•   New service to revolutionise property marketing in Botswana

Potsdam, Germany, 5th October 2010: Derdack (www.derdack.com), provider of enterprise notification software and mobile messaging platforms, today announced it’s customer Newline Technologies has won a prestigious industry award for a new real estate mobile messaging service built on message master® xsp, Derdack’s platform software for SMS and MMS messaging.  The Innovation Award 2010 was presented to Newline Technologies at ITEX 2010, the biggest ICT event in Botswana. Newline Technologies is an independent Wireless Application Service Provider based and operating in the Botswana market but with a vision to penetrate regional and international value-added-services markets.

The mobile market in Botswana is experiencing rapid growth with nearly 60% of the population owning and using a mobile phone and this penetration far outstrips internet use for example. SIM card penetration is estimated at 107%, by factoring in dual SIM ownership (according to a study by Analyst Analysys Mason).  Newline has capitalised on this by creating a unique application or service branded ‘Real-One’, which allows estate agents to more effectively market properties.  Agents can enter details of their properties into an online portal with each property allocated a unique reference number to be used in general marketing and advertising such as on ‘for sale’ boards, in adverts, etc.

Prospective buyers can send this reference to a dedicated shortcode and receive by return SMS additional details of the property such as price, a detailed description, whether it is still available, etc.  This service can be used for any type of property for sale, rent or even in new developments.  It is completely unique to the African market and a live demonstration of the service which uses all three main mobile operator networks, was provided at the recent ITEX 2010 exhibition, where it received the Innovation Award for 2010 within the ICT sector.

Ditirwa C. Mphoeng, Founder and Managing Director of Newline Technologies said, “The real estate market relies on fast and accurate communication of information and we realised that there was an opportunity to use the mobile channel to provide a more effective marketing service.  The reaction that we have received from estate agents has been incredibly enthusiastic as they can see the benefits in terms of making it easier for prospective buyers to receive additional information that is fully up to date.  message master® xsp proved invaluable in the design and build process and we are anticipating a rapid take up once it has been launched.”

The real-time online portal allows estate agents to react quickly to changes in circumstances, e.g. when a property is sold, or the price changes.  This contributes to a faster more accurate information service which benefits both buyers and sellers in the fast moving property market.

Matthes Derdack, Managing Director of Derdack concluded, “We designed message master® xsp to enable companies to easily build and roll out new mobile messaging products and services.  I am delighted to congratulate Newline on receiving this award for innovation.  It validates the business case for companies looking for a convenient and cost effective platform to take advantage of the high level of mobile usage in African nations.”