SMS in Education: Berkshire College of Agriculture Employs SMS OnLine

Berkshire College of Agriculture (BCA), have today signed a deal with SMS solution provider, M:Science, to implement SMS OnLine.

The college required a solution which would allow 2-way communication between staff and students. After researching various products, Sarah Irving, Head of Marketing and Customer Services, BCA, chose SMS OnLine from leading UK SMS provider, M:Science.

SMS OnLine represented an easy to use, web-based application that delivered BCA a ‘Hotmail-like’ service for SMS. Sarah is delighted with the product, and uses it in a variety of ways. She states one example; “We have used SMS OnLine for appointment reminders, which has led to an increase in attendance”. She explains “I simply log on to my account, select my pre-configured group of students, write my message and press the send button. As SMS OnLine is web-based, providing there is an internet connection, I can access my account from anywhere in the world.”

Dan Hobson, Managing Director for M:Science comments, “Berkshire College of Agriculture understands how using SMS OnLine can help them communicate more effectively with students. There is pressure on schools and colleges to continuously integrate modern technology into their infrastructure. Using SMS is an example of how this can be done with benefits to the college, and the whole learning experience.”

SMS OnLine has been such a success for BCA that Sarah plans to put the service to further use. “During our enrolment week in September, we shall be marketing the SMS number to the students to encourage them to register with us, meaning we can keep them informed of things such as room and timetable changes, and also the important things like College parties!”

ENDS

About M:Science

M:Science are the leading suppliers of text messaging software to organisations. They have a client portfolio that includes Thames Valley University, McLaren International, NASDAQ, ING Direct, Europ Assistance, Halliburton, Siemens Energy, Royal Borough of Kingston-upon Thames Council, and Royal Skandia.


About Berkshire College of Agriculture
The Berkshire College of Agriculture near Maidenhead was established in 1949. The college recruits students from around the Thames Valley economic region, and the Outer boroughs of West London. Within the 200-hectare estate, the college teaches specialist programmes including: agriculture and countryside; engineering (including marine engineering); veterinary nursing and animal care; horticulture; floristry and greenkeeping. Higher education programmes are delivered in partnership with Buckinghamshire and Chilterns University College. The college has strong European links with France, Hungary and the Netherlands.