For many businesses with extensive SMS mailing lists, shared short codes have been an essential tool. Unlike dedicated short codes, which can cost upwards of $10,000 annually to rent, shared short codes represent a more affordable way of maintaining SMS lead generation efforts.
In the U.S., AT&T recently announced it would restrict shared short code traffic on its network beginning in February 2019 and other carriers in the U.S. and Canada are expected to enact similar policies within the year.
Is it Time to Say Goodbye to Shared Short Codes?
So far, only U.S. based carrier AT&T has officially announced its plans to end shared short codes, though industry insiders expect other carriers to enact similar policies. According to data from Statista, more than 156 million people subscribe to AT&T wireless services, making it an industry trendsetter.
Forward thinking businesses need to consider how they will adapt their SMS marketing strategies to this new paradigm. Shared short codes have been around for over 20 years, so it may take significant effort to adopt a new policy. Working with an SMS gateway provider can make this transition easier.
Why is AT&T Stopping Shared Short Code Traffic?
Considering the success businesses have had with shared short codes, it may come as a surprise that major carriers would make a move to restrict their traffic. Unfortunately, the advantage that makes shared short codes so attractive also allows them to be exploited by bad actors.
A shared short code may be utilized by several distinct businesses, each with a unique set of keywords. When a user replies to the short code, the keyword determines which database the user is added to. If one business using the shared short code violates industry regulations, all businesses suffer the consequences. Because it's not fair to punish one business for the actions of another, carriers were put into a bind. Over recent years, it has become apparent that self-regulation is not the answer, and thus carriers have decided to abandon shared short codes in favor of options that are easier to manage and regulate.
What's Next?
When shared short codes go away, organizations will need to move fast to find a replacement solution. Acquiring a dedicated short code is certainly an option, albeit a more expensive one. Nevertheless, the extra spend does bring more features, compared with shared short codes. A dedicated number allows businesses to choose their own keywords, reach domestic and international customers and even access vanity numbers that are easier to remember.
Another potential solution is a 10-digit long code to send sanctioned A2P message traffic. Currently, Canadian carriers such as Bell, Rogers and Telus levy surcharge fees on this type of traffic. These charges are over and above transit fees paid to carriers, as well as aggregator charges.
With Canadian carriers expected to follow AT&T's lead in abandoning shared short codes, businesses will need to move quickly to find a replacement solution. Speak with an expert at Swift SMS Gateway to learn more about how to make the switch without losing momentum.
SMS API Framework: PHP vs Node.js
An SMS API bridges the gap between carrier networks and the internet, which means your applications can only be as efficient as your API. Your choice of programming language will directly impact how your application functions.
While PHP has been a popular choice for server-side scripting, its ability to power fast user experiences has dampened since the shift toward dynamic web development. The popularity of Node.js, however, has only grown since its release in 2009.
If you're wondering whether to use PHP or Node.js as a framework for connecting text messaging capabilities to your business, consider the following:
Synchronous vs Asynchronous Code
PHP is a synchronous language. Each line of code must execute before the next line runs, which means complex functions can slow down the overall runtime of the application. Node.js is asynchronous, using the JavaScript engine to process code immediately. This ability for functions to execute simultaneously makes Node.js very fast. Importantly, Node.js offers an Asynch/Await feature that allows code containing chained functions to execute synchronously, when needed.
SQL vs NoSQL Databases
Depending on the nature of the data used by your business, you may need to utilize table-based SQL databases or NoSQL solutions with more dynamic structure options. PHP works well with SQL, but it can be more resource intensive to leverage NoSQL.
On the other hand, Node.js works very well with NoSQL databases such as CouchDB and MongoDB. This is good for businesses, because MySQL databases are much more prone to SQL injection attacks and cross-side scripting, compared with NoSQL solutions.
PHP vs JavaScript
One of the greatest advantages Node.js has over PHP is the ability to use JavaScript at all levels. If you use PHP on the server side, you'll still need to use JavaScript on other layers. Doing so adds complexity that can slow down runtimes, especially compared with the Node.js environment.
