CORETALK, a company established to employ SMS messaging as a comprehensive, affordable self managed communication system for any business is looking to make a mark in Jamaica.

It was formed ten years ago with the aim of making better use of text messaging and launched its operations in Jamaica six months ago. CoreTalk prides itself as the world’s only customer relationship management solution that uses text messaging. So what does that really mean?

What that means is that organisations can deploy the benefits of text messaging in an enterprising environment in all facets of their business.

Speaking with Sunday Finance, Coretalk Caribbean’s excecutive chairman, Neil Patrick said: “Right now text messaging is the most widespread medium of telecommunication on the planet, so businesses that are not incorporating it in their communications operations are at a serious disadvantage. In terms of Jamaica we are expanding very quickly and have among others NCB, Hawkeye and Nestle as clients.”

According to Patrick, over 100 million text messages are sent every month in Jamaica, highlighting its effectiveness as a business communication tool. He further added that whereas only 40 per cent of people have access to e-mail, practically everybody has access to a mobile telephone with 1.1 million people sending text messages. Patrick noted that at the high-end, Blackberry is doing very well particularly with its Messenger service.

“If you want to communicate with your stakeholders, suppliers, customers and vendors immediately, text messaging is the way to go,” said Patrick. Coretalk Caribbean’s CEO Tyrone Wilson said that his company eZine acquired a stake in Coretalk and is now handling the day-to-day-operations.

“The plan is to have a footprint in Jamaica before entering other Caribbean markets. We already have a provisional deal for Trinidad and clients in Cayman where we are looking to establish an operating base their. Next year we will take a look at the Eastern Caribbean,” added Wilson.

To put the rise of texting in context, fifteen years ago the main way to communicate with a company was by the telephone. Today all companies have an e-mail address or some kind of online presence.

“Compared with many countries, mobile telephones add tremendous value in Jamaica where the service is provided at a low cost, hence text messaging is extremely cost effective. CoreTalk offers a monthly subscription for US$49.00,” said Patrick.

The software has a Spanish language component and is feature rich, easy to use intuitive product. It has been designed for call centre level. The SMS traffic is sent directly from your computer and does not go through any third party provider or server. You have complete control and a transparent overview of your entire communications process with a searchable record of all transactions.

With standard rated mobile numbers and a linked return path, communication is totally bi-directional from computer to handset and vice-versa.