accessible via a simple mobile web browser by end users. the editor of TMS short code is accessible in the web site TMSshortcodes.com.

Technology

The TMS short codes technology enable brands to create a short code (numeric or branded) and to link it to a mobile site via an URL or to various mobile sites for location based distribution. The system also allows the edition of different short codes linked to a same URL, to identify the origin of the consumer’s activation. At the same time the search engine of shortcodes TMSsearch.com is able to retrieve a mobile site associated to a short code and to analyze the user’s environment (handset /time / date / location). These two components associated in real time authorize to redirect the users instantly to a personalized experience via dynamic URLs.

A dynamic URL is used to drive a visitor to a personalized version of a mobile site (in relation to his handset, location, language) as opposed to a static URL which drives all visitors to the same version of a mobile site. Dynamic URLs also provide an easier way to analyze the usage of a mobile site.

As a direct result, users who enter a same TMS short code into the TMS search engine with different handsets, at different times and in different locations, will be able to access different mobile offers optimized for their phones and locations and available at the specific day and time they have activated the short code.

Different TMS short codes

The editor of TMS short codes enables users to create numeric short codes from 5 digits to 11 digits.

8 digits to 11 digits are usually used to create a short code with the phone number of a store or business. This permits a consumer to either call the number or use it in TMS search to access the store or company mobile site.

The platform allows users to create vanity (branded) codes which associate a 2 to 6 letters root to a 4 digits number. The platform also allows the users to purchase a branded short code root to use it for future campaigns (associated to different 4 digit numbers).

Short codes differences

The Telecoms SMS short codes are based on text messaging. They can provide consumers access to a brand mobile site in 3 steps: the user needs to send (and pay) the first SMS in order to receive an SMS from the brand with a text and a static URL linked to the brand mobile site.

The TMS short codes optimized for URL messaging reduce the consumer activation to 1 step with no SMS involved. They direct consumers instantly to an optimized experience. On the brand side the TMS shortcode system reduces the process to a one step experience and offers multiple possibilities in term of actions.

External links

 Article from Mobile Marketing magazine / UK
 Place to create TMS short codes