Likewise, the high popularity of JavaScript makes it easy to integrate the SMS API with other business applications. In fact, the platform runs almost instantly with very little configuration necessary.
Node.js vs Python vs Ruby on Rails
PHP and Node.js aren't the only options available for backend development. Python and Ruby on Rails are popular choices for teams that need to create solutions quickly. However, Node.js offers a number of advantages over these languages, such as its ability to handle many concurrent requests. Similarly, Node.js completes I/O operations outside of the thread, which prevents blocking and allows for efficient scalability.
Takeaway
While there will always be some room for debate, it's clear that Node.js is an ideal solution for a wide range of web development challenges, including SMS API integration. Thanks to its speed, single-language implementation and robust community support, among other features, Node.js is perfect for apps that require real-time functionality.
Now that you understand what makes Node.js an effective solution for all of your SMS API needs, learn more about our API plans today.
2019 Text Messaging Changes
The new year has started with major text messaging changes with surcharge fees levied by carriers and AT&T ending Shared Short Code. Internationally, Telcos are finally sanctioning 10 Digit Longcode (10DLC) as the way to send Application to Person (A2P) traffic, but having no way to extract host fees, Telcos are levying surcharge premiums above their transit fees to accept this traffic. Canadian carriers have been among the first to levy these premiums, with Verizon stateside soon following.
10DLC Long Code is Here To Stay
It is imperative with 10DLC being the medium of choice for critical A2P, all stake holders combat fraud and attack SPAM. Swift SMS Gateway is committed to doing this:
- Swift SMS Gateway is upholding our route quality avoiding Grey Route operators, who are known to skirt carrier surcharges by using modem pools.
- Swift SMS Gateway continues to segregate mass-marketing related directly to Short Code. Sales related traffic does not belong in the same channel as critical A2P and alert messaging. A2P SMS has become a driver of the Internet of things.
AI (Artificial Intelligence) providing pre-scripted automated response, uses texting as a go-to medium for communication. Gartner stands by their earlier prediction that by 2020, 85% of communication back will be through automated bots. This is not SPAM. It’s banking notifications, booking confirmations, system alerts, pins, and security authentications being demanded by a public that is mobile and demanding it on 10 digit long code (10DLC). While Telcos have coined such traffic as “transactional”, many in the industry have echoed the confusion expressed by users of this critical business communication. Such a term is too easily confused as just commerce related, which of course it is not. Regardless, Telcos acceptance of this is a win, although it has forced a big change in recognizing the difference between sales related marketing and critical A2P traffic.
AT&T Ends Shared Short Code
In the States, AT&T is ending Shared Short Codes. The announcement is an effective death nail effectively aimed at attacking SPAM. Due to AT&T’s respective market size other Telcos are sure to follow sooner, or later. This forces legit marketing traffic to dedicated Short Codes. SPAM has plagued the Short Code channel, and because shared services have had a cumbersome opt-in/opt-out process, the management of such shared services has resulted in far too many abuses. In Canada Shared Short Code is still being offered. This may change in the near future.
Surcharges are placing added cost on business communications that enjoyed A2P traffic 10DLC at a fraction of the cost of any short code service, while getting full reach to all Telcos and no need for keyword management. However, 10DLC remains the superior service over Short Code despite Telco surcharges. It is expected in the industry that A2P Carrier Surcharges on 10DLC ensures acceptance of legit traffic and improves deliverability.
There is little doubt these changes are fuelled by transactional traffic and authentication messaging. It is estimated to grow 20% by 2022 exceeding 2.7 trillion messages, while Grey Route traffic will fall 11% over the next 5 years, according to Juniper Research.
As Telcos enforce surcharges on 10DLC in Canada and move marketing towards Dedicated Short Code in the US, business’ message costs are being forced higher. We predict these changes will be adopted by all carriers. The promise is to reduce SPAM and improve deliverability. If you have further questions and concerns about these changes and how they may impact your business’ text messaging, please contact your sales representative here and we will be pleased to assist you and your text message requirements. Swift SMS Gateway is committed to assuring you of the best text message service at all times.
