SMS at the University of Hong Kong Libraries

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SMS at the University of Hong Kong Libraries

• William Ko, HKU LibrariesDr Frank Tong, ETI, HKU

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SMS Project

• Conceived in July 2004
• Target launch date Sept 2004
• Partnership with ETI (E-Business Technology
  Institute)
• know-how and expertise
• Makes use of existing Mobile Messaging Platform
  (launched in June 2004)
• short implementation period

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Why SMS

• Popular ownership of mobile phones
• 83 of 6.8 million population (Aug 2004)
• 43 sent text messages

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User Base at HKU (Mid November 2004)
77 mobile ownership
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Advantages

• Instant notification vs emailWherever and
  whenever
• Overseas roaming supported
• Free for the receiver

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Categories of SMS Notices

• Courtesy (1 and 3 days)
• Overdue (1st,2nd,21 days)
• Pickup Notices
• Overdue Recall
• Cancel Notice
• Innreach Pickup
• Innreach Cancel

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Systems Overview

• Library System
• Patron API
• Notice Initializer

Messaging Server
Messaging Gateway(Windows 2000)
SMTP
HTTP
HTTPS
Email Server

• JSP Server
• Translator
• Connectivity
• Web Console
• Error Handler
• Report Handler

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Librarys Role

• Provide a gateway to send the mobile numbers of
  patrons to ETI based on the UID via PATRON API
• A copy of Email is sent to ETI

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Effect on Overdue(no. of emails sent)
Courtesy sent by email SMS?
Fewer fines and library income goes down
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Limitations

• Text limited to 160 characters
• One way communication, reply not supported YET

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Enhancements

• Statistics to be divided by notice types
• Error report to be more user friendly
• Extend SMS to patrons with China and Macau mobile
  numbers
• Enable patron to use SMS to renew loan?

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Library Messaging Services

• What to achieve?
• - An extension of the functionality of the
  library system in sending notifications on SMS
  through mobile handhelds to users
• What is the Library Messaging System
• ETI develops a messaging gateway to enable the
  conversion of email to SMS service, includes
• A stable email box for receiving email request to
  send SMS
• An accurate usage report
• Templates for conversion of email to SMS
• ETI cooperates with HKU Libraries to integrate
  the messaging gateway with the libraries system

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System Configuration

• How does the system work?

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From Email to SMS Template

• Automatic conversion of email into SMS template

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Library Messaging Service

• How to set up the service?
• - the messaging server is hosted at ETI
• - library has no additional set up requirement,
  hence zero set up cost
• - a one-time integration is to be done with the
  email application of the library system

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Standalone Messaging Services

• How does a standalone messaging server with email
  integration system work?

Email Server
HTTP
VPN
(SMS) SMTP
Ordinary Email
Messaging Gateway
Messaging Server
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Integration to Library System

• How does an integrated library messaging system
  work?

Ordinary Email Notice
HTTPS Query A12345 Return 85291239123
Libraries System
HTTP
VPN
(SMS) SMTP
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Library Messaging Services

• When to use the library messaging service?
• - reminder on book due-dates
• - overdue book notices
• - pick-up notices for reserved books
• - recall notices for wanted books
• - dropped request notices
• - arrival of new books notices
• - activities and events notices

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Library Messaging Services

• What are the advantages?
• - Coverage
• (i) almost all mobile phone models
• (ii) a comprehensive network coverage in Hong
  Kong
• (iii) coverage in China, US, Europe etc. so long
  as a roaming service of the phone is in place
• - Audit trail reporting
• (i) provide delivery history and status report
• (ii) provide statistics on both individual and
  aggregate usage
• (iii) support multiple accounts management

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Library Messaging Services

• Other advantages
• - Stability
• - Scalability
• - Technical support maintenance service

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Technical Training Workshop

• 2-hour training workshop for library technicians
  and system support
• - An overview of messaging server
• - An overview of messaging gateway
• - Integration with Patron System
• How to deliver email to messaging gateway
• How to retrieve SMS receivers address
• SMS template and transfiguration
• - Security Measurement
• - Logging and Usage Report
• - Error handling

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Library Messaging Services

• Q A
• Thank You !