OpenMarket Launches High Throughput Capacity for Text-Enabled Toll-Free Numbers

SEATTLE, Sept. 9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- OpenMarket, a leader in enterprise mobile engagement, today unveiled improved throughput for two-way texting with toll-free numbers in the US and Canada. Recent industry research indicates that the need for text-based experiences is on the rise with millennials[1], who prefer to text instead of calling for support. This increased demand, combined with lower costs compared to using IVR systems and traditional SMS short codes, allows enterprises to broaden their use of mobile messaging across loyalty-building and customer-focused interactions like texting with customer support call centers.

Increased message throughput is critical for customer service focused business-to-consumer (B2C) high volume use cases, as many companies are turning to text-enabled landlines and toll-free numbers to meet consumer preferences for mobile texting instead of calling. According to the Harris Poll,[2] 64% of people prefer text messaging versus calling for customer service, and another 44% would rather send a text than stay on hold. Additionally, 77% of the millennial generation reacts more positively to companies that offer texting communication options[3]. OpenMarket's new high throughput capability allows global organizations to enable high volume customer service use cases like outbound appointment reminders or account status changes that may cause customers to contact the business.

"Given the compelling opportunity for mobile to transform the customer experience, C-level executives and technology decision makers should take advantage of this new high throughput capability for outbound use cases that are likely to result in customers wanting to access information on their own or chat with a contact center agent," said Jay Emmet, General Manager at OpenMarket. "The increasing demand for mobile interactions like texting, especially from millennial consumers, means that businesses should be text-enabling their existing toll-free numbers in order to deliver a better customer experience."

The addition of high throughput comes on the heels of OpenMarket's announcement earlier this year around text-enabled landline and toll-free number capabilities that improve both customer service and operations for enterprises. High throughput enables companies to maximize the effectiveness of SMS communications for business functions where a toll-free number is advertised, helping them meet their customers' expectations around customer service. This new capability, combined with OpenMarket's broad suite of enterprise mobile messaging solutions, including its Mobile Engagement Platform, one-way global SMS service to over 200 countries, and two-way global SMS service to over 50 countries, make the company the most expansive provider of choice for businesses worldwide.

OpenMarket's mobile messaging solutions support use cases across the entire organization such as customer feedback surveys, appointment reminders, mobile coupons and promotional offers, and secure PIN authentication. Today, the company processes more than one billion mobile messaging interactions per month, connecting businesses to over three billion users and six billion devices worldwide. OpenMarket services over 400 enterprises globally, including four of the top 10 most respected global brands[4].

To download a recent IDC whitepaper on using mobile messaging to improve customer service and the customer experience, visit: http://www.openmarket.com/download/idc-mobile-customer-service/.

About OpenMarket
OpenMarket, a division of Amdocs, helps enterprises use mobile to transform their business. OpenMarket provides mobile engagement solutions for organizations to optimize their operations and enhance relationships with their customers and employees. Major enterprises choose OpenMarket for our domain expertise, service flexibility, demonstrated performance and reliability, global scale, and corporate maturity. We provide smart, interactive connectivity to more than 200 countries, enabling businesses to engage with nearly every mobile user around the world. Our clients trust us to power their mobile business. For more information, visit www.openmarket.com.

About Amdocs
For more than 30 years, Amdocs has ensured service providers' success and embraced their biggest challenges. To win in the connected world, service providers rely on Amdocs to simplify the customer experience, harness the data explosion, stay ahead with new services and improve operational efficiency. The global company uniquely combines a market-leading BSS, OSS and network control and optimization product portfolio with value-driven professional services and managed services operations. With revenue of $3.6 billion in fiscal 2014, Amdocs and its more than 22,000 employees serve customers in over 80 countries.

Amdocs: Embrace Challenge, Experience Success. For more information, visit Amdocs at www.amdocs.com.

Amdocs' Forward-Looking Statement
This press release includes information that constitutes forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements about Amdocs' growth and business results in future quarters. Although we believe the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that our expectations will be obtained or that any deviations will not be material. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ from those anticipated. These risks include, but are not limited to, the effects of general economic conditions, Amdocs' ability to grow in the business markets that it serves, Amdocs' ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses, adverse effects of market competition, rapid technological shifts that may render the Company's products and services obsolete, potential loss of a major customer, our ability to develop long-term relationships with our customers, and risks associated with operating businesses in the international market. Amdocs may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future; however, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These and other risks are discussed at greater length in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including in our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014 filed on December 8, 2014 and our quarterly 6-K form furnished on February 9, May 11 and August 10, 2015.

[1] "The High Demand for Customer Service via Text Message," Harris Poll 2014.
[2] "The High Demand for Customer Service via Text Message," Harris Poll 2014.
[3] "The High Demand for Customer Service via Text Message," Harris Poll 2014.
[4] "The Harris Poll 2014 RQ Report: A Survey of the U.S. General Public Using the Reputation Quotient," Nielsen, April 2014.

SOURCE OpenMarket

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