Data Sovereignty and Consumer Protections
When our information is accessible on our personal devices, it is sometimes easy to forget that the data may actually live thousands of miles away. In a global economy, that means your data – or data for which your organization carries responsibility – may live in another country.
Issues surrounding data sovereignty could place your information in jeopardy.
What is Data Sovereignty and Why is it Important?
Data sovereignty refers to the concept that information, when transformed into a binary digital format, is subject to the laws of the country in which it is stored. For example, if a resident of Canada gives his or her personal information to a company in the U.S., their data would be subject to U.S. law.
As more information is stored in the cloud, the issue of privacy becomes of greater concern. Likewise, organizations that leverage SMS communication platforms need to understand where their data is stored and to which laws it may be subject. Until somewhat recently, the laws of Canada and the U.S. were very similar, offering privacy protections to all. However, recent changes to U.S. law have reduced the rights of non-U.S. citizens, and have put consumer data at risk.
Data belonging to Canadians is not protected in the U.S.How Does U.S. Law Impact Consumer Data Around the World?
Until 2017, personal information privacy laws that pertained to U.S. citizens were also extended to citizens of other countries, including Canada and the EU. On Jan. 25, 2017, those rights were revoked by an executive order signed by President Donald Trump.
The order reads: “Agencies shall, to the extent consistent with applicable law, ensure that their privacy policies exclude persons who are not United States citizens or lawful permanent residents from the protections of the Privacy Act regarding personally identifiable information.”
In other words, if a Canadian resident’s personal information is stored on U.S. soil, it is excluded from privacy laws, and companies in the U.S. have no legal obligation to protect that data.
Why Are Canadian Data Centers more secure?
In Canada, the situation is quite different. Data stored in a Canadian facility is subject to Canadian law, such as The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which extends rights to all people. This is extremely important for organizations that handle the private information of Canadian citizens, as the data will have protections no longer available south of the border.
Swift SMS Gateway’s Canadian facilities-based services are located in a Tier 4 data center, which offers the highest host standards possible, used by banks and government agencies. Importantly, the data center utilizes geographically separate storage and disaster recovery facilities provided by unaffiliated service providers. Swift SMS Gateway owns its servicers and hardware, and we place an operations team within a fifteen minute walk from our primary facilities in a secured, unadvertised location.
To learn more about the advantages of Swift SMS Gateway, schedule a free demo today.
Why SMS integration is key to successful contact center redundancy
Contact centers are the next logical step from call centers. SMS, online chat and email have steadily grown in popularity and show no signs of slowing down. In the past, a call center was the easiest way for customers to interact with a business, but calling is no longer the most convenient way to reach the customer service department.
Customers leading busy lives like to have options. Therefore, contact centers need redundant communication channels to optimize the customer experience.
SMS can improve customer satisfaction metrics
Today's customers just don't like to talk on the phone as much as previous generations. There's a reason why modern call centers are becoming more generalized contact centers, and it's the rapid pace of technology evolution. Millennials, the generation that grew up alongside the internet, simply prefer other forms of communication to telephone calls. In fact, research from O2 revealed that making calls is only the fifth most common use of smartphones, falling behind activities like using social media or listening to music.
Corroborating this data, a Gallup poll found that 68 percent of millennials say they text 'a lot' on a daily basis. Furthermore, research conducted by OpenMarket found that Millennials prefer texting for two-way communications with businesses. OpenMarket general manager Jay Emmet noted that the preference for texting is a major opportunity for businesses that want to better communicate with millennial clients.
"These results show that the capabilities of SMS are very prevalent with Millennials, who desire more opportunities to communicate through texting, including more personal two-way interactions. Businesses need to further harness the ubiquity of SMS to realize better overall engagement and customer loyalty with the Millennial generation," said Emmet.
