What is SMS delivery service? Advantages, disadvantages, comparison points!

SMS delivery services have a high message delivery rate and have been attracting attention from many companies in recent years.

While many companies have introduced it, I think that many people do not know what kind of effect the SMS delivery service has.

Therefore, this time, we will explain what SMS delivery service is, advantages and disadvantages, and comparison points of SMS delivery service.
If you are considering introducing an SMS delivery service, please refer to this article.

What is SMS delivery service?

SMS delivery service is a service that uses SMS as a web service, a means of confirming identity authentication, a means of communication such as notifications and reminders, and a promotional tool.

Why you need an SMS delivery service

Reasons to use SMS

Unlike e-mail, SMS can deliver messages by phone number.

While email addresses are easy to change, phone numbers are hard to change and are often used for a long time.

For this reason, SMS has a higher delivery rate of messages to users, and the number of companies using SMS delivery is increasing year by year.

Why you need an SMS delivery service

If you deliver SMS individually, it takes time and labor costs to deliver to many people. Therefore, when using SMS delivery at a company, it is necessary to introduce an SMS delivery service that can deliver all at once.

What you can do with SMS service delivery (basic functions)

The following five functions (basic functions) can be performed with the SMS delivery service.

• SMS individual delivery
• Simultaneous SMS delivery
• SMS authentication
• API linked transmission function
• IVR linked transmission

SMS individual delivery

You can send individual messages to selected customers. For example, you can send birthday coupons to users who have a birthday in the month, or send the schedule of the second interview to those who passed the first interview in recruitment activities.

Simultaneous SMS delivery

You can distribute the advertisements and messages you want to convey to all customers at once.

SMS authentication

You can send a one-time password by SMS when you need to verify your identity, such as when installing or registering a web service.

API linked transmission function

This function promotes the use of existing services by linking existing services used by companies with APIs provided by SMS delivery services.
For example, it can be used for reception completion notification at the time of reservation reception and reminder message for the day before reservation.

IVR linked transmission

This is a function that links the SMS delivery service and voice guidance.

For example, if a call center is busy and there are not enough operators to answer incoming calls, you can switch to voice guidance and guide the customer to a web page containing the information they want.

Advantages of introducing SMS delivery service

High delivery/open rate

Many people feel that SMS is a minor messaging tool.

However, since SMS is a standard feature of smartphones and mobile phones, the delivery rate of SMS messages is high at about 99%.

In addition, since the distribution volume of SMS is generally small, it is easy for users to open the message without burying it.

Fewer user address changes

SMS delivery service is a service that exchanges messages using phone numbers.
Phone numbers are less likely to change than email addresses.

One of the reasons why messages do not arrive is “change of address”. Even if you change your carrier, you don’t need to change your phone number with MNP, so the advantage is that you don’t have to change your address.

Problems and disadvantages of SMS delivery

there is a character limit

General SMS delivery has a character limit of 70 characters, so you have to narrow down the main points.

However, recent A2P-SMS delivery services are capable of sending long texts, support messages of 600 characters or more, and have a function to shorten URLs.
So the character limit issue is improving.

Can only be delivered in text

Unlike recent advertisements, SMS delivery services cannot deliver messages using images, videos, voices, etc. Since the range of expression is limited with text alone, the appeal is low.

However, since the three major domestic carriers are collaborating to provide a next-generation platform for SMS delivery, which is attracting attention, we can expect a wider range of expressions for SMS delivery.

SMS delivery service selection point

Connection method

There are two connection methods: “domestic direct connection” and “international network connection”.
“Domestic Direct Connection” connects directly between domestic mobile carriers and SMS distributors, and “International Network Connection” uses an overseas server.

If you want to increase the delivery rate, you should choose “domestic direct connection”. By connecting directly, high delivery rate and high security can be achieved.

Some users refuse to receive “international network connections” to prevent fraud, so we recommend choosing a service limited to “domestic direct connections” only.

number of deliveries

The usage fee varies depending on how many SMS are delivered, and there are cases where an individual estimate is required. Estimate the expected number of deliveries and the number of deliveries in advance.

Extensibility of sent sentences

In order to increase the appeal to users, we recommend choosing a service that has a function that allows you to devise your message.

For example, there is a function that can handle long sentences over 600 characters and shorten the URL of the link.
Such extensibility should be emphasized according to the purpose of use.

