Bridging the gap between people and administration in Messina with a Regional SMS Information Service and Ericsson IPX
Messina municipality launches SMS based information for citizens using Ericsson IPX’s campaign manager.
On February 14th the Messina Municipality in Italy announced the launch of its INFOSMS service in collaboration with Ericsson IPX. The customised application allows the broadcast of regional information via SMS creating a new channel of communication between the people and the local government. The service allows users to opt-in via the web and personalise the information they receive. The INFOSMS system can easily be replicated for other regions with IPX not just handling messaging but also management of the subscriber databases.
The system was created partly in response to the floods and mudslides which hit Messina in October 2009. A customised messaging application using the IPX automatic sending system was developed to help improve emergency communications with the people in the region. The service, which is still available, provided a rapid, reliable and accessible service which helped in bringing immediate support to those in need. Recognising the success of utilising the mobile channel in this situation, the INFOSMS solution was developed to help improve communications between the people and administration whilst improving the efficiency and transparency of services offered by the Messina Municipality.
With INFOSMS people opt-in via the Messina Municipality website, where they provide personal information and their mobile phone number. At this point, they can then subscribe to up to four different information channels:
AVVISI – news and alerts relating to the municipality
INFOMETEO – weather forecast information
NEWS – cultural events and institutional news
TRAFFICO – traffic and travel information
Locals are able to subscribe to as many or as few of these services as they like, creating their own personalised news streams. Geographic area can also be selected, adding a further layer of personalisation. Once a user has signed up to INFOSMS, they can manage which channels they will be able to receive and even completely unsubscribe simply by sending an SMS to a dedicated mobile number. The service is completely free to the user and is available only to residents of the Messina municipality.
The INFOSMS solution is based on the Ericsson IPX platform with an automatic SMS sending system and additional applications, tailored to meet the needs of the municipality. IPX provides the web interface which is interconnected to IPX Database Management as well as access to the IPX campaign manager tool which enables the sending of SMS to subscribers. Messina municipality has access to the tools required to operate the service autonomously whilst the subscriber database is stored in the IPX Italy premises where it can be easily maintained and updated.
The INFOSMS solution marks Ericsson IPX’s move into offering blended multi-channel solutions of both Web and SMS and is serving as a pilot for these kinds of services. Whereas IPX has previously provided pure connectivity through SMS, by offering a web interface and database management, the company is able to support regional administrations in offering a digital communication channel to its citizens, in turn driving involvement and interaction by the population in daily institutional activities.
On February 14th the Messina Municipality in Italy announced the launch of its INFOSMS service in collaboration with Ericsson IPX. The customised application allows the broadcast of regional information via SMS creating a new channel of communication between the people and the local government. The service allows users to opt-in via the web and personalise the information they receive. The INFOSMS system can easily be replicated for other regions with IPX not just handling messaging but also management of the subscriber databases.
The system was created partly in response to the floods and mudslides which hit Messina in October 2009. A customised messaging application using the IPX automatic sending system was developed to help improve emergency communications with the people in the region. The service, which is still available, provided a rapid, reliable and accessible service which helped in bringing immediate support to those in need. Recognising the success of utilising the mobile channel in this situation, the INFOSMS solution was developed to help improve communications between the people and administration whilst improving the efficiency and transparency of services offered by the Messina Municipality.
With INFOSMS people opt-in via the Messina Municipality website, where they provide personal information and their mobile phone number. At this point, they can then subscribe to up to four different information channels:
AVVISI – news and alerts relating to the municipality
INFOMETEO – weather forecast information
NEWS – cultural events and institutional news
TRAFFICO – traffic and travel information
Locals are able to subscribe to as many or as few of these services as they like, creating their own personalised news streams. Geographic area can also be selected, adding a further layer of personalisation. Once a user has signed up to INFOSMS, they can manage which channels they will be able to receive and even completely unsubscribe simply by sending an SMS to a dedicated mobile number. The service is completely free to the user and is available only to residents of the Messina municipality.
The INFOSMS solution is based on the Ericsson IPX platform with an automatic SMS sending system and additional applications, tailored to meet the needs of the municipality. IPX provides the web interface which is interconnected to IPX Database Management as well as access to the IPX campaign manager tool which enables the sending of SMS to subscribers. Messina municipality has access to the tools required to operate the service autonomously whilst the subscriber database is stored in the IPX Italy premises where it can be easily maintained and updated.
The INFOSMS solution marks Ericsson IPX’s move into offering blended multi-channel solutions of both Web and SMS and is serving as a pilot for these kinds of services. Whereas IPX has previously provided pure connectivity through SMS, by offering a web interface and database management, the company is able to support regional administrations in offering a digital communication channel to its citizens, in turn driving involvement and interaction by the population in daily institutional activities.
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