Having more than one communication channel to your contact center can improve customer satisfaction by giving individuals options to choose their preferred method of communication.
SMS API routines integrate seamlessly with existing solutions
Typical communication channels within a contact center include SMS, interactive voice response systems, email, messaging pop-up screens and voice mail. As SMS becomes more popular and preferences for voice decline, call centers will need redundant channels of communication to capture as many interactions as possible.
Simple configuration routines using SMS API routines facilitate easy SMS integration into a multichannel call center software suite. Plus, user-defined rules allow customized message flow. In short, bringing SMS functionality to a contact center is as easy as choosing a coding language and selecting an intuitive API.
SMS is constantly evolving and gaining new applications in the business world. Contact centers need redundant communication channels to deliver the best possible service to their customer base. SMS is an important channel that can't be ignored.
Swift SMS Gateway's experience serving thousands of developers ensures that your objectives are met in connecting SMS alongside email, voice and web services. Plus, reporting capabilities through SMS continue to improve with message delivery status analytics. To learn more, schedule a free demo today.
Why US Companies Are Migrating Data Outside the US
Citizens of the U.S. have a right to reasonable privacy, which includes access to sensitive personal information. A 2007 policy that extended those rights to foreigners was removed in January 2017, which has caused a number of U.S. firms to migrate their data abroad.
What is Protected Personal Information and how is it regulated in the US?
The U.S. Code of Federal Regulations defines protected personal information (PPI) as "Any information or characteristics that may be used to distinguish or trace an individual's identity, such as their name, SSN, or biometric records."
The Privacy Act of 1974 established a code of practices governing the collection, maintenance and use of personal information. The act prohibited bulk dissemination of PPI and set down regulations for how federal agencies should store information that could be accessed by an individual identifier.
Why Foreigners to the US Are No Longer Protected
The Judicial Redress Act of 2015 extended certain rights of judicial redress to citizens of certain foreign countries, including those of the EU. However, an executive order signed Jan. 25, 2017 by President Donald Trump effectively retracted those rights from foreigners. The order states:
"Agencies shall, to the extent consistent with applicable law, ensure that their privacy policies exclude persons who are not United States citizens or lawful permanent residents from the protections of the Privacy Act regarding personally identifiable information."
For Canadians and EU nationals, this order places their data in an unprotected position. Essentially, if a Canadian citizen's data enters the U.S., but the individual remains in Canada, the U.S. sees him or her as a nonresident alien, and therefore U.S. privacy rights are not extended.
The executive order effectively established what University of Toronto law professor Lisa M. Austin calls a "constitutional black hole," in which the data protection laws of neither country apply.
This becomes an issue for firms that use U.S. facilities to process, transmit or store data belonging to foreigners. Although the people who own the data never step foot in the U.S., their data may cross the border as they use the products and services of multinational institutions. Because foreigners can no longer trust that their data will be treated with the same protections found in their home countries, they may opt to find alternative solutions. Therefore, U.S. businesses that want to keep their foreign customers are looking to migrate their data centers to nations with more comprehensive privacy laws.
Companies that need to ensure the integrity of their foreign-owned metadata – such as the identifying information stored in a text message – will likely migrate their data abroad. The language of the executive order is clear: It does not simply say that organizations can choose not to extend privacy rights to foreigners; it states that organizations must actively exclude foreigners from privacy protections.
If your organization is moving data to Canada, trust the SMS gateway that is 100 percent Canadian. Learn more by scheduling a free Swift SMS Gateway demo today.
3 Ways Governments Are Using SMS Today
SMS is an ideal solution for mass messaging because of the ubiquity of the technology. Almost every mobile phone is capable of receiving SMS. Plus, it's easy for users to subscribe and unsubscribe as their needs change.
Local, state, provincial and federal governments can leverage SMS to reach their constituents with important information at any time. Here are three ways governments are using SMS:
1. Public Safety Alerts
Local governments can benefit from using SMS alerts to notify residents about public safety concerns. Residents can opt in to the program, and receive notifications about all kinds of events such as fires, police activity and even traffic jams.
