Rest those thumbs: Texting groups made easy

MEDIA RELEASE

September 18, 2006

Rest those thumbs: Texting groups made easy

GrpTXT launches a web-based SMS service: www.grptxt.co.nz

Sports clubs, businesses or social groups can now easily and inexpensively text groups of people, thanks to a new web-based SMS service launched today.

GrpTXT was established in response to a community need for a better way to text groups, as company founder Tarik Mallett explains.

“Market research threw up a number of scenarios where organisations, which needed to regularly contact groups of people, were finding the available texting methods clunky, time consuming, and prohibitively expensive” says Mallett. “People were also struggling to reach out to text savvy young people.

“For example, sports groups and clubs were looking for a better and more reliable way of telling team members about cancellations or ground changes,” says Mallett. “Meanwhile, businesses are always looking for ways to communicate company information to customers in an easier, timelier fashion, so we developed GrpTXT to meet these needs.”

GrpTXT is a permission-based text service where a single text message can be sent to multiple recipients at the same time. Through GrpTXT, organisations can establish a group of any size and then send text messages to all group members instantly from any authorised mobile phone or the GrpTXT website.

In addition, the QuickTXT functionality enables users to easily send text messages to individuals or a group from their desktop. Users can create a group online in minutes. While creating a small group is free, larger groups pay an annual fee.

“Most people carry their mobiles with them, so through GrpTXT messages can be provided directly into a person’s pocket so they can have the information they need straight away,” says Mallett. “For example, a bar might get patrons to join its VIP group, and using GrpTXT a message can be sent immediately advising them of discounted drinks during a quiet period.”

Already, GrpTXT has had interest from retail chains, bars, community groups and sports teams, who like the fact that GrpTXT provides an inexpensive way to communicate to groups of people via text message.

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GrpTXT Fast Facts

A major advantage of GrpTXT over other text based products in the market is that individuals can join or remove themselves from a group at any time by simply sending a text message to 5522. This functionality means that all groups are essentially self-managing and, as a consequence, the need for centralised data entry and database management is removed.

GrpTXT also enables the establishment of both public and private groups. Anyone can join a public group but a private group requires a password to join.

Setting up a group takes a matter of minutes and it can be used immediately. Once created, mobile numbers can be manually added and members can immediately begin joining the group by text.

There are two types of cost involved with a group: the annual group administration and maintenance fee, which varies depending on the number of group members; and the cost associated with each text message sent to the group. Participants can choose the cost structure that works best for them.

GrpTXT strongly promotes SafeTXT. GrpTXT must only be used for sending messages to recipients who have consented to receiving such messages. All advertising and correspondence with group members should include instructions on how to remove themselves from the group.

GrpTXT takes the problem of spam very seriously, and will not allow its services to be used for the sending of text related spam. Our terms and conditions do not allow the sending of spam, and include penalties for such activity. Anyone using GrpTXT to spam members of a group, or send inappropriate messages to individuals, may have their account and related groups suspended and/or terminated.

ENDS

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