Interview "MindMatics AG"

What is your name?
Paul Hettl
Which department do you work in?
Technology
What is your function and your activity within the company / department?
Director of Technology
What were the deciding factors for seeking cooperation with object XP?
For us, the enhancement capability of the product, the modem solution and the operator support were crucial and thus the decisive reasons for our cooperation with object XP.
Were there any alternative solutions, such as a different provider or an in-house solution, and why were these abandoned?
In our company, we follow a strategy of outsourcing. In this way, we use only special solutions developed by specialists.
In which connection, and for which purpose, do you and your company use the product «jSMS»? What are the advantages and disadvantages offered by the product? Are there any alternatives?
We are using the product for sending and receiving SMS (Short Message Sending) and SMPP (Short Message Peer-to-Peer) in the mobile marketing domain. We are utilizing the UCP (Universal Computing Protocol) as test clients.
The CIMD (Computer Interface to Message Distribution) is serving as an interface for sending Short Messages from the computer.
We are using Swisscom BN for mass sending SMS in the mobile marketing applications domain.
The advantages for us are that we can quickly tie in new network providers and solutions by means of these protocols.
What is the significance and (economic) benefit that «jSMS» has for you? Are you planning to implement and utilize it on a long-term basis?
The technology will not change fundamentally. Consequently, we will keep using jSMS in the future and implement it in the long-tem.
How would you assess the degree of innovation of «jSMS»?
In the SMS (Short Message Sending) domain, I would think that its degree of innovation is state of the art and would rate jSMS to come in at about the middle of an evaluation scale.
In the area of new techniques, such as MMS (Multimedia Message Sending), I consider the degree of innovation to be high.
How would you assess the quality and completeness of «jSMS»?
I would assess its quality as very good. I also think jSMS’s completeness is very good, mainly because MMS is integrated into the product as well.
Are the instructions / documentation for using the product comprehensive and easy to understand?
Yes, the instructions / product documentation are comprehensive and written in a simple and clear language.
You are using the specially developed «Swisscom BN». Could you briefly describe how you are using it and what are the advantages and disadvantages of this solution?
We are using Swisscom BN for mass sending premium SMS. Since Swisscom BN is a special solution for us, it means a certain additional expense for us as well as an additional risk. However, since there are no other comparable products on the market, there are no available alternatives.
Were there any alternative solutions, such as a different provider or an in-house solution, and why were these abandoned?
We had the possibility to develop something similar ourselves. However, because of our outsourcing strategy and our good experience with object XP, we decided to use object XP’s jSMS product.
What is the significance and (economic) benefit that «Swisscom BN» has for you? Are you planning to implement and utilize it on a long-term basis?
We are using Swisscom BN for operating premium SMS, one of our services to our customers. We offer these services in the area of Premium Services and Mobile Content.
How would you assess the quality and completeness of «Swisscom BN»?
In my view, the standard of quality is very high. The Swisscom specification was implemented in all its parts.
Are the instructions/ documentation for using the product easy to understand and comprehensive?
This is covered by the specifications of the network provider.
In your experience, how is the cooperation with object XP, or rather with the employee in charge, should a problem arise?
Cooperation is very pleasant and when problems come up, object XP’s employees are very helpful and quickly take the necessary steps to solve the problems.
Are you generally happy with object XP as a company and the services and solutions they provide?
Our company and I are very happy with object XP and the products/services they provide for us.
How would you assess the value for money of the products and services?
On an evaluation scale, I would rate the value for money as good.
Would you recommend object XP and their product «jSMS / Swisscom BN» further?
I would recommend the product jSMS further.
Swisscom BN was specially commissioned and developed to suit our individual needs and purposes. However, we can recommend object XP as a professional partner in the mobile messaging domain.
Do you have any general suggestions and requests for any future product design / improvement or rather for your cooperation with object XP?
No, overall we are very happy.

Paul Hettl was interviewed by Christian Neeser in August 2005.

Back