Next Steps Marketing reported that New York state's NY-Alert system has leveraged text messaging to great success. In fact, 49 percent of the program's 4.7 million subscribers have opted to receive text messages about major road closures, severe weather and more. The network allows a number of organizations to send alerts, including local universities and government services.
2. Volunteer Opportunities
Community engagement is the bedrock of local government. But with so many distractions competing for everyone's time, it can be a challenge to recruit volunteers for community projects. SMS offers a way for local government organizations to build contact lists and notify their volunteer networks when help is needed.
For instance, local organizations can use text messages to notify people of volunteer opportunities, calls for donations and much more. In this case, SMS can be more effective than a mailing list because users are more likely to read the messages right away. On short notice, volunteers may not have enough time to read through their email inbox – and messages from the government may accidentally get stored out of sight in the junk folder. SMS is much more reliable.
3. Facilities Management
SMS can also optimize internal functions at government organizations, especially in regard to facilities management. Managing government assets is never a simple job, but an SMS solution can make it more efficient. SMS services allow facility managers to easily communicate with vendors and contractors, so they can move their projects forward with fewer roadblocks. The more transparent the communication, the better.
Government organizations have a responsibility to their taxpayers to run as efficiently as possible. SMS helps to achieve that goal by streamlining communication in a way that is intuitive and easy for anyone to understand. After all, finding someone who isn't familiar with texting is harder to do with each passing year.
These are just three of the myriad ways government organizations can benefit from SMS. Stakeholders can find customized solutions to their challenges by working with an SMS gateway provider.
For your SMS strategy to be truly optimized, you need a network you can rely on in any situation. To learn more about how to choose a provider, sign up for a free demo of SwiftSMSGateway.com today.
Canada Messaging: What’s Happening with A2P Text
Text message has fast become the most effective way to reach the public. Recognizing this, in Canada mobile carriers have now set clear acceptance of A2P (Application to Person) 10 digit longcode traffic as separate from shortcode marketing. Rogers and Telus have introduced surcharges on this over and above their transit fees already collected, which effective immediately increases longcode costs.
Mobile carrier surcharges are effectively an admission that they want a bigger piece of this business.
Swift SMS Gateway has long been a champion of A2P longcode for non-marketing traffic and we have worked with clients to differentiate on the appropriate channel, be it shortcode, or longcode based on use to ensure your messages reach their intended audience. Despite the hype over messaging apps, SMS has enjoyed a healthy rise as the go to medium for developers in finding new and innovative ways in connecting the public, business, industry and utilities.
Reaching a Relevant Audience
It’s no secret Canadians prefer to communicate via a mobile device. According to Statistics Canada, 94 percent of Canadians aged 15 to 34 owned a smartphone in 2016. Overall, 76 percent of Canadians owned a smartphone. Importantly, millennials and members of Gen Z preferred text communication over calling in 2017, according to a report from LivePerson.
These tendencies highlight an important shift in how individuals prefer to communicate. Whether they’re talking with friends, or interacting with a business for personal alerts or in marketing, texting represents a form of communication that is less disruptive than other messaging platforms. Phone calls take time that texts don’t require of the participant. Convenience makes text messages a viable platform beyond just marketing. It’s become the preferred channel for assisting in daily scheduling and organizing personal calendars.
Whether a business is headquartered in the U.S. or Canada, it’s important that the organization is able to reach audiences across Canada’s vast expanses. SMS represents a simple method of communication with a high level of potential now realized in A2P longcode. However, strict regulations mean businesses need to be careful about who they message, how often they send messages and the content each message contains.
Approximately 94 percent of Canadians aged 15 to 34 own a smartphone.Complying with Regulations
Canada has thorough regulations on text message marketing. The basic rule is that marketers need to obtain consent from the recipient, provide identification information as part of the message and provide an unsubscribe mechanism. According to the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunication Commission, users may give consent in writing or orally, and it is a business’ responsibility to track and record consent.