SMS delivery service introduction

Accrete

“Accrete” is a pioneer of the SMS delivery business in Japan, and is an SMS delivery service with global quality and reliability recognized by the world.
It has the No. 1 share in the SMS delivery market. * Quote: Survey report by “MIC IT Report September 2019” (MIC Economic Research Institute)

feature

• Reliable delivery due to domestic regular route by direct connection with mobile phone operators
• A highly reliable large-scale distribution platform that supports Japan’s largest SMS distribution
• SMS delivery with highly functional and user-friendly web management screen that can be used intuitively
• Various SMS-related know-how based on abundant implementation results and experience in global IT companies and domestic major companies
• Reliable security system We provide highly reliable services by obtaining certification from a third-party organization
• An SMS delivery company that is strong in system development Responds quickly and flexibly to system-related requests

price

Initial fee: 0 yen
Monthly fee: Inquiry

Presence or absence of trial

can be

Absolute reach!

“Zettai Reach!” is the industry’s largest SMS distribution service for corporations that can be easily sent and received.
Not only can you send messages from a dedicated management screen on your computer, but you can also incorporate an SMS sending function into the system you are using through payment agency or API linkage.

feature

• Safely delivered and opened
• Send messages up to 660 characters
• Not only campaign notifications, but also reminders of reservation dates
• Introduce to any system with API linkage
• In addition to sending one-way messages, you can also communicate one-on-one

price

• 1-Way (Most adopted plan for companies introducing SMS for the first time)
  Initial cost: 0 yen
  Monthly cost: 1,000 yen
  Billing unit price: 12 yen / message
  Number of free messages: 100 / monthly
  billing conditions: Successful billing ( Transmission failure is not charged.)
• 1-Way Alpha (Sender is written in alphabet)
  Initial cost: 30,000 yen
  Monthly cost: 11,000 yen
  Billing unit price: 12 yen / message
  Number of free mails: 100 / month
  Billing conditions: Request billing (charge regardless of distribution results)
• 2-Way (Send/receive SMS plan)
  Initial cost: Inquiry
  Monthly cost: Inquiry
  Billing unit price: 15 yen per message
  Billing conditions: Successful billing (sending failures are not billed)

Presence or absence of trial

can be

Cuenote SMS

“CuenoteSMS” does not require installation, and is a service that enables high-speed and reliable SMS delivery using the mobile phone network to all users with mobile phones and smartphones.

feature

• Reliable delivery due to phone number
• 90% open rate
• Delivered regardless of device

price

Initial fee: 0 yen
Monthly fee: 12 yen per message (only for successful delivery)

Presence or absence of trial

none

EXLINK-SMS

“EXLINK-SMS” is a solution that allows individual short mails to be sent from a computer or system to a mobile phone or smartphone.

feature

• Send by specifying individual phone numbers and text from the PC management screen ・Upload a mobile phone number list and send SMS to mobile phones all at once.
• Send SMS by simply calling the IVR (Interactive Voice Response System).
• SMS transmission linked with existing system by API transmission.
• We provide your company’s original SMS that supports various customizations.

price

Presence or absence of trial

can be

fonfun SMS

“fonfunSMS” has a high delivery rate, visibility rate, and opening rate, and is used for notifications such as reminders, contract renewal information, reservation confirmation, reminders, campaigns, and coupon distribution.

feature

• Proposal and support system tailored to each company
• Reliable management system because it is a 100% subsidiary of a JASDAQ listed company
• Additional functions other than the SMS delivery function are enriched!
• Can be used at multiple branches and stores with just one contract
• You can actually experience sending SMS with a free trial experience

price

• Basic
  Initial fee: 30,000 yen
  Monthly fee: 5,000 yen
  Sending fee: 15 yen per message
• Premium
  Initial fee: 98,000 yen
  Monthly fee: 5,000 yen
  Sending fee: 18 yen per message

Presence or absence of trial

can be

Media SMS

“MediaSMS” is a service with a message delivery rate of 99.9% with direct carrier connection. (* Result of our company’s verification test of 3 carrier delivery rates / excluding rejection of reception, out of service area, power off)

feature

• 99.9% delivery rate with direct connection to all carriers
• Two-way SMS can also be received from users
• You can create long messages with 660 characters for all carriers
• Authentication DB/API function does not require authentication function development
• SMS payment is effective against unpaid bills
• One-stop service from generation to aggregation with questionnaire SMS

price

Initial fee: 0 yen
Monthly fee: Inquiry

Presence or absence of trial

none

SMS DIRECT

“SMSDIRECT” is an SMS delivery service that can achieve an overwhelming delivery rate with full support for domestic carriers.

feature

• Since we provide an original SMS delivery system, you can improve your business and increase efficiency.
• Information can be transmitted even after number portability and compatible with all domestic carriers
• Can be linked with IVR and video distribution system, realizing a variety of message distribution

price

inquiry

Presence or absence of trial

not clear

summary

This time, I mainly explained what SMS delivery service is, advantages and disadvantages, and comparison points.

Did you understand the difference between other communication tools and SMS delivery services?
Please consider introducing SMS delivery service after fully understanding it.