| Recent News:
1/5/2012 Kansas City, MO - Attorney Bill Raney Authors Whitepaper on Legal Compliance for Automated Reminder Messaging by Agencies
US Netcom has published a legal resource for agency directors interested in Automated Reminder Messaging. Authored by attorney Bill Raney, this 6-page 2012 white paper is a companion piece to the previous general and technical white papers for agency directors. It provides additional essential legal and regulatory information so you know how to implement an effective automated messaging solution that is in compliance with applicable regulations. Go to Resources |
12/14/2011 Kansas City, MO - Attorney Bill Raney Joins The Netcom Solutions Network
William E. Raney is a partner at the law firm of Copilevitz & Canter, LLC. His practice focuses on First Amendment issues and compliance with state and federal telemarketing laws. His clients include publicly-traded companies, trade groups, other companies that outsource consumer telephone contact and telemarketing service bureaus, both in the United States and overseas. Bill can help you comply with your state's telemarketing and privacy regulations with a minimum administrative burden. Go to Resources |
11/21/2011 Washington, DC - Workshop Report on USDA's "Loving Support" Breastfeeding Campaign Emphasizes Importance of Sending Text Messages to Participants
In April the Institute of Medicine (IOS) held a workshop to collect input about the actions needed to build effectively on the successes of USDA's National Breastfeeding Campaigns, including "Loving Support." This workshop focused on changes in the communications patterns of today's mom. "...millennial mothers...say that, of all forms of communication, their cell phones would be hardest to give up, more so than the Internet, television, landline telephones, or e-mail." The full report is available on the Resources page |
11/14/2011 Troy, OH - "Quota Calling" Now Available From OneCall Now
Quota Calling is used to call your contacts until you receive a specific number of affirmative responses; once met, it stops calling other members on your contact list. Example uses:You need three employees to fill a shift; You have 100 seats for an event; You need to have someone respond to an alarm in the office. |
11/01/2011 Walnut, CA - MAGNUS Publishes Case Study re Notification Messaging in Multiple Languages
US Netcom selected MAGNUS, a member of US Netcom's The Netcom Solutions Network(TM) to handle multiple language translation for Oregon WIC's "Automated Notification System for WIC Reminders (ANSWR)" implementation. MAGNUS recently published this Case Study. Go to Resources page |
10/18/2011 Troy, OH - One Call Now Upgrades Calling Platform with Powerful New Features
At midnight on October 14th One Call Now activated new features on their powerful outsourced calling service platform. These include: "PIN Delivery" - recipient enters PIN to hear message; "Quota Calling" - stops making calls when a set number of recipients are reached; "Sequence Dialing" - sequence calls in order by people, by their devices, or both; "Machine Delivery Flexibility" - cancel or deliver different message depending on time-of-day if answering device reached. |
10/11/2011 Washington, DC - Pew Research Shows Young Adults Prefer Text Messages Over Voice Calls
A September 2011 Pew Research report shows that 83% of American adults own cell phones and three-quarters of them (73%) send and receive text messages. 31% of US adults (18 or older) who send and receive text messages prefer to receive text messages over voice phone calls. Young adults (age 18-24) stand out in their use of text messaging, they exchange 109.5 messages per day. For the full Pew report Go to Resources page |
9/28/2011 Honolulu, HI - Hawaii State WIC First In Nation With Self-Opt-In SMS Text Messaging. Project Completed in 66-Days.