Likewise, an organization must identify itself within the message or via a hyperlink contained within the message. Additionally, an unsubscribe method ensures that the second party can withdraw consent at any time.
Technical regulations and rules apply to SMS marketing messages, but A2P personal alert traffic should not be confused with sales solicitations.
Marketers should also understand restrictions applied to long code A2P messages. Long codes are best used for low-volume communication because there is a limit to how many messages can go out each minute, which make them ideal in Canada for calendar alerts, authentication pins, and account updating. Short codes continue to be the proper channel for marketing.
Choosing a Dependable SMS Gateway
If your organization wants to reach Canadians, it needs to invest in a reliable SMS gateway solution, especially if the application demands a local presence. Swift SMS is the ideal choice because we offer 100 percent North American, international and global SMS coverage through more than 800 carriers. Plus, our solutions comply with all regulations to mitigate your organization’s risk and we have a long history and understanding in servicing the Canadian Market.
To learn more, sign up for a free demo today.
GDPR Why it Matters
Swift SMS Gateway is at work to make sure we are compliant to data protection principals of GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation). Even if you think your business is not concerned about GDPR – It’s about Europe – You are still impacted by these new European data regulations. Its goal is to make it easy for consumers to give and withdraw consent for the use of their data. Consumer privacy and security is key. Consider it as part of our mutual security obligations.
All businesses large and small collecting consumer data are subject to GDPR compliance, but if you are a small business, any security breach surrounding data can be especially devastating. As we have highlighted in previous blog articles, remember 60% of small businesses cannot sustain themselves after a data breach. Consider now; starting on May 25th, 2018, non-compliance and/or a breach of consumer data as defined in GDPR is subject to fine from the EU. So data security and privacy protection measures for consumers are now even more relevant.
GDPR fines are to be based at two levels:
- Up to €10 million, or 2% of the company’s global annual turnover of the previous financial year, whichever is higher.
- Up to €20 million or 4% of the company’s global annual turnover of the previous financial year, whichever is higher.
For more information on GDPR fines go here. The EU is expecting cooperation from neighbouring countries in the enforcement of this. Being in North America will not make you free of these obligations.
Swift SMS Gateway services provide connectivity to global mobile operators with the majority of our business focused on North America. We take GDPR and all security matters concerning our client’s text messaging data, and end-user privacy seriously. We strive to make your text messaging service better wherever possible.
How Does GDPR Impact Text Message Services?
The impact of GDPR is global across many businesses large and small. Its scope is wide too, because interpretation of its definition of “Data Processing” and “Transactional Data” are broad. All communication services and business using public Internet in any aspect of their communications chain are potentially impacted. While the layman interpretation of Transactional Data is easily misunderstood as concerning a financial transaction, in the communications industry, understand that simple messaging can be considered as within the scope of Transactional Data.
What Privacy Assurances Does Swift SMS Give Concerning GDPR?
Rest assured Swift SMS Gateway limits Data Processing to facilitate data transit of your text messages and nothing more. As has always been our pledge to our clients:
Your SMS data is your own. Swift SMS does not share it, use it, or re-market it.
How we hold true to this pledge has always been to abide to the principal of Data Minimization, which is a key aspect of GDPR. All data service providers are subject to scrutiny around the area of data retention, because archive and storage is a bi-product of a transit service, whether it is paid for or not. Ultimately businesses must realize the ultimate right of data belongs to consumers. Swift SMS Gateway believes the spirit of our original pledge still holds true today.
Fundamentally, Swift SMS Gateway is paid to deliver text messaging and we deem message content, to have zero value to us as your text message service – We don’t analyze message content, but we do take your security seriously. We manage security around data retention on the “need to know” principals of data minimization, and the key requirements of fair and reasonable use.
Concerning GDPR guidelines, text messaging records are processed using two critical elements:
- Call Detail Records – The info around phone numbers and delivery receipt.
- Message Detail Records – The info in the text message being the content.
