ConnectTxt

Cy-nap chosen to deliver mobile services

31st March 2004.
Hull, UK

Lecturers in Hull are using text messages to reach students more easily in an innovative new scheme at the Hull School of Art and Design, part of the University of Lincoln. The new text service is for the New Media courses and is used to send messages to students’ mobile phones to inform them of timetable changes, cancelled events and to remind them of guest speakers. It will particularly benefit students living out of Hull – some of whom live up to 25 miles away – who can now avoid wasted train journeys due to cancelled events. This service, one of the txttools series from mobile technology specialist Cy-nap, allows the staff within the college to broadcast text messages instantly from any internet connected computer to students mobile phones.

The Hull School of Art and Design will use the service for many different types of communication. These will include reminders about events and guest speakers, or even good news/congratulations messages. Another obvious use for the service will be for short-notice notification of college closure, or changes in lecture rooms.

As the grouptxt application uses reliable, low cost text messages, it is anticipated that this new communication method will not only streamline the work of college lecturers but it will also save time and money in telephone and photocopying costs. The service also includes an administration interface to enable Hull to dynamically monitor usage and cost of the service.

“We are responding to changing patterns of communication and the life experience of students”", said Sarah Humphreys, course leader for the four New Media courses at the Hull School of Art and Design. “A lot of students spend time communicating with each other via text message so this service is an extension to that. “Although students can obtain all course information from the website, some students do not have Internet access at home – text messaging is a far more immediate and direct way of delivering messages. “The service is proving very popular and we have received lots of positive feedback.”

To experience ‘grouptxt’ firsthand, point a browser at w: www.txttools.co.uk

‘grouptxt’ has the potential to revolutionise the way colleges and Universities communicate with students. The service is capable of delivery to any UK handset as well as to mobile handsets in Europe. ‘grouptxt’ is powered by txttools and is one in a comprehensive suite of SMS text applications for the public sector. See more at w: www.txttools.co.uk

About Hull School of Art and Design
The mobile messaging service is an extension of “Digital Studio”, a research project for the New Media course team at the school, which is part of the University of Lincoln. The project, which aims to incorporate a wide range of courses in the future, creates an interactive online environment for New Media students.

The official Web site for the Hull School of Art and Design, part of Lincoln University is at www.newmediahull.net

About Cy-Nap
“mobile technology helping people to manage their lives”

Cy-nap Ltd was established in January 2001 and is the result of over 14 years of innovation within the technology market.
txttools is used by companies that create services for business to consumer clients and with companies who provide services and content directly to their consumers. These companies encompass a variety of business markets including corporate, publishing, law, web development, retail, health, and many organisations such as schools and surgeries. In fact any group that has a need to communicate to people, be they customers, subscribers, members or staff. SMS text messaging is rapidly opening up new channels for both information and marketing.

For further information please contact:

Stephen McCann,
Managing Director
t: +44(0)113 234 2111
m: +44(0)7866 438056
e: smccann@cy-nap.com
w: www.txttools.co.uk

Mark Terry
Hull School of Art and Design
e: mterry@lincoln.ac.uk

Cy-nap chosen to deliver mobile services

25th March 2004.

Braintree College in North Essex, UK, has announced the launch next September of a customised version of grouptxt to communicate with students. This service, one of the txttools series from mobile technology specialist Cy-nap, allows the staff within the college to broadcast text messages instantly from a computer to students. Replies to messages are then returned to the ‘txt inbox’ on the computer of the staff member in much the same way that e-mail is handled.

The college will use the service for various types of communication. These will include providing support around coursework, information on college social events, and good news/congratulations messages. Another obvious use for the service will be for short-notice notification of college closure, or changes in lecture rooms.

As the grouptxt application uses reliable, low cost text messages, it is anticipated that this new communication method will not only provide an effective channel of communication but it will also save time and money in telephone and photocopying costs. The service also includes an administration interface to enable the College to dynamically monitor usage and cost of the service.

“This is an exciting new service for us,” comments Andrew Pierce, IT Systems Team Leader at Braintree College. “We know from our experience that the vast majority of students use text messaging in their everyday lives, we are simply engaging them with a medium that is comfortable. Hopefully, txttools will be instrumental in increasing student retention and achievement through personal, pastoral care and open the way for innovative learning experiences perhaps using voting and remote collaboration.”

To experience ‘grouptxt’ firsthand, point a browser at www.txttools.co.uk

‘grouptxt’ has the potential to revolutionise the way colleges and Universities communicate with students. The service is capable of delivery to any UK handset as well as to mobile handsets in Europe. ‘grouptxt’ is powered by txttools and is one in a comprehensive suite of SMS text applications for the public sector. See more at www.txttools.co.uk

About Braintree College
The official Web site for the Braintree College is at www.braintree.ac.uk

Braintree College offers high quality education and training to over 1000 young full-time students each year. They are attracted by the excellence of the College’s teaching, learning support and facilities.

About Cy-Nap
“mobile technology helping people to manage their lives”

Cy-nap Ltd was established in January 2001 and is the result of over 14 years of innovation within the technology market.
txttools is used by companies that create services for business to consumer clients and with companies who provide services and content directly to their consumers. These companies encompass a variety of business markets including corporate, publishing, law, web development, retail, health, and many organisations such as schools and surgeries. In fact any group that has a need to communicate to people, be they customers, subscribers, members or staff. SMS text messaging is rapidly opening up new channels for both information and marketing.

For further information please contact:

Stephen McCann,
Managing Director
t: +44(0)113 234 2111
m: +44(0)7866 438056
e: smccann@Cy-nap.com
w: www.txttools.co.uk

Andy Pierce
IT Systems, Braintree College
t: +44(0)1376 321711
e: apierce@braintree.ac.uk