The facility offers face to face and voice only PC to PC communication for intermediaries using its extranet, the Porthole. When completed, the new service will be available to all intermediaries.
The first part has been tested internally and has already exceeded expectations, according to SMS.
The second phase of testing will be to offer 20 of its intermediary customers the opportunity to connect webcam facilities to enable them to speak with members of the SMS new business team, case owners, sales and marketing department and any member of the senior management team.
Along with this new initiative, SMS is upgrading the porthole to allow Voice over Protocols (VOIP) to work. This will enable any intermediary to speak with an SMS staff member and the service is expected to be free of charge.
Kelvin Cooper, MD of SMS commented: “We at SMS believe we should give our customers options which include Freepost, email and free vision or audio communication. Communication with key partners is vital. SMS believes that with this latest initiative our customers will appreciate both the convenience and speed of our technology through the Porthole and also the ability to mix that with true face to face or voice to voice communication directly with any member of SMS to help them get their business done.“