Fair and reasonable use of these two critical elements means we use the Call Detail Records (CDR) for accounting purposes to determine message use, while we place zero value on the Message Detail Record (MDR).
However, both the CDR and MDR are important to you, our customer. Ultimately, we both share in consumer privacy obligations.
As a whole, text messaging records are processed in our live record set. We call this the Gateway and then move these text messages off-line to archive in six weeks. Typical clients demand full access the text messaging record during the first six weeks. 99% of our clients never query data beyond the first 90 days.
Upcoming Changes for GDPR Compliance
Starting May 25th, 2018, Swift SMS Gateway will be scrubbing message content (the MDR) on all clients beyond the first 90 days. This process is called “redaction”, which means the censoring, or obscuring of part of text for legal or security purposes. Historically, we’ve only done redaction based on client request for non-typical clients. The scrub methodology we use is to redact message content with a standard message acknowledging the text string replacement of message content in an overwrite. This methodology is superior to deletion flagging. On the same date Swift SMS Gateway will be scrubbing the last four digits on text message phone numbers (the CDR) using the same scrub methodology.
If you have further questions and concerns about GDPR and how any changes regarding it may impact your business’s text messaging, please contact your sales representative here and we will be pleased to assist you and your text message requirements. Beyond GDPR, Swift SMS Gateway is committed to assuring you of the best text message service at all times.
Make Node.js Your SMS API Framework
Many developers tasked to integrate text messaging into business platforms are using Node.js; an open source, cross-platform environment written in JavaScript. Compared to Ruby, Python and PHP, the speed and performance quality of Node.js makes it an ideal web framework for connecting text messaging into your business with SMS API.
Here are three compelling reasons to learn more about Node.js:
1. High Performance for Web Environments
Since its introduction in 2009, the Node.js framework has become an increasingly popular solution. According to AltexSoft, technology leaders such as Netflix, Uber and eBay have employed the technology with great success. One of the reasons for its widespread use is that Node.js provides high-quality results with great speed.
Node.js utilizes a nonblocking I/O model, which permits processing to continue during transmission. According to the Node.js Foundation, almost no functions in Node.js directly perform I/O, so there’s little risk of dead-locking processes.
This functionality makes the technology perfect for real-time applications. For example, nearForm reported that Fastify, an HTTP framework built with Node.js, was able to process over 1.5 times the number of requests per second, compared to more established frameworks.
The speed and reliability of Node.js makes it ideal for a number of use cases, from app development to internet of things solutions. Nearly any data-intensive application that has to perform in varied environments would benefit from the Node.js framework.
Node.js is fast, efficient and easy to use.2. Use of JavaScript For All Layers
Node.js is so fast because it uses JavaScript at all layers. By leveraging a single language, speed increases because there’s no conversion necessary. In essence, Node.js is perfect for server-side web applications with client and server channels because there’s so little lag time.
The ubiquity of JavaScript should make Node.js attractive to many SMS API developers wanting to connect text messaging into business applications, as there’s almost no new language to learn. Plus, the platform runs almost instantly, with little configuration necessary.
Compared to other methods, Node.js makes it easy to create a push notification server that plays nicely with Android and iOS devices. Configuration is minimal, typically requiring only a single command line to get the server up and running. This ability to get started almost immediately makes Node.js a great candidate for developers who are eager to get their projects off the ground as soon as possible.
3. Appropriate Architecture For Real-Time Text SMS API Apps
Node.js can do just about anything PHP or Ruby on Rails can do, but all with JavaScript. Developers creating real-time applications may want to consider Node.js in lieu of these other languages simply because it is designed from the ground up to handle persistent connections. To do the same thing in Ruby or Python, addition tools such as EventMachine and Twisted are required. With Node.js, an application can perform long-polling without creating an immense serverload. This functionality allows the app to update users in real time – no separate threads required.
Want to learn more about why Node.js is so popular in connecting text messaging into business platforms and integrating SMS API? Check out our resources for developers.