Having completed the smooth and successful pilot phase, on September 9th Hawaii State WIC began delivering daily appointment reminders statewide by phone call and SMS text message in multiple languages. Hawaii is the first state WIC to implement SMS text messaging with automated participant "Self Opt-In" where the participant texts the word "ALERT" from their cell phone to opt-in to the text messaging service. Hawaii WIC does not have the burden of maintaining the particpant opt-in data themselves. Together, Hawaii WIC and US Netcom achieved the successful pilot and statewide multi-mode, multi-language implemention in 66 calendar days from contract award notice! |
9/7/2011 Joplin, MO - AUTOMATED REMINDER MESSAGING - A Technical Primer for Agency I-T Directors
US Netcom has published a technical resource for agency I-T directors interested in Automated Reminder Messaging. This 6-page 2011 white paper is a companion piece to the previous white paper for agency directors. It provides additional essential information so you know what performance to require and expect from a first-class outsourced automated messaging vendor regarding data security, speed and reliability. Go to Resources |
8/30/2011 Joplin, MO - AUTOMATED REMINDER MESSAGING - A Primer for Agency Directors
US Netcom has published the #1 Resource for any agency considering Automated Reminder Messaging. If you are interested in the possibility of using Automated Reminder Messaging ("ARM") in your agency. This 13-page 2011 white paper written by JJ Kelly, US Netcom's President, will provide the essential information you need so that: you know what questions to ask; you can make an informed decision; and you can get your project off to a good start. 10-minutes of reading will save you countless hours of research! Go to Resources |
8/17/2011 Joplin, MO - Special "Procurement" Issue of WARMRegards eNewsletter Is Out for August
Late summer and fall is when many agencies consider using funds remaining from last year, or new budget funds, or one-time grants to procure automated reminder messaging services. In this month’s issue we cover two automated messaging procurement tips that will help your funds go farther and make your procurement project faster and easier. August Issue |
8/5/2011 Springfield, MO - Springfield/Green County WIC First County WIC Agency to Purchase Appointment Reminder Services Using GSA Schedule 70.
When the senior buyer at Springfield/Green County MO WIC learned that they could purchase automated appointment reminder messaging services at favorable pricing through US Netcom using the federal GSA Schedule 70 Cooperative Purchasing program, they cancelled a BID they had planned and issued a PO to cover appointment reminders for 7,500 participants. They are the first we know of in the USA to do so. GSA PowerPoint |
7/29/2011 Chicago, IL - Illinois Department of Employment Security Uses Automated Messaging to Quadruple Activation of Electronic Benefits Cards
The results are in from the July 1st campaign to get benefit recipients to activate new electronic benifits cards before the old ones expired. There were four times as many card activations on that day as on an average day without the reminder calls. For details see the July 2011 WARMRegards eNewsletter. click here |
7/20/2011 Troy, OH - E-Rate Promotion for Combined Web Site Hosting and Parent Notification Announced
School districts can use E-Rate funding to pay for combined web site hosting and phone/text parent notification services. Today, One Call Now announced that they will cover a school district's E-Rate discount from the time they sign-up for the combined services to the time their E-Rate funding actually begins. No need to wait for the next E-Rate budget cycle to purchase with big savings. |
7/5/2011 Honolulu, HI - Hawaii Department of Health Awards State-Wide WIC Appoinment Reminders Contract to US Netcom Corp.
As the successful competitive bidder, US Netcom is pleased to announce that we will be providing the Hawaii Department of Health their online web hosted phone and text appointment reminder services for WIC participants state-wide beginning August 1st, 2011. This is the fourth online web hosted state-wide WIC services contract for US Netcom in addition to MD, MI and OR. Two other states, AL and TX use US Netcom's on-site equipment. |
7/1/2011 Springfield, IL - Illinois Dept of Employment Security Asks US Netcom to Make 120,000 Last-Minute Change-of-Benefits Calls
Today, US Netcom called 120,000 Illinois Dept of Employment Sercurity - Chicago clients to remind them to activate the new benefits cards that had been sent to them as the previous cards were expiring. The urgent request for immediate assistance was received yesterday, and IL Dept of Employment Security staff called it a "Major Miracle" that USN was able to get these calls out in just 3-hours the very next day using their script and number list. |
6/24/2011 Joplin, MO - US Netcom Launches: 50%-OFF System Upgrade/Expansion Promotion
For a limited time, owners of US Netcom's B.E.N., PhoneMaster for Windows, AppointmentCall, EasyCaller or TheCollector systems can upgrade to the latest software and/or expand additional phone lines for 50% off the normal price if they are currently under support. Those not under support will receive 25% off, or they can reinstate their support to get the 50% discount and the savings will pay for the support! Details Here |
