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Enabling Business Communication at scale, uniquely engaging one customer at a time.Enabling Business Communication at scale
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“Thank you Bidvest team for your great service throughout 2024.”
- MTN
“Working with the Bidvest team is a real pleasure. We've thoroughly enjoyed partnering with a local provider for our business' WhatsApp profile - invoicing is simple and our templates are loaded and approved speedily. Prepaid24 would highly recommend Bidvest. Such a seamless process from setup to production!”
- Prepaid24
“We're incredibly grateful to the Bidvest Data Team who go above and beyond to support us with vital customer communication. Their commitment and innovation has kept us at the forefront of electronic customer engagement.”
- Sanlam Retail Mass
“Dear Bidvest team, Just wanted to take the time to say a very special thank you to TEAM BIDVEST. Everyone at OUP thanks all the people involved over the last few weeks and trust me, everyone in our organization now knows how much we can depend on Bidvest and we're all truly grateful for your efforts. Your responsiveness to our changing needs and requests is truly appreciated”
- Oxford
Explore the differences between WhatsApp transactional messaging and SMS for enterprises in South Africa. Understand key features, use cases, and best practices to optimize customer communication.
In the ongoing evolution of business communication, enterprises in South Africa are presented with a critical choice: traditional SMS or innovative WhatsApp transactional messaging. This comprehensive guide explores the nuances, advantages, and ideal applications of each method, empowering IT decision-makers, compliance officers, and operational heads to make informed choices that align with their organizational goals.
WhatsApp transactional messaging refers to sending automated messages through the WhatsApp Business API, allowing businesses to communicate with customers in a personalized manner. Unlike traditional SMS, which relies on standard text messaging networks, WhatsApp provides a dynamic, multimedia-rich environment that enhances user engagement.
SMS transactional messaging, on the other hand, is a time-tested method of communication widely used for alerts, confirmations, notifications, and promotions. It operates over cellular networks, making it a reliable choice in areas with limited internet connectivity.
When deciding between WhatsApp transactional messaging and SMS, key factors should guide organizational choices, including:
WhatsApp allows for a higher level of customer engagement through its interactive features, while SMS remains a more direct, one-way communication tool. Businesses aiming to build a conversational relationship with customers may benefit from leveraging WhatsApp.
While SMS can be priced per message, WhatsApp transactional messaging fees are usually based on conversations started by the customer. Companies must evaluate their messaging volume and budget constraints when making a decision, as notification rates can vary.
Both mediums must adhere to relevant regulations like POPIA in South Africa. WhatsApp offers a strong encryption framework, while SMS relies on the inherent security of cellular networks. Enterprises need to assess which approach aligns better with their data security policies.
Identifying specific use cases for each messaging method will enable organizations to optimize their communication strategies:
In conclusion, both WhatsApp transactional messaging and SMS have their merits and ideal applications within the South African enterprise landscape. Companies should evaluate their specific needs, customer preferences, and communication objectives to select the platform that aligns with their strategy and delivers the best ROI.
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“Thank you Bidvest team for your great service throughout 2024.”
- MTN
“Working with the Bidvest team is a real pleasure. We've thoroughly enjoyed partnering with a local provider for our business' WhatsApp profile - invoicing is simple and our templates are loaded and approved speedily. Prepaid24 would highly recommend Bidvest. Such a seamless process from setup to production!”
- Prepaid24
“We're incredibly grateful to the Bidvest Data Team who go above and beyond to support us with vital customer communication. Their commitment and innovation has kept us at the forefront of electronic customer engagement.”
- Sanlam Retail Mass
“Dear Bidvest team, Just wanted to take the time to say a very special thank you to TEAM BIDVEST. Everyone at OUP thanks all the people involved over the last few weeks and trust me, everyone in our organization now knows how much we can depend on Bidvest and we're all truly grateful for your efforts. Your responsiveness to our changing needs and requests is truly appreciated”
- Oxford
We set up and generate transactional communication at scale, accepting diverse data streams, managing template libraries, and supporting business rules and error handling. Projects are developed in UAT and PROD environments following agile methodologies with JIRA support. We facilitate large batch processing via secure data transfer and accommodate small batch or singular sending via API. We generate content for multiple delivery channels, implementing failover where needed.
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