Telstra Desktop Messaging

SMS is only one of the things that new Telstra Desktop Messaging now does; calling it Online SMS doesn't describe all of its capabilities. We have added the ability to send and receive pictures, video and even sound (using MMS) with the new Telstra Desktop Messaging.

We felt we could improve the interface by creating a more organised, index-based hierarchy, meaning that customers are always one click away from the items of functionality they use every day. Trawling through pages to reach what you want will be a thing of the past.

Telstra will send an email to all existing users of Online SMS telling them about the change. In addition, there will be an area on the front Online SMS page login screen that announces the upcoming changes and shows users what those changes entail. They will then be able to click on that area and see a new page that shows in more detail what the changes are.

Most items will be on the main page and the remainder are easily identified on the main left-hand navigation. There will be no need to click through two pages for almost all functions – all key features are on the front page.

No. All customers will automatically be able to access the new product.

The current URL (http://onlinesms.telstra.com) will remain in use at this stage. We will introduce a new URL to replicate the new name of the product; however both will coexist, until we advise otherwise.

MMS works very similarly to the way it works on a mobile phone handset. You can choose what content you want to attach from the content library or your PC folders. You can then choose more content, add sound, create slides and time each slide to your particular requirements. You can then send the content you wish (up to 100KB in size), upload it into the system, arrange it the way you would like the material displayed, then either save it for later sending or send it immediately.

Telstra Desktop Messaging supports the major file formats that are supported on most mobile phone handsets:

• Images: JPG, GIF, BMP, etc.
• Video: 3GP, etc.
• Audio: AU, WAV, MP3, etc.

As new file formats are released in the future, we will assess market need and determine compatibility.

The application will notify the user if a format is not permitted, and not allow it through.

The product has been specifically designed not to permit suspect content such as binaries, code and JavaScript. It will meticulously block content that does not format correctly.

When a customer sends items from Desktop Messaging to a handset, it will simply send the data that is provided to it. Once the content reaches the messaging network, it will be handled in the same way as any other picture message that is sent through the network. The network may perform modifications such as compression or scaling on the content to ensure best efforts to be delivered to the handset.

The application will charge messages essentially the way it is done today, using the message credits system. This system will be altered to include MMS and video messages. This is how the system will work:

Text message (up to 160 characters)	1 message credit
MMS or picture message (up to 100KB)	2 message credit
Video message (up to 100KB)	3 message credit

One message credit will be worth whatever the customer's text message or Online SMS rate is. For example, if the customer is on the $20 plan, which has a 23c tariff per text message, they will pay the following for each message:

Text message	1 message credit @ 23c per credit	23c
Picture message	2 message credits @ 23c per credit	46c
Video message	3 message credits @ 23c per credit	69c

The bill will not itemise each type of message; it will simply calculate how many message credits in total have been sent.

Think of a clever feature that continuously watches your Desktop Messaging account for incoming messages. Then, imagine you can control what happens when a message with a certain contents comes in, for example sending an automatic reply.

For example, a company could provide a service where customers sent a text to notify them if they needed assistance. The might text 'help' to the company's customer service number. The Rules Wizard could be programmed to automatically reply, 'We have received your request and a customer service rep will call you within 24 hours.' Ordinarily, such a service would require manual intervention or complicated and costly software development.

The Rules Wizard can also be set to send pictures. For example, a real estate agent could place a billboard outside a property with a messaging saying, 'To see what 100 High Street, Ashburton looks like inside, text "100 High Street" to 0418REALESTATE.

The Rules Wizard could be set to automatically respond to messages of '100 High Street' and with images of the kitchen, bedroom, front yard, back yard and car port.

XML is a simple and cost-effective way for customers to connect existing databases to the Telstra Messaging network.

For example, a customer might have an HR database of employees and want to send an automatic message when one of those employees exceeds four weeks of annual leave entitlements.

The company can use the XML capability to send and receive messages in an automated or customised way, without having to physically be present or do anything manually.

Telstra will provide the code to the customer; however it is the customer's responsibility to ensure it functions properly.