6/23/2011 Joplin, MO - US Netcom Launches WARMRegards eNewsletter for WIC Professionals
WARMRegards is the only e-newsletter for WIC professionals dedicated to WIC Automated Reminder Messaging. We report how WIC professionals are using technology to increase WIC participation and improve the delivery of WIC services. We cover new technology, WIC applications including appointment reminders and EBT, federal, state and local issues, best practices, tips-of-the-trade, real-world experiences and actual outcomes. A new issue will be sent not more frequently than once-per-month. To subscribe click here |
6/2/2011 Troy, OH - One Call Now Notification Service Now Available To State/Local Agencies Under GSA Schedule 70 - No Bidding Required
State and local agencies can now purchase outsourced phone and text messaging services under GSA Schedule 70 at pre-approved favorable prices without going to bid. Contact us for the details regarding the One Call Now GSA approval. For a primer FAQ web page on the GSA Cooperative Purchasing program click here |
5/31/2011 Joplin, MO - US Netcom Offices Back In Operation After Tornado
Power and internet has been restored to the USN office building and we are now back in full operation. The emergency response utility company staff have done a tremendous job. We wish to thank everyone who has expressed concern for us over the past week. Continue to watch the news as Joplin shows the nation how to recover from a major disaster. |
5/27/2011 Joplin, MO - United Way/SEMA To Use US Netcom's Automated Messaging Service for 2-1-1 Program
Meetings with the various directors determined that the best use of the free 100,000 phone calls being provided by US Netcom would be to drive the public to call the "2-1-1" service provided by United Way/SEMA. These calls are scheduled to be delivered to geocoded phone numbers within 25-miles of Joplin. The calls are scheduled to begin on Wednesday, June 1st and will inform the public of the availability and purpose of the "211" service. The calls will be "paced" so as not to overload the "211" lines. Other agencies are encouraged to make sure that the 211 service has their latest information before these calls go out. |
05/24/2011 Joplin, MO - US Netcom Announces Free and Reduced Price Messaging Service for Joplin Responder Agencies
US Netcom Corp, a Joplin-based automated message delivery service company, announces the availability of free and a discounted automated messaging services for all federal, state and local agencies and volunteer organizations who are particpating in Joplin's recovery efforts. US Netcom and its partner One Call Now out of Troy, OH are providing geocoded phone number databases within 100-miles of Joplin, 100,000 free phone calls and text messages, 75% price reduction on additional calls/texts, and free setup/training/assistance services. |
5/23/2011 Joplin, MO - US Netcom Survives EF5 Tornado
All of US Netcom's staff were uninjured in yesterday's tornado and no one lost a home. We feel fortunate as we all know people who were lost or who lost homes. We are currently giving our attention to the storm victims. US Netcom's office building was undamaged but is currently without power or internet and is inaccessible. All essential business systems are outsourced and functioning. Use normal points of contact to reach us. We apologize for any delays in responding. |
5/13/2011 Columbus, OH - SchoolPointe Web Site Management and One Call Now Notification Available Under eRate Funding
Digital School Network and One Call Now announced that DSN's SchoolPointe web site management solution for school districts and One Call Now's automated notification solution are integrated to work together and a school district can purchase both at favorable pricing and both qualify for eRate funding. Contact us for details. |
5/4/2011 Portland, OR - Oregon State WIC First To Send Customized SMS Text Messages - Presents at NWA Conference
Oregon State WIC is the first WIC agency in the nation to implement a WIC appointment reminder system that, in addition to phone call reminders, includes sending SMS text messages customized with each participant's appointment dates/times and delivered in their preferred language. OR WIC presented their two-phased implementation model and results at the recent 2011 NWA Conference in Portland, Oregon. For OR WIC's presentation poster click here |
| | Now Available: AUTOMATED REMINDER MESSAGING - General, Technical & Legal Primers for Agency Directors 
The #1 Resource for any agency interested in Automated Reminder Messaging (free) Go to Resources page
Multi-Mode Messaging Including SMS Texti ng Keep up with the times. Now you can communicate with them using the method(s) they prefer. And, they can "opt-in" on their own so you don't have to keep track. See the white paper above for more info.
iPhone App! From One Call Now Launch/manage your notification events |
| | Another Success! Oregon's Automated Notification System for WIC Reminders "ANSWR" 
 View Oregon's poster
"The Oregon WIC Program would like to thank Kim Gustafson and Kyle Parker with US Netcom for their top-notch customer service and development work" Kimberly Word, MPH |
View OR WIC Case Study “The MAGNUS team understands the importance of culture and how demographics can affect the understanding of a language, even among native speakers. They are experts at finding the right solution, with an extensive talent pool. Kim Gustafson, VP, US